therealpm: (I'm listening)
[personal profile] 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 the stupid 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.*

Re: 6 pm

Date: 2012-10-09 07:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bamfbercow.livejournal.com
*Ok, so Tories are off the conversation topics that it is safe to discuss he thinks. What else is there?!*

*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)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
Yes... something... film.

*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)
From: [identity profile] bamfbercow.livejournal.com
*John summons the DVD player and a few DVDs from upstairs. He hands the stack of DVDs to Peter*

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)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
*Peter frowns as he tries to read the labels. He doesn't recognise most of these. The ones for children he rejects out of hand. The Deal, likewise.

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)
From: [identity profile] bamfbercow.livejournal.com
*John takes the case. Mamma Mia. John shrugs and puts the DVD in the player. He'd never admit it, but the number of times Sally has made him watch this particular film, he knows it nearly off by heart in certain places. Especially the songs.*

*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)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
*Peter ignores John, he's already singing along softly to the opening music. Shortly afterwards they decide that it's easier to see the TV when sitting on the bed (Peter having been sitting there when John first installed it).

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)
From: [identity profile] bamfbercow.livejournal.com
*Between odd, out of tune and time lines, John giggles. He's slightly envious of Peter's singing voice, but he's far too drunk to get worked up about.*

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)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
Well... well write a note to yourself to invite me, then.

*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)
From: [identity profile] bamfbercow.livejournal.com
*John summons another bottle - but rather than coming from the Palace store, it comes from his kitchen. He quints, then closes one eye and tries to read the label.*

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)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
*Peter wrinkles his nose when he reads the label, but holds out his glass anyway. Over the course of the evening, they have slumped incrementally until now the only thing preventing them from needing the wine to be tipped vertically into their mouths is the pillow on Peter's bed.

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)
From: [identity profile] bamfbercow.livejournal.com
*John starts chatting away happily to himself. He turns to Peter, expecting some sort of reply. It takes him a moment to realize that Peter's eyes are closed.*

*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)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
Hmph. My bed.

*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)
From: [identity profile] bamfbercow.livejournal.com
*John is upset by that comment.*

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)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
Oh.

*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)
From: [identity profile] bamfbercow.livejournal.com
Yeah, well, I think you'd fit! Ha!

*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)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
*Peter snorts with laughter*

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)
From: [identity profile] bamfbercow.livejournal.com
*John giggles*

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)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
*He gives the suggestion serious consideration.*

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)
From: [identity profile] bamfbercow.livejournal.com
George? George who?

George of the Jungle?

If you know George of the Jungle, Oliver will want to meet him.

Re: 6 pm

Date: 2012-10-09 09:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
Osborne.

Chancellor.

*He elbows John, though not hard enough to hurt, and sniffs.*

Idiot.

Re: 6 pm

Date: 2012-10-09 09:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bamfbercow.livejournal.com
Oh, so you don't know George of the Jungle... that's sad...

I'd be sad too if-if I thought I knew George of the Jungle but it was just Osborne.

*He pats Peter on the shoulder*

Poor Peter. Not knowing George of the Jungle, just George Osborne...

Re: 6 pm

Date: 2012-10-09 09:53 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
*Peter squints at John, utterly baffled.*

Eh?

*He takes one gulp of wine, then another and allows himself to sink back down into a slouch.*

Re: 6 pm

Date: 2012-10-09 09:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bamfbercow.livejournal.com
Well, of all the Georges one could know, George of the Jungle is a pretty good George. George Osborne is not as high up on the list as George of the Jungle.

*John takes a big sip of his wine and then says matter-of-fact-ly:*

I mean for a start George of the Jungle has much better hair.

Re: 6 pm

Date: 2012-10-09 10:03 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
*Peter blinks at him*

Why are you talking about George of the jungle?

I'm talking about my George, only he doesn't want to be my George because I'm a monster, and monsters eat children and even when I said I wouldn't, he wouldn't listen, and... and...

*Peter sniffs and then takes another very large gulp of wine.*

Re: 6 pm

Date: 2012-10-09 10:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bamfbercow.livejournal.com
*John tries to work out what Peter means*

Monster? You're not a monster, you're a werewolf - has he seen the leaflet thingy?

*He watches Peter sniff and drink a lot of wine. John's mind is working overtime but he eventually catches on.*

Oh. You mean you and he-

Well that's just...

That's not...

...I'm going to make him stand at the box and answer questions for five whole hours for this! Every week. No! Every day!

*John empties more wine into their glasses.*

Re: 6 pm

From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com - Date: 2012-10-09 10:18 pm (UTC) - Expand

Re: 6 pm

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Re: 6 pm

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Re: 6 pm

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Re: 6 pm

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Re: 6 pm

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Re: 6 pm

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Re: 6 pm

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