"Hey guys do you wanna grab something to eat? If you're not full already?" said Joel, the bots still clinging onto him for dear life. "Yes!" said the bots in unison as they loosen their grips on Joel's legs. "Well okay, my cars in the lot downstairs," said Joel gesturing behind him.

"Mike, are you coming?" asked Tom. A short silent pause filled the apartment. "Uhh no Servo," said Mike, "I've got a lot of stuff to do and it's your special time with Joel." Tom tried to not to sound disappointed. "Bu-" he started to say, but he was interrupted by Crow yelling from outside "C'mon Servo I'm hungry!"

Joel lifted Tom into the backseat of the car while Crow clambered in using the other door. "Buckle up guys," said Joel cheerfully. Until now he had been feeling somewhat tense for no obvious reason. Perhaps it was just his anxiety of seeing the bots again, or perhaps it was meeting Mike in a more casual circumstance that worried him. Whatever it was, his mood had lifted and his anxiety had died down.

Joel started the ignition and the car turned out of the lot. Joel switched the radio on, and The Boxer by Simon and Garfunkel had just started to play. The bots started to hum happily as they drifted down the road. "Joel?" said Tom. "Hmm?" said Joel, paying more attention on the road than on his robotic friend. "Why didn't Mike want to come?" asked Tom quietly. "I'm not sure Tom," said Joel, "he's probably really busy – besides, I thought it would be nice if it was just the three of us for today. Why? Don't you want to spend time with me and Crow?" laughed Joel. "By the way guys," said Joel, "I don't know Milwaukee that well, where do you guys want to eat?"
"Oh Joel Joel Joel!" cried Crow "Mike normally takes us to Comet Café can we go there please please please?"
"Okay buddy," said Joel and Crow started shouting directions.

"What are you guys thinking of getting?" asked Joel as he and the bots peered into their menus. "How would you boys like a hamburger?" said Joel, doing his best impersonation of Al from "I Accuse My Parents." The bots laughed loudly, this is what they had missed – Mike didn't talk about the old days so much, with much more focus to the future and the present. "I might have a small salad and then treat myself to some froyo," said Crow, quoting himself. The bots and Joel laughed heartedly again. They finally settled on ordering three hamburger sandwiches with all the trimmings.

"So, uh, what have I missed?" said Joel as himself and the bots settled into their meals. "Well, um, not much Joel, really," said Servo. "We've got a pretty nice place with Mike and I guess we're doing fine."
"Um hmm," hummed Joel, "how's he doing?"
"Oh? Mike? Um…" said Tom, "he's doing fine I guess."
"Aww good," says Joel with a sense of relief, "although, he told me that the two of you have needed to have some time-outs recently." Crow and Tom stopped eating and looked at each other. "S-Sorry," said Crow quietly. "It's okay Crow, but you really need to be apologising to Mike and not me."

Joel paid for the meal as the bots were finishing up. "So fellas, what do you want to do now?" said Joel with a yawn. It was only 2pm but he was exhausted from his long drive. "Do you guys wanna go to the park or something? We could feed the ducks."
"Yeah, okay let's go," said Crow before Tom could suggest going to a museum or gallery.

After a very short drive, Joel and his metal pals had arrived at the park. Crow ran on ahead while Tom waited for Joel, who was walking quite slowly due to his lack of energy. Joel and Tom walked together quietly mostly, just enjoying each other's company. After several minutes walking, they could hear Crow yelling in front of them. "Joel! Tom! They're selling balloons can I have one please please?" Joel and Tom caught up to Crow who was standing captivated in front of a small balloon seller's cart. "Could I get a balloon?" said Crow in his best Texan accent. Tom started giggling, but Joel stood there slightly puzzled.

Balloons in hand, the bots headed to the lake to feed the ducks. "Oh Joel, we forgot to bring bread!" said Servo, disappointed. "That's okay Tom," said Joel quietly, "how's about we just sit here for a while?" Joel led the way to a bench underneath a willow. "C'mon," he called. Crow climbed up, his feet dangling above the ground, Joel picked Servo up and placed him next to him. Almost as if reading his mind, Tom cuddled into Joel, as Joel cuddled into Crow.

The three sat there holding each other, feeling like a family again.

"I'd better get you boys home before Mike starts to wonder what happened to us!" said Joel, as he noticed the park growing colder and darker. The bots grabbed their balloons and tiredly followed Joel to his car, as their long shadows cast along the ground. Again, Joel lifted Tom into the car while Crow climbed in on his own volition. Joel started the car and started the radio once more. "Chances Are" by Johnny Mathis started playing. "Alright, Johnny Mathis, get my gun!" said Tom.

Joel, Tom and Crow climbed up the stairs to the apartment, balloons still in hand. Mike opened the door, with almost an expression of relief on his face, "Hey everyone," he said as they made their way in. "What did you get up to then?"
"Well first we went to Comet Café and then we went to the park and Joel got us balloons!" said Tom hurriedly. "Ah," interrupted Joel, "and what did I tell you two to say to Mike when we were in the café?" Crow sighed, "We're sorry Mike." Mike smiled, "That's okay boys, why don't you get ready for bed? I'll tie your balloons to the curtain rod, okay?" The bots headed off to the bathroom.

"So, um, do you want some coffee?" Mike asked Joel to try and avoid an inevitable awkward silence. "Uh, no, I'm fine," said Joel quietly, "I'm just going to say goodnight to the bots and then go to my hotel."

"Thank you Joel," Mike blurted out, who then looked away coyly. "For what?" said Joel, "I've had a great time with the bots! It's nice to see you again as well." There was a slight pause which was quickly interrupted by Crow and Tom. "We're ready for bed, can Joel come and say goodnight?" asked Crow. "I'll be right there!" said Joel. "I love you Tom Servo, I love Crow."
"You're not my real father," said Crow quietly with a giggle