Gary Wilkinson (apieceofhim) wrote in britannia_ny, @ 2010-01-01 00:43:00 |
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Current mood: | determined |
[logged entry]
Gary has been determined to do this right, to see this through, not least because Mike wants a real social life of his own; Gary is also secretly convinced that if he can pull off a dinner party it will serve as his very own rite of passage into the world of the sane, a world he hasn't felt part of since he was ten years old, right before the dreams started coming.
So Thursday morning sees him up unusually early, dressed in actual real clothes instead of his painting outfit, knocking on Adia's door.
Adia answers in her pajamas, not looking quite as awake as him. "Oh, hi. Um, Mr--"
"Gary. It's Gary. I'm your neighbour down the hall."
"Yeah, that's right. How are you?"
"Fine. Listen, Mike and I were hoping you could have dinner with us sometime. He told me you talked about it, but I wanted to make a kind of formal invitation." He hesitates, watching for her reaction.
She looks surprised, but not unpleasantly so. "Oh! Uh, sure. That sounds nice."
"Actually, if you don't have plans, would you like to come over for New Year's Eve? We're having sort of a traditional meal, very corned beef and sauerkraut, I'm making everything myself."
Adia laughs. "Oh, man. I can't think about sauerkraut this early in the morning. No, I'll ask my boyfriend. If that's all right, I mean."
"I think that would be fine. It sounds fine. We're planning for about seven o'clock, then watch the ball drop on T.V."
"Can you assume a yes, and I'll let you know if there's any problem?"
"That would be great."
"Will you let me buy the champagne? I'd feel bad not bringing something."
"Well, I already-- I guess you can't have too much champagne on New Year's."
She laughs again. "No way. Never too much."
"Great. I mean--great. Thanks. Mike's gonna be thrilled, he was looking forward to having you over."
"It's so nice of you to invite us. Thanks a lot."
"Yeah. Absolutely. See you to-night."
"See you!" She ducks back inside with a smile.
Gary practically collapses back against the wall, but, with great strength of character, he walks steadily back to their apartment and collapses there. Mission accomplished.