3:00 PM PST
As Marty Jr stepped into the Olive Garden, he sure began to think of how much more romantic this restaurant was - and figured that Griff's gang sure would never stop by this place. He just took in a real deep breath, as he earnestly hoped and prayed that the double date with his sister would turn out much better. He'd make a real effort.
"A table for four, folks?" asked the waitress, as she walked up to them. As the teens nodded, she added, "That's a wonderful way to spend your Christmas Eve. It's quite nice to see you four together. Do the four of you plan to have a double wedding?"
"No, probably not," Marty Jr replied, as the waitress led them to their table. "We sure want the all-you-can-eat stuffed shells and garlic bread, with Pepsi Perfect. We really do enjoy eating here. I would feel so sad, if this restaurant was to ever close down."
"I don't think you need to worry about that," the waitress commented, gently. "I am somewhat surprised to see you here, though. I mean, I really thought you would be spending time with your families. You know, I sure always was a fan of your father's music - and it's great to know that his son is taking after him. I'll be back very soon."
"Thank you very much, miss," commented Harmony, as she slid in the seat with Marty Jr. Marlene and Mike sat on the other side. "I was thinking, we quite do have to make sure to not eat too much. After all, we can't forget about the party at your house."
"Yeah, you're right, Harmony," responded Marty Jr, nervously. "I guess that was why I, uh, initially thought it might be better to eat at the Cafe '80s. After I, uh, really had a terrible dream that Griff's gang chased us out - then I had opted against the idea."
"I thought Griff had that family reunion to go to, though," Harmony commented, with confusion. "I can also remember how there was that Nogura/O'Malley reunion. As for the Ungers, though, I'm really not sure about. I'm sure it would've been safe to go."
"They sure might sneak away, though," suggested Mike, quietly. "After all, they really don't seem like quite the kind of people to... to value... to value stuff like that. I know there seems to be the idea that even a serial killer would love his mother, but that has always struck me as unrealistic. Anyway, I think it's much more romantic to be here."
"I suppose you do have a point, Mike," replied Harmony, quietly. "I guess I just never really thought of what kind of attitude Griff and his gang would actually have towards their families. The whole romance going on between Whitey and Spike tends to..."
"Well, they're not technically related," commented Mike. "Although, I guess I can see what you mean. They sure happen to share a half-brother, so it quite does seem like they should have more of a sibling-like relationship. I am not one to judge, though."
"Mike, before I forget," Marty Jr commented, as he cleared his throat, "I understand that you really wanted to pick up some items for the party tonight." As Mike nodded, he continued, "I just wanted to let you know, it's rather not a good idea to have any alcohol at the party. I mean, we just don't wish for any accidents to occur tonight."
Mike was silent for about a minute, before he finally said, "As much as I really hate to say it, I must admit that you do have a point. I guess I never exactly thought of how bad your father had it. I mean, he quite always seemed to be a real together type of person. After all, he never the subject of tabloid scandals - or anything like that."
"Thank you very much for understanding," Marlene commented, as she placed her arm around her boyfriend. "I was afraid to say something, because... because I really was worried that we might end up, uh, fighting. I simply didn't want for that to happen."
"I simply can't blame you, Marly," replied Mike, softly. "I quite love grasshoppers - and the drink really has always been a tradition in our family - and, since I will be with your family for the very first time, I figured that... well, I figured that things really wouldn't be the same without grasshoppers. That was always my favourite drink to have."
"Right, and I try to be sensitive to that," Marlene commented, softly. "I mean, I just hate to let you down - but we can quite try for a non-alcoholic mint shake. We might even be able to come up with a good recipe that could give it a rather similar taste."
"Yeah, I've had mint shakes at McDonald's before," Mike replied. "They are good, but they're not as good as grasshoppers. I can still remember being such a little boy, and how I just envied the grown ups - because they got to grasshoppers, and I didn't."
"I must say, it is very ironic," commented Marlene, smiling softly. "It does quite seem like many kids can't wait to grow up. Then, once they grow up, they actually start to realize... realize how easy being a kid can be. We really do more freedom as adults - but we also have more responsibilities. Also, watching the news can be depressing."
