<Ring><br/><br/>The doorbell went off and Vicki was still in the basement, so it was up to George to welcome the first of the guests.  He hoped it was Fred, since at least he knew him, sort of.  George's skill at small talk was never the best, but at least with Fred, they could discuss the old college while they waited for Vicki's entrance.  So bolstered, George took a small plate of crackers and three cheeses, Swiss, Brie, and Camembert into the living room, sat it on the coffee table and hurried over to the door.<br/><br/>George took one last quick look around, thinking that perhaps he had forgotten something, but couldn't for the life of him place it.  He opened the dark maple entrance doors and was thankfully pleased that it was, in fact, Fred on the other side.  "Glad you could make it, Fred.  Have any trouble finding the place?  Vicki is still gathering things in the kitchen.  Please come with me to the living room and we'll chat until Vicki is ready.  Thank you for the wine, excellent choice."  George took the bottle of wine to the kitchen, settling Fred into the living room on the way.  Vicki was not yet out of the basement, so George placed the bottle where she would easily see it upon arrival.<br/><br/>George headed back into the living room and did not get a single word out before...<br/><br/><Ring><br/><br/>George grimaced slightly.  But Vicki had not appeared so off to the door he went.  "Sorry, Fred, we'll chat in a moment, that would be our other guest for the evening."  At this point, George panicked.  He forgot to ask Vicki what her name was, again.  He went to the front door with a little dread in his heart, hoping that the woman wasn't some predatory hawk that would spend the evening reminding Vicki of her husband's lack of manners.  Swallowing his fear, George opened the door..."Miss Haywood?!"