Happy Hour, Part 4

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

PART FOUR - BEHIND ENEMY LINES

The alarm clock buzzed relentlessly as Pamela climbed out of her bed.  As she
turned off the alarm, she stretched after her long sleep from the previous
night.  Routine set in this morning, like every morning, and she began her
day taking a shower then drying off and getting ready for another long day at
college.  Lizzy will be home soon, Pamela smiled to herself as she donned her
jacket and picked up her bag.  As Pamela descended down the staircase, a
familiar odour emanated from the kitchen - an odour she had not smelled for
years.  As she looked towards the kitchen, she could see a dense cloud of
cigarette smoke float effortlessly around the table.  This puzzled Pamela -
for months, her parents kept their smoking habits to the patio outside in the
garden, not wanting to surround their kids in the smoke as they tried to give
up the addiction.  Rosemary will not be happy about this, Pamela said to
herself as she entered the kitchen.

Andy sat at the table reading the newspaper with a lit cigarette in his hand,

"Morning Pamela!" Kirsten mumbled as she had a lit cigarette dangling between
her lips as she cooked bacon on the grill.  

"What is going on?" Pamela demanded as she watched her parents’ act like
nothing was different this morning.

"I'm making our breakfast and your dad is reading a paper.  I thought that
was obvious..." Kirsten replied as she leaned over the table to tap her
cigarette into the ashtray.  

"Why are you both smoking inside?  Have you both forgotten that you are
quitting?" Pamela roared as she shrugged off the offer of a seat at the
kitchen table.

"Pamela - it is too hard.  We thought about it all last night and decided it
wasn't worth the trouble.  You and Lizzy will just have to accept that we
tried to quit but failed.  We've decided to smoke whenever, wherever we like
as we done before Lizzy started complaining." Andy said as he continued to
read articles in the paper.

"I think I will give Rosemary a call - she will be horrified that you have
both given up again!" Pamela exclaimed as she hoped that informing their
Smoking Cessation Therapist would make them rethink their decision.

"Go on, call Rosemary.  I personally don't think she will be too interested
today." Kirsten laughed as she took another puff of her cigarette.

"What do you mean?" Pamela inquired as Kirsten went on to explain the events
of last night to their stunned daughter...

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

"Morning Rosemary!" The receptionist stated as the therapist walked into the
Westfox Health Clinic entrance.

"Morning Lauren!" Rosemary replied confidently as she walked past the
Reception and into her Consultancy Room.  

As Rosemary shut the door firmly behind her, she took off her jacket and hung
it on the wooden coat rack in the corner of the room.  She rummaged through
her leather briefcase for her perfume.  

Before Rosemary left the house, she was very conscious of people smelling
smoke on her so she picked up perfume and bought chewing gum as well as a
carton of cigarettes from a gas station en route.  

Rosemary quickly sprayed the perfume around her neck and on her clothes, then
put the bottle back into her briefcase.  She also glanced admiringly at a new
pack that lay in the briefcase of her old brand.  The cravings began to eat
at her as she contemplated sneaking out for a quick smoke as she hadn't
smoked since the previous night.

Knock, Knock.

"Come in." Rosemary said as she sealed her briefcase shut and put it at the
side of her desk.  

Lauren walked into Rosemary's Consultancy Room, armed with a notepad and pen.

"I should have told you when you came in. Today there is a student here for
the day on placement.  All the doctors are snowed under with work on their
schedules, and I wondered if she could shadow you in your work for the rest
of the day?"

"Yes. That should be fine." Rosemary lied as the chance of sneaking a quick
smoke during her shift had now been extremely limited.

"Great! The student will arrive here in the next hour." Lauren replied as she
turned towards the door.

"Lauren?" Rosemary shouted.

The blonde receptionist turned to face her as Rosemary removed a small card
from her pocket.

"Please take this. Could you spread the word around on this new bar?  I was
there last night and it is superb.  The prices are reasonable and the music
is good.  Maybe you could sniff around the other staff, find out if they all
fancy a drink there sometime?" Rosemary pleaded as requested by Monique the
previous night.

"It sounds cool.  I'll see what the other staff think about it. Anyway, I'm
gonna go get my break while it's quiet." Lauren said as she patted the bulged
coat pocket with her cigarettes.

