Things had been going slowly for a few weeks. So Min Mei's Aunt and Uncle decided to start Karoake Night!
All of the preparations were made and it was time to Karoake. Rick acquited himself equitably with a cover of David Cassidy's cover of some other song. Admiral Gloval had a surprisingly spot on impersonation of aged Bing Crosby. Everybody was having a great time. Then it was Lynn Kyle's turn! No one had seen him for a while. He had finally gotten a hair cut. He stepped to the stage. An uncomfortable silence held the restaurant. Then he began.
"I hurt myself today..." he began...
When it was over everybody was cheering.
"Thank you, thank you" said lynn Kyle. He stepped off the stage. Rick approached him.
"Lynn Kyle. I guess you aren't a jerk anymore".
"I've had time to contemplate my excesses and entered a 12 step program" said Lynn Kyle. They shook hands. Uncle Max brought him a drink.
Merriment continued and then suddenly Lynn Kyle underwent a personality shift!
He jumped on the stage! "Listen" he bellowed. "Women are inherently compelled to make themselves miserable, just so they have stuff to nag you about constantly. That is why they wear high heel shoes..."
The crowd booed! Lynn Kyle was dragging everybody down! He continued. "That is why men have to build up a buffer zone of brutality, chauvenism, and discrimination!". Several micronized Zentraedi nodded to each other knowingly.
"Oh no!" thought Max. "Lynn Kyle is dragging everyone down".
Suddenly the door opened. standing in darkness against a background of rain and lightning was...Ben Dixon! "I hear there is a karoake night in town", he said.
Rick could hardly believe his eyes. "I thought you died!"
Ben was silent a moment. "I hit the afterburners at the same time you did. There was plenty of warning. But my veritech was damaged. I crashed on a ranch in Wisconsin and couldn't find a phone. I've been there growing apple trees ever since".
Lisa took command. "How long have you known we survived Dolza's bombardment of the planet?"
Ben raised his hand. "What year is this?" He began counting his fingers.
"That is a good question" said Rick.