Twi290d

Megaman - Monday, June 19, 2000, 9:30 PM

----------------------------------------

Bahamas:

The Bahamas are a beautiful land, composed of about 700 coral islands and 2300 reefs that extend for a distance of over 500 miles. Pine forests cover the majority of the islands, able to grow because of the mild temperature and plentiful moisture. Almost all of the islands have at least townlets, and the the capital city of Nassau even covers all of its island, New Providence. Despite this high level of population, there is a languid feeling of peace in the area, and life seems to follow a slow, calm pace that is perfect for relaxation. Even the scattering of Repliforce military bases on a few of the smaller islands just lends to this feeling of peace and comfort.

It isn't long, thanks to the wonder of teleporter technology, before the hoverbike emerges from the giant city of Nassau, and is streaming it's way through the streets and towards the outskirts of the population center itself. In the background, one can see the never-ending blue sky, as well as feel the breeze and the smell of salt water, the ocean's huge expanse in the background no matter where one looks. Rick's hair...the part of it that pokes free of his headband that is, whips easily as the wind carries through it, the temperature here the typical warm that people have always associated with the Bahamas.

Twila Peterson rests herself against her brothers back. Yes, some of her thoughts remain on what she bore witness to back within Seoul. And she can't shake the dreaded feeling of what she saw is much like how the tyrants of the past spoke of their own peace...only to bring death and destruction instead. A shudder runs down the length of her spine as she ponders on this...but then she forces her thoughts down. She doesn't want to ruin Rick's surprise after all. Whatever it is he has planned must be really,...something. Her arms hold onto him tightly as the bike continues on through the city as her own locks of red join in unison with his blond. "So...where exactly is this...?" she asks, not quite certain to what island he's taken her. Although...from appearances she already knows it's within the tropics.

"The city of Nassau. Capital of the Bahamas so to speak." Rick answers, having to raise his voice somewhat over the wind streaming by at their current speed. With a careful pull on the handlebars, he brings the bike to rise over a large truck in their path, and come down in front, now heading straight towards a line of docks that seems to go on as far as the eye can see. Thousands upon thousands of watercraft, from hover-boats, to hydrofoils, to old-fashioned types that actually ride -in- the water can be seen. Even giant cruise liners are visible on the horizon at the same time. It's to one of these particular docks that Rick heads towards, moving out across the old-style lumber design, and coming up towards where a medium sized speedboat is moored into place, with a man of obvious Jamaican descent (by his dreadlocks) sits patiently. Rick wastes no time then in shutting the hoverbike off, and proceeding to swing to the dock itself, grinning now from ear to ear as he extends a hand to help Twila off as well. "I told ya we were gonna take a little field trip."

Twila Peterson blinks as she allows herself to be aided back to her feet. Her gaze falls towards the boat as well as its "captain" and then back towards her brother, not knowing what to say. At first a squeeze to his hand is all she gives in response. "Field trip?" she quotes with a wide grin. "I think I'm beginning to like this. I had no idea..." she gets out...before giving him a big ole sisterly bear hug. "Thanks!" She may not know exactly to where they're going...but does she need more details at the moment?

Rick Morgan laughs gently, returning the hug in full, before stepping back just enough to gesture towards the boat itself, and the occupant. "Hey, would I ever let my lil sis down?" he chuckles. "Twila, I'd like you to meet our guide for this trip. Jose." He then turns towards the man, giving a quick grin as he tugs Twila towards the craft itself. "Jose, this is my sister Twila, whom I told you about."

The man of course stands up straighter, removing his sunglasses and flashing a wide smile, showing a set of perfect white teeth in the process. "Tis a pleasure, mon!" One hand then raises out in Twila's direction, at first to help her into the boat, though not before he smiles in a friendly manner. "My boat, she is always welcome for beautiful ladies dat wish to see da dolphins up close."

Rick meanwhile, just chuckles, as he steps into the boat ahead, ready to offer assistance if needed. Though it looks Jose has long since beaten him to it.

The girl's eyes light up even more. Did he just say... "Dolphins? Really?" she blurts in glee wondering if she heard right, even as her hand grasps onto the native as she steps carefully into the craft. About this time her manners seem to remember to kick in. "Uh...I mean...um...nice to meet you too, Jose..." she manages after a slight blush.