As this action normally provoked an anti-smoking lecture, Rosemary felt a
similar craving grow inside her to feed.  

"I think I'll join you for your break before I get my schedule checked out."
Rosemary said as she took out the new pack of cigarettes and lighter to
Lauren's surprise.

As they walked outside, they shivered in the small isolated alcove, normally
occupied only by smokers.  This location was out of sight and CCTV camera
range at the back of the Health Clinic.

Rosemary was the first to offer Lauren a cigarette, which she duly accepted
and put between her lips.  Taking a cigarette for herself, she lit Lauren's
cigarette before lighting her own.  The nicotine bug surged through both of
their bodies, providing themselves with a feeling of well-being.  After two
consecutive puffs in silence, Lauren questioned her new smoking buddy on her
change of heart.  Rosemary complied, telling Lauren about the night at the
new bar which led to her taking up the habit again.  

"Do you have any regrets?" Lauren asked as she inhaled on her cigarette.

"Just one regret - I wish I never went into smoking cessation therapy coz I
do feel a little guilty about smoking now when my profession is to get people
to quit.  I feel like a bloody hypocrite!" Rosemary replied, tilting her head
to release a stream of smoke.

"You know the other Smoking Cessation Therapists are gonna have a shit fit as
you've started again? What you gonna do?"

"I'm going to have to consider my future in this line of work.  But I don't
know where to start.  And I still have today's shift to sit through.  And now
I've got this student as well - I'm gonna have no time for myself today - and
having a cig with a student around isn't a great example to set to her in my
profession.  I can't imagine how I sat through all these previous sessions,
encouraging people to give up a habit which brings them pleasure and relief
in their daily situations.  One thing I will say about smoking is that it
does help me to wind down after a stressful day.  It just seems to hit the
spot when I am goin crazy!  I'm sure not quitting these again!" Rosemary said
as she reflected on the cigarette between her fingers.

"I could make excuses during the day for you - give you a bit of space while
you have a smoke break.  I'll show her the boring stuff when you need some
smoky time out." Lauren offered, tapping her cigarette against the wall.

"That would be very much appreciated, Lauren.  Anyway, I better have a look
at my schedule before this student arrives." Rosemary said as she took a
final deep puff from her cigarette before grinding it out on the pavement.

Half an hour later, Rosemary had organised her workday, as she concentrated
on a series of clients in the clinic.  

"So you think I should go out with my non-smoking partner for a drink to test
my resolve?"

"Yes I do - when you do eventually quit smoking, you will have to face seeing
others smoke in public eventually." Rosemary replied, unconvinced now by the
advice she had been giving to clients for years.

"OK, thanks for your support.  See you next week, Rosemary." 

As her latest client walked out of the room, Rosemary sighed in huge relief.
She found all the talk of smoking only intensifed her own cravings,
constantly urging her to smoke.  As Rosemary abstained from the relentless
temptation, her concentration drained as she found herself losing focus on
the last client.  

In order to distract herself, Rosemary began shifting through case files and
smirked at a file for Kirsten and Andy Donaldson, which she scored off with a
felt tip pen.  She smiled as she recalled her night out the previous evening
with them when she took up the smoking habit once more.  Before they parted,
they all agreed to go out to the bar on a frequent basis. As Rosemary thought
about smoking and drinking with Kirsten and Andy that night, she heard a
tapping on her room door.

"Dr Pemberton?...this is your student for the day." Lauren said as she
ushered in a young woman.

Lauren left the room to return to her reception duties as Rosemary and Carrie
had a small introductory conversation.  As the woman introduced herself as
Carrie to Rosemary, she went on to explain how eager she was to learn and
watch how a smoking cessation therapist operated.  Carrie was 18 years old,
had brown curly hair, and was on a placement from the local Pride College in
Westfox.

"You're studying medicine?  Do you want to be a nurse if you qualify?"
Rosemary asked, feeling the nicotine cravings itching within her.

"No.  I want to work on the pharmaceutical side of things with the creation
and preparation of pills, ointments and other forms of medicinal antidotes.
I have a big interest in how the human body responds to potential cures."
Carrie said eagerly.

Rosemary showed Carrie her schedule and explained all the responsibilities of
her role before the next client arrived...

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

"I wonder how Carrie is getting on today? She spoke to me yesterday and told
me she was all excited about the experience she would get by watching doctors
and consultants in action." Gillian said as she peeled a banana.

