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Novel Catalog
The atmosphere in the studio was lively, with the team thoroughly immersed in their drinks and games. The camaraderie that had been slowly building since their first meeting was now in full swing. Carlisle couldn’t help but appreciate how quickly they had all bonded, despite their differences.
Sean had arrived halfway through the evening, bringing a tray of ribs that everyone devoured hungrily. The ribs were the perfect complement to the beer, and the evening took on a more relaxed, jovial tone as the food added fuel to the fire.
Sean and Hank, both veterans of drinking games, soon found themselves locked in a fierce competition. Carlisle could only watch as Hank, with his unshakable confidence, easily outdrank Sean, who, despite his best efforts, succumbed to the alcohol after just a few rounds. It was a spectacle that had everyone laughing.
Heath, ever the responsible one, caught Hank’s attention with a serious look. “That’s enough,” he warned, leaning forward. “Don’t get him so drunk that he ends up sick!”
Hank grinned, not taking the warning seriously. “At his age, I could drink more than two pints of white wine!”
Benjamin, who had been quiet until now, chuckled from his seat. “Hank, I’ll drink with you!” he said with a challenge in his voice. His eyes were still sharp, his ability to hold his liquor on full display.
Carlisle couldn’t help but smile at the scene. The group was as different as night and day, but it was clear that they had found their rhythm. Benjamin, the seemingly mild-mannered one, was now confidently joining in the revelry.
“I’ll be right back,” Hank announced, standing up and loosening his belt before heading toward the bathroom.
Just as Hank disappeared, Owen, who had been more cautious with his drinking, suddenly collapsed to the floor. His face had turned a deep shade of red, his body swaying as he struggled to remain upright. Heath rushed to his side, helping him to the couch.
“This guy can’t drink but insists on drinking!” Heath muttered, half-amused, half-concerned.
Carlisle raised an eyebrow. “You guys can really hold your liquor. Any secrets?”
Benjamin, ever the straightforward one, grinned and replied, “No secret, just drink a bunch!”
Carlisle laughed softly, taking a sip of his tea. He couldn’t help but wonder how many future business deals he could navigate by having such capable drinkers by his side. It seemed like the sort of thing that might come in handy one day.
“We’re out of drinks,” Benjamin said, rising to his feet. “I’ll go buy more.”
As Benjamin left, Carlisle’s thoughts wandered. He hadn’t expected Benjamin to be so much of a force in Riverland. The kind, gentle man who had shown up at the studio with a quiet demeanor was now making waves, and Carlisle couldn’t help but feel like things were about to change for the better.
When Benjamin returned, it was with two cases of beer and three bottles of Chardonnay. The group cheered, ready to continue their competition. Hank and Benjamin picked up where they left off, determined to outdrink one another once again.
Carlisle and Heath, sensing the need to shift gears, decided to play games on the computer while the others continued to drink. They watched the dynamic duo, fascinated by their ability to consume so much alcohol without losing their edge. It was a strange kind of endurance.
Two hours later, Hank and Benjamin had polished off both crates of beer and all three bottles of Chardonnay. The room was filled with the haze of alcohol, and even Heath, usually the one to maintain control, was starting to show signs of weariness.
“Wait here,” Benjamin slurred, swaying on his feet. “I’ll get more drinks!”
Hank shot him a challenging look. “Go ahead. I’m not afraid of you!”
Heath had finally had enough. “Enough, both of you! Stop drinking!” he said, glaring at them with authority. “Hank, it’s time to do some real work.”
Benjamin lowered his head, clearly respecting Heath’s authority more than anyone else in the room. “Alright, no more drinking.”
Hank reluctantly agreed and settled down with half a bottle of Chardonnay. He booted up his laptop, and Carlisle and Heath leaned in closer to see what he was doing. With a practiced hand, Hank plugged in a USB drive and began installing a series of software packages.
Carlisle watched in awe as the screen filled with programs. SpeedGear 3.0, Timely Rain 3.0, Twin Tigers Anti-Ban, Crimson Moon Ultimate—Hank had a treasure trove of cheating software that was far more advanced than anything Carlisle had seen before.
“Wow, you have quite a collection of cheats!” Carlisle said, impressed.
Hank, completely at ease, took a drag from his cigarette and smirked. “These are the latest versions. They have a very low chance of getting you banned. You could make a fortune with these.”
Heath grinned and nudged Carlisle. “See? I told you he’s the right guy for you.”
Carlisle, still stunned, snatched the cigarette from Heath’s hand and lit it for Hank. “Absolutely reliable!”
Hank didn’t seem to mind the attention. “I’m in a good mood today,” he mumbled, his words slightly slurred from the alcohol. “I’ll share my private stash for some fun. These are the best versions I’ve got.”
Carlisle laughed. “I’m glad you’re on our side, Hank.”
Hank took another swig from his bottle and grinned. “I was hoping to make some money with these, but this time, I’ll make an exception.”
It was a strange mix of business and pleasure, but Carlisle could see the potential. This was just the beginning—if they played their cards right, they could build something much bigger than they ever imagined. And for now, Hank’s quirky ways and Benjamin’s unassuming strength would be the unexpected assets they needed. The night was far from over, and the future seemed full of possibility.