Jose laughs heartily, in that way that only Jamaicans can truly do so, being such a cheerful people. It's certainly contagious, and definitely enough to get Rick chuckling at the same time.

"I ain't talkin tuna-fish!" He finally offers with another grin, already pulling the ropes off from the dock itself and setting the boat drifting. "Don't you worry your pretty lil head now. Jose's gonna find lots `o dolphins for you to see! No problem!" With that, he proceeds to move up front and sit down in the driver's seat, as Rick eases into place on the rear-most bench, gesturing for Twila to join him.

"So now if'n ye both be sitting yourselves down, we'll get dis little trip underway!" With another round of laughter, Jose proceeds to turn the engine over, allowing it to roar to life as he eases the throttle forward, now pulling away from the dock itself. At the same time, the speakers on board the craft begin to project out a balmy tropical tune, complete with bongo drums.

Rick meanwhile can't help but laugh again, before proceeding to remove his headband and let his hair blow freely in the salty sea breeze kicked up by the boat's momentum. "Weeeell...." He says then, grinning in his sister's direction. "..you -said- you wanted to see dolphins someday. Or did my ears deceive me?"

Twila Peterson muffles out a giggle as she shifts within the seat she has already taken besides the cyborg before the boat left the docks. "Oh, maybe..." she smiles, slightly leaning against him even as he eyes trail the openness of the waters before them. "Although I didn't think you'd be trying to do anything of it so soon..." Or at all. This came as quite a surprise for her. She tends to do her best not to take her twin for granted if it can be helped. "Thanks, Rick," she adds, just before sneaking him a quick peck on the cheek. Her focus then reshifts quickly enough, playing little "miss innocent" as she turns her gaze back Jose. "How far are they usually from the shore?"

"Not far!" Jose pipes up over the thrumm of the boat's motor in the background, and the music for that matter. "Dis pod see, dey used to people comin to see dem! Dey like it cos we always bringin dem lots `o fish for dem to eat!" He gestures towards the farthest side of the boat, where indeed a pail of herring pre-prepared sit ready to be taken.

Rick grins at that, and gives a slight shrug. "Hey...look at it this way. I've never seen em up close myself before. So it's a first for me too!"

"Well you don gotta be like dat for much longer my friend!" Jose answers with a cheerful whoop, pointing out to the water as he kills the engine. "Cos dere dey are!"

Amazingly enough, the boat had moved fast enough that the docks and other watercraft are far behind, and all around one can see the ocean itself, as well as the other islands of the Bahamas, seemingly untouched in many areas by technology and it's advances through the decades. Palm trees and traditional 'tropical islands' dot the seascape all around.

And sure enough, in the distance and rapidly drawing closer is a group of forms that leap and trail through the water, cutting it's liquid form with fluid ease, hitting the surface, only to dive and leap free once more. Some of them even do complete flips as they slice through the air with each graceful leap. By their actions the dolphins seem well aware they have visitors and appear just as enthused about the company as the humans are to see them.

Twila's always loved and adored dolphins ever since she was young. However, she never was able to see one growing up since she had come from a lower middle class family and...being in the midwest as she was...dolphins were a bit of a rare find, to say the least. The only ones she had seen were at the San Angelas NorthEastern Aquarium...and that was when they were in captivity. She had never had a chance to see dolphins in the wild...before now.

The girl's eyes seem to light up much like a small child's when she catches sight of the activity. "I see them!" she manages as she leans over slightly to get a better view. Even now tho, she's mindful to not upset the balance of the boat. "Isn't this great, Rick? There they are!"

Rick Morgan can't help but laugh once again, the feelings indeed contagious right then and there. Plus...he just can't help it. Seeing Twila like this, laughing, cheerful, and seeing the excitement in her eyes...it makes it so much more worth it to the power of 100. "Yeah, Twila! I see em!" he then offers, proceeding to stand up then. The boat is large enough it isn't rocked very easily thankfully. He moves to the side and sets his hands on his hips, watching. "Sheesh, they sure are fast..."

"You only seein da half of it friend." Jose offers, already out of his seat and holding the pail in one hand. Within seconds, he plucks out a herring in his fingers, and holds it up, almost waving it as a sign for the incoming sea mammals. "OK!" he offers with a quick shout. "Dinner's served and we got da special dat everyone loves! Who gonna be da first?"

