Leaving Las Vegas

by John O'Brien

“I don’t know what you’re saying. I’m just using you. I need you.

He drinks amazing quantities with apparent impunity, then disregards the obvious punition.

It’s getting hard to watch him, and she could stand a dose of pain on her own terms—the

she’s playing for an audience that will never see the show,

his own treacherous evening,

there is nothing that will stop me from drinking.

Sera’s not living up to any agreement, she is simply living. Ben gave this back to her, and therein lies the agreement.

“You’re pretty sick,”

“I want you to go see a doctor.”

“Let’s face it. As sick as you are, I’m probably the only thing that’s keeping you alive.”

Then, claiming his prize,

she too knew what would come to pass.