mean?”
“His cover’s that he’s gay,” said Tanis, “That’s so boss!”
“That might be the Honest-to-God,” said Yvette.
“It might be,” said Bryan, “But then I slide next to Gigi and throw my arm around her like so.” Bryan did exactly what he said. Georgia kissed him on his left cheek. It got a reaction. Alan sat next to Bryan. Hagan was looking for a place to sit.
“Is it alright if I sit next to the Mrs.?” said Hagan to Patrick.
“Sit where ever you like,” said Patrick.
“You’re retarded,” said Diane to Hagan.
“I’m glad you recognize that,” said Hagan, “You can feed me then.”
“Give him a knuckle-sandwich,” said Tanis, “Full of protein.”
“I’m a vegetarian,” said Hagan, “Starting today.”
“Good for you,” said Diane. Hagan sat down. Patrick sat down next to him.
“What is everybody having?” asked Patrick.
“Omelet here,” said Tanis, “Bacon, eggs, hash browns here. Waffle there. Ham and cheese omelet there.”
“How did you catch all that?” asked Patrick.
“She’s been trained,” said Yvette, “And she’s had her head down the whole time, just listening.”
“That’s gotta be what it’s like to be blind,” said Alan, “You see the world by listening. When the plates come, you know what everyone is chowing down on.”
“Let that be a reminder,” said Hagan, “Keep your ears open.”
“Aren’t they always, Genius?” said Tanis.
“Welcome back Tanis,” said Hagan, “You were quite blitzed last night but I see you’re back with us.”
“What order did we go in last night with the booze?” asked Bryan.
“Vodka, whiskey him, SoCo him, tequila me, we scattered some Olympia here and there, then we broke out the wine coolers. Then we finished part of Gigi’s gin,” said Diane.
“Yeah,” said Hagan, “But some of you guys bowed out a bit early. Gigi you bought the most expensive bottle and barely drank anything.”
“It’s what’s called a send-away,” said Georgia, “It’s my dime but you do the crime.”
“Cheers,” said Hagan.
“Not at all,” said Georgia with a bolted-on British accent.
“There’s that transatlantic,” said Tanis.
“What transatlantic?” asked Bryan.
“You guys missed it,” said Yvette, “Before you guys got here, we all decided Gigi doesn’t sound like the rest of us.”
“How not?” said Hagan.
“She’s got that transatlantic accent à la Cary Grant and all the Hollywood legends,” said Diane.
“If it gets me in the same sentence with Cary Grant I’ll wear it like a badge,” said Georgia, “I’d do a lot to be next to that man.”
“Girl’s got taste,” said Patrick.
“You mean to tell me you’d do anything to be next to Cary Grant too?” said Diane.
“Yeah,” said Patrick, “Well, I was listening to David Bowie on the way over here. Cary Grant would be a step up.”
“Wait,” said
Dean Wesley Smith, Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Martin A. Lee, Bruce Shlain