The scene takes place in the dining room where Steve, Zoey, Luke, and Wendy are having dinner. The twins are eating their mashed peas baby food, while the couple eat some roast beef with corn and mashed potatoes.
"Dinner is delicious babe" Steve said.
"Thank you dear" Zoey smiled.
"You know, this reminds me of a restaurant my dad used to take me and Hayley to a long time ago" Steve added.
"What is it Dad?" Luke wondered.
"Ooh, what is it Daddy?" Wendy wondered.
"Old Country Buffet, that's what it was" Steve answered.
"I think I remember that as well. It's been a long time ago" Zoey added.
(Flashback)
"As a kid, I loved everything about it. The unlimited food, drinks, and my favorite part: dessert" Steve narrated as we saw a young Steve at the buffet. He serves himself some ribs, corn, mac and cheese, and a dinner roll. He smiles when he gets his food. A young Hayley pats her brother's head. Later, Steve makes himself an ice cream sundae with so many toppings.
(Flashback Ends)
"Does it still exist Dad?" Luke wondered.
"Unfortunately sweetie, it does not anymore. New management messed everything up and people stopped going there and sadly, Old Country Buffet is no more" Zoey sighed.
"That's not true" Steve disagreed.
"Huh?" Zoey wondered.
"What are you saying Dad?" Luke wondered.
"I mean we have a lot of money and I mean a lot of money" Steve explained. "We won the Murder Games. I have an amazing career as an online gamer for Twitch. Zoey, you make millions from your underwear modeling career. We can revive the Old Country Buffet restaurant back!"
"Revive Old Country Buffet? Steve, that place closed down years ago. Are you serious?" Zoey wondered while raising an eyebrow.
"Exactly! How exciting is it?" Steve grinned.
"But it's like over a million dollars just to open one restaurant" Zoey said.
"Exactly!" Steve said. "We can open just one and only one buffet in all of Langley Falls! My family would be so excited! Every 90s baby will be excited!"
"But it's a lot of work cooking the food. For God's sake, this dinner took like 6 hours and that's excluding work" Zoey rebutted.
"Why didn't you go to work today?" Steve wondered.
"It's my day off!" Zoey rebutted.
"That's right. Who said anything about us cooking? We'll hire professional chefs and they will take care of the rest. We can decide what food to serve and then run the restaurant. We'll make sure to hire people that will clean the restaurant and then we can evaluate all the workers there, to make sure that everyone remembers the good time at Old Country Buffet" Steve explained. "Kids, you were not born when all of this existed but I will make sure you guys get to experience what every 90s kid had. You will love it! You will get to experience what the buffet is all about!"
"Perhaps I can help" a familiar voice was heard.
"Uncle Roger!" the twins greeted Roger.
"Roger, what are you doing here?!" Steve was puzzled.
"You have the right person to help. For this situation, it won't be Roger. It will be…Genero Dontatello" Roger wears some weird European waiter outfit as some fancy Spanish background music plays.
"What the hell is that?!" Zoey twitched her left eye.
"Mom, are you okay?" Luke wondered.
"I'm fine sweetie" Zoey answered as she rubbed her eye.
"Why don't we let Roger cook Zoey? Maybe he has something up his sleeve" Steve suggested.
"I don't know Steve. This is Roger we're talking about. One day, he's one guy and the next day he's a woman and the next…" Zoey commented.
"Okay, we get the idea Zo. So Roger, what kind of food do you have in mind?" Steve wondered.
"Well, here is what I was thinking: an amazing cuisine that only the finest adults will enjoy and the foods that the picky little ones will want more than anything" Roger explained as he showed the family photos of the food. The photos include pizza, burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta, mac and cheese, fried chicken, fries, salads, tacos, burritos, steak, roast beef, ham, turkey, baked potatoes, fruit, and so forth.
"Do you know how to make them within seconds?" Wendy wondered.
"I sure can" Roger explained as he quickly cooked up a lot of food within seconds.
