Abby?? I’m totally overdressed in layers, but then it does get cold up there in the balloon. HURRY UP and get changed, it’s a lovely day for a ride. 
celestina, dear, I’m still waiting for my lessons…
A balloon ride sounds delightful. I suppose I could dress, but what’s wrong with these borrowed grey sweats and the layer underneath? Is a balloon ride a ball gown and pearls kind of thing?
Toon’s I think they already left. What now?
Suddenly a weak voice comes from the Velveteen Rub room …
[sub] … can someone let me out of these handcuffs???..[/sub]
Yanno, I wondered what that key on Hardygrrl’s ankle bracelet unlocked. Poor Euty shall I get you an ice pack for that redness and swelling around your wrists?
screech-owl strolls out to the small garden in the back, where the air is redolent with gardenias and honeysuckle, and the day birds are just settling down for the evening. Her hair is tied with a thin velvet ribbon, and she wears a long dark skirt and an off-the-shoulder peasant blouse (a light teal that brings out the bronze in her eyes).
Quietly but deftly she tunes the harp she brought with her, making sure that each string is in perfect harmony with the others. That completed, she begins strumming out folk tunes, most of them made up on the spot. Instrumental only, for words would ruin the peaceful atmosphere.
And a whippoorwill harmonizes in with a descant, as a barred owl drones a bass line.
Delivers icepack for Euty’s wrists and chuckles lightly while saying, so much for generous massages huh, big guy?
Still chilly Euty? ::: Grinning mischeviously while slowly reaching for the thermostat:::
[sub](I’ve tried Viennese, but prefer the smooth and graceful gliding with a gentle “rise and fall” of the Americanized version.)[/sub]
<Resplendent in his tuxedo and top hat, ts once again make his entrance.>
<Reaching the lovely celestina, ts wraps his arm around her, cupping her shoulder blade and focusing a tender smile on her upturned face. Softly, the music begins and with a gentle lean …
…they’re gliding over the mirror-like hardwood floor.
Arcing box-turns lead to push-thru arch-turns, our bodies ebbing and flowing with the lilting tempo, our eyes locking and releasing while smiles grow larger and larger on our faces.
Each turn, starting with your supple and firm upper body and snapping the lovely curve of your hips around, sharp and crisp, brings you back to the support of my arms.
A promenade to the bar and we grab a waiting flute of J, a delightful champagne with a wonderful nose.
Your cheeks rosy and eyes smiling, we stroll back to the middle of the floor and as a Lindy breaks out, we cuddle, my steps in the shadow of yours, back and forth, around and around. I close my eyes as the scent of your hair fills my senses.
You drift from me, hands sliding smoothly from mine. Turning as the music draws to a close once again…
<ts whispers some enchantment breathlessly into her ear and saunters to the door again. With a wistful backward glance, he is gone.>
“Never before have a man and woman danced publicly in a virtual embrace such as this.”
[sub]You’re next, hardy.[/sub]
I’m here, thinksnow…just had to get dressed again.
Damn Euty had to undo all the snaps on the merry widow. so it took awhile.
Sweep me off my feet…
And then teach me how to code. 
MUCH TO HER SURPRISE??? I’m the freakin’ Julia Child around here, and you’re surprised? Feh. Just wait till you see what I can do with celery and peanut butter !!!
As long as you’re giving out bear hugs, you’d best give one to Abby as well. This is the Straight Dope House- we’re a state certified gender non-specific hug zone. Men hug Men. Women hug Women. Mods hug Livestock. We all love each other
<burp> Abby? Can I have a hug? 
Cartooniverse
Wandering through the moonlight, tracking the floating balloon holding an amorous couple, Barbarian strides onto the verandah of this majestic manse.
He’s greeted by the sight of phouka hurriedly sketching an outline of his impressive form, and agrees to pose for a painting later.
“How about if I hold jadailey over one shoulder, while holding my axe in a menacing manner? But for now, there seems to be dancing going on.” In fact, hardygrrl seems to be waiting for a partner. Don’t bother restrapping yourself into that harness. I prefer to dance the Lindy, or a Mambo, and both need you to be <ahem> flexible.
:spins hardygrrl into the basic circle, then a pendulum charleston:
You’re welcome. We aim to please, you know. . .
If you want to see the Statue of Liberty, I’ll not have you disappointed. Of course we’ll make it before sunrise. Besides, who says the night has to end?
It means the moon is jealous, my dear. He knows that he can’t compete with the spark in your eyes and the glow of your skin but he’s trying to get attention just the same.
I’ll go anywhere with you! Let’s do it. Of course, we should return to the house one day soon. Before I left, I heard Abby say something about wanting to go for a baloon ride sometime.
When we get back, we’ll take one of my Cadillac convertibles and see the country. Ever since I met you I’ve been picturing you in a convertible on Decatur Street on a sultry New Orleans night, with your hair dancing in the breeze as the sounds of a band in Jackson Square drift along on the evening air. . .
Yikes! We’re being awfully antisocial up here, aren’t we, Zappo? We should probably return the balloon to the Duplex so that Abby and Cartooniverse can have a go.
singing to myself I get to go to New Orleans, neener neener nener, I get to eat some crawfish, neener neener neener…
So, can we take the baby blue convertible? How many people can we fit into this thing, anyway? And most importantly, must we drive through Mississippi to get there? That drive has to be one of the most boring drives I’ve ever made, but then, I’ve never made the trip so late at night and in such good company.
Perhaps we could just swing by the Statue of Liberty before we return? This should only take a minute, I promise.
screech-owl puts away the harp and goes to find the video camera.
“Blackmail” is such an awful word. How about ‘peace-offering’?
<Zappo tacks northeast, into the rising sun over northeastern PA and a smidge of NJ toward NYC>
Look, there she is. . .makes you proud to be an American, doesn’t it? I have to say, the dawn coming up over her crown looks beautiful. It’s just a shame we have to go back.
Of course we can take the baby blue convertible. Which one, the '66 Eldorado with the white leather seats or the '59 with the biscuit-colored interior? Your choice; either one will seat six comfortably with luggage room to spare. Don’t forget a scarf for your hair; it can get breezy.
And we needn’t drive through Mississippi to get there. I agree with you. It’s boring. But then again, last time I made the trip I was going solo. I have a feeling the ride will be more fun this time. But hey, we’re on our own time here. . .we can do what we want!
<Zappo whips out his trusty cell phone, makes hotel reservations and sets up dinner at Emeril’s Delmonico’s, breakfast at Brennan’s and reserves another table at The Gumbo Shop for when Sophie feels like crawfish>
Oh, Zappo, can I come, too? Please? I’ve never been to Nawlins. I really wanna go. I’ll even be the designated driver. Please? (insert Bambi eyes here)
Besides which, I’m gettin’ kinda tired of Cartooniverse’s lavish spreads. My butt is growing away from zoftig and that’s not a good thing.
<TS scrambles into the room, wearing his boots, tight-fitting Levis, nice mother-of-pearl snap shirt and a white Resistol hat>
Damn, I was all set to do some two-step and line dancing…
Hot damn, thinksnow, I’m your girl for two-steppin! Yee-haw! Lemme just change into my kickers. Does this mean that when you finally come skiing, I can take you to the Ranchman’s?
(Ginger notes that she also drools over cowboys)