by Clydene Rae

Created on: January 08, 2009

I had just started my first corporate job. It was 1978, I was 21, and I wanted to go far in the company. I saw that the ones who seemed to be getting noticed were the ones who went out for a drink after work with the heads of the departments.

I had never had a drink before.. I didn't know the names of drinks, I didn't know what went in drinks. But, I didn't want to look silly, so I went to the library and looked up bartender books (this was before the Internet). The one drink that stood out was a screwdriver, not necessarily from the name, but because it had orange juice. I figured I liked orange juice, so that would be a safe choice.

So, the first night I joined my co-workers for drinks, I confidently ordered a screwdriver, as I smiled at the server, she said "Ice, or neat", Neat.... What was that, that wasn't in the book, just as I started to panic and look foolish, I said 'Ice please". She walked away and I breathed a sigh of relief. This was gonna be easy. When it came I took a big drink and almost spit it all out. Wow, alcohol is strong. But, again trying to look cool, I swallowed and my eyes seemed to bug out of my eyes. I was happy it was so dark and smoky that I think no one really noticed. At least I hoped not.

So, for a few months I met with the gang downtown after work for drinks always ordering the standard screwdriver. Then came the day someone ordered for me. A "White Russian"? I was dubious. as I waited nervously waiting for the drink to come, I thought what if I hate it, what if I spit it out. This was a lot of pressure on a drink. So when it arrived I looked at it along time, black and white. I leaned forward and pick up the stir stick and mixed the black and white until it all turned brown. Looking around the table to see if anyone was watching I took a drink. "mmmm...That is pretty tasty" It tasted like a milkshake. I liked it. In fact I like it so much I had a few more. I never felt like that before. I was giddy, and giggly, and just all around happy with everyone around me. Suddenly everyone in the bar was my best friend.

After most were gone home for the night, there were a few of us who decided to continue drinking at one of the ladies homes. So off we went. We got to her house, and she started making the lovely 'White Russians". Though I think they got a bit more Kahlua, it still tasted good.

One of the ladies asked if we could play games, I thought I Love games. Out came this game I never heard of before, but I am easy going so I was going to play. The name of the game was "Pass Out", and on the cover of the game was a man laying on the floor with an X on both eyes. That should have been my first clue.

So we started. I wasn't sure of the rules, all I know is I lost when I threw up. Who knew all that alcohol and especially all that cream could make you that sick. Did I forget to mention we had not had any dinner.

The next morning I woke up with 2 little boy's standing over me saying, "No mom, she is alive."

I swear I had a hangover for a week, and a White Russian has never passed these lips again.

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