Happy Hour, Part 7

HAPPY HOUR
===========
By Blackbladder

PART SEVEN - SPLINTER

Friday...

The College corridors were silent and deserted.  The sun's rays shone through
the windows, illuminating the pale green tile floors and exposing the cracks
needed to be repaired.  

Suddenly, the Lunch Bell roared through the College campus.  A stampede of
students paced down the corridors in a determined manner, with them in deep
discussion about various topics. 

"How was your class?" Gillian asked as she spotted her best friend amongst
the flurry of students in the corridor.

"It was okay...nothing special.  I'm just glad its the last day of the school
week.  You?" Pamela replied as they tried to pave their way through the
volume of students walking through the corridors.

"Yeah, it's been really good.  Our science class have been told about work
placements are being negotiated by several labs in Westfox." Gillian replied
smugly.

As the corridors were narrow, walking to and from class was always a
challenge during the lunch break.  With students walking from both
directions, they could smell each other's odour.  Normally, the students
could tell who wore deodorant or perfume.  However, today, Gillian and Pamela
detected something else as they walked in line with the students walking to
the lunch hall.

"That stinks!" Pamela frowned as they both could smell stale cigarette smoke
originating from students in the corridor. As the corridor widened, they
gasped for air as they passed a fire exit door en route to the lunch hall.
The smoke had been very strong, but no other students seemed to make any
comment or visible negative gesture towards the smell.  

The two friends always stopped to read latest announcements on the College
from their NoticeBoard outside the lunch hall, as they both liked to be kept
up-to-date on all social events, as well as changes in policy on campus.  As
they stopped to glance at the Noticeboard, Pamela moaned.

"Gillian? Look at this." 

Pamela and Gillian both stared at a Poster relating to a change in the
College Smoking Rules.  

"Due to complaints of isolation and discrimination, we have decided to open a
new smoking area for students and lecturers." Gillian read from the poster in
horror.

"What happened to Susan's hardcore line on smoking? She is supposed to be
setting an example for everyone here." Pamela said in disbelief.  

"Maybe this decision wasn't hers - everyone knows she can't stand smokers.
She has probably been forced to set this up.  I suppose we can bring up this
matter at the next P2L meeting.  I'm positive we will get her backing to
close this immediately." Gillian reasoned. 

P2L meetings were opportunities for leading students and lecturers to
congregate and to try and build the divide between both parties.  They would
meet and discuss often changes and improvements to the College - and Pamela
and Gillian were both adamant members who often made recommendations.

As well as P2L members, Pamela and Gillian were also informal 'buddies' for
new students at the College - and they both discouraged smoking and similar
habits to new students.  

As the poster stated the venue for the new smoking area, Pamela and Gillian
were tempted to have a look at the new function in action as they could not
believe that smoking had been accepted onto the College grounds.

"It's up in the new part of the College. You want to take a peek?" Pamela
asked rhetorically as Gillian nodded.

The two students walked past the Lunch Hall, up two flights of stairs and
walked along the Executive suite which was en route.  They both noted that
the stench of cigarette smoke became more potent as they approach the
entrance door to the new smoking area.  The smoking area had been appointed
in a new wing of the College, which was half-way through a renovation
project.  Amongst the new wing, the College was to boast an IT suite, and a
new Science Area, but the Smoking area news came as a total shock to them.

Peering through the small circular window on the door, they felt their eyes
deceive them from the sight.  Susan, the College Rector, was seen laughing
with a group of other lecturers, with a lighter in one hand and an unlit
cigarette in another.  

Holy shit, Pamela thought as she couldn't make logic from the hardcore
anti-smoker whom was laughing and about to light up her own cigarette.

They both looked on in distraught as Susan lifted the cigarette to her lips
as she flicked the wheel on her lighter.  As a flame engulfed the tip, it
glowed red and her cheeks caved in around the filter.  With disgust, they
both could detect a smile on the Rector's face as she inhaled deeply.  Susan
placed the lighter back in her blouse pocket as she removed the cigarette
from her mouth.  The nicotine was a warm reminder of her new favourite
past-time - and rippled her body with pleasure.  As Susan sat with the other
smoking lecturers, she was delighted to tell them how she used to smoke - and
had regretted quitting years ago.  

"No offence, Sarah, but you were a pain in the ass over the smoking thing!"
another lecturer joked as their Rector took another deep drag.

"I agree - you have no idea on the stress we smokers had with your policy
around the college." Another lecturer added as they all sighed with relief
that they didnt need to hide their habit any more.