"Wow! This is amazing!" Zoey smiled. "Unfortunately, we can't eat any of this because we just finished our dinner"
"BOO!" everyone shouted.
"However, you should serve it to the restaurant. It looks delicious" Zoey commented.
"Thank you! Then what should I do with all this food?" Roger wondered.
"Rogu hungry" the tiny homunculus arrived as he ate everything in one bite. Everyone looked shocked.
"Who's that Mommy?" Wendy asked.
"It's your cousin Rogu I guess" Zoey answered.
"He's kind of cool" Luke smiled as he and the homunculus shared a fist bump.
The next day, Steve gathered some people in helping open the brand new Old Country Buffet restaurant.
"Thank you guys for your help. We couldn't have done this without you. We look forward to making this experience once again memorable" Steve commented.
"Remember, if anything goes wrong, please don't hesitate to ask" Zoey added as people began to construct the building into a buffet style restaurant.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Zoey wondered.
"Trust me. I'm going to make us feel like kids growing up in the 2000s again. It should work. We won't let Golden Corral take all the competition" Steve reassured.
"I like Golden Corral" Zoey commented.
"Even when it gave you diarrhea after eating that one steak?" Steve joked which Zoey blushed.
"Mom, is that true?" Luke wondered.
"Yes. Forget that I asked" Zoey crossed her arms. "How was I supposed to know the difference between well done and medium well?"
"Mommy, in a well done steak, there is completely no red color at all. Medium well has some red inside the meat" Wendy explained.
"Look, I hardly eat any beef. It's not my fault my stomach was not cooperating with me!" Zoey snapped.
"Hey everybody! I'm almost done!" Roger declared as he and his crew made final touches with the restaurant. Once everything is cleaned up, we can check it out!"
The people outside cheer as the restaurant is making final touches. Later, the people went inside and everything looked nice inside.
"Roger, it's beautiful! Way to go man!" Steve cheered.
"I can't believe you actually did it! That's so cool!" Zoey smiled.
"I told you we got it" Roger grinned.
"Rogu helped too" Rogu commented.
"Roger, I can't believe you actually did this. What's something you can't do?" Zoey wondered.
"Watch this" Roger explained as he used his super speed. Within seconds, Zoey's pants are replaced with a short skirt.
"I didn't feel anything" Zoey was shocked as she looked down.
"That's nothing. One time he sold my underwear to a hobo and I didn't feel anything" Steve joked.
"Like this?" Roger explained as Steve's whitey tights were removed within seconds and he sold it to a stranger within seconds thanks to his super speed. He did not feel anything at all.
"Can I have my pants back? I like this skirt but I'd rather have my pants back" Zoey begged as Roger used his super speed but Zoey was left in her pink panties. Steve covered Luke's and Wendy's eyes.
"Hey!" Zoey shouted as she covered herself with her hands.
"Oops! My bad" Roger gave Zoey her pants back. Steve uncovered his children's eyes.
"There, are you happy now?!" Steve looked at the camera. "Is this what you wanted, pen?"
"WHO?" everyone asked.
"Nevermind. The point is, Roger, you're amazing! Can you make sure that our restaurant goes well and that nothing bad happens? I have a feeling that everyone wants to go inside and I have a gut feeling something will happen" Steve said.
"It will be fine Steve. We got this!" Roger said in a confident tone.
The next day, there was a huge line of people waiting to get inside the newest Old Country Buffet. Even Stan, Francine, Hayley, Jeff, Mary, Steve's friends, Hayley's friends, Zoey's friends, and other characters from the show are waiting in line to get inside the restaurant.
"Mommy, daddy, there's so many people!" Wendy cheered.
"I know sweetie! I didn't think that there would be so many here today. Steve, I think you did it. You revived everyone's childhood" Zoey smiled.