As if in answer to this, a form comes up out of the water right -next- to the boat. A large female, balancing on her tail as she whips it back and forth, comes up almost all of the way, her flippers waving in the air as she squees loudly in response.

Jose laughs, and proceeds to toss the fish to her, which is snapped up eagerly by the dolphin as she leaps back into the water once more. "Okay, okay! It be lookin like Anagale win dis race! Da rest of you is gettin slow! Jose gonna start worryin bout you huh?" By now, heads are poking out of the water all around the boat, the air filled with the clicks and squeals of the pod as they eagerly greet the humans, and of course the food that they've brought.

Blinking in surprise at how -sudden- they arrived, Rick leans over enough to set his hands on the side of the boat, watching with a curious expression. "Wow...they come and go so fast I don't know how you can keep track of them."

Twila Peterson widens her eyes even more as she peers immediately over the rim of the craft, blinking, only to be sprayed by some of the sea water as one of the creatures comes up to claim her dinner. She doesn't mind however, as evidenced by the look of pure amusement on her features. "They are pretty fast," she exclaims as she brushes some of the wet locks from her field of vision. "You have them all named?" she questions the guide as she once more looks over the rim...not wanting to miss a mere second of this.

"Oh sure!" Jose offers, tossing another herring in amongst the crowd. Snap. It's gone in seconds. "People gots names, so why wouldn't da dolphins have em too huh?" He flashes another perfect-white smile in the process, before gesturing to the one that just grabbed the second fish. "Dat one dere, dat's Hardhead. Cos he always bumpin into tings. Dis one..." Another fish tossed into the crowd, to a young male dolphin who's near his mother. "...his name be Lucky. Cos when he born, he get caught up in da fisherman's net. He gonna drown if Jose no be jumpin in to cut im loose. So he one lucky little fellah." Another squee from the juvenile gets another fish of course.

Rick blinks again, smirking as he straightens up. "Somethin here reminds me of some people I know..." he offers mischievously. "Like sittin around lookin for favors...." He trails off then as another dolphin does a tail-stand in the water, coming up literally face to face with the technician. Needless to say, Rick blinks in surprise, and actually stumbles back as he's caught off guard, not having expected that so -close-. Indeed, his momentum carries him back...

...and right off the side of the boat with a loud splash. Some of the dolphins bolt around to the other side, while others increase the volume of their squealing and clicking.....almost laughing. And indeed, by the permanent smiles on their faces, one could very well get that impression.

Meanwhile, Jose certainly isn't too concerned...since he's busted up laughing himself, almost falling back into his seat in the process. Even as Rick's head breaks the surface once more and he spits out a stream of water, the Jamaican is still struggling to talk. "Ho, ho, ho! Here I be bringin ya out to be seein da dolphins. But is dat enough for him? NO! He's gotta be swimmin wit da dolphins!"

Rick Morgan phehs and blows a stream of damp blonde hair out of his eyes, staring at Jose as he bobs in the water. "Glad to see I'm the source of everyone's amusement..." He grunts, shooting a mock-glare at another smiling face that surfaces right next to him.

The man's nice little plunge happens a bit too suddenly for Twila to react quick enough, especially since she's jolted back somewhat herself in being startled. However, unlike some people she was actually sitting down. She emits a few giggles of her own after seeing that Rick isn't hurt before leaning over the edge again to look down. "You ok, Rick? How's the water?" she chuckles as she lends him a hand to perhaps climb into the boat. It's not like she's going to allow him to stay overboard now...is she?

Rick Morgan ahems once more, as he moves out of his coat, and proceeds to drape it over the side of the boat, still floating there for a moment. Since he's something new in the water, the dolphins seem to have all taken a sudden interest, swimming about and darting around and under the floating figure's form. At Twila's extended hand, Rick indeed reaches up to take hold of it, before smirking slightly. Not before he's gotten a firm hold of course. "Oh I dunno..." he answers slyly, before TUGGING on her arm. "Why don't you come in and find out?!"

"I don't---Hey?!" Why oh why didn't Twila see this coming? Well, actually, somewhere, somehow...she did. But that makes her no less surprised when she finds herself being pulled into the water along with her brother. When he head resurfaces from the sudden plunge she whips her drenched reddish locks about to clear her view. "A verbal commentary woulda done it..." she notes in mock-scorn before playfully splashing her brother, and some surrounding new friends, with some of the water. Hey, why not? It's not as if there's a short supply anywhere around? "You got me all wet!"

