If I were a different - maybe even better- person, I'd take that question as a challenge and get up, march my hungover ass right on over to the parade, and push past everyone in a determined and proud race to the finish line.

[A pause. He looks pained for a moment, then drinks some water. With a forceful return of the bottle to the table he continues.]

I'm not that person. When the going gets tough, I get gone.

[He meets Rue's gaze and instantly shrinks back into his chair.]

...'Course, that's all, y'know, hypothetically speaking.