#anywhere

Bachdion motions "Go on, and yes, how do you think these learned men get to loosen up so they can talk open as they wish they more often could to a world that has little patience anymore? Take the whisky with you, offer them some."

"You shur, Bachdion?"

"Absolutely, wine may reveal truth, but whisky gives truth bite" A grin and he shoos the boy off, though he does keep an eye on him.

August stands and takes his glass and bottle to the other table. "You, ah, invited, gentlemen? Can I offer you a drink?"

"Who are we to discourage a cardinal virtue of charity?" One smiles//"That's a yes, lad. By all means"

He puts the bottle on the table and seat with them, pouring a drink for all.

August shares the drinks, and talks. While most of Mann is under the Church of England, Patrick of the Travels is catholic as well but confesses to being 'THree steps short of heresy" while Jerraby prefers to think of himself as the right honorable opposition

They discuss the Arian controversy and Alexander's protest against it.

August sips his whiskey, but the conversation seems to distract him from serious drinking. He speaks and listens respectfully to both gentlemen, and knows his topic well.... although if the drinks continue he begins to lose focus.

"Well, some would say the fix was in with...." //"Fix? You make it sound like the system was riggged... you'r such a cynic"

"There wasn't even a system at that point!"

"SOme folks were flat out denied entry" Jerraby reminds /// "There are folks denied entry here, you knob headed sensate" Oh it gets lively, there's an element of debate and fuss and fun

The talk goes on, and even the barmaids get into it, "Not sure why Eve gets all the blame it seems ta me."

"Bad publicity." August opines. "God curses the snake in three verses, condemns Eve in one, and condemns Adam in -three-.... but no one notices that."

"See, while you all are going on about the same old councils, this lad is being a proper gent and standing up for a laydee" THe barmaid fusses at the two older men.

"Bad publicity, and probably Saint Paul." He agrees.

"Now Paul was needed, and very much the right man for the time" //"Seems to me he was a zealot for Rome before turning about and ended up a Zealot for Christ, not sure those serve anyone" THe drinks flow furhter and August ends up dancing even as he explains to the lady he's dancing with his own views on Paul. He plays darts, and talks about the theories of the holy grail and the spear that pierced Christ's side, which surely must exist in the Dreaming if not in the mortal world. He has rarely felt so confident and sure of himself

As long as the wall counts as a dart-target, and his dance partner is forgiving, all should be well!

It does, and she is. Oh theology isn't all one can discuss here, the works of great Romantic period authors, History of a more secular bent, even mathematics rise and go on. August feels a hand on his shoulder hold him up as he wobbles to give his opinion on sacred Geometry and explain the Lewis Carrol's Alice stories were a gripe against new math and not any drug related trip.

"....and yoush ud -see- what th' nockers at th' Hollow can do with the stuff. The .... numbers stuff. Math."

"Ready to go, August?"

"There's a great big Orororerererrry.... huh?"

"Ready to go?" Bachdion repeats gently, "I think it's time"

"Awww....We're havin' fun, Bachd'on...."

"I know that's why it's time" He grins, "ladies, sir...thanks for a wonderful time"

"Awwww.... c'mon, just a little while more?"

"Okay, fifteen more minutes" He says "or two more drinks, which ever comes first"

"Thanks, Bachd'on!" He grins and goes back to his conversation and his drink. "You know, this stuff isn't really that bad...."

Well, the drinks come first.

August doesn't remember much for a bit.. good times, good music, pretty ladies with theological questions

He floats along in a blissfully in a hazy of good-feeling.

The flicker flash isn't as disoreinting this time, then again, a hammer blow to the head might be as disorienting. August and Bachdion stagger into the hold with Bachdion saying "You see, a lot about drink is how it can relax you, but if you're in a stressful sitaution where you don't want to be relaxed, that can make you resent it. If you're comfortable, say... in a group of folks who share common interests? It becomes a conversation facilitator. Think of it as a catalist for sharing opinions"

"You're a great guy, Bachdion, d'you know that?" He leans on the satyr.

"I have. I poll it, 43% think I'm a great guy, 31% think I'm a good guy. about 11% think I'm okay. And the rest I owe money to or they'd like me to stay away from their loved ones"

"Well I guess you can't put me in that last group!" He laughs loudly.

A pat on the shoulder, "Let's get you in bed, purely for resting purposes I swear"

"Awwww.... Ok. I know where my room is." He straightens up and looks around.

His doors are over there

"Right over there." He points. "G'night Bachdion...." He hugs the satyr.

A hug back, and directs August to the right door where his double vision might mislead him

August staggers a bit, hushes Bachdion, and fumbles at the door knob, finally squeezing his body 'quietly' through a crack between the door and the jam, and closing it behind him with a hissed "SSshhh! Thanks!"

"welcome" whispered back

August, one way or another, will find himself in his bed in the morning...and yes, he remembers 78% of everything the happened.

(End Scene)