Between laughing, somewhere, -somehow- Jose finally manages to regain some of his composure, now glancing towards the two bodies floating in the water. He then shrugs, and proceeds to pull off his shirt. "Well I hate to be da only one dat stays dry roun here! So make way for Jose!" With that, he proceeds to dive off of the boat as well, splashing down onto the other side and swimming underneath, to come up not too far from the two siblings.

Meanwhile, Rick sticks out his tongue at Twila as she makes her commentary. "Hey, consider it fair treatment. I was already wet....so I just shared!" He then raises one arm to block his face, laughing meanwhile as Twila splashes at him. Of course, this is where the dolphins all start to get the same idea, and soon 3 of them are joining in, dipping their snouts in the water and splashing with much more force at Rick's form, leaving him drenched within seconds and barely even able to see.

"Ack! Ok! *blub* Ok! Mercy! Mercy! No fair, you had help!"

Meanwhile, Anagale, the big female, and the pod leader, swims almost lazily around the floating humans, taking her time for the moment. Since she's the oldest one around, she can afford to take things a little slower. Gently, she comes to the surface then, blowing a stream of air from her blowhole, and coming to a halt next to Twila, turning her head to one side to peer at her curiously.

Meanwhile, zipping about Twila's legs and upper body like he was overdosed on a sugar high, little Lucky is seemingly having loads of fun with this close contact, since his mother has decided to have a close look as well!

Twila Peterson ceases on her part of the assault on her brother as she catches sight of their guide joining in on the festivities. "Hey, Rick...I think you started something," she gets out somehow between laughs as some of the oceanic mammals continue to splash towards the cyborg.

The girl then gives herself pause as she feels one of the smaller ones that Jose had recently pointed out brush lightly against her in curiosity. When she looks down she then notices the youngster's mother satisfying her own curiosity as she examines the human as well. Twila holds her breath for a few moments, scarcely able to believe this is happening. But when she does, she only a musters a, "Uh...hi..." with a smile, wondering if the female would allow her to touch her as well.

The big female pod leader gently orbits around Twila for a few moments, as if sizing her up. Meanwhile, the youngster continues his underwater acrobatics, before flipping right out of the water itself and doing a full somersault over Twila's head, only to splash down on the other side. It's then that he flips around and comes up just in front of her, giving a loud squee, then diving into the water once more, his energy reserves seemingly limitless. It's then that Anagale pushes forward, lifting her head out and flashing that toothy smile that is common to the bottlenose species. A series of clicks are let out from her slightly open mouth, before she leans forward to touch the tip of her snout to Twila's chin for a brief second.

"Dat be meanin dat she be likin you. Odderwise she no would be allowin her little one to be playin wit you." Jose offers helpfully, all smiles at the moment. "Dey lookin pretty playful right now. I be tinkin dat dey wantin to race us or sometin. Too bad we humans ain't got da flippers to be givin em a competition!"

"Well..." Rick finally offers, having managed to clear his eyes out then after the previous splashing. One of the dolphins raises out of the water, ready to give him another dose, but he beats it to the punch this time, taking both hands and splashing a generous amount in the sea mammal's face, who proceeds to squeal playfully and dive back under once more. "...that actually gives me an idea." he continues. With a smirk, he kicks slightly and floats up closer towards Twila, watching her brief exchange with the pod leader.

Twila continues to smile, not wanting to lose this moment. She blinks as the mother gently touches the girl's skin somewhat shocked, but somehow not frightened, by the gesture...instead being rather warmed by it. "She likes me? Really?" After again glancing to the water beneath her as the youngster goes on playing, the young woman reaches out her hand carefully, not wanting to frighten away their new friend, and gently strokes her side. She watches carefully of course and would pull back straight away if she showed signs of not caring much for the touch.

She then pulls back as Rick makes his way over. "Idea? What kind of idea?"

The pod leader turns to the side slightly at Twila's touch, as if preferring it in one particular spot for now. A long, drawn out series of chirps are let loose, almost a rattling from her throat, as the contact is made. Finally though, she slips back and offers another click, before diving under the water once more. It's now that Rick finally pulls up alongside Twila's form, and grins, turning around to put his back to her. "Put your arms around and hold on tight and you'll find out in a sec." he offers mischievously.

