Almost 3 am. Dale is about to go to sleep when his phone rings, it’s Terence, responding to his message to call him as soon as he can. Dale, straight up, explained the situation, and asked for advice and help to get rid of Riley’s pestering once and for all.

Terence is quiet for a few seconds in order to think, and then…

Terence: Mhm, and do you want me to get rid of her the old fashioned way, or Terry The Terrible’s way?

Dale: Whatever you think is best, just please, please, don’t let it involve bloodshed, okay?

Terence: Doesn’t sound like fun to me, but okay, we’ll do it your way.

Terence: Now I need some information about the victim… oops, sorry, I mean, about the girl. You know, name, waist, breast and hip sizes?

Dale: Terry, come on…

Terence: Easy, bro, I’m just kidding. Why do you have to be so damn serious about everything? Give me her name and phone number, that’ll be enough.

Dale: All right, her name is Riley Woods.

Terence: Riley Woods. Okay.

Dale: I’ll send you her contact before I hang up.

Terence: Okay…

Terence: Wait a minute, did you say Woods? From Woods Real Estate?

Dale: Yeah, I know, her dad is millionaire G.W. Woods.

Terence: You’ve got to be kidding me.

Dale: Why, what’s so special about him?

Terence: Well, G.W. is one of my partners in crim– ahem, in business. So, I can’t, you know, ‘get rid’ of his daughter in any shape or form. Besides, I don’t think it would be in your best interest to become enemies with someone like Woods, actually, I’d suggest that you go out with the girl.

.Dale: I can’t go out with Riley. Kelly can’t stand her, if I tell her I’m going out with her, Kelly’s going to get furious and God knows what she could do to Riley.

Terence: Well, then let them work it out themselves. You know, catfights are fun– and usually harmless.

Dale: Believe me, that wouldn’t be any fun for me. Listen, if you’re not gonna help me…

Terence: Hey, hey. Of course I’m gonna help you. But first listen to me, I think it might be good for you to go out with Riley. Her father is very powerful, and a financial genius. He could, you know, give your business the boost it needs. From what I’ve heard, his daughter is his treasure, so, it wouldn’t hurt to be nice to her. But first tell me. How does she look? Is she fine?

Dale: What do you mean fine?“

Terence: You know what I mean.

Dale: You’re asking if she’s hot.

Terence: Yeah, is she?

Dale: Well, Riley’s not ugly and she has a nice body, but she’s got nothing on Kelly.

Terence: (Sighs) I suppose so… Now seriously, D, this is your chance to break into the big world, don’t waste it. The benefits could be huge.

Dale: I get what you mean, but like I said, I don’t want trouble with Kelly. We already had a fight over this particular issue, if I go ahead and take Riley out, I’ll end up damaging our relationship.

Terence: I see your point. Kelly is strong, though, she can deal with this and more.

Dale: That remains to be seen…

Terence: Yeah, you’re right, you don’t want to piss Kelly off, she might beat the hell out of you like she did with me that one time. Boy, does she have a heavy hand!

Dale: (Keeps an awkward silence).

Terence: (After a heavy sigh) Well, you wanted some advice, I already gave it to you, I hope it helps.

Dale: Of course it will. Thanks a lot, T. And sorry to bother you at this hour.

Terence: You never bother me, brother. I wish you luck with Riley. I look forward to all the dirty details.

Dale: I hope I don’t have any ‘details’ to tell. Talk to you later, T. Stay safe and– say hi to Cyn for me.

Terence: (More seriously) Sure thing. Bye, D. (Hangs up)

DDale hung up the phone and stood there thinking… Kelly beat him up? Not a chance. Only Terry has the power to get on her nerves like that. He is reckless in every possible way, and patience is not among Kelly’s virtues.

Cynthia and Terry, on the other hand, are a match made in heaven. Yeah, each one is with whom he should be with, however…

Enough. Exhaustion makes him think foolish things. And unlike Terry, he’s not in a mansion, surrounded by a family and all kinds of comforts, but in a dorm with little space and no privacy, threatened by problems. And the term is just getting started!