The faint recognition on her face drives him to instinctively do something similar to what Bruce did when they met — something completely uncharacteristic. Jason gives Stephanie a big, doofy smile, the awkward and helplessly good-natured grin of the socially inept. About one second after that, the dog rebounds lovingly on Jason, toppling him over.

"Ack, fflth, no, bad dog..." That was dog tongue way too close to his mouth. Seemingly embarrassed, he struggles upright and then to his feet, clutching the leash with one hand and wiping his face with the other. "Uhh, yeah, wow, that was awesome. I've never felt so dignified."