PEP'S

I ordered a walking stick. Not that I do a lot of walking, but sometimes I like to "put some stick about and make 'em jump" to quote the inimitable Francis Urquhart. With this in mind, it was obvious that something out of the ordinary was called for, which led me to the doorstep of PEP'S in le Passage de l'Ancre in the third arrondissement.

The proprietor, Thierry Millet by name, is what the French refer to as un Monsieur, a gentleman let us say, who appreciates things done properly and with all due elegance. This shows in the way he speaks with well chosen words (recalling Philippe Noiret) and in the way he crafts repairs to the umbrellas that are his specialty. He took my order for a cane that Fred Astaire would have felt at ease with as a prop, but not before taking my measure both literally and figuratively. We spoke at length about a number of subjects, most unrelated to the purpose of my visit.

He demonstrated a superior intellect, an engaging sense of humor and a respectful curiosity; all that one would hope for in a friend but seldom finds in a casual exchange. The hour spent in his shop transcended the mere act of a retail purchase and served to remind me why I love living in Paris.

Merci M. Millet !