Chapter 80：Choosing the divine pick up line (1/2)
On that day, Ben learned that compared to only hearing a concept, watching it work as described created a much stronger impression. One could say showing was more powerful than telling…
”She's going to show me them tits!” Ben declared to Beluga and Antonio.
He was texting Katie as the three of them walked out of the cafe and into the mall corridor. As soon as Ben applied the three minute rule, he noticed her responses became more enthusiastic. Within a few more exchanges, they set a date for tomorrow! As for the tits...Ben's optimism was running wild...
”Stop textin' her before you ruin it. After the date's set, leave it at that until the next day. Remember that you want to seem busy,” Antonio said.
At those words, Ben became anxious. He almost knocked into passing shoppers as he sent Katie his last text, which he read out loud as he types. ”Gotta go, busy, dog in crumbling skyscraper. Send.”
…
Antonio and Beluga stopped dead in their tracks at the last part. ”Did you send that?” Beluga stared at Ben.
”Yea, what? Wasn't that correct?” Ben asked.
Antonio replied, ”No! You gotta keep what you say within the realm of plausible possibility. No one knows a skyscraper is crumblin' before it happens. This ain't the Twin Towers.”
…
Ben's palms started to sweat. ”Did I ruin my date tomorrow by doing something ridiculous? I mean…jet fuel can't melt steel beams…”
Antonio waved it off. ”Nah, you're ok. It's lucky you added the dog. Saved by the rule of cute. Send her a puppy pic to stop the bleeding…”
Ben did as instructed. Before he clicked send, Antonio snatched his phone from him. ”Damnit, not Scrappy Doo…”
After Antonio sent a photo of an actual dog, Ben put his cell away and the three continued marching through the crowded halls of loud shoppers.
Ben looked at his two buds. Not long ago, he didn't know what friendship was. He was all alone in his room, living vicariously through video games and light novels…a life that he recently learned…wasn't a life at all.
”You know, I've really gotta thank you guys. If you didn't take me in…I would've been hopeless… I would've never believed a nobody like me could change his life with some direction and motivation. Now…I'm dating beauties, not afraid to take what I want, and chasing my goals every day… Whatever happens, I just want you guys to know that I really appreciate you helping me…and being my friends.” When the two of them looked at him, Ben blushed a little.
”It's that kind of talk that's gonna keep you a virgin cuz…” Antonio jested and put his arm around Ben's shoulders.
Beluga also patted Ben's back with a reassuring smile. ”He's right. Never let a female catch you saying that.”
…
Wrapped up in the mood, Ben started another sentimental sentence before Beluga interrupted him by yelling towards a passing woman. ”Hey baby! You ever been with a man with such a smooth ass pimp walk?!?”
…
He walked away, leaving Ben and Antonio looking at each other. ”The man's a real pro…” Antonio rubbed his neck.