Gillian and Pamela sat in the College Canteen where they always spent their
morning breaks, gossiping about others as part of their normal routine.
However, for Pamela, today was not routine.  She had been desperate to
explain her discovery to her best friend of her parents smoking.

"So what? Don't they smoke already?" Gillian replied after hearing Pamela's
tale.

"But for weeks, they had their hearts set out on quitting.  This is a total
U-turn that has came out of the blue for no good reason.  They almost were
sitting there in the kitchen proud and smug that they were smoking openly
again.  What makes them turn from dedicated quitters to adamant smokers in
one night?  It doesn't make sense.  I know Lizzy is going to be mad as hell."
Pamela retorted.

"I think you're obsessed with this, Pamela - you need to chill out." Gillian
stated firmly before munching on her banana.

"Anyway, where is Hazel today? She is never one to miss our chats." Pamela
asked, disappointed in Gillian's lack of interest of her news.

"I don't think she is in today.  Remember it is her birthday.  She'll
probably be thinking she can do whatever she wants with her now being 19!"
Gillian replied.

Hazel walked up to the college fence, taking another deep drag of her
cigarette before flicking the butt away.  Darren had bought her a pack of
cigarettes earlier that morning as they had slept in together.  The nicotine
and alcohol had left Hazel in a reflective and forgiving mood the previous
night as she decided to resume her relationship with Darren. However, whereas
Hazel had responsibilities at the college, Darren saw today as another
opportunity to lounge around with his unambitious friends.   As she exhaled a
plume of smoke overhead, she walked confidently into Pride College with her
bag hanging over her shoulder.

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

"Thanks for coming, Mrs Dindeleux. I am Susan, the rector of this fine
college.  My secretary insisted that I saw you today." Susan said as she
shook Monique's hand warmly before urging her guest to sit down.

"It is nice to be here.  I am currently looking around the colleges in the
district and trying to find the best one for me.  My interests lie in Arts,
and I am looking for a night class for beginners." Monique lied.

"I am sure you will find everything you need in this area." Susan said as she
handed Monique several Arts leaflets.

Suddenly, the door was knocked and the secretary walked in.

"Would you ladies like any refreshments?"

"Yes, two coffees please. Thanks Lesley." Susan replied as the secretary
winked at Monique before going to obtain the drinks.

After a short spell, the secretary returned with a tray containing the two
hot cups and winked at Monique again as she left the room to return to her
desk.  Susan had always been a sweet tooth, and liked sweetner.  Unknown to
her, Lesley added another sweetner to her morning coffee after her smoky
conversation with Monique the previous night.

"I seemed to notice when coming into the college today how clean your grounds
are.  Is there a ban on students eating, drinking and smoking in the
premises?" Monique said as she sipped her coffee, hoping to manipulate the
direction of conversation.

"We have very clean grounds because we drive home the message of No Litter
Zones as part of our rules.  But we don't allow smoking on college grounds.
While it does increase problems with litter control, it is also an unhealthy
habit for our students to undertake.  We want to promote the best possible
health-conscious image for newcomers to our college.  As you will agree, we
care very much for our students and their health and safety is our priority.
This is why you would probably enjoy coming to Pride College." Susan replied
as she sipped her coffee.

God, that tastes really sweet even for MY liking, Susan thought.

"That's true, but doesn't your policy isolate the smokers who join your
college?" Monique said.

"Although smokers are not denied the chance to study here, we try to actively
encourage them to seek help for quitting.  If they refuse that, we simply say
they have to smoke somewhere else.  We are not denying them their habit, but
we also want to maintain a healthy, productive environment for all of the
students here.  Our statistics show that the vast majority of students here
actually don't smoke, and never have." Susan stated as she continued to sip
her hot coffee.

I am not surprised...but maybe we can change that, Monique thought as she
watched the rector innocently drink her coffee.

"Have you ever smoked yourself?" Monique asked.

Suddenly that question stirred past emotions within Susan as she swallowed
more coffee, enjoying the relaxing buzz the caffeine provided.  However,
Susan felt something was missing as she recalled her own smoking experience.

"I did smoke during high school...but I only did that because I was part of
the crowd." Susan recalled as the memories of a smoking bond with her school
peers replayed over in her mind.  She was confused by these feelings of joy
and pleasure of those memories.

