Cassius put a hand to his chest, wearing an exaggeratedly mournful expression.
"Ah, what a pity." He said dramatically. "I still had so many jokes left to tell! But if you truly don't want to hear them…" He sighed heavily, gazing toward the rafters like a tragic actor. "Then I suppose I'll just keep them to myself."
His solemn tone made a few women snort uncontrollably.
"Even his disappointment is funny!" One shouted through her laughter.
"Stop making that face!" Another wheezed. "You look like a scolded puppy!"
Cassius blinked at them, then straightened with mock seriousness.
"Oh, you mean this face?" He pulled an absurdly grave expression, chin raised, lips pressed tight, eyebrows furrowed so hard it looked comical.
That did it.
A wave of laughter exploded again.
"No! Stop! This man's going to kill me!" One screamed.
