[ She is a lady! Hal will hear no arguments on the subject. ]

I don't, ah--calorie consumption isn't--well, it's not a necessity for me, per se.

[ A beat, wherein Hal suffers an epiphany much like another person would experience a blow to the skull. ]

Unless I could convince you to stay for dinner. I do find comfort in the ritual.

[ Is this more silence? Is it even more awkward now? ]

Although if you're proposing a gathering one assumes you'll have eaten already, that is--forget I said anything.