One of the biggest attractions at the show (or two of the biggest attractions, depending on your perspective) was the Page 3 girl on the Ultima stand. You could always tell when she was in attendance for the stand, just across the way from us, was completely surrounded by quivering male bodies.
But we on the FISHINGmagic stand had a much better bite indicator (a quivertip nevertheless) to let us know when she was there. We just had to look if Cullen, one of our managers, was missing.
Once, during a quiet period, as I stood chatting with Cullen, Tom, our Australian technician, sauntered over to me in his very own inimitable style, and said, ‘G’day, yer pommy b*******, wouldn’t it be great if we could get a picture of her with a FISHINGmagic cap on?’
‘G’day cobber’, I said. ‘Yeah, that would be good. I wonder if Cullen would be willing to go over with the digital camera and give it a try?’
But the question fell on deaf ears, for as we looked round Cullen was already disappearing into the throng that longed for a look at the wondrous being that would never, ever, fall on her face.
About an hour later Cullen returned, wiping the dribble from his chin.
‘G’day, Did yer get a shot?’ Tom asked him.
‘G’day. Er, I’d better give it another try.’ Cullen replied.
‘Take the camera with you this time.’ I suggested.
Another hour later Cullen was back again, this time with the camera clutched tightly in a sweaty hand.
‘G’day.’ Tom greeted him. Did you get a shot?’
G’day. I’m not sure. I got a shot but it might not be any good due to camera shake. The crowd, you know.’ Cullen replied. ‘I think I’d better go back and try for another one.’
‘Let’s replay it on the back screen.’ I said. ‘We’ll soon know if the shot’s any good.’
Sure enough, there she was, FISHINGmagic cap perched on those golden locks, the pose fallen into as natural as breathing. ‘Oh, well done Cullen, it’s a good shot.’ I said.
‘I’d better go and thank her.’ Cullen said, as he again disappeared into the crowd.
The following day, when the team had changed and Cullen was back in London, she almost dressed in her best Stars and Stripes and came over to the FISHINGmagic stand. ‘Where’s Cullen?’ She asked.
‘Back in London.’ I said.
‘Oh, that’s a shame. He said he’d like to give me one.’
‘Well, can I help?’ I asked, a lump in my throat.
‘Oh, thank you!’ She enthused, as she grabbed the FISHINGmagic cap from my hand and tottered off on those big high-heeled boots.
Objects of desire. Now everybody will want a FISHINGmagic cap.