Chapter 5 - The Date

Mabel tries to help Dipper get ready for his date with Pacifica. He struggles to get into a brightly colored tuxedo that Mabel probably made herself.

"Are you sure about this, Mabel? I mean, isn't this a little overboard?"

Mabel is quick to reply, "You have to make a good first impression. Well this isn't technically a first impression... But there's no harm in making a good every impression! Ha ha!"

Dipper responds nervously, "Okay... I guess you do know a little more than I do..."

Mabel responds enthusiastically, "Yes I do. Now get out that door!"

He opens the front door, only to find Pacifica already there, about to knock, her jacket tied around her waist. Her clothes are sort of dirty and her hair somewhat unkempt from all the running. It actually looks somewhat casual on her.

Noticing Dipper's getup, Pacifica questions him, laughing, "Oh my, Dipper... What are you wearing?"

Dipper, blushing, playfully responds, "Me?! What are you wearing?"

She looks down and notices the uncharacteristic filth. They both laugh for a moment. Pacifica stops for a moment to ask something.

"But seriously, what's with the getup?"

"Uh..." Dipper tries his best to answer, "Mabel thought it'd be a good idea..."

Mabel is unseen, but her voice is heard. "The Love Goddess strikes again!"

Pacifica attempts to make things a little less awkward.

"It'd be fine if you just wore the kind of thing you usually do. I mean, we're not going to a cotillion or anything."

Dipper pauses, somewhat in disbelief, trying to play it cool. "I'm way ahead of you." He turns and runs into a new exhibit he forgot Stan brought in. He laughs it off alongside Pacifica, and runs off upon exclaiming, "Back in a sec!" While she waits, Mabel, who has since crept into the spot Dipper was standing in, stares at her in awe with a wide smile and unblinking eyes. He returns after a minute or so in his usual outfit.

"Much better," Pacifica says, smiling.

"So uh... Where to?" Dipper asks, still trying way too hard to play it cool.

Pacifica takes a moment to answer, "I... don't know. But honestly, I don't care. Why not here?"

Dipper questions this, "The Mystery Shack? I dunno. It's not the most- y'know, it's not the nicest place for this sort of thing,"

"It's nicer than my place."

Mabel yells despite standing right next to the two of them. "Are you kidding?! I'd kill to live like you!"

Pacifica responds with a faint sigh, "You wouldn't understand. It's nice, but I hate always having to, you know, act like someone I'm not.

Dipper changes the course of the conversation. "Well, I don't really want to stay here for very much longer... I mean, Grunkle Stan and Soos'll be back in a few minutes. You... wanna go get something to eat?"

Pacifica seems oddly excited. "Sure! Where... um, where do regular people eat?"

Dipper laughs, attempting to keep it subtle, "Well, regular places, I guess. Heh, I've never really thought about it from an outsider's perspective..."

"Well, I'm starved. I'll eat wherever!"

"If you say so."

At Greasy's Diner, they're eating burgers or something. Dipper is surprised at how disgusted Pacifica isn't. They don't know it, but Mabel is watching them through the window using binoculars in the golf cart in the parking lot. Pacifica and Dipper occasionally look up and happen to glance into each other's eyes, at which point they both immediately turn away and apologize, one or both blushing for a moment. This happens a few times before a third party intervenes. Robbie and Tambry, making out in the booth next to them, stop for a moment.

"Get a room, you two!" shouts Robbie, as he returns to the spit swappin'.

Pacifica proceeds to speak to Dipper, her head resting in her hands and her legs swinging back and forth.

"I've never had middle class food before. It's actually pretty good. I mean, it's no filet mignon, but hey, it hits the spot."

"Yeah," Dipper responds, "It must be nice to get a break from your family, right?"

"Totally," she says, taking another bite, "and the best part is my parents wouldn't dare enter a place like this, so we're safe."

They both laugh.

"Well," Dipper starts to say, "It's customary that I pay for this, so, um..." He sorts through his wallet for a few dollars and some loose change. He begins counting out loud. After a few moments, Pacifica stops him, seemingly embarrassed but more worried for him.

"Don't worry, Dipper. I'll get it."

"Really?" he asks, "You don't have to, I think I have enough." He starts digging deeper into his pockets than should be possible.

"No, it's fine." She looks at the bill. "Wow, that's cheaper than I'd expect. Great deal, this place!" She pays in cash and leaves a generous tip, and they promptly leave.