Grin and bear it.

[Jhony]

He sits at the bar, a hundred empty mugs before him, arms around two of the patrons he'd only met an hour ago. One was a waitress, dressed in the scanty uniform of the pub, the other was just a random drunk he'd met a few minutes ago. He's just finished an uproarious drinking song, sung out of tune by a choir of wasted men and women.

"Hey, bratha..." he slurs at the man.

"Yeah, wha..." comes the reply

"Haaiin't these girls guuurreeaaat? Jes' look at 'em..."

He held the embarrassed waitress out by her shoulders and the bar clapped and cheered, hats flying into the air.

"Thaaahnks for suurvuses rhandured..."

He tips his hat and gives her an enormous tip, then sends her on her way with a smile.

[Sanis Prent]

Let me get you something.

(I approached the well-pickled man, my shadow darkening the contours of his table, as I took a seat across from the other drunkard. I was cool as ice, nonchalant as ever, as I took my seat.)

Coffee. I'd appreciate a moment of your time when you aren't blitzed, if you will.

(I glanced to the other man)

For you, a double of whatever you've got...on me. Just find another seat.

[Jhony]

The waitress hands Sanis his coffee and goads away the other man with his drink, leaving Jhony and Sanis left.

"Annnn...wha c'n ah do fer ya, bratha?"

Jhony wasn't fully aware of Sanis yet, but had noted his prescence with a giddy smile.

[Sanis Prent]

For one...drink the coffee. Sober up a bit.

(The waitress gave me a glance, and I shooed her away with a casual wave of the hand)

You've got a reputation for having a lot of fun, Jhony. I like a good time like the next person, but I appreciate the difference of the kind that comes at the expense of others.

[Jhony]

Jhony grinned.

"Ya buyin' me a drhenk? Aw...thank ya much..."

He took a drink, downing the mug all at once, despite the heat of the coffee.

"The diffurnce of the wha?"

Still too drunk to get it.

[Sanis Prent]

You're managing to accumulate a fair amount of debt at the casino. Your host; my employer; is concerned about it. I am passing his concern on to you.

[Jhony]

"Casino debt?"

Jhony shook his head to clear it, that had sobered him quite well.

"Man...tha' debt? When's he want it back?"

[Sanis Prent]

In two days.

(I took a napkin, scrawling a figure on it. Once finished, I slid it to him)

40,000

[Jhony]

Jhony blinks at it. 40,000? He could pay it...barely. It will leave him broke.

"How's he expect payment? When, where, how do I get this back to him?"

This is why he'd warned his daughter and surrogate son against heavy drinking, he had but a vague memory of a casino bar to go with the number on the napkin.

[Sanis Prent]

My comm number is 45C8944G. Whenever you find the means, call.

[Jhony]

"I got it...all of it..."

His voice has lost its slur. He's fully awake.

"I can have it ready to go by tomorrow. Just need to know how to get the money to him."

[Sanis Prent]

You get the money to me. That's all you need to worry about.

[Jhony]

"To you? Meet me back here tomorrow at this same time..."

He looked at his watch.

"9:38. I'll give it to you then."

[Sanis Prent]

Alright. I'll be here. Hope to see you then.

(I kept my seat, finally ready to get a drink)

[Jhony]

Jhony walked out and turned down a side alley, making his way to the abandoned apartment he called home. Once there, he reaches up into the tiled ceiling and pulls down a datapad. Walking over to the computer terminal in the wall, he accesses the bank account of an old transport company, prepares to withdraw the creds. The account is a mere 10 creds short, he has that in his pocket. He hesitates, does he really want to do this? He has no choice really...he can rebuild another time. He presses the button, the computer begins the process. Due to security measures and the utter lameness of the computer, it will be done by tomorrow evening. He lies down and starts to sleep off his coming hangover. The next night at nine he's in the bar, hand in his pocket over the datapad. He turns down the waitress's drink offer, once Sanis got there he wouldn't be able to afford one.

[Sanis Prent]

(I entered the bar the next day, turning my collar down upon entry. There he was, like clockwork. Good for him, and good for me. I didn't feel like making an issue out of this. I took a seat opposite, lighting up a stim.)

Alright...do you have what I'm looking for?

[Jhony]

He pulls the datapad, hesitantly, and slides it to Prent.

"Plug that into his computer and it'll transfer the creds from my account to his. It's ten short."

He pulls 10 creds from his pocket and sets them on the datapad.

"There's the added ten."

He says it with a subdued voice. His dream flushed, for the umpteenth time. He needed a drink, but couldn't afford it.

"Tell him sorry for the trouble."

[Sanis Prent]

"I'm sure he'll understand."

(I transferred the credits to my account with a tap on the keypad, and slid the remaining chit from the table's surface, and into my pocket.)

At any rate, it's been a pleasure doing business with you.

[Jhony]

"...yeah..."

His voice took a distant tone.

"Take care..."