Were I you, Robert, I’d be really, really pleased with this piece. I can even see the fireplace, the dark wood paneling and the wingback chairs.
I do have some other comments. (Don’t I always?) (a) I assume your use of ‘Old man’ is an honorific. If it is, ‘man’ should be capitalized. (b) You haven’t identified the time at which this story is happening and some allowances need to be made for that. Traditionally, however, absinthe is not amber (it’s green or colourless) nor is it consumed from shot glasses (which would be too small considering the water with which absinthe is mixed before drinking). I highly recommend the fascinating Wikipedia entry on absinthe if you’re interested.
August 2nd