Sorry people
I forgot to post in plain text!
My apologies to all for the double posting



"A Change of Scene"
1998, June Geraci

More chapters can be found at
http:www/fortunecity.com/victorian/rothko/228
comments to karaohki@snet.net

The characters from Ranma 1/2 in this fiction are the
creations of Rumiko Takahashi, and borrowed without
her permission.
This story was written for non-commercial purposes only.


 Ranma 1/2
A Change of Scene

Chapter 1


	As Ranma walked along the top of the fence, he kept his attention
divided between keeping his balance and watching his fiancee.  Akane
hadn't been herself for some time, and he wondered what was on her mind.

	After their return from China the previous year their parents had tried
to force them to marry, and their relationship, which had always had its
ups and downs, had changed completely.  At first, they had tried to go
back to the way they'd been - fighting one day and getting along the
next - but things just weren't the same.  Too much had happened in China
and afterward for them to ignore.

	Ranma had come to realize just how much he loved Akane when he'd nearly
lost her, but had never found the courage to tell her.  Even when Akane
confronted him with her knowledge of his affection for her, he'd refused
to confirm it.

	Ranma would have felt worse about his actions had it not been for the
fact that Akane had not told him whether or not she loved him.  He'd
come to the conclusion that she had agreed to marry him so that her
father would let him have the water he needed for his cure.  Her motive
was sympathy, not love.

	Now that graduation was getting closer, Ranma knew for a certainty that
his parents and Akane's father would soon plan another wedding.  They'd
always assumed that he and Akane would obediently do whatever they
planned, but Ranma had no intention of marrying a girl who didn't love
him.  He 'd spent the last year bringing up his grades, so that he could
get away from Furinkan by going to college.

	Ranma had applied to several colleges, and his counselor seemed to
think that Sanna College in Ube would be most likely to accept him.  He
liked the notion, since Ube was far away from Furinkan, and from Akane.
It only hurt him to live in the same house with her.  If he were absent,
that would give her the opportunity to find someone else, since she
obviously didn't want him.  It would also give him time to learn not to
love her.

*****

	Akane glanced up at the fence, and Ranma turned his head toward the
canal.  She was aware that he'd been watching her, and wondered why.

	Akane had been hurt badly the day she and Ranma had almost married.
She'd been willing to marry Ranma, because she loved him, but wondered
if she would have been happy with a husband who didn't love her.  Akane
couldn't understand how she could have been so mistaken.  Ranma's
behavior in China had seemed to prove to her that he did care, but when
she told him that she knew he loved her, the first words out of his
mouth were "I never said that".   Akane had been devastated by Ranma's
rejection, and she protected herself from any more pain by withdrawing
from him.  She knew that her father had his heart set on their marriage,
and that she 'd had only a temporary reprieve.  After some reflection,
Akane decided that her only option was to leave home long enough to give
Ranma an opportunity to marry one of his other "fianc,es".  After all,
he had more of them than any other man she knew.

	Akane met with her counselor, and began making plans to attend college.
She was confident that she would get a scholarship, and put in several
applications.  Several of her friends had already received their
responses, and Akane had a meeting with her counselor that afternoon.
Perhaps that meant she'd received one.

 	A little voice in her head kept telling Akane to let Ranma know what
she was planning, but she didn't listen.  As far as she could tell, he
probably wouldn't even miss her.

							*****

	That afternoon, Ranma was walking toward his counselor's office when he
spotted Akane approaching from the other direction.  She looked
self-conscious when she saw him, and gave him a half smile when she
stopped and knocked on her counselor's door.  He waited until she had
gone in and closed the door before he knocked on his counselor's door.

	Akane smiled at Mrs. Itayama and sat down, trying not to wonder what
Ranma was doing in that end of the building.  It was none of her
business.

	Mrs. Itayama smiled at Akane, and handed her a letter from Sanna
College.

	"Congratulations, Akane.  You qualified for a two-year scholarship,
dear. "

	Akane was thrilled.

	"I really wanted to go to Sanna, Mrs. Itayama.  Thanks for your help. "

 	"You didn't really need much help, Akane.  You got the scholarship
because you deserved it.  I'm sure Ranma will be very pleased."

	Akane looked at Mrs. Itayama in confusion.

	"What makes you say that?"

 	"His acceptance letter came in today, too."

	Mrs. Itayama watched in concern as all the color drained out of Akane
's face.

