What were the tribulations of the young writer in entertaining his lady admirer at Foyot’s? 

Or, how was the young writer exploited by his lady admirer at Foyot’s? ✪✪✪

William Somerset Maugham’s (1874–1965) story “The Luncheon” (1924) shows how a lady admirer quietly exploits a young writer. He is exploited at the famous and costly Paris restaurant Foyot’s. The woman speaks softly. She smiles politely. But she forces the writer into great trouble. The story shows human greed, social pride, and the pain of poverty. It also shows polite suffering and hidden cruelty.

Used the Writer’s Politeness: The story begins in a theatre. During the interval, the writer sees the woman. She calls him with a gesture. He sits beside her. She reminds him of their first meeting. She says, 

“You asked me to luncheon.” 

This memory takes him back to Paris twenty years earlier. At that time, the young writer lived in the Latin Quarter. He had very little money and could hardly survive. But he was young and polite. When she wrote again and asked him to take her to lunch at Foyot’s, he felt unable to refuse. The woman used his politeness and admiration for her. She knew he would agree. This was the start of her exploitation.

Ordered Costly Dishes: At Foyot’s, the woman began her trick. She said confidently, 

“I never eat anything for luncheon.” 

The writer felt safe for a moment. But soon she added, 

“A little fish, perhaps.” 

Then she asked for salmon, even though it was early in the year for salmon. The writer ordered the expensive fish. Then she casually said, 

“Unless you had a little caviar. I never mind caviar.” 

The writer’s heart sank. He could not afford caviar, but he ordered it. This false claim of small hunger allowed her to order more without shame. Her words and her actions were completely opposite. She used this dishonesty to enjoy costly food at the writer’s expense.

Forced Him to Buy Champagne: The woman continued the same trick with drinks. She first said, 

“I never drink anything for luncheon.” 

The writer felt relieved. But then she added calmly, 

“Except white wine.” 

A moment later, she said, 

“My doctor won't let me drink anything but champagne.” 

This shocked the writer. But he still ordered half a bottle. He himself drank only water. She used health as an excuse. She used lies to make the writer pay more. She enjoyed everything while the writer sat in fear.

Raised the Bill with Asparagus and Peaches: The woman did not stop. She again said she ate “only one thing.” Then she asked for giant asparagus. The writer knew they were “horribly expensive.” Yet he ordered them. The smell of the butter on the asparagus increased his pain and panic. At the end, the head waiter brought a basket of huge peaches. They were out of season and extremely costly. The woman simply took one. This final act broke the writer completely. He feared he could not pay the bill.

Left Him with No Money: After the meal, the bill came. The writer paid for everything. He had only enough for a very small tip. The woman saw the small three-franc tip and thought he was mean. She did not thank him. She only told him to follow her and eat just one thing for lunch. The writer answered, 

“I shall eat nothing for dinner tonight.” 

She laughed and called him “Humorist.” She left in a taxi. The writer walked out with no pennies in his pocket. He was used, embarrassed, and left alone.

The Luncheon shows how simple kindness can be punished. The lady enjoys luxury. The writer pays the price. In the end, her greed and his silence reveal one truth: polite people often suffer, and selfish people walk away smiling.