There's a gentle, hesitant knock on the door. You know it's Flutterstalker.
You check your anti-Flutter paraphernalia. You forgot to reset the water bucket trap outside the door, but the hard-rubber caltrops and the whiffle bat are stowed in the umbrella stand as usual. You hook a cream pie out of the fridge and hold it behind your back as you answer the door.
She's standing there, trembling, looking a lot more nervous than usual. She looks at you with the gentlest hint of The Stare, and takes a deep breath. "Uhm, I know I've asked you questions like this before... but this is a little different this time. I really need an honest answer from you."
You nod seriously. The muscles of your pie-throwing arm grow tense. "Go ahead."
"Uhm..." She winces, as if preparing for a blow. "Repeatedly spurning a woman's advances by humiliating her... taking pleasure in simply turning her down... is that your fetish?"
You freeze. Your face goes dead. The answer just slips out of you before you can filter it.
"...Yes."
Pain flashes over her, but she holds her head high. As you watch, something dies behind her eyes.
"I... I understand. I promise..." Her voice breaks. "I promise that I won't bother you ever again."
She turns and slowly walks away, and in the long lonely years to come she keeps her promise.
You shut the door and set down the pie. Suddenly, without knowing why, you're weeping.