"What am I doing, Collins? What the fuck am I doing? Why did I say yes to him?" asked Mark frantically.
"Hey hey hey, just relax now Mark. It's only a date," said Collins, chuckling.
"It's NOT a date," Mark insisted, wrapping the phone cord around his wrist nervously.
"Then why are you getting' so defensive?" teased the professor on the other end.
"I'm not," insisted the young doctor, feeling thankful that Collins couldn't see him blush over the phone. He started pacing across the living room floor nervously. "I just don't want to go out with that slob."
"Then don't go," said the professor sagely. "But if you do - and I'm pretty sure you will - just relax and have a good time. I'll bet you any money he'll take you out on a really interesting date," he added cheekily.
Mark sighed. "Ok fine, whatever. Just because you're a professor doesn't mean you're so smart."
Collins giggled. "Maybe not, but I can pretend to be, right? Anyway, I gotta go now. I have a class very soon. I might be late so don't wait up for me."
'Ok then. Bye, Collins," said Mark, hanging up the phone. He then started pacing the living room back and forth, back and forth over and over again, wondering what to wear. Suddenly the door of his apartment flew open and –
"HEEEYYY POOKIEEEEE!" was what filled the apartment and nearly shook the entire building. Mark shook his head, suddenly coming back down to earth.
"God Maureen, do you have to cause an earthquake every time you see me?" he said. The dark-haired woman giggled, dressed in skintight blue jeans and a pink halter top, as she hugged Mark tightly.
"Well of course! I only do it because I'm so happy to see you," she cooed as Mark hugged her back.
"So, you wanna come to the club with Joanne and me?" she asked, chewing on a fingernail.
"Ummm, no I….can't. I'm, uh…..I'm goin' out," said Mark nervously, sitting down beside her.
Maureen suddenly perked up. "Out? As in, a date?" she exclaimed, a huge smile creeping over her face. "Who's the lucky gal? Or guy?" she asked, poking him in the ribs.
"Umm, guy," said Mark, blushing furiously. "I uh, met him at the hospital. His name's Roger." He got up, went to the kitchen and got himself a glass of cold water to cool himself down, hoping to make his blush go away. But Maureen noticed.
"OOOOhhhhhh, Markie's in lluuurrvvee!" teased the Drama Queen, making loud, smacking sounds with her lips. This made Mark blush even more.
"I am not!" he snapped, dropping his glass into the sink.
"Yes you are! I can see it," Maureen chided as she studied Mark's face close. "But never mind that. First, we need to find you some clothes." And with that, she dragged Mark into the bedroom and proceeded to dress him up.
An hour later……
"Ohhhh Marky, you look adorable!" Maureen squealed as she stepped back to look at her creation.
Mark looked at his reflection in the mirror. He was dressed in black jeans, a red and blue striped sweatshirt and a brown corduroy jacket. His face was clean shaved and his hair was in spikes. He sighed.
"Umm, Maureen?" he asked tentatively. "Don't you think this is a little too, well, casual?"
"No, of course not," said the Drama Queen as she studied his reflection with him. "Remember, when in doubt, always go for casual but sharp. And you, my dear, look adora-bibble." She giggled at her own joke.
Mark shook his head. "Ok, thank you Maureen, for your help." He sat down on the bed, wringing his hands non-stop and chewing his lip. Maureen sat down beside him.
"Wow Pookie, I don't remember you ever being this nervous when we were dating," she quipped, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. "I'd really like to meet this guy."
"No you won't, because after this night, I am never seeing him again," said the Jew, shaking his head and crossing his arms over his chest.
Maureen smiled mysteriously, as if she knew something he didn't. "Oh I doubt that very much. I can guarantee you - in writing - that you'll be scribbling his name all over your diary within a few weeks." She flipped her hair over her shoulder in a manner that would make anyone melt.
Mark laughed cynically. "Yeah yeah, whatever you say," he mumbled as he fidgeted with his Rolex.
"Oh my Gosh, look at the time!" yelled Maureen suddenly, looking at the clock. "I gotta go! Joanne's expecting me at the club in 15 minutes." She picked up her handbag and sprinted towards the door. "Oh, and just relax. Don't be nervous. Be yourself and just talk to him. And if it doesn't work out, you can just give him my number," she added the last line with a naughty wink.
"Maureen! Won't you ever change?" said the young doctor, shaking his head disapprovingly. Maureen just giggled, gave him another quick hug and kiss, yelled "Bye! Have a great time! Good luck!" and in a flash of brown curls, she was gone.
Mark sat down on the couch again, rehearsing exactly what he was going to say and do, when 7 o'clock struck. And with a minute, the doorbell went "Ding Dong!"
Mark stared at the door for a few seconds, before slowly getting up from his seat. What the hell is going on? Why am I so nervous? It's not even a date, he told himself. He gripped the handle tight, turned the knob and opened the door.
Ooooooohhhhh, wonder what happens at the date. Sorry for the slow update, I've had a bad cold.