Chapter 4.
Cindy and Libby were still finalizing the plan when they heard the all too familiar drone of the hovercar engine. Cindy stood up to peer out her window, which always had a good view of the everyday goings on of Neutron's shenanigans.
"So are the guys out for a Sunday afternoon Hovercar ride?" Cracked Libby who was still sitting on Cindy's bed.
"I think so." Said Cindy, "But I think something's definitely up."
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, they seem to be in a bit of a hurry.." Pondered Cindy, "and Butch is with them!"
"Butch?" Libby jumped down from the bed so she could have a look for herself.
"They're definitely up to something!" Agreed Libby. "Ok so about the plan, let's keep it simple. You get Jimmy to help with your rocket project and while he's engaged with critiquing your design, you spring the question on him."
"Sounds good, but we need to go to the mall." Cindy remembered that she still wanted to buy something special to wear to the dance, something Jimmy couldn't take his eyes away from!"
"Girl you know I don't need an excuse to go to the mall!" Exclaimed Libby, "Let's get out of here!"
"Right behind you!" Cindy grabbed a handful of the Vicks throat drops just in case. Her throat still seemed a bit scratchy, but it didn't feel that bad.
Meanwhile…..
Jimmy, Carl, Sheen, and Butch were racing to the mall to shop for Unicorns of all things. Jimmy couldn't understand what turn of events could have him willingly shopping for such an item, and with Butch of all people. All he could think about was to keep driving and things would make sense soon, he hoped!
"So Jimmy, where did you come up with the whole unexpected gift thing anyway?" Asked Carl from the backseat of the hovercar.
"Believe it or not, that tidbit of romantic advice came from my dad sometime ago." Explained Jimmy, "I don't know why I remember it now, but it seems to be a logical solution for some reason!"
"Do you think it will work?" Asked Butch sounding concerned again.
"I don't see how we could miss Butch, but we need to be subtle as well. We can't simply just plop the gift in her lap and expect her to swoon. We need a coordinated approach." Explained Jimmy applying his scientific thinking.
"Say Jimmy, Carl and I were thinking!" Said Sheen with a mischievous grin, "Since you're going to be hanging with girls you may need to get a real haircut!"
"Yeah!" Laughed Carl, "There were a couple of times that we were going to cut off your hair tower during one of our sleepovers!"
"What?" Shouted Jimmy.
"Come on Jimmy! Carl and I did shave our heads that one time!" Sheen said with a grin.
"Yeah! That was cool, next time we should paint our heads blue and dress up like aliens!" Laughed Carl.
"So what do you say Jimmy? Join the human race or go through life looking like a chocolate dipped soft serve cone?" Demanded Sheen.
"I can't believe I'm having this conversation!" Said Jimmy in disbelief, "Ok! Ok! You guys help me with Butch's problem and I'll get my hair cut…….normal."
"All right! When they cut the top off can I have it?" Asked Sheen, "I always wanted to make a paint brush out of it!"
"This conversation is now OVER!" Declared Jimmy as the group had now just arrived at the mall.
The guys hurried in to the nearest department store that was sure to sell the small Unicorn statuettes. They scrambled about trying not to look too obvious as to what they were looking for. Jimmy had Carl and Sheen posted as lookouts so that he and Butch could be warned if any familiar faces were about that could catch them in the process of Unicorn purchase. All seemed to be going well. The saleslady at the counter was very amused but helpful too. Butch was eyeing all the statuettes and seemed to decide on a nice small powder blue one in a prancing pose.
"What do you think of that one?" Asked Butch who was trying to make the time go by as fast as possible.
"Yeah, that's a nice one." Said Jimmy. "But what about that one?"
Jimmy pointed to a dazzling pearl white one with gold trim, which was obviously the most outstanding one there."
"I think this blue one will be fine though, don't you think?" Whispered Butch.
"Now Butch!" Explained Jimmy. "The blue one will generate a 'Sure Butch, I'll be happy to go to the Dance with you,' reaction where that one will get the 'Ohhhh Butch! I'd LOOOOOVE to go to the Dance with you, you rascal!' reaction."
Jimmy pretended to be Linda swooning at Butch. The saleslady thought the whole spectacle was quite hilarious and could barely hold back her laugh.
"But I don't have the scratch for that one!" Explained Butch.
"How much more do you need?" Asked Jimmy.
"About ten more dollars!"
"Ok here!" Jimmy pulled out his wallet and handed Butch a ten. "Don't worry, I know you're good for it! Ah-hem, he'll take that one!" Declared Jimmy pointing to the Pearl and Gold colored Unicorn.
"Oh, and can you gift wrap it with pink ribbons and stuff; you know, make it look all girly?" Inquired Jimmy.
"Sure thing!" Said the saleslady, "I'll be back in a little bit!"
"Man!" Groaned Butch, "I can't stop sweating, it's like I'm waiting to see the dentist or something."
"Don't worry Butch, it's almost over." Assured Jimmy who was signaling Sheen to make sure the coast was still clear. "We'll get a flurp after this!"
The saleslady came back with Butches purchase beautifully wrapped and, as Jimmy requested, looking very girly with pink and purple ribbons.
"Perfect!" Declared Jimmy. "Now do you have a rather unremarkable brown bag to stuff it in?"
"What for?" Asked Butch.
"Butch, you've just bought a porcelain Unicorn! You need to retain as least a shred of dignity wouldn't you agree?" Explained Jimmy.
"Yeah dude! Thanks!"
The saleslady pull out a plain brown bag another custom had left behind. "Will this do?" She asked.
"Perfect!" Replied Jimmy. "Ok Butch, let's get the heck out of here!"
Jimmy and Butch gathered up Sheen and Carl and headed out to the main part of the mall.
…..Next Unexpected encounter, Unexpected time!
