Mortons

This evening was a drinks party being hosted by the Blonde Dutchman for his company.  He doesn't start these events until 9 PM, which always seems so late to me, but on this occasion, I was stuck late working anyway, and so his advertisement of an "after-work drinks party" turned out to be quite accurate.  

I got a text from The Blonde saying that she was out with another guy at the RAC for drinks, and invited me to join them for a pre-party drink, but I was struggling too much with work to make it there.  As it was, it was nearly 9:30pm before I made it to the club.

The club was one of these modern exclusive member's clubs, with a nightclub in the basement.  When I arrived, I told the desk staff who I was meeting, and they gave me a drinks card and ushered me right in.  I got downstairs, greeted the Blonde Dutchman (first time I'd seen him since Portugal, in fact), and after chatting to him for a while, got myself a drink.  I was grateful for the free drinks card, as it turns out that even a mere glass of wine at this place was £12.  Yikes, I'd never heard of a more over-priced bar!  I resolved to nurse that one glass of wine throughout the evening, as there was no way I was going to pay those prices...

I chatted to various people until I spotted the American arrive.  He didn't know anyone else there, and so talked to me for a while, being that I was the one person he knew.  Plus, I get the feeling he actually likes talking to me, and teasing me about not being quite as "red-blooded" an American as he is.  

This led to us having a conversation about my plans to apply for dual citizenship, and him declaring his refusal to do it (even though he will also soon be qualified after many years of living here).  I nearly choked on my drink then when he said, "citizenship is like a relationship, it should be monogamous." Dude, you did not really just use that example with me...did you?  I mean, you understand who is talking here, right?  I teased him about some men's more "nuanced" view towards monogamy, although  not specifically outright saying that he cheats more than any other man I know.  

He then explained that he doesn't want to get dual citizenship, because at some point he plans on returning to the US and going into politics.  Which to be fair, makes sense.  And even worse, I know he'll be good at it, being a good-looking, handsome guy with his background as a lawyer, and being a good public speaker.  And of course, he will cheat like crazy, which will make him just like every other politician out there.  God, what a stereotype.  

I had been nursing my one free drink, although randomly was bought a shot of Jaegermeister by this guy who wanted to buy a round of shots of the group (how expensive that was, I don't even want to know), and then the American bought me a drink out of politeness when he was getting another for himself.  I almost refused, as drinks at this place were so expensive I knew I wouldn't be buying a return round, but then I thought, "I had sex with you once, so I figure the least you owe me in return is a drink!"  Definitely made me feel less guilty about it!  

I then chatted with the Lovely Dutch Girl for a bit about our mutual friend the Tall South African, agreeing that he's generally being an arsehole to women these days, but then again, that's just how he is.  I also got a chance to talk to Sophie a bit, although the conversation was mostly about her lack of prospects on the horizon of her love life.  Kind of dull, to be honest.  

Finally, as it was past midnight and I didn't want to miss the last train home at 12:30 AM, I concluded that The Blonde was never going to make it over from the RAC, and I should just leave while I could still get home and to my bed relatively easily.  Plus, the music had gotten really loud at this point and conversations could only be had by shouting directly into people's ears.  I never understand why the Blonde Dutchman keeps having parties for people to "get to know each other" in places where you can't talk to them, but so it goes.  Hence, I said my good-byes, and made my way home...