The Great Equalizer
Fraternity noun: an organized society of people associated together in an environment of companionship joined by similar backgrounds, occupations, interests, or tastes; dedicated to the intellectual, physical, and social development of its members.
I’ve always liked the idea of fraternities. The idea of a group of people gathering together sharing the same interest. After all, that’s how families, communities, cities, nations and empires were created. Even our own United States of America was colonized by a small band of fraternals looking to escape political and religious oppression. We are all part of one or more fraternities, whether we actually call it that or not. Your weekly golf foursome, a men’s bible study, the yearly fantasy football league, a regular poker game, supper club, the softball league, season ticket holders of our favorite team or your Saturday morning motorcycle riding club. The list goes on and on and the need for man to gravitate toward his fellow comrade through a common interest will always appeal to us.
I have started a routine since opening up En Fuego Frisco. Every morning, I will make a cup of my favorite coffee, fire up a morning cigar, sit out on our patio and enjoy the morning. More often than not, I’m joined by two of my regular customers. Ken and Aaron. Aaron is a tall, lanky, slow talking, starving college kid who likes strong cigars. He is attending seminary and plans on being a Baptist minister. He apparently has embraced the life of poverty pretty well, judging by his choice of occupation. I have a deep affinity for those who aren’t motivated by the all mighty dollar. Ken, on the other hand, is a African-American baby boomer who talks unusually loud. He also has an accompanying, contagious laugh that share the same characteristics. His booming vocals bounce through the breezeway that envelopes our store from all sides. Ken is a lifetime Navy guy. After graduating from the Naval Academy, serving in 2 wars and captaining a Naval destroyer for the past 2 decades, he has made the rank of Admiral. His voice definitely fits his rank. I can only imagine how much endearment and respect he must have from so many of his subordinates. But every morning, over a cup of joe and a cigar, we are just three regular dudes.
What do Ken, Aaron and myself have in common? Absolutely nothing. We are from three different ethnic backgrounds, different personalities, different ages, different educations, different political views and 3 different incomes. So how is it that 3 guys with that little in common make it a ritual to carve 2 hours out of our schedules every day for each others company? The cigar. It’s what I call, “The Great Equalizer”. We don’t treat each other as Admirals, students or local business owners. We treat each other as brethren who come together in an environment of companionship joined by one single interest. Kinda like....well, a fraternity.
One thing my Dad, brother and myself pride ourselves on is how diverse En Fuego is. En Fuego shows no prejudice toward color, age, race, social status, income or gender. We will always provide a comfortable lounge that anyone can sit and enjoy a cigar in. If you buy a cigar from us, you should be able to enjoy it with us. We don’t think you have to be the upper crust of society to enjoy the pleasures of our fraternity. While here, you may be sitting between 2 guys, one who makes double your income, and the other a fraction. But fear not. Once you walk through the doors of En Fuego we are all fraternal brothers who share one common passion; the camaraderie that always accompanies the mutual love of a fine cigar.
Who knows, you may end up making a lifelong friend. One whom you never would have had the opportunity to meet outside of the En Fuego fraternity. Ken, Aaron, myself and about 4 hours worth of cigars took to the golf course last week. From the outside bystander, we were the most hodge podge threesome out there. But to us, we were part of a fraternal brotherhood. Apparently, God wasn’t listening to Aaron’s golf prayers that day and hopefully Ken is better at tracking down nuclear submarines than he is at reading greens. Oh well, at least the cigars were good.
-Mark Moore
