"Never contradict your man in public."

"Really?" asks Elaine. "That will matter to him?"

"I guarantee it," John says. He remembered the times he'd felt embarrassed by Elaine in public, like when he'd tell her to cover up only to be shut down. Those were mortifying, especially in front of his peers or people he knew.

"I have... I mean, men have reputations to keep. They have a public image to uphold. Some see it as an ego thing, but really it's just that in our society men can't be seen to be weak. Especially with women. You can disagree in private of course, but in public just... let him take the lead, okay?"

"All right," Elaine says, somewhate dubiously. "It's worth a try I guess? Is this something you do with your own man as well?"

"O-of course," John stammers out. "I'd never contradict my fiancé in public."

The moment he says the words, John feels a strange buzz throughout his body. With a feeling of dread, John realized he might have made a mistake, might have forgotten something important...

Just then: