"I do!" volunteered Ted. Sarah sighed with gratitude.

Entering the Goodfoot, the clinking of crystal and merry laughter greeted them. Sarah adjusted her collar, noting that the other tarts and vicars were more cleanly pressed than her. Ted clapped his hands with delight. Bill and Roberson drifted onward to the edibles. Mr. J pardoned himself to the men's room to tidy up.

"What a delightful spread!" cried Bill, choosing a lemon-pink petit four. Roberson agreed. "Simply ambrosial. And, how positively SCANdalous to begin the evening with Dvorak," he said, nodding towards the stringed quintet. They chuckled with mirth.

Ted and Sarah slid their contestant information into the gold-gilded box. Sarah giggled nervously. "Oh Ted, I must admit, I'm more nervous about this than I've been letting on." Ted gave her a little squeeze. "Really Sarah, you're fabulous. Just get up there and give it your all."

The announcer approached the mic. He began the introductions and contest rules.