"Yes, it was," says Johnny, and though he's still shaken with residual incredulity from the whole encounter, the absurdity of it catches up with him and he can't help but smile, sort of, a thin, faint imitation of the expression, like his face doesn't remember how. After a moment he adds, "A step up from my last dream adventure, though, I gotta say."

He even manages a laugh. It might be the vodka, but it feels kind of nice regardless.