14 - The Plennary Exposition

When they returned to the Langham Huntington Sheldon was suddenly very happy that they were staying at a hotel for that meant that he wouldn't have to carry the many bags of new clothing that Penny had purchased back to their suite. He just needed to calculate the appropriate gratuities.

The two took another relaxing bubble bath, this time without Penny falling asleep and with Sheldon learning that one of the benefits of sharing a bath was having someone to scrub your back. Still the two were content to only peek and Sheldon demanded Penny shut her eyes as he exited the tub before her. And of course Penny peeked. And giggled.

As expected, Sheldon ordered a barbeque bacon cheeseburger with everything on the side and lemonade from room service. Penny ordered a large Caesar salad with grilled chicken and a diet coke.

"All right, Penny. We've eaten and I believe we now have to make our plans."

"I'm guessing that you've already got a proposal."

"You guess correctly. I suggest that once we have completed the clean-up of both apartments we execute the plan we discussed."

"You mean I should move in with you."

"Correct. Not only does it make sense for our relationship paradigm, it makes eminent financial sense. Since you are currently without employment and in need of a new vehicle and replacements for your possessions and furniture, we must attempt to make the insurance settlement go as far as possible. If you live in Apartment 4A you will pay a significantly lower rent. To be truthful I can easily afford to pay the entire rent myself but I sense you would not be comfortable as a "kept woman" so we shall split the rent and bills. You will still enjoy significant savings."

"You sense correctly about the rent and bills."

"In addition, instead of furnishing two apartments we would only need to furnish one and we could divide the cost equally, another significant savings.

I prefer to avoid dipping into the investments I made on your behalf as you will still require your "nest egg" in the future.

There is another reason I prefer that we cohabitate."

"Yes, Sheldon?"

"I have come to believe that the distance between our two apartments is too great. I prefer you be closer. Always."

"Aw, sweetie. I want you close to me too."

"Are we going to put all of Leonard's stuff in storage?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes."

"Explain, Sheldon."

"Your current lease expires in 4 months, correct?"

"I'm pretty sure you're right."

"And the landlord would charge you a penalty if you broke your lease?"

"I'd lose my two-month deposit."

"Even though Leonard does not deserve this largesse, I am going to presume that when he returns from his convalescence in New Jersey he will have returned to being the Leonard we care for. Therefore, once he has departed for New Jersey, we will store his things in Apartment 4B. I suspect insurance will cover the storage and I will pay the remainder. I spoke with Dr. Gabelhauser this afternoon and he informed me that Leonard requested a 60-Day leave be combined with his accrued sick days. That means Leonard expects to return in approximately three months. When he returns he will have thirty days to decide whether he wants to remain and sign his own lease."

"That's very nice of you Sheldon and much more than the little creep deserves."

"Agreed. It is somewhat of a risk but I will do it out of respect for our former friendship."

"I have also reached a couple of other conclusions."

"You're on a roll, Sheldon. Hit me."

"I very much enjoy sleeping in the King-size beds they have here. In anticipation of us eventually sharing a bed permanently I intend to purchase one. For the time being we will keep that bed in your room, saving you the cost of replacing your bed."

"I really like that idea, but we're going to split it, Moonpie."

"I'm also becoming quite fond of having a bathtub for two. Since our bathroom is quite spacious I will enter into discussions with the landlords to include one in our remodeled bathroom. I suspect they will be happy to increase the value of the apartment."

"If this is how you think after staying at a hotel for a couple of days, we're going to have to do this more often. It might get me a sauna and a gym."

"We will also be installing a new security system. One without an electrical net."

"Good move."

"Let us not inform Leonard or Amy of these plans at this juncture. I think it best that for now Leonard continues to assume he'll need to find new accommodations when he returns and, sad as I am to say this, I do not trust Amy Farrah Fowler at the moment."

"I really hope Amy comes around but I agree. And I have to find a new job and not assume that I'll be going back to The Cheesecake Factory when it re-opens."

"Perhaps you can find something more appropriate."

"That would be nice. But I think the priority is that I find something quickly, and probably near North Los Robles since I don't have a car. After all, I don't want to be a kept woman."

"When I informed Mr. Terling of the damage to your car he said they would probably be able to extend the lease on the vehicle we have for another 30-60 days and he also said he could recommend some reputable pre-owned vehicle dealers with which the insurance company has discount arrangements. As soon as things settle down we can begin searching for a new vehicle."

"I believe we have done enough planning for now. Tomorrow we have individual missions, myself at CalTech and you at the studio to acquire footwear and to begin seeking employment. We will meet here tomorrow evening for pizza night and at that point determine our Friday activities. Saturday I believe we should start Operation Cleanup."

"Sheldon, I'm sure this whole week has really done a number on your homeostasis thingie so on Friday night what I'd like to do is have Chinese food and play vintage video games with Howard, Bernadette and Raj."

"That's a wonderful idea. Thank you, Penny. I actually have a little surprise for you."

"Sheldon, you know how I love surprises. What is it?"

"I purchased another copy of the romance novel we were reading that was destroyed and I propose we get ready for bed and continue reading it as we intended Monday night."

"That's a wonderful surprise."

"I further propose that we sleep together in the same bed tonight. But no coitus."

"Um, who are you and what did you do with my Moonpie?"