He unlocked his phone to read the messages he had just received, they were from Wilbur. Wilbur:George, good morning Don't worry I'm not asking you to babysit Tommy again haha I actually wanted to see if you'd like to come to dinner tonight? The last seat was actually reserved for my father, but you know he's at the hospital nonetheless he insisted someone fill his seat as he didn't want it to go to waste George had not been out to a proper dinner since he lived with his family in England. The ones he had been to had been strictly business related with colleagues, with the talk being mainly about work, so he didn't count those. George:Are you sure your father doesn't mind? Wilbur's typing bubble appeared right away. WilburWell, he insisted Lol, so I'd assume not George:I'd like that, then When and where? Wilbur:6:30 at The Minx, better to get there at 6 George's eyes widened, The Minx had been the priciest restaurant in town. Even the wealthiest of people George knew lived here and couldn't afford eating there more than once or twice a year. George:I'll be there Wilbur:FYI there's a dress code If you need a suit or anything let me know George:I'm pretty sure I could dig one up out of my closet Thank you again Wilbur Wilbur:Don't sweat it, mate See you there George locked his phone and started to overthink. He calculated how long it would probably take to eat dinner there if it started at 6:30, maybe even later if it included waiting for the food. He definitely would not make it back to his house by eight o' clock when Dream would call. As much as it hurt him, he hoped Dream wouldn't call. At least not on the one night that wasn't at home awaiting it. He couldn't bring himself to decline Wilbur's offer. Reserving a seat at The Minx required a payment itself, and Wilbur's father himself (who was horribly sick) had said he did not want his seat going to waste. There was no way to say no to Wilbur without it paining him. So, he threw clothes out of his closet one by one until he found a suit that was intact enough to wear. He ironed it out until not a fold could be seen, and dug into his drawer for a tie that went with it. It was a black suit, with a small chain hanging from the front pocket. He paired it with a white collared button up and black trousers with a belt. He had been too scared to wear it until the very last minute he had to go, as he was clumsy and just knew he'd spill something on it or damage it any other way. Once it had hit 5:30, George had put on the suit. He took a look at himself in his full length mirror he had never bothered looking at himself in, and not to seem full of himself but he thought he looked quite dapper and handsome. Thoughts then consumed his brain. He would have loved to have Dream see him in something like this, especially since all the outfits he had described himself wearing to Dream had been casual and not that interesting. He took one last look at the phone, praying again that he wouldn't miss a phone call, and then once more that Dream was okay. He made his way to the car and drove over to The Minx, which was perched on top of a small hill and (to his dismay) had paid valet parking. He chose to park his car himself near the front, so it was faster to get to and he didn't have to pay anything. He must have been early because he had not seen any of the Soot family anywhere, so he sat down on one of the benches to wait for them. He watched the cars that would pass by, giving their keys to a valet parking worker and walking toward the restaurant in their best clothes and jewels. He wondered what kind of lives they had and why they could afford to eat at such a place. Wives in their silkiest of dress clutching the arms of husbands with the most bejeweled watches. He wondered how happy they could be with all that money. George busied himself with observing, until he got to the third car in the valet line, where two brothers stepped out, one with his wife and kid. It was Wilbur and his family, looking fancier than they had ever seen them before. He couldn't even fathom the cost of Niki's dress, which sparkled in the last of the sun before it set as she was helped out of the car by Wilbur, who was looking great himself. Techno had appeared to have gotten a haircut, and even Tommy was in a suit and acting on his best behavior. Wilbur handed his keys to the Valet man, and led his family over to the revolving door near where George sat, "George!" Wilbur greeted excitedly, giving him a hug. "Looking fresh, mate. Have you gone inside yet?" "No," George played with the sleeve of the white button up that was exposed under the black suit, "I was waiting for you guys, actually." "Oh well then, let's go on in." Wilbur suggested but Tommy was already ahead of him, playing with the revolving door. Niki made her way to get him to stop but ended up having to chase him through the spinning door on a different panel as he laughed and kept the door spinning. George walked in after Tommy and Niki had finished their hilarious chase around the door. The restaurant looked like a mini cathedral, with paintings of angels and other such beautiful scenery surrounding him. The chandeliers held real wax candles that illuminated the restaurant in the most perfect way, leaving his face in a yellowish glow. Wilbur spoke with one of the people at the reservation lectern, who nodded at him continuously before checking his book for Wilbur's name. After a while, Wilbur gestured for them to follow the man to their table, which was circular with a white tablecloth and a spinning glass circle within it for food. After the party had sat down, the waiter informed them he'd be back in a bit to ask them what drinks they would like. "This place is cool but it looks old, Dad." Tommy said as he played with the handkerchief on his plate, which had been folded into a swan. "That's because it is old, it has been up since 1916." Wilbur informed his son, who instead of being impressed looked disappointed that it had been an older place. Tommy continued fidgeting with his handkerchief, making Niki laugh as she hugged him from the side. Techno sat casually, looking over the menu. "Thank you again, Wilbur," George said from the other side of the table from him, "this must have cost a fortune." Wilbur laughed and shook his head, "Oh, no," he denied, "this was paid for by an old friend of my dad. His name is Darryl Noveschosch. He co-owns this restaurant, and after hearing Dad was in Florida he offered to treat us to a dinner. Of course, Dad couldn't come and he was quite sad about it, but he made us keep the reservations anyway." "I call him Mr. Halo," Tommy told George, "because one time I was playing with my food when I flung an onion ring on his head. Uncle Techno said it looked like a Halo." Techno sniggered from behind the menu, and the rest of the family looked over to him. "So you're the reason Tommy calls Darryl that?" Niki asked while staring him down. Techno put his hands up, "Look Darryl's a cool guy he didn't mind." He tried explaining himself but Niki was shaking her head. Though, George caught her smiling. "Anyway," Wilbur continued, "yeah, this really didn't cost us so you definitely don't owe us."The waiter came by asking them what they wanted to order. It was an all you can eat restaurant, since it was the seats that had to be paid for, so George didn't have to go looking for the cheapest stuff on the menu. He ordered a steak with some gourmet mashed potatoes and vegetables, with a soup on the side. Everyone told the waiter their orders, and Niki ordered for Tommy before the waiter walked away and they awaited their food. They immersed themselves in conversations. They talked about their childhoods, jobs, and what they enjoyed doing in their free time. A couple of conversations were fit in before the waiter came with their food, which was plated beautifully and smelled amazing. George's mouth watered as he cut into his steak and took a bite. It was perfect. The Soot family had obviously eaten here before, because they seemed so used to the ornate decoration and skillful cooking of their meals. George continued to eat, embarrassingly faster than anyone else at the table, who didn't seem to mind.
