Kids,
in life there are a lot of
big romantic moments,
and they make
life worth living.
But here's the problem.
Moments pass.
And lurking just
around the corner
from those moments
is a cruel, unshaven
bastard named reality.
And so, back in 2006,
on the night of
Claudia and Stuart's wedding,
reality was the enemy.
Wow, the Peace Corps?
Yeah, I ship out tomorrow.
Two years.
You know, some people say
the Peace Corps is
the most noble thing
a person can do.
To those people
I say, "Is it?"
And usually,
they say, "Yes, it is."
But, Barney,
they are so right.
Wish there was
something I could do.
Oh, Tanya,
I'm so glad you said that.
This wasn't how I'd thought
the night would turn out.
This was finally
supposed to be
my big moment with Robin,
but then reality came along.
Robin got called up
last minute to anchor
the 11:00 news.
It was her big break.
And I went to
the wedding stag.
Then,
when I least expected it...
Hey, where the hell
did you disappear to
last night?
I had the most
amazing night ever.
Tell me about it.
That cake!
Best cake I ever had.
Seriously.
My stomach was like,
"Hey, bro, I don't know
what you're eating,
'cause I don't have any eyes,
"but it's basically awesome.
So keep sending it
down gullet alley."
Yeah, I know.
My stomach was like,
"Girlfriend,
we don't always get along,
but that cake..."
Lily?
Oh, right.
Most amazing night ever,
and go.
You know,
I should tell you,
I have a rule.
I never hook up
at weddings.
I'm guessing you haven't
always had this rule.
Well, here's the thing.
Th-Those big,
romantic moments,
they're great
when they happen,
but they're not real.
Exactly. Exactly.
Like... Like just now,
when I saw you doing
the Chicken Dance out there,
I'm not gonna lie to you,
big time thunderbolt.
Hmm. You should
see me tap dance.
You'd be down
on bended knee.
Sadly,
not out of character.
But, I know now,
it's just a mirage.
Wedding goggles.
Exactly.
And that, in a nutshell,
is why I'm not putting
the moves on you.
This isn't the moves?
What, you...
You think this is the moves?
Believe me,
you'd know the moves.
People 10 tables away
would know the moves.
Ah, that's too bad.
Tell me about it.
You know, I think
I have a solution.
Interested.
And to preface this,
we're not gonna
sleep together tonight.
Less interested.
Go ahead.
Okay.
So the thing that
always screws it up
is the next day. Right?
So, why don't we just
cut that part out?
What are you saying?
I'm saying,
I'm here, you're here.
This is a big,
romantic wedding.
Why don't we just dance
and have a great time?
And then when it's over,
never see each other again.
Unless...
No, no unless.
No emails, no phone numbers,
not even names.
Tonight, we will make a memory
that will never be tarnished.
And then,
when we're old and gray,
we'll look back
on this night,
and it'll be perfect.
Wow.
Okay, I'm in.
Okay.
I guess...
What, we'll need fake names?
Um, you can call me Buttercup.
Pleased to meet
you, Buttercup.
I'm Lando Calrissian.
Wow, this is kind of exciting.
Our names will
forever be shrouded in...
Ted, Ted, Ted, look.
I got a bridesmaid.
Ted, look. Look, Ted.
The second hottest bridesmaid!
Ted, look. See you, Ted.
So, I'm Ted.
Victoria.
But no last names.
No last names.
Oh, what is wrong with you?
Yeah, dude,
that is just like
a weenie ass idea.
No, it was awesome.
I had a great night.
I'm never going
to see her again.
And there's no way to ruin it.
Ted, how do
I explain this to you?
Last night I ate
the best cake of my life.
Now you think
I'm gonna let that cake
out of my life? Hell, no.
I'm gonna find out
what bakery made that cake,
and damn it,
I'm gonna get some more cake.
That cake really
got to you, huh?
It haunts me.
So, what happened next?
Okay, ground rules
have been established.
Mmm-hmm.
Now, let's see
some of these moves
I've heard so much about.
Wait, wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait.
Let's do all the single ladies
in this joint a big favor
and steal the bouquet.
Yes, but we'll need
a diversion.
Kiss!
Kiss! Kiss!
Kiss, come on. Kiss! Kiss!
Go, go, go.
So, that's what happened
to the bouquet.
You know,
good for Victoria.
It's such an evil tradition.
You're not gonna
do it at your wedding?
Oh, yeah! I'm gonna
take that flower grenade
and chuck it into
the crowd and scream,
"Crawl for it, bitches!"
It's just what girls do.
So, where'd you guys go?
(TED PLAYING THE ENTERTAINER
ON THE PIANO)
Very nice.
Yeah?
Okay, I don't really know
how to tap dance.
I couldn't tell.
Oh, it's too bad
you're not gonna
get some tonight!
Oh, if I wanted some,
I could get some.
No, you couldn't.
You're a dude.
I could get some.
You could totally get some.
We're not gonna kiss tonight.
I mean, if... if we kiss,
all of this becomes real.
You... you might use
too much tongue,
I might not use enough.
And then suddenly,
poof, spell's broken.
I will use exactly
the right amount of tongue.
Okay, how about this?
The best part
of any first kiss
is the lead up to it.
