The end of the day, the gang went to meet Perry, Della and Paul for dinner. Scooby felt left out since he wouldn't get to pig out with his friends. No telling how people would react to a talking dog.
"Food sounds good to me right now. I'm hungry," Shaggy said.
"We're getting there, Shag. Just hold your horses," Fred told him.
"I'm trying, but my stomach is growling."
"Mine too," Scooby agreed.
"Sorry, Scoob. You can't come in. I don't think people would want to see a dog in the restaurant. I'm sure they have rules against that," Velma said.
"I forgot," Scooby said.
"I hope Perry will get this thing cleared up at court. We can't help him in the courtroom," Fred said.
"We don't have a degree in law, Fred."
"That's what I meant, Velma. It would be fun to watch him in person instead of TV."
"Maybe that's why Paul did this contest thing," Daphne said.
"Probably."
They talked about other things on the way to the restaurant.
They were going to do Chinese tonight, which was fine with everybody.
Shaggy and Scooby are open for just about almost anything, since they aren't picky eaters.
"Are we there yet, Fred?" Shaggy asked.
"Soon," he answered.
"Drive faster, Fred."
"I don't want to go over the speed limit."
Shaggy saw Fred had a good point, but didn't respond after that.
Before the gang showed up, Perry and Paul were the first ones to arrive at the restaurant.
"I hope the kids will find this place without trouble," Paul said.
"I'm sure they will, Paul. This would get us a chance to know them a bit better."
"I hope they don't bring the dog inside with them."
"I'm sure they won't, Paul. I hope with this talking dog thing is just their imagination."
"I never thought of that, but I guess I agree with you."
Della showed up five minutes later with the Mystery Machine behind her.
"Here they are. Let's go in and order a table."
"Good idea, Paul," Perry said.
"How was your day, kids?" Paul asked.
"It was good. We spent some time at the mall," Daphne answered.
"She likes to shop," Velma told them.
"Yes, I do."
"Let's go inside since we're all here," Paul said and opened the door for everybody.
"The dog will have to stay in the car."
"We already talked about that, Mr. Drake."
"Good. How would these customers and owners react to a talking dog?"
"That's a good question."
The Mystery Machine was already locked and by that time, Scooby already had put a frown on his face.
He waved to Shaggy before they disappeared inside.
Shaggy returned it back.
"Poor Scooby Doo has to stay behind. He's hungry too, Fred."
"I know, Shaggy, but he will have to wait."
"Maybe I will ask for a box and give it to him when we're done for the night," Shaggy said.
Paul rolled his eyes, but the gang didn't pay attention.
Perry and Della noticed it, but didn't say anything about the rolling eyes thing.
After they were seated, everybody had the chance to talk more about themselves.
"So, Perry, what do you normally do when you're not on a case?" Velma asked.
"That's a good question. Spend time with my folks and catch up on some other stuff I've missed out."
"Same with us, but we enjoy watching you on TV in that courtroom. We're excited to see it in person," Fred told him.
"Thank you. Is there anything else you like to do besides shop, Daphne?" Della asked.
She'd arrived by the time after they had some time at the mall earlier today. At least Della got to catch that.
"Solve mysteries, stay up – to – date on fashion, you name it."
"I like baseball," Fred said.
"Science," Velma said.
"Are you a scientist?" Paul asked.
"No, I'm not, but I like it. You learn a lot," Velma answered.
"I like cooking."
"Shaggy's a good cook, Perry. You can't take no for an answer."
"What do you like to cook?" Della asked.
"Anything. If you ask me to do something, I'll do it. Sometimes I make stuff up."
"Interesting."
After Paul said that, their waitress arrived and took their orders, along with the drinks.
"Have you been everywhere when you travel?" Della asked.
"Not everywhere, but we've been to some countries," Velma answered.
They kept talking until their orders arrived with the drinks they asked for.
"So that means after this thing is solved, we can go back home," Shaggy said.
"That's the plan, Shaggy. For now, let's just enjoy ourselves. It's a vacation at the moment."
"And fun so far. I hope there are no monsters hanging around on this case."
"Who believes in monsters?" Perry asked.
"Me, that's who," Shaggy answered.
"They're not real."
"To me, they are," Shaggy told Della.
The conversation kept going for a while longer.
"I'll pay for the bill," Perry offered.
"Fine with us."
At least the gang had money with them too, but they didn't need Paul to pay for their trip home since he was the one who bought them here.
After about an hour, Scooby told himself he wished he was inside the building because his stomach was growling nonstop.
"I want Raggy back."
Scooby found how hard it is without Shaggy's company.
He hangs out with him most of the time.
Scooby didn't know what to do until they returned to the Mystery Machine. He couldn't let himself out because the van was locked.
It was a good idea because he might go wild, and they didn't want that and have somebody call on him.
It was about sometime at almost seven – fifteen when the gang returned. Shaggy did what he said he'd do – ask for a box. That way Scooby wouldn't feel left out. Shaggy missed Scooby as well, but dint bother saying anything about it in the conversation with these people.
The gang decided that when they get inside, it was a good idea to go to bed. They seem to be tired out after another fun day with Perry and his coworkers.
Even though it's after seven – fifteen, it was still early to go to bed, but they felt like it was a good idea.
"I bought leftovers, Scoob."
"Yum. I missed you, Raggy."
"I missed you too, Scoob."
"Scooby, you know what they said about you?" Velma asked.
"What?"
"It's our imagination we have a talking dog."
"But it's not," Daphne agreed.
"That's true."
"Next stop is home," Fred said.
"Getting a bit tired," he added.
"Do you want one of us to take over driving?" Daphne asked.
"No, I'm fine. I can do it."
"Are you sure, Fred?"
"Yes."
It was a good thing that Fred never sleeps over the wheel or anything. He's the one who does the driving most of the time.
About an hour a half or so later, the gang decided it was time to go to sleep, and then thanked Perry, Della and Paul for the nice evening out to dinner.
"One of the best places I've been to," Shaggy added.
"Glad you enjoyed it. Are you picky at all?" Della asked.
"Never. I love trying new stuff once in a while," he answered.
After Della and Paul had driven away, they went to bed immediately.