New Gods of North America

The dance at the party is not static.

The first dance is usually more "formal", the second dance is usually more lively, and the third dance is more relaxed.

It's basically a cycle like this; as for the specific dance and music arrangements, they may vary from place to place.

Sometimes there would be couple dances where everyone was just there to watch, or group dances for performance purposes.

Anyway, apart from basic etiquette, guests can choose to join a dance, socialize, or rest according to their own ideas and physical condition.

After the first dance, the men took the ladies back to their original positions, or to where they wanted to go, such as a long table full of food.

Then the band changed to a leisurely piece of music, and when the song ended, it was time to invite new dance partners for the second dance.

When Ian Fisk came looking for him again,

Wayne had already brought a plate of food and a glass of champagne, found a relatively quiet corner, and was about to feast on the food.

Master Ian was a little stunned, "Are you only planning on eating tonight?"

Wayne chewed the shrimp tail and said, "What else? I can continue chatting with you."

Usually, after the first round of three dances, guests can leave the banquet hall and have some free time. In principle, they should return to the banquet hall before the formal end of the party.

A lot of strange gossip, or love affairs and secret affairs, basically happened during this period.

Considering that the circle of southern landowners is relatively conservative in this regard, it is probably more about "unmarried men and women dating" or "adults talking about business".

So Wayne estimated that the time for his meal would be around the end of the third dance.

I'll look at the actual situation then and consider when to slip back to the carriage.

Mr. Ben Harmon, the employer of the detective agency, is busy socializing.

Although he seemed to be interested in getting closer to Wayne - or Ian Fisk to be more precise - at the beginning, after being rejected, he did not continue to stare at Ian Fisk like some other gentlemen, but instead started to talk with other gentlemen attentively.

Ian Fisk probably wanted to find a cover to pretend to talk about things instead of watching Wayne eat.

So he went back and danced two more dances, one with his sister and the other with the protagonist of the coming-of-age ceremony tonight.

In the middle, I was even pulled aside by Mr. Russell, the host of the banquet, to talk with others.

It didn't take long before seven or eight gentlemen came over to join the conversation, or were silently discouraged after they said hello and introduced themselves.

In addition to the people dancing in the banquet hall,

In fact, there were quite a few gentlemen, ladies and girls who formed small circles of two or three, usually no more than five people, and talked to each other.

The "small circle" keeps breaking up, changing people, and then gathering again.

It’s almost what is called “socializing”.

Seeing that Wayne finally put down the plate, everyone started to pick up the glass and drink champagne down their throats.

Ian Fisk came closer again and asked, "Why do I feel like you are more relaxed than me?"

"I can't dance and I'm not a formal guest, so shouldn't I be more relaxed?" Wayne asked back.

Ian Fisk was not convinced. "Come on, let me introduce you to some local gentlemen. If your detective agency wants to take on big commissions in Virginia, I'm afraid it will inevitably require the approval and promise of these gentlemen."

Hmm...

Wayne hesitated a little.

He did not doubt the influence of the Fisk family, but he felt that if Ian Fisk started to act a little weird, he might not use this influence to benefit the detective agency.

Especially after seeing that he had just deliberately "done whatever he wanted".

Ian Fisk pushed Wayne's shoulder and was about to push him towards the crowd.

At this time, the "main door" of the banquet hall, which had been closed, was suddenly and solemnly opened again by the servants in the manor.

Then a man who looked like a manor housekeeper walked to the inside of the main gate, straightened his back, and announced formally:

"Bishop Corleone visits."

The guests in the banquet hall were obviously surprised, and then they all turned their bodies to face the main entrance of the banquet hall.

The Russells, the owners of the manor, who were standing a little closer to Wayne and the others, were chatting privately.

After being slightly stunned after hearing the announcement,

Mrs. Russell leaned against her husband.

She looked up at Mr. Russell with a surprised expression on her face, "How did you do that?"

Mr. Russell raised his eyebrows quietly at his wife, and his tone was slightly raised, "I just extended an invitation to him sincerely and in a nice tone."

Then the two of them hurriedly walked a few steps over there and stood side by side at the spot closest to the main entrance of the banquet hall.

He showed a welcoming attitude.

Ian Fisk also stopped pushing and shoving at this time and stood still.

By the way, I continued to whisper some "Southern common sense" to Wayne:

"It's very difficult to invite the Bishop of Virginia. I only met him a few times at dinner parties when I was with my father."

oh.

Wayne took a napkin from the plate held by the servant next to him and wiped his mouth secretly.

Anyway, you are not here to celebrate my birthday.

Bishop Corleone was wearing secular clothing today - a three-piece wool suit that looked obviously tailored, with a large U-shaped jacket. Only the holy emblem on his left chest and the "white circle" around his neck showed his clergy status.

This was probably to explain that he was not here tonight as a "bishop" representing the church.

But in a sense, this actually makes them seem more "intimate".

Bishop Corleone walked up to the Russells, his voice still slightly hoarse:

"I'm sorry I'm late, and I have other things to do, so I may only stay for a short while."

Mr. and Mrs. Russell shook their heads, "No, no, no. It's an honor for my family and me to have you visit."

Then Mr. Russell bent down and kissed the ring on Bishop Corleone's hand, and invited him to go into the banquet hall.

As Bishop Corleone passed by, he noticed the two people standing here.

He nodded slightly to Ian Fisk next to him, "Fisk's child."

"The Fisk family sends you greetings." Ian Fisk nodded respectfully.

Then Bishop Corleone looked at Wayne again, "Oh, Wayne, you're here too. How's your detective agency going?"

Wayne didn't expect that he would be named.

In the last second, he was still mocking Ian Fisk in his heart, "I still like your rebellious look at the beginning\

,"The next second, he turned into a good boy under everyone's gaze, "Everything is going well. Thank you for your concern and protection."

"very good."

Bishop Corleone nodded slightly, and then without stopping, he walked to the center of the banquet hall under the attention of the guests.

He said some words of blessing to everyone, and politely praised Miss Russell a few words. Finally, he led everyone to thank the Holy Spirit.

Then Bishop Corleone whispered to Mr. Russell in a low voice,

Mr. Russell listened carefully and motioned to the guests to continue the dance.

He led Bishop Corleone up the Y-shaped staircase to the second floor.

The music sounded again in the banquet hall.

The guests continued to go about their business, and not only did some of the guests seem to become more sincere in their compliments to Mrs. Russell,

Even Wayne's side had several groups of people gathered at once.

He asked Wayne indirectly about his background, his relationship with the bishop, and what the detective agency did.

However, these gentlemen who came over seemed to be mainly "asking casually" or "inquiring for information". It seemed that if Wayne made up a story on the spot, it would spread all over Richmond tomorrow.

Wayne soon came to understand why Ian Fisk was trying to avoid ineffective social interactions.

Wayne also noted that

The gentlemen who had always been in a dominant position in their respective "small circles" of conversation were whispered to by the butler one after another, and went upstairs on random excuses. Even Ian Fisk disappeared without a trace.

It feels like that is the small circle that most people at the party really want to join.