"Ah, well, yeah I guess. It's just that, well, sometimes, like you said, I can't really control, I mean, you know, sometimes I just sort of respond, and it's almost impossible to, ah, to keep it a secret, you know? And I don't want to offend either of you, or get in trouble." Ron answered in what would have been a truthful manner as recently as yesterday, but was now simply parroting the message Beth has been laying the groundwork for ever since Amy left for the cruise ship.

Beth noted Pam's silence and visibly uneasy expression, and continued on carefully, "I understand Ron, really I do. I think as...