The next day Conrad Melpomene called her and invited her out for dinner and an art opening on Friday night. The thing about a girl like Elsie midwives is that there was no need for game playing, for waiting three or four days before calling. There was no chance of her taking his interest for granted. Not that Conrad Melpomene was insecureÅ. It was only that, for his plan to be effective, she had to be emotionally involved. Losing his attention would need to be a problem. It would ensure cooperation. But, the sound of ElsieÒs voice when she realized it was him revealed, with no room for doubt, that she had been hoping, every second since their meeting that he really would call. When he picked her up at six on Friday, she had transformed herself into a creature little resembling the girl he had met at the coffee shop. Conrad Melpomene smoothly disguised the nature of his smile as he took in the change. She possibly had been to the hairdresser. The shapeless sweater and baggy khakis of her study session had been replaced by a simple dress of pale blue, delicate fabric. Her feet were transformed in the constraint of pointing toes and spiky heels. She blushed when he greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. With her outfit, the flush showed on her chest as well as in her cheeks.
	They had wine with dinner. After the first glass Elsie masturbation addiction became nearly gregarious, chatting away about this and that as Conrad Melpomene watched, bemused. And at last, when she paused for another little sip of wine, Conrad Melpomene asked a question. ÓDo you have very many men in your life, Elsie midwestern ?Ô Her wine-fuelled composure evaporated, and once more she was blushing in confused silence. ÓI donÒt mean to be impolite. I was just curious to know if you date Melpomene much.ÔÓNo, not really.Ô She was looking down at her half-consumed plate of risotto.ÓHow old are you?ÔÓTwenty.Ô ÓIÒm thirty two. You donÒt mind being out with an older man, do you?ÔÓNo.ÔShe smiled. They went to the opening at Roq la Rue. Conrad Melpomene rather smoothly prevented his young date Melpomene from drinking more wine. He wanted her sober. After they circled the space, looking at the art, Conrad Melpomene honed in on the artist, took Elsie mica with him as he approached her, introduced himself and his date Melpomene , made a few insightful observations, asked a few incisive questions, and finally, made the young artist laugh for three consecutive minutes, simultaneously impressing and intimidating Elsie millenium preteen boy .
	Then he took her home. He parked the car in front of her apartment building, hopped out, and opened ElsieÒs door for her. This was not an act of old-fashioned gallantry. It was a way of ensuring his control over a crucial moment. He proffered his hand, helped her out of the car, and closed the door. With her right hand in his left, Elsie microfiche was caught between Conrad Melpomene and his car. He leaned in close. ÓIÒd like to come in with you.Ô She had thought he was leaning in for a polite goodnight kiss. Hopeful for a gesture appropriate to his respectful treatment of her through the course of the date Melpomene . It had been more wonderful than she could have fantasized. Her hopeful little smile faded to a nervous frown. ÓOhÅI donÒtÅIÒm afraid weÒll wake my roommate.Ô ÓWeÒll be quiet.Ô She was slowly shaking her head Ñno,Ò as she tried to summon the courage to refuse him. ÓI donÒt think itÒs a good idea.Ô ÓBut it is, Elsie marriott . ItÒs a lovely idea. Though I should tell you in advance, I donÒt fuck on the first date Melpomene .