Cool! Weird! Well, obviously we're going! He'll leave a note for Jing Yi explaining where he's going before he grabs his coat and heads out.

"Would you like some tea?"

"Certainly, thank you. Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sano."

"Pleasure to meet you as well."

He pours tea for both of them from a beautiful porcelain teapot that costs about as much as three months' rent on Terrence's apartment. He inhales the aroma, then takes a small, appreciative sip.

Terrence handles it carefully and gracefully. Following Sano's lead, he sips delicately.

"Mr. Markham, I'm sure you're curious why I wanted a meeting. Are you aware of my work?"

"Mmm," he says, about the tea. "I'm only vaguely aware, unfortunately. You deal in arts and antiques?"

"And rare books, of a certain kind. Often those which are, mm, banned."

"I see." Politely diplomatic, restrained interest.

"It has come to my attention that you are trying to have the King in Yellow put on again."

Ahh. "Mm." Okay Sano obviously has his interest, but he's trying to get a read on what Sano thinks of this before he makes more than polite noncommital noises.

"Your support of the arts is admirable, but I wonder if it might be more productively directed... differently."

"It might. Any suggestions?" Terrence smiles.

"Well, I myself enjoy the arts, thus explaining my choice of field. I would be happy to sponsor a play of your choosing and-- perhaps a fee for your services in finding a suitable venue? As long as that play is not the King in Yellow."

"Goodness me. That's a very generous offer, thank you. ... I, uh, I could ask - well, you must know that I'm not - ... that is, this is an unusual offer to make me in particular."

"And of course I wouldn't want you to divide your attention, so I'd have to ask that you not put any more work into putting on the King in Yellow." Smile smile.

Ah. There we go. "Why are you so interested in stopping this play from being shown?"

"Call it an-- aesthetic distaste."

So is this guy just a rich eccentric? What? He starts with an awkward chuckle. "I have also seen works that seemed so distasteful that the world would be better off had they not been written. ...That said, at the end of the day, I do believe in free art in a free society, and could not accept your generous offer at odds with that."

Wait, is this guy a cop? ... No, this guy isn't a cop.

"That's very unfortunate. Is there something I could offer that could convince you? I understand many academics are missing a particular book, relevant to their research... or perhaps would like some time away from teaching to research, but can't afford it."

"Again, your generosity is appreciated, but I make ends meet. You're really this interested because you think it's a bad book?"

"Mr. Markham, I didn't want to put it to you this bluntly. I cannot allow the King in Yellow to be performed again. I would prefer to resolve this conflict amicably, but if I cannot I will resolve it unamicably."

Terrence blinks, a few times. Then: "Mr. Sano, who gives you the right? If you don't want to see it, don't go. But to insist that some art, some truth, is so - whatever, that people should not even have the chance to make a choice over it? Down that road lies madness."

"Consider my words wisely, Mr. Markham. If you don't stop trying to put on the King in Yellow, I will have to do something we will both regret."

"Give me a better reason and I'll consider it."