The group stood at the bottom of the stairs, between the elevator and the building door. "I want to thank you all for doing this," Raj said. "It means a lot that you would all pitch in."
"Oh good," Sheldon answered. "Knowing you're grateful reimburses me wholly for my wasted time."
Raj turned his glance to Howard. "It-it's not going to help if I ignore him, will it?"
Howard shook his head and the group walked outside; at which point they began pairing off. "Okay, keep your cells on. We'll meet back here at eight o'clock," Raj instructed, and paused as the group gave him silent looks of question. "I don't like being out after dark."
"A wise policy for scientists," Sheldon piped up.
Amy looked at Raj. "Are we looking for something special? A dog collar, maybe some colorfully weaved Indian booties?"
Raj and Priya looked at her with fallen faces. "Just a collar," Raj said, biting the words. "I may be Indian, but I'm no damn Mrs. Calvert." Again, everyone gave him odd glances. Raj rolled his eyes. "Never mind. Remember, eight o'clock. If one of you has my dog, I'll be in your debt forever."
"You know..." Sheldon said, as the group began walking off in pairs of two. "I could loan you some money and you could just run down to the ol' corner store and buy yourself a softer roll of toilet paper."
Amy pulled him with her as she went.
"Cinnamon!" Leonard yelled, and Penny whistled shrilly, making him wince. Then he smiled. "I wonder how Amy's holding up, when she isn't allowed to whistle."
Penny smiled. "She's probably second-guessing her judgement right now. Unless she hates whistling too..."
"She never seemed to have a qualm with it before."
Penny looked at him, eyebrows raised. "A qualm?"
"Foreboding. Presentiment. You know...a pang."
Penny smiled. "'Kay, sweetie, in this relationship you're either going to become stupid, or I'm going to become smart."
Leonard laughed outright. "Relationships take teamwork...sweetie."
"Hey!" Penny elbowed him and pointed. "Look! Is that him?"
Leonard looked at her as if she'd lost her mind. "That's a Brown Labrador."
"Oh. Well, we should call someone. He's loose."
"He seems friendly enough. He's probably someone's pet. Just make eye contact with him and keep going."
"Hey, I'm not afraid of one damn dog."
"Sorry," Leonard answered. "I'm not used to being around brave people. Ever since that dog attacked Sheldon, he's been terrified of dogs."
Penny smiled. "Bring it home with you."
Leonard laughed. "I'd love to. But...then I'd be on his bad side. He's annoying enough when you aren't."
"True. Well, maybe I'll bring him home with me. I'd love a Sheldon repellant." Penny cocked her head, giving Leonard an askance look. "Can we have dogs in our apartment suites?"
"Just seeing eye dogs," Leonard answered.
"Damn. Guess that means I'll be eating nickels from now on." She looked at Leonard and was shocked at his troubled expression. "You don't believe me, do you?"
"No, no, of course not," he said hastily, as they passed the dog.
"Good. You know I'd rather see Sheldon than nothing at all."
"Yeah, I know."
Penny sighed. "I just wish I could get a break!"
"Yeah, you and me both," Leonard answered, as the pair walked on.
-
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Finally! Sorry this took forever. Had an awful week, but I'm hoping I can make up for it.