René quickly learned how to use his temple credit card. When the young men were full of food, smoke, and brew, they left the tavern and made their winding way back up the temple mount.
“See you guys tomorrow.” Devi waved and headed off to the barracks.
“It was great, bro, thanks for hanging.” René waved back while he and Cedat stumbled further up the hill.
The front guard let them in, and they wandered towards Ištar’s quarters. Katie and Rabea looked up as Cedat fell across the threshold into Katie’s room.
“Get up, go to bed, Cedat!” Rabea yelled in Sumerian, harsh enough to clear the alcohol shroud covering his mind. Cedat realized it was a smart idea to make a quick retreat.
“Okay, goodnight, everyone,” Cedat said as he scurried away, followed by his scolding mother.
“Goodnight, bro, I love you,” René called out. He turned to Katie. “Hey, Katie,” he said with a slur in his speech. “I just learned something. No, I learned more than one thing.”
Katie smiled at René’s inebriated enthusiasm. René found alcohol somewhere. “What have you learned, dear atsilí? Come here, sit down, sit here René and tell me.”
“A couple things. Oooph!” René said as he plopped down hard on the low bed. “First is, oh my goodness, you will not believe it. You’re famous, Nineveh is totally Ištar’s city.”
