Meet A Blast From Your Past! (AL/TINSLEY)

[Albert Aldein]

It had been years since Al had last visited the orphanage. It wasn’t that he didn’t have the time to visit. In fact, Al had a lot of free time on his hands, despite the work he was doing. After all, he had few friends to hang out with, so half the time when he’s not at work, he’s just at home, doing nothing. He hasn’t been to the orphanage because of shame. He and Dru had run away from the orphanage fourteen years ago, and he was ashamed. After all, they had been his family for almost half his life, and for him to just leave without notice. He could only imagine what they must have felt. I mean, sure, it wasn’t like he was a favorite at the orphanage, but he had made some friends, and he did treat some of the caretakers like real brothers and sisters.

He let out a sigh, crossing his arms and looking at the small structure from a distance. He knew he couldn’t go back. Not at the current state he was in. He was still a nobody and meeting the people at the orphanage again…All it would do is tell them that they can’t make it on their own in the real world. He leaned against a tree, wondering when he would be able to come back to the place. He took a deep breathe and started drifting off into his thoughts.

[Tinsley Bell]

Tinsley hadn't seen the orphanage since her adoptive parents had taken her from it so many years ago. They hadn't felt it was safe for her to come back, and she hadn't wanted to disobey them. They knew what was right for her and they just wanted to protect her. Tinsley was kept so busy by modeling and all the other jobs so that she be well adjusted. At least that's what she thought until she realized they were only using her for her beauty. The modeling was only so they could get easy money. They just wanted to use her for all she could give them. It almost made her want to return to the orphanage.

After she ran away, she thought many times about returning to the orphanage to see the people who really raised her, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. That place meant nothing to her anymore. It couldn't mean anything without the people that had been important to her back then.

She had decided to come back and at least walk by the orphanage. She wanted to at least see if it even looked close to the same. She was just holding out hope that something in her life hadn't changed. That something was still the same as when she left it. Her feet had felt like lead the entire walk there. She had thought about taking a car, but that would ruin the emotional aspect of this trip. Walking would serve her better. It would mean more in the long run. She had left her apartment in The Towers and walked for what seemed like forever. She eventually reached the gates of the orphanage and sat there for a few minutes. It hadn't changed. She sighed softly and turned away from the small building.

She looked around the area and gasped softly at the only other person she saw. Albert....Al! One of her few friends from the orphanage. The one person who took care of her there.. She had been closer to him than she had ever been to anyone else. She could still remember all the times he had protected her from the bigger kids. Tinsley was such a small little girl and one of the youngest at the orphanage at the time. Without him, she wouldn't have any fond memories of the orphanage. He and his small circle of friends worked to include her and always made her feel like she had a family.

She slowly walked over to him and smiled. "Long time no see Al. Remember me?" She could only hope that he would remember the little girl he used to take care of. She would understand if he didn't. They hadn't seen each other in so many years and both had changed so much. She could barely recognize him after all of these years and she couldn't help but wonder what he had been doing.

[Albert Aldein]

A gust of wind blew past him and he rubbed his hands together. It wasn't usually this chilly in the area, but today was something different. He breathed another sigh when he heard a faint voice appear out of nowhere. It was a calm and serene sounding voice, one that had an air of familiarity in it. He turned to face the sound where the voice had come from and what he saw shocked him.

Right next to him was a beautiful woman, her golden hair flowing down her head, resting on her shoulders peacefully. Her eyes, looking at him as though there was a deeper meaning to the gaze. He knew who it was: Tinsley Bell. One of the orphans he was with back a long time ago. Back then, she still seemed so young and innocent. He remembered how they used to run around the orphanage, playing games, acting like there wasn't a care in the world. But that was a long time ago. Fast forward ten years and here they were.

Tinsley was all different now. She had an air of confidence that she didn't seem to entirely have back when they were kids, and definitely, her beauty...it was bedazzling, to say the least. Of course, now she was a big shot. She became a famous model back when who-knows-when, and she was pulled out from the bottom ranks. Away from the life that Al, along with the other orphans, knew. And more importantly, she was no longer the child she used to be. He could see in her eyes that she had gone through a whole lot throughout the years.

"Of course I remember you!" Al greeted, moving closer to give her a hug, but then immediately pulling back, thinking that it might be awkward, especially since they hadn't spoken since she left the Lost Boys. Instead, he put his hands in his pocket and greeted her with a smile. "How you been Tin? Reliving the old times too, huh?"

