Metairie, Louisiana - Modified-for-Mardi Gras M-Man

Okay, guys, I've found one. Okay, so maybe he's only half a Muffler Man, and maybe he's not on a roadside, but he definitely hits the road several times a year!

I ride in a Mardi Gras parade as a member of the Krewe of Rhea in Metairie, Louisiana. The ladies of Rhea went to the float maker's warehouse last Saturday for the last inspection before our parade on Sunday, February 18th. Many of the larger figures have yet to be mounted on the floats, and they gather near the main door for a bit of sunshine. I actually passed by the Mardi-Muffler man unawares several times. In fact, at one point I saw him in profile and made a somewhat sneering remark about his lack of cranial capacity on the back. (Forgive me, oh Mighty Muffler Gods, for my sin - I can't help it, I've been a medical illustrator for half of my life.) He was disguised with surfer blond hair, sunglasses, and a white chef's apron. He holds an impressive 4' crawfish in his right hand. It wasn't til I downloaded the pictures to my computer that I saw, with a shock of recognition, the famous left-hand-down-right-hand-up pose, the chiseled jaw, and the sleekly tailored shirt. [Kathy Martello, 02/16/2001]