Georgia, “If they lie, you’ll know it.”
“Beats the hell out of speculation,” said Tanis.
“They can’t sleep forever,” said Georgia.
“If they slept at all,” said Yvette. Tanis didn’t laugh. She would have but she was suffering the aftershock of so many shots.
“Is anyone hungry?” asked Georgia.
“I am,” said Yvette, “Tan, you should eat too. The sustenance will help a hangover.”
“Or a bullet to the head,” said Tanis.
“Wait till you get the details of your assignment,” said Yvette, “You might get your wish.”
“Don’t talk like that,” said Georgia, “Finish your coffee and we’ll run back to The Point to get our cars then let’s go to that diner up the road before we all head out.”
“OK,” said Yvette.
“I’m not going anywhere till I finish my coffee,” said Tanis.
“You should go to the shower,” said Georgia, “After you finish it.”
“I’m gonna miss you, Gigi,” said Tanis, “You’re like Mother Goose, getting us little ducklings in a row.”
“No, I’m not,” said Georgia, “They’re going to send us to different parts of the world but we’re still on the same team. I’m just looking after my teammates.”
“That’s sweet,” said Yvette, “But you are like Mother Goose, so responsible.”
“ Do they have schnapps at this diner,” said Tanis, “I’m ready for round two.” Yvette looked at Georgia.
“She’s kidding,” said Georgia, “So what do you think about what I said?”
“About going to the diner?” said Yvette.
“Well,” said Georgia, “We have to go get our cars first. We all have our briefings later today. We don’t know where anyone is going. Some people might have to catch a plane. I don’t know. I don’t know where any of you are going.”
“That’s a good point,” said Tanis, “We don’t know where anyone has to be today. And we can’t tell.”
“So we should get on the go earlier,” said Georgia, “We can even get more coffee at the diner.”
“Hopefully better coffee,” said Tanis.
“You’re funny,” said Yvette, “Even in the morning.”
“Even hungover,” said Tanis.
“Tan, you do what you gotta do,” said Georgia, “I’m gonna take my shower.”
“I’ve got dibs after you,” said Yvette, “I’m not going to briefing smelling like a wino.”
“Go see what the others are up to,” said Tanis, “I’m not quite ready to walk just yet, need more caffeine.” Georgia went to the bathroom. Yvette went out the door and could be heard knocking on the door of the adjacent room. She knocked for a minute. Eventually the door opened and Yvette could be heard talking to a deep voice, Patrick. The door closed. Yvette kept going.
Tanis sat in her bed drinking coffee, listening to the static sound of Georgia taking a shower. The sound of the falling water was naturally relaxing. The sound, married with the coffee, made Tanis forget about the spatial confusion caused by her hangover. She sat in the room thinking things she imagined they were all thinking. The water stopped and Georgia came out of the
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