"Sure do," Tony 'cheerily' responded, and confirmed the nickname with actual facts: "She's hot and she flies."
While the waiter stood by and looked at Ellen like she must be a sexy pilot, Mr. Eccentric Engineer was idly flapping the laminated menu around and still somehow managing to see what he wanted. As often happened during high pressure and tense situations, the brain-to-mouth vomit began.
"I need the biggest burger you've got. Everything on it. Except mayo. And mustard. And no raw onions. You wanna burger, Hot Wings? Get her whatever she wants. Actual hot wings, maybe. And then...let's...douse me in whiskey. Just tip back my head and start pouring. No? Waiter guy's shaking his head. Definite no. Just gimme a beer, then. I don't care what kind. Surprise me."
The menu went flying right out of Tony's hands in mid-flap, right over the waiter's head. Tony stared up at him, then leaned around him to see where it landed. It was wedged into some decorative hedge an impressive distance away, adding just the right hint of festive color to their mid-range dining experience.
"Yep, that's gone," said Tony, in what is clearly an upgrade from Eccentric Engineer to Captain Obvious. "You better yell what you want at him, Ellen. He's trying to escape."
The waiter's eyes were round when Tony pointed accusingly, writing down the order (now with extra ???s) while very slowly backing away.