Out of This World: Page 18 knows something I don't. Something vitally important. The karaoke house: It is late, and Halley is drunk. Miho has left the US once again, uncer-tain of a date of return. I didn't even have a chance to hang with her, she sighs. Do you even know if she … , begins Paul, but she re-fuses to let him finish the reasonable question. My love is away, and I'm upset about it, she slurs. Now I will sing. Paul winces, a genuine wince this time, because to him karaoke is a be-trayal, a surrender to conformity. They are hud-dled together in a private booth, a disco ball fal-tering above them. As a postcard-plastic moon hangs on the television screen, she launches in-to the old Flamingos standby: The moon is bright … and so am I … many millions of people pass by … She is slumping against him now, fighting her drunkenness, entirely focused on finishing this tune as if something good will come out of it, and even as he crosses his arms and thinks, I can't believe I'm here, he watches her. She does have a good singing voice, even when drunk. In fact … But they all disappear from view … 'cause I only have eyes for you … She pours out her soul, oblivious to the man she is leaning against, and as he stares at her, transfixed, breath trapped in his throat, mouth gaping, gripped with a newborn urge to put his arm around her shoulders, he thinks to himself: Oh shit. This is love. Ho Lin is an editor and webmaster of Caveat Lector. Sample his website: www.holin.us.