"Okay," Ginsberg says, glad Ned had agreed without much fuss, because he'd been willing to argue about that one. There's absolutely no way he's letting Ned's birthday go by uncelebrated -- although, of course, this one will be celebrated later than it should be -- and he's glad that Ned doesn't seem to disagree. He can see the effort it takes him to agree, of course, but he appreciates it.

"I'm gonna have to come up with something great," he says, taking another sip of coffee, and already brainstorming about a million things he could do. "I mean, I'd say I'd cook you dinner, but believe me, that'd be a failure, since you're the cook around here. And I don't just wanna buy you something boring. It has to really suit you. Something creative. I'll come up with something. I'd say prepare to be wowed but maybe I shouldn't make promises like that if I don't know for sure I can keep them."