"Thanks everyone!" Steve said as he went up to the front of the entrance and made a speech. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming today. I know that everyone here is eager to try some delicious buffet food and trust me, it is delicious. Now all I ask is for everyone to go inside in an orderly fashion. I promise that everyone will get to sample some of the food. This is why I had reservations set up. If you don't have one, please make one as soon as possible. The QR code is in the front of the restaurant. Other than that, come on in" he announced as Roger cut the ribbon of the restaurant as everyone applauded and they went inside the restaurant.
Steve, Zoey, and the twin children see everything going well inside the restaurant. People are laughing and smiling. The place is clean and organized. There was 90s music playing inside. Roger is leading the place as all the chefs are cooking and the waiters are given nice tips from successful meal times by the customers. A lot of smiling and laughter are coming from the customers.
"I can't believe it Steve! You did it! The place is a hit!" Zoey hugs her husband.
"Told you Zoey! People are going to love the nostalgia" Steve reassured as the restaurant becomes a full house.
"You young people are amazing! I wish that you can revive every old restaurant" an elderly customer commented.
"Steve, you and Roger are amazing! You did it! I have a strong feeling that everything is going to be okay" Zoey said.
"You bet babe" Steve said as the couple shared a kiss.
"Can we eat some of the food here daddy?" Wendy asked.
"Should we?" Steve smiled as he looked at his wife.
"I don't see why not" Zoey agreed as the family got plates.
Later that night, as Steve was in bed, Zoey arrives wearing only a white t-shirt and black sweatpants as she gets into bed with her husband after she just put her twin children to bed. She opened her phone and looked at so many reviews online about the restaurant.
"Steve, we're getting 5 stars! This is amazing! I can't believe it!" Zoey grinned.
"That's awesome babe!" Steve cheered as the love doves shared a kiss together.
"Look at this Zoey! We're getting so many positive reviews! We're going to be featured on the Food Channel! How exciting!" Steve grinned as he was watching the news.
"Steve, you were right. We can revive a 90s restaurant and make it successful in today's society. I only wish that I can relive more 90s even though I was born in 97" Zoey commented.
"That's okay. You are still a 90s kid. Plus you're beautiful and smart and funny" Steve said as he began to snuggle with his wife. "I'm so glad that we can do this everyday babe."
"How lucky are we to marry each other and have adorable babies?" Zoey added as she made out with Steve.
The next day, the Food Channel TV crew arrived at the restaurant.
"Thank you guys for coming! I really appreciate you showing up on such notice" Steve said.
"No problem. Can we go inside and see what all the excitement is about?" a member of the channel asked as Steve showed them the inside of the restaurant. However, things got a little crazier than usual. More people are still waiting in line and a bunch of fan favorite food has run out within seconds.
"This isn't what it looks like, I swear!" Steve pleaded.
"It looks like we've seen enough. Thank you" the Food Channel TV crew left. Steve was shaking.
"It's okay babe. We'll be okay" Zoey pleaded as she hugged her husband.
Roger arrived. "Is everything going well?"
"It's going Roger. It is definitely going" Zoey answered.
"Rogu see Steve scared" the small homunculus commented.
"Be nice Rogu" Zoey commented.
Later that night, Steve was in bed watching TV as he saw his restaurant not getting a positive review on the Food Channel as it got 2.5 stars. He frowned.
"What went wrong? I brought the nostalgia back and yet people are acting so crazy! What's going on?" he arrived.
"I don't know babe. We can only do so much. Here, maybe this will cheer you up" Zoey said as she kissed her husband but he's not in the mood.
"I'm sorry babe. I just don't feel like doing it today. I'm too tired" Steve refused as he went to sleep.
"But I was going to take my…" Zoey collapsed as she also fell asleep.
The next day, Steve gets ready to open the restaurant. However, he got a call from one of his employers to call in sick. After the call, Steve bangs his head against the wall in frustration but Roger and Rogu appeared as they do the same thing.
You guys are not helping!" Steve snapped.
Later that day, as things went crazy, it went really crazy.
"Steve, did you really think this through?" Zoey raised her eyebrows as the place got crazier.
