"Indeed so, sir. Well, best foot forwards then?" Bob said with a sigh as he took a breath to steady his nerves, and then looked around. "So, would one of you ladies care for a gentleman to escort you to this<em>soiree</em>?" he asked, offering his left elbow out for them to hold, like something from an old movie. His face was a study of smooth impassiveness, like it was an exquisitely made porcelain mask.