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Arthur's Note
Arthur Palm · Founder
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Why We Never Leave Early
There are people who think the match is the important part.
They're usually the ones who disappear before the second round arrives.
Yesterday a gentleman from Los Angeles packed his bag the moment we finished playing. He shook everyone's hand, thanked us for the game and announced he had "a long drive home."
Nobody stopped him. Nobody tried to convince him otherwise.
We simply watched him walk across the car park carrying what looked like a perfectly good afternoon away with him.
Twenty minutes later Rafael produced a bottle of Herradura somebody had been saving.
Antonio appeared with grilled prawns that weren't on the menu.
The Actor wandered in looking annoyed because he'd lost to two dentists.
Vivian pretended she wasn't listening while quietly moving another four chairs onto the terrace because she knew nobody would be leaving before dark.
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The conversation drifted from padel to racing cars, then to Sinatra, then to whether golf was actually necessary.
(It isn't.)
By sunset we'd forgotten who had won.
That's usually how you know you've had a good day.
Some clubs measure success by the number of matches played. We measure ours by how many people look at their watches and decide it can wait another hour.
If you're ever invited for "just one drink" after your match...
Cancel your evening. You're already exactly where you should be.
Arthur Palm · Founder · Court Three
This Week at the Club
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On Court
Louis' Grounds Report
Louis · Groundsman
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Court Three required brushing twice this week. Not because of the sand. Because too many people refused to come off it.
The Tuesday group once again insisted they had time for "one last set." Three sets later Rafael had to bring drinks directly to the court.
Arthur maintains they were only there another twenty minutes. The sun disagrees.
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At the Bar
Rafael's Notebook
Rafael · Barman, Sunset Bar
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Most Ordered This Week: Margarita. Again.
Arthur insists there are better cocktails. He has ordered seven margaritas this week.
A gentleman from Chicago attempted to pay his bar tab with poker chips. Arthur accepted them immediately. Vivian did not.
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The Desert Nine
All Nine Holes
Arthur Palm · Reluctant Golfer
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Arthur completed all nine holes on Thursday. This is noteworthy because he normally loses interest after the third.
He maintains golf exists only to fill the time before padel begins. Marco Bellini replied that this was exactly why Arthur was so bad at it.
Neither man improved their score.
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From the Kitchen
Antonio Recommends
Antonio Rodriguez · Head Chef
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The sea bass continues to outsell everything else.
Arthur continues to ask whether it can be served with fries.
It can. It shouldn't.
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"
By sunset we'd forgotten who had won. That's usually how you know you've had a good day.
Arthur Palm · Court Three · July 1976
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Around the Club
The flamingos have returned to the lake beside the eighth hole. Arthur claims they recognise him. The flamingos have made no public statement.
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Lost: One Cream Linen Jacket
Found in the Sunset Bar. Contents:
| · One hotel key |
| · Two cigars |
| · Three dollars |
| · A handwritten telephone number |
Arthur suggested wearing the jacket around the terrace until someone recognises it. Vivian suggested a lost property box. Vivian won. Again.
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Vivian's Desk
Vivian Morgan · Managing Director
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Several members have asked whether they may reserve Court Three every Thursday afternoon. No. The court belongs to whoever happens to be creating tomorrow's story.
Please also note that towels are for drying yourself. They are not intended for reserving sun loungers. Thank you.
— Vivian
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This Week's Record · On the Terrace
Fleetwood Mac
Landslide
Played just before sunset.
Nobody spoke until it finished.
Nobody needed to.
Meanwhile at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100: Don't Go Breaking My Heart — Elton John & Kiki Dee
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The Last Word
The lights on Court Three finally went out at 9:42.
The terrace stayed full until considerably later.
Arthur's chair remains exactly where it has always been.
Facing the court.
Waiting.
On Court. In Culture. · Public Secret. Private Club.
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