But it's the vestige of an old vaudeville stratagem: a show of interest which belies selfinvolvement.
Since Seyler started the group last month, she has seen a tremendous show of interest, with more than 450 joining the online group in the past week.
Russian wealth, a strong show of interest from Chinese, Indian and South-East Asian buyers, and big City bonuses are stimulating strong bidding across all lots.
The talks with the News Corporation follow a show of interest from Google, whose chief executive, Eric E. Schmidt, called his counterpart at Yahoo, Jerry Yang, to offer his company's help in keeping Yahoo independent after Microsoft's bid.
An attempt to sell South Korea's largest credit card company, the LG Card Company, failed to attract a single bidder, as a Tuesday deadline for bids passed without any show of interest.
The worst that can happen from here, barring a miraculous collapse and a sudden show of interest from Chris Gayle, is a draw, and that will be enough to regain the Wisden Trophy.
The last show of interest came and went two years ago, with Boeing and General Dynamics musing about buying BAE Systems, but problems with submarine and aircraft contracts at the UK company made a move too risky and the moment passed.
It also helps if there is a buzz in Silicon Valley about the stock; that show of interest indicates a chance of a runup.
That's often viewed as a desirable show of interest in a school and can carry more weight than interviews held at home by alumni.
If Microsoft somehow missed those earlier paeans, it won't be able to dodge this very public, and perhaps even slightly embarrassing show of interest and consternation from the country.
He was accommodating and I alerted the agents that I'd had a show of interest so they'd read my manuscript sooner rather than later.