"So you should be more sympathetic towards these people who do smoke when
they come to your college?" Monique questioned as Susan looked down at her
coffee, lost in thought.  As her smoking memories continued to play in her
mind, Susan's hard-line attitude towards the habit began to melt slowly.

Monique sensed the opportunity, and took out her pack of cigarettes in front
of the baffled rector, and proceeded to light up proudly.  Susan seemed
oblivious to this as Monique walked towards the window, sliding it open and
tapping the ash from her cigarette against the outer window seal, letting the
wind carry her exhale away from the building.  As she took each puff, Monique
observed Susan struggle to battle her inner smoking demons that were now
resurfacing.  

I did enjoy smoking so much back then. Am I being unfair on students today?
How can I ban students from the choice to smoke on grounds when I did
anything for a cigarette at high school? Susan wondered in her mind.  The old
cravings from her smoking days began to haunt the rector once more as she
looked at Monique smoking beside the window.  As Monique inhaled each puff,
Susan found herself fantasizing about smoking a cigarette with her guest.  

Suddenly, the mental haze lifted and Susan frowned at Monique as she stood up
from behind her chair.  Susan stalked towards her smoking guest and reached
for the cigarette.

"Give me that!" Susan growled angrily.

Monique thought that Susan was going to take the cigarette and grind it out,
before asking her to leave.  To her relief, Susan placed the half-smoked
cigarette between her lips and greedily inhaled.  Immediately, the nicotine
buzz polluted her body, providing a great sense of pleasure as she held the
smoke in her lungs.  Closing her eyes, she smiled as the memories played more
slowly in her mind about the factors she enjoyed most when smoking; the
company, the taste and the feeling of doing something rebellious.  Susan
reluctantly pursed her lips and exhaled out of the window before walking back
to her chair as she still gripped the cigarette firmly - she was in no mood
to give it back or grind it out.  Susan was still enjoying the buzz
originating from the nicotine pulsating through her body, hitting all her
nerves with re-acquaintance.  Susan held the cigarette erect beside her head
- a posture she used when she smoked years ago.  Happy that Susan was now
ready, Monique sat back down and lit up her own cigarette.  As she inhaled,
she evaluated that Susan must have been a heavy, passionate smoker at high
schools, as her inhales were long and deep.  The look of bliss whenever she
was about to exhale was unquestionable after each inhale.  

"So Susan, don't you think you need to relax this stance on smoking at
college?" Monique suggested, wondering how intoxicated Susan was.

"Yes.  From today, any student can smoke at college if they want to do so.
In fact, I think the college could set up a smoking area for students and
lecturers." Susan said, as she began to come out of her semi-dazed state.

"I think that is a great idea!" Monique replied, happy that her plan was
succeeding thus far.

"You know, Lesley seems really nice." Monique asked the smoking rector.

"Yes, she is a very hard worker.  She's been a good servant to this college
for years." Susan replied, exhaling lazily across the table.

"I met Lesley last night at the bar I run.  She told me about your dilemma
for your College Party - the college is celebrating it's fiftieth year
opened?  That is a tremendous acheivement.  How about using my Bar as your
venue for your College Party?  We could have a double celebration on Saturday
night with it being the first full week of business for my Bar?" Monique
said, handing over a business card to Susan.

"That looks good!  How much will it cost?" Susan asked innocently as she
raised her cigarette to her lips once more.

"I'm sure cost won't be an issue for you, won't it?" Monique replied, knowing
the rector was still vulnerable.  As expected, the rector simply nodded her
head in response, lost in her smoky pleasure.

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

"So this place is new?" Carrie asked Rosemary as they walked into the Drôle
Bar.

The pair were hungry after a busy morning of consultations and home support
visits.  Carrie reflected on all that she learned that morning as Rosemary
approached the bar counter.  Carrie was amazed to see the lows that addicts
experienced when trying to give up smoking.  She was proud of herself for
learning this area of therapy which she hadn't considered working in when she
qualified from her course.  Carrie was convinced she could take this learning
experience and create a presentation, showing all that she has learned.
Already, Carrie had thoughts about possible medicinal avenues to aid addicts
in their bid to quit smoking, and was keen to discuss these issues when she
returned to Pride College.  Carrie looked around as most customers sitting
around were all smoking - she suddenly imagined how these people could easily
be in the same position as the clients Rosemary had visited earlier that day.
Why do people risk mental anguish for a dependency on tobacco, Carrie thought
as she felt pity for the many smokers puffing their lungs out around her.
The haze of smoke hovered over the room like a permanent fixture of the bar
itself.  As she looked at Rosemary, she quickly noticed that even the staff
were smoking.  How could Rosemary be comfortable in this environment, Carrie
asked herself.

