As the World Stearns

[Background: Sitting in a hotel bar in Vegas, waiting for someone, reading my Diana Wynne Jones novel and, when the person next to me strikes up a conversation, blathering happily about what I do, and the book, and reveling in my dorkiness. I am so naive! I'd forgotten that Las Vegas is notorious for more than just gambling.]

M: So that’s what I do. What about you? What do you do?

Q: Whatever I want. (pauses significantly) You know what I do.

(silence while Stearns processes)

M: (blushing, no doubt) Well, I do now.

Q: So, what do you say?

M: Erm, you know, I don’t usually have to … pay for that sort of thing.

Q: Really!?

M: Hey! Be nice!

(Q mutters, goes off in search of other prey.)