Travis smiles at Chip and replies, “Actually, let me get one of those and six shots of tequila. And let me get somethin’ to carry it all on if you could.”

“Comin’ up,” Chip says. He lines the shot glasses up on a small tray in front of Travis and pours them all, throws a handful of limes down, sets a salt shaker on the tray, and goes to mix the gin and tonic. “Eighteen even,” he says when he’s done.

Travis fishes through his pocket, a mass of small bills and quarters at this point, makes out twenty-four dollars and hands it over. “Thanks. Keep the change.” No, he doesn’t have to say that, but it’s cool. He picks up the tray carefully and starts making his way through the crowd.

With the tray, it was difficult, but relying on his old skills as a waiter, Travis manages to get back without spilling anything. The crowd is congenial and makes way. Setting the tray down on the table, he just says, “All right, let’s go. Pass ’em around.”

“What is it?” Kristin asks skeptically.

“To-kill-ya’.”

“Oh God, I hate tequila,” Kristin replies.

Taking his, Ian coaxes her, “C’mon.”

“Everybody’s doin’ it,” Travis insists, sounding like a bad actor in a public service announcement on peer pressure.

”I’ll take yours,” Nick offers, reaching for his own.

“No,” Kristin answers warily. “I’ll do it. I just won’t like it.”

Travis hands John his, who thanks him with a nod, and then he passes one to Daphne who just makes a face but takes it. “You’re gonna’ do it?” Travis asks, surprised and curious.

Dizzy just sighs and nods.

“Okay,” Travis says, “put ’em out.” Everyone licks their hands and passes the salt shaker around. “You know the drill. Lick, drink, suck.” Holding his shot glass out over the table, he says, “Here’s to bein’ wreckless.”

“Woo-hoo,” Dizzy hollers as everyone drinks and reaches out for the limes with various faces. Travis laughs as he sees the range from complete satisfaction to utter illness. Everyone either drinks to wash the taste down or smokes to savor it.

“Hey,” Ian says, “Why don’t we all head back to the Teke house after this—see what’s goin’ on.”

Everyone nods in agreement.

Checking her watch, Kristin says, “I can’t believe it’s only midnight.”

Nick replies, taking a long drag off his cigarette, “We got all the time in the world.”

Read the whole thread: Carousel Cowboy

Characters and Places: Athens, Daphne Dearborn, Ian Fleming, John Riffing, Kristen Shelley, Mean Mike's, tequila, Travis Fleeting