"There really are many depressing things in the news," Mike agreed, as he slipped his arm around his girlfriend. "I quite see what you mean about responsibilities. Let's just free our minds of all burdens for today. It's Christmas, and we should be happy."
Marty Jr smiled at his sister and Mike, as he was pleased to see that they've managed to come to a suitable compromise. He had to admit that a part of him sure was curious to find out what grasshoppers tasted like. Still, the last thing he rather needed was to start drinking. From what his father said, it seemed like even just starting was risky.
oooooooooo
As the quartet left Olive Garden, they decided to walk over to the flea market next door. Marty Jr wondered what was for sale, and he figured that he might purchase something for his cousins. He decided that the video could sure wait until later, and that his sister wouldn't mind. It wasn't worth risking his relationship with Harmony.
Marty Jr suddenly caught sight of something, that he was mesmorized by. He began to feel glad that they decided to stop by the flea market. He knew he was supposed to be buying presents for other people, but he really wanted the object for himself.
"Hey, guys," called out Marty Jr, as he headed towards this table, "check this out! Do you think we should purchase one of these?" As he lifted up the object, he added, "Is this awesome, or what! I guess this is... this is animated magnifying camera editor."
"Woah!" breathed Marlene, as Marty Jr passed the object to her. "These things are only five hundred dollars. I guess we could purchase one of these. You know, I just think I'd become completely hooked on these things. It's sure rather hard to believe that Photoshop was the cutting edge just ten years ago, or something like that."
"It is very amazing how far technology has advanced," commented the lady sitting at the table. "My son could never get enough of that. It rather is hard to tear him away from that thing. If you purchase these things, I promise you won't be disappointed."
Marty Jr and Marlene just glanced at each other, and then they both nodded. Marty Jr decided he might purchase it for his sister, as it might quite be able to make up for not having the movie for her. He rather quickly glanced over at Harmony and Mike.
"Are you sure it's such a good idea, Marty?" Harmony whispered, as she gently pulled Marty Jr over. "I mean, I simply don't want to raise suspicion on her - but why do you suppose she's selling them for such a... such a low price? I mean, you'd simply expect these these to be... Well, I'd expect these things to sell for five thousand dollars."
"Harmony's right," added Mike. "I mean, you have to be careful that you're not being scammed. It's simply too easy for people to do just that these days, even though we have laws starting to crack down on that stuff. I quite think you'd better be careful."
"I appreciate your concern, guys," replied Marty Jr, "but everything will be fine. I was going to pick up one for me - and, if Marlene wants one, I could pick one up for her. It just is too great of an offer to pass up, if you ask me." Turning to the lady, he added, "I'll purchase two of these, please. I must say, these things do look rather awesome."
"Trust me," the lady commented, as she held out the thumbpad, "you certainly won't be disappointed. You sure could do all kinds of awesome things with this, that people could only dream about doing just ten years ago. Merry Christmas, and take care!"
"Thank you," replied Marty Jr, as she grabbed two of the tools. He handed one to his sister, as he asked, "Don't these things just look cool? It'll sure be hard to tear myself away from this thing. As much as I sure love the 1980s, this decade actually does..."
"It might not my business to say anything," Harmony commented, softly, "but I sure thought we were going to buy presents for other people. I'm very sure these things would still be around after Christmas. The spirit of Christmas is about giving to other people, and being charitable. Do you remember what we talked about yesterday?"
Marty Jr had to think, as he knew that "yesterday" to Harmony was really "four days ago" to him. He suddenly began to feel real guilty, as he thought of his girlfriend was right. He had acted quite rashly, instead of remembering that patience was a virtue.
"All right," Marty Jr replied, swallowing, "I guess Tanya and Nancy could have mine. It really would sort of be a nice welcome gift, as well as a nice Christmas gift. I know the girls are pretty artistic, especially Nancy. I'm sure they would appreciate having this."
"The girls could have mine, too," Marlene piped up. To her brother, she added, "I sure know this is technically your present to me, but... Well, it's just that, if you're going to give yours up - I guess I might as well give mine up, too. The girls can each use one."