Twila Peterson audibly sounds an, "Uh, oh," but does as asked anyway. As she brings her arms around him she indeed does clasp on tight...or as tightly as a wettened grasp can at any rate. "Er...right. So...how many knots...?" she questions. And then she wonders if Jose has any idea at all what her brother may be planning.

Jose indeed doesn't, but he's well aware of Rick's half-mechanical nature, so he has an idea he may have some 'abilities' beyond what he can do. With careful strokes, he moves over to the side of the boat, and proceeds to haul himself on board, turning around and remaining kneeling by the side to watch for now.

Meanwhile, Rick grins as Twila holds on. "Would you believe I've never clocked it?" he offers. Then, underwater, he extends both feet outwards. It's underneath, in the very bottoms, that small ports open up, revealing a pair of underwater jets. For a few seconds, nothing happens....until they spurt to life, and instantly begin to propel both owner and rider forward through the water. With a careful motion, Rick steers away from the boat, and begins to move out to where it's clearer...and there's plenty of room for that matter.

The sudden movement causes a rush of excitement through the pod. A new game to play! Instantly the twins are surrounded by leaping and squeaking dolphins, as they dart in and out and around the traveling pair. It isn't long before Rick is soon up to a good pace, cutting across the water's surface much like a miniature torpedo, with the sea mammals right alongside, clicking, squeaking and chirping in excitement as they leap alongside, and -over- the two.

Twila Peterson manages to somehow to keep her head turned to avoid the spraying of salt water directly into her eyes. Her hold falters once, at the initial "jumptstart" as the cyborg suddenly propels himself forward, but quickly regains itself, although not at the previous strength. She would offer some quip or some word to her twin as he moves along...something about them being "off and running", but doesn't. Instead she merely watches the sea creatures in glee, enjoying herself immensely. "Hey...I think they like the new game...!" she finally calls out.

Rick Morgan keeps his course steady at first, going in a straight line for some distance. The dolphins themselves never relent, darting back and forth, left and right, over and under. Finally, with a slow, gentle turn, Rick begins to steer back towards the direction of the boat once more, chuckling to himself as he concentrates on keeping his head up. Sometimes there -are- benefits to having mechanical parts after all. The stream of water kicked up in his wake is something that Lucky finds great fun, as he darts in and out of the waves and constantly smacks his body against the frothing ocean surface.

Soon, the twins have finally reached the boat once more, and Rick glides to a gentle stop alongside of it, reaching up with one hand to grip the side.

Jose just shakes his head, and laughs then. "Well mon, I have to say dat be lookin pretty handy to be able to move trough da water like dat." He's already got the pail of herring in his hands, and one by one, the eager pod members are tossed fish for their little performance.

Twila Peterson slides her hands from Rick in order to reach out for the side of the boat as well, working to catch a breath. "Sheesh...guess the job of 'speed boat' gets tagged to the list, huh?" she teases. However, being smaller than the cyborg her reach isn't has high as his. So, instead she merely wades, as she watches the Dolphins being rewarded with their treats, not realizing how tired her legs are getting, something Rick may not have to dwell on considering his own cybernetics he had just now used. "Seems like someone was hungry."

"Dey always hungry. Or so it be seemin." Jose chuckles, giving the last fish a quick toss to the nearest pod member, who snaps it up eagerly. By now though, some of them are beginning to filter away, and one by one the members start to dart out to the open ocean itself and beyond. "Looks like dey be callin dis party over for now." He then notes with a light smirk. "Dat be more activity dan dey be used to. But I tink dey liked it more dan de usual ones."

At that, Rick proceeds to haul himself over the side and into the boat itself, reaching out to try and help Twila do the same. Though just before he does that, another form comes up close to Twila once more. None other than little Lucky himself, who squeaks loudly at her, darting forward to press his own snout to her face, then swivel backwards as he tail-balances in an almost moonwalk gesture. Then, with a quick flip, he's back into the water once more, leaping and darting after the rest of the pod as they move on.

Rick Morgan smirks, glancing after, as he keeps his hand out for Twila. "Looks like he was sayin goodbye."