"I didn't expect it to be this crazy! But hey, it's a success, right?" Steve commented.
"A success?! Look around you, Steven Anita! This place is a mess, and the staff can't keep up!" Zoey argued. "Don't you understand that the best cook called in sick today?! Did you at least planned ahead?!"
"Sir, we ran out of pizza dough!" one chef complained.
"Sir, someone pooped on the urinal!" a janitor complained.
"Sir, there was a fight on table 2!" a waitress complained.
"Sir, some crazy kids spilled orange soda on the handicap seat" a customer complained.
"Sir, a woman is choking on a piece of corn!" another customer warned.
"Let's go for a family walk. That will calm everything down" Steve sweated as he took Zoey and the twins outside of the restaurant. "Kids, whatever you do, don't turn around."
"Like in Spirited Away?" Luke questioned.
"Good boy!" Steve answered.
"Steve, what about me?" Roger pleaded.
"Use your magic powers to control everything" Steve suggested.
"Rogu scared!" the small homunculus pleaded as the Smith-Wilson family went for a walk.
"Steven Anita Smith, ever since we met in 2014, is there something that you're not telling us?" Zoey pouted as she crossed her arms.
"Zoey, please don't make that face. You know it always turns me on and the kids are here!" Steve pleaded as Zoey's face turned into a glaring look.
"Dad, what's going on? Why can't we go back to the restaurant?" Luke wondered.
"Daddy, why are we walking away from our restaurant?" Wendy wondered.
"(sighs) you know what? Let's stop! I can't do this! Guys, I'm really sorry about this. I just wanted to share this amazing experience with you all. I wanted to see how life was like when your mom and I were kids a long time ago. Of course, I didn't get to see your mother back then and it wasn't until high school that we met the first time, but we both had similar fun experiences with family restaurants as kids and I wanted to share the magic with you. Instead of a dream, it became a nightmare. I'm sorry for wasting everyone's time and money on this. I'll make it up to you somehow" Steve apologized.
"What are you going to do now Dad?" Luke wondered.
"It's time I face the consequences once and for all!" Steve declared as he turned around. Moments later, the restaurant is fully collapsed from head to toe. Zoey, Luke, and Wendy see their dad frozen.
"Dad, are you okay?" Luke asked.
"He can't answer you, Luke. He's stuck frozen" Wendy said.
"Steve honey, I'm sorry" Zoey apologized. "Steve, it's okay. You did your very best on reviving a childhood restaurant but there's not much we can do about it. Look at the bright side, we brought it back again, right?"
"Mom, read the room" Luke crossed his arms.
"Luke, I know what I'm saying" Zoey said. "I'll tell you what: I will go speak with the insurance company and see what they say. There was a policy in which if a restaurant fails within the first month of opening, we can be eligible for a full refund. I'll leave you alone for a bit and then come back and see what happens next. Come on kids" Zoey said as she took the twins with her.
Moments later, as Steve is still frozen in shock, the rest of his family return.
"I spoke with the insurance company. They agreed to repay all the money spent on the restaurant but they will give us 20% every month until everything is paid off. It's better than nothing."
"I don't care" Steve answered in a monotone voice. "But...but this was supposed to be perfect. Our family memories."
"Come on. What do you say we come home and get yourself warm by changing and taking a hot shower?" Zoey offered.
"No!" Steve refused.
"Do you want to stay here and stay frozen?" Zoey asked.
"Yes!" Steve replied.
"Well, can I at least bring you some McDonald's?" Zoey offered.
"Okay" Steve answered with a tiny smile.
"What do you want from McDonald's?" Zoey wondered.
"Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, fries, ranch, large Dr. Pepper" Steve ordered.
"Let's go guys" Zoey said as she and the twins left.
End of Chapter
WOW! This chapter took a lot longer than usual! Thank you everyone for your long patience! Read and review and hopefully see you next time. I'm sorry for being super busy. It's rough balancing work, social life, and having time to write my stories.
