After a long and painful night, John packed his bags and walked out of the arena and into the parking lot. As he started the car and began to slowly drive out, he saw Stephanie standing in the entrance of the parking lot on her cell phone with her arms folded and looking quite annoyed. John put the car in Park and got out of his car.
"No, wait. You said at midnight the limo will be waiting for me. It's way past midnight and limo. I just—what? No, I called at least a week in advance." Stephanie said over the phone. There was a slight pause before Stephanie noticed John. "Okay. No it's okay you don't need to bring the limo. I'll figure something out." She told the person on the other line and hung up.
"Is everything all right?" John asked. "I wish. It's cold, I'm shivering and there's no way for me to get home." Stephanie complained. "I'll give you a ride home." John suggested. "No, don't. It's okay. I'll just call my brother and ask him to come pick me up." Stephanie replied. "Why? You're gonna wait out in this cold for him? Just get in my car. I'll drop you off. It's not like I have to get up early tomorrow." John said. "Well… actually, you do." Stephanie corrected. "That's what you think." John joked. "No wonder people have been writing complaints about you!" she realized. John began to laugh and shook his head. "You're so gullible."
He got back in his car, drove up to Stephanie and rolled down the window. "Would you rather get sick while waiting out here for someone who will never show up, or would you rather get in a car with a friend and have him drop you off wherever you wanna be?" John asked. Stephanie smiled and picked up her bags. "You're not going to let go of this so I might as well get in your car, right?" she asked as she walked up to his face. John just stared at her as they smiled. Stephanie opened the back door and tossed her bags in there. She got in the car and John drove off.
"So where you off to?" John asked. "Just drop me off at the Hyatt." She answered. "Okay." He said as he made a turn at the light. He yawned and rested his right arm on the armrest by his side as he drove with his left hand. He leaned closer to Stephanie to get comfortable as Stephanie moved away from him.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I drive like this. I can't sit straight when I drive. I have to be leaning. Don't ask." John explained. "Okay, good. For a moment I thought you were trying to get closer to me." She joked. "No," he laughed. "Sorry I didn't mention that. That's just how I drive."
"So you wanna get something to eat?" Stephanie suggested. "Where? Is there even a place open at this hour?" he asked. "Yeah. Crazy Moose is open." She answered. "What is that?" he asked. "It's like Applebee's. It's good food. You wanna try it?" she asked. "Sure, let's go. I was actually gonna go to McDonald's but this is better. I'll actually be full." John joked. Stephanie directed him to the restaurant and on their way there all John could do was tell jokes.
At the restaurant, Stephanie ordered a steak with mashed potatoes and a diet soda and John ordered a cheeseburger with fries and a soda. While waiting for their food, they ordered appetizers, nachos with salsa.
"So how did you know about this place?" John asked.
"I always come here. Not this late actually. I usually come before coming to the arena so that way after the show is over I can just go home and rest."
"Well so far the food is good! These nachos are awesome! No wonder you gained weight." John joked.
"What!?" she explained.
"Kidding! I'm just kidding! You're perfectly fine no matter what anyone tells you." John explained.
"No, seriously, am I? Because I can't be like that." Stephanie said.
"Oh my God! I was only kidding. Just sit back and relax. Don't take criticism so seriously. If they say something to you, who cares. You do whatever you want." He said. "Yeah, maybe but you know me." Stephanie replied. "Oh yeah! You're not a nice person at times." John joked. Stephanie ripped a small piece of her napkin, rolled it up and threw it at John. "And you call me a child." John joked. "You're lucky you're champion otherwise I'd fire you." Stephanie said. "For what? Calling you fat? You loser." John joked.
The food came and as they ate they continued to talk and joke around.
When they finished eating, they left and John dropped her off at her hotel.
"Thanks a lot for the ride." Stephanie said. "No need to say thanks. We're friends. Besides, you would have been standing out there for hours and no one would show up and end up sick. You owe me, though." John replied. "Yes, I know." She said. She gave him a hug and took her bags from the back and went to her hotel. John stayed until he saw her go inside safely and when he saw she was inside the hotel, he waved and drove to his hotel.