[Tinsley Bell]

She had never thought she'd return to this orphanage and she certainly never expected to see Al again. It had been so long since she had seen anyone besides the blur of faces along the runway. He looked so...different..He looked as if the world hadn't been as kind to him as it had been to her. He looked a bit...worn out. She realized she had no idea how his life had been. How he had been since she last saw him so many years ago. Everything about him now was a mystery and that scared her. She used to know everything about him and he knew all about her. She missed those days. She missed having friends who knew her as well as she knew them.

When he spoke, it brought back memories she never knew she had. She remembered running around and always playing all sorts of games with Al and all of his friends. She remembered the tall dark-haired boy she believed herself to be in love when she was just seven. She would have followed him to the ends of the earth back then if he had just asked.

She hugged him back, almost wishing that it could last a bit longer. She gave him a shy smile in return before replying"I'm glad you remember me! I'd be devestated if you didn't. It's been too long though Al! I suppose I am kinda reliving them...I haven't been here since...well..since they took me away. They told me it wasn't a good idea to come back and visit anybody..I wanted to though..I always wanted to come back and see everybody here. I missed all of you. No matter what happened in my life, I never forgot about this place...Seems so much smaller now.. But enough about all of that! How've you been?"

[Albert Aldein]

He had been a bit surprised to feel Tinsley wrapping her arms around him. Maybe the time that went by didn't matter to her as much as it did to him. But how could it not? He was definitely no longer the same Al he was back then oh-so-many years ago. And she, obviously, was no longer the little girl, the little sister that he never had.

"Of course I remember you! How could I not? I mean, I've seen your billboards. You're such a hit now!" he exclaimed. Even though she wasn't the famous model that she was now, Al would have still remembered her. They were, after all, practically inseparable back when they were kids. It was their group. "You're right. It's been too long! I mean, you've changed so much. I mean, you've matured a lot."

Al slumped down on the ground, sitting on one of the tree's protruding roots, just like they did back when they were little. There was just so much to talk about. And seeing Tinsley seemed to cause memories to flush back in his head. Suddenly, he felt a great pang of longing. He had forgotten how long he had seen his buddy Dru. He had no idea where he was, even though it was just like him to drift away for weeks at a time. All he could do was hope he was okay. Snapping out of his thoughts, he turned to face his childhood friend.

"I know what you mean. Even I wonder how we all managed to fit in there," he responded, letting out a gentle laugh. "I've been good. Just going about things day-to-day at the moment. Nothing too exciting, honestly." Al didn't really feel like talking about himself. It was just to embarrassing. How could he match up to someone who's dreams were actually realized? How could he even have the courage to say 'Oh, yeah, I'm a blue collar employee. I earn in a year what you do in a week.' He was ashamed, not of what he was doing, but by how his life had turned out to be. But he kept himself composed, hoping that she couldn't read through him. He let out a generous laugh before directing his attention on her. "How about you? I mean, tell me what it's like to be one of the hottest models in the island! Maybe even the world!"

[Tinsley Bell]

She shook her head as he spoke about her billboards. Simple commercials jobs that kept her living comfortably. It seemed like she could never get away from them. She didn't know how to do anything else, after being forced into the business by her parents. Modeling was all she could do. She just wasn't cut out for the workforce and all of the island knew her face now. She just wished he hadn't seen her like that. She felt ashamed.

"Don't remind me Al. I can't go anywhere without someone harassing me about a picture or an autograph. It's enough to drive a girl crazy. Sometimes I wish I'd never gotten into the industry!" She couldn't help but notice that he still had that boyish charm that had her following him when they were younger. "I guess I have. It doesn't seem like it though. I guess in this biz you gotta think young to stay young. I'm really still that little girl who loved running around after you and all your friends. I never really had my own after they took me away..."

She sat down next to him, glad that she had decided to dress down for this walk, instead of wearing the usual glamorous outfits people expected from her. She felt more at peace in her jeans. More like she belonged sitting here with her old friend, talking about old times. She slowly turned her face towards the sun, basking in the little bit of light that was fighting through the leaves. She missed the feeling of the sun on her face. She was always being cooped up because her skin burnt so easily. She always had to be beautiful if she wanted to continue making money. She sighed quietly before looking back at her old friend.

