I had a drama class once where the teacher stood in front of the class and prepared us for a session of ad-libbing. I was absolutely petrified. He explained that he would regal us with a tale and suddenly point to one of us to join him on stage and continue where he left off until each of us played a part. Screaming inside my head to be last, of course he points to me first after a very elegant story about hosting a dining for some friends when an unexpected visitor arrives. And so, I start my story and as it’s October when writing this up, I bequeath unto you a darker tone with perhaps its own elegance to you.

They stood between the space of ‘Welcome, come in.’ and ‘May I take your coat.’ for longer than they needed to. The lights from the candles adorning the table flickered almost in reaction to the thunder. The electricity had gone on hours ago but nothing in this world would prevent this gathering from happening. The rain pelting against the window and walls almost masked the rapping at the door. They could only briefly imagine which of their guests arrived first as they had no desire to keep them waiting out in the rain longer than they needed to. As soon as the door opened, they gasped in surprise.

The unexpected visitor waited to shake their umbrella until after they stepped inside and poetically proclaimed, “Trouble with the dark and dreary pondering over the weak and weary is the possible toxic tincture of a lisping loudly ladle stirring with the lack of pristine and intrepid care.”

And now I point to you, finish it.