Bustling around my dining room, getting ready to carpool to work with Sha-mayn.

Me: Did you see I brought out an 8-ball for the party?



Sha-mayn: Hehe, yeah.

Me: [shaking the 8-ball] Will my party be a smashing success? [reading 8-ball] "My sources say no."

Sha-mayn: Aw.

Me: [shaking 8-ball again] Is that because it will be an EXTREME smashing success? [reading 8-ball] "Very doubtful."

Sha-mayn: Heh.

Me: Maybe this thing is broken. [shaking 8-ball] Does Sha-mayn still love me? [reading 8-ball] "As I see it, yes." Damn, it's working! Oh, no! That means my party isn't going to be a smashing success.

Sha-mayn: [ushering me down the stairs to the front door] Niniane, I'm not going to console you on this one.