Go to a sushi bar with John.

As soon as Mary pressed the call button for the elevator the doors opened.

"Don't get used to that," Susan said as she stepped into the empty elevator and pressed the button for the lobby level. "After today not having to wait for the elevator will be an **** rarity."

"How come?" Mary asked.

"Because right now there are about twenty thousand people here but come tomorrow that number will swell to somewhere between fifty to seventy thousand," John answered as he reached forward pressed the button for the mezzanine level.

"Holy!" Mary exclaimed at the thought of so many people in one place who all shared her love for sci fi and fantasy.

After a quick ride, the elevator let out a ding to signal its arrival at John's destination. John stepped out, hesitated for a moment, then turned and put his arm out to keep the door from closing. "Mary there is a great sushi bar on this level. Wanna grab some before you get stuck in line at registration?"

"Sure," Mary said with a bit of excitement creeping into her voice. "You coming too, Susan?"

As Mary exited the elevator Susan started repeatedly pushing the closed door button as she coldly replied. "No you two go ahead. I was never one for small pieces of raw meat."

As the door closed a confused Mary turned to John and enquired, "What's wrong with her?"

"Susan has always had a bland taste in food," John said with a sigh.

"You know that's not what I meant," Susan replied with annoyance. "It's not like Susan to be so snarky."

John broke Mary's gaze before explaining. "Probably the fact that I'm keeping you from registration. The on-site line will be beastly long." Then John added quickly without letting Mary question that answer. "Have you ever had real sushi? Not those rolls that those pseudo-Japanese restaurants try to pass off to those who don't know better. I'm talking fish on top rice prepared by someone who knows what they're doing."

"Actually, I've never even had a California roll," Mary replied as she began to stare at the floor a slight flush creeping up her neck.

John began to smile and then took Mary by the waist. "You are in for a treat then. This place has the best sushi in Atlanta."

A large neon blue sign that read Nakato illuminated a nearly empty Japanese style restaurant. "I thought you said this place was popular?" Mary asked.

"It's early in the day and the con," John replied. "Trust me after today getting a seat here will be tough."

A sign at the front door said, please be seated, so John led Mary to a low table with cushions instead of chairs.

Mary continued to stand as John lowered himself to sit on the pillow. "Where are the chairs?"

John laughed. "There are none. This is a traditional Japanese style zashiki table. You sit on the cushions."

Mary looked around like she was confident that she was the victim of a joke and someone would apologetically bring out the chairs at any second. After a few seconds had passed and no one did Mary reluctantly lowered herself down to sit cross-legged.

Mary picked up the menu and studied it intensely. "So what's good here?"

"Why did you kiss me?" responded John.

"I don't see that on the menu," Mary said with a nervous chuckle.

Before John could press his question, their waitress appeared.

"Irasshaimase," The young Asian woman said. "Are you ready to order?"

"We'll have the chef's Omakase and a bottle of warm saké," John said as he handed the menu's back to the waitress.

The waitress gave Mary a long questioning look before her face softened. "Splendid sir and miss, I'll be right back with your drinks."

After the waitress had disappeared back into the kitchen, John resumed his line of inquiry. "Now then I believe you were about to tell me why you decided to kiss me."