Fawlty Showers 2

Tapes and Traffic Cones

To my surprise Randy and Abigail went to their aunt’s funeral, leaving me to cover group that morning.

I asked if anybody had a topic they wanted to discuss. Someone suggested the NA slogan ‘play the tape through.’ It suggested looking past the initial high to what happens after.?

I said, “If I take that first drink, I’ll want another. Take another and I’ll have ten. If I manage not to have another, I’ll convince myself I’m in control and sooner or later I won’t be.”

A young man said, “So before you have that first drink you play the tape through, to remind yourself how it ends.” I nodded.

“I’m the same way about cigarettes,” someone said. “I think I’m going to smoke one, and the next thing I know I’m buying one more ‘last pack.’ Need to quit and play the tape through before I light up another one.”

A woman in her late twenties looked out the window.?I knew she struggled with alcohol, but wondered what other ‘tapes’ she had. Food? Gambling? Sex?

“Traffic cones,” she said. “Late at night, after I’ve had a few, I steal traffic cones.?I say I’m going to take one, but I always end up with a bunch.” ??She pointed to the monitor strapped to her ankle. “Next time I’ll play the tape through.”

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Today I will play the tape through.

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Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

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