						*****
	Ranma was so busy reading his acceptance letter that he almost missed
Mr. Makoto's remark to him.

	"I'm sure you and your fianc,e will have a wonderful time at Sanna,
Saotome."

	The letter fell out of Ranma's hands, and he stared at his counselor
for a few seconds before he could speak.

	"Akane is going to Sanna?  You must be joking. "

	Mr. Makoto looked very embarrassed.

	"I didn't realize she hadn't told you.  Perhaps she wanted to surprise
you."

	"She succeeded. "

	 Ranma and Akane left their counselors' offices at the same time, and
stood in the hallway, staring at one another.  Ranma was the first to be
able to speak.

	"We need to talk, Akane.  Meet me at your locker after classes. "

	Akane was waiting at her locker as Ranma had requested, and he grabbed
her hand, led her out of the school, and into the park.  They found a
bench, and sat down.

	"Akane, why didn't you tell me you were planning to go to college?"

	Akane reddened, and answered the question with a question.

	"Why didn't you tell me, Ranma?"

	"Yeah, right.  Well then, why did you choose Sanna?"

	"Everything about it, Ranma.  It's a good school, and it's far away
from home. "

	Akane stopped short, wondering how Ranma would react to the latter part
of her sentence.  Ranma looked angry for a moment, and then his
expression changed to one she couldn't understand, because he looked
rather sad.

	"And now you 're still stuck with me.  Sorry, Akane.  I don't mean to
bother you."

	Akane struggted with an intense wave of misery, and tried hard to
smile.

	"You're not a bother, Ranma. "

	Ranma saw the tears in Akane's eyes, and put his arm around her.
Before he could speak, there was laughter behind them, and then a voice.

	"Look at the lovebirds.  How cute!"

	Ranma turned, to see some classmates approaching.  Akane jumped off the
bench, grabbed her bag, and ran off.

	"I'm going to be late for work, Ranma. "

	Ranma realized he too was due at work, and left the park.  All of his
careful planning had backfired.  Instead of distancing himself from
Akane, she was going to be attending the same college.  He just couldn't
win.

					*****

	Akane ran out of the park, and slowed down to a walk.  No matter how
hard she tried, she just couldn't get away from Ranma.    How could she
outgrow her love for him if she'd be seeing him all the time?


Chapter 2

 	At dinner, Ranma waited for Akane to mention her scholarship, while
Akane waited for Ranma to go first.  Dinner conversation was no
different from any other night, though, and the subject was never
brought up.

 	Later, Akane finished her homework, changed into exercise clothing,
and walked into the dojo to practice.  She always worked out when
something was on her mind, and from behind a pile of mats in the corner
of the room, a small pig watched her as she practiced.

	After only a few minutes, Akane stopped, turned down the lights, and
sat on the floor, hugging her knees.  Normally, exercise helped her to
work through whatever was troubling her, but tonight it wasn't helping
at all.

	P-Chan started out from behind the mats, and then turned back when the
dojo doors slid open, and Ranma walked in.  He stopped short when he saw
Akane sitting there, and turned on the rest of the lights.

	"Akane, why are you sitting in the dark?"

	"I was thinking."

	Ranma looked curious, walked to Akane's side, and sat down on the
floor.

	"What about?"

	Akane hesitated.  She was tempted to tell Ranma to mind his own
business, but she needed someone to talk to.  Hopefully, he wouldn't say
something insensitive,

	"College.  I'm not sure how to tell Daddy, Ranma.  I don 't know if
he'll approve of my leaving home."

	Ranma was surprised.  Akane was a strong-minded, independent person,
and he wondered why she was so hesitant.

	"If he doesn't approve, Akane, would you change your mind?"

	Akane immediately took offense at the question.

	"Why?  Do you want me to stay home?"

	"No, no, Akane.  I just didn't think you'd let what your father thought
affect you.  If you want to go to college, go. "

	Akane looked a Ranma a little suspiciously, and then relaxed.  He
sounded as if he'd meant what he said.

	"Ranma, this is something I really need to do.  I'm looking forward to
the whole experience:  being away from home, a new town, and new
friends. "

	"Me too, Akane."

	"Ranma, I have to ask you a favor.  Please don't take this the wrong
way. "

	"What is it?"