"Oh I'm sure you've been up to something Al! You were always getting into trouble here.. Always doing something silly to help someone else. I miss that. Now everyone's so concerned with their own lives, that they just don't care about anyone else..." She looked away from him for a moment. She could feel the awkwardness at this stage in the conversation. Everyone always felt awkward talking about themselves when they thought she was doing so much better. This was when she would politely excuse herself and just walk away. Al deserved more though. "You think I'm the hottest model on the island? Aw how sweet Al! It's pretty nice I guess. Sometimes I wish I could just be like everyone else though, ya know? I wish I could go somewhere without being recognized and not always be locked up by my agent. Like I said, it's not all bad though. It can be fun, what with the parties and all. Now come on. Tell me what you've really been up to! I'm dieing to hear about the real world seeing as I'm never allowed out in it.."

[Albert Aldein]

Tinsley didn't seem all to pleased when he mentioned about how big a star she was. Was that it? Was that the thing common in most famous people? That once you are, you'd end up hating it? But he still couldn't see how she could hate having a warm bed to go home too, maybe some servants to cater to her every whim. Maybe he was just being too idealistic, forgetting about the realities of fame.

"I'm sure you still are. It's just..." he began, looking at her as though mesmerized by the change in her look. "You used to be so small!" Al let out a laugh, teasing her playfully. It was definitely just like the old days.

"Hey! I still get in trouble plenty," he joked around. It was true, what she had said. If the orphanage was anything like school, then Al's everyday would have been spent in detention. But what she said about him often getting into trouble for looking out for others, it made him smile. No one ever looked at it like that. It was always just 'Albert the delinquent.'

"You're right though, people are more concerned with their own lives now. But can ya blame them, entirely, Tin? We live in harsh times. If you don't take care of yourself, no one else is gonna do it for you." There was a hint of sternness in his voice, meaning everything he had said. Now, even if he did try and do things for other people, it just ended up biting him in the ass. Oh, how the times have changed.

He let out another laugh as she began to take in his compliment. "Well, maybe not in the whole island," he teased. "Honestly, I think you should enjoy it while it lasts. I mean, how often do you get to go to parties of the rich and famous?" It soon became clear that his companion wouldn't take a simple 'fine' as an answer to how he's been, so he decided to surrender, telling her what he had been doing.

"Well, if you really wanna know... I've been working as a bellboy for the Neptune Hotel. Which isn't all that bad, since the pay is pretty decent. Haven't seen Dru in a while now, so I've currently been bunking it up alone over here. Pretty much just day in-day out work stuff. That's how uneventful things are in Al's real world. Hope you aren't too disappointed." He let out another laugh. Though he felt rather bad at the normalcy of his life, he didn't want to bring Tin's spirits down. Of course, in line with that, he opted to keep all the drug-selling aspect out of his story. He knew she would worry.

[Tinsley Bell]

She laughed and smiled, letting her hair fall in front of her face. She usually did this to hide the fact that she wasn't as happy and she should be, but she did it now to hide the fact that she was blushing under his look. "It's all the heels. They add like a foot to my height. I'm still small. You're definitely not anymore though. Your hair's so much longer!" She missed the teasing and joking manner people talked to old friends. It was different than the way she talked to fans and her agent. It was less formal. Much more pleasant.

"Well I'm glad some things haven't changed then! You just wouldn't be you without trouble following you everywhere. I'm glad because you causing trouble means you're still helping people who need it." She knew the caretakers at the orphanage were always harsh with him. They just thought he was being a pain. They never saw that what he did helped another kid who didn't know how to help themselves. They never really saw the troubles between all of the children. They never took the time to watch all the scuffles and fights that broke out. Al always did his best to help the underdog, because he was the underdog too.

Her eyes widened and she shook her head at him in shock. "Al! You can't really believe that can you? Where's the boy who took a little girl under his wing because she couldn't protect herself? Even if the world is like that, then it's up to us to change it. I know it's hard to see right now that we could make a difference, but we can. You taught me that. Come on Albert. You can't have changed that much..." She really hoped he hadn't. She would never forgive herself for leaving if he really believed that.

"Hey now! No giving compliments and then taking them back!" She laughed and tucked her hair behind her ears before looking at him seriously. "You should come with me sometime. It's always nice to have some arm candy at these things. The men there are always such creeps who assume because they throw some money at me, I'll just jump right into bed with them. I go all the time. Maybe you can show me what's so great about all of it. It could be fun ya know?" She really would enjoy having him come with her one day. She could break all the rules and bring someone not in the industry. Bring someone who might be able to bring some energy back into this thing she called a life.

