<P>"Fred," Maria mumbled, in a tone that echoed exhaustion, but with a hint of etiquette, "I know what your gonna say, and I don't think I can do it."
<P>
<P>"Woah, not so fast... things have changed!" Fred insisted firmly. "And they're gonna keep on changin'"
<P>
<P>Maria rolled his eyes, and pushed his hat towards the back of his head as beads of perspiration trickled down to the end of his nose.
<P>
<P>"We've been through this before. Nothing changes, remember. Even you said that."
<P>
<P>Fred stared into the bottom of the glass of whiskey and watched the last drops disappear as he tilted it back. Somewhere, he knew Maria was right, but like a stubborn old dog, he was not ready to accept this.