Accept, & try to read between the lines.

“Actually,” I tell her, “if we’re going to go there, I’d like us to write our own story.”

“Well,” she responds, “I’ve heard the line about making beautiful music together before, but I think this is the first time somebody’s tried to use the literature angle.”

I ask, “Now that you’ve heard it, what’s your response?”

“How’d you like to read the number on my hotel room?”

“Actually, I’d rather skip the cover, & go straight to the inside.”

“Enough metaphors,” she says. “We came here to have a drink. Let’s do that, & worry about what comes later later.” We both sip our drinks, repeatedly making eye contact over the tops of our glasses, before we simultaneously realize how pointless this exercise is, & head off to the hotel.