This goes with the "Republic of Texas" Constitution item #6
6. Civil disputes that cannot be resolved in court shall be
settled by a chili cook-off.
Recently I was honored to be selected as an Outstanding Famous Celebrity in my Community to be a judge at a chili cook-off because no one else wanted to do it. Also the original personal called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the beer wagon when the call came. I was assured by the other two judges that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, and besides they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted this as being one of those burdens you endure when you're an internet writer and therefore known and adored by all. Here are the scorecards from the event:
Chili # 1: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili
JUDGE # 1: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.
JUDGE # 2: Nice, smooth tomato flavor Very mild.
CAMERON: Holy smokes, what is this stuff? You could remove dried paint
from your driveway with it. Took me two beers to put the flames out. Hope
that's the worst one. These people are crazy.
Chili # 2: Arthur's Afterburner Chili
JUDGE # 1: Smoky (barbecue?) with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.
JUDGE # 2: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
CAMERON: Keep this out of reach of children! I'm not sure what I am
supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted
to give me the Heimlich maneuver. Shoved my way to the front of the beer
line. The barmaid looks like a professional wrestler after a bad night. She
was so irritated over my gagging sounds that the snake tattoo under her eye
started to twitch. She has arms like Popeye and a face like Winston
Churchill. I will NOT pick a fight with her.
Chili # 3: Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili
JUDGE # 1: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.
JUDGE # 2: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.
CAMERON: This has got to be a joke. Call the EPA, I've located a uranium
spill. My nose feels like I have been sneezing Drano. Everyone knows the
routine by now and got out of my way so I could make it to the beer wagon.
Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the front part of
my chest. She said her friends call her "Sally." Probably behind her back
they call her "Forklift."
Chili # 4: Bubba's Black Magic
JUDGE # 1: Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
JUDGE # 2: A hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or
other mild foods, not much of a chili.
CAMERON: I felt something scraping across my tongue but was unable to
taste it. Sally was standing behind me with fresh refills so I wouldn't
have to dash over to see her. When she winked at me her snake sort of
coiled and uncoiled-it's kinda cute.
Chili # 5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover
JUDGE # 1: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground adding
considerable kick. Very impressive.
JUDGE # 2: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit
the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
CAMERON: My ears are ringing and I can no longer focus my eyes. I
belched and four people in front of me needed paramedics. The contestant
seemed hurt when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally
saved my tongue by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. Sort of
irritates me that one of the other judges asked me to stop screaming.
Chili # 6: Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety
JUDGE # 1: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spice
and peppers.
JUDGE # 2: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic.
Superb.
CAMERON: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous
flames. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except Sally. I asked if
she wants to go dancing later.
Chili # 7: Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili
JUDGE # 1: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
JUDGE # 2: Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef threw in canned chili peppers at
the last moment. I should note that I am worried about Judge Number 3,
he appears to be in a bit of distress.
CAMERON: You could put a hand grenade in my mouth and pull the pin and I
wouldn't feel it. I've lost the sight in one eye and the world sounds
like it is made of rushing water. My clothes are covered with chili which
slid unnoticed out of my mouth at some point. Good, at autopsy they'll know
what killed me. Go Sally, save yourself before it's too late. Tell our
children I'm sorry I was not there to conceive them. I've decided to stop
breathing, it's too painful and I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I
need air I'll just let it in through the hole in my stomach. Call the
X-Files people and tell them I've found a super nova on my tongue.
Chili # 8: Helen's Mount Saint Chili
JUDGE # 1: This final entry is a good, balanced chili, neither mild nor
hot.
Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 fell and pulled
the chili pot on top of himself.
JUDGE # 2: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all,
not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence. Poor fella, wonder
how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?
CAMERON: Mommie ... ????
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