	"I'd like to be known in Ube as me, Akane Tendo, and not Ranma
Saotome's fianc,e.  Could we keep our engagement a secret?"

	For a moment, Akane thought Ranma looked hurt, but his reply was a
favorable one.

	"Okay Akane, if that's what you want. "

	Ranma hesitated, looking at the relief on Akane's face.  Her request
had hurt him, but he could understand her desire for freedom.  He took a
deep breath, and gave her more freedom than she'd asked for.

	"Akane, if you meet someone you like in Ube, and you want to go out
with him, don't worry about it.  I don't mind."

	Ranma then got up and walked out of the dojo, leaving Akane staring at
his departing back.  She was about to get up and follow him, when a
sound behind her made her turn.

	"P-Chan!  When did you get here?  I've missed you so!"

	Akane got up, ran to P-Chan, and picked him up.  She started out of the
dojo, then changed her mind and sat down, cuddling the pig.  P-Chan
heard a sniffle, and looked up to see Akane wiping her eyes.

	 "I don't know what to do, baby.   I'm just so confused.   I wish you
could talk, and tell me everything will be all right."

	P-Chan cuddled closer, and for a moment Akane felt as if he understood.

	"Let's go, P-Chan.   It's almost time for bed."

	Akane walked into the kitchen for a bedtime snack, and found Ranma
having one.  He saw P-Chan in her arms, and tried not to frown.

	"Oh, I see -P-Chan is back.   Where have you been lost this time, pig?"

	Akane put P-Chan down to open the refrigerator and looked at Ranma
disapprovingly.

	"Don't tease him, Ranma.  Would you like a snack, baby?"

	She got out something for herself, and for P-Chan.

	"Don't spoil him, Akane.  He 's fat enough."

	P-Chan picked up his head from his snack, and growled at Ranma.  Akane
was pouring herself a drink, and Ranma quickly knelt down next to the
pig.

	"Don't get any ideas, Ryoga.  You're not sleeping upstairs tonight."

	The look in Ranma's eyes was enough to convince Ryoga that this time
Ranma meant business, and Akane was surprised to see him dash out of the
kitchen.  She put down her glass and ran after him, only to see him slip
through the half-open door and out into the darkness.  Akane turned
around and stomped back to the kitchen.  She picked up her glass and
glared at Ranma .

	"What did you do to P-Chan, Ranma?"

	"Nothing, Akane."

	 Akane sniffed, and carried her glass upstairs with her.  She undressed
and got into bed with the drink and a book, but after a page or two put
it down and turned off her light.

     She just couldn't understand Ranma at all.  It was all right with
him if she saw other men, but he got jealous of a little pig.

	Ranma lay in bed, eyes open.  He'd planned to leave home to give
himself distance from Akane, and now she would be at the same college.
At least Sanna was a large school.  Maybe they wouldn't be running into
each other all the time.  Then he wouldn't have to see it if she found
someone she liked. The thought was unsettling to him.



Chapter 3

	After a couple of days, Akane came to the conclusion that being afraid
to tell her father she was going to college was foolish, and she told
Ranma so on her way to school.

	Ranma had waited to tell anyone of his scholarship and he and Akane
agreed to announce their plans at dinner.  They would tell Soun at that
time, and then Ranma would phone his parents.  Unfortunately, things did
not proceed as planned.

	Ranma was working at a restaurant after school, and left in time to
meet Akane as she was leaving the day care center where she worked.
They arrived at home in time for dinner, and found not only Akane's
family at the dinner table, but Ranma's parents.  When they saw Genma
holding two letters from Sanna College addressed to them, they knew
they'd delayed a little too long.

	"Son, what are these letters about?"

	Ranma suppressed his surprise that his father hadn't opened them, and
replied to the question calmly.

	"Akane and I both got two year scholarships, Pop. "

	Genma looked at Akane for confirmation, and when she nodded, turned
back to his son.

	"Why didn't you tell us you were planning to go to college?  You could
have applied somewhere closer to home, like the community college."

	Akane was the one to reply.

	"Sanna College has a lot more to offer than the community college,
Uncle Saotome, and we didn't want to tell you until we knew if we would
be accepted."

	Soun interrupted, as he got up to hug his daughter.

	"I am so very proud of both of you.  But we'd better get started making
plans."

	"What kind of plans, Daddy?"

	"For you to get married before you leave, of course. "

	"No, Daddy."

	Soun stopped short, looking confused.

