Falice 2

Retirement

Alice put a brave face on and walked along her daughter's side into the all too familiar bar. It had been years since she was welcomed in. FP had been right, there were some old friends scattered around here and there.

She and Betty ran into Jughead first. She could sense his shock to her new, rather old, attire. Tonight she wanted to feel like Alice Smith, not Alice Cooper.

"Wow, Betty." The young boy had his eyes on her daughter. Alice thought he was just like his father in that sense. "Mrs. Cooper, you look incredible."

There it was, Cooper. She didn't want to hear that. She couldn't blame him though. That's all he ever knew her as. But this was her time to change that. She had to prove that she's still that same girl she had tried years to hide away for years. "Tell me about it." She proudly stated. "Unfortunately, I couldn't convince this one to dress appropriately." She glanced at her daughter. Part of her was happy about it though. Betty was her own person. She was not easily changed for a boy. Alice couldn't say the same for herself. She couldn't have her daughter follow in those footsteps. That's why she was happy to see her daughter immune to adaptation.

Alice looked behind Jughead to see one of her favorite faces still behind the bar. "Hog Eye, get me-"

"Tequila. Straight up," Hog Eye finished the request for her. "Hold the worm," They both said at the same time. The brightest smile appeared on her face. It's been a while since a smile like that has been so genuine.

Alice gulped it down like it was water. "Mmm. Hit me, Hog Eye." She missed the thrill of it. To let loose and have fun. She turned to her daughter with all her pure joy. "Honey, what do you want? A Shirley Temple?" She could see her daughter's smile. Betty was happy to see her like this for once. "Just give me two."

"Two," Hog Eye made them for her. Betty and Jughead got lost in the crowd in the meantime. One was ready for her. She drank it and placed it back on the counter. She looked around the Wyrm for someone in particular, but couldn't see him. She turned to her bartender friend, "Hey, where's your so called king?"

"He hasn't been in yet." He shrugged unknowingly. "It's probably part of his sobriety I'm guessing. His son gave me a heads up on not serving him tonight."

"Hmm," Alice grabbed the second Shirley Temple. "Maybe I'll take a look around." She downed the drink and stepped away from the bar.

Outside FP ran frustrated hands over his face. What he had suspected about his son's unsolicited involvement met one of his paternal fears.

Alice walked outside to find FP leaning against the wall looking out into the woods. She creeped up to his side. "What's the man of the hour doing out here all by himself?"

FP recognized her voice. It perked his mood up. "Taking a breather." He turned to look at her. "But what are you doing out here with me?" FP smirked. "Weren't you the one telling me I should watch out for some sinner serial killer?" He's a little surprised that she gave into his invitation to the party.

"You're retiring. What do they have on you now?" Alice shrugged as if it were nothing.

"How's Fred doing?" FP remembered being told about his attack. He hasn't had the chance to go see him, but it didn't mean he didn't want to know.

"He's doing better. Betty tells me Archie waits on him even though the man has assured him he's okay to do things on his own."