PART 1

SAM

I sit here bored to tears with writing the same tiny column reporting crime rates that in the end will be cut out from the Paper. Hell I think I've only seen one of my notices ever in the Paper.

The paper, funny how I still after 6 years of slaving for it still think of it as the Paper...

Well at least it's a step up from selling ad-space that I had to do the first three years, I wonder if I'll ever get a chance to write real news or get a real column of my own...

Sighing widely I watch the clock as it slowly moves towards turning 'five O'clock' so I can finally leave this little hellhole. As I stare I overhear two of the many colleagues I share this office space with chat about one of our hot shots...

"Did you hear she's coming to town, think she was nominated to the Pulitzer this year too." I hear Mina say, she's a nice girl, still excited to work here, but then again she's only been here for a week freshly transferred from the proofreaders, it'll soon wear off.

"Yeah, I heard," the sour and tired voice of Gerald answers, I think they like each other, although I have a hard time seeing what Mina could possibly see in that old wearied man. Once he was a highly esteemed reporter for some other paper until the booze got him, the usual downhill story.

"Do you think she'll come by the main office?"

I hear Gerald scoff, "Why? Want her autograph?"

"Why not? She's a celebrity in our circles." I can picture her through the wall as she continues, "Work hard and you'll get here, Lorelai Gilmore!" as I hear the name, a flood of bitterness flows through my veins, I remember her from the early years of my time here.

We started at the same time, I had been working on a minor paper before landing the job here and met her, I definitely got the vibes off from her and she was attractive enough that I planned on asking her out, I never got the chance, she was moved from ad-space to become a junior reporter almost immediately, almost as if the papers had been mistaken and she was never supposed to be there at all, then in the years that went by I continued paying my dues while she shot through the ranks and became the star of the Paper.

I couldn't resent her though, she is a good reporter, her articles well written and engaging, it's just that I could write as well as her, so I sit here and wonder why I never get the chance to prove it.

Finally the clock turns and I can leave, feeling the need for a drink I make my way towards my favorite pub ignoring the noisy traffic surrounding me.

When I enter the pub I make a beeline for my customary seat only to find it occupied.

RORY

I sit there supporting myself on the bar-disk drowning my sorrows in a scotch when I hear a cold voice say: "You're in my seat."

Ignoring her I simply take another sip and put the glass back down on the disk.

"Hey, I'm talking to you, move or I'll throw you off it."

Her voice making me suddenly feel very argumentative as it reminds me of a certain sandy haired girl I once, well still am in love with, I turn and give the owner of the chilly voice a glance.

"Sorry but there was no name on this seat when I took it." I reply lazily giving her a smirk wondering what she'll do next.

Before she can say anything though the bartender intervenes, "Sam, please take another seat, or I'll have to throw you out." she said with a pleading voice, I guess the raven-haired woman in front of me is a regular here.

She visibly sighs and then take a deep breath before finally saying, "Okay, okay, give me the usual." then she sits on a stool some seats away from mine, she looks strangely familiar, but I can't place her face.

My mind occupied with the mystery I watch her as she downs a double shot of what looks like absolute vodka and when she notice my staring she asks, "What?" that chilliness exchanged into irritation.

Not certain what I should say I try to give her a nice smile but all the drinks I've downed before she arrived has gotten to me and it obviously looks silly as she has a hard time keeping her laughter down.

"Glad I could entertain." I say and then turn back to my glass.

A moment later she asks, "Bad day too huh?"

I nod and she asks again, "Care to share?"

"Girlfriend dumped me." I explain and then empty the last of my drink in one sweep, it was not a good idea, I can feel my head spin lightly. But then it stabilize and I point at the bartender to give me another one.

"Ah," the dark haired woman says with an understanding nod.

"Can't really blame her though, I cheated on her."

"No wonder then." she replies as the bartender brings me the... is it the twelfth refill? I've lost count.

Not feeling to talk any more I sweep it like she swept hers and this time the spinning doesn't stop, I try to tell them where I'm staying before the lights goes out.

SAM

As we sit there sharing our miseries I realize I know this woman. Not being able to place her though I watch her downing another shot of what she's been drinking. Moments later it's evident it was one too much.

Slurring something she slumps down and falls lifelessly onto the floor, her head makes a thumping sound as it hits the stone tile, luckily there's no bloodshed.

"Help me?" I hear Tammy Lynn ask me as she walks around the bar to pick up the fallen customer.

I comply and then ask, "Why did you let her drink that much?" as we both lift her to put her deeply sleeping body at rest in one of the sofas further into the local.

"She's a first time customer, I always let them drink till they drop so I know for the next time they show up how much I'll let them drink." Tammy answers, she's quite reminiscent of someone I knew from back home, just a more seasoned, nicer and gentler persona in a frame that otherwise could be a mirror. She back home burned me though, Tammy never has, well except when she refuses to let me get another drink and chains me to the bar so I won't leave for some other place. Sometimes I wonder why I return considering the treatment, maybe because I know she always will look out for me when I'm drunk. It's weird to know she's with Nic, sometimes I entertain myself by calling them Satan and Jesus, and in a sense that's what they are, Nic being Satan and Tammy: Jesus.

"A new customer I presume?"

I hear someone ask behind us, I recognize the sharp voice immediately and reply without turning, "Yeah, Nic. She is."

"I hope she didn't do it to get rid of you." I can imagine her amused little smirk as she says it, I used to love to see it, actually I still do, just don't get affected by it any more.

"Very funny Love, stop teasing and watch the bar while I try and find out where she lives." Tammy says defending me from her soul mate, as usual.

"Right on it darlin'." Nic replies with a drawl and I can hear her footsteps as she moves to stand behind the counter waiting newly arrived customers.

Tammy interrupts my thoughts and I refocus on her, "No signs of where she lives?" I ask and take a closer look.

"Nope, at least not which hotel since this ID puts her home-address in Stars Hollow."

"Stars Hollow?" I ask and suddenly it strikes me, I really do know this person. Or more like; I've met her, and at least read a dozen of her articles.

"Yeah, have you ever been there? I think it's close to Hartford in Connecticut." Tammy says, as she straightens and turns to look at me.

"No, but I know her, we used to work together. I just didn't recognize her since it was quite some time ago." I reply giving the sleeping form another glance.

"Are you willing to take care of her then? I don't think our other customers would appreciate having a snoring drunk disturbing their peace." Tammy asks with a questioning look, I'm not sure if she feels that me taking care of this woman is a good idea.

Guardedly I reply, "I can take care of her. Honestly," seeing Tammy's doubt I add, "I won't try to take advantage of her current state."

Tammy shakes her head, "Oh, I don't doubt that, I just can't imagine you taking care of anyone. I have to come once a week to make sure you clean your apartment remember?" Tammy's not above teasing me either, although in difference to Nic she does it with warmth, always making me smile at her jokes, even when I'm the joke.

"I'm not that bad." I try to sound hurt, all the while keeping my smile from showing.

"Want me to call a cab?" she offers and I nod in reply. She nods back and then turns to get the phone and I turn back to watch the sleeping woman.

To be continued...