[ This is some heavy shit at four am, but the weird part is he can't quite imagine this conversation at any other time either. ]

It's hard, Arch. Ain't gonna lie to you, I gave up years ago and I still get tempted. Feels easier. Feels fun. Can't lie, I've fallen off the wagon before.

[ He pauses with a sigh. ]

First time I decided to give it up was in prison. Not the only time I was in the slammer neither, but something about that stint... got tired. When I got out, I had support. A... friend. He didn't believe me at first. Nobody did. Spite got me through the first few months. Then my friend helped. Then it was keeping busy.