Disclaimer - I don't own Benny & Joon yadda-yadda-yadda -

*sigh, wish I owned Sam - or at the very least - his hat! (Seriously - how cool is it?!)

OK - this is it - the chapter you will ALL hate me for! lol But remember - it's all in the name of plot . . . honest!

NB: This is the hardest chapter I had to write - you'll see why . . .eep!

Joon was in a much better mood after the previous day's shenanigans at the park. At breakfast, she even returned Sam's spoons to play his music.
Sam beamed happily as he started to play the theme song from "Singin' In The Rain" on the nearby breakfast glasses. Sam had noticed Joon's change in mood and decided that it might be a little easier to see Ruthy now Joon's mind was taken away from any suspicious thoughts.

"Joon, I've got to work an extra shift tonight. Edward said he had to visit his mother. . . uh, who lives out of town, so he won't be back in time."
"OK" Joon replied, smiling back. Sam still hated the lying to her, but at least she wasn't giving him the evil eye to make him feel worse. "Do you wanna get some tapioca and ice cream at Ruthy's before you go to work?" Joon asked. Sam thought about this for a moment. 'Well, I guess it should be all right. It might look a little strange if I keep avoiding Ruthy'. Sam looked up and nodded his head in agreement.

* * *

The diner was buzzing with customers during the lunch time rush. "Hello Joon. Sam" Ruthy greeted delightedly. Joon waved, while Sam merely nodded in acknowledgment - his attempt at looking discrete. Ruthy ushered them to their usual spot and pulled out a pencil from behind her ear.
"So let-me-guess" Ruthy screwed her face into an expression of feigned concentration. "Tapioca for Joon - hold the raisins - "
The very word 'tapioca' caused Sam to recoil uneasily and turn slightly green " - and an ice cream sundae for Sam?" Ruthy asked. Joon clapped her hands and laughed "Wow Ruthy, how'd you guess?" Ruthy gave them a playful smile before going around the back.

When Ruthy returned with their order, Ruthy quickly whispered something in Sam's ear while Joon was facing the other way - assuming she wouldn't notice. Sam gave a small nod. Unknown to Sam and Ruthy, Joon had heard a single word - "tonight".

What could this mean - and why was Ruthy whispering to Sam? Joon decided to let it go . . . for now.

Watching Joon eating her tapioca gave Sam the urge to puke into his hat, but he fought it off. 'I don't think I'll ever be able to look at tapioca the same way ever again' Sam thought miserably.

As Sam and Joon were leaving the diner, Sam gave Ruthy a final knowing glance before closing the door behind him.

* * *

Sam and Joon were sitting together watching Billy Wilder's "Some Like It Hot". Sam quoting every single line along with the film may annoy some - but not Joon. After all, Sam's Marilyn Monroe impression was a sight to behold! They were at the part where Jack Lemmon's character (who's in drag) tells Tony Curtis (who's also in drag) he's getting married -

Jack Lemmon: I'm engaged!

Tony Curtis: Congratulations. Who's the lucky girl?

Jack: I am. (He sings and vigorously shakes maracas.)

Joon turned to see Sam wildly shaking his imaginary maracas. Joon shook her head with amusement. "What time did you say you had to be at work?" Joon inquired. Sam immediately stopped shaking his maracas and pulled out his pocket watch. "Oh, uh . . . right about now!" Sam leapt out of the chair and dashed out the door. A few seconds later, ran into the apartment again - backwards, grabbed is hat, cane and coat - waved, and continued forward again.

Joon sighed and started to giggle. She stopped the video - knowing Sam wouldn't like to miss a minute - even though he had seen it God-knows-how-many-times. Joon decided to go do some painting for a while. After all - she liked her privacy when painting.

* * *

After spending a few hours painting, Joon was feeling a little lonely. 'Hmmm, I wonder if Ruthy's home?' Joon silently considered. 'Maybe I might go pay her a little visit. It's been a while since we've had a proper chat'. Joon stood up and placed her paintbrush in a jar of water, and made her way to the bedroom for a clean change of clothes. Feeling refreshed, she grabbed her jacket and closed the door, not bothering to lock it - as she was only going down the hall.

* * *

As Joon approached Ruthy's apartment, she could faintly hear soft whispers, murmurs. Joon cautiously put her ear against the door and was shocked to hear what sounded like Sam!

"OH, do you want me to pull it out? I mean, do you want to see it?" Joon heard Sam ask. "Oh yes Sam, go right ahead. I've been waiting all week
for this!" There was a slight pause, next Joon could hear Ruthy's gasp of amazement. "Oh Sam!" Ruthy crooned 'Goodness, it's magnificent! Something you should be very proud of!" Another pause.

Joon wondered what they were talking about. She knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but well . . . she had a right - Sam had lied to her!

"It's bigger than you described" Ruthy continued. "I don't know if it'll fit!" "Well, it's got to!" Sam replied desperately. "I guess we could try - but it would be a tight squeeze" Ruthy answered. Joon gasped softly. 'NO! This could NOT be what it sounded like. NO WAY! Sam and Ruthy?! Was that even possible to consider?!

"So Sam, how big is it exactly then?" Ruthy inquired "Um, I think, ah, about 9 inches - give or take" Sam answered, somewhat casually. Joon couldn't hear what happened next, but as far as Joon was concerned - she didn't need to . . .

"You know, we have to make our visits a little shorter, I really think Joon might be starting to suspect something" Sam told Ruthy.
"Well, it'll be all right. It'll be out in the open soon, and you'll have nothing to be worried about" Ruthy assured him. Joon could hear items being shuffled around.

Shocked, Joon ran back to the apartment, tears beginning to well in her eyes. She raced into the bathroom and locked the door - not wishing to face Sam. Joon stared deeply into the bathroom mirror, attempting to calm herself. 'OK, don't jump to conclusions, you know, maybe, it just SOUNDED bad . . . REALLY bad. Yes, that's it . . . no it's not. Maybe, he doesn't love me anymore!' Tears began to stream down her face. Joon turned on the shower, hoping the sound of running water would disguise her devastated sobs, and hopefully wash away her immense sadness.

After her shower, Joon reasoned calmly, knowing what she had to do. She would play detective to find out, once and for all - what on EARTH
was happening!