milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

For the first time in a while there's a Michelle in the bar. She's got her laptop open and is looking for ideas.

Be careful, you might just wind up in her article.

But anyway, she's also got chips and salsa and is willing to share.

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"Rather slow tonight, actually. Which is fine, since I drank myself into oblivion last night."

"I've tried that. It's only a temporary solution."

"It was rather unintentional. It felt rather nice when I was drinking, but horrible when I stopped."

She nods, "That's the problem, it doesn't last very long and the aftermath is almost always bad."

"Yes, and Spike's cure for it was fairly repulsive...though I have to admit that it worked."

"What was his cure?"

"Gin, one egg, hot sauce and pepper. In a glass." She grimaces in remembrance.

She inwardly shudders at the combination. "I've heard the best cure for a hangover is to make someone throw up again."

Elaine sighs. "I did enough of that last night."

Really. And eating hasn't sounded very good to her tonight, either.

Though she will at least have some toast before going upstairs.

She promised, and Elaine always keeps her promises.

Michelle touches her hand, knowing what that is like. One night like that is enough to make someone stop drinking for a while.

"You should try some broth."

"I shall, after my shift. I'm too worried that I'll be ill again if I eat. I did have some tomato juice before, though."

"You shouldn't be working on an empty stomach."

"I know. You are right." So Elaine summons a wait-rat and orders some dry toast and a glass of water.

She eats, but gingerly.

"That's not exactly food but...I know the feeling."

"Food is rather the last thing on my mind, unfortunately."

"It's understandable, but not really an excuse."

Elaine nods, but says nothing else, because she has no defense for that.

After a time, she says, "I think the Bar has cut me off." It's just a feeling she has.

"Bar...tends to do that."

"It's a good thing. She's always taken care of me."

Elaine has finished half of a piece of toast so far. Not bad. She actually feels better.

She's not thinking about Ryan so much today as she is merely surviving minute to minute.

It feels far too normal for her.

"Bar is good to many people," Michelle agrees. Sometimes, not thinking is the only way to survive.

"Is Tony all right? I've not seen him in a couple of days."

"Yeah, he's just been a little under the weather. Although he keeps insisting on spending time in the bar."

"I'm sure I'll run into him then. I'm sorry he's feeling poorly, though."

"Believe me, Elaine...when Tony's sick, you really don't want to run into him."

Elaine laughs at this. "Bit of a grump, is he?"