She came alone. Waiters guided her to the darkened alcove I had selected, out of sight of other diners, though I saw them, despite the gloom.

She held my hand. Just in time I retracted my extra fingers. She took my writhing flesh for nervousness and assured me that I had nothing to fear from her. I moved my chair back so she could not touch my face. I spoke trying not to hiss or lisp.

"You list Madness among your hobbies on your character profile. That is why we are deemed so compatible."

She blathered on about Suggs and a House Of Fun. I discovered with horror that her 'Madness' were musicians.

I almost induced her briefly with the gift of sight, to be removed the instant she saw me, leaving that the only true visual image in her head. Instead I left quietly, having settled the bill. I was stared at by a priest near the exit, who peered through the shrouds I cloaked myself in. Seeing that he ate squid. I resurrected it (both what was on his plate and already swallowed) and left to the sound of his screams as fellow diners rushed too late to his aid.

Arthur Chappell

The story inspired my award winning fancy dress costume, 'The man from the Lovecraft Dating Agency'. illustrated here - http://www.fanac.org/worldcon/Torcon/x03m063.html