[MaC] Richard at the Party

[Katie Fulton]

Richard poured himself a drink, and appeared to be surveying the scene
before
breaking into it...

"Please sir, allow me."  Hodges smiled from across the makeshift bar at
Richard.  "I am the hired help tonight afterall.  What can I get you?"

"Ah!" Richard's face broke out into a boyish grin that was just beginning to
lose its baby fat. "A brandy, thanks! And are there any of those cheese
concoctions? They're a miracle, really..." Of course, they were only a small
part cheese, and the rest powdered milk and oil, but to a war-embattled
tongue it was a bit of artificial heaven.