	"Why not?"

	Akane looked from her father's face to her fianc,'s.  She knew if she
stated that she didn't want to marry Ranma at all, it would cause a huge
argument.

	"I'm not ready yet."

	Soun looked like he was ready to argue with his daughter, but Genma
interrupted him.

	"Don't, Tendo.  Let it be for a while.  I would object if Akane was
going away on her own, but Ranma will be there to take care of her."

	 Akane knew that she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself,
and was ready to tell Genma that, but Ranma pinched her hand under the
table. After dinner, she took him aside to ask him why.

	"I could see how angry you were, Akane, but arguing with Pop is a waste
of time.  Don't worry about what he said--I won't get in your way."

	 Akane smiled rather sadly at Ranma, and shook her head.

	"Ranma, I'm not trying to chase you away altogether, you know. "

	She returned to the kitchen to help Kasumi wash the dishes, and Ranma
watched her walk away, thinking that she had already done a very good
job of it.

	Soun and Genma went to the dojo to talk privately.  Soun was still
upset with Akane, and worried about her leaving home.

	"I don't like having my little girl so far away, Saotome.  Maybe I
shouldn't let her go."

	 "It's all right, Tendo.  I have a plan. "

	Soun listened to his friend talk, and his frown turned into a smile.



Chapter 4

	It wasn't long before word got around Furinkan High that Ranma and
Akane would be attending college together, and the inevitable teasing
began. Ranma's friends thought it was hilarious that Ranma was going to
college with his fianc,e, and wouldn't let him forget it.  Akane's
friends, on the other hand, were totally confused.  She'd spent the last
couple of years complaining about Ranma's presence, and they couldn't
understand why she would want to go to college with him.  When she
explained that it was a coincidence, they wouldn't believe her.

	Akane's father had not raised the subject of a wedding again, which
made her suspicious, she tried not to worry about it, being busy enough
getting ready for graduation.

	Akane had been saving for a graduation gift for Ranma, and went to pick
it up one afternoon.  She'd chosen a watch, and was having it wrapped
when she became aware that someone was watching her.  Turning, Akane
found Ukyo in the shop beside her.  Ukyo didn't even pretend to be
friendly, and came right to the point.

	"How dare you take Ranma away to Ube!"

	"Excuse me, Ukyo, but Ranma applied to Sanna College on his own.  I
didn't even know about it until he was accepted."

	Ukyo snorted, and it was obvious that she didn't believe a word.

	"I came to Furinkan to be with my fianc,, and I don 't appreciate your
taking him away.  Don't think you've won, Akane Tendo.  Ranma is mine. "

	 Ukyo walked away, and Akane turned back to the shop clerk, who handed
her the wrapped package with a sympathetic smile.

					 *****

	Across town, Ranma was having problems of his own.  On the way to the
restaurant, Shampoo had ambushed him, accusing him of deserting her.

	"Ranma no go to college. You stay here, with Shampoo.  Okay?"

	"No, Shampoo.  I'm leaving.  I told you this yesterday, and the day
before.  When will you listen?"

	Shampoo shook her head violently, and grabbed Ranma's arm.

	"Shampoo no will listen.  Never."

	 Ranma shook himself loose, and backed away.

	"I have to go to work, Shampoo.  Be a good girl, and go home. "

	Ranma ran off, not looking back.

	Shampoo's persistence amazed Ranma.  After her behavior in China, and
the havoc she'd caused at his aborted wedding, he would have thought
that she'd realize that he didn't want her near him, but she'd been
following him every day.

	After work, when Ranma left the restaurant, he half expected to find
Shampoo waiting for him.  He was surprised to find his father and
Akane's father there instead.  Ranma felt rather apprehensive as they
got on either side of him, and began to walk with him.  His father
looked stern as he began speaking.

	"Ranma, have you done anything about a graduation gift for Akane?"

	Ranma had been saving for one, and the question didn't surprise him.

	"I've been saving for one, Pop.  I was looking at some really nice
bracelets."

	"Son, don't you think it's about time you got Akane an engagement ring?
After all, you've been engaged for over two years. "

	 Ranma stopped walking, and glared at his father.

	"Pop, why do you have to interfere?  What I choose to buy for Akane is
my business!"

	 Genma said nothing, and Soun took Ranma by the arm to get his
attention.

