Set Free

He had a light meal, just tea and toast, some anti-emetics and beta-blockers. His mother was quite surprised at his unusually bright mood - he was smiling and dancing all morning. Then (yes!) the doorbell rang, and his friend - he never seen the Latina before, but she _was_ a friend, for what she had carried - entered. Her eyes were that of a scared squirrel, darting around the room. Soon, his mother went to work. - The Elixir... is it here? - Yes, I checked it. And some rum. You told me you like it. - Thanks, dear. He sat down to his bed and held up the shot glass, filled to the brim with a green liquid, to the sunlight. It glowed like the future. His future, however, lay in darkness. Coyly, he asked the harbringer, "Will you take a chance?" - No, I'm married. - said the woman. - Thanks to this, it won't count. - he winked at the precious fluid. - Now, to Tijuana and to girls with good hearts! He downed it, slightly wincing, then gulped a mouthful from the rum bottle. Then reclined. In minutes, he was free.