Chapter 6: Broomhilda
The Monday before the secret wedding day, the guys met at Sheldon's office during lunch to discuss Operation Homo Novus. George is participating by videoconference.
While eating, Leonard is showing the guys the top three candidates from the dating sites and Phallon's brother Max. Howard has completed a preliminary investigation on the four candidates. "Two of our candidates failed the preliminary investigation due to lying and mental instability. The mental case per his psychological records and profile worships anything with lady in its name or title, ladybugs, ladyfingers, most disturbing ladylike and ladykiller. The guys' freeze staring at Howard with mouths open utterly speechless."
"Our two remaining candidates are Bryson and Max. Bryson age 36 is a divorced producer, who is outgoing and financially stable. Bryson volunteers at local charities and is an avid runner. Max is 34, a pediatrician and financially stable. He volunteers at schools and clinics. He is also a runner. He lives very modestly for all that Max and Phallon are billionaires."
The guys are stunned.
Howard elaborates, "Their money comes from various family businesses; oil, defense, technology and wineries."
A discussion ensues amongst the group. It is decided that Max and Phallon will be treated without prejudice.
Raj stated, "I will set up the first date with Bryson for Thursday and forward details to Sheldon. That will give him two days to persuade Penny."
Sheldon announces, "Let's hold off contacting Max until after Penny's date with Bryson."
Later that evening at Penny's apartment
Knock, knock, knock, "Penny."
Knock, knock, knock, "Penny."
Knock, knock, knock, "Penny."
Penny answers the door smiling when she sees Sheldon and invites him inside. She motions to him to sit on her couch.
"What's up, Moonpie?"
"Well Penelope Broomhilda…"
Penny jumps up and shrieks, "How did you find out my birth name I officially had my name changed.
Sheldon raises his eyebrows, "Tit for tat, I remember a certain toilet bowl prank. Mwah ha haaa."
Penny frowns thinking she needs to nip the Broomhilda issue quickly.
"What can I do to stop you from uttering that hideous name?"
Sheldon smirks, "I am glad you asked. I am concerned that you have not been going out. So I have set you up on a date for Thursday at 7:00 pm with a gentleman named Bryson Cooperman. I submitted your name into a dating website and he was the best match. I personally checked him out. The details of the date has been forwarded to your iCal, it awaits your acceptance."
Penny is touched that he went through the trouble to find her a date. However, its not like he hasn't done it before.
"Just so we are clear, if I go on this date you will never voice, write, sign, or use any communication of any kind referencing the name Broomhilda."
"Yes."
Penny gives him the stare, "I want it in writing."
Penny is at Phallon's house for their regular Monday dinner. She is sitting at the kitchen island conversing and watching Phallon cook.
"It's telling that I haven't needed a drink since my broken engagement. Oh I forgot to tell you, I finally met Leonard's girlfriend Mandy. She explained that Leonard came clean with her. He never mentioned me on the boat. She admitted she was suspicious because when she accepted the position at Cal-Tech months ago he was always jumpy and nervous."
"She apologized to me for any hurt she unwittingly caused. I told her all was forgiven and I look forward to developing a new friendship. Although, there is something off about her."
"I still feel warm and fuzzy inside when I recall HALO night when Leonard, Raj, Howard and Sheldon told me how much they love and need me. It will always be a treasured moment I will never forget."
Phallon hit her with a spoon and teased, "You realize Penny, they think of you as a sister."
Penny smiled nodding yes.
"Hopefully they will not be anymore annoying as brothers as they were friends."
"Speaking of annoying brothers, my brother received complimentary vouchers for the Last Resort."
Penny jumps out of her seat.
"You're kidding reservations are next to improbable to get."
"I know, the three of us can meet at my office around 5:00 pm, Friday and head over to the restaurant together. Is that okay?"
Penny said sure totally oblivious that she was being set-up.
"Great I will tell Max."
Penny thinks to herself, I have seen Max in passing. He was consoling a young boy after he received a shot. They were so adorable. I would love being an aunt once more unfortunately Bernadette was not pregnant. She sniffs remembering her niece and nephew that was killed.
Phallon could tell Penny was remembering her family and her heart broke for her friend. To snap her out of it she bought up a subject that Penny has been putting on the back burner.
"So when will you tell your friends and family that in two weeks you will receive your MBA and that your Penny Blossom business has four employees and is doing great."
"Soon I am awaiting some legal documents from Priya, Raj's lawyer sister."
Date night with Bryson
Raj had arranged for Bryson and Penny to meet for dinner and later dancing at a ballroom/salsa club. He forwarded the info to Sheldon for approval and to enter into Penny's iCal.
As Bryson and Penny sat down in their booth to eat, conversation flowed a little to easily for Bryson. He constantly talked about his ex-wife a gorgeous red head and how lonely he was.
Penny exasperated finally gave up trying to steer the conversation to neutral topics and asked him, "Why did you get divorced if you still love her?"
Bryson sadly realized that, "I was stubborn and took her for granted."
Thinking this date is a bust and Bryson is totally oblivious she decided to take action.
"Can I use your cell phone to check my voicemail for an important call?"
He handed her his cell and decided to use the restroom while she made her call. Penny searched his contacts and found Bryson's wife. She called and immediately took control of the conversation.
"Nicole you don't know me my name is Penny. I am on a first date with your ex Bryson and throughout the date he has been talking about you and how lonely he is. If you feel anything for Bryson hop in your car and come to the Ayr restaurant on Primivera Court."
"You will, great I will keep him here."
Twenty minutes later Penny's ears are numb from listening to Bryson talk about his ex.
Bryson's ex Nicole walks into the restaurant and sees her husband sitting with a gorgeous blond. She walks over tentatively, she loves and misses Bryson and wants to try and work through their issues.
Penny jumps up when she sees a beautiful redhead approach.
"Nicole she says please have a seat."
Bryson is confused. Penny sits beside Nicole so she can't escape. Penny explains her deception to Bryson.
"Bryson I called Nicole from your phone because it's obvious that you still love her, and Nicole obviously loves you because she is at the restaurant."
Penny continues telling the couple that life is to precious to be separated by trivial issues that could be solved by talking and listening to each other. She told them her entire family twenty-nine souls were killed months ago due to an act of nature.
With tears flowing down her face she told them to get there shit together and gave them Phallon's contact information for counseling and asked for weekly reports on their progress.
"Bryson take Nicole dancing per our original plans."
Before she left the couple hugged and thanked her.
Penny ran into Sheldon on the 4th floor landing outside their apartments. Sheldon knew Penny was home early from her date and asked, "What happened?"
She told him Bryson was a really nice guy however he is still in love with his ex-wife.
"Would you like a warm beverage, Penny."
Penny said sure as they entered 4A. She sat on the couch and gave Sheldon a blow by blow of her date with Bryson while he was at the stove preparing tea.
Penny was interrupted by a text alert it was from Bryson with an image of him and Nicole salsa dancing and laughing with the message, "Thank you."
She showed the text to Sheldon. After finishing her tea she decided to call it a night.
Sheldon hugged her.
"I am so proud of you little sister."
Group text: OPERATION HOMO NOVUS. Max is up. Let's meet Monday during lunch. Bryson was a dud. Will give details Monday. Taking off tomorrow to spend the weekend with Amy's mom.