	"Son, there's more to it than that.  Akane is going to a strange town,
where she will be surrounded by men who don't know she's already spoken
for. I would prefer it if the two of you were married before you left
home, but I'm willing to compromise.  If Akane is wearing your ring when
she leaves, then other men won't bother her, and I'll worry less. "

	"But, sir."

	"Ranma, listen to me.  My mind is made up.  You have two choices:
Either marry Akane before you leave, or give her an engagement ring.
Otherwise, she's staying home. "

    Ranma thought hard.  Akane didn't want it known at college that she
was engaged, and this was not going to make her happy.  On the other
hand, Ranma didn't want Soun to forbid Akane to go to college.  Then he
thought of a way around the problem, and made a decision.

     "Okay, I guess you're right.  Just give me some time to shop
around, would you? Akane deserves something pretty."

	Ranma turned to walk in the opposite direction, but Genma got the last
word in.

	"Don't make us wait too long, Son.  I expect to see a ring on Akane's
finger soon. "

	Genma watched Ranma's back stiffen, and expected him to turn and say
something, but Ranma kept walking.

					*****

	Akane was in a rocking chair holding a baby when the door opened, and
Ranma entered.  She glanced quickly at her school bag to see if Ranma's
gift was sticking out, but the flap was closed.

	"What are you doing here, Ranma?"

	Ranma sat down opposite Akane, watching her rock the baby.  He'd seen
her doing so a few times when he'd come to walk her home, and it never
failed to amaze him that a tomboy tike Akane could took so natural with
a baby in her arms.  He liked what he saw, and hesitated, not wanting to
upset her.

	"Akane, something's come up, and you should know about it, but first
you have to promise not to get mad at me.  It's not my idea."

	"Okay Ranma, I promise.  Is something wrong?"

	 "Our fathers are insisting that I get you an engagement ring. "

	Akane was so amazed that she stopped rocking, until the baby protested
and she began again.  Ranma was surprised that she limited her response
to one word.

	"Why?"

	"They're under the impression that the men on campus need to see that
you're not available.  Your father told me he'd prefer it if we were
married before we left, but he'd accept this as a compromise."

	 "And if I say no?"

	 "He won 't let you go. "

	Akane turned red, and Ranma could see how furious she was, but she
remained calm.  Perhaps it was for the baby's sake, for he had fallen
asleep. "What did you tell them, Ranma?"

   "I told them I would get you a ring, Akane.   I couldn't let your
father make you stay home when you want to go to college so badly."

	"What about our promise, Ranma?  We were going to keep our engagement a
secret."

	"I thought about that, Akane, and I see a way around it.  Accept the
ring, and wear it all summer.  You can take it off when you leave home,
and no one will know but me.  Is that okay with you?"

	 Akane brightened, and actually smiled at Ranma.

	"Okay Ranma, I'll play along.  Just do me a favor, would you?  Wait
until after graduation. If I show up at school wearing an engagement
ring, I'll never hear the end of it."

	"No problem, Akane.  I'm having a hard enough time with the guys as it
is. "



Chapter 5

	When Ranma and Akane got home, Soun took Akane aside.

	"Did Ranma tell you about the talk we had, Akane?"

	 "Yes, Daddy."

	 "And? "

	Akane looked annoyed, but restrained herself.

	"He's going to buy me a ring, Daddy.  Excuse me, I have to change
clothes."

	Akane walked past her father, pnd up the stairs.  She changed her
clothes and sat on the bed, staring into space.  It was unfair of her
and Ranma's fathers to back them into a corner like this.  Family
loyalty was important, but making it a point of honor to marry a man who
didn't love her was going too far.

					*****

 	Akane and Kasumi were washing the dinner dishes when Kasumi cheerfully
asked her sister what she would be doing that Saturday.

	"Nothing special, Sis.  Why ? "

	 "How would you like to go shopping?"

	 "Excuse me?"

	"Father gave me some money for you.  He said he 'd been saving for a
wedding for you and Ranma, but since you've postponed it again, you
could use it for a dress for your graduation dinner, and to buy some of
your college wardrobe.  Uncle Saotome is giving Ranma the money he'd
been saving, so that he can buy a suit.  After all, he has to look nice
when he takes you to the dinner. "

	Akane dropped the dishcloth she was holding, then picked it up and put
it on the counter.

	"You mean Daddy's given up on a wedding?"