"For what it's worth, I was a total ass.  I can't understand why I gave up in
the first place.  I feel so relaxed and peaceful - the cigarettes seem to
help me think clearer.  I've definately been able to focus a lot more on my
work, and I see what you all see about this pleasure." Sarah enthusiastically
stated as she watched the smoke waft from the burning tip, lost in its
slithering ascend towards the ceiling.

"I never realised so many of you people smoked until this area was opened.
How come I never had any suspicions about this?"  Susan asked as she raised
her cigarette to her lips once more.

Some of the other lecturers blushed as they took long powerful drags on their
own cigarettes.

"Especially you Emma - you told me many times how you hated being around your
family who smoke." Susan asked openly.

Emma was the college's advice counsellor, and had been a vehement anti-smoker
for years.  Emma was one of the recently qualified staff members, and also
one of the most popular amongst the students as she used to study at Pride
College herself.  Susan couldn't understand why she was now sitting sucking
on a cigarette like there was no tommorrow.  

"Well Susan, things changed just last night.  I went out celebrating my
brother's birthday at this new bar in town.  Although my family all smoke,
including my brother, I never expected so many smokers in one place.  Anyway,
I kept dropping hints all night at how the smoke was making me queasy.  I
don't know if it was me feelin slightly drunk, but I suddenly got a longing
as my family continued to light up around me.  I can't understand it that
only a couple hours into the celebration, I was having feelings of smoking
myself..." Emma blushed as she tapped her cigarette into the ashtray.

"...Although I knew what I wanted, I was ashamed to say anything because of
my previous stance on the habit.  But my brother said something like 'try a
cig sis and shut up!'.  For some reason, I felt compelled to do just that,
although I realise he said it in a jokey manner.  My folks were shocked when
I took up my brother's offer and was handed a cigarette by him.  I felt so
embarrassed, but I was determined to smoke.  Anyway, he lit me up and from
the first taste I knew that I loved it.  When I realised how amazing smoking
tasted, the smoke in the bar no longer bothered me, and I felt so guilty
sitting there with a cigarette after the abuse I've gave everyone lately.
Thankfully, no-one said anything which helped."  Emma concluded as she raised
the cigarette to her lips again.

"So you've smoked before?" Susan asked, before releasing a stream of smoke
towards the window.

"I tried smoking once before...as part of a dare with my friends.  One of
them stole a couple of cigarettes from their moms and it was part of a game
of double dare.  I lost, and was made to try it - the taste was awful that
first time round.  That's why I cant understand how now the taste is so
different.  I feel as though I was now meant to smoke." Emma smiled
sheepishly as she pursed her lips and smoke flowed from her mouth.

"Aren't you concerned about the negative reaction we'll get from students and
staff, as well as parents when they find out about this area?" Another
smoking lecturer asked as they stubbed out their cigarettes slowly.

"No actually - For years, I've tried to bridge this gap between the staff and
the students.  I think this area will help build the relationships between
the students and the staff, as well as show that we respect each other
fairly."

Was this the same Susan who gave smokers a hard time just last week?, Pamela
and Gillian both thought as they watched the Rector tilt her head back and
exhale casually.  All around Susan, the other lecturers themselves were
either in the process of lighting up, stubbing out or inhaling rapidly on
their cigarettes - all glad they now had a place within the College to feed
their nicotine habits.  They also noticed how some students - friends from
their own classes - take advantage of the new area set up to smoke.  

"I suppose we can discount Susan's support for the closure of this Smoking
Area at the next P2L meeting..." Gillian sighed disappointed as the girls
walked back to the lunch hall...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Isn't this a bit early for you?" Monique mocked as Kirsten took a seat at
the bar counter.  She was impressed how the addiction had blossomed as
Kirsten's first act was to take out a fresh cigarette from her bag and light
it.

"I'm on my lunch break - I just wanted to thank you for the wine last night."
Kirsten said as smoke punctuated her words.

Monique lit her own cigarette quickly before joining her comrade at the bar.

"Don't worry about the wine - you're one of my most dedicated customers so a
freebie here and there can be afforded.  Plus, after you telling me about
your daughter returning, I insisted you took the wine to celebrate.  Tell me
- Did you and your daughter like the wine?" Monique inquired as she inhaled
once more on her cigarette, allowing some smoke to billow from her nostrils.  

"I loved it.  My daughter took a bit of getting used to it, after all she
wasn't feeling well from Jetlag of the flight.  She has always been a bad
traveller on planes.  But, after one glass, she was pleased as punch with
it." Kirsten smiled.

