“I’m close enough!” states James with finality. Had he known this was part of the deal he never would have agreed to it.

“You’ve got to see it for yourself or it isn’t binding,” Rylin says from across the room.

“I can see just fine from where I’m at, thank you,” he asserts.

“No you can’t,” Rylin says with impatience. “There can be no doubt. Now get over here.”

Reluctantly moving closer, he says, “If I would have known I was going to have to do this I never would’ve agreed.”

“We didn’t realize you didn’t know,” says Rylin. “I don’t like it any better than you do, but custom is custom. We thought you knew and by the time everything got underway, it was too late to change.”

Moving closer, he stops halfway across the room. “Closer,” prompts Rylin and he slowly moves until he’s near.

“Will this do?” he asks, voice a little raspy.

“Yes,” replies Rylin. “You’re not looking,” he accuses him.

Turning his eyes, he looks at Rylin and watches.

“There,” says Rylin. “Did you see it?”

Red faced, James stammers, “Yes.”

“Alright then,” he says. “Get out of here.”

With great relief, James turns and rushes for the door, glad to be out of there.

Opening the door, he hurries out and shuts it behind him. Blood rushing to his face, he looks over at Miko who’s one of a hundred people staring at him expectantly. He’s got a mischievous grin on his face, earlier he got to listen to James as he bemoaned this particular duty he was to perform for his friend Rylin.

The crowd grows silent as the door shuts and every eye is upon him. Clearing his throat, he says loud enough for everyone to hear, “The marriage has been consummated.” A cheer rises up from the crowd and the musicians waiting nearby begin a lively tune.