Once the food had been consumed, Giton wiped the dishes clean and poured out more mixed wine and water. He thought about sitting outside on the street, but there were still a lot of people passing by and it would be hard to talk without making the entire conversaton public. He made a motion with his hand, and Kanakht followed him up to the balcony.

"I just can't get that blonde giant out of my mind--I've never seen anyone so handsome! The problem is, he's staying at the house of my ex-friend Philandros, and I don't know if he's a servant or a guest!"

Kanakht stared into space for a moment, "That is a problem--what do you intend to do about it?"

Giton was very torn about this issue himself, and sighed loudly in frustration. "I don't know--I can't just walk up and knock--the servants know me there."

"Why can't you disguise yourself? Aren't you an actor?"

Giton started to dismiss the idea, then thought for some minutes...his eyes suddenly glowed with inspiration. "A wig would be too obvious, but there are ways of doing beards and such which are far more convincing...."

"There you are then, inquire after the name of the young man--perhaps you saw him drop something in the street? Perhaps you wish to ask him to the palaestra for some training, since he seems to be so large and experienced?"

Giton began to pace about the balcony, becoming more enthused by the minute as his imagination built upon the idea. It could work...but what would he actually say to the blonde if he finally got to meet him? He couldn't see the boy wearing the disguise as long as his interest in him lasted....As this final problem came to him, he sank onto his seat in resignation.

"No, I can't meet him in disguise, otherwise I'd have to wear it every time I wanted to see him...I must think of something else." After another few minutes, Giton turned to his new friend.

"Couldn't you go to ask after the blonde young man? The only one there who knows Memnoch is Philandros--no one else there has ever met him!"