Chapter 7

As the detective walked down the front path, Jeffrey was stricken where he stood. He made a deflated effort to speak, which garnered no more than a feeble squeak, then decided he had no choice but to follow.
"Walk. One foot, two foot. C'mon Jeffrey it isn't that hard."
"Hmm?"
"Nothing sir."
Finally finding his feet, Jeffrey ambled down to the detectives car in what could only be described as an awkward, almost painful gait. The front door to the car was already opened for him.
"Am I to sit in the back?" 'Shit, maybe I've seen too many cop movies', Jeffrey thought to himself.
"Well, Jeffrey, why then do you think the front passenger door is open?"
"Sorry sir. Just a little nervous is all." It struck Jeffrey that through this entire situation, from the doorbell ringing to that ridiculous question, the delicious crunch of The Captain hadn't left his mind. 'Concentrate Jeffrey.'

The bar was one Jeffrey had found himself at many times before. How many nights he had wandered in here, love-drunk and exhausted from whatever sexual escapade he had been having that evening.
"What are you drinking?"
"Err...milk. Wait, sorry, scotch on the rocks."
"Make that two. You don't seem to be entirely here Jeff. May I call you Jeff?"
"Yeah, no. Sure. Sorry I am just finding it a little difficult to concentrate right now. This is all, well its all a bit confusing."
It seemed quieter in the bar than Jeffrey had remembered. Dimmer. The faces of the few sitting around seemed distant, cold. The room was starting to shimmer and fracture. 'Is it the cereal? When was my last bowl of cereal?' As the bartender came up with the drinks, Jeffrey offered a small nod, perhaps without even noticing her at all, and drifted back into his thoughts. Slowly his eyelids came down. And suddenly the lights brightened. The world was bustling again. 'Would you like some cereal Jeffiekins?'
"Jeff? Jeffrey? Jesus son, get up."
"Huh?..."
"You seem to have passed out son. Something on your mind?"
Jeffrey you're losing it bud, he said softly to himself.