[With the sudden rude awakening of a 'Wet Willie' in his ear, he reflexively takes a swing at the perpetrator before he is even awake. It's a fruitless attempt because A)the wood sprite is too fast, and B) his sleeves are too short. Leaping to his feet, he begins to pursue the sprite...]
YOU LITTLE....
[Tripping over his untied bootlaces, he falls to the floor with a heavy THUD. He was unable to break his fall since he couldn't get his arms outstretched. Add bloody lip to his shambolic appearance...]
Well, I deserved that.
Now, where the hell did I get this jacket? I've never even MET Bob Morgan. Hmmmm.
[He suddenly finds a mug of raspberry tea being thrust into one hand and a cinnamon roll into the other by Xanthos, who is prodding him over to the fireplace and asking about the details...]
Well, it's like this. I normally work about 60 hours a week at two jobs...no big deal since both are easy. I am also newsletter editor for the Ohio Chapter of the 8th Air Force Historical Society. Still, no problem. But each March I get double whammied. I have to write, print and mail (to 1,000 people) the spring newsletter. I also have at the same time the responsibility of writing and publishing the annual report for the Trauma Service of one of the area's trauma centers. In the rush to get things done, certain things get set aside - family, friends, personal hygiene, little stuff like that.
But now the newsletter is in the mail. And the only parts of the annual report left undone are the pieces that other departments have yet to submit to me, so the pressure is off since I can blame the Rehab Department or Neurosurgery for continuing delays!
So, you see, I don't have any >real< problems, just a lack of days in the week.
[He peels off the too small jacket and after checking that Kanga's nowhere near, bends over to tie his boots...]
Thanks for the food and drink, Xanthos. Most excellent. Between this and a nice hot shower, I'll be back in the swing of things in no time.
[He stands and strides off with the confidence of a sleep-deprived man tanked up on caffeine, rum and sugar.]