b

B Blown-glass crown-bearers, though splendid to gaze upon, tend to be by nature touchy, flighty, histrionic, and altogether "high-maintenance." Many of them make a fine living by hiring themselves out to be seen arriving at, and later, leaving gala events. Rather than actually attending these gatherings, however, they sit together in well-appointed back parlors sipping exquisite liqueurs and complaining about nearly everything in the world.

to C