Chet laughed and then took a seat without being asked at the booth, he casually looked at the movie they were watching and said, "Ah, I see you're watching Captain Honeybadger VII. I liked this one the best in the series, you really get to know Captain Honeybadger in this one and his relationship with Alta Anne is really heartwarming."

Kumiko raised an eyebrow, "Really? I thought critics called this movie one of the worst pieces of trash ever filmed?"

Chet shook his head and laughed, "The reason it was trashed by the critics was that it was originally supposed to be a Bradley Milksitter film, as you know he was at his height making films like Erection III: Harder and Faster, The Alabama Crab Dangle, and Colony IXI. But this was the first film for Aiden Dashwinkle the director of Captain Honeybadger VII. It wasn't until Ramblaster II that Aiden was finally respected for his unique hot takes."

Mo smirked and then said, "I don't know if I'd call this genius, it's just another superhero movie. I picked it 'cause it's kind of funny."

Chet pointed to the screen causing the film to start once again from the scene it was paused on. On the screen, a sullen listless Captain Honeybadger pulled himself up from under some debris. He stood tall and proud before pointing straight up in the air and crying out, "I stand for FREEDOM!"

Chet paused the screen once more and looked as if he were inspired by the cry, "That! Do you see it, right there? That is the essence of what makes Captain Honeybadger a hero. At no other time in the series did he ever utter that line with so much raw emotion."

Treecy looked really uncomfortable as Chet crowded up against her he reached in front of her and tapped an order on the table causing a server to bring over some popcorn and a drink. He smiled at her and said, "Pardon my reach, de Santos, have you ever tried popcorn while watching a movie?"

"Yes, we still have popcorn in the future, Captain Johnson." Treecy rolled her eyes and looked to Mo and Kumiko for help.

He smiled at her and said, "We are off duty, de Santos, feel free to call me Chet."

Mo and Kumiko looked at each other before starting the movie again. Chet who was sitting next to Treecy casually stretched his arm out behind Treecy's shoulder. He took some popcorn with his other hand. Treecy frowned looking over at Mo and Kumiko. Chet laughed as a funny scene played out on the screen. Treecy finally had enough and said, "Captain Johnson, I'm sorry, but as I told you before, I am not interested in having a relationship with you."

Chet smiled and said, "Ah, but Second Lieutenant, we have to have a working relationship, don't we? I am just enjoying this movie as a peer. No need to think anything more about it." He casually brought his arm back to his side. "I apologize if I have allowed you to misjudge my interest in the movie as interest in you. I am a bit of a cinephile, you see."

Treecy frowned but didn't continue pressing the issue. Chet simply ate popcorn as he watched the movie with them. From time to time Treecy would notice that Chet was sneaking peaks at her as they watched the movie, but nothing more. Once the film ended Chet was the first up on his feet, "Thank you, ladies, for allowing me the privilege to sit and watch the rest of the movie." He gave them a gentlemanly bow. "Second Lieutenant, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at the security briefing."

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After he left the diner Mo and Kumiko laughed hysterically. "Oh my god, he just sat his ass down and watched the movie!"

Kumiko gasped for air and then added, "Did you see him staring at her chest? He put the popcorn right there so he could stare at her chest and make it look like he was only looking at the popcorn bucket."

Treecy frowned, "You guys should have said something when he sat down."

Mo laughed and then said, "I'm sorry, Treecy, I shouldn't be laughing its just... He was trying so hard to be suave. He even did the stretch-out his arm routine."

Kumiko laughed, "How about when he 'accidentally' dropped a piece of popcorn on her lap and reached down to pick it up."

Mo laughed hard, "Or when he said the sex scene between Captain Honeybadger and Alta Anne was so passionate because the actress and actor agreed to have real sex for the scene."

Kumiko laughed as she said, "Ew ew ew!"

Mo did her Treecy impression, "I don't think we should have a relationship..." Then she did a passable impression of Chet Johnson, "If I just put the tip in it's not a relationship, you see."

Treecy made a gagging sound before saying, "You two are the fucking worst, gross." She pursed her lips, "This is a serious problem, and you two are treating it like it was just entertainment for the two of you."

Mo did her Chet Johnson impression once again as she put her arm around Treecy, "You just don't understand our movies, you see back in our day when a man wants a woman, he expresses his interest first and then waits out her last bits of resistance." She then leaned in kissing Treecy's cheek aggressively, "Don't worry de Santos, it's just a greeting kiss!"

All three women were laughing hard.

Chet Johnson walked back to the main lobby feeling confident about his chances with Treecy. During the movie, he noticed she had loosened up quite a bit. He was even able to use his favorite trick of dropping a piece of popcorn on her lap and quickly snatching it back before it was noticed. He smiled, that piece of popcorn had been just a couple of thin layers away from heaven.

Chet played the sequence of events back in his mind. He made sure to casually touch her arm a few times when they talked, that should be enough he thought. He did wish he would have had the courage to kiss her hand while he handed her the flowers, but he felt like the mood wasn't right with her friends there. He smiled as he thought about when he saw her smile while he explained a part of the movie that seemed inexplicable. He said out loud, "Looks like I've still got it!"

Zigs and Colonel John were sitting at a chess board half-heartedly playing a game when they saw the smiling Chet walk into the lobby area of the garden. He was wearing a black suit with his hair slicked back. He was giving off a serious date night vibe. Zigs motioned at Chet and said, "Look at that guy, I wonder who the lucky lady was..."

Colonel John glanced over and said, "That's that idiot Chet Johnson, I sent de Santos over to his destroyer. He probably tried to pick her up."

Zigs frowned, "No way, he's acting like he just got laid."

Colonel John chuckled, "She probably just shot him down so politely he doesn't understand he was told no."

Zigs smirked, "Like how she shot you down?"

Colonel John shrugged, "Have you seen her ex? That's the kind of man she has had. The guy looks like someone you'd see in a movie or an advertisement. Not only that, but from what I saw when I first met the man, he has the brains and brawn to best any man in the squadron, myself included. A guy like me or Chet there has about the same chance of getting with a woman like Treecy as PFC Booger."

Zigs laughed, "Ouch." He moved one of his chess pieces and said, "Check."

Colonel John looked at the board, "What the fuck? You moved two pieces, you ass!"

Zigs laughed, "Alright alright, here." He moved the piece back and said, "You were so lost in thought you missed me moving my queen."

Colonel John snorted, "I always know when the queen moves, Zigs. I never let her out of my sight."

Zigs shook his head, "Oh? Then you intend to bring your queen back as well?"

Colonel John chuckled, "I plan to win this game first and then make sure all my pieces are back where they belong before I hit my cabin, Zigs. Just like always."

Zigs smirked, "Another miracle victory by Colonel Donald G. John, is that it?"

Colonel John smiled and then said, "You know it, brother." He moved his piece and then said, "Check."

Zigs frowned and then scoured the board for moves, "You cheated!"

Colonel John kept his face straight not saying one way or another as Zigs stared at all the pieces. Colonel John looked Zigs in the eye and asked, "Did I?"

Zigs ran his hands through his hair and finally said, "Fine, you bastard. I don't see how you did it. Mate." he tipped over his King and then picked up all his pieces carefully replacing the pieces on his side of the board.

Colonel John smiled and then moved all his pieces back to his side. He said, "Zigs, what you need to see is not the pieces, but the board."