"That sounds great Al! I've been to that hotel a few times and it's a nice place. Whatever happened to Dru? I figured you two would've still been together. You were thick as thieves. Come on now Al. That sounds like a good life! A better life than anyone here ever expected any of us to live! I'm just glad to hear you're doing okay. I've missed you. We really do need to see each other a lot more often. You're the only family I have left anymore." She looked at the ground, nervous to look at him. Neither of them had ever had a real family, so he was as close as she had ever gotten to a family.

[Albert Aldein]

Al had forgotten how long it had been since he has laughed and enjoyed so much before. He was usually always caught in between things that he never really had the time to unwind with a bunch of friends or colleagues, not that he had a lot of them. He threw his hair back in a diva-like fashion before bursting out laughing. "Yep, my awesome hair is way longer now."

"Hey!" he cried out, faking taking offense at the accusation. "Well, what can I say. Trouble likes to find me. Not like it would ever catch up though." He was touched with the way Tinsley seemed so amazed by him. It really wasn't all that glamorous. He was just doing what anyone else would do. He felt the color rise in his cheeks as she threw another compliment in his direction.

He was surprised by the reaction that she gave when Al seconded the thought. Well, it was true. It was a harsh time they were living in. And if you didn't know how to work to survive, you wouldn't. He suddenly felt a pang of guilt as Tinsley continued. She had a valid point. If they didn't change things, who would? Though he didn't entirely believe it to be true, he knew it was important to her to see that the man standing before her was still someone she could look up to. It was amazing how much she's changed from that little girl who used to cry a lot when she lost a game, or got yelled. "Of course, I don't believe it," he lied. "I meant that's what most people believe."

"Hah! I'm hardly arm candy! But definitely! I've always wanted to go to an event filled with douche bags in coats and ties. It might be entertaining. Oh, man, Dru would have loved to go. But yeah, he's roaming around now, doing who knows what. You know him. He could never keep still," he told her. Talking about Dru, talking to Tin, being in this place...it made him miss his childhood. Even though he never had a good one, it was still better than what he was doing now, practically living off day-to-day.

"I'm glad you're doing okay too. I've missed you so much." Al bent over in her direction and gave her a warm hug, just as though no time had passed between them, just like they were kids again. "How bout we go see each other again next week? I mean, how am I supposed to look out for my sis if I don't know what's been happening with her. Am I right?" Al raised a quizzical eyebrow, playing around with his facial expressions as he waited for an answer.

[Tinsley Bell]

Tinsley's entire body shook with laughter as Al shook his head and his hair waved like a girl's. She couldn't help but laugh and just felt completely at ease. It was hard to be tense when she was around someone she had known for so long. He was one of the few friends Tins had at the orphanage. It had been an easy life for her, but she knew the bigger kids had sacrificed a lot to shield her from it all. She really appreciated that now. She couldn't imagine her childhood being any differently.

"I know, I know Al. I guess it's a good thing it follows you. You're the only one who knows how to get out of certain jams." She couldn't help but smile as she saw the color rising in his cheeks. It was just so adorable! She had never seen him blush and it was just so cute. She was glad he was happy. His normal life may seem boring to him, but it was fascinating to her. He had total control over what happened day to day unlike her. It was just so different and interesting to her.

Her body relaxed when she heard him say he didn't really believe that. Even if he was lieing, she needed to hear it. She couldn't stand knowing he didn't believe in helping people anymore. She had no one else in her life she cared about and she had never had anyone besides him to admire. He was her hero and always had been. She needed to be able to look up to him and know he still held the same ideals. She knew they wouldn't be able to change everything, but even one simple action could make other people start to change too. She believed that one day they could change things. They just had to try.

"You're definitely arm candy to me! You've certainly grown up since we last saw each other. I know it doesn't sound like the best thing ever but they really do have pretty decent food and it's always fun to see who gets drunk and gossips about other people. And I know you must miss Dru..You two were always together. I can't believe he didn't tell you where he was going." She missed being together with both of them. She missed all of this.

