The Perfect Stranger

Sarah, the bus just pulled up and

you've got about 3 seconds.

I'm almost ready.

What could possibly take and 8 year

old so long to get ready for school

It's not like she has...

Sarah! Now!

I'm right here.

Here you go peanut.

Wheat bread, no mustard and there

is a big surprise for desert.

You mean an apple.

Surprised?

Now, I packed your warm pijamas

and your flashlight...

And don't talk back to Stephanie's

mother even if Stephanie does it.

I won't.

Have fun... You know how

much mommy loves you.

And I love mommy back.

Now, go hug your dad.

Bye daddy, see you tomorrow.

Tomorrow? What happened

to this afternoon?

Matt, I told you three times.

She's going to campout at

the Edmond's tonight.

Oh! Well, have a good time sweetie.

So I guess you also

probably have forgotten,

that since Sarah is going to be gone...

I thought it would be nice if we

met at Pepino's for dinner tonight.

Remember? Like a date night...

Oh! I can't tonight honey.

Tim's got an extra ticket to the

Cub's game at seven.

Cub's game? And

when did this come up?

Yesterday. His father in law got

seats right behind the dugout.

Matt! I haven't seen you all week!

You've seen me!

Sure! When you get home at 8:30,

exhausted, smelling like Taco Bell.

Honey, I'm a Vice-President.

You knew that was going to

mean more hours.

So I have all day to look forward

to a Friday night by myself.

Why don't you get out and

meet some of the neighbors.

They've been after you to do

something since we've moved in.

Yeah! Chuch stuff, Matt.

They've invited me

to do Church stuff.

Church stuff can be fun.

Oh really?

Why don't you head on over to the

Men's Church ride Cookout.

It sounds a lot more

fun than a ball game.

And I know you've never been.

That's why the inconspicuously

put one of these in our mail box,

every Thursday since we moved here.

Now you're being a little over dramatic.

Why? Because I resent the fact that

I'm stuck home on a Friday night...

and the best you're offering me is...

high tea with the

Jesus freak next door?

I've got to go. I'll be home late.

...at Michigan Avenue Construction

...more Chicago weather forecast.

At the burning bush,

God calls Moses and says:

Moses I want you to go and I want

you to free the people from...

Good morning, Rachel.

Morning, Mrs. Cominsky.

It's Nikki - Mrs. Cominsky

is my mother-in-law.

"You are Invited to a

Dinner with Jesus Christ,

Yes?

Rachel, could you

come in here please.

Be right there.

Yes?

Do you know how

this got on my keyboard?

I didn't see anybody

come in here - what is it?

Apparently it's some kind of joke.

Pepino's... it's nice to

know Jesus has good taste -

are you sure he's buying?

Look, if you're just covering

for Les Hudson or Alex-

Les and Alex aren't in today.

I swear, I don't know

how this got in here.

Okay! Thanks!

...no, all it says is, 'You're

invited to dinner with Jesus Christ

Pepino's, seven o'clock...

I'm scared to death that one

of our religious fanatic neighbors

snuck in here last night and left it -

Mom, you don't know these people.

They have been after us for every,

Oh! Wait a minute!

Pepino's? Seven o'clock?

This is Matt!

Pepino's was where I told him

I wanted to have a date night,

and seven o'clock was when he was

supposedly going to the ballgame!

That little... what?

No... things have been...

just about the same...

...maybe this is a sign

he's getting playful again...

I just don't get the Jesus part.

Maybe he's just making

fun of the neighbors.

I don't care what the joke is,

just so long as we can sit down...

and have a nice evening together.

Yeah!

Just wish I had time to go

home and change first.

Oh well!

Okay! Now that the mystery's

solved I better get back to work.

Okay! Give Kelly a hug for me.

Alright. Miss you too. Bye.

Good evening. May I help you?

No... I mean, yes.

I'm supposed to meet someone.

And what is the name?

Cominsky.

Right this way, Mrs. Cominsky.

Here we are.

Nikki... Hi!

I'm Jesus!

Where's Matt?

I'd say by now he's sitting

behind the dugout at Wrigley.

Enjoy your dinner.

Thanks for meeting me. I'm

really glad you were freed up.

Excuse me, am I supposed to know you?

Good question.

I guess the answer is yes.

I'm sorry, but as far as I can

remember, I've never met you.

That's true.

Okay! So, let's just start over...

your name is

Jesus.

My family called me Yeshua.

Your family. From-

Nazareth.

Well, actually, I grew up there.

...I wasn't born there.

No, that would've been in -

Bethlehem.

Look, this has all been very cute,

but I've got better things to do

than waste my time on stupid joke.

Just who are you, anyway?

Who put you up to this?

I know I'm not quite

what you were expecting -

Did my neighbors set this up?

Is this what that church does -

hire some actor to tell people he's Jesus?

Is this some... creative

recruiting tool they use?

I gotta tell ya, - your costume's

not exactly historically accurate.

I'm not an actor, and no,

your neighbors didn't send me.

If you'll just stay for dinner, I

know it'll mean something to you.

Who wouldn't find dinner

with Jesus meaningful?

Just last weekend I had

breakfast with Napoleon,

and it was a blast.

Look, I got to get

home with my family.

Thanks for the invitation.

Please, stay.

Look, how many chances do you get

to come to Pepino's, anyway.

If you stay for dinner, I promise to

tell at the end who set it all up.

You know, it just so happens

that I got dumped for

a baseball game tonight,

and I have been thinking about

Pepino's manicotti all day...

...but if you try anything, I swear,

Have you selected a wine, sir?

I think I'll let my friend decide -

would you care for some wine?

You are buying, right?

Yes I am.

Well, sure, then.

I'll take a bottle of the...

'98 Brunello di Grotta?

You obviously know your wines.

I'll be right back.

Thank you, Carlo.

So... your family called you Yeshua?

Most of them. My brother James

called me a few other things.

Can you turn this wine

back into water?

No problem.

My friend would like another glass

of water instead of this wine.

Certainly, sir.

Never mind.

Very funny.

Thanks, Eduardo.

Sorry to bother you.

Are you on a first name basis

with the entire wait staff?

Yeah!

So what are you thinking?

Thinking I'm a married woman who's crazy

for not leaving when she had the chance.

I mean about your order.

Oh... I'm staying on the manicotti.

I think I'll try the salmon.

Because it's Friday?

Good one.

Ready to order?

Yes, I'd like the

stuffed mushrooms,

the Mediterranean salad,

and the manicotti.

And I'd like the tomato

and artichoke soup,

the tortellini salad, and

the salmon filet, please.

Very good.

Beats bread and wine, huh?

So...

Tell me about your family.

I thought you knew

everything already.

Why don't you humor me?

Where's you family from?

Oh, no! I'm much more interested in

hearing about your family, Jesus.

Why don't you tell me

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