Monday 8th October. Prison Cell
Oct. 9th, 2012 04:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
therealpm*Peter stares out of the window at the thoroughly dismal weather, unable to concentrate on the briefing in front of him. It's a new one, so it probably contains something of value if leaked to the press via one of his erstwhile colleagues, aka Tinkerbell, aka Alastair. He should at least search for something to give Chuka, but he really can't be bothered.
He shivers. Despite much prodding from Fiona, he's barely had anything except tea and some toast since Friday. It probably isn't helping his concentration, but he just doesn't feel like eating.
He catches sight of the phone out of the corner of his eye and considers ringing thestupid wonderful heartless man, just to see if he can make him feel as bad as Peter does, but resists. It probably wouldn't work. George already thinks he's a monster, Peter doesn't want him thinking he's pathetic as well. He shoves the phone under some papers so it's out of sight and tries to get back to work.*
He shivers. Despite much prodding from Fiona, he's barely had anything except tea and some toast since Friday. It probably isn't helping his concentration, but he just doesn't feel like eating.
He catches sight of the phone out of the corner of his eye and considers ringing the
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Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 07:08 pm (UTC)*John pinches the bridge of his nose*
The relatives are not going to agree. I understand that you want to help, I do, but there is nothing you can do right now. Nothing except let the doctors and medical professionals do their jobs.
I thought you didn't want to talk about this, anyway?
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 07:13 pm (UTC)They might.
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 07:15 pm (UTC)The children have been asking after you recently. Freddie helped his friend get onto student council and thought you'd care to hear the whole story at some point.
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 07:28 pm (UTC)*He focuses very hard on his glass of wine and tries to avoid acknowledging the fact that a man with whom he has been feuding on and off for three years now is more willing to let Peter into his home and stay in his company than one with whom Peter had been a relationship for four. It is a stark comparison and in attempting to prevent any sign of it from reaching his features, Peter almost forgets how to breathe. He takes a shakey sip from his glass.*
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 07:34 pm (UTC)*John takes a large gulp of his wine (his glass is instantly refilled by the floating bottle) and casts around for something else to say... something to get Peter back to his old self... Attacking the Tories, perhaps?*
Preparing the lines of attack for what's bound to come out of Tory conference at all?
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 07:39 pm (UTC)*Keep your eyes open, don't blink. DON'T blink. If you blink they don't dry out. Keep them OPEN and you won't cry. You're not going to cry. You've had worse. Breathe deep. Breathe IN. Now out. Good. No crying. NO CRYING.
It takes a few moments, and when it does his voice comes out thick, but it doesn't crack.*
No... I'm not planning to.
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 07:44 pm (UTC)*Mind blank and panicking, John casts around for something - anything - to take Peter's mind off whatever it is.*
Would you care to watch a film? Maybe some music? I'm sure Sally's got some ABBA CD's somewhere...
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 07:57 pm (UTC)*His eyes are a little unwilling to fucus, though whether that's the wine (are they on the second bottle already?) or his efforts to avoid tears, he's not sure.*
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 08:02 pm (UTC)Pick one of those. There are a few others about the house, but I don't think Trainspotting is really appropriate at the moment...
*After a few tries, he just about manages to get everything set up.*
Which one have you decided on, then?
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 08:10 pm (UTC)Eventually he whittles it down to the only one that wasn't either for children, an unwelcome reminder of certain aspects of his career, completely incomprehensible or part of a series he'd never watched.*
Here.
*He passes the case over.*
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 08:23 pm (UTC)*The film rolling, John makes himself comfortable in Peter's cell and has his wine topped up. He grabs a few crisps from one of the plates on the desk.*
Shall I get some popcorn?
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 08:31 pm (UTC)As the film progresses, they drink their way through the second bottle and move on to the third. Peter sings louder.
By the time the credits roll, the third bottle is nearly empty and both have rather flushed faces. Peter sings loudly, somehow managing to stay in tune, and John joins in slightly less exuberently.*
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 08:35 pm (UTC)Damn and blast you and your singing voice, Peter. You'll have to come round and impress the children one day - I'm sure Freddie will want *hic* lessons.
Oh, look - the bottles are almost gone! That went very quickly. Maybe I should get us some more...
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 08:40 pm (UTC)*Peter responds, very reasonably, though not without a little slurring. He rubs one hand over his face. The euphoria of the film over, he is left feeling tired and a little ill.*
Mmph, perhaps.
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 08:43 pm (UTC)O-Og-Og- Ogio?
*He shrugs, then opens the screw top and pours himself another glass.*
Want some?
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 08:55 pm (UTC)Peter's eyes feel very heavy. His stomach is almost uncomfortably full and he is very warm. He takes another sip of the wine, then leaves the glass on the side, preferring to let his eyes fall closed.*
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 09:00 pm (UTC)*John nudges him with an elbow.*
Oi, y' can't fall 'sleep yet. 'Not allowed to sleep in bed together again - twice is enough, Mr Mandelson!
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 09:03 pm (UTC)*He struggles to sit a little more upright and rubs his eyes.*
'sides. No room. Too small.
*He smirks.*
You'll have to have the basket.
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 09:06 pm (UTC)No basket for me.
I'm gonna go back to the flat and- and- and if Sally kicks me out of bed again - which she will - then I will sleep on the sofa.
*John is quite smug about his ability to reason after so much wine.*
Ha. No basket for Bercow, no sir.
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 09:14 pm (UTC)*For some reason, the reminder that John has a partner, someone to go home to, makes Peter feel inexplicably sad. He's pretty sure he hasn't felt that way before when Sally's been mentioned...
His brow furrows in thought as he tries to work out what it is, but then John's elbow jostles his again and he loses his train of thought.*
Sure? I think you'd fit...
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 09:17 pm (UTC)*John isn't sure that's the wittiest reply he could have come up with, but after another sip of wine he really doesn't care.*
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 09:22 pm (UTC)Not... not in this shape. Perhaps as a wolf!
*He illustrates his point by raising his arms and hooking his fingers like claws.*
But then... I would not be able to drink. A terrible shame. Don't you think?
*He takes another sip.*
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 09:26 pm (UTC)That rhymed! You know, if retirement does not work out, you could become a poet.
Freddie could illustrate them for you!
*John thinks very hard for a moment and then, with his most serious expression in place, he looks back at Peter.*
...You should really become a poet, Peter. It would be a great idea.
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 09:34 pm (UTC)Alast... Alas... Ali wrote some poetry. Was awful. Can't be that hard.
And my book was better.
Far better.
*He checks to see that John agrees.*
Much better ratings on Amazon. George showed me.
*He beams, remembering that moment of small but nevertheless treasured triumph, then his face crumples.*
George...
Re: 6 pm
Date: 2012-10-09 09:36 pm (UTC)George of the Jungle?
If you know George of the Jungle, Oliver will want to meet him.
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