186. Amy Runs Away From the Ball

Amy takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, and decides to do the right thing.

“I WAS here earlier, and I DID dance with a mysterious stranger, but I didn't wear glass shoes, and I certainly didn't lose a shoe. I'm sorry, I'm afraid you're looking for somebody else.”

The prince is startled, like he never in a million years expected Amy's response.

“Oh, um, well, did you... did you lose anything else? Like, I don't know, a button? A purse? A glove? Anything?”

Amy is suspicious of the prince's change in demeanor. “Nnnnnooooo,” she says, trying to think, “I'm pretty sure all my stuff is accounted for.”

The prince changes tactics yet again. He steps forward with a confident smile, “Well, then, how would you LIKE to lose something tonight? Like, say, those pants? Or your inhibitions?” He winks at her lasciviously.

Suddenly every neuron in Amy's head is setting off her Creep Alarm. She backs away, “I've... I've got other things to do. I'll have to get back to you on that.”

As Amy turns and walks quickly to the door, the Prince calls after her. “Yeah? Well, you're not so hot anyway! But, um, if you change your mind, I'll be right here!”

Amy reaches the door and slips through it, glad she didn't do something she would come to regret in the morning.

Amy heads back to the portrait gallery