Argus summoned his most winning smile. Perhaps tonight would be one of those on which his visit to the party would be severely truncated by the appearance of an alluring stranger. It had happened often enough.
"I'd not have guessed that," he replied, studying the woman's face. She had good eyes, an interesting nose. Lovely hair, at that. Moving his drink to his left hand, Argus extended his right.
"My name is Argus Pyrites," he said, pausing briefly as though to add weight to the statement. "And this will likely sound like a terrible line, but I'm the owner of this establishment. I don't believe I've seen you here before?"
The last bit sounded more like a question than a statement, but it was obvious that Argus was sure of his assessment. He relaxed his posture, looking genuinely interested in the answer.