Hours passed as Dale and Gadget finished painting the kitchen. Monterey began preparing dinner. Dale was now curious as to where Chip disappeared too. He proceeded to their shared bedroom and saw a note on Chip's pillow. Dale pulled the note out and read it aloud quietly to himself.
"Dear Dale, I figured since you're now engaged that I'd throw a bit of a boy' night out. Unfortunately, I posed the offer to Monterey Jack and Zipper but they didn't want to come because a cheese ship was coming in this afternoon. I attached the address below of where to meet me. Signing, Chip." Dale read aloud.
Dale left the note on the desk, grabbed a jacket and headed out. At the front door, he was stopped by Gadget.
"Going somewhere, Dale?" She asked.
"Oh, um, just for a quick walk," Dale answered.
"Want me to join you?" She offered.
"No, no, I'm fine thanks. I'll be back soon." He said.
Gadget briskly exchanged a kiss on Dale's cheek. She smiled. "Alright, till later Dale." She said.
Dale blushed and smiled awkwardly. "OK." He answered.
Dale exited the treehouse and went to the address Chip provided. It was a local hangout for all kinds of rodents in midtown Manhattan. The food and drinks were great, the music was good. Dale remembered Monterey Jack hanging out here a lot.
"Dale, you made it," Todd said.
Dale looked over to see Chip and Todd leaning on the end of the bar.
"Oh, hey, Todd. I didn't know you were going to be here." Dale said.
"And miss your engagement party? You know I couldn't do that." Todd said.
Dale then caught a glimpse of Chip's attire. It caught him off guard. He was wearing his usual hat and bomber jacket but with a blue plaid shirt underneath, jeans and Lucchese boots. "Chip, what are you wearing?" He asked.
Chip glimpsed down and then back at Dale. "Oh, you like them? Todd gave them to me. They're called jeans and these are just ordinary boots." He explained.
"Okay then…." Dale replied in a bewildered tone.
Dale followed up with another comment, still in perplexity. "Why are you wearing a tie, Todd?" He asked.
"Thought I'd make myself presentable on your special day." He answered.
"Cheer up, Dale. It's time to celebrate." Chip said.
"True that, Chip. Bartender, get some tunes going!" Todd hollered.
"What do you want to listen to?" The Bartender asked.
"She Just Started Liking Cheatin' Songs, Alan Jackson." He said.
"You got it." The Bartender said.
The music began to play and Chip's smile immediately grew larger as he began to hear the lyrics. Dale on the other hand was not as impressed by the selection.
"She just started liking cheatin' songs
And what's bothering me
I don't know if its the cheatin' she likes
Or just the melody"
"Really, guys? A song about cheating?" Dale groaned in frustration.
"Oh, come on Dale. Lighten up. You seem less fun now that you're engaged." Chip said.
To tease Dale even further, Chip and Todd began singing the chorus.
"Cause she just started liking cheatin' songs
And what's bothering me
I don't know if its the cheatin' she likes
Or just the melody" Todd and Chip sang in unison.
Dale scoffed and then smiled at Chip and Todd fooling around. "Okay, guys. You had your laugh. Can we just go back to some regular music now?" He asked.
Chip laughed. "Sure, Dale." He said, signalling to the Bartender to change the music.
The Bartender turned the song off and resumed regular music over the stereo.
"Better, Dale?" Todd asked.
"Yeah, much better," Dale said.
There was silence before Dale broke it with a question.
"You don't think Gadget would cheat on me would you?" He asked.
Todd set his drink down. "Absolutely not. We may just be teasing you but she is the perfect girl for a like you." He said.
Chip did reply but started at first until Todd nudged him. "Huh? Oh yeah, she's great for you Dale." He said.
Dale's smile faded. "You don't really think that do you, Chip?" He said
"It doesn't matter what I think." Chip said.
"Of course it does. You're my best friend." Dale replied.
Chip groaned. "Dale, to be really honest I'm still a little annoyed that Gadget chose you over me." He said.
"Where's this coming from? You were happy for him an hour ago? I think you've had enough water this evening." Todd snickered trying to pull the glass away.
Chip in a rage and choosing not to take the argument any further slammed his glass down and exited the bar. Dale lowered his head and began to weep, Todd calmly walked over and gave Dale a comforting hug.
"Don't cry Dale, Chip will be back. I'm sure of it." He said.
Dale leaned back and wiped his tears with his sleeve. "I thought he was happy for me. I was going to make him my best man. I don't know why he's mad all of a sudden." Dale said.
"Come on, let's get you home and then I'll go talk to him," Todd said.
Dale nodded and followed. Later on, after Todd dropped Dale home he went looking for Chip. He found him on a wood log next to the pond in Central Park. Todd sat down next to Chip.