5 – A Night at the Opera
"Daaaad!" Alan whined, pulling at the bowtie of his tux. "Why do we have to go to the boring opera?"
"Alan," Virgil said, "opera is the highest musical-theatrical art form. There is nothing boring about it."
"Besides," Jeff cut in, "you boys need some culture."
"Indeed, Mr. Tracy," Tin-Tin agreed.
"You WOULD think that!" Alan snapped.
"Enough you two," Jeff said. "We're here to have a nice time. And to think that I thought it was bad when you were together…"
"Well," Scott said, "I, for one, am glad to be here. Now I get to see Ned in a very dapper suit."
"THANK YOU, BABE."
"Remember boys," Penny said, "there's to be no talking whatsoever during the opera. It's considered very rude."
Gordon laughed and said,
"Yeah, good luck with that, Alan."
"I'm not a baby, you know," Alan insisted. "I can be quiet."
"Who knew," Gordon commented.
Virgil, watching his brothers' exchange, leaned toward Penny and whispered,
"Makes me wish it was Alan's month to be up on Five instead of John's."
"Indeed," Penny whispered back.
**intermission**
"I'm so confused!" Alan confessed as the lights came up.
"Shh!" Scott warned, a finger on his lips. "Ned is sleeping and I don't want to wake him up. He looks like an angel!"
"Honestly?" Gordon said loudly, leaning over the chairs toward them.
"Shh!" Scott reiterated.
Virgil and Penny looked at each other and Virgil just shook his head.
"Would anyone care for a glass of champagne?" Penny asked, attempting to steer the conversation away from stupid topics.
"I would love some champagne," Tin-Tin answered.
"Of course!" Alan retorted.
"Shh!" Scott repeated.
Penny, Tin-Tin, and Virgil slipped away to get their champagne. As they were leaving, they heard Alan say,
"No one has explained this story to me yet. I still don't know what's going on…"