I almost immediately ran into Jill when I veered off toward the ballroom, and not just metaphorically. She was heading one way and I the other, sneaking (yes, I admit I was sneaking) into the staging area set up in the ballroom while she was doing what I could only guess were her rounds. Our matching squeaks of surprise made me giggle and, for a moment, she matched my humor, though hers quickly faded when she settled into a more judging persona.

"I can't let you in here, ...