THE LONG WALK
The metallic clank was the first indication that Dave was getting a visitor. "This is good," he thought though the very act of thinking made his alcohol addled brain hurt. At least this new distraction would allow him to keep his mind off the ten ton beast currently set behind his eyeballs and off the thought that maybe driving drunk, backwards, down Princeton's main drag wasn't such a good idea, even if Joey did. The thought of Joey made Dave's brain hurt in a whole new way. The little shirker had gotten off with a verbal tongue lashing from the cops while Dave had gotten the very special cuff and stuff treatment. Apparently arguing that it was your buddy's idea wasn't a good defense; Dave would have to remember that next time.
"wakey wakey," The cop was one Dave knew well. Generally, he left Dave alone, preferring to let him sleep it off but sometimes he just instinctively knew when the drills were going off in Dave's brain and delighted in talking just a tad bit too loud for Dave's comfort. "You're getting a friend." Dave looked over with mild indifference at the latest intrusion but the sight of the guy limping made him take note. "Jesus," thought Dave,"What the hell did this guy do to deserve that?" The guy he noted just stared straight ahead, taking slow choppy steps, beads of sweat dotting his forehead, his hair damp. The officer opened the cell and the guy walked in bee lining to the nearest wall and sliding slowly down, his right leg sticking straight out as he leaned against the dingy wall.
"Hey man you okay?" Dave walked over and crouched by his new cellmate.
"I'm fine." The man's demeanor said one thing but his voice had an edge to it like a dog that had been poked with a stick one too many times. Dave quickly decided not to press the issue and retreated to the cement bench on the opposite side of the cell. At least this Dave decided would give him something to think about before he gets released in the morning.