What do you call a fish wearing a bowtie?

setup: What do you call a fish wearing a bowtie?

[Gallery Curator] qua linen blazer, glass of prosecco, sleek hair And here we have Mister Trout. He arrives at the Aquatic Annual with a handmade silk bowtie.

[Trout] qua rainbow scales, perfectly tied black tie under jaw Good evening.

[Gallery Curator] The bowtie, Mister Trout. Tell us.

[Trout] Hand-tied. By me.

[Gallery Curator] With what fins.

[Trout] With concentration and time.

[Gallery Curator] And the suit?

[Trout] I’m a trout. I am the suit.

[Shakes] qua gallery aide with a tray of canapés, beaming This is the best of all possible aquaria.

[Gallery Curator] Mister Trout. The bowtie elevates you.

[Trout] The bowtie is the surface. The* substance is below.

[Photographer] qua bulky vest, two cameras, lanyard Trout. Over the shoulder. Just over the shoulder.

[Trout] Which shoulder.

[Photographer] You don’t have shoulders.

[Trout] I don’t have a shoulder.

[Photographer] Look mysterious.

[Trout] I look mysterious by default.

[Manyfeek] qua sad bowtie discarded by a less-confident fish on a side table ((FROM THE TABLE)) I was on a herring last week. He wouldn’t commit to the look. He took me off in the parking lot. I have been here ever since.

[Gallery Curator] Some fish lack the commitment.

[Manyfeek] Some fish lack the class.

[Gallery Curator] Mister Trout, what is the secret?

[Trout] ((CALMLY)) Do not let the tie wear you. You wear the tie. The bowtie* is the threshold. Cross it.

[Photographer] Snap.

[Gallery Curator] Sublime.

punchline: Sofishticated.