Way to go Carol. Billy offers a wink back, because he's happy to encourage the good behavior in her. And he had driven too far to put up with Tommy's BS. In the mean time he does his best to keep the conversation going with the other jocks, even while he avoids deeper conversation topics, turning things back on them with impressive social dexterity. He was a lot better at that stuff these days than he had been in the past.

With the others gone Steve's finally free, apparently, to hear about Max.

"Oh, she's free to be pissed, but we're making white lasagna so she'll just have to deal," he says with a shrug that is all peace and no gruffness. Like he's zenned out. Or maybe high. But he's definitely not the latter.

What he isn't expecting, while he's sipping the beer, is Steve's comment. Or the damn card? Holy shit. He doesn't choke on it though. That's a small miracle.

"Shit," he says, lowering his cup. What in the world. "Didn't know you were into card games, Pretty Boy."

He takes a moment to consider the old nickname and shakes his head.

"Pretty Guy. Guess you grew up. Somehow not shocked the kiddos got into it. The Wizards pay the bills. The games' been growing since it came out two years ago. Great employer for painters who specialize in certain things. Can't pay all the way, but it helps."

When he takes the card to see which one it was, he winces.

"This one, huh. It's why I ended up on the call back list. One of their art department guys saw a small showing of mine and... Well, stuff happened."