Piper goes to the Bazaar, looking for a bottle of wine to give as a gift to Cynthia, the attractive feline "friend" of Torn-Ear's who invited him to a party in Darkside. While in the Bazaar, Piper runs into an Investigatrix who asks him about Torn-Ear. Piper tells her of the party, thinking nothing of it. He then goes off to the party, being introduced to a fairly rude rat, as well as some other associates of Torn-Ear's. Cynthia seems to be quite pleased with Piper's modest gift, but Torn-Ear is decidedly not pleased when he comes in and discovers what expense has apparently been spent on this party. He drags Cynthia into another room, where arguing is heard muffled by the walls, and then apparently Torn-Ear strikes Cynthia. They come back out, putting on friendly faces as if everything's all right, but Piper offers most of his shekels to Torn-Ear, surmising that the argument was over the expense of the party, and hoping to help make amends. Torn-Ear gives Piper his money back, surprised by Piper's generosity. However, in the course of discussion, Piper starts to realize that he can't play both sides.