"That was a good movie," Christine said, striding toward the exit and holding the door open. "I never thought they could make me feel for a robot of all things. ..."
"Yeah, that Wall-E is a real tearjerker," Eddie said, stepping through the door. "Thanks, I guess."
"Hmph," Christine said. "I'm sorry if it didn't have enough explosions for your liking, Edward."
"Oh, shut up," Eddie said. "I don't need to hear any of that, 'Oh, you just don't know how to enjoy artsy-fartsy films!' crap from you."
They were silent when they exited the theater. However, the night was still young, and there were places to go. Christine walked toward the parking lot, while Eddied ventured toward the sidewalk.
"Where are you going?" they asked simultaneously.
"I am going to the parking lot," Christine said. "You know, where my car is."
"Yeah, well, I'm going to the bus stop," Eddie said. "You know, where my bus is. That I had to take to get here."
"Oh, very witty," Christine said. "Just get in my car, you idiot."
"What?" Eddie said.
"Get in my car," Christine repeated.
"I can't let you drive me!" Eddie said.
"And why not?" Christine said.
"Girls don't drive guys around!" Eddie said. "It's against the laws of nature! Look, I let you buy your stupid movie ticket, but this is where I draw the line. My foot's coming down here."
"Oh, get over yourself," Christine said. "It is not as if your testicles are going to fall off the moment you step into my car. I am driving my car, and if you get on that bus, then I will be driving it home. Got it?"
Eddie's face twitched. He opened and closed his mouth in rapid, spastic movements. People spilled out of the theater and walked to their cars, staring at Eddie as they went. He was like a circus freak, a living dummy with no ventriloquist. And that's a sad life to live, especially with no nice, comfortable box to sleep in.
Eddie closed his eyes. It was impossible to watch his brain at work, but it was probably like one of those old Looney Tunes cartoons with the assembly line music and little workers all adding their little something along the way, and an idea would form at the end of the line. Suddenly Eddie's eyes snapped open. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly; his head shook slightly as the air escaped his lungs.
"Fine," Eddie said. "I'll get in your damn car, and you'll drive us to the stupid restaurant. You wanna pay for your own meal while we're at it? Huh?"
"That sounds fine to me," Christine said, nodding. She turned and walked to her car. The heels of her boots clicked rhythmically on the asphalt. Eddie followed behind with his head staring down at the ground. Who knew what thoughts were floating around in his head at that moment? Maybe a mix of crushed balls, broken dreams and something really nice to spend $50 on and forget this ever happened.
Christine opened the door to her Corolla and stepped inside. She flicked some hair out of her face with a hint of a smile showing. Yes, she had plenty of reason to be happy. Her heart was probably beating plenty fast while Eddie was thinking. That was a nice threat she made -- very believable. Almost too believable.
It was a good thing Christine didn't drive Eddie away -- she would have lost out on $50 and a decent dinner had Eddie split.
"Buckle your seat belt," Christine said. "If I get a ticket because of you, then you are going to pay for it."
"I'm just taking you out on a date, I'm not marrying you," Eddie said. "Stop nagging me."
Christine thrust her key into the ignition and pulled out of the parking lot. She waited for one car to pass and rolled quickly out onto the street, picking up speed and weaving between cars. Eddie leaned harder into the back of his seat. His tanned face faded to a sickly gray. He tried turning his face to look at Christine but couldn't muster the energy, as if he was on a rocket exploding toward the moon.
A light ahead turned yellow. Christine smoothly hit the brakes and rolled to a stop as the light turned red. Eddie bounced forward and was pulled back by his seat belt.
"Where would you like to go?" Christine asked, checking her face in the mirror.
"What the hell are you doing?" Eddie said. "Do you want to give me a heart attack before we get to the restaurant? Aren't you at all interested in making it there alive?"
"Oh, stop overreacting," Christine said, facing the windshield again. "Where would you like to go?"
"I don't even care anymore, as long as I'm not a flaming husk when I get there," Eddie said. He leaned back and closed his eyes. "And for the love of God, don't go to some fancy fuckin' place that's gonna make me pay out the asshole for a decent meal."
"We'll go to El Torito," Christine said. "It is nice and quiet, and I feel like Mexican food tonight."
"Where the hell is that?" Eddie asked. "I never heard of it."
"It is just down the street," Christine said. "Near the mall."
