"Second most serious about syrup, right after Canadians," Karen answers, grinning. It's one of those things that's both - joking and not joking all at once. A lot of things about Vermont are like that.

She watches the way he gives the bar a quick assessment, and then chuckles a little at that sheepish smile. "Wow, you're really a menace with a cue, huh?" She considers him for a moment, and then sounding amused, opens up the game with a "never have I ever visited a foreign country." It's a fairly easy starting point, all things considered. Maybe she's just taking pity on him after making him admit how truly bad he is at pool.