For where he's been told to keep a better eye on his reputation, if it's a joke, he's uncertain. The boys tell him to take it easy, no scandals for one night, at the least. He takes to drinking alone, idly watching television, smoking about a pack of his Rothmans he prefers more than those crappy Marlboros. It does nothing to ease the tension that always seems to be coursing through him when not spent in a successful manner be it through sex, racing, or a variety of sports among other activities. The time change does not at all help, for he's wide awake and can't sleep.
Idle, still and James do not mix, and it's for this reason, there's only a short time til he finds himself sitting cross-legged on the ground by the door that connects his and Niki's room, cigarette hanging out the corner of his mouth as he idly sings along to the radio he's got on in a low drone in the background. What sounds of silence from the other side, and what may or may not have one rat in occupation, he interrupts with enthusiastic, hopefully obnoxious enough, rapping.
Why he hadn't thought of this before is lost to him. Or why they put the two specificĀ rooms containing the formula one pilots so close, is another. Perhaps it was some silly doing of the hotel, knowing of the rivalry between the two and stepping in, wishing to be that one landmark that's seen a tiff between racers for the drama that's always desired and will be lost as years drift by.Ā Nothing he thinks about as he gets to his feet, his singing gone louder as if serenadingĀ the Austrian.