Fleshing out Franklin
Americans have great historical pride. That is why this past Saturday, the alumni from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business held a party at Exchange Square's Atrium to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth.
Given that Wharton ranks as one of the top US business schools, it is appropriate that it would commemorate the man featured on the US$100 bill.
The organisers were quick to remind us that Franklin was also American ambassador to France. Forget his invention of the Franklin stove, his discovery of the lightning rod, or even his effort as one of the country's founders. You see, as ambassador to France, it gave the boys of Wharton an excuse to include a French lingerie show (courtesy of Jilian) in the celebration.
'Everyone really enjoyed the event, especially all the guys,' says Brian Greytak, who portrayed Ben Franklin at the event. 'There are about 500 grads in Hong Kong. They're trying to change their image a bit. As a business school, the group's past events have been more business-oriented and subdued.
'As for me, they just asked me to play Ben Franklin. Apparently, they think that I look like him, although I never considered it. But once I put on the costume and looked in the mirror, I guess that I do look like him.'
Additional reporting by Jasmine Wang