"Hiya.  Are you offering bar lunches yet, Norah?" Rosemary asked as she
watched Norah inhale on her shrinking cigarette easily.  Rosemary and Norah
began to talk to each other last night as Rosemary ordered drinks over a
period of hours.  

"Yes, we do.  We just employed a chef today.  Here, take a look at our
menus." Norah smiled as she exhaled towards the wall fans. 

"You don't know how much I need that at the moment!" Rosemary pointed at
Norah's cigarette angrily.

Carrie had mistaken that action as a signal of Rosemary giving an
anti-smoking lecture to the bar staff.  

"Go on.  Be my guest.  Take a puff!" Norah offered.

"No.  Not now - I've got company at the moment." Rosemary replied as the
cravings intensified as smoke was detected in the atmosphere.

As Rosemary returned to their table and sat down, Carrie asked her about the
bar worker smoking on duty.  Rosemary replied as she handed the student a
menu, stating that it was the choice of the employer as to what her staff do.
They both ordered small meals and beverages as Norah took their menus away
and left instructions with the new chef.  While the food was being prepared,
Rosemary's cravings for a cigarette intensified as other customers around
them continued to light up.  

"I don't think I will be coming back here again!" Carrie whispered in
disapproval, waving away smoke from a nearby table.

"Try and be civilized, Carrie - we're only here for our lunch before our next
client.  We have to be tolerant.  We can't just go around telling people what
to do all the time." Rosemary defended, annoyed that her reacquired habit was
being verbally slaughtered by the student.  

Eventually, the meals arrived and the food was consumed.  They were both
finishing their meals off with Rosemary drinking coffee and Carrie drinking a
soda.  

"Can you excuse me?" Carrie said as she left the table and headed towards the
Ladies Room in the corner behind a table of four smokers.

"Hello stranger. Back so soon?" a familiar voice laughed in Rosemary's ear.

"Hiya Monique, where have you been?" Rosemary said as the Bar Owner sat in a
seat beside her.

"I've just been making some business deals.  I want to let you know that you
have to be here on Saturday night - there is gonna be a big party. Everyone
is invited.  The more, the merrier!" Monique said enthusiastically as she
withdrew her pack of cigarettes and offered the Therapist a chance to smoke.  

"I really shouldn't be doing this now as I've got company." Rosemary said as
the cravings screamed in desperation at the offer of more nicotine.

Monique looked across the table to see another empty plate and an empty soda
bottle - she smiled and repeated her offer of a cigarette.

"I'm confident your guest won't mind." Monique insisted as she extended her
pack towards Rosemary.

The cravings continued to intensify, and were relentless until Rosemary
reached out and accepted the cigarette from the pack.  Monique flicked her
lighter to life, and offered a flame for the Therapist.  Sucking deeply on
the filter to quench the hunger, smoke began to fill her mouth.  Rosemary sat
back as she inhaled - the cravings had lowered as the smoke bathed her
starved lungs.  Immediately, her posture became more limp and relaxed as the
nicotine buzz shot through her like a harpoon.  Meanwhile, Monique joined the
Therapist in lighting up and inhaling sharply. 

As Carrie flushed the toilet, she walked out of the cubicle to wash her
hands.  Carrie felt strange as she looked at her reflection.  Was the food
off? Carrie thought as her stomach felt upset initially.  As Carrie
considered returning to the cubicle, the nauseous feeling faded, leaving her
with a hunger for something she was unsure of.  Maybe I should have ordered a
sweet? Carrie considered as she dried her hands and walked out of the Ladie's
Room.  Pushing through the doors, Carrie halted as she saw Rosemary smoking
with someone else at their table.  Now, she was bamboozled - why is a
Therapist smoking when she is trying to help others to quit cigarettes?,
Carrie thought as a cloud of smoke emerged in her face accidentally from the
table in front of her.  Some of the second-hand smoke was obliviously inhaled
as she took a breath when the cloud emerged in front of her face.   As her
vision of Rosemary blurred through the cloud, the hunger that grew inside her
became crystal clear as to what she was craving.  Suddenly, Carrie seemed
drawn to the cigarettes the customers were smoking.  Carrie struggled to
rationalize her thoughts as the hunger for nicotine began to unsettle her -
making her feel anxious until its' demands were met.  As Carrie walked
through the cloud of smoke towards her table, she couldn't help but see the
customers from a different perspective.  No longer did she feel pity for the
addicts, but a feeling of envy and understanding overcame her as she took a
seat beside Rosemary.

