#wallys beech

Okay, that was just what he needed to get through the homework.

Hamilton decides it's time for another party. (When is it not?) Wallys figures a cup of espresso will keep him from conking out too early.

"Come and get it, y'all!"

Virginia is full of the show she's working on, and it doesn't escape Wallys's notice that Dawn hangs on her every word. "Yea, I'm the third astronaut, the one who fights the alien with the wrench and screams: "Mayday" as I spiral off into space. Not much screentime, but I can sink my teeth into it."

Let's try this again, Sandy thinks. "So you're down with the plan to move back in here?" "It seems very economical, and I can take over the housework while you're in the store. Or I can help with the store." "Don't you have ambitions of your own?" "Not the sort that other people think of as ambitions."

"Watch out! You saw what I can do earlier today!" "Yeah, but I don't have a bum knee." "You two watch out! This oven's hot!"

Yup. The party is still hearty in this old bod.

Oh, hey, there's Portia. And Arden. Being chummy. Not that it's any of his business.

"Hey, Portia! That was a great date the other night! We should do it again!" "Excuse me? Which other night?" "Chill, Arden, we're talking."

Dawn, meanwhile, is on a mission - to date! And who better than Wallys, who can meet her at the Dining Dash with no trouble to anybody? "Watch out, I hear there's a ticklemonster on the loose!"

"You dance really well." "Yeah, I get lots of practice. Oh, fudge." "What?" "My dad just walked in." "Ugh. As long as my dad isn't here too!"

"Don't mind me, kids. I just came in to slapdance."

"Wow, you put on aftershave for me and everything!"

"So…what if…we both got desserts?" "Ooh, I like the way you think."

"You never had baked alaska? Its wild - check it out."

"You sorry sonofabitch!" "Eeep!"

"He's only a kid, Ottomas!" "He's only a cheating little bastard!"

Turns out, it can be real handy to know when somebody has a bum knee. Wallys doesn't feel good about beating up an old man - but Mr Ottomas did jump him, he's got witnesses!

"Maybe I'd better do what I came out for and go over to the General Store."

Wallys avoids the store as much as he can after school. "Hi, Mr. Ottomas! How are you all doing? I've been planning to call Olivia, but I don't want to disturb anybody in mourning." "We're managing, son. I believe she'd like you to call." "I will, then."

"Dawn! Look who it is! I was just thinking about you." "Are you kidding me!?"

"Coach says Simerican football is a thug's game and bad for the brain, but there really isn't anything like making that soaring kick."

"Well, we wouldn't want your lips getting cold, would we?" "You little swine!"

"Hi, I'm Dawn's big sister, Ida Juana." "I can see where she gets her good looks from." "Olivia does not deserve this!"

Turns out, Wallys doesn't have to get himself together enough to ask a girl out if she gets herself together enough to ask him out! Kissing on Dawn is different from kissing on Olivia is different from kissing on Portia, but it's all good. He'll have to watch his back at school today, though. Can't kiss one with another in line of sight.

"Aren't you going to be late for work, dear?" "Nope. I'm taking today off so I can help you in the store, since Virginia won't be there." "Okay. That's very thoughtful of you." That has "potential disaster" written all over it. She'll need to hire somebody new soon. Not that she isn't delighted that Virginia's finally getting somewhere in her chosen profession.

The first thing Hamilton does at the store is chow down on some churros he finds in the fridge. After all, nobody's shown up yet.

Sandy doesn't waste time making her pitch as soon as anybody comes in the door, though. (No, the counter isn't supposed to be for sale. I keep forgetting to fix that.)

"Hold on, hold on -" "What happened to my neighbor? The little red-haired one? I thought she worked here." "My daughter, I'll have you know, has moved on to better things and will soon be a great star of stage and screen."

Ooh, newlywed with money just walked through the door! "This thing has a state-of-the-art icemaker. No more ice cubes spewing out onto the floor!"

"Kid, you better be using the mixers and not the alcohol." "Um, sure. Um - what should I call you, anyhow?" "...Rhett's fine. I mean, it's my name and everything. And 'Nose Donor' is such a mouthful."