Alain and Hannah arrived at Brunswick Street and promptly sought out Hannah's favourite cocktail bar. Hannah pushed the door open and stepped inside, letting music spill out into the street, and Alain followed her.

Once they were inside Alain, still worrying about what kind of place Hannah might be taking him too, was pleased to note all the men there. Then immediately after that he was delighted to note all the women. "Cool . . ." he said.

"You grab a seat" said Hannah. "I'll get the drinks this time."

"No, it's cool, I've got 'em."

"Not after that fucking V.B. fiasco you don't. Anyway -" Hannah grinned slyly- "I know the girl behind the bar."

Indeed, as Alain found a place to sit he noticed Hannah lean over the bar and kiss the girl there on the cheek (though her hands remained planted firmly on the bar). Shortly Hannah came back with the drinks.

"You didn't bring your friend with you?" asked Alain, only partly teasing.

Hannah groaned and collapsed into the chair, shutting her eyes. "Alain, I had to work today. I've been smiling and nodding and sucking up to idiots all fucking day. Can't I just sit here for a little while and just get quietly shit-faced?"

Alain took a sip of his drink, then gave it a funny look. "Yeah, that's cool." He took another sip through the straw and then held the drink at arm's length, looking at it quizzically. "But I, for one, am planning on getting a little bit of action tonight."

"You know" said Hannah, her eyes still shut, "You talk a lot about getting laid. When was the last time it actually happened?"

"Hey!"

Hannah opened one eye at him, and raised an eyebrow.

"I get my share" said Alain.

"Uh-huh."

"Fine. So what about you then?" asked Alain a little petulantly.

"D'you mean with a boy or with a girl?"

"Whoa, what?" Alain leaned forward excitedly.

"Oh for fuck's sake." Hannah slapped a hand to her forehead and opened her eyes wearily. "You heteros are so fucking single-minded sometimes. You've got to learn how to separate the sex from the sexuality. I'm attracted to women, yes, but that's an emotional thing. It doesn't mean I've never had sex with a man. Fuck it, if I'm desperate enough and plastered enough and the guy knows what he's doing, then an orgasm's and orgasm. I'm not after anything longer than one night and he gets to go home thinking he's had a little victory and he can be all chuffed with himself."

"Uh-huh." Alain thought about this. "So, when was the last time then? With a man I mean?"

"Ehh . . ." Hannah waved him away and shut her eyes again. "Not for years. Men smell funny and they're lumpy in all the wrong places."