The moment right
before the lips touch.
It's like a big drum roll.
So, how about tonight
we just stick
with the drum roll.
Okay.
But we can't kiss.
Okay.
A drum roll? That's it?
So, what? You just...
You said good night,
came home,
and performed a drum solo?
Oh, Ted,
you're such a doof!
I mean,
this girl sounds amazing.
She was completely amazing.
She was amazing and funny
and we connected
on every level,
and I'm never gonna
see her again.
Damn it,
I have to see her again.
Yes!
So let's get to work, man.
What else do you
know about her?
Nothing, her name's Victoria.
That's all I got.
Wait, Claudia.
Claudia would know.
Well, Claudia's
on her honeymoon.
She'll be back in two weeks.
Call her then.
Yes, two weeks. Good idea.
I'm calling her now.
No, Ted.
You don't mess
with a honeymoon.
Yeah, come on, dude.
Ask her about the cake.
Ted?
Hey, Claudia!
Great wedding,
beautiful toast,
touching stuff.
How's the honeymoon?
Listen, I'm calling
because last night
I met this girl,
and I was wondering
if you had...
Oh, you have got to be
freaking kidding me!
Ah, here we go.
Twenty-four hours ago,
you were beg... begging me
to bring some other girl
to my wedding and now,
what, you're over her?
I've moved on.
What was her name?
Is it my fat cousin Lindsey?
Don't be embarrassed.
She has pretty eyes.
Uh, No. Her name was Victoria.
I don't know her last name.
Well, lucky for you.
I know that guest list
backwards and forwards.
Thank God!
Unlucky for you,
there was no Victoria
at my wedding. Goodbye, Ted.
There was no Victoria
at the wedding.
Maybe she used
a second fake name.
Oh, she's good.
She's very good.
Maybe she was a ghost.
That's why she didn't
want to kiss you.
Because you'd just pass
right through her and feel
really cold for a second.
Oh, my God,
I just had a great idea
for a screenplay.
Marshall, she was not a ghost.
I know that
she wasn't a ghost.
She picked up a bouquet
proving she had
corporeal form.
W-W-Wait!
She was sitting across
from a couple of bridesmaids.
She must have been
at their table.
M-Maybe they know
who she was.
Great!
So, how do we get in touch
with the bridesmaids?
This better be good.
I'm about to enter Nirvana.
By the way, I should get you
Nirvana's phone number.
She gives a great massage.
Say what?
Barney!
Ow!
I know the house rules.
Es un chiste.
Uh, listen, Barney.
I... I saw you talking to
that bridesmaid last night.
Did you happen to
get her phone number?
You know I did.
Great! Um, I'm gonna need you
to call her for me.
You know I won't.
Why not?
Because, we just
hooked up last night.
I can't call the girl
the next day.
I have to wait at least,
like, forever.
Oh, snap!
Never gonna call her.
Besides, she thinks
I'm on my way to India.
Oh, come on, Barney.
It's for a good cause.
Uh, Ted going all castrati
over yet another girl
is exactly not a good cause.
Sorry, buddy,
I wish I could help you.
My hands are tied.
Oh, no, wait,
that was last night.
Okay, Barney,
I'll tell you
what I'm gonna do.
You make this call
and I will go with you
to Foxy Boxing.
Really?
Yeah.
But, you always said
the Foxy Boxing girls
were neither foxy,
nor good at boxing.
I'm ready to be
proven wrong.
Tonight?
Tonight!
Dial.
Yeah, Tanya.
Turns out I don't leave
for the Peace Corps
until tomorrow.
Yeah, I know. It sucks.
Just one fewer day
I get to help people.
Anyway, this girl,
any idea who she was?
Hold on.
What kind of shoes was she...
No, Tanya, he's a dude.
He's not gonna know
what kind of shoes
she was wearing.
Actually...
Oh, come on!
Hey!
So, what do you
want to do next?
Don't think!
First thing that
comes into your mind.
Hold this.
And this.
Whoa!
There she goes.
Apparently,
she was wearing brown shoes
with little
snowflakes on them.
Yeah, they do sound cute.
Any idea who...
Okay. Well, thanks anyway.
Yeah, you take care.
What's...
Tonight?
Well, I'm shipping out
pretty early.
So, I won't be
able to stay over,
but, yeah, sure, I'd love to.
Okay. I'll talk
to you later.
Sorry, Ted, I won't be able
to make Foxy Boxing tonight.
I understand.
Okay. Uh, let's not lose hope.
We'll call the hotel.
Maybe she was staying there.
We'll have them check
the registry for anyone
named Victoria.
Or maybe she goes
by Vicky or Tori...
Or Ictor.
She probably
doesn't go by Ictor.
No, you know what?
This is fate.
I am never supposed
to see this girl again.
That was the whole
point of the night.
I've just been
saved from myself.
Let's drink many beers.
Agreed.
And I thought
that was the end of it.
But then...
Hey, there's
the anchor lady.
Hello.
How was it?
Oh, I don't know.
Why don't you ask
the new substitute
weekend anchor?
Robin? Thanks, Robin.
It was awesome.
Back to you, Robin.
Congrats!
Thanks.
That's so cool.
Yeah, I felt really bad
bailