Chapter 67: How About the Name Ben?
Joey walked with the group, groaning, "Oh man, I'm definitely missing my flight now!"
Monica asked, "Joey, you knew you had a plane to catch today, so why on earth did you get locked in that janitor's closet? How did you three even end up in there?"
Joey looked both hurt and frustrated. "I followed them to break up the fight! These two were so deep in their argument that they walked straight into the storage closet and—bam—the door slammed shut behind them! I'm just collateral damage here—my plane!"
As they reached the delivery room door, Chandler turned to Bruce. "How did you know they were in the supply closet?" Without waiting for an answer, he added, "Don't tell me you really can see the future—because I've never quite believed that whole thing."
Bruce found the question tricky, so he smiled. "I don't know why I know, I just do. I call it intuition; you can call it whatever you want."
Monica cut in, "Enough. Let's get inside. Bruce's weird predictions aren't exactly breaking news anymore!"
They pushed open the door. In the warm lamplight, Carol lay half-reclined on the hospital bed, pale and exhausted but radiating a soft glow.
The nurse had brought the baby back. Wrapped in a soft hospital blanket, he lay in Carol's arms, with Susan and Ross on either side of the bed, leaning in, their eyes fixed on the tiny life before them. Both wore identical expressions of reverent tenderness.
"Hey, Carol," Bruce murmured, stepping closer, his voice gentle. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm great, thanks. You're Bruce, right? Ross mentioned you a while back—finally we meet." Carol smiled faintly, then tenderly shifted the blanket so more of the baby's face showed. He was rosy-cheeked, eyes shut, sound asleep.
Only then did Bruce realize that while he "knew" Carol from the show, this was their first actual meeting—and Susan's as well.
"He's perfect," Rachel whispered, eyes shining.
Phoebe leaned in, gently brushing the infant's tiny fist with her finger, then looked up. "So, have you guys decided what to call this little guy?"
The tenderness on Ross and Susan's faces froze. They exchanged a lightning-quick glance, invisible tension crackling between them. Ross cleared his throat. "Still discussing it. I think Jamie is solid, traditional..."
"And I think Jordy is unique, modern," Susan interjected, her tone calm yet firm. "Jamie has... issues."
Sensing the familiar argument brewing again, Joey—still reeling from missing his flight—suddenly slapped his thigh. "Hey! How about Glenn? We just saw that name on the janitor's uniform, right?"
Ross rubbed his forehead thoughtfully. "Glenn... I mean, it's got a nice sound to it. Feels kind of... outdoorsy."
"Glenn?" Susan echoed, looking appalled. "It sounds like a guy who sells insurance. Too plain!"
Stalemate again.
Monica, her eyes still on the baby, spoke up quietly. "What about... Ben?"
The name acted like a magnet, snapping everyone's attention to her. Ross and Susan both blinked, staring at Monica.
"Ben?" Ross murmured it twice, his expression softening. "Ben's actually really good!"
"Ben..." Susan echoed, her resistance visibly fading. "You know what? I actually like Ben."
Carol smiled warmly. "Then Ben it is. Welcome to the world, Ben."
Ross looked at Monica, curious. "Mon, where did 'Ben' come from? You didn't mention it while we were arguing over Jamie and Jordy."
Monica gestured toward Bruce with her chin. "Ask him. When Bruce walked in earlier, he asked where Ben was. I thought it sounded perfect for the baby."
Ross's gaze shifted between Bruce and the infant, a smile spreading across his face. "This is no coincidence! It's fate—like the universe was guiding us to the right name! Ben was meant for this little guy."
Bruce shrugged and smiled to himself, thinking, Fate? More like I accidentally spoiled the episode.
"Ben—great name!" Joey squeezed in closer, beaming at the baby. "Hey there, little man. Look at that face—future lady-killer right here!"
As Joey grinned down at baby Ben, Bruce suddenly remembered. "Wait, shouldn't you call the production office? When's the next flight you can catch?"
Joey snapped his fingers. "Right! I need to call Quentin or somebody, but they're probably already in the air. I'd better go change my ticket right now. Guys, I gotta run!"
"Joey!" Bruce called out, stopping him at the door.
Joey turned. "Yeah?"
Bruce said, "I'm supposed to do a cameo as a dead German soldier in Inglourious Basterds! After you get there, wait a few days—once I finish the director's cut here, I'll fly out to Bavaria Film Studios. I'll see you there!"
"Awesome!" Joey's eyes lit up. He waved from the doorway. "It's a deal, bro! Bavaria—first round of beer's on me!"
"Hey, Bruce," Rachel asked, still gazing at the baby, "this director's cut thing... Quentin's movie... when will we actually get to see it in theaters?"
Everyone turned to look at Bruce expectantly.
Bruce rubbed his tired eyes. "From wrapping production to the premiere is a long process—editing, ADR, sound design, musical score, color correction, then submitting for the R rating. Miramax usually does limited test screenings first to gauge critic and audience reactions. If the buzz is good, they expand to a wider release."
He grinned, a gleam in his eyes. "Harvey's targeting late July for the release. So, guys—if you want to see Joey playing dim-witted Billy on the big screen, you'll have to wait until July at the earliest."
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