Angel (Old Street)

Ginger McKenna (Casino)

Hey fellas, I'd like to drink a little something but I’m temporarily short of cash. You got something? What have you got? What’s a girl gotta do to get a drink in this place?

Any kinda booze is good. I just want something to drink. You must have something. I ain't desperate or nothing like that. Not desperate at all,..I'm just asking here, you know. It’s raining outside and there are no cashpoints for miles. Freakin' Old Street they said; It’s just a godamn roundabout and this gaff, far as I can see.

,… No pressure. I just want to drink something. Wondering if you had anything, maybe. Fosters, Carling, Kronenbourg,..Singapore Sling? No big deal. Look at this face….*points to her (face) cheeks*

*Scoping around for empties on tables,…and then back to the bar.*

You gotta have something. Please…No, I ain’t got no cards on me (least not any that work). Surely everyone else in here is on a slate anyhow! I’m mean, look at the place. It ain’t the Tangiers!

Ok, ok, I’m sorry….Thats a little rude. I'm not that thirsty anyhow, I’ve just had a pint. I could take or leave another. But, if you’ve got one, maybe a sweaty half kicking around? I'll take it. Pour it in a new glass or just pass that ole glass over. Whatever you got, really. It don't even have to be lager. I'll take anything. Don't worry about me. I'm easy. Hey, anything you got. I'll try it. I’ve got an open mind….Where do you want me to sit?

*Being blanked - Moving over to some other tables.*

You gonna drink those dregs? I'll drink those dregs if you don’t fancy em? Here, take this, take this! *Stuggles in vain to take off one of her rings,..heads back towards some punter at the bar.*

Oh come on, whats going spare? I’m just asking. I don't have to drink it. I'm just curious. In truth,…yeah, there's a strong chance that I'll drink it. But still,..I want to know. If you got just a drop of anything, I'd be obliged. If I knew you were happy to front me a pint or two, I'd probably come back here all the time with my friends; they’re loaded. You wouldn't mind that. Of course not. You're businessmen. You scratch my back, and all that…

*Sitting down between two tables. Badgering both*

I bet you’ve got a nice hip flask *pointing to a guys jacket*. Gimme a glug on it. I could glug it until you plucked it outa my mouth. If you don't mind. I'm telling you, I could use a little something to suck on. I could wait till the rain stops and get some cash out, but hey, what have you got,..like, now? I don't care very much one way or the other. Come on, give me a break over here. I just want something to sip on.

*Hunching over to look under a table*

Hey! What's down there? An old bottle of Becks? Let's see what we got. No... No, this is O2. I'm not going to drink O2. You think I’m nuts?

Hey sexy,..You keeping a bottle in your pocket for later? *Prodding some old guy.* I'd be happy to drink it for you now. You don't even have to take it out of your pocket. Just turn your side toward me and ill suck it straight through the tweed, lining and everything. In a paper bag, with the lid on? Don't make no difference to me. No worries.

Who’s up for a drinking game,…No! Geez, where are all the drinkers in this town?!

*Back to the clean-up area of the bar*

Do you have any almost-empties? I'll drink them. You were gonna throw them out anyway. Hey, lemme drink em. Lemme at least taste em. If they’re no good to drink, I'll know. I’d hate to see em go to waste.

Got a shot of vodka? Some Tia Maria? Wine? Liqueurs, perhaps? Some chocolates? Some chocolates with booze in? All that sounds good to me. Just about anything like that would hit the spot for ole Ginger right about now,.. *checking her watch, impatiently*

Come on people! Some vodka slush. That'd do me. You got that? Would you mind going and getting me one, from the Slush Puppy trough barman? I don't care if it’s Absolute Vodka or Bells Whiskey to tell you the truth. I don't care if it's frozen to hell or tepid and fluffy. I'll just swallow it whole. Just swallow it down. Who cares? I don't. Not these days. Seriously, go over and snatch me one of them Slush Puppies will ya. Next time on me.

*Turning to the man beside on a bar stool.*

Maybe you’ve something that you're not interested in drinking? Or maybe something that you intend to only drink half of. If you’re in a rush, I might be able to drink the rest of it for you. The tubes are a nightmare tonight you know,..might wanna get a wriggle on,.. *Checking her watch again, for show.*

If Fosters is what you’ve got,..that's fine. I'll drink it. It's pretty good. It's great, actually. I mean, it's ok. I’m usually a Carling girl, but a free Fosters would certainly do……Oooh, could you grab me that disguarded pint from the table? Don't bother wiping the lipstick off! Just bring it over as is. Wave that near my mouth and it's going straight down my Ruud Gullit. *Ginger is nooo whinger*. I am not joking. Forget about the lipstick,..mine’s smeared all over my face anyhow. Just watch me. You give me a two hour-old vodka and orange, and I will drink that whole thing, I wouldn’t care what was floating in it.

*Being blanked by all and sundry now*

Hey. Come on. Don't be greedy. I said I'd like a little something to drink. Someone stand me one now! Please, let me sup on something, you cold jerks.

Oh shoot, fellas, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. That was uncalled for…*Stoney silence – Back to the bar, where the barman finally relents.*

“Listen sweetheart,.. If you sit down in the corner, keep quiet and stop bothering everyone, I’ll bring you over a pint of Castlemaine XXXX.”

You what? Do I look desperate?!

Ginger McKenna’s rating for the XXXX Angel – 3 / 10

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