"Not soon enough," said Elliot, with all the misery the statement befit. He loved his career, being a professor was it for him, but this sort of thing was just - unfortunate. Maybe it would be better if he ever got married and people would stop trying to make knowing eye contact with him, but then he'd have to - find someone he could marry.

And then - there it was. The knowing eye contact. The giggles.

"Oh, I wish for death," Elliot muttered. "Quick, spill your drink on me, we'll sidle to the gentlemen's room."

---