(Untitled)

[realmrsreynolds]

Sallie Reynolds is a woman on a mission, even if that mission (returning a handkerchief) seems to have hit a small snag (Joe not appearing to be around). No matter really; she could always leave it with the bar

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[felon_spice]

Zoe has managed to once again convince SARAH to bring her to the bar without her father's knowledge.

She knows that one of these days, she's likely to get busted, but she figures the benefits outweigh the risks.

There's an older woman at the bar. Zoe wonders if she'd be an easy mark to score a beer. Only one way to find out.

"Hello," she says politely, sliding onto the stool next to her.

[realmrsreynolds]

"Wèi, little one," Sallie offers amiably. "You new about here?"

[felon_spice]

"Yes, ma'am," Zoe says, putting on her 'good girl' persona. "My father and I only recently discovered Milliways. I'm Zoe Carter."

[realmrsreynolds]

The old woman extends her hand, "Sallie Reynolds, Miss Carter. Pleased to meet you. Have you figured out what the place is about yet? Met anybody interesting?"

[felon_spice]

"A few people," Zoe says, shaking the proffered hand. "And, yes, we were filled in about the bar before we first arrived. Have you been coming here a long time?"

[realmrsreynolds]

"Oh, gracious, a good long while. Long enough to get myself in trouble more often than not."

Or trouble just finds her. Whichever.

"Have you eaten anything yet?"

[felon_spice]

"No ma'am," she lies. SARAH had a snack ready for her after school, as usual.

[realmrsreynolds]

"Well then." That won't do. "It's breakfast for me, so I hope you don't mind -- "

Sallie orders two bowls; one with diced mangos and starfruit, the other with hot rolls.

"Have some if you'd like. If you're not used to the bar yet, I can order for you."

[felon_spice]

"Oh, thank you," Zoe says. "I'd love a cheeseburger and a beer."

[realmrsreynolds]

Well, now. Here is a quandary: Zoe doesn't look more than 16, and that's certainly not an age that Sallie's interested in buying liquor for. However, she has no clue what the social mores are for drinking where Zoe's from.

A test is required.

"Bar? Would you be willing to put a beer and a cheeseburger meant for our Miss Carter here on my tab?"

A plate with a cheeseburger appears.

[felon_spice]

Zoe stifles her sigh. It was worth a shot.

"Thank you," she says.

[realmrsreynolds]

"Welcome."

A beat. "For the record? If it's the taste more than the buzz for you, there's a great non-al beer made on Bernadette in my where and when that actually manages to taste the same."

[felon_spice]

That... was an unexpected response.

Zoe's mouth opens, but no words come out. "Uh..."

She blinks a few times and then finally says, "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

[realmrsreynolds]

"No problem. Anything else you're not allowed to do I can find an acceptable substitute for?"

[felon_spice]

Zoe has the decency to look sheepish. "I'm probably not supposed to be here without my dad," she admits. "But SARAH is keeping an eye on me."

[realmrsreynolds]

"SARAH?" Sallie looks around, finding the second door on the other side of the room. "Ah. We've...never met. Is she...nice?"

For, y'know. A house.