Twila Peterson is rather toughed by the gesture of the youngster responds with a wistful, "Yeah...I suppose he was." Calling out softly to the departing mammal she tones a, "Bye, Lucky. Nice meeting you..." with a tear coursing down her features. She then turns back towards her brother and accepts whatever help he can offer to help her back inside.

Rick Morgan indeed proceeds to haul his sister back up inside the boat then, grinning as he's tossed a towel from Jose, which he proceeds to hand to her without hesitation. "Well...that's definitely what I call something you don't see everyday." he chuckles, sliding back on the rear bench section of the boat itself.

Jose meanwhile chuckles, and returns the pail to where it belongs, before proceeding to get back in the driver's seat, and allow the engine to start up once more.

Twila Peterson accepts the towel gratefully. Although, to be honest, a towel isn't going to do much to help when she's already soaked to the bone. "No...it's not. But it is something definitely to see..." she muses, affected by her small swim in more ways than one. She does what she can before offering the towel to Rick in return. "Here...you're about as wet as I am..."

Rick Morgan smiles, "It comes from swimming in the ocean and stuff." He accepts the towel gratefully, and proceeds to put it to his hair in the process, deciding to let the sun dry out the -rest- of him.

Command Center <Hunter HQ> Monitors and computer consoles line the walls of this cavernous room. In the center of the room is a round computer with holographic display, its lights flashing busily as it processes information about mavericks, and their last known sittings. Computers along the walls are also occupied with an information-processing task. Technicians and other Maverick Hunters run about hastily, monitoring the computers, and making sure the information is as accurate as it can be. The whole air of this room exudes purpose and drive, and the hustle and bustle seems never-ending. On the south wall are two large bulletproof windows which gives you a view of the rooftop runway and Hangar Area. A large blast door in the middle of the two windows, giving easy access to the landing strip.

Rick Morgan steps free of the teleporter area, now stopping just inside the command center, and giving a quick stretch. His jacket is draped over one arm, he having elected to -carry- it back rather than wear it. "Home again home again..." he grins, as he glances back towards Twila's direction.

Twila Peterson is still practically beaming. Coming home brings back the memories of what happened within Seoul a few hours before. But for a moment, she's more able to set that and other concerns aside with the help of a memory far more precious...at least for her. "Yeah..." she muses before stating, "Lucky would have gotten cramped in my bathtub, huh?"

Rick Morgan laughs outright, flipping his jacket over his shoulder then. "That, and I think his mom wouldn't be very appreciative for that matter. You heard Jose tell you how she liked you." He reaches out with a finger to gently tap her nose. "Best keep it that way," he teases.

"I know...I know...," Twila grumps lightly in reply. "Like I would have a heart to even seriously consider something like that. Besides, come to think of it, I *need* my bathtub..." She teases as well while appearing quiet innocent. A moment passes before suddenly reaching out to tightly embrace her brother in heartfelt gratitude, voice breaking a little. "Thanks, Rick. It meant alot...you doing that for me..."

Rick Morgan smiles faintly, and gives a soft chuckle, as he returns the embrace in full, gently kissing the top of Twila's head in the process. "Hey...what's a brother for, huh?" he offers. "Seeing the look on your face, seeing how you enjoyed it...it was all worth it ten times over. Trust me."

Twila Peterson remains there, hugging Rick for awhile longer....simply enjoying the warmth and security of her brother's embrace. She can't find anything to say that could adequately place her feelings into words...so she tells him the only thing that matters. But even those words seem as if they cannot bear what she feels for him. "I love you, Rick."

Rick Morgan can't help but smile wider at that. Perhaps words can't help relay what she truly wants to say, but times like this that the seeming link between the twins does come in that much handier. And for a moment, he squeezes her just a bit more tightly. "I love you too, Twila," he offers gently, raising one hand to gently brush through her hair for a moment, and chuckling gently. "So...." he finally offers after a few more moments. "...what do you say we take this time to grab somethin to eat before it's time to turn in?"

Twila Peterson holds him a little more before glancing upwards at him. "That sounds wonderful, Rick. Have some leftovers from the fridge in the kitchenette too." She quickly sneaks him a kiss while resting herself against him. "Well...we do if Fliptop or anyone else hasn't gotten to them anyway..."

Rick Morgan smirks faintly at that, keeping an arm around Twila's form as he gently starts to move the two of them towards the gravlift itself. "That could be...debatable. Oh well, if worst comes to worst, I could always order a pizza...."