CHAPTER FIFTY – BATHROOM BATTLES

"Gary! Hey lunatic, you can't just monopolize the bathroom for...for whatever fresh hell this is! Some of us actually need to get ready for real human activities like work, ya know!" There came no response except for a sudden intensifying of the whale bellows, now seeming to reverberate against the very walls of their tiny apartment. Jasmine recoiled, one hand clapped over her ear while the other continued its assault on the door handle. This went on for what felt like hours, though her wrist-watch later told her was only twenty intensely maddening minutes. Just when Jasmine had nearly resigned herself to shattering the flimsy door with a well-aimed kick, the whale sounds abruptly cut off once more. A minute later, the lock turned...and the door drifted open on a fresh billow of fragrant sandalwood steam. "Ah, much more centered and prepared to face the day!" Gary proclaimed, emerging from the bathroom enshrouded in a hazy cloud of vapor. Despite his calm demeanor, he looked utt