[beppe]

Originally Posted by beppe

After that a Vergnano coffee deca made in the Nespresso machine that deserves it's full story, the coffee I mean. BTW excellent.

The story has yet to be written, easy because it has an happy ending. I'll post it when it is ready.

It is ready. Right here. For adults' eyes only.

We have a sexy Nespresso machine. We use regular and deca coffee. Very good. The only problem with Nespresso is getting the stuff. I have to go downtown and get a large bag of it that might last for a while. Now we were running short of the deca.
But, marvel of marvels, while we were in France, we saw the advertising that Vergnano, a well known Italian brand of high quality, has started to distribute in supermarkets coffee capsules compatible with the Nespresso machines. Heila!

Last Monday, I saw the capsule and got a box of 10 deca to try. At home, I started the machine, freed the capsule from it's tin foil container, and dropped it in the slot that the machine is equipped with. Oh! Surprise. The capsule just went through the slot, down into the glass box that receives the capsules that have been used. Clunk. Oh my. I took out the glass container, recovered the capsule and while it works not do again end while (a natural coding language that I just invented, whow, it looks like a cool construct).

After a number of tries, I saw on the box the phone number of Vergnano. I explain the problem to the receptionist and after a moment I am transferred to an other voice, that knows of my problem. What a voice. Mellow, sweet, with just a hint of central Piedmont accent. Practical, serious, patient. Sexy in a way, but telling me that as long as I do not pester her everything will be fine, a hidden message, subtle and clear. Just a hint. With that inviting accent they have to learn how to keep fresh people at distance. The call costs only 12 cents, as I told her, so we can do it properly. Absolutely, or Italian words to that effect. I make her listen to repeated clunks of the capsule falling down while I am following her instructions.
Your machine must be old. The capsules are 2 mm smaller than Nespresso and the wings of the slot must have worn out.
I have it from just one year. It's new. DeLonghi.
Ah, the one with ridges?
Yeah, I changed it because ...
Because it is pretty. I have one at home and it works just fine.
Well, it's a pity. Not only your coffee is very good. I know it since ever, but the possibility of getting it in the supermarket made the whole difference. I would have used it happily.
Listen, were are you. I say it.
We come in your corner Thursday. We have to look this up, and see what is the problem. We had only one problem before, with an old machine.
Ok. Thank you very much.

After, I tried a few tricks. Padding the capsule with some towel paper made it. The coffee was much finer than the Nespresso. I made an other using one of the tricks she had shown me. So I called again.

Answers the receptionist. I am the same one, kindly make me speak to that lady. One moment. And the voice is there again. And my own loads up with smiles. Really a rare pleasure hearing that voice.
Hello. I just wanted to tell you that I was able to do it.
How nice. You are so kind to call back. And how did you do it?
I told her of the paper, and of the trick. And of my efforts with these sausage like fingers of mine. Then I told her that the coffee was really marvelous, but that was it for me. She said what a pity to loose a customer. Yeah, I said. But also with all the publicity that you are making and all the investments. I learned of this in France. We are all over the world. But, truly you are only the second one to have problems. 2 mm is a huge space. Did Nespresso give you troubles? No, we have a patent. Ok, then. It is not worth that you come here. We will just loose our time, your people and me. You have been very kind to call back. And you so kind in trying to please me. Good bye. Good bye.

Happy ending one.
Now it works. I have to hold the capsule a bit while pressing the lever. But it works and the coffee is so much better, in my opinion of course.

Happy ending two
Yesterday I got a call from a transporter.
We have a package from you from Vergnano. There will be somebody in tomorrow? Yes from 10 to 5.
And this morning there it is, a package with 2 boxes of deca and with a little white envelope with my address hand written on it, with a card. A small omage for thanking you for the notice. Greetings. Signed by the owner, Ms Vergiano herself. Nice hand writing.

A personal comment
What a voice. With a lover with that voice, I would just sit at her feet, holding the hem of her dress, while she works on her petite point and she tells me never ending nonsenses. And we would let the time flow between a cup of coffee and few remarks about the ever increasing price of melissa and verbenas. My grandfather was from that part of Piedmont. He spoke very highly of the beauty and the sweetness of the girls there. My grand mother was from there also. Not with that voice though, With me at least. Although she always cooked my preferred meals, and always took my side.
That place is also where the Italian slow food movement started, that put in motion a number of modern tendencies. Nice place, rolling hills with the mountains in the background. Very agreeable. Great food and very very nice wine. Asparagus country and plenty of fruits. Difficult communications though. In the middle of nowhere. It might be an advantage.