1. The introduction. Give everyone full notice, but when her name is
mentioned, employ the personal touch in your bow—the lingering glance
shading off in friendly admiration.
2. Wait half an hour, perhaps employing the time with a drink. Dance
with everyone else and be looking at her twice when she glances your
way.
3. Suddenly walking over to her, you should look accusingly at the
half-full glass in her hand.
“You don’t mean to tell me that’s your first?”
“Yes.”
“Say, who are you anyway? Have I ever seen you around?”
“No, Joe and Edna brought me. I don’t know anyone here very well.”
“Who’s Joe?”
“The little fellow over there.”
“Your heavy?”
“Silly! No, of course not. He and Edna just got married. That’s why
they’re having this party, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know. I was invited, that’s all I know. Well, see you later.”
Get up and go away at this point; too much at first is too much.
4. Soon after this it is likely that the lady will finish her glass
mechanically; and the next one will go down with more alacrity. Keep an
eye on her, and when she has finished the second one come back and ask
her to dance. If you are a good dancer the whole thing is easier, but so
few of you are.
Put her down when it is over, smile at her politely and go away again.
This mystifies her.
5. Two drinks later. Don’t drink too much; this requires as much
concentration as any other business. It’s time now to focus the attack.
After two or three dances the room seems uncomfortably warm, and now
that she is accustomed to being monopolized she won’t be averse to
stepping outdoors with you to get cool. Any car will do if it is
unoccupied.
There will be a slightly awkward pause; breathless and afraid on her
part. Then she realizes that your intentions are all right and she is
ashamed of her own suspicions.
“My, but it must have been warm in there,” she says. “I didn’t realize
it. What a lovely night!”
“Yeah, the gang’s crazy to stay indoors in this weather.... Say, what do
you do all the time? I haven’t seen you around.”
“Well, I haven’t been in town very long. I’m visiting Edna.”
“Having a good time?”
“Oh, yes. Everyone’s been so nice to me.”
“Naturally they would be, to you. I guess you have a pretty good time
wherever you go.”
“Aw, that’s an old one!”
“You don’t swallow everything you hear, do you? Well, that’s right.” ...
a burst of music comes through the window ... “Say, I’ve got a drink or
two here. Want one?”
“Oh no—I’ve had enough. But you go right ahead.”
“Nope, I don’t drink without company.”
“Well—just a little one.”
6. After the bottle has been tucked away again, settle down with a deep
sigh and put your arm around her. While she’s wondering if she ought to
let it stay there, turn around and pull her head over to yours, very
lazily and comfortably.
“No! Please.”
“All right.”
Release her, avoiding all trace of petulance. She can think that over
for a while.