Though K's presence in my personal space was unwanted, I started wondering if perhaps he could assist me in the quest that I set out on unintentionally. Perhaps selecting adequate attire would aide me in avoiding inappropriate comments.

"Dude, is this what you were planning to wear?" K asked pointing at the three-piece suit that I had carefully laid out on the bed.

"Yes. After all, these are the most elegant items of clothing I possess." I said.

"Shawn, this looks like you are going to a funeral, not a date," he says.

Admittedly, the suit is black. However, I had assumed that it was elegant rather than mournful.

"Don't you have anything more cheerful? Even ancient people wear happier clothing than these." K said.

"I do not believe so. I do not possess many articles of clothing and the ones I do own are rather similar to this one, except for the marginally distinct coloring," I said candidly.

"What am I going to do with you, man? You can't go dressed like that! I mean, being elegant is one thing, Marisol might even dig that, but this... this is just sad." K said.

"In that case, please tell me what you suggest." I said rather vexed.

"I'm thinking, I'm thinking." K said pacing my chambers.

If it were not for the fact that I was in dire need of his help, I would have been furious at the intrusion. However, as it was, I just sat dejectedly on my bed and waited for K to provide me with a solution.

"I got it! Why didn't I think of that before?" K said, slapping his forehead.

I was relieved that at least the bizarre violence was directed towards himself and not me.

"What have you thought of as an answer to what troubles me?" I asked.

"I think I have some clothes for you. My mom wanted me to sell grandpa's clothes, but I never got around to doing it. I have a few of his suits in my apartment. Now, grandpa was a fashionable dude, so his clothes are sure to be better than this." K said, pointing at the suit with disgust.

I was not certain I wished to wear a deceased person's garments. However, I did not wish Marisol to think of me as odd. Well, stranger than she already assumed I was. Consequently, I agreed to K's plan reluctantly.

"I'll be right back. Wait right here." K said as he dashed out of my abode.

Solving the matter of proper attire was but one part of what was necessary to have a pleasant 'date', and while alone in my chamber, I could not help but wonder about the others.

The truth was that no matter how much knowledge I managed to gain about this world, there would always be things I am unfamiliar with.

That would not have been such a large issue if it were not for the fact that my lack of knowledge in any area could lead to me insulting Marisol yet again.

How was I to even attempt to avoid such transgressions when I was not even certain what was proper anymore?

"Alright, here we go!" K's voice startled me back to reality.

I was pleasantly surprised to note that the clothing K had provided me with did not, in any way, resemble the one he was wearing. Though I was certain some would consider K rather fashionable in this time, it was far beyond what I could ever be comfortable with.

To be frank, he needed to reevaluate his choice of attire. I do not consider ripped pants to be 'cool' nor am I 'digging' the too tight T-shirt he was wearing, whose main job appeared to be to reveal all that needed to remain hidden.

However, the clothing belonging to his late grandfather appeared appropriate enough for such a momentous occasion such was dining with Marisol. They were elegant but not overly formal, tasteful and yet not somber.

"What do you think?" K asked.

"I am rather impressed by this attire." I replied honestly.

"Cool, I think you should wear the blue one. I saw somewhere that chicks dig that." K said.

Though I did not wish to impress any poultry, I was inclined to agree with K. The light blue suit did appear like the most suitable one for the occasion.

"Alright, old man. You are all set. I'll let you change and do that as well. Later, we'll go and pick up Marisol." K said.

"I do not possess enough strength to pick up such a large woman." I said panicked.

"Dude, you're hopeless! First of all, pick up means we go to her place and then we leave together. Second, never and I mean never, call a woman large." K said sounding utterly serious.

"Why is that such a wrong course of action? I rather appreciate plump women." I said utterly confused.

"Trust me, if you don't want to be slapped, you'll want to avoid saying that to anyone." K said.

"Very well," I said trusting K's knowledge of the modern world.

As he turned to leave, I recalled I required more assistance from him.

"K, there is another matter I wish to discuss with you," I said.

"Shoot," K said.

I was about to point out that I possessed no weapons when the realization stroke that it was probably another odd expression. It certainly meant something different from what I had assumed.

"How do I prevent myself from making a callous remark? I do not fully understand all the rules of polite behavior here." I said.

"Don't worry man. I'll be your wingman." K said.

"I beg your pardon?" I replied, attempting in vain to comprehend his meaning.

"I'll be there to stop you from making mistakes." K said.

I was relieved to learn that and yet that did not extinguish all my worries.

"Look, just be sure to avoid talking about politics or religion. Also, don't talk about topics related to race, financial situation, disabilities, nationalities..." K went on listing.

"Are there any matters that we would be able to discuss?" I interrupted, certain that I would be unable to remember all the limitations.

"Sure thing. You can talk about the weather, about your hobbies, her beauty." K said.

"Would it not be inappropriate to focus on woman's exterior appeal? Would she not rather be valued for her intellectual merits?" I said.

"Sure thing, but you have to start somewhere, don't you?" K said.

Although I could recognize that as a valid point, I did not feel comfortable discussing such matters with a lady of her status.

"Very well. I am very appreciative of your help, K," I said.

"Sure thing, dude. See you in a few." K said exiting the room.

Once I was alone, I hurried to prepare for the evening with a rather odd feeling in the pit of my stomach that I did not recognize. Though I did not wish to invite Marisol on a 'date', I find the idea of spending time with her pleasing.

Moreover, after the strenuous couple of days I had endured, I believed I had deserved some respite. I did not expect anything more of the outing.

How was I to know that it was far more crucial for the path of my destiny than I had initially assumed? Furthermore, how wrong was Shakespeare when he said: "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves."