Mickey Mouse
The next destination was San Francisco. The drive was pretty long, and they took turns driving, not stopping even for the night. Finally they arrived. It was early morning and as they pulled up by the city gate, there was a small kiosk next to it. An older lady stuck her head out – "welcome to San Francisco," she greeted, "would you like to buy a city guide?"
"Sure," Dallas got some change out. She handed him a magazine with all the sightseeing to do in the city.
They put their bags down in the room, and two-bit immediately went to look at the magazine. "Oh, oh I dig it, chocolate factory, we can go right now." He held the magazine with the picture up. Dally scowled looking over two-bit's shoulder. It
didn't look like he was interested. "That might actually be fun," Johnny looked up from under his bangs. Dally's expression changed. If Johnny wanted to go to the chocolate factory they will go to the chocolate factory. "Alright then, everyone ok with that?" he asked. Everyone, even Steve nodded.
"It says, 'ditch your car for a trolley'," Soda said, flipping through the magazine. "Whatdya mean? Lemme see," Steve walked up closer to him.
"Yeah, there are trolleys here," Pony looked up at Steve, "It is similar to subway as they run on the tracks, but they are not underground."
"It says here," Soda chuckled, "if you want the whole experience definitely take the trolley."
"All set then?" Dally got up from his seat. Everyone nodded, and they exited the room, Pony going last and flipping the light off on his way.
They walked to the trolley station, which was just a few blocks away. A trolley arrived, and they entered. It was Sunday so it was pretty crowded. All the seats were taken so they had to stand. "Why couldn't we just take the car?" Steve whined, pushing through the crowd to stand next to Soda.
"C'mon," Soda chuckled, "we want the whole experience."
"Some experience," Steve barked, "I have everyone breathing down my neck."
"Oh, lighten up," Soda snickered, and Dally rolled his eyes at the two. Pony and Johnny were quiet as always, but seemed to enjoy the ride, and two-bit was looking out of the window and writing "bad" words on the steamed widow glass.
Soon they arrived. The place looked beautiful. The building itself was large and circular, and outside there was a huge garden with all different kinds of roses. The aroma was a mixed smell of roses, chocolate and hazel nut coffee. "Smells yummy," two-bit giggled.
They entered the building. The aroma was much stronger inside. Right by the entrance there was a counter with free samples, and a woman in a white robe behind it. There were all sorts of chocolate bars – milk chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet, German, with different kinds of nuts, chocolate covered donuts, truffle candy and more. They were cut into small pieces, and a toothpick was sticking out for easy handling.
Two-bit grabbed a truffle. He was chewing, making a nasty sound, and Dallas made a face. That didn't faze two-bit in the slightest. He took a chocolate covered donut and kept chewing obnoxiously. Then he proceeded to take a piece of each item and stuff it in his pocket and grab more. The woman noticed that. "Young man, these are just samples, please take just one. If you want to buy it you go to the buying area."
"Oh sorry ma'am," two-bit made an innocent face, but as soon as she turned around, he proceeded to grab more items from the counter and stuff his pockets, as well as stuff his mouth with more than a few at the same time. Pony's face turned red, "two-bit you'll get us kicked out from here too." Two-bit was about to reply, but his mouth was full so he couldn't speak.
Dallas grabbed him by his collar and dragged him away. "What's that for?" two- bit protested.
"Pick," Dally looked like he was losing his patience.
"What do you mean?" two-bit finally swallowed the candy.
"Pick, I'm buying, stupid." Dally pointed a finger.
"Oh, I'll take the donut," two-bit pursed his lips, "and a cup of hazel nut coffee." Then Dally proceeded to ask everyone what they wanted and said he'll pay. Pony was surprised at the gesture. Dally was being nice that's new, he thought.
After they ate, they went into the next room. There were chairs inside and on a large screen a video was playing about how different kinds of chocolate are made. They stayed to watch the video. "That's pretty tuff," Johnny smiled. They proceeded into the next room. There was a guide, who was telling about the history of chocolate. Two-bit took out the candy from his pocket and started chewing obnoxiously again. Steve smacked him on the back of his head, and two-bit glared at him, the candy nearly flying out of his mouth. Dally could care less for all of this, he was bored, but he was looking over at Sophia, who seemed to enjoy herself.
They stayed a little longer, there were a few more rooms, and then they headed out. Once outside, two-bit took the magazine out. "Where next?" Johnny asked, looking up at Dallas, since even though no one ever said anything, it was clear that Dallas was the one in charge.
Two-bit was flipping through the pages – then looked up and yelled "Walt Disney museum."
"No way," Steve scowled, taking a few steps back. Johnny chuckled, and Sophia looked scared not knowing if a fight was about to break out.
"Please," two-bit whined. "I mean I went to the stupid MET with you."
"Yeah," Pony said, sarcasm in his voice, "and got us kicked out." Two-bit stopped talking. He looked down, and he looked miserable. Like he was told off. Pony looked at him and sighed, "Fine, I'll go with you."
"You would?" two-bit smiled as a Cheshire cat. "Johnnycakes," two-bit turned to Johnny, "you wanna join us?" Johnny looked hesitant, "ok."
"Fine we'll all go," Dally said reluctantly, furrowing his eyebrows. After what happened in New York when he let two-bit, Pony and Johnny to go to the MET alone, Dally didn't want to take any chances.
"Why do I have to go?" Steve barked. "Let these fools go."
"You got something better?" Soda snapped, raising his voice a little.
"I'm sure I can find something." Steve grabbed the magazine out of two-bit's hands. "Here – rock climbing," Steve pointed to one of the pages. Dally looked over Steve's shoulder. "It's too late for that today, we won't make it before night. Let's just go to the Disney museum, and tomorrow we'll go climbing," he said with finality. "But you better act normal," Dally crossed his arms, facing two-bit.
"Ok, ok." Two-bit nodded enthusiastically.
"He can't do that if he tried," Steve snarled, and two-bit glared at him.
They took the trolley to the Walt Disney museum. It was pretty crowded. They stood in line and got tickets. The tour started, and for once two-bit was not acting up. It seemed like he was just totally into what the guide was saying. She proceeded to tell them how when Walt Disney was young he was homeless for a while, and was sleeping in a barn at this other guy's place. There were mice at the barn. Looking at the mice instead of being discouraged or disgusted, he started making up the stories about the mouse who he later called Mickey Mouse. Two-bit was not the only one shook up by this story. Pony seemed to pay close attention. "So he was a poor folk just like us," he said to no one in particular, "and he made it." There were many pictures and sketches of Mickey and Walt himself. The whole tour lasted 3 hours.
"I am beat," Soda said once they were back outside. "Let's grab something to eat" Dallas suggested, and everyone nodded in agreement. They walked a few blocks until they saw a bar. It was around 8 p.m. "How about that place?" Dally pointed towards the bar, "better than some shitty fast food." Soda agreed. They got into a booth and ordered. They also got beer, showing their fake IDs.
They were eating, not having that much conversation as they were tired from a long day. The music started playing, and some people were dancing. There was a huge dance floor in front of the bar. Suddenly a guy appeared in their booth. "May I have a dance with the beautiful lady?" he looked right at Sophia. He was tall and pretty good looking, maybe 24 or 25. She giggled, "Ok," and started getting up. Dallas, who had quite a lot to drink, especially since they were not driving, cursed under his breath.
Sophia and the guy proceeded to the dance floor. Dallas was watching them like a hawk. "So what's your name, hun?" The guy leaned in a little closer.
"Sophia," she replied, and realized that he was a little buzzed because she could smell alcohol on his breath.
"Well, you are beautiful Sophia." She blushed, saying nothing. At this moment the guy's hands slipped from Sophia's waist down. She blushed and grabbed his hands and pulled them back to her waist. After a moment the guy moved his hands lower once again. "Please," she frowned, trying to get out of his grip, "I think I don't want to dance anymore."
"Oh c'mon hun, don't be like this," the guy held on to her, not letting her go.
Dallas saw the whole thing, though he couldn't hear what was said, but he pretty much figured out what was going on. In one leap he was by the guy. "Let go of her," his voice roared, as he pushed the guy away from Sophia. The guy took a few steps back then pushed Dallas backwards. Dally fell on the floor. "Oh my God," Sophia cried, "Dallas, it's ok, I am fine, it's ok."
"Step aside," Dally yelled, getting up. Soda got up, walking up to help Dallas.
"I got this," Dallas said through clenched teeth, pointing for Soda to go back to the seat.
The guy ran closer and hit Dallas in the stomach. Dallas didn't even move. He gave him a sarcastic grin, showing his small sharp teeth. Dally grabbed the guy's hair from behind and started hitting the guy's head against one of the tables.
At this moment the bouncer stepped inside. "Break it up," he yelled, but it was too late the guy was already on the floor unconscious. "You gotta pay for the food and leave," the bouncer approached Dally.
"That would be no problem," Dallas spat back.
"Can we get a doggy bag for the food?" two-bit piped up. "We didn't really get a chance to eat." Steve made huge eyes, and Soda patted two-bit on the shoulder. "It's ok two-bit, we'll grab something at the hotel."
"But we are paying for it," two-bit looked puzzled. Nobody paid any attention to him, and started walking towards the exit. "Wait up," two-bit yelled, running after them. "Thank you Dallas," Sophia said wide-eyed, her voice trembling slightly, and Dallas noticed something in her gaze. Maybe she was starting to like him too, he sure hoped so.