Just like the entire day before, Branch was down in his bunker getting ready for his first date with Poppy, the large smile on his face refusing to go away as he thought about how great that night was going to be...

     He had showered an excessive five times that day, and was now wearing his brand new tuxedo that he had bought specifically for this occasion, the little blue pop troll tying a red bowtie carefully around his neck to look extra special for his date, his hair combed back nice and neat.

     "How do I look, Gar?" he asked, looking over to his remote control son with a confident grin, completely ready for this special night with the love of his life.

     His smile faded however, quickly turning into a glare as he narrowed his eyes angrily at Gary.

     "Psh... what do you know?" he scoffed, offended by the inanimate objects 'words', as he crossed his arms, looking away in anger.

     But Gary wasn't stopping there... he still had a few things to say to his father...

     "You know what, Gary..." Branch said in reply to the remote control's rude comments. "It doesn't matter what you think. Cuz I'm going on a date with the most perfect girl in the world. Nothing can ruin this night..."

     He couldn't help but sigh dreamily, a large goofy lovestruck grin plastered on his face as he thought about Poppy...

     But that moment of pure bliss didn't last long before he suddenly turned back to Gary, looking at his son in confusion...

     "Wait... what do you mean 'if she shows up'?" he asked in response to the remote control's comment. "Why wouldn't she show up?"

     He looked away sadly as he listened to Gary, his ears drooping a bit at his son's harsh words.

     "You... you really think so?"

     Branch sighed, closing his eyes as he lowered his head in sadness, his happiness seeming to have completely faded away, leaving behind nothing but the sad shell of a formally enthusiastic troll...

     "N... no..." he finally said, looking back up at the blue remote control in front of him. "You're wrong, Gary. She will show up. We love each other." He paused for a moment, his ears drooping once more as several depressing thoughts began to swim through his brain, refusing to shut up... "Well... I love her... and... and she does love me... right?"

     Again, Gary spoke, Branch just seeming to get angry at him, his sadness fading away completely, instead being replaced by determination...

     "No..." he said firmly, shaking his head to rid his brain of all the horrible thoughts. "I've been waiting for this night my entire life, Gary. And you certainly aren't going to get in my head and ruin it!"

     Suddenly, Branch gasped as Gary spoke once more, his eyes widening in shock...

     "Gary!" he shouted out in disbelief, the remote control continuing to sass him. "You know what... fine! I'm leaving... I'm going on my date, and proving to you once and for all that Poppy will show up. Nothing will ruin this night!"

     Without another word, Branch turned, stomping off towards his elevator before beginning to ride up it.

     "Nothing, Gary!" he yelled down to his remote son as he disappeared out of the exit hatch...

     'Yeah...' Gary thought to himself with a slight sigh once Branch was completely out of sight... 'She ain't showing up...'