h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Who would you invite - living or dead? Famous or infamous?
I would invite two old boys I knew when they were alive, Tom Bassett (TB) and Doug Burke (DB). I just wondered what it's like dieing before you even turn 45. I'd have questions for both of them. To TB, giant and toe-headed until his grave, I'd ask how he kept the fact that he was gay such a secret. I was a uni room mate of his and never knew of this inclination. His life was always elsewhere, I realize, but I never appreciated just how elsewhere it was and I think it was awfully brave/strong/divine of him to maintain a front for the likes of us bleeding blokes who might have wondered what it was like to live such a secret. Rest his soul. I still dont know what killed him, living in San Francisco and years after leaving the mater Alma starting our uni's Gay Alumnae club. Right, that might have been a clue.

As for MR DB. I still owe him some money. Nasty subject, money, but it appears to be a little late to weep over that. Anyway, since I'm fond of cooking I'd make a heavenly meal and be pleased to hear about their situations.

What food would you serve?
Steak with lots of salt or one of those half-pound country club burgers he was so fond of, for DB. I suppose I'd make a salad for TB since he was always eating at the restaurant where he worked throughout our time in uni. He probably wouldn't come hungry.

Where would you hold the dinner party?
Party's are best held out of doors, away from people where noise wouldn't be a problem.

Would you have background music? Any live entertainment?
I think we'd have to have a little Ella Fitzgerald on the turntable since DB was terribly fond of that scatting thing she does so well during her forgetful moments of Mac the Knife. Then perhaps I'd chuck on something momentous for TB like that really groany part of Beethoven's 7th symphony where the cellos do their inimitable thing. One of the middle movements, slow, pretty. That would probably follow dessert.

Any other individual little touches to make the evening even more memorable? Party hats and maybe a halo if the didn't bring their own. Poor old fellas, dieing young enough for the rest of us to notice. Shit (sorry) that's sad...