Period

"No, I like the Brontes and all of that period stuff; I really do!" Justin clarified (seeing the immediate reaction and estimating that he had mere seconds before everything got out of hand). "And I like a romcom and a touching k-drama; I'm down for it. I just ... I just think, sometimes, it's a little one note, you know? Some - AND ONLY SOME (Justin could almost hear Beth's brain grinding its gears on high speed) - might benefit from some additional depth." There was an uncomfortable silence, but nothing was thrown. "What would you recommend for "additional depth"?" Tom asked carefully, throwing his friend an unexpected lifeline. "Well, truthfully," Justin responded softly, "an occasional psychopath might be interesting." Tom froze, but Simone and Beth looked at each other as if to communicate telepathically. "I have often wondered," Simone whispered, "if Heathcliff wasn't seriously deranged." Justin simply nodded, able to breathe at last. "It would seem we have an accord," Beth added (with one eyebrow arched up). "I wonder, Justin," she continued, "if we might step out together of an evening." Suddenly giddy with the prospect of remaining alive, Justin replied, "I should be delighted in every way."