"Oh Joe... I'm sorry I hurt you." Sugar said. "It's you I love, not Milton."
Joe took her in his arms and kissed her. "I love you, Sugar. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
Slowly he got down on one knee and took her hand.

"Sugar Kane? Will you marry-"

The ringing phone startled Joe out of a deep sleep. He rolled over and opened his eyes, disheartened to find that he'd been dreaming.

Groggily, he picked up the receiver. "Hello? Yeah, hang on a sec... Jerry! It's for you!" he yelled.

Jerry groaned. "Tell them I'm busy."
Joe returned his attention to the phone. "Jerry's busy right now and-hey! Do you have any idea what time it is?" He squinted, trying to focus on the alarm clock next to his bed. "It's barely 5am. You have some nerve calling at this hour! Emergency? Well, call back later... like after the sun comes up! Who is this anyway? The Coast Guard? I'm sorry but this isn't a cruise ship, and-"

Suddenly, Jerry bolted upright in his bed. "I'll get that!" he yelled, putting on his robe as he raced to the phone.

Joe handed Jerry the receiver and watched with interest.

"Hello? Oh yes, I remember. Thanks so much for calling me back. Oh right... I'd forgotten all about that. Well, you see, it's supposed to be a surprise, so... Really? Well, okay. I'll see you then. Thank you again."
Quickly he hung up the phone.

"What in the world was that all about?" Joe demanded.
"Oh, just something I was checking on for Osgood. Useless Coast Guard. Should have had that information months ago!"
"Osgood? But he's been gone for a while now. Why are you doing a favor for him?"
Jerry cringed. "Oh... well... see, he wanted me to check on it a long time ago and I figured... well, he might come back, so I wanted to have the information ready for him."

Joe's eyes narrowed. "What kind of information?"

"Nothin'. Nothin'. Just go back to sleep." Jerry said.

Incredibly Joe did as he was told. When Jerry was sure that Joe had returned to a deep sleep, he crept out of bed and quickly scribbled a note on the hotel stationery.

Joe,

Had to go out for a while. Be back when I can.

Jerry.

Within minutes, Jerry was dressed and out the door, headed for Osgood.

Joe, I hope you appreciate this...