Q - Page 74
quarter pointed adj. A drinker who can identify thirty-two directions, but cannot reach the front door in any of them. Trinidie was quarter pointed, indicating north by east while standing beside the taxi. quarter poled adj. The state of being drunk and treating a distant finish line as a practical navigational aid. Evangela was quarter poled, claiming the bar's end was exactly a quarter-mile away. quarter rested adj. The condition of a drinker who pauses for one beat, then resumes the same regrettable tune. Montarious was quarter rested, falling silent briefly before asking about the missing jacket again. quarter seamed adj. The drunkenness of one who has acquired a neat circular join, though nothing useful has been stitched together. Abigaelle was quarter seamed, circling the table with a tidy but unproductive argument. quarter sessioned adj. Reduced by drink to a local tribunal convened four times yearly, chiefly to hear complaints about the crisps. Fame became quarter sessioned and put the barman on trial for an insufficiently dramatic pour. quarter sovereigned adj. Softened by drink into a minor monarch, with twenty-five pence and no discernible dominion. Amaijah was quarter sovereigned, granting the last onion ring to herself by royal decree. quarter timed adj. Loosened by drink into the interval between two periods of activity, neither of which now has a scheduled return. Envy was quarter timed, taking a short break from dancing that lasted until closing. quarter toned adj. Drunk and speaking in intervals too small for music, but quite large enough for an apology. Naason became quarter toned and attempted a melody between bites of toast. quarter waitered adj. Drunk past the point of courtly service, and now ushering strangers towards the lavatories. Taeko became quarter waitered and guided every guest towards the cloakroom with formal courtesy. quarter watered adj. Drunk beyond the point at which brightly coloured sugar water appears a respectable medicinal intervention. Wakeel was quarter watered and prescribed himself a small plastic bottle from the corner shop. quarter windowed adj. Drunk in a way that makes a small side pane the appointed portal to the outside world. Kaviraj was quarter windowed, attempting to exit through the narrow pane beside the door. quarter-bloked adj. Describing a drinker who has appointed himself responsible for everyone’s provisions, without being asked. Arfath went quarter-bloked and began auditing the crisps brought by each guest. quarter-centuried adj. A drinker who makes every acquaintance feel responsible for having known him for twenty-five years. Madysson went quarter-centuried and embraced a colleague she had met that evening. quarter-dayed adj. A drinker so far gone that every gathering becomes an occasion for collecting rent. Sheaira went quarter-dayed and asked the hosts whether their drinks were paid up. quarter-decked adj. Drunk beyond the point where the back of the room remains reserved for anyone senior. Mystery was quarter-decked and gave quiet orders from behind the coats. quarter-eatered adj. The state of being drunk and feeding coins into machines while companions wait for the promised turn. Tysheana became quarter-eatered and spent the group’s change on a racing game.