Irene Spencer raised her hand to block Vera's arm, but the bottle had already tipped, pouring beer into her glass. It was too late to stop it; Vera could only hold her glass helplessly.
"Irene, that's enough. I really can't drink any more."
"Okay, just a little more, only a little bit!"
Despite saying 'just a little,' with another tilt of the bottle, she filled Vera's glass to the brim.
Handing the bottle back to the returning assistant, Irene Spencer grabbed her own glass.
"This first round, I'd like to toast everyone. I haven't been quite myself lately, so thanks for bearing with me."
She rose and clinked glasses with everyone. Not forgetting to turn to Vera, she said, "Vera, come on, bottoms up!"