Ever since Kirsten visited Drôle, she and Monique had became close and always
had a chat every night. Kirsten discovered that Monique was born in Nantes,
and moved to America when she was twelve.  Monique's family ran several
different bar businesses in New York before she, herself, got directly
responsible for her own bar.  According to Monique, she moved to Westfox
after losses in her bar in New York, after the Smoking Ban was introduced. On
the other hand, Monique learned all about Kirsten and her partner returning
to their smoking habits, and about how their daughters had been barraging
them to quit.  Kirsten had also explained how she feared a rollicking on
Lizzy's return on her smoking.  Monique had insisted that the wine would help
appease any rifts between them if the argument came to fruition.  

Kirsten went on to explain that Lizzy started smoking with her after a few
glasses of the wine.  Monique feigned shock as Norah, with her dangling
cigarette, served them both drinks.

"So how are the preparations going, Monique for tonight?" Kirsten asked as
she took a final puff from her cigarette before grinding it out in the
overflowing ashtray.  

"Very well as you can see - We've got all the banners and posters stuck up.
We're just at a stage where we're making sure everything else is clean and
tidy before 9pm.  We've also decided to make every hour tonight a Happy Hour
- all drinks are half-price, and a free pack of cigarettes for every purchase
at the bar." Monique boasted proudly as she twirled the cigarette between her
fingers.  

"I'm looking forward to that...Me and Lizzy spoke about it last night while
we smoked...she's comin as well." Kirsten replied.

"I'm also looking forward to meeting your daughters tonight...I believe one
of them is a student at Pride College." Monique stated confidently as she
swallowed the rest of her drink.

"Yeh, youngest one is Pamela - she's 19.  But how do you know?" Kirsten
inquired curiously as she exhaled another cone of smoke towards the ceiling
fans.  

"Oh, I have my sources..." Monique replied as she winked towards her bar
assistant Norah, whom was taking another greedy puff from her cigarette.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lizzy had received a warm welcome from her colleagues as she returned to her
workplace.  After many cuddles and hugs from colleagues, she noticed her best
friend stare at her with a wide smile stretched on her face.  Bethany and
Lizzy had a deep understanding for each other as they had been friends since
they worked together.  They normally went everywhere together, and shared
similar views on various subjects...until today.

While she was delighted to see her colleagues again, she was concerned that
they would detect the cigarette smoke she had been trying to conceal on her
way to work.  Ever since smoking last night, her outlook on smokers had
radically changed, and reasoned that they had something engaging and
wonderful in their lives.  She now felt smoking gave a person pleasure - and
now was remorseful as she looked back on the days of hounding her parents
over their smoking.  Lizzy, with the spark of nicotine running through her
body, felt obligated from guilt to redeem herself amongst smokers.  

Lizzy gave a Bethany a big hug as they embraced with open arms.

"You glad to be back pushing pens once more?" Bethany laughed as Lizzy sat
down at her desk.

"Oh yeh...especially from what I've found out." Lizzy replied.

"Please don't say you've been working while on holiday.  For Christ sake,
you're meant to relax with Paul when you're away." Bethany barked - Lizzy
never could relax beyond the world of work.

"No, I was talking with others in the neighbourhood and they told me that one
of our most wanted are in the area." Lizzy explained as she stroked her bag,
feeling the outline of the new cigarette pack lying within.  

"Whom would this be?" Bethany wondered as she scoured through a pile of files
lying on her desk.

"Monique Dindeleux ring a bell?" Lizzy laughed sarcastically as she knew
fully well the connection between the two women.  

Monique and Bethany had been old school friends for a couple of years, but
were two different people with contrasting lifestyles.  Monique was the
rebellious wild child - hanging with the bad crowd and smoking/drinking on
school property.  Bethany had always been perceived as the good girl - taking
an interest in school policy and always active in extra-curricular events the
school hosted.  There was a brief spell where Bethany considered what life
would be like in Monique's position, but this phase passed as she excelled in
her classes and achieved the career she wanted to do.  Bethany also had a
great social life - she maintained her social circle from high school and
University as well as her childhood friends.  She had a magnetic personality
and always mixed well with other people.  

"I can't believe it! We have been chasing her for months now over those
unpaid debts in New York.  I don't think she will be running anymore - we've
got her.  I assume she's working in a bar?" Bethany suggested as she looked
at the suspect's past job history.

"Yes.  It's called Drôle - right in the centre of Westfox.  I was informed
that there is an opportunity to confirm her location tonight - a special
Celebration Pary is being hosted and everyone, including the local college,
are invited.  We, as a team, can spring her tonight after months of
searching." Lizzy feigned excitement as she followed Kirsten's smoky advice
the night before.

