LEJ mops the bar after MMario has spilled his second mulled wine,and promptly pours another."Now put this one in your mouth,Mario!"he says and sets it on the bar.At the other end the disheveled guy with the SAD-O-METRIC machine is changing the batteries and saying "worked fine this morning! You just wait!" which LEJ can do,because he has no place else he'd rather be on such a bitter,snowy evening.Casting a wary glance,he turns to the Wassail PUnch and empties another flask of brandy into it.Tasting it,he grins and pours himself a cup.

"Excuse me,sir," and LEJ turns to the young man standing at the bar dressed in clothes that seem to date from the late '50s."Merry Christmas,friend! What can I get for you?" The man takes a stool and says "no liquor tonight.Could you make me a cherry coke with a maraschino cherry in it?" LEJ shakes his head and makes the guy a Cherry Coke.The guy seems excited,looking around as if trying to find someone in the crowd.LEJ serves the coke and says "what's the matter Pal?She not here?"

The man smiles and sips his soda."Not yet," he says.