Music-- "Bark at the Moon" by Ozzy Osbourne
Daniel and Kim Desario, along with Nick Andopolis, were the first to arrive at the Iron Horse Restaurant. Daniel and Kim were able to find a sitter for Nicole. Daniel was also able to take at least the night off, but you can tell he was tired from working a ten hour day. Nick had taken the time to change out of his uniform into his usual casual civilian attire.
The waiter came up to the table, he was a thirtiesh balding man, and asked for drink orders. Daniel ordered a Jack and Coke, Kim a strawberry daiquiri, and Nick a Bud.
"Can I see some ID," the waiter asked kind of snottily. Daniel had just turned 21, so he took out his ID. Neither Kim nor Nick had valid or fake ID to show they were 21.
The waiter came back with, "Sorry, I can't serve without ID."
Nick mumbled, "that's OK, I'll have a coke."
Kim went off "Listen bub! Were you ever in the military? Our friend here just came back from protecting your ass in Grenada. He's a bonafied war hero!"
The waiter just deadpanned during this and answered with "OK, that's a Jack and Coke for the gentleman and two large pops for the war hero and his young friend, would you like silly straws?" Kim just fumed.
"Let it go, Kim," Daniel consoled, "besides, here comes everybody else."
"I feel like I'm in a parade," remarked Ken Miller as he walked to the table with the other eight McKinley and University and Michigan students.
"Don't say parade," his girlfriend Amy replied. As a member of the University of Michigan Marching Band, she had been in plenty.
Kim told the group, "our waiter is a real ass" just as the waiter was approaching the table with the first drink order.
Maureen asked Sam, "Hey isn't that the same waiter as when we were here for all you can eat night three years ago?"
Bill lamented, "Yeah they stopped doing all you can eat, guess they were losing too much money."
The waiter handed Nick his Jack and Coke, Kim a large Pepsi, and Nick an ice cold bud. The waiter said to Nick, ignoring Kim, "I was 1st Marine Division, DeNang, welcome home Airman--brewski's on me." Chippawa is a small town, and the waiter did read the papers.
The waiter then brought water and menus and took the drink orders for the eleven former schoolmates. Something about the table was bothering Sam. Then it came to him.
"This table is set for twelve." Sam observed.
"Very good Sam, now you're probably ready for the Mathletes," Maureen chided.
"I changed the reservation," Bill said, "I decided to invite my girlfriend." Neal gave Bill an 'are you crazy?' look.
"Girlfriend, what girlfriend?" Sam asked. Bill, Neal and Sam don't hang out as much as they used to, but they still hang out. And for Bill to keep a secret, is something else.
"Probably one of those hot wrestling cheerleaders, what do they call them? 'mat-maids'?" Gordon innocently asked, and was rewarded by a swift kick under the table by Neal. Gordon responded with "Ow! what was that for?"
With great horror Sam began to realize what was going on, "No! No! Bill you didn't!" he exclaimed.
As if on cue, a very familiar voice behind him said, "Hi, Sam"
Sam dejectedly replied "Hi, Cindy"
Fade out to the Cars: "Best Friend's Girl."
Bill was the gentleman, making sure Cindy Sanders knew everybody. Of course, she had, either personally or by reputation. When looking at Bill, you can see he's not the same Bill as when he was a freshman. Even back in 1980, he had a way about him that the girls seemed to find attractive. After a couple of years with Ben Fredricks as a father figure, Bill Haverchuck was definitely the young stud. And, thinking about it, Sam realized he should have seen this coming. Cindy had liked Bill as a friend for years, and when she quit the main cheer leading squad to be a mat-maid to devote more time to student council, she also ended up spending a lot more time with Bill.
Lindsay looked over at Sam. They didn't have to say anything. As brothers and sisters go, they were fairly close, in a healthy sort of way. Lindsay's glance said 'are you gonna be all right, or am I going to have to hide these steak knives?' Sam's returning glance said 'I'll be OK, but you can put away the knife thats sticking out of my back.'
Ken Miller, who vaguely remembered Sam throwing up in a bathroom before breaking up with Cindy two and a half years ago, said "dude... that is harsh." Amy elbowed Ken. Then Ken remembered, if he had never had that conversation with Sam back in 1981, he and Amy might not be together today.
Things were pretty quiet when the waiter came to take the groups orders. Lindsay, Cindy, Kim and Amy had the grilled chicken. Maureen and Sam decided to share a full rack of ribs for old times sake. The rest all prime rib, surprising Lindsay that Millie was also kind of drooling over the fatty treat.
Bill broke the awkward silence after the waiter left with, "I thought it would be a good idea to bring Cindy to go over some last minute plans." "As Student Body President, and what a nice student body I might add, she's responsible for the assembly." Bill's innuendo put the table at ease with some good natured snickers and grins, and a playful look of horror on Cindy's face that Bill would say such a thing.
"And later, if nobody's doing anything, I hear Feedback's playing at the Rusty Nail," Daniel added, which got another laugh from the former freaks.
"Isn't Feedback Mr. Rosso's band?" Maureen asked, "They're actually pretty popular right now, with the 60s craze going on. He told me he makes almost as much money touring with the band over the summer and weekend gigs as he does teaching."
Nick answered "I can believe that, he's actually not half bad... does a great job covering Alice Cooper" Nicks remark got some smiles from some of the group, and Nick explained to Amy and the high school students the freaks adventure at the Rusty Nail when they were at McKinley. That also got some laughs all around the table. Nick then directed his attention to Cindy Sanders, "Please, Madame President, don't make this assembly too big of a deal."
"Oh, its just our little way of saying thanks," Cindy replied.
"Here's the real war hero with my dinner," Nick said with a smile...holding up his empty bud bottle, which earned him a thumbs up from the waiter. The twelve then started into their dinner. Another bottle of bud appeared at Nicks place before he could even finish buttering his potato. Nick was going to make sure that Marine got at least a 20 tip.