Connie was always one for company. Especially attractive company. And drinking alone wasn't healthy anyway. The bartender quickly returned with the drinks and the snacks, and let the three alone for quiet conversation and commiseration. Connie raised her glass and archly declared, "To new friends," and then with a glance outside at the ungodly weather, "and to whatever the hell that is." The alcohol was generous as promised, which was a nice touch. Though the mozzarella sticks were more or less what you'd expect from a hotel kitchen. Still, they hit the spot after a long plane ride and the attendant ordeal which followed.<br/><br/>And the ordeal was still going on. The new group with privileges had not escaped the stewardess's trained eye. And while they wouldn't be getting singles considering the situation, they still represented a new destabilizing factor in the already heavily booked hotel. Most Texans were godly enough for the hour and a half on Sunday they attended church, but for the other 166 and a half hours in the week, the state religion was football. And that could mean bad news. "You two... you've got rooms already, don't you?" She was already halfway towards standing as she said it. Connie was industry, which meant that she had the power of hundreds of airline employees rooming nightly at the local hotels, but for her friends, if they weren't set up yet, this could be trouble.<br/><br/>On her way to the counter, Connie encountered the brunette again, whose mood had not improved for obvious reasons. The desk clerk was already trying to calm her with the usual, "We'll get to everybody, don't worry." But to her trained ear, Connie could see that promises were definitely not being made, and that was ominous. She turned to her erstwhile busmate and offered, "Let me see what I can do for you. Fingers crossed." The gesture was not as reassuring under the circumstances, and therefore not likely to calm anyone down, but she figured the best way through this was through action, and soon enough, she had managed to catch someone's ear, though what she was saying at the moment couldn't be heard over the din of the stranded customers and the football players jostling to get a room for the night.