"Hey, man, it's me. I need a favor", Pete said on the phone.

"What's the favor?", asked Mike.

"Uh, come on over and I'll explain it", was the reply.

Mike knew he shouldn't go. He knew. Went anyway. Pete was his best friend.

"OK, what's the favor?"

"Umm, Mike, we're good friends, you and I. Me an' Will are taking our girls to the New Years Dance."

"Oh, and you need some money. No problem. What do you need?", Mike asked in relief.

"No, no money. The girls brought a friend. They said to find her a date or they're going without us."

"Bye. I've got plans to go drinking. See you. Asta la vista. Ciao. Whatever."

"Hold it. You don't even know who the girl is."

"Don't have to. Sandy and Margie threatened you to find her a date. That tells me all I need to know. Adios."

"Man, I really need this favor."

"Oh, jeez. OK, let me meet her and I'll let you know."

Pete took Mike into the kitchen. Mike took one look and turned to go. Will blocked his way. Pete introduced them. Mike felt ill. This was one ugly girl. Ugly was her strong point. She didn't look up. She didn't smile. She didn't speak. No, Mike thought, this isn't going to happen.

It did though. For a while it was fine. He stood there with her at the dance, not too close. They didn't speak; they didn't dance; they did ignore one another. Sort of like they weren't together. Seemed to be working out OK. Seemed too, but wasn't.

"Are you crazy?!!", Pete screamed at Mike. "You've ignored her the whole evening. She's down in the ladies room crying to our dates. They're very unhappy. You better do something and do it fast. We're thinkin' of kicking someone's butt. Guess who's"

Mike thought that one through. He went downstairs and waited until the girls came out. Sandy and Margie shot poison darts at him with their eyes. Mike took the girl's hand and poured the charm on. It was so heavy that even the other girls were impressed, wondering why their guys never did that.

When Mike got her home he went to give her a goodnight kiss. She stepped back and told him,

"Go to Hell, you ignorant clown. I wouldn't kiss you on a bet."