[Scene: Zoi's bedroom, Zoi's doing his homework when the phone rings. He sees it's Usagi.]

Zoi: Hey, Usagi what's up?

Usagi: [emotional] Oh, Zoi. I'm grounded. My mother somehow found out I'm failing again and she's banned me from leaving my room except to go to school. I'm not even allowed to visit Rei to see how she's doing before progress reports come out and she sees if my grades improve.

Zoi: How dreadful. Have you considered getting a tutor?

Usagi: I've had a tutor, but I work just fine when there is a tutor watching. My problem is that I'm too lazy, and I procrastinate until I run out of time. Anyway, I'm supposed to meet Mamoru at the Crown in a few minutes, but I obviously can't make it. Could you do me a favor and give him a call and tell him I won't be there?

Zoi: Why don't you call him yourself?

Usagi: Because I don't want him repeating his "you really need to study if you ever want to do anything meaningful with your life" lecture for the fifteenth time… Oh, come on, please?… He really likes you.

Zoi: Yes, I know…Why don't you get one of your girlfriends to do it?

Usagi: Because they're all single! None of them have real boyfriends, so I don't want them knowing he's temporarily back on the market… Pleeeezzee?

Zoi: Oh, alright. I've been meaning to ask him about something anyway.

Usagi: Thanks a ton. Love you.

Zoi: Love you too. [Hangs up and dials Mamoru]

Mamoru: Mamoru Chiba.

Zoi: Hi, Mamoru. This is Zoi. I'm just calling to let you know Usagi won't be able to make your date tonight. She has to stay home and study.

Mamoru: [light spirited] Well, good for her. Better now than she waits until she's grounded.

Zoi: Yeah, actually… she's already grounded.

Mamoru: [sore] Oh, that's just great. And she was all excited about taking Eleanor Heltry back to the retirement home this Saturday to work on her people skills, but I guess that is out too. Oh well, I'm supposed to pick up my aunt from the airport in an hour and a half, so I guess I'll hang around here and see if I can help Motoki out to kill some time.

Zoi: Actually, as long as you have some free time, there is something I've been meaning to ask you… Mamoru, what do you know about motorcycles?

Mamoru: Some. I built up a bike a while back, but sold it when I got my car. Why?

Zoi: Well, I recently acquired a pair of bikes and they are not in the greatest of condition. I wonder if you can get them running.

Mamoru: I'll give it a try. Want me to come by right now and take a look?

Zoi: I'll pay you.

Mamoru: No, I want to help. You can't pay me.

Zoi: At least stay for dinner, my father will be delighted.

Mamoru: No, my aunt is taking me out for Indian food tonight. I promised I wouldn't ruin my appetite.

Zoi: Well how about a trade, then? I only need one bike, and I'll need lessons, too. So how about this? I'll give you the other bike and then you can teach me.

Mamoru: Well, let me take a look at the bikes and see if they are salvageable first. I'll be by in a few minutes.

Zoi: I'll see you then.

[Hangs up and goes downstairs, where his father is drinking beer in front of the TV.]

Zoi: Hey, Dad. Mamoru's coming by in a few minutes to come take a look at my bikes.

Chief Midori: [smiles] That's good. What will the two of you be doing?

Zoi: I told you. We're seeing about fixing up my bikes.

Chief Midori: I meant besides that.

[Zoi gives his father a dirty look.]

Zoi: Absolutely nothing. He's not even staying for dinner, so don't get excited. He's just going to swing by and take a look at my bikes before he picks up his aunt from the airport.

Chief Midori: [still smiling] Oh, well. It's a start.

Zoi: [sniffs] I'll wait for him outside. Don't you dare get off that couch for any reason until he's long gone.

Chief Midori: Don't worry. I wouldn't dream of ruining this for you.

Zoi: [shakes his head in disgust as he walks out] You're lucky Kunzite has no idea what a false friend you are.

Chief Midori: [calling after him] Oh, I'm pretty sure he knows.