[Sodium_noir] Hell is Other People

[FlameFlash]

> Sinclair Party
> 1 - 3 am
>
> Jack, Christine
> Mortals +
>
> [Jack]
> He's smiling a wide, crooked, silly grin.
>
> "Hi sweetie.  I really missed you..." Jack realizes
> his faux pas in mid-sentence, the stupid presumption
> of it, and tries to cover by stretching his long arms
> and casually scanning the room. "....really missed
> you... in this crowd. Lots of people. Lots and lots."
>
> [Christine]
> Christine stares at Jack owlishly, the stricken look
> in her eyes fading as she processes herself back into
> the wider Universe. The one that includes Jack. He is
> blissfully wasted, drunk on freedom. Well, that and
> enough booze to drown an elephant. She likes Jack.
> Likes him a lot. She'd like to catch his mood.
>
> [Jack]
> "Soooo..." Still embarrassed by his bold declaration,
> Jack avoids Christine's gaze. "I...well, me and
> Aurora... so, we...actually...are thinking it's time
> to hit the road.  Move on to the next watering hole.
> A guy named..." He screws up his face, struggling for
> the name. "John, I think...he wanted to come along.  I
> said okay. More the merrier.  Maybe all these stiffs
> should join us, d'ya think?"
>
> The goofy grin returns, and Jack looks all of ten
> years old as he beams at her.
>
> [Christine]
> Christine finds a ghost grin of her own, an echo in
> the cave of broken glass.
>
> "Sounds like a plan. Stan," she says. "Anyplace but
> here. Anyplace we can drink and not think too hard."
>
> Christine is aware of a wobbly twinge in her stomach
> at the thought of more alcohol and grimaces. She badly
> wants to go carousing with Jack and Aurora, blocking
> everything but the here and now right out of her head
> and her heart. But she's already at the rough and
> jagged edge of tonight's binge. Fuck it. Her frown
> lifts suddenly.
>
> "Raindogs," she says abruptly, stabbing a decisive
> finger at Jack. "It does great coffee. Chases away the
> grims, settles your guts, puts hair on your chest! I
> *need* some of Jaywick's coffee!" Her grin amps up,
> closer to its normal wattage. "'Cos y'know, a girl can
> never have too much hair on her chest."
>
> She cocks her head and squints up at Jack.
>
> "You, me, Aurora, this John guy . . . " She thinks
> fleetingly of Sandra, " . . . who else d'you think
> wants out of this Morgue?"
>
> "Dunno.." Jack winks mischievously. "...but let's find
> out."
>
> He sidles up to a nearby table - abandoned, for the
> moment - and assesses its proximity to the throng of
> party-goers, noting its central location. Frowning,
> Jack also notices the luxurious fabric of the
> tablecloth and, not wanting to damage it, carefully
> folds it back. The next part is more challenging, as
> Jack attempts to stand on one of the chairs.  Even
> sober, this might prove tricky, and it takes several
> tries before he manages to stand upright on it
> (sticking his tongue out of the corner of his mouth
> seems to aid significantly with general equilibrium).
> In a miraculous and exceedingly lucky move, Jack then
> gingerly steps from the chair to the table top. He
> seems not at all surprised at this accomplishment
> (such is the fearlessness of a drunkard).
>
> Jack also seems blissfully unaware of anyone's
> reaction to this display of extreme dexterity, but is
> intent on making his purpose for doing so known to
> all.  Taking a cursory glance about the room, he then
> sticks both pinkies into the corners of his mouth.
> This gesture is immediately followed by a shrill and
> very loud whistle.
>
> When he senses that most, if not all, of the occupants
> in the ballroom are now fixated on him, Jack Emerson -
> wobbling, swaying, thoroughly shit-faced drunk -
> addresses his audience.
>
> "I would like to announce that myself and my extremely
> lovely companions - for they are, undoubtedly, the
> most gorgeous women in this swanky joint - are off to
> what promises to be a superlative night of
> pub-crawling and, if we feel up to it, indulging in
> that most auspicious and respected of fine arts -
> karaoke.  If you would like to join us - and I do mean
> any or all of you - then please join do join us at the
> first of many destinations - Raindogs.  Subsequent
> destinations are, for the moment, TBA. This is not to
> say that this soiree has been a bust and I mean no
> insult to the lovely and gracious hostess of this bash
> - not that I've met her - but I'm sure she is.  In
> fact, let's give her a round of applause, shall we?"
>
> Jack starts applauding loudly, oblivious as to whether
> anyone is joining in. After a minute or so, he
> carefully steps down to the chair and, finally, to the
> safety of the floor.  Once again, the gods are smiling
> on him, as no bones or furniture are broken in the
> process.
>
> He grins at Christine.
>
> "That aughta do it."

Aurora moans inwardly but, upon seeing Jack's display, and then
Christine with him, begins making her way in their general direction.

Tag both  ((And which list should I be posting to?))