"The bottle!" Jewel boomed.
"She wants the bottle!" May told Julie. "God, what a thirst that woman's got! Did you see her knock off that drink? And now she's yelling for the bottle. She's fairly lusting for the stuff. Give her the bottle, dear, before she starts breaking the furniture."
Julie quickly snatched up the bottle from the table and held it out to Jewel.
"Here, dear," she said, "take it."
Jewel pressed herself frightenedly against the back of her seat.
"Take it easy!" she screamed. "Don't bring it near me!"
"She fights the stuff all the time," May told Julie confidentially. "Of course I've never really been sure before, but I've suspected all along."
"I must cling to my reason," Jewel babbled desperately to herself. "I mustn't give way!"
"What's that, dear?" May asked soothingly.
"Maybe we should pretend nothing's happened," Julie suggested anxiously. "You know, just go on talking and pay no attention to her."