All morning, the nicotine cravings screamed inside their latest host and
relentlessly demanded to be appeased.  Although Lizzy felt uncomfortable with
these new urges, she knew the pleasure she felt when she did smoke.  All her
negative feelings immediately lifted when she lit up a cigarette.  Lizzy
could feel her body tense up as thoughts of smoking filled her brain once
more, and began thinking of ways to smoke without being caught.

Before her smoking initiation, Lizzy, like Bethany, had been desperate to
catch Monique as she was a big coop for her department.  However, now her
circumstances had changed, with the help of the nicotine warping her mind.
Kirsten had explained as much about Monique's position the previous night,
and now felt sorrow and pity for the target of her department.  

Despite these new feelings, she was determined to follow through on the plans
discussed between her mother and herself, and with the help of her
department.  Now her priorities had changed thanks to her newly-found
addiction, which she still was confused with.

As Bethany strolled around the office with childish excitement, she explained
to her team individually on the plan to raid Monique's bar that night.

"I suppose I better start with these..." Lizzy sighed as she browsed the
bulging In Tray on her desk while the nicotine cravings continued to haunt
her every thought.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I still can't believe it...Susan smoking?  It's totally unheard of." Pamela
said slowly as they exited the lunch hall to her best friend.

"I wonder if there is a link between her smoking and the Drôle Bar hosting
our Party..." Gillian said, lost in thought as they could see Hazel walking
and chatting with her fellow cheerleaders on the entrance to the Executive
Suite.

Pamela was the first to notice their friend, whom hadn't been seen for days.  

"Hey Hazel...over here!" Pamela waved as she and Gillian approached the head
cheerleader.

Shit, Hazel thought as she feigned a welcoming smile to her friends.

"How you doing these days? We never see you any more..." Gillian interrogated
as Hazel blushed from embarrassment.

"Emm...I know about not seeing you both, but we've all been snowed under with
practice for the big game tommorrow." Hazel lied, as she looked at her fellow
cheerleaders.  They sniggered amongst themselves, as if sharing a dirty
secret.  Pamela was uncomfortable with this gesture.

"Is it true you're going out with Darren again?" Pamela asked as Hazel
continued to fidget with her backpack.

"Yeh.  I've decided to give him a second chance.  Where did you find that
out?" Hazel replied, wondering what else they might possibly know.

"You know - the usual suspects..." Gillian nodded.

Pamela was disturbed - normally the group of Gillian, Hazel and herself was
unbreakable - but now she noted Hazel's body chemistry was very negative
towards them.  The daily meals at Mason's had stopped as Hazel had avoided
seeing her best friends for days.  She felt Hazel was unhappy standing and
talking to them as something made her appear very tense...Pamela couldn't
quite pinpoint the difficulty.  All Pamela did know is that something had
changed about her.

"C'mon Hazel...we only got ten more minutes." Sasha whispered as the group
edged towards the Executive Suite entrance door.

Suddenly, as the Executive Suite entrance door swung open, a scent of
cigarette smoke was blown through onto the group.  Whereas Pamela and Gillian
squirmed at the noxious odour, they both observed as the cheerleaders sighed,
smiling when the smoke drafted towards their faces.  

Pamela realised the connection immediately and addressed the possible change
with a hint of anger in her tone.

"You don't smoke, Hazel, do you?" Pamela questioned as she saw the
cheerleaders look impatiently towards the Executive Suite.  

As Hazel contemplated her reaction, Christine felt the pounding of her
nicotine cravings, and spoke up for her friend.

"Yes she does, as do all of us! We're headin for the Smoking Area
now...you're welcome to join us." Christine declared with annoyance.

"I don't think so! I'm shocked at you smoking, Hazel....It wasn't long ago
you were slagging Darren off for being a total loser coz he smoked." Gillian
exclaimed.

Hazel shrugged her shoulders in defeat.  Although she felt as though by
smoking she let her best friends down, the nicotine currently was her best
friend at the moment.

"Well, things change girls.  Smoking is actually pretty cool once you try it.
It is so different when you're actually doing it yourself.  I'll maybe see
you later." Hazel replied coldly as she raced off to join her friends into
the new Smoking Area.

"I can't understand Hazel now smoking - it's like we're in a parallel
universe where everyone around us is taking up smoking.  This is no longer
coincidence - there is something wrong with this Bar, and what it's doing to
our friends and family." Pamela said firmly as they returned towards their
individual classes with increased purpose and anger...

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