Yes.

"Ok, fine. Let's do it. But we need to be really careful who we try it on."

Beth let out a victory cry and punched him on the shoulder. "Now that's what I like to hear! Come on dude, this'll be fun!"

She practically dragged him outside and they began to look up and down his street. He lived in a quiet residential neighborhood. There were a few people out walking their dogs and some joggers. An older man nearby sat leaning against his truck in his driveway.

"Wow, it's like a buffet out here." Beth joked. "Seriously, though, who did you have in mind? Or do you want to go find someone specific?"

Joseph was still trying to figure that out. Every time he thought about a specific person, a wave of guilt washed over him. He told Beth as much and she furrowed her brow.

"Well, who do you know around here? Any of your neighbors?"

He shrugged. "I mean, they're all decent people. I don't really want-" He grunted with shock as a jogger fell into him. As he fell, he just had time to spot Beth's outstretched foot and sly grin. Goddamn it.

As the jogger disentangled herself, she began to apologize profusely. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! That was so clumsy of me! Are you hurt?"

The woman was a short, blond, athletic twenty-something. Joseph recognized her as one of the regular joggers in his neighborhood. He'd never met her but they exchanged friendly waves whenever they crossed one another's paths. "No, no, just my pride." He said, brushing himself off. "My name's Joseph, by the way."

She stuck out her hand and smiled. "Nice to meet you, Joseph! I'm Ellie. I live a few blocks over on Salem. Are you sure you're ok?"

He was about to affirm that he was alright again when Beth butted in. "Honestly, he may not be. Joseph, do you want her to come in and tend to your wounds?"

The woman looked strangely at Beth. "I'm sorry, who are you? If he says he's ok, he's ok. Why do you think you know better than him?"

Beth shot Joseph a look and he sighed. "Actually, I kinda scraped my arm when I fell. Do you mind coming in and helping me put a band-aid on it?"

Ellie brightened up. "Of course! I'm so sorry about running into you. I'd love to do something to make up for it." Joseph turned to re-enter the house, the two women trailing behind him.

Once inside, Ellie complimented his decor. "It's really nice in here! Do you live alone?" He started to answer yes before it struck him that he wasn't really sure. He just nodded. "Wow, not many bachelors have this kind of design sense. Anyway, where do you keep your bandaids and disinfectant?"

"They're down the hall in the bathroom. Check the medicine cabinet." She strode off down the hall and Beth leaned in conspiratorially.

"Ok, it seems like it's working but we can't be sure. You've got to ask for something more outlandish." She whispered. "Tell her you want a blowjob or something."

He was shocked. "I'm not gonna say that to her! Besides, she just walked into a stranger's house on the flimsiest pretext. I think it worked."

Beth disagreed. "Nah, dude. You've gotta-" She suddenly cut herself off as Ellie came back with the medical supplies. Joseph showed her the minor scrape on his arm, and she went to work. As she rubbed the cream in, she made light conversation.

"So how long have you lived in this neighborhood?"

"Uh, about two years. I really like it. How about you?"

She pulled out a mid-sized bandaid and took it out of its packaging. "About five years." She said. "I moved here with my boyfriend but we broke up and I decided to stay. I really like it here too." She put the bandage on his arm and stood. "There we go, all done! Anything else you need?"