It was 2:00 P.M. Adrian Monk had just finished vacuuming when Sharona walked in.

"I got your mail," she said, waving a stack of letters. She set all but one of them on the kitchen counter. Holding up one fancy envelope, she said, "Open this one, it looks interesting."

"You went through my mail?" Adrian said, looking violated.

"Oh, relax," Sharona rolled her eyes, "It was on top." Monk carefully opened the envelope, as not to rip it, and pulled out an invitation, which read:

"You and one guest are cordially invited to the San Francisco Police Department's Annual Formal Ball and Banquet..."

Sharona gasped. All her work at Adrian's side was finally paying of. "Oh, Adrian!" she exclaimed, "This'll be so exciting! And I know just what I'm going to wear!"

"Wait a minute," Adrian said, "Who said I was bringing you?" Sharona looked at him as if to say "Who else would supply you with wipes after shaking hands with the entire police department?" "Okay, you can come," he said.

"It's black-tie, Adrian, you'll need a tux," Sharona said.

"I have one," he replied.

"You own a tuxedo?" Sharona asked with disbelief, "Why wouldn't you just rent one?" She knew the answer to this as soon as the words left her mouth.

"Other people have worn it!" Adrian shuddered at this thought.

Days passed, as they often do, and the night of the ball rolled around. At exactly six o'clock, Sharona walked into Adrian's apartment to find him sitting on his couch, not fully dressed. "Adrian!" Sharona exclaimed, "We're going to be late! Why aren't you ready?"

"It's the bowtie," he muttered, "I can't get it straight. I can't go. Everything's ruined."

Sharona rolled her eyes, surprised that they hadn't stuck in the back of her head by now. "Come here," she said. He got up and handed her the bowtie. "I swear, you're like a little kid sometimes." For as many years older Adrian was, at times Sharona viewed him as the little brother she never had. In moments, the bowtie was exactly parallel with the floor and out the door they went. Adrian paused.

"Sharona," he said.

"What now?"

"You look nice." Sharona smiled. She did look very attractive in her sleek-yet-tasteful black beaded gown.

Taking in the compliment, she replied, "Thank you, Adrian."