I pick up the phone and punch in the numbers for a last minute assignment. A pleasant and cheerful receptionist’s voice greets me and I asked to be transferred. Seconds later I hear a serious and subdued “Hello?” I do my usual spiel and he agrees to be photographed in about an hour. While I am confirming the address the reporter left me, he stops me and says, “Its right above Absinthe.” I respond with a chuckle “That’s convenient.” Dead silence. I then quickly add “I was just kidding.” Again the line is dead silent. I say, “I’ll see you at 4 pm.” After a delay he replies, “Ok,” and hangs up. I am a little worried now. I hope he doesn’t call back and cancel or refuse to meet me when I arrive.
The Absinthe Brasserie and Bar, opened in 1998 and plays an odd homage to the obscure but famous French drink, distilled from aniseed and wormwood. The Absinthe liquor, dubbed “The Green Fairy” is claimed to be wildly addictive and psychoactive. It is banned in several countries including the US. While there is no proof that Absinthe is hallucinogenic, there is however the undisputed fact that thujone (the chemical extract found in wormwood) is toxic and can cause renal failure and death in large doses.
When I arrive, I realize the address can’t possibly be right and I discover that the reporter is dyslexic and transposed the numbers. I stomp up the steps above the bar and meet my subject; he is really just reserved and like the bar below, a bit quirky and unconventional. I was worried for nothing, definitely paranoid, perhaps I was even hallucinating.