A bouquet of flowers and a bizarre story

A most funny episode of The Dave Chappelle Show involved Charlie Murphy and Prince (R.I.P).

Told by Murphy, Eddie’s brother, the outlandish tale involves an impromptu meeting with Prince inside a nightclub. Prince eventually extends an invitation for the Murphy crew to come back to his home.

Prince played music tapes but grew tired of the scene. Murphy said outrageous laughter ensued when Prince asked if the guest entourage would like to play his team in basketball. Not only that, Prince found athletic gear for Murphy’s team while his squad countered by playing in their street clothes.

Per Murphy, “Prince had on this Zorro type outfit…..It had ruffles in the front. It looked something like a figure skater would wear.”

Prince, who in reality could ball, and his team beat Murphy’s squad. The musician dominated with exquisite ball handling, deft moves and jump shots. And the ending?

“After it was all over, Prince took us back inside and served us pancakes,” Murphy said. Just the notion of Prince flipping pancakes to defeated ballers sounds outrageously hysterical.

Why this story? Well, because a strange story moved through back channels of Trenton during the height of this residence controversy regarding At-large City Councilwoman Yazminelly Gonzalez.

Mind you, this account strays from rumor because a conversation occurred with a main character in a Prince-like absurdity way. Supposedly, a city official contacted an employee to make an emergency water hookup for the Parkway Ave. house where Gonzalez allegedly lived.

With the connection completed, the city official thanked the employee with a bouquet of flowers delivered to his house. Any red and cold blooded reporter would have to follow that story, just on its weirdness.

Actually, found the employee and contacted him by phone. At first, he offered information but his demeanor became evasive as a mild interrogation ensued. He admitted to having a role in the water meter hookup but offered no definitive time frame.

The big question? Did you ever receive flowers from a city official? He checked out, said that he didn’t think it was a good idea to be answering questions, even said he did not want to put his job in jeopardy.

Okay, the story may not reach the level of levity associated with the Murphy tale but it adds to this Gonzalez residency story.

Who wants pancakes? Or, flowers?