"Wait, wait, wait, so you rented a manual knowing full well that neither of us know how to drive a stick?"

Despite the drunken drowsiness that plagued Mike's early morning, even he felt that such a thought was too stupid for Paul. That kind of optimism was rare and never went to Paul. Just once, Mike's tongue threatened to lash out the words, "You can't be that dumb, right?" But instead, his shoulders simply trembled, as they often did when words were not enough, before solidifing with a sigh.

"H-hey, hey," Paul muttered, sensing the frustration brewing, "I've got this, seriously, just watch me."

"OH, you 'got this'?! Demonstrate it then, you-!"

Mike fumbled with his buckle as Paul sat there with that distant look in his eye. His old catchphrase -- "What's the worst that could happen?" -- warred with the incapacitating guilt on his chest. There was never even a thought in his head to check if the car was a manual or an automatic; he would have sworn that such cars were outlawed years ago.