Niles was so deep in thought that he was unaware of Randolph who was standing next to him. But it was the look of apprehension on the man's face that attracted Niles' attention. "Is something wrong?"

Randolph swallowed hard, almost as though he were nervous about something. Well, this was certainly strange. "Rodney?"

"Are you Dr. Niles Crane?"

Niles smiled proudly. "Yes, I am. I'm sorry where are my manners?" He extended his hand but Rodney remained where he was. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry to interrupt your meal but I have a message for you, from the woman at Table 14."

Niles peered across the distance of the dimly lit restaurant and he could barely make out the slim silhouette of a woman sitting with a man whose features were hazy. Perhaps he had consumed his Pino Noir a bit too quickly, but his heart fluttered just the same. Who was to say that the man sitting next to this mystery woman wasn't her father or brother? He knew it was a lie and that the man was clearly her companion but at the moment he didn't care. A woman seemed interested in him and that meant more to them than anything in the world. The thought was completely depressing when he realized how dull his life had become.

"Is that her?" He asked, pointing to the woman in the distance.

"Um… yes sir. That is the woman." Rodney said his voice strangely uneven.

Niles smiled, feeling a swell of confidence. "Oh… well this is certainly unexpected, but this is a singles cruise and I suppose it's only natural… um… what is the message?"

Rodney hesitated for a moment. "Um… sir, might I suggest that you close your eyes?"

Niles' eyebrows rose. "Close my eyes? But why-."

All of a sudden, he was hit like a tidal wave, his entire body drenched in what he presumed to be water. But when he licked his lips, he could taste something sweet like wine… red wine!

Rage flickered in his eyes as he looked up at the waiter. "What's the meaning of this? How dare you!"

"But sir, I was only relaying a message! I'm terribly sorry! I-."

Niles rose from his chair so quickly that the chair fell backwards and crashed against the wall, causing surprised murmurs and hushed whispers among the restaurant patrons. "I've never been so humiliated in my entire life!" Niles shouted. "Look at me! I'm drenched in red wine and my suit and tie are ruined, not to mention my shirt!

I should sue this damned ship!"

"Sir, I'm terribly sorry!" Randolph said again. "I was only-."

"Put my meal on my room tab. I hate to say this but it was wonderful. Too bad I won't ever be returning again!"

"Sir, please! Let me make it up to you!"

"You'll be hearing from my lawyer and believe me, when he gets wind of this disgraceful attempt at… well, whatever it is… this ship will sink faster than you can say Alaska!"

Enraged, Niles stormed out of the restaurant, painfully aware of the snickers and glares from the restaurant patrons and passersby. In the course of only a few minutes, his heaven on the sea had turned into a hell which was bound to pull him underwater, drowning him in degradation.