[Smiley, ever observant, notices the location of the seat and regards the man with even more curiosity—not that it shows on his face. He's seen that kind of caution in men like Peter Guillam and Jim Prideaux, and knows what it means for the kinds of lives such men lead.]

It isn't so different from what the Oktoberfest has become, I suppose. But I confess, it's been far too long since I was able to enjoy these things properly.

[If he ever was.]