SHOS: Only Sleeping

[methylviolet10b]

Author: methylviolet10b
Rating: PG
Character(s): Sherlock Holmes, John Watson
Summary: Holmes knows that some vices cannot be cured, only temporarily quieted.
Warnings: Very mild spoilers for SHOS.
Word Count: 60, plus an extended-play version (100 words), both inspired by a quote from the story (in italics).
Author's Notes: 60 words of my own inspired by one of the canon stories.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.

SHOS – Only Sleeping
“By the way, Watson, you know something of racing?"
"I ought to. I pay for it with about half my wound pension."

In reality I had no need to ask him of his racing knowledge, or the price he paid for it. I knew it as well as he knew my own struggles. Our demons had no permanent cure, but could be managed, and the best temporary palliative was the same: the company of the other, and a tantalizing case to solve.


Extended-play version (100 words):
We all have our addictions, ones that we indulge in even if others argue strenuously against it. I have mine, as does Watson.

Watson trivialized the matter in his written account (as he did most aspects of that case), but in reality I had no need to ask him of his racing knowledge, or the price he paid for it. I knew it as well as he knew my own struggles. Our demons had no permanent cure, but could be managed, and the best temporary palliative was the same: the company of the other, and a tantalizing case to solve.

Comments

Sunday, 18 August 2013

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User thisprettywren referenced to your post from Sunday, 18 August 2013 (http://holmesian-news.livejournal.com/308030.html) saying: [...] by (Holmes, Watson | G | ACD) Only Sleeping [...]

[debriswoman]

Well put:-)

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

I personally don't believe Watson has an addiction to gambling but your stories are persuasive. It's an interesting idea: Watson openly confronts Holmes about his addictions, but Holmes chooses to pretend he's unaware of Watson's problem - being supportive through actions.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Sorry ^^" I was just rereading your stories - and I think I misread them the first time round. Holmes is openly aware of Watson's addiction. It's Watson who pretends, in his public account, that Holmes had to ask him if he had knowledge of the turf. I think I read what I expected to see. (Holmes would be so disappointed in me... *sighs*)

[methylviolet10b]

Thank you!

[methylviolet10b]

It's true, in canon we never see Holmes scolding Watson on the dangers of gambling the way we see Watson scold Holmes about cocaine and morphine. ;-) Of course, Watson might not choose to write down any such conversations! He does give Holmes control over his cheque-book, though, so Holmes pretty clearly knows *something.*

Thanks!

[methylviolet10b]

Well, that's my interpretation, but I'm not always able to be clear in these short little 60s. :-)

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

I wonder if Holmes felt any twinge of worry bringing Watson into temptation with these cases of horse racing and gambling winnings?

[methylviolet10b]

It might explain why Holmes was late in becoming involved in SILV, among other cases. Or at least it does in my head. ;-) Thanks!