She laughed as she watched his facial expressions change and had to stop and catch her breath before she could even reply."I've missed you too! It's been way too long.." She hugged him back without hesitation. It just felt natural. No matter how much time passed they would always be close friends. "Of course! That sounds great! I've missed us hanging out. I want to know what's going on in your life more often too. It's weird how we went from seeing each other every day to this..." She smiled warmly at him. He really was her big brother. She had never had any other real family and she would always consider him to be her family.

[Albert Aldein]

"Well, that's all you had to say to get me signed up: decent food. Oh, plus getting drunk? Dang, count me in." He laughed heartily, firmly accepting the offer. He wasn't about to pass up that opportunity, anyways. Good food, free drinks, lots of pompous and snotty celebrities? What's not to like? "Yeah, well, Dru's like that. He sometimes runs off on his own. I'm used to it. 'Sides, he can take care of himself now anyways."

He smiled at her, taking in what she had just said. It was actually pretty weird how at one point in their lives, they couldn't go a couple of minutes without seeing one another, to now, over ten years of being away from each other's lives. "It is pretty weird. Never thought it would happen. But I guess that's life. What's important is that we're here, right? Gotta make up for all those missed years."

Al adjusted from the seat and scratched his head playfully. Looking over at the orphanage, he just felt a rush of memories come back to him. He had wondered what would have happened if they stayed, or how different things would have been. It got him thinking too, who else did he leave behind in the orphanage.

"So, have you seen anyone else from the orphanage besides me? I mean, you're the first one I've seen, 'sides Dru, since we left. I wonder how everybody's doing? And what would happen if we all just met up together. Just to catch up." He let out a sigh, figuring it was impossible. It was a big city, and he hardly remembered the people there anymore. But if it could happen, then Al wouldn't say no to it.

[Tinsley Bell]

"I'll remember that next time I wanna meet up with you Al." Tinsley laughed. She knew he wouldn't enjoy being around all the other celebrities who were too stuck up to realize that normal people are good people too. She was just glad Al was going to be there to take some of the heat off of her. No body would pay much attention to her if she brought along a companion. Gossip focused on those who attended these parties unescorted. She listened as he spoke about Dru and sighed. "I just wish he could've been here. All of us together would have been quite a conversation."

She sighed as she realized he was right. There was no guarantee that anyone would ever stay in touch. Even now, she couldn't guarantee she would still see Al in the next six months. The only thing guaranteed was that she see saw him right now. "Yeah we really do.. It's all just so crazy. I've gone from being that little girl who was afraid of her shadow to walking the catwalk in front of hundreds of people and yet I can't even keep up with my friends. I can't even manage to keep them around.."

She looked at the ground sadly. It had been a lonely life since she left the orphanage. You didn't make friends in the industry and if you did, it was only because they needed you to further themselves. It was pathetic and not even worth trying. Tinsley needed friends like Al and Dru and Peter. She needed ones who would always be there even when the times were tough. She was determined not to lose touch now that they had found each other again.

"I actually haven't. I never even expected to see you again Al..I always hoped I would, but I never actually believed it. I'm sure most of them don't even remember each other. It's been too long..Everyone's off doing their own thing and we've all forgotten each other.. It's truly a sad thing..I'm just glad I found you." She smiled. "We could always put an ad out in the paper..You know? Invite everyone from the orphanage to a party. I bet if they saw it, they'd come.."

[Albert Aldein]

"I know. I wish he were here too. But, you know, he'll be around when someone needs him. He's always like that." Al reassured her. All the talk about Dru made Al miss him more. And though talking about him made him seem like he was still just there, somewhere more reachable, he would have opted not to. He just reminded himself that he'd meet up with his buddy soon.

Al felt guilt strike within him when Tinsley said something about keeping friends around. He hadn't been the expert at that particular thing either. The only friend he'd kept in touch with was Dru, and that was mostly because he was already family. Everyone else, nothing. And he knew that he should have made more of an effort to try and reach out to them, but it had never been a priority for Al. Though, Tin probably never meant it to make him guilty, it still did. "I know what you mean. I'm sorry. For, you know, just disappearing. I mean, we all disappeared, but still."

He wasn't surprised that she hadn't kept in touch with anyone. After all, how would she do that exactly? She left the orphanage at such a young age, Al was surprised she even remembered him at all. And then, things got crazy and life started to happen. It was a fact of life, that once it begins setting in, it takes over completely. "I didn't think I'd meet anyone else, to be honest. It's good to see you, though. Real good," Al mentioned. He knew he'd said it only moments ago, but he didn't care. It was true.

