You arrive at Jeff's place

You get out of the car and walk the last distance to Jeff's place, a small but ever growing part of your mind still fixated on the hard metal cage in your underwear and the fact that you have made no progress on a solution.

Jeff answers the door almost immediately after you knock. He's always been an excellent male specimen, muscular, charismatic and effortlessly masculine. You've always been a little jealous of Jeff but could never really muster resentment, he marries these enviable qualities with being one of the most kind, loyal and thoughtful people you know.

Jeff : "Alex! I'm so glad you suggested this, feels like we haven't had a spontaneous meet up in forever. It's refreshing to know we can still hang out on short notice."

You understood the sentiment. Back in the glory days you would just meet up whenever you were bored to pal around, now before Cerve you would rarely leave the house for anything that wasn't planned weeks in advance.

Alex : "I feel you man, the corporate grind really gets into you."

Jeff welcomes you in and hands you a pale orange looking drink in an old fashioned glass. Jeff has been experimenting at being a mixologist lately.

Jeff : "I call it a creamy navel"

You take a sip and it's better than you expected. The citrus is subtle and there's almost a salty after taste. It actually seems to be sating a kind of craving you didn't know you had.

Alex : "that's actually pretty good"

Jeff : "I know right?"