dude, this is terrific. it reads like an episode i totally wish we'd get to see, and i know this line is tangential to the story, but it rings so true it makes everything around it feel that much more real:

"Drinking himself to death," Alex corrects, and Christiane gives a little half-nod. "Because God forbid something not be about him."

amyway, i'm sorry i missed this earlier, but i sure enjoyed reading it today. thanks so much fro sharing it!