When she spoke of an idea she had to get people in touch again, his face lit up. Her idea made such an impact with him and Al suddenly grew excited. He had missed a lot of people, and it'd be excellent just to meet with them again, even if he couldn't remember all of them. "That's an awesome idea! I'm sure people would be excited to go too! Even if they are busy, I mean, it's just been too long. I'm sure they'd make the time to get out for just one night, right?" Al leaned forward, a hundred thoughts racing his head about the entire party. "It's perfect! Placing an ad in the paper! For sure people will see it. We should make plans! Maybe we could use up the dining hall at the orphanage!"

Al jumped up from his seat and put his arms on his waist, thinking to himself. "You better be serious about this Tinsley Bell, coz I sure as hell am!" Al couldn't remember the last time he was this excited over anything.

[Tinsley Bell]

Tinsley nodded. "I know. It's not your fault Al. I could've come to find you at anytime, and I didn't make the effort either. It's alright. I could never be mad at you for very long anyhow." She smiled and sighed. She couldn't believe her parents had torn her away from her real family. They had torn her away from everyone who had ever loved her, and all her friends who had taken such good care of her. She knew it was no one's fault, but she almost blamed herself for getting picked. She was one of the very few that got adopted out and made a life for herself. One of the few who didn't end up on the streets. It made her feel guilty, because she wished she had stayed and that life had taken whatever toll it was going to take on all the children there.

Her face lit up as he told her how good it was to see her. She had completely forgotten how awesome it was to have friends who weren't in it for something they could get. She and Al had always been close and this encounter made her wish that she had made more friends when she was younger. She knew it was impossible to change, but she honestly wished things had gone so differently.

She laughed as Al's whole demeanor suddenly changed. She could see the wheels in his mind turning, as he suddenly realized the full implications of her idea. They could see everyone again, and maybe get to know each other again. Everyone that they'd missed for so many years would suddenly all be in one place again. It was definitely going to be hard to pull off, but with Tinsley's money and connections, it'd be a cinch to get the ad out there. They just had to hope that everyone would read the paper, and actually make the effort to come out. She saw the look of hope in Al's eyes and became very determined. This idea was going to work, because Tinsley Bell didn't deal in failures.

"Of course! I'm sure they'd find time! We were all a family once, and I'm sure they're dieing to see us as much as we are them. There's no way this wouldn't work Al! I could get them to run the ad front page and then everyone would certainly see it! I don't do things halfway. If I say it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen. I don't see why they wouldn't let us use the dining hall as long as we gave them a good reason and a little bit of money." She laughed as he jumped up, and she slowly stood up watching him. She knew she had hit a button and he was just as determined to make this happen as she was.

"Just tell me when, and I'll get that ad going. We'll all be reunited soon and it'll be the best thing ever! I can handle the food and everything of the like! I love throwing parties! This is gonna be so great!"

[Albert Aldein]

Al's eyes widened as she began telling him of her plans. Full page ad in the paper, setting up the dining hall at the orphanage, the whole, shebang. It seemed that he wasn't the only one excited for the reunion that was yet to happen. He took a moment to let it all sink in. Man, the perks one gets for having money. She could come up with some plan to meet up everyone, and she could do it. Cash in some favors to get an ad in the paper, maybe an announcement on the radio. That must have been the life.

It was only then that Al suddenly felt a bit bad for not being able to contribute anything. Sure, maybe he could bring the drinks. That would have worked. But it was still different. Though he made sure that no sign came across on his face. The last thing he wanted was for Tin to get all apologetic on him about something she hadn't meant to bring about.

"It's just one day, Tin. Don't get carried away," Al laughed, teasing her. "That all sounds great. But we should split the work. I mean, I don't want you to be the only one working for this. How bout you do the news ad thing and whatever it is you wanna take care of, I'll take charge of the venue. I'll make sure that the orphanage gets set up? I'll talk to them and everything. I'm just sure they won't be able to say no to me!" he exclaimed with conviction, though he wasn't entirely sure about himself. After all, he did run away from the place, and he was sure that they didn't look at that too lightly. But if it was a way to get everyone back together, even for just a little while, then he was willing to set aside his pride.

This was the first time in a while that Al got excited to do something personal. Mostly, he found himself running around, doing things for others, but this, this was all for his own liking. He wasn't doing this to get paid, or to avoid getting fired. It was just for fun. And Al missed it.