Penny looks at the floor. She gets along well with men, but is self-conscious about
being inspected. It's clear to her that something's happening here. And that I am discomfited.
However important his family may be, Famous Name and I have never truly spoken before.
Why my pretty lady? A part of me senses he's messing with me now, after years of a mutually
satisfactory avoidance, because he senses that Penny's presence makes me vulnerable.
I decide I'm not playing his game. “Sorry,” I say. “We’re splitting.”
I take a half step toward him on the crowded floor, expecting him to give way so we
can get by, but he doesn't.
“Splitting?”
The band has collapsed into silence, having temporarily run short of loud. We can hear
each other without shouting.
“Going.”
“Going where?”
“Leaving here .”
“You’re leaving the dance ? Already? Why?”
I can't think of an answer to this question (aside from 'none of your business'). Is he for
real? I start to smolder.
“It’s much too early to leave," Famous Name says, as i f all we need is a little
persuasion, a few words from him to help us see reason. “The band is playing till midnight. It’s
the best band in New Haven.”
Next time get the worst one. Can't say this either.
The stranger smiles his practiced smile at Penny, then looks at me as if to signal that it's
my move to make an introduction. It's a message I don't wish to receive.
29
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