It is a party -- and a successful one, at that.

By the time the band's finished their encore, only scattered crumbs are left in the serving dishes littering the bar, and Mary's muttering behind the counter about being completely out of Pabst and Southern Comfort.

"Kate," Rudy says, a little tipsier now than he was before, "you made me look good out there -- y'sure your ankle don't hurt none? I can -- can drive you t'the hospital over in Bishopville."

"I'm fine," she assures him for the umpteenth time. "Thanks for the dances."

"Don't y'go thankin' me, it was my pl-- "

"Don't you go gettin' all starry-eyed," Amanda says to Rudy as she walks past, a too-sweet smile on her alcohol-flushed face. "She'll be back across the country before y'know it, leavin' you an' Bill back here in the dust."

A slow frown steals across Rudy's face; stung, Kate opens her mouth to respond, but doesn't know what to say as Amanda crosses the room to bid good night to Bill.

Rudy looks after her retreating figure, then glances at Kate as he scratches at the back of his neck.

"Why's she gotta be like that for?"

"I ... "

Kate trails off, shaking her head.