Phase 6: Bacardi Brrrrrrreezer...

These icy mornings dont half make alcohol taste differently. Its a good job that the freezing point of alcohol is below 0 DegC, otherwise the bottle that I always keep overnight under the passenger seat of the car (for the morning), would be crunchy. Instead, as I settle in the driver seat, ready to leave for work at 7:00am, I reach under and fumble under the seat until I feel the cold stem of the screw top. As I reach around I hear a "clink" sound, as the glass body of the half-full bottle, hits the neighbouring empty I stashed only the day before. That reminds me, I must go to the rubbish bin at lunchtime. Have got a few black bags of empties to dispose of. General store on the way back as well, need my evening quota.
Yep, got it. Quick glance around....and..... glug glug. and one for luck, glug. Mints now.

Christmas soon.

Good news: Everone drinks. Everyone gets tipsy. Everyone is too preoccupied with food, presents, shopping, decorations, cards.. to notice me. Also alcohol cheaper than its ever been.

Bad News: Officer Dibble around every corner. Cant afford another near miss like last week. Got pulled over by a passing copper, following me for about 1/2 mile. Blue flashing light, crawled into a side street. Went to take my seat belt off to get out, to find it wasnt on!! Got out acted nervous, apologised, and listened intently to the lecture on "impact force at 30 mph" etc.etc. Then out of the blue he said "Out drinking last night sir?". My heart raced. The magic mints obviously wern't working. I mumbled something about not going out, and waited. He handed me the ticket, and let me on my way. Phew. Gotta be a bit more careful.

I plan my day ahead, as I take the 45 minute journey to work. Get there early. Dont want to start getting a reputation as a "later". Feeling warm now. Shivers subsided.