9. Dry Sherry

You seem to recall drinking too much too quickly. Frank intimated as such: 'The point of the morning after is to reflect on the night before. And it has to be a night.' You recall lobbing back a 'But, good sir, the favourite of my five new confidantes, I must direct conversation towards the goldfish which had leapt from pond upon being struck alight whilst in water. I ponder the mechanics of such.'

Hindsight suggests that your prose was not as immaculately delivered as memory would like. Chris had said 'we have no idea what they're talking about' to some audience and he may have been perfectly honest.

Another film plays - throwing arms around Al’s shoulders: 'Hey bud. Hey my best man. Wanna' grab another drink?'

He had politely lowered your hug away: 'Sorry, lots of people to talk to.'

The next memory took place amongst sand dunes. A screaming match with your partner and, bad sport, they were letting you win. Your basic premise was that their parents did not like you and were actively trying to replace you. Your partner did not explicitly disagree.

You are staggering through the dark in search of toilet. You wake to yourself pissing on carpet. The hotel room's blinds are open. The moon shines on the opposing building's face. You are reduced to crawling in search of coffee table.

Your phone says it is four in the morning. The hangover has not yet arrived, which is worrisome. You find a warm can of beer with attached note: An old friend said hair of the dog was 1/8 of said dog. This will not be enough. Yours, bemused, Pete.