The Abandonment of Formality.

   Do you see her, over there? The bright spot in the crowd, wearing the cute black dress with far from sensible heels. You see how she easily hides the pain she's experiencing from those oh so fashionable shoes; hides it behind her perfectly applied make-up, beneath the hair that seems too good to be true - trust me, it is.

  Are you watching her now? Watching her tilt back her head and emit a pleasing chuckle to pacify her ensnared audience. Watching her politely excuse herself for a trip to the, as she so eloquently puts it - "the Powder Room".

   I bet you're wondering who she is, what she's doing here, and why I am narrating her 'story' as it so quaintly can be called.

  Well, you may be contemplating whether or not to go over and introduce yourself before she starts mingling once more.

  Go ahead, I'm not going to stop you from walking over.

  But if I may first verbally intercede.

  You see, there's really no need for you to actually use your leg muscles, put on your best forced smile and attempt to act genuine.

   You don't need to exercise these formalities towards this mystery woman.

  "Why?" You're asking.

  Well, there's no need to introduce yourself to someone you've already met.

  If I may kindly point out, that woman over there whom you question the very existence of, is not a stranger at all.

   It's me.