Well, if you were wondering what Penny had in mind, here you go! A big thank you to everyone who is still reading and reviewing this weird story :)
7 – The Break-Up, Part 2
Once Scott had changed his shirt, he headed out for the mainland with Virgil, Penny, and Tin-Tin. On the way, Penny made some covert calls in the aft cabin of the family jet, not allowing anyone to listen in. Meanwhile, Virgil and Tin-Tin tried to keep Scott's spirits up.
"It'll be fun," Tin-Tin promised. "You know Penelope will set up something good."
"I guess," Scott said and Tin-Tin couldn't hide the hurt she felt at his lack of confidence in her girlfriend.
"Scott, don't be such a crab," Virgil said, not turning his head as he piloted the craft. "We're just trying to help, you know."
"Indeed, we are," Penny said, entering the cockpit and taking a seat beside Tin-Tin. "I think I have arranged a most enjoyable night for us all. We'll be meeting a friend of mine at the Swinging Star."
"Sounds fun, Penelope," Virgil put in, shooting Scott a warning look.
"Yeah, should be fun," Scott echoed noncommittally.
"Just wait until we get there," Penny said. "Then, you may pass judgment."
When they arrived at the Swinging Star, the club was already in full motion with its usual nighttime crowd. Penny kept checking her phone, occasionally sending a message. She led them to a quieter area of the club, stopping at a corner table with a wrap-around booth. A very handsome young man was already seated there and he stood at their arrival.
"Lady Penelope!" he said, kissing her on the cheek. "It's so good to see you."
Tin-Tin stepped out from behind Penny, looking at the man and recognizing him immediately.
"Mr. Carnaby!" she said. "What a pleasant surprise."
"Tin-Tin!" he replied, leaning forward to kiss her cheek as well. "I didn't expect to see you here. You look great!"
"Thank you," Tin-Tin said, blushing.
"Wait a second," Scott said. "This is Cass Carnaby? Like the Cass Carnaby Five Cass Carnaby? 'Dangerous Game' and all that?" Scott stared at Cass unabashedly.
"The one and only," Cass answered with a smile, putting out his hand for Scott to shake.
"This is my friend, Scott Tracy," Penny said.
"Scott Tracy of Tracy Industries?" Cass asked, admiration in his eyes as he shook Scott's hand.
"Yes, sir," Scott answered, standing a bit taller.
"And you know his brother, Virgil," Penny said.
"Yes, we've met," Cass said.
"Let's settle in and get some drinks," Penny said, pushing Scott so that he slid into the booth beside Cass. As they were arranging themselves, Tin-Tin leaned in to whisper to Penny,
"Oh, he's as gorgeous as I remember. Good choice." Penny smiled smugly and whispered back,
"Now we just have to hope that Scott doesn't botch this up."
"Hey, Cass!" Scott said. "Cass! Cass! Watch this!" He grabbed the salt shaker and a napkin and Virgil just covered his eyes with his hand.
Cass watched intently as Scott covered the shaker with the napkin. Then, Scott pulled at his sleeves to show that he wasn't hiding anything in them. Putting his hand back on the covered shaker, he quickly shifted the napkin so the salt shaker fell into his lap. He finished by crushing the now empty napkin as if the shaker had disappeared by magic.
"Ta-da!" he announced. Tin-Tin looked at Penny to exchange a glance, but the blonde was looking away, her eyes half-lidded in annoyance.
To their surprise, Cass laughed and clapped.
"Good trick!" he said.
"There's salt in my lap," Virgil said, regretting sitting next to his brother.
"I have more!" Scott bragged.
"No, dear, I think one is quite enough for tonight," Penny said, somehow keeping her voice calm.
"Spoilsport," Scott replied.
"So, Tin-Tin," Cass began, turning to the girl who sat on the other side of him, "what have you been up to recently?"
"The usual," Tin-Tin answered with a shrug. "I work for Scott's father, so I keep busy."
"Yes," Scott cut in loudly, worried that Cass was a bit too interested in Tin-Tin, "our company is doing very well. So we're all always rather busy."
"I see," Cass said. "Well, Mr. Tracy is lucky to have such special employees."
"Let him hear you say that," Virgil muttered to himself.
"Did you know," Scott interjected, "that Tin-Tin is dating Penny now? And Penny is really the jealous type, so watch out. You don't know what she's capable of when she's angry."
"Something you'd be keen to heed," Penny said to Scott.
"Congratulations, you two," Cass said, his tone friendly. "You're both very lucky."
"Indeed," Penny said with a genuine smile, taking Tin-Tin's hand under the table.
"It seems we're destined to meet when you're already spoken for," Cass commented playfully to Tin-Tin.
Scott cleared his throat loudly and said,
"Well, some of us here actually have the misfortune of being single. Like Virgil. And me."
"Speak for yourself," Virgil said.
"Ooo!" Tin-Tin cooed. "Virgil!"
"Who is the reason that we're here right now?" Scott asked. "Nevermind Virgil and his secret love affairs. I'm here to forget all about—"
"Waiter!" Penny called, lifting her hand elegantly in spite of the urgency in her voice.
The night continued well despite Scott's antics. Penny fought the urge to let out a sigh of relief every time Cass responded well to Scott and Virgil somehow refrained from rolling his eyes every time Penny cut off one of Scott's less-than-intelligent comments. At one point, Virgil had to physically pull Scott's arm down when he wouldn't stop showing off his biceps.
After a few drinks, the company split for the night. Cass left Scott with his number, asking him to call.
"I did it!" Scott announced when they were back in the jet and on their way back to Tracy Island. He had Cass' business card in his hand and he held it up in the air in victory.
"You mean we did it," Virgil said, keeping his eyes ahead as he piloted the jet.
"Why do you guys get any credit?" Scott asked. "Tin-Tin just distracted him and Penny kept interrupting. And you," he pointed at Virgil, "kept me from showing off my ripped abs. I'm the one who did all the work and I'm the one who got a number tonight." He waved the card in Virgil's face.
"Trying to fly here," Virgil said, swatting Scott's hand away.
"Scott," Tin-Tin began sweetly, "don't you think Penny deserves some credit for setting everything up?"
"And for not killing you about a dozen times already," Virgil added.
"I suppose," Scott said. He turned to Penny and said, "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Scott," she replied. "I'm glad you had a nice night."
"And you're crazy, Virgil," Scott said. "Penny couldn't kill me. I mean, look at these biceps!" He flexed his arm, pulling his shirt back to give the others a better view.
Before Scott knew what was happening, Penny stood and swept his legs with her own, leaving him breathless on his back on the floor of the jet. Without comment, Penny sat down again, primly smoothing out her skirt. Tin-Tin just stared at Scott, her mouth hanging open, and Virgil turned his head at the sound of Scott hitting the ground.
"What the hell just happened?" he asked, unable to see Scott from the pilot's chair.
"Penelope decked Scott," Tin-Tin answered.
"Oww!" Scott complained, still lying on the floor.
"Penelope, aren't you wearing four-inch heels?" Virgil asked.
"Five inches, actually," she answered.
Scott just groaned and asked,
"Are we home yet?"