Solace in a Bottle

Fernando fancies himself something of an amateur culinary artist. He prepares his own meals and, when the mood strikes him, prepares his own beverages. These are usually not too terribly complicated because Fernando lacks the time or interest to craft intricate comestibles, but the ones he can make have gotten rave reviews.

Fernando decided to make some ginger ale from scratch one day and was about to sample the fruits of his labors at the Dominion. Fernando has little personal need for a wide variety of kitchenware and so his drinkware consists of a plastic water bottle and a mug for tea and coffee. Since he did not want yeasty sediment taking up residence in his water bottle nor the ginger ale to taste like the inside of his well-used mug, he filled one of the red, disposable plastic cups which were used to divide up drinks at gatherings in his back room. You know, the ones that are stereotypical frat party booze holders.

As he does this important work, he hears the chimes above the door jingle. Fernando exits out of the back room. “Hello,” he greets the customer, a young lady who is slightly taller than he is. She has already made her selection and waits patiently at the counter.

“Hi!” she answers. Fernando returns to his customary place behind the counter and sets his drink down atop it, where he hopes it cannot easily be spilled. “What do you have there?” she asks as he grabs a rental slip and starts filling it out.

“This?” Fernando taps the butt of his pen against the cup. “Ginger ale.”

She leans forward and peers at the cup's contents. “It doesn't look like any ginger ale I've ever seen.”

“Yeah, it's unfiltered.” Fernando picks up and swirls the cup. All the yeast and ginger bits swim about in their liquid home. “Though I should probably call it ginger beer since I fermented it for a couple of days, and I guess ginger ale is just carbonated water with ginger flavor added to it.”

The young lady smirks at Fernando. “So you're drinking on the job?”

“Technically. I'd have to drink gallons of this stuff before I felt anything resembling a buzz, though.”

“Ooooh, that's probably against the rules.”

“Actually, the boss is pretty okay with it. I bribe him with nice things and he usually lets me get away with all kinds of stuff here.”

The lady laughs and collects her movies. “Well, enjoy your drink!”

Fernando sketches a quick bow. “Enjoy your movies!”

Ah, the refreshing taste of success.