Thread Roulette: Sober

[Event !]

Stefan Spencer, Josie, Gabriel James, and Monroe have to survive a week with no alcohol or caffeine. They're also rooming together to provide accountability. Best of luck.

[Stefan Spencer]

Stefan wasn't sure how he'd gotten himself into this mess.

He had thought it would be a good idea when he noticed the sign up sheet in the building where his AA meetings where. Some sort of sign up sheet for an accountability program that helped people overcome addictions of various sorts. Though Stefan hadn't been concerned about that, he thought it would be fun to live out of the halfway house for a week. Meeting and rooming with some new people would be fun, right? And no one would take this seriously, right?

Unfortunately, it was now day four and Stefan couldn't believe he'd signed up for this. He had managed to sneak a drink on the second day, but not enough to suit him.

"I'm gonna die," he moaned from the couch where he was lying. "Why did we do this?" Maybe if he convinced his roomies this was a horrible idea they could give up and throw a party.

[Gabriel James]

Gabe liked to believe he was a very functional alcoholic. That he got drunk by choice and giving it up cold turkey would be the easiest thing in the world. Well... easier said than done. He still wasn't entirely sure how or why he signed up for the little rehabilitation program, but it certainly turned out to be much more difficult than the man had bargained for - especially since it seemed the other participants were just as frustrated as he was.

The bags under his eyes were even darker than they when he was drinking. Turns out that Gabe couldn't sleep at night without something in his system. His thoughts consumed him at night, when usually the alcohol consumed them. He was determined to learn to live without it though. He wanted Kiara to forgive him - to see that he knew he was being dumb and could be better. But GOD it was so hard. He sat Indian style on the recliner plucking away slightly absentmindedly on his guitar. His focus was all over the place, so there was no rhyme or reason to the notes he was playing.

When the man on the couch - Stefan - asked his question, Gabe sighed. "I'm starting to wonder the same thing, man." He just felt so awful. How could this tired, cranky, disoriented version of Gabe possibly be any more enjoyable to be around than the cheery but occasionally wasted version of Gabe? "I gotta quit it though..." Gabe said, his voice wavering slightly with self doubt. "I... I at least have to prove to some people I can make it a week. Just one fucking week. Why is this so hard?"

[Josie Raines]

Josie was only here on a bet. She wasn't like these guys; she didn't need to be here. So what if each consecutive day was worse than the last? So what if her temper was worse than usual? She wasn't like these guys, she didn't need to drink. She just really, really wanted to.

She also really, really wanted to throttle somebody. Why had she agreed to this? Going without booze or caffeine for a week? Josie was sure she could go a week without drinking but the fantasies about punching someone out for a toffee nut latte with four - no, five - shots of espresso were getting uncomfortably graphic.

Listening to her temporary roommates certainly wasn't helping, Josie thought bitterly for the eightieth time as she joined them in the living room, mug of ice water in her hands. Maybe if she pretended hard enough she could convince herself it was coffee.

"If you're gonna die, do it, spare us your whining," she snapped at Stefan. He was the easier one to take shots at; Gabriel was technically one of her colleagues, and Josie still wanted a job when this shitshow was over.