NYTIMES

The Empire State to Miss Liberty

February 27, 2005
NEW YORK BOOKSHELF

BEHIND EVERYMAN (as excerpted in THE CITY section)
By David Israel
Ballantine
($12.95, paperback)

As the ticket line moves forward, prepare to split off from the pack as the TKTS employee directs you to one of the ticket windows. As a parting gesture, Stalin, evidently still harboring guilt over the undelivered script, will invite you and Sonja to an "industry" party next Saturday night in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Lots of people from the business, including many agents, will be on hand to celebrate the opening of a new soundstage, Stalin says.

"Oh, really? Sure, we'd love to come."
He'll say: "O.K. I'll e-mail you the details."
Smile happily and say: "Wow. O.K.! We'll see you there," causing Sonja to kick you hard in the calf.

Once Stalin and his agent are off to their ticket window, ask Sonja what that was all about.
"Gee, I don't know," she'll say with a we're-about-to-have-a-public-row look on her face.
And then it will dawn on you: That's the weekend you're supposed to meet her parents. Saturday dinner, Sunday antiquing trip upstate. Get that awkward feeling in your throat like you just swallowed gum. Close your eyes and let out a deep breath. Wonder how you could have possibly forgotten such an important date.