innovate-issue-005

into sight where Sid pulled over and waited for the current pantalooned idiot to come across andcharge us"Six crowns" he said, "You only get a 50% discount for three, why didn't you pick up another?""Didn't think of it" muttered Sid, and I heard genuine annoyance there as he handed over more coinsthan he would have wished"Have a good night" the idiot smiled and lifted the barrierThe little automobile roared through and back onto the road to the town"Drop you at The Lion" Sid muttered"What?" Lara snapped, "At this time, are you mad?""Whatever", but he was not to be dissuaded and just after ten o'clock he deposited us both before TheLion Hotel, before roaring off into the distance"What the Hell is wrong with him?!" Lara growledI shrugged and indicated the hotel"Want to go in?"She rummaged through her pockets and drew out a much-folded and faded note"Ah, old friend, your time has come" she said to it, then looked at me, "I don't suppose you have anymoney?""Not a thing" I said, sort of truthfully."Then it is time for Betty to spend herself"She pushed open the door and strode in, myself quickly at her heels as she pushed between sweaty,stinking bodies towards the bar"Two of your finest ales, and none of that piss" she demandedThe barman looked at her, snorted then did a double-take"Oh..." he said, and headed across to where a black-handled pump was situated all alone."You got influence?" I said, or rather yelled in Lara's ear."My family" she shot back and accepted the first of the brimming pints, sipping at the head and sighingin satisfaction.I took the other as she paid with what proved to be a 20-crown note, and as she pocketed the changeshe led me to a table by the fire, empty apart from a slumbering red-haired young man.She poked him in the ribs"Wake up you ass" she said, irritation in her voice, and I wondered if I heard what our days togetherwould be like if she and I would become an item"Whut...?!" the youth clambered slowly into wakefulness, "Oh Lara, hi there bunny!""Knock it off" she slapped down his questing hands, "Why are you still here?" she asked."Still here?" he seemed barely capable of coherent thought."Its almost half past ten" she said, pointedly."Oh my God!" he sat up, "The gates...""Close at eleven, dear cousin""But", he wobbled even as he sat up, "I gotta, gotta get there....""Luke will take you" she said.There was silence for a moment as I stared at her. I thought we were heading somewhere, but now shewas dumping her drunken cousin on me? Or was this a test? Family was clearly important to her, so ifI failed this test...?"Sure" I said, downing the rest of my drink, "You ready?""Leo" Lara said, "You'll probably need to remind him of his name""Great", I rose to my feet and steadied the unstable youth on my shoulder, "How will I get in touchwith you?" I asked her.She frowned,"I will get in touch with you" she said.