"Ready to go?"

"Yep."

Link started his car and steered in the direction of the studio. Today was Saturday, and they had a short practice session today. Tracy checked her watch. They were fifteen minutes early.

"Excited for today?" Tracy asked, nudging her boyfriend.

"Yeah, should be a great one… I heard Corny saying we were practicing a new dance," Link replied breezily, leaning over to put one of his arms around Tracy's shoulders, and using the other hand to drive. He regarded the anxious look in her eyes with a playful smile. "But, you know, I'm really more interested in what's happening tonight."

Relieved, Tracy settled back.

"Who is that?"

She sat back up immediately, noticing a man walking around by the front of the studio. He was wearing a black suit and coat, and had a tiny, neat goatee. He looked very professional, but he also looked very lost.

"Excuse me, sir – were you looking for someone?" Link asked, politely.

The man was puffing away on a cigarette. Startled at the two's approach, he blew out a deep breath, and a piece of ash hit Link's car.

"My apologies," the man said, out of the corner of his mouth. He removed the cigarette, dropped it, put it out with his shoe, and reached out to shake Link's hand. "My name is Michael Pingleton. I'm looking for my daughter, Penny."

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"He's here, Penny," Tracy said into the phone. "Your dad. He's at the studio right now."

There was silence at the other end.

"Penny? Penny! Penny, say something."

"I'm here, Penny said, weakly. Her breaths were shallow.

"Are you okay with this, Penny?" Tracy asked delicately, concern seeping into her voice. "I know you haven't seen him for a while, and all. This is really, really big." She spoke softer into the phone. "You are okay with this, right? You're okay?"

Penny nodded, forgetting Tracy couldn't see her.

"Penny?"

"Oh. Yeah…"

"Does your… does your mom know?"

"Yeah. She told me about it last night. The jail sent her some papers."

"Oh."

An awkward silence followed, before Tracy cleared her throat. She didn't know what else she was supposed to say. If Penny was all right, then her job was done.

"Do you want Link to come get you? We're on break right now."

"No, it's okay. He's coming home, right?"

Tracy stepped away from the phone and repeated the question to Mr. Pingleton, who asked if he could talk to Penny. Tracy repeated HIS question. Penny didn't answer it.

"Um, maybe not right now. Go home and talk to her," Tracy said to Michael.

"Oh, okay. Thanks for the help," he replied.

He left the studio, and Edna called out to continue practicing. Shocked and confused by the rapid events, Tracy felt as though she were going in slow motion. As she and Link danced towards the back of the stage, she laid her head on his shoulder and tried to clear her thoughts.

"Penny's really out of it," she said softly. "I hope she's okay."

"Well, her dad is going home to see her, right?" Link asked in a whisper, stroking her hair tenderly. "Please don't worry about it, Trace. Just enjoy the moment. We'll see her tonight, with Seaweed, if she feels all right."

"And if anything can cheer her up, it's Seaweed," Tracy agreed.

As the dance ended, Link held Tracy's hand and walked her to his car. "I guess I'll take you home so we can get ready."

She nodded.

They got into the car and Tracy began to think about what she wanted to wear. They would just be sitting in the car, so she supposed it didn't really matter. Still, she wanted to look nice.

Pulling up in front of her house, Link gave Tracy a quick kiss and let her out of the car. "See you tonight, Trace."

"See you."

Tracy got out of the car, and a brilliant idea came to her.