"You know, Joey," Baab continued, "the funny thing is, despite the fact that Ted fired me, I'd still rather work for him than Bill. Up until the firing, Ted had been a fair boss; Bill, on the other hand, is much more…controlling. But at least my job here at Laughter Infinity reassured me that I wasn't fired because I was a lousy bartender." Baab now raised her voice in defiance: "And if there is one thing I will not forgive Ted for, it's for making me feel like I wasn't good at bartending – because that is the one thing I'm actually good at! Do you know how heart-wrenching it is to believe you aren't good at doing something you love?" At that last statement, Baab gave Joey such an expectant look that he was convinced she knew about his night's disastrous dabble into comedy.
Not wanting to waste the opportunity before him, Joey unburdened himself of his own sob story. "Actually, Baab, I do know how it feels. See, tonight I participated in Open Yuks night – it was the first time I tried my routine in front of an audience. I've wanted to be a comedian ever since that episode of Seinfeld where the gang couldn't find their car in the mall parking garage."
Baab gasped. "Joey! I had no idea you - "
Joey cut her off. "I was terrible, Baab. I was so nervous and nobody laughed – no one paid attention, really. I felt like such garbage on that stage – like I had wasted my time and everyone else's. I was almost relieved when the fire - " Joey stopped himself mid-sentence and looked down sheepishly. He cleared his throat and refocused the conversation on Baab's actions: "Baab, there's something you should know about Chuckles Unlimited – it's in serious trouble. Ted admitted to me today that business is down a lot, which is why you were laid off. Why he didn't tell you…I don't know; maybe he didn't want word to spread. The point is you being let go had nothing to do with you or your skills as a bartender. And I'm sure it was extremely difficult for Ted to do; you know how he is – he's very fair in nature." Joey sighed and looked up into the black abyss; the starless sky offered him no support for what he had to say. Reluctantly, Joey looked Baab in the eyes and said, "I wish I didn't have to do this, but I'm going to have to do the right thing. Baab – I have to turn you in."
Baab closed her eyes and nodded slowly in defeat.