	 "No, dear.   He said he'd start saving again.   I think he and Uncle
Saotome ezpect that you'll get married when you come home next summer."

	"Oh. "

						*****

 	When Ranma emerged from his room the night of the graduation dinner,
Akane was just opening her door.  They caught sight of one another, and
stopped short.

	Ranma was wearing his new suit, and Akane couldn't recall ever seeing
him look so handsome, not even in the wedding clothes their fathers had
forced him into.  Ranma noted that Akane was wearing her favorite color,
yellow.   When he'd first met her, Ranma had teased her about her lack
of feminine curves, but there was no reason to do so now.

	When Ranma handed Akane the corsage of yellow rosebuds he'd picked up
for her, she looked at it in surprise.

	"Ranma, how did you guess I was going to wear yellow?"

	"It was easy, Akane.  I know what you like. "

	Soun looked up as the couple came down the stairs, and beamed with
pride.

	"The two of you look wonderful.  One would almost assume you were on
your way to get married."

	Ranma and Akane flushed to the roots of their hair, and left the house
quickly .  Kasumi watched them go, and then turned back to her father.

	"Father, that wasn't such a good idea.  We 've all been pushing them to
get married for a long, long time.  Maybe it's time to sit back and let
them come to that decision on their own."

	"But Kasumi, if we do that, nothing will ever happen. "

	 "Don't be too sure, Father.  I've been watching them, and I think they
care for each other more than they're willing to admit right now."

	 Soun looked thoughtful.  Sometimes his quiet daughter could be very
wise.

							*****

	When the couple arrived at the club, many of their classmates were
already there.  Ranma and Akane had agreed to go their own way once they
arrived, but at the door they were told that their table was ready.
Accepting the fact that everyone considered them a couple, they went to
the table, and found several of their friends waiting for them.

	After dinner, a band started to play, and people began to fill the
dance floor.  Akane didn't expect Ranma to ask her to dance, never
having danced with him, and being unsure whether he knew how.  She was
watching the dancing when a classmate approached her, looking at Ranma
nervously, and asked her to dance.  Ranma just smiled, and watched them
go.

	Ranma sat watching as a different young man asked Akane to dance every
time the music changed.  At first it amused him, since these were the
same boys that Akane used to beat senseless every morning when he'd
first met her. After a while, however, he began to get rather jealous,
and got up.

	Akane stood on the side of the dance floor, catching her breath.  There
had been a break in the music, and she had time to wonder whether she'd
have to dance with every boy in the senior class, and hoped that
wouldn't be the case.

	Ranma was trying to decide whether or not to ask Akane to dance with
him when he saw Hikaru Gosunkuji get up and begin walking toward her.
That was enough to help him make up his mind, and he crossed the floor
quickly.  As the music began again, Akane felt someone take her hand,
and she looked up to find Ranma beside her.

	 "It's my turn, Akane."

	Gosunkuji stopped short, disappointed, and his jealous eyes watched as
Ranma took Akane out onto the dance floor.  He was not the only one
watching them.  One of the unhappiest observers was Ukyo, who had gone
to the trouble of getting a lovely gown for the dinner.  Ranma hadn't
looked her way once.

	At first, Ranma held Akane stiffly, and concentrated on his feet.  Then
his nervousness faded, and he held her a little closer, enjoying the
scent of the rosebuds she wore, and her nearness itself.  Ranma knew
that being this close to Akane was dangerous for him, but he wasn't
willing to give up this last opportunity to hold her.  She would be out
of his life soon enough.

	Akane's reaction to being in Ranma's arms was mixed.  He hadn't held
her since the day he'd saved her life in China, and she'd been trying
very hard to forget how good it felt.  Now she couldn't decide whether
she wanted him to hold her forever, or to let go.  Then Akane gave in to
the moment, and moved closer to Ranma, resting her head on him.  She may
as well enjoy it while she could.

	Ranma was stunned when Akane moved closer into his embrace, and
instinctively held her tighter.  He was enjoying himself too much to
notice the glares from his male classmates, and the look of reproach
Ukyo gave him before leaving the room. When the music stopped, it took
them a few seconds to let go of one another, and then they quietly
walked back to their table.

	Their friends looked at them, puzzled at their expressions.  As one
couple got up to dance, the young man whispered into his date's ear:
"Look at them.  You would think they just broke up."

------------------

to be continued...

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