Fictional story about fictional characters.
*****
After a short but tortuous separation, Sheldon Cooper had realized how much he valued the companionship of Amy Farrah Fowler, and they had gotten back together. Not one to dwell on the past, now the only focus in his life was securing opening-night tickets for the latest, much anticipated, Star Wars film. Joined by the remaining members of the "Four Nerds;" his roommate Leonard Hofstadter, Rajesh (Raj) Koothrappali, and Howard Wolowitz; they were all "on line" with a separate device trying desperately to reserve tickets the moment they went on sale. Sheldon, Leonard, and Raj all held doctorates and Howard was a noted aerospace engineer, but they were all reduced to childhood by their love for science fiction, and Star Wars in particular. Sheldon was nearly reduced to praying, something that was abhorrent to his scientific mind, when Howard finally managed to obtain the coveted tickets.
Later that day, Leonard's new bride and longtime neighbor Penny, reminded Sheldon that the Star Wars premiere was on the same night as Amy's birthday and that since they had only recently reunited it might not be a good idea to abandon her on her special night. Still totally clueless concerning human interaction, the Hofstadters had to explain to him how Amy would feel emotionally if it appeared Star Wars was more important to Sheldon than his girlfriend. Trusting their instincts, Sheldon had finally acquiesced and agreed to spend the evening with Amy.
The next day Penny was entertaining her best friend Bernadette (Howard's cute wife) when they heard the familiar annoying knock on Penny's door: knock, knock, knock, "Penny;" knock, knock, knock, "Penny;" knock, knock, knock, "Penny" and knew immediately it was Sheldon.
After toying with him momentarily, Sheldon entered Penny's apartment and without any preliminaries requested their opinion on his birthday gift for Amy. He gave them three choices, the first two being typically Sheldon: activities that were neither terribly personal, nor did they directly involve them as a couple. When they were rejected by Penny and Bernadette, Sheldon offhandedly stated that he guessed they could have coitus. The girls' jaws dropped open and Penny accidentally snapped the stem on her wine glass. Penny inquired, "that's a pretty big step for you Sheldon, are you sure?"
"Yes, I really want to show Amy how much she means to me," Sheldon replied. After both girls agreed that Amy had been looking forward to this gift for years, Sheldon stated, "well then it's settled, Amy's birthday present will be my genitals." Without further reflection or comment, he left the apartment.
That night the spirit of Professor Proton, dressed as Obi Wan Kenobi, visited Sheldon in his dreams and asked Sheldon, "what seems to be bothering you; these visits seem to be out of my control."
"Well hello Professor Proton," Sheldon greeted his favorite childhood TV star, "yes, you seem to only appear to me when I am struggling with a dilemma. You see I have decided to become intimate with my girlfriend, Amy Farrah Fowler, and now I am unsure how to proceed. I have never been very skilled at personal intimacy and I don't want Amy to be disappointed. Do you have any advice?"
"Oh, is Amy that hot blond I have seen in the apartment," Professor Proton excitedly inquired.
"No, that would be Leonard's wife Penny," Sheldon answered, "Amy Farrah Fowler is a respected neuroscientist."
"Oh right, just my luck...why can't I appear in her dreams," Professor Proton said, sitting on the edge of Sheldon's bed, "well, I know this would be a novel approach for you, but have you considered having someone more knowledgeable in this area tutor you?"
Sheldon thought momentarily and replied, "you are correct that it is extremely unusual for someone to be more knowledgeable than I, but I think your suggestion is valid. Thank you, you may go now."
Shaking his head as he faded, Professor Proton muttered, "if only it were up to me."
The next afternoon as Penny was practicing yoga in her apartment, she heard: knock, knock, knock, "Penny;" knock, knock, knock, "Penny;" knock, knock, knock, "Penny."
"Come in Sheldon," she granted him entrance and Sheldon came through the door with a worried expression on his face. "What can I do for you Sheldon," Penny asked, sitting on the floor.
"Well, I see you're performing some sort of ritual, so I will be direct," Sheldon answered. "You will remember that I have decided to become intimate with Amy on her birthday. The dilemma I have is that you may not realize it, but I am not exceptionally skilled at intimate contact. Truthfully, I am having some anxiety that I will be overwhelmed at the experience, and may actually disappoint Amy on her birthday. That would not be optimal."
"You're right," Penny admitted, rolling her eyes, "that does shock me. But what does this have to do with me?"
"I'm glad you asked," Sheldon continued, "you see I have been advised by a very reliable source that I should seek tutoring in this regard. Do you remember when I paid you $ 40 to give me acting lessons as a way to improve my teaching skills?"
"Yyyeeesss," Penny slowly responded, "where are you going with this?"
"Well," Sheldon told her, "I tried to think of someone I knew who had the most experience in this field, and of course I immediately thought of you."
"Let me see if I've got this straight," Penny indignantly replied, "are you suggesting that I give you love-lessons?"
"I would compensate you most handsomely," Sheldon suggested, "and I am not suggesting that we become emotionally attached; just clinical techniques. Well, what do you say? Amy is your friend also, and I'm sure you would like her to be pleased."
Initially offended by his inference of her vast sexual experience, Penny knew that Amy had been anticipating this encounter for nearly six years, and Sheldon was right: she didn't want Amy to be disappointed. Penny surprised herself by actually considering Sheldon's proposition.
"You realize what you're asking? If we do this, it will involve intimate contact and nudity between us," she inquired.
"Of course I have examined every aspect of my request. Have you ever known me to be anything but thorough? If you will recall, I have already seen you unclothed when you fell in the bathtub. I am prepared for the consequences, no matter how painful or distasteful," Sheldon replied.