A/N: Reyer isn't given a first name in the musical, but I've named him for my own purposes here.
Spirits
One thing was certain: Émile Reyer could not hold his drink. It was a fact he knew well and one upon which he was counting this particular evening. Clumsily pouring himself a third glass of brandy, he made a face and swallowed it like the previous two. And though the words on the label were agreeably blurry, his thoughts continued to turn to a certain dark-haired, light-eyed chorus girl. After several attempts his hand slid into his pocket to pull out a purloined length of satin ribbon. Touching it to his cheek, he muttered, "You're a fool, Reyer."