Games, Part Four

The pair had a scintillating conversation. Anthony told her about dancing since childhood. He regaled her with stories of dancing from all over the world. He described dances she had never heard of or seen. she was captivated by him and the things he had done. At some point, sta wondered, How, exactly, did Anthony talk me into a fifth martini? (as she finished the same drink she was just wondering about).

sta usually didn't drink much. she enjoyed a drink now and then, but generally avoided getting drunk. Tonight, however, was a different story. sta didn't know whether she kept drinking to keep Anthony at her table, to get up the courage to do one of several things she knew she shouldn't but couldn't help thinking about, to provide an excuse for her behavior in case she did one of those things, to relax and enjoy an experience she might later feel guilty for having, to please Anthony who clearly seemed happy by her drinking the drinks he kept buying for her, or for some other reason, and frankly, the reason doesn't really matter. The thing is, sta did have one too many, and Frederick never did show up.

Shortly after "one too many" and well after sta had made her alcohol-enhanced feelings clear to Anthony, Anthony suggested they get some fresh air to help sta clear her head. This, of course, sounded like a good idea to sta at the time.