"Self-defense is one thing. This is an invasion," the man he's arguing with says.

"As a loyal subject of the Emperor--"

Mr. Parker had followed her into the conversation.

"I don't think it's complicated at all," Mr. Parker says quietly. "You wanted to invade China and you invented an excuse so you could get away with it. Which you will, because no one in the East can stand up to Japan and no one in the West cares about chinks."

not only did her escape fail she can't leave this quickly after entering the conversation it would be noticeable

Mr. Sano bows. "I thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Parker," he says with an impressive lack of sarcasm.

That is indeed impressive. And, better, it's an out.

"Hello, Mr. Sano," and she smiles again, arranges herself into being friendly and charming, "I believe we were acquainted a few weeks ago?"

"Indeed," Mr. Sano says. "I very much enjoyed your performance last week, Miss Laurent. I've appreciated seeing the birthplace of jazz during this trip to New York City."

His English is flawless without a trace of an accent.

Smile smile smile. "How has the city been finding you? --I've lived here my whole life, I'm always curious what it looks like to visitors."

"The number of different languages you hear on the street here is extraordinary. I grew up in Okinawa, I must have been eight or nine when I first saw someone who wasn't Japanese."

"I can't even imagine." Are they on a different topic now? "Although I don't have as many languages as some people here, of course, just Chinese and English."

"And many different kinds of food! My job allows me to travel the world but in New York City you can travel the world simply by walking down the street. What about you, Miss Laurent? Do you travel?"

"I don't. I wish I could, but, well, like you said, it isn't as though I'll run out of things to see here."

"Perhaps someday you'll be able to go on tour. We would most certainly welcome an artist of your caliber in Japan."

Smile. "You're too kind."

On the other side of the room, Emily Webster has gathered a circle of partygoers (almost exclusively men) around Anna, who is talking about art and philosophy with a light tone and rippling laughter. Lucas is by her side. Ana's laughter is forced and her jollity is an act to hide her anxiety about Monday's performance.

Well, at least she's managing the networking fine.

And then a strange woman bursts into the room, her eyes feverish, her hair disheveled, her clothes caked with dirt. She pulls a long knife from her waistband and dashes at Mr. Parker, screaming “it’s speaking to me! It won’t stop speaking to me!”

Ahahahahaha what.

Mr. Sano looks completely unsurprised by this turn of events, as if it's exactly what he expected to have happen. He also looks very tired.

That-- doesn't make any sense--

whatever it doesn't matter she will consider it after she is well away from anywhere that there is or might be a knife.

A guest takes on the woman and is slashed with the knife; there's a nasty-looking cut on his arm.

That is very unfortunate for him. It doesn't make Simone any more inclined to be anywhere but out of the way.

Distracted, the woman screams about the terrible voices in her head while waving her bloody blade at anyone who comes near her.

Mr. Parker steps in. He says something to the bewildered, sobbing woman; Simone can't catch what it is, but his tone is calm and firm. The woman's fingers tremble and she drops the knife on the carpet. He puts her arm around her shoulders and leads her to the bedroom.

"I'll just be a moment," he says over his shoulder. "Carry on without me!"

He very clearly doesn’t care about her welfare and is mostly intent on getting her out of the way of his guests.

"This," Mr. Sano says calmly, "is why I don't smoke opium."