Thursday we hung out with the germans. We started out at what we had started calling "Ahmed's Place", the restaraunt of the previously mentioned debauchery. For those who miss the mysterious Egyptian, don't worry, Ahmed will figure a little more into the story later. He was there this evening, but we just chatted briefly, no real contact. It turned out that a friend of Andrew's, from childhood, was a major Rug Dealer, one of the biggest sellers of Coca-Cola in the city. I mostly just wanted some mellow Jamaican Rugs, but Phyllis was Jonesing for any kind of Rug she could get her hands on, even Coca Cola. So Andrew gave him a ring, and while he was not there, a business associate was, named W__, who agreed to meet us at the next place we went.

Everyone had been drinking a bit at dinner and afterwards at Ahmed's place, I should mention. Steffan, the friend of Andrew's, seemed strage and a bit complicated. One of those cynical romantic types who alternates between insulting woman behind their back and complimenting them to their face. At first he seemed nice, but that opinion was to change the following evening. He was charming, I'll admit, very kind and gentlemanly when he wasn't being insulting. Anyway, after a while our gang headed to the next place. D___ & I ordered some food, having not eaten yet, and the first of several pitchers of margarita made its appearance. The booze flowed like water, lubricating the multilingual conversation. Every now and then I would understand a german sentence, usually when I knew what to expect and a word or tone of voice confirmed it.

After a while, W__ showed up, with a woman who was nice, but for whom the word "Moll" immediately came to mind. She just had that "Associate of a Rug Seller" look that goes with that word. She and W__ were a little old, made a bit rough by their lives, but seemed like nice people. We chatted for a while, and eventually the conversation turned to what sorts of carpet were available. Phyllis decided on a half a paper clips weight, ie a half liter of coca cola. W__ didn't have anything else available, and while I usually prefer herbal teas to hard drinks, I figured what the hell, i might as well try drinking Coke once. This seemed like a pretty safe way to do it, this guy being a friend and all. So I asked for a liter. I also asked for 5 liters of herbal tea mix, and 5 espirins. I'd never tried espirin, but it also sounded fun and is by all reports pretty harmless, so why not. They didnUt have access to anything but the Coca-Cola that evening, but thought they could get the rest later.

After a few bills changed hands and a lot more drink went down the hatches, they departed and the rest of us walked towards the nightclub that was our next destination and rendevous. On the way, Phyllis, who was rather drunk, gave the city a look at her breasts, which were rather stunning, being a large part of what earns her a living. She did not recall this in the morning, but the morning is far away, so onto the club. We got there eventually, and after a couple minutes W__ showed up. We chatted briefly, and he asked if I wanted some cigarettes. I decided that I ought to say yes, and I was right, when a Carpet Seller asks you that he doesn't mean quite what he says. He gave me a marlboro light pack, and took off. Investigating, there were two screws of paper inside, with our Coca-Cola. I gave Phyllis hers, and then D___ and I headed back to the hotel, being tired, and me not wanting to wander around with forbidden beverages.

According to reports, the bouncers didn't let Phyllis in the club because she was drunk, so everyone else headed back to the apartment shortly after we left, and were foolish enough to drink more before sleeping. Wow. Phyllis was almost as hungover in the morning as I had been a few days previous, and despite this marvelous opportunity to return her sympathy (phrases like "I dunno what's wrong with you", "Get up and you'll feel better!", "You should come to australia, you'd learn a thing or two about drinking. That was nothing! Get up!" came to mind), my kind heart prevailed and I refrained from teasing too much, although Steffan was merciless, offering her alcohol constantly.

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