The air reeked of floor cleaner and old cardboard.

I sat down on the folding chair.

The laughter and popping champagne out in the main room seemed very far off.

I looked at my watch.

Ethan was supposed to meet us out front at two to take Vanessa to lunch.

I had a long hour to sit in that closet.

At one in the afternoon, the door to the back room swung open.

A young man in a black catering apron backed in, carrying a big silver tray.