The narrator tells us that he's at the anniversary party of a local television station because of his job. He's there because his sister-in-law, Madame Huxtable, came to the party despite his brother's protests. She's also there because she wants to pursue her dream of becoming a successful lawyer. Madame Houxtable is hated by the public for her straightforwardness, but she has managed to stay away from shame by attending the party because she's so determined to achieve what she wants. The narrator is sorry that he can't escape from his past life, but he feels guilty about flirting with another man in front of his brother. He wonders how he'll be able to separate himself from his brother and his wife.