The Left Minister's expression twitched. He looked down at the whiskey, its alcohol content clearly excessive, unsure if he should drink it. After a long hesitation, he sighed, "I come bearing His Majesty's decree."
"That's none of my business."
After the bartender poured himself a glass and gulped down half of it, he sat before the piano, casually lifted the lid, and began to idly play the keys, as if entertaining himself.
Only after the Left Minister's face showed a pained expression, and he picked up his glass, then downed an entire bottle of hard liquor, did the man reach into his pocket, take out a half-smoked cigar from yesterday, and relight it.
Thin wisps of smoke rose, blurring his face.
"You can speak now."
"It seems I have come at an inopportune time?" sighed the Left Minister.
