situation where alcohol is being served; (over) a drink
how many times; how often
to collect; to gather; to compile; to arrange; to settle
senior executive staff; upper management
black-market dealings; underhand transactions; shady trading; secret dealings; secret arrangement
illicit manufacturing; illicit distilling; moonshining
smuggling; bootlegging; illicit trade
moneylending; moneylender
favorite (to win); favourite; likely winner; one's heart's desire; first choice
pail (for water); bucket; cistern; water tank
business district; shopping district; bustling street; shopping centre; shopping center; downtown
becoming dull; slowing down
terminal symptoms; sign of the approaching end
bashful; shameful; ashamed
addict; junkie; substance abuser
to work; to labor; to labour; to put to work; to make (someone) work
exploitation; bleeding dry; squeezing dry; milking (e.g. a cow's teat); extracting (a liquid) through squeezing
to continue to hold; to hold on to (for a long period); to maintain; to keep
short end of the stick; short straw; unlucky number; blank; bad bargain
indispensable; essential; requisite; required; compulsory; necessary
mouthpiece; cigarette holder; cigarette filter (tip); fragrant garnish (for soup)
gunshot; bullet; lost messenger; truant messenger; bull's-eye (candy)
mirror surface; lens surface
smuggling; contraband trade
heaps; a lot; plenty; with a thud
dysfunction (often medical); malfunction; insufficiency
if you are so inclined; if it suits you; if you like