He grasps the rudimentary outline of their situation quickly, which is a relief; even though it's hardly his fault, Darlington feels guilty enough for not stopping things sooner. "That one," he says, with a brief nod in his tablemate's direction. "Based on what I've noticed at the other tables, and on what I've tried and failed at myself, I think we're both stuck here for the foreseeable future."

He pauses, a wry, thoughtful look on his face for a moment. "There are worse situations, I'd imagine, but there's an embarrassment to this one I don't think I like."