Azed 2040

[bearboy]

Special instructions: Each clue is a passage from which the printer has removed a hidden answer, closing the gap and sometimes taking liberties with the punctuation, but not disturbing the order of the remaining letters. Example: Vaulting above tunnel entrance appears inane, scary. Answer: PESTO. Undevilled version: Vaulting above tunnel entrance appears in an escape story.
Completely stuck in bottom right - any help please?
21a Ales getting drunk after exams but school turns a blind eye (9) I have ?VE?R?I?? It possibly fits in AL..........ES
23a Does the pithiest poet make the most of the fees? (7)

[bathtub]

21a Your letters are right, but the break is ALE/S.
23a The break is FE/ES.
Chambers Word Wizard should help if you have enough letters - they're both pretty obscure.

[bearboy]

Thanks bathtub I'll have another go now1