Shit, Rosemary thought as Carrie stared at her through a squinted expression.
As Rosemary contemplated putting out the cigarette and apologizing to Carrie,
hoping that would stop the student whistle blowing on this incident, Monique
had other ideas.

"I'm Monique - I own this Bar. How was your meal?" Monique extended her hand
in friendship to the baffled student, whose strange cravings continued to
grow.

"It was ok...But why are you ...?" Carrie replied as she sat in her chair
partially dazed from the feelings running amok inside of her, screaming for a
substance she had never experienced before.

"Would you like to join us?" Monique asked as extended her pack over towards
Carrie.

Whereas the student's first reaction was to reject the offer viciously, the
cravings stimulated a thirst for the nicotine within each of the cylinders.
After a pause of thought trying to battle the strange hunger, Carrie slowly
extracted a cigarette carefully from the pack and examined the object in her
hand.  All the time, her mind was screaming at her for accepting the
cigarette, while her body was screaming for Carrie to proceed.  As she took
another glance at the smoking customers around her, Monique flicked her
lighter and offered a flame for Carrie's cigarette.  With her dazed
expression, she blankly put the cigarette between her lips and leaned in to
accept the light.  As smoke began to fill her mouth, the end glowed red, and
a rush of energy flowed through her - reawaking her subdued senses to life.
Acting on the mental impulses stemming from the cravings, Carrie inhaled
shallowly as the smoke rushed down into her lungs, exploring every area for
the first time.  The student sat back as the nicotine took over and exhorted
its pleasurable influence over their latest host.  

Rosemary was stunned at this student with clear views against smoking, now
filling her own lungs with toxins.  In that moment as she exhaled casually,
she had became the addict she despised earlier that morning.  As Carrie took
another silent pull on the cigarette, she realised how much she loved this
experience, and how wrong she had been towards fellow smokers.  As the dazed
effects began to fade, Carrie felt guilty for giving all Rosemary's clients
lectures all morning.  Who was I to give anyone lectures on smoking when I
hadn't even tried it? Carrie now reasoned as she continued to thrive through
another nicotine buzz.  

Carrie tapped her cigarette on the ashtray and felt compelled to offer an
apology as she watched her exhale flow towards the ceiling.

"I'm sorry about what I've been saying all morning, Rosemary.  You never told
me you smoke.  When I first saw you from the Ladie's Room, my first reaction
was to storm over and call you a hypocrite - but for some reason, I felt I
needed a cigarette myself.  I can't explain why coz I have never smoked
before in my life.  I've always avoided them as I never wanted to be
dependant on any drug.  I was a strong-willed person before today..." Carrie
moaned as she analysed the burning cigarette between her fingers.

"I am sorry as well, Carrie - I have been very stressed all morning as I have
been unable to smoke in your presence.  I know students like yourself are
keen to make a good impression and stand for all things that are politically
correct.  The last thing I wanted to do was appear hypocritical.  I suppose
you won't be telling my superiors when I get back?" Rosemary replied as she
watched the student smoke with fascination and confusion.

"No, I won't.  It wouldn't look good for me either if I went back there to
say I started smoking during a stint with a Smoking Cessation Therapist,
would it?" Carrie replied before she took another deep pull on her cigarette.

"So why do you think you are smoking now all of a sudden?" Monique asked,
curious to see what theories this bright student could think of to justify
her new actions.

Carrie simply shrugged her shoulders as she held the smoke in her lungs -
with the buzz from smoking pulsate through her young body.  

Monique was now pleased.  All the friction between the two people had now
melted away and was replaced with a common bond in their new habits.  Another
job well done, Monique thought as they all finished their cigarettes.

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