Lion, Tiger, Bear | 151 bowl of lemons, Bernies favorite fruit. Sorry, couldnt wait. Starving. He cut a lemon in half, squeezed it into a small glass with brown sugar and drank it. Bea sniffed the delicate bouquet of exotic spices. And of course, some fish, Shakshuka style. Ill have the same, please. Oh, me too, said Alice. The waiter bowed and departed, then bowed again as a group of Arab men in suits and fezzes met with British dignitaries. You know, back in England and Europe everyone is scrounging around for a lump of jam or crumb of bread, but everyone down here seems extraordinarily well fed and bedded. Doesnt even feel like the wars on. Bea added: What war? They ignore it unless its profitable for them. Anyhoo, I drink to be numb nowadays, and only eat fruit cocktails because I need plumbing help. Well, mostly. Bernie snapped fingers at another waiter he knew and twirled his fingers downward towards his glass. Hell bring us a bottle of extremely good French champagne, extra cold. No cheap stuff. I have a system here. Youre both right of course, but theres no reason to be downright uncivilized about it. He snapped the paper to attention and folded it. Slumped, Bea poured mineral water for herself. Maybe the Mohammedans are correct about spirits, just Anunnaki Ale after all to keep us happy, dumb, and tired. Wells dry, filled in by nomads. I was somewhat overserved last evening by Doll Face here, King Anus favorite olive-oiled concubine in waiting. Alice said triumphantly: Harems were the first all-female universities, they were taught religion, science, and history by the best in the land. The sex bit was secondary. Shut it. He snapped in half another. Funny. But youre right about the booze thing. Alice huffed. Dont hang that on me, Beans. You were the one flirting with the entire Officers Club clientele and slapping colonel whats-his-name so hard he lost his glasses to the far side of the bar. Sorry, Bernard, shes had a shell-shocking day of it. The brain doctor gave her a poultice of belladonna and mustard gas, and the high command caned her for insubordination. Down in the dumps, you see. Bea nursed another glass, sniffing the magical, healing bubbles and limes. Kindly take thyself over to the biggest pyramid, scale it, measure the Ley Line energy with a brass meter, jot some notes, paint it up like The Jack, then tumble down the