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“What we watching?” Balki asked excitedly in semi-broken English.
Larry had been hinting that he’d had something to show his cousin for practically the whole day. He’d been trying to sound nonchalant about it and like it’d just randomly popped up into his head, but Balki knew him well enough to know that he really wanted to show him this- whatever it was.
Larry smiled, and put on a casual air. “Oh, just…” he delayed his sentence for effect as he picked up the remote and Balki sat down beside him on the couch eagerly. “…a little flick I happened to see. Jennifer recommended it to me.”
“What type of movie is it?”
“It’s a funny romance movie.” Larry answered, turning the channel on the TV to the one the movie would play on. The fact that Jennifer recommended a romance movie was not lost on him, but that could wait until later, he told himself: don’t try to make it about yourself, you’re trying to surprise him, remember? “It has Matthew Perry in it; remember that episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. we watched?”
“Oh, where they sang in the blackout?! I’m on top of the world, lookin’ down on Creation—" Balki grinned as he sang, swaying slightly back and forth.
“Yes, that one.” He interrupted, not wanting to wait for him to finish the song.
“Hey, it’s starting!” He pointed at the screen and read from it. “Fools Rush In. Ahh, like the saying; ‘Fools rush in where angels fear to strut’.” Balki mistakenly completed the quote.
“…exactly.” Larry finally nodded his head, and agreed in a bit of an amused tone. He wasn’t going to correct him as he saw no point. And besides, the opening song was almost over.
It was a bit until they got to the part that was why Larry wanted them to watch it. Sure, Balki enjoyed the movie. He laughed at the jokes. Got excited about the fact that it was partially set in Las Vegas and brought up their own visit there. Seemed invested in the romance—except when they got to the part after the couple got married, where both cousins began glancing around the room, unable to make eye contact in embarrassment. He even got sad at the right moments, but they still hadn’t gotten to the part Larry had wanted to show him. He’d had him watch this whole movie just for—
“Ohh, he’s not leaving with that girl in the helicopter;” Balki commented, “he gonna go back to Isab— WAYNE NEWTON!!” He shouted happily as the singer’s voice came over the TV.
Larry laughed mirthfully as he watched the joy that had just lit up Balki’s face. It was like watching a kid open up a present.
“Danke Scheon, Darlin’ Danke Scheon.” They both sang, snapping their fingers in time to the beat. “Picture shows, second balcony, was the place we’d meet. Second seat.”
“Go Dutch Treat.” Larry said, pointing at Balki.
“You were sweet.” Balki said in turn, holding Larry’s arm and leaning towards him.
Most of the scene was ignored for the song, as both of them were fully into it. Eventually, the song ended, and they were disappointed until Larry went over to the record player and put the Wayne Newton record they had on—put to the area where the grooves were much more prominent—and they sang the song over again from start to finish.
They vocalized into ladles and mimed out the lyrics like ‘tore your dress, what a mess’ and ‘save those lies, darlin’ don’t explain’. Balki even broke into the dance that he explained was Mypos’ “Wayne Newton Dance” that was almost never used except for when listening to his records, a rule made under unanimous agreement {they truly loved him there}. It was amazing, and honestly the best time they’d had for quite awhile.
Finally, {after more listens than Larry could count}, they finished. Breathless, Balki grinned, put both hands on either of his shoulders, and hugged him.
“Thank you, Cousin.” He told him. He let go to look Larry in the eyes. “Thank you so much.”
“Of course. Couldn’t let you go without Wayne.” He patted the side of his friend’s shoulder with affection, their little exchange saying ‘I love you’ without having to say the words.
They had to go back to watching the movie, and after it ended, it was instantly one of Balki’s favorites. A comfort movie to go back to and think about this memory whenever the world seemed a bit gray.