midnight
The end was suddenly close . Clyde and I were in Victoria , British Columbia . Not subscribing to the folkway that prescribes seasick intoxication as an expression of joy , we did the town with discrimination . At midnight we found ourselves strolling along the waterfront in that fine , Vancouver-Island mist , with just enough drink taken to be moving through a dream . At one point , we leaned on a rail to watch the mainland lights twinkling dimly like the hope of a new world -- blackout being lifted . Suddenly , Clyde said , `` What 's fraying you recently , Will ? When we were taking our ICEG reconditioning , it came through strong as garlic , though you would n't notice it normally . ''