Donovan came into town with a determination to seek Vash and Knives. It was just his luck that he found them in a restaurant that was right near the town entrance. He saw Vash, Knives and two woman sitting at a table together. This made Donovan raise an eyebrow. Knives, of all people...coexisiting with humans! That couldn't be. He must be luring them into a trap. It was the only logical explanation. He stepped inside and took a seat at a nearby table. He observed carefully, but a waitress came to his table. She was a cute, cheerful girl who had to be no older than sixteen years old.

   "Hello, sir. Is there anything you would like from the menu?"

   "What menu? I see no menu."

   "It's on the table in front of you. Just look down at the table."

   "Uh....I knew that."

   "Of course you did, sir. Do you need time to decide your order?"

   "Nah, just gimme raw meat."

   "Raw....meat?"

   "You DO know what raw means, don'cha? It's when ya don't cook it."

   "How rude!"


Meanwhile, Vash and Knives were having a joke telling contest. Meryl and Milly had a hard time with trying to stop their laughter. Milly was already  laughing to the point of tears. Not because the jokes were funny, but they were so bad that they couldn't help laughing.

   "Okay, here's a good one. Kenshin Himura is at a bar which is on the 45th floor of a building. He orders a drink from the bartender, but just before he takes a sip, a guy runs to the bar, grabs a drink, downs it in one gulp and jumps out the window. Kenshin shook his head, feeling sorry for him, but 2 minutes later, the same guy, comes back up the stairs and downs another drink and jumps out the window again. Kenshin is now curious. So when the guy came back the stairs, Kenshin stops him and asks how he did it. So the jumper tells Kenshin to drink the beer in one gulp, jump, and the updraft will carry him to the roof. Heeding this advice, Kenshin tries it. Kenshin downs the beer and jumps out the window, falling to his death. The bartender looks at the guy and says, "You're a real jerk when you're drunk, Vegeta."

Vash snickered a little, then went into a laughing fit, banging his fist against the table. Milly and Meryl were totally lost and didn't get the joke.  Meryl shook her head at the two brothers' bad joke telling.

   "Um, who the heck is Kenshin and Goku, anyway?" asked Meryl.

   Knives answered, "He's a manga character who can fly."

   "Oh! I get it now! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Milly fell over onto the floor, laughing heartily.

   Meryl sighed, "Somebody, make it stop....."


Vash ordered himself a plate of donuts, which he attacked like a rabid animal. Being the polite guy he was, he offered everyone else one, also. Milly and Meryl humbly accepted, but Knives declined.

   "You don't like donuts?" asked Vash.

   Knives shook his head, "Those things are too fattening. If you keep eating like that, you're gonna be a blimp!"

   Vash smiled deviously, "Well, in that case, we can be the blimp brothers!"

Vash grabbed a donut and shoved it into Knives' mouth. He laughed hysterically as Knives narrowed his eyes with a mouth full of donut. He chewed and swallowed reluctantly and glared angrily at Vash. His eyes showed rage as he stood up, piercing Vash with his eyes.

   "Vash, that was a unforgivable act, even if you are my only brother. Mock my words, Vash. I will make you pay for this."

   Vash tried to calm him down, "Knives it was just a joke! Calm down, bro!"

   Knives walked away while saying, "Then I will have the last laugh, Vash. I promise you that."
 
   Milly and Meryl watched in shock. Meryl suspected that he hadn't really change, but she didn't expect him to blow up like that over something so petty. She sighed as she though how much more trouble would be ahead because of this. The remaining trio remained silent, looking down at the table.

   At the same time, Donovan watched with intrigue, "Looks like he had somethin' up his sleeve after all. Vash the Stampede is as good as dead," he said to himself. A smirk crept onto his face as he continued to watch Knives. He saw what Knives was about to do and frowned. He turned his head away and thought, "You gotta be shittin' me...."

   Vash noticed footsteps approaching from behind him. Meryl was the first to look up and see Knives behind Vash with a hand behind his back. Milly looked up next to see this, also. They both slowly reached for their weapons as Knives finally spoke.

   "Now, Vash. It's time to suffer the consequence. Turn around and face me!"

   Vash slowly turned around, "Knives...please. Let's talk about th-"

  *SPLAT!*

Vash the Stampede was the victim of Knives'....

"....Custard cream pie?" Meryl muttered.

   Milly exploded with laugher after witnessing the slapstick. She once again hit the floor, rolling about with uncontrollable laughter. Meryl snickered a little at this also. Then, Knives joined in. Before Vash knew it, the whole restaurant was in an all out laugh fest at his expense.

 Vash muttered, "Geez, it wasn't THAT funny...."

Milly pointed at Vash and exclaimed, "Mr. Vash's head looks like a giant melted marshmallow!"

The laughter in the room got even louder. Vash couldn't help doing this, so he joined the laughter. Now everyone was in a fit of laughter. Except one man. Donovan the Anarchist. He sat quietly in disgust. Knives had betrayed the cause. He frowned at his discovery.

   "Viper won't be happy to hear this. I'd better report to him soon. But first, I'm gonna get some amusement."

As stood up and was about to leave the waitress came to his table with his order.

   "Here's your raw meat, sir."

   "Adrian Collins."

   "Huh? How did you know my name?"

   "Age, 16. Family currently in debt. Working as a waitress to help pay that debt. 10 thousand double dollars."

   "How...how did you know all that?"

   "Never mind that. How would you like all of your debts to vanish? I can make that a reality, all I ask is a favor."

   "What kind of favor?"

   "I want you to be my bed warmer."

   "I..I can't do that...!"

   "Okay, just thought you'd like to help your family. I'll take my money elsewhere."

   "Wait! To help mama, papa, and Kyle....I'll....do it."

   "Good. Meet me at the inn down the street this evening. You may dress in little or no attire."
   
   ".................."

With a victorious smile on his face, Donovan the Anarchist walked out of the restaurant to report to Viper. He sneered as he walked by the table where Knives and the others sat. Soon, all hell was going to break loose.