Dan fumbled with the lock of his apartment while trying to steady a tipsy Trixie.

"Hang on one minute, Belden," admonished Dan, "then you can sit down."

Earlier that evening, Dan had stumbled upon Trixie and some of her friends from college. They were out on the town celebrating Trixie's birthday. Trixie's friends wanted to keep the revelry going, but Dan convinced Trixie that she had already had enough and should go home.

"But Dan," Trixie protested, "we're all having a sleepover. Where am I supposed to go if my friends are still out?"

"Shhhh," Dan put his finger on Trixie's lips. "You can spend the night at my place. Then tomorrow morning we will go to Sleepyside for your Bobwhite birthday party."

"But Dan, I don't have anything to wear to bed," Trixie continued with a hiccup.

"Shhh, Trixie. It'll be okay. After a good night's sleep, you'll be ready for your next party."

Once inside Dan's apartment, Trixie crashed onto the couch in the living room. Dan busied himself finding Trixie something to sleep in. Coming back into the living room, Dan could hear Trixie humming The Birthday Song to herself.

"Come on Belden, into bed for you," coaxed Dan.

"Oh, Dan," Trixie giggled and tried to bat her eyes coquettishly.

Dan just shook his head and grinned, then steered Trixie towards his bedroom.

"You're in here and I'll be out there on the couch. Here's a t-shirt for you. Now good-night, birthday girl," said Dan as he kissed her on the forehead. He closed the door behind him as he left the room. He made himself comfortable on his couch, chuckling over Trixie's latest escapade. Then he rolled over and went to sleep.

Dan awoke the next morning and immediately made a pot of coffee. While it brewed, he tidied up the living room. He was just about to pour the coffee when somebody pounded on his door.

"Hey, Mangan, open up," yelled a voice outside the door.

"Oh, crap," muttered Dan. He peered through the peephole and saw Mart looking back at him.

"I see you, Mangan. I know you're in in there." yelled Mart.

Dan reluctantly opened the door. Mart barged into the apartment, waving around the doughnuts and coffee he had brought.

"I thought I'd grab you on my way to Sleepyside and purchased some necessary sustenance for the..." Mart's voice trailed off as a tousled Trixie, clad in Dan's t-shirt wandered into the living room. She looked at Mart in shock. Mart looked back in disbelief, as his jaw dropped.

"Mangan, you've got five seconds to explain," growled Mart.

Dan hesitated and looked at Trixie.

"Mangan, you're down to three seconds," threatened Mart as he clinched and unclinched his fist.

"Oh, crap," muttered Dan again.