GF   C'est pas la mer à boire! What's with such a sour expression?

GF   Join in. It is just as much yours as it is the guests'.

You're feeling as fit as a fiddle, and the festivities couldn't be going any better. The orchard's harvest came just in time for hundreds of people to indulge together. Frankly speaking, your little assistant is the odd one out for not embracing the bliss.

You grab an untouched drink from your side and offer it to her. She merely places it on her serving tray, between the hummus and marinated cheeses.

OV   I wont be able to serve and cook properly if im plastered.

GF   Not without practice.

OV   Ill believe it when you say it sober sir.

GF   Gah hah hah! It's only polite to offer.

GF   It would do wonders for that mood of yours.

It's as if her passions lay wholly in food rather than people. A fine priority otherwise, but the point of gatherings is strengthening connections. Building support, and, ideally, followers.

OV   Just remembered the other reason why i cant.

GF   You are a spoilsport?

OV   I have to drive myself home.

GF   Ah. Of course.

OV   Unless you can pay a cab for me.

GF   Non, why would you want a dingy old cab?

GF   You know you can use the guest bedrooms.

GF   I have heard nothing but good things about them.

OV   ...for sleeping?

GF   For whatever you need, mon petit olivier ~

She grimaces.

OV   Im sure all of them are... eugh... occupied.

She tolerates substances quite well (more than the other, surprisingly enough), so you don't see why she doesn't let herself indulge in more... sensual activity. You were far younger than her when you had your first taste.

GF   At least toast with me, to a grand night.

OV   No.

GF   Not even a sip?

OV   Not unless its virgin.

WH   good luck finding that here, pusface.

Wheaton appears from the side, bearing a tray filled with crostini and bruschetta. Unlike Miss Manco, Mister Vestergaard looks thoroughly tousled and loved upon.

OV   Surprised to see you still sober.

WH   gotta stay limber for the company, obviously.

OV   Can you give him the lecture too then?

GF   Lecture! Pardon, for doing a welfare check on a busybody.

WH   its no use, sir. theres too much wrong with her.

WH   ooh, wait, is that sauvignon blanc?

He grabs a piece of crostini and plunges it in that drink you had given her.

OV   Watch it!

She stumbles a little but manages to right the glass on her tray, placing it at one of the tables. Wheaton places his own down next to hers and pops his dipped morsel into his mouth, moaning.

WH   oh man. compliments to the chef.

OV   As if the oil and herbs didnt do all the work.

WH   mmm, nah. i think the guy who baked it made it this good.

WH   if you see him, give him a hundred and a handy for me.

OV   Like anyone would want to go near your nasty dick.

WH   says you. ive been getting action the }whole night{.

He reaches into his apron (their server outfits match yours, since you have style like no one else) and pulls out a fat wad of bills. Olivia's eyes glisten green.

WH   i got }these{ from some republican bastards by the bar.

WH   they loved my ass. bet i looked like one of those fat heaven cherubs.

WH   theyd probably pay more if i was. shouldve tried on choir clothes or something.

OV   Youre fucking sick.

WH   my bad for raking it in! not like thats the whole point.

WH   what have }you{ been doing with your time, scullery maid?

OV   Not selling myself for dirty money.

WH   oh, dont be such an ignorant whore.

OV   How am i the whore when youre jerking off -

WH   godfrey, my man. what is with her, right?

WH   its not a very welcoming environment with that branch up her hole.

You take a sip of wine and chuckle. How privileged you are to witness this song and dance every weekend.

GF   As much as I am inclined to agree, her work performance is excellent otherwise.

OV   Better than yours.

WH   meh, youre not counting other performances.

WH   thats why you dont get tips like i do.

OV   (I bet i dont...)

GF   Ah, that reminds me.

GF   As much as I'm delighted to see you ingratiate with the guests,

GF   You know you aren't allowed to mingle with politicians anymore, ma bouchée de pain.

Wheaton's face falls, his stash quickly returned to his pocket.

WH   what? cmon...!

GF   Do all that on your own time and your own property.

GF   A scandal like that isn't easy to fix.

WH   big g, i know it wasnt great.

WH   can i at least defend myself? dont i have the right?

GF   Wheatley...

WH   he was, what, cheating on his wife anyway?

WH   it was going to happen eventually. if not with me, some other side piece.

WH   just cause i looked like his favorite prostitute -

GF   Wheaton. No politicians.

GF   Understood?

You look him square in the eyes, clearing away any substances coursing through his system. A look of complete sobriety.

He wriggles uncomfortably, his voice raising to a whine.

WH   but }boss{...

His eyes frantically dart around and settle on Olivia. She does a double-take.

OV   Im sorry you think ill go to bat for you?

OV   You must be out of your damn mind.

WH   isnt it, like, humanitarian and shit?

OV   Blackmail?

WH   to upper-crust dickheads!

WH   if you had the balls i do, you wouldve done the same thing.

WH   just admit that i was the good guy there, for once?

Olivia looks a little queasy at the thought.

OV   I dont think i can physically do that.

WH   aww, fuck you, then.

Wheaton sighs and looks back at you, straightening up.

WH   }fine{. off-limits.

WH   i dont have to give the cash back, right?

GF   Non. Just behave yourself within reason.

OV   (I dont think he can physically do that.)

WH   just watch me get more stacks than you, even without the republicans.

He huffs, pointing a finger at her chest.

WH   ive always been the harder worker. nows the best time to prove it.

OV   Fuck you.

OV   You dont think i havent already survived hell?

OV   Im a goddamn master at humiliating myself for money.

WH   youre all talk, manco! but thats all you ever do.

WH   im only getting handicaps because im willing to do the extra work.

WH   you complain, but you dont have what it takes to make the real dough.

There's a fire in her eyes now.

OV   Bet on it.

OV   Whoever gets more at the end of the night wins.

WH   and the prize?

OV   Whatever the winner decides.

He strokes his chin contemplatively, but there's a giddiness in his smile.

WH   fine, kelly. youre on.

WH   wanna shake on it? make it honorable and junk?

OV   ...

She looks down at his outstretched hand. Then, she grabs it and pulls him in close.

OV   (Im going to squeeze every drop out of them.)

OV   (Then ill squeeze everything out of you.)

OV   (Im going to own you when this is done you got that?)

OV   (Ill... fucking... own... you.)

She pushes him away and stomps off, a newfound energy in her step. He watches her leave with a strange intensity.

Then, he looks back at you as if nothing even happened.

WH   i told you somethings wrong with her.

You sigh, picking up the drink from Olivia's tray and giving the glass a swirl. You don't see why those two are like cats and dogs - it's much more advantageous to feign courtesy to your associates' faces. It goes to show how much they have to learn about getting ahead in life.

To make a good example, you put on a welcoming smile of your own, stand up, locate a nearby crowd, and see to it that your efforts effectively bear fruit.