Rosemary had always resisted taking on the mantle from the old man, leading him on a wild goose chase around the world. Now, he was practically laying down ultimatums to "coerce" her.
"It's settled. Oh, for Pete's sake, what's wrong with this signal now? Can't ear a darn thing. Alright, that's it—hanging up."
Perhaps fearing Rosemary would change her mind, Mr. Albright hastily ended the call—not without bragging in the old-timers' group chat that Rose would be punctually attending his birthday bash the next day.
> [For real? Don't you dare pull a fast one on me! Listen here, if you don't share that bottle of tequila you snagged last time, I'll just sit back in my rocking chair, chill, and let your birthday bash be a frosty affair.]
[lIf you give that old coot tequila and don't let me feast my eyes on that luminous pearl you got your hands on last time, count me out!]