Swamped

"Surprised your party got such high turnout," Lex continues. "You've always been pretty quiet."

"I'm sorry, is there a reason you came to see me? Now that the party's over, I really ought to be getting back to work." You can't think of anything better than being direct.

"I guess I'm just wondering if you can tell me how I can score an invitation next year. We'll be on this ship for a while yet, you know."

"Long enough for everyone's birthday to pass. I don't know why everyone's making such a fuss over mine."

Immediately after you say it, you realize you may have said too much.

"Oh, I know. But most of the parties have been small affairs, you know? Ten people, tops. I only had three people at my own last week. You looked like you had thirty, at least."

He must suspect something's up. Too little, too late, though. If he had any idea of the real story, he wouldn't be wasting time with you.

You almost want to help him. But no - it's too late. They wouldn't have you sinking the ship if they still had work to do here.

Well, then again. If it's too late, giving him a nudge in the right direction would just get him out of your way, wouldn't it? So maybe you could drop a little hint. Got to be the right sort of hint, though, can't give away too much. Just in case someone's watching.