Car trouble

You shifted uncomfortably in your seat, attempting to find a way to sit that didn't bother you.

"Stop fidgeting, you'll wrinkle your dress." Carol playfully slapped your arm.

You secretly wished that something bad would befall the car, so it wouldn't make it to the party. Unfortunately, despite your requests for aid going unanswered these past few weeks, the car immediately began to sputter and Eleanor was **** to pull over on the side of a street, many blocks from the party.

"Oh, darn it." Eleanor remarked. "I told Roger this would happen... Sometimes men are utterly useless."

"My Steve's the same way." Carol sighed.

Eleanor climbed out of the car and walked over to the hood, inspecting it.

"Why don't we just call for help?" you asked, momentarily forgetting the era you were trapped in.

"If you'd like to, you can start shouting, but I hardly think that will help." Eleanor muttered as she opened up the hood, which began smoking. "A flat, I might have been able to do, but this is far beyond my pay grade."

"I've got some experience fixing machines." you interjected, climbing out of the car.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Erica. This isn't for us ladies, more importantly, you'd ruin your outfit, and we can't have that." Eleanor said.

"Why don't you go up to that house," Carol pointed at a house with the living room lights on behind the curtains. "See if you can use the phone to call a tow truck."

"I'd rather not, dressed like this," you started.

"Don't be silly, Erica, go and ask, the sooner we can get this towed, the sooner I can call Steve and have him drive us the rest of the way." Carol said.

Reluctantly, you walk up the driveway and approach the door, tapping the doorbell with your begloved finger. After a few moments, the door opens, and a strapping man, roughly around your own age answers the door, momentarily distracted by your appearance. You could feel his gaze burning through the dress.

"Excuse me..." you started.

The man shook his head and chuckled.

"Sorry, it's not too often that someone this pretty is on the other side of my door." he said.

"Me and my... friends broke down out front. Can I use your phone to call a tow truck?" you asked.

"Car broke down? Hold on!" the man grabbed a coat off a hook and started out the door.

You led him down to the car, and he introduced himself to your trio.

"I'm Charlie." he said. "And you ladies have great luck."

"Why is that?" Eleanor asked.

"Because I fix cars in my spare time." Charlie smiled as he glanced inside the hood. "And I think I know what's wrong with this one."

"Is it bad?" Carol asked.

"Not too bad. I think I can have you back on the road in a few minutes, just gotta grab my tool box." Charlie sprinted over to his garage.

"Looks like you picked a good house." you remarked to Carol.

"And I picked a cutie to go get his attention." Carol giggled.

Charlie was correct in his assumption, and managed to fix the car rather quickly, even conscripting you into handing him tools and providing light conversation as he worked, and Eleanor profusely thanked him, all the while remarking about what an earful her husband was going to get when she got home that night.

"How can we ever repay you?" Eleanor started to reach into her purse, but Charlie stopped her.

"I just like to do good deeds. But... I wouldn't mind seeing more of Erica." he remarked. "Perhaps we can discuss a date?"

Oh god...

"We're on our way to a dinner party, but you can find her here during the week." Eleanor reached into her bag and pulled out a business card for the salon. "I'm sure she'll be glad to express all of our thanks."

"See you around, Erica." Charlie smiled as he pocketed the card.

"Well, let's get going, ladies, we've still got enough time to make it before the party starts." Eleanor said, opening the seat once again to allow you entry.

You climbed back inside and grimaced at your continued problems in this era as Eleanor started driving once more.