The One With Alison

The One with George Stephanopoulos

"Is he really doing this?" I asked Chandler as Joey was counting the steps from their apartment to Central Perk. "Unfortunately."

"90, 91, 92, 93, 94," Joey opens the door the café, "95, 96, 97. See, I told you two. Less than a hundred steps from our place to here." I covered my mouth trying not to laugh as Chandler had his hands on his hips. "You got way too much free time." Chandler sighed patting his best friend on the back as we walked over to our normal spot. "Hey, there's the birthday boy!" Joey pulls the tickets out of his back pocket while jumping over the back of the couch. "Ross, check it out/ Hockey tickets, Rangers-Penguins, tonight at the Garden and we're taking you." Joey hands Ross the tickets. "Happy Birthday Pal." 

"We love you man." Joey then kisses Ross on the cheek and Ross chuckles. "That's funny. My birthday was seven months ago." I look between Chandler and Joey wondering what exactly was going on. "So?" Joey asked his smile falling slightly. "So, I'm guessing you had an extra ticket and couldn't decide which one of you got to bring a date, huh?"

"Well, aren't we Mr. The-glass-is-half-empty?" I just pat Chandler on the shoulder before sitting down and the brunette man leans against my chair. "Oh my God. Oh." Ross' face drops, "Is today the 20th, October 20th?"

"Last I checked, yes." I answered wondering where Ross was going with this. "I was hoping you wouldn't remember." Monica told her older brother. "What's wrong with the 20th?" Joey asked."Eleven days before Halloween, all the good costumes are gone?" Chandler asked confused. "If you guys need costumes I can easily get you some." I said, Halloween being one of my favorite holidays meant I was always prepared for the spookiest day of the year. Ross completely ignored me while saying "Today's the day Carol and I first.... consummated our.... physical relationship." Oh dear God, do not tell me he's upset about this. Ross handed the tickets back to Joey. "You know what? I'd better pass on the game. I think I'm just gonna go home and think about my ex-wife and her lesbian lover." Ross threw the magazine he was reading onto the coffee table. "To hell with hockey. Let's all do that." Joey got excited at the idea and I just buried my head into my hands, making sure to slide my glasses to the top of my head. "Come on Ross. You, me, Joey, ice guys night out! Come on. What do you say big guy?" Chandler tried cheering Ross up. The two somehow managed to convince Ross to go. 

"Look, look, look!" Rachel ran over to us waving an envelope in her hand. "My first paycheck." We all cheered for her knowing how hard she had been working. "Look at the window! There's my name! Hi me!" Then Phoebe started talking about how she got her first paycheck mentioning a mine. "Wow, you worked in a mine?" Monica asked as we were all slightly confused. Then again this is Phoebe we're talking about. "I worked a Dairy Queen. Why?" We all just stared at the blonde for a moment before nodding our heads. "God! Isn't this exciting? I earned this. I wiped tables for it. I steamed milk for it." Rachel sat down to open the envelope and I wrapped one of my arms around her. "I am so proud of you Rach."  "It was totally....not worth it." Rachel looked confused as she read the paper. "Who's FICA? Why's he getting all my money?" Oh Rachel, our sweet summer child. "I mean, what? Chandler, look at that." Rachel handed her paper to Chandler and he took it. "Oh. This is not that bad." He quickly gave the paper to Joey as I gave him a questioning look. "Oh. You're fine, yeah, for a first job." Joey then handed it to Ross. You can totally, totally live on this." Lies, I sense lies. "Oh by the way great service today." All three guys quickly grabbed their wallets pulling out cash to tip Rachel as I took the paper while the light brunette walked away. I secretly added a little more to the pile before walking to give Rachel her check and the extra cash. 

"You're doing great hon, just give it some more time okay." I gave the woman a tight hug. "Thanks Ali, hey aren't you going to the hockey game that the guys were talking about with Henry?"