The Maestro passed by and asked me the tempo of the twelfth dance. A man posted by the door has no reason to know such a thing, so my 'I don't know' came a beat late.

• Choirmaster Gennady LokhvinThat one late beat was exactly right, Captain.
  Rodion VershininA late beat can't possibly be right.
• Varvara SokolskayaWord's already reached the ballroom that the Captain of the Guard has the dance order memorized.
  Rodion VershininIt's not memory. It's positioning. When the music changes, people move.