11. Horseradish

 And so:

James is 'forty-one percent likely thinking with his dick' and absent. Frank has therefore ingratiated himself with James’ girlfriend’s table. With nobody on Frank-sitting duties, Pete approaches him in manner similar to approaching a beached orca. Soz, Pete's wife, therefore taps Chris on the shoulder with a 'I need a fake boyfriend'. Chris shrugs and stands by her side as a ward against the single man. You map this shit on coaster's back. That just leaves Al, the groom absent a bride.

'Emily's gone to bed.' He waves it off with mild grimace. 'It's a long day, just a ritual we had to see through.'

You press: 'Speaking of beds and wedding rituals.'

A smile: 'My obligations aren't done.'

James heads straight for Frank: 'What cunt doing?'

Which seems to help Pete finally extricate Frank back to the bar.

Frank: 'So where's Chris? We may need to leave soon.'

Pete: 'I think Soz is sex-dancing him.'

They are indeed bopping on dance floor to nostalgic trash.

'Sex-' You check coaster's back for inconsistencies. '-dancing?'

'We're hoping it, like, inspires Chris to meet someone.' Pete demurs. 'He's spending too much time with Frank.'

Frank, torso's weight on bar: 'Fuck you.'

Al corrects: 'On the beers and cones with Frank.'

Waving down bartender: 'Yeah, it is two, three nights a week.'

Alcohol does your talking: 'I'll be able to help with that. Quid pro quo?'

James is here now: 'And you were after?'

Exasperated, duh: 'An explanation regarding the burning fish.'

'Yeah. We have a couple of ideas for the after-after-party.' James scoffs, good-natured. 'You'll get an answer, but it'll lead to more questions.'

The plus-ones retire to hotel rooms and Al returns to marital bliss. Two taxis convoy the remaining party. Chris is house sitting and keen to give you a brief tour.

James whispers a couple of options to you:

'We take Chris to girls,

or we bring the girls to Chris.'