Television abandoned...

in favour of a friend's birthday party where ages ranged from early-mid twenties to late seventies. Dress codes were informal and understated and not a Pratt- nor Windsor-knot in sight. We were regaled with tales of romance on the high seas by perhaps the eldest guest at the table. What a storyteller! Her flow and cadence and narrative goals never once suffered from countless interruptions by parties both who had interest as characters and parties interested in hearing a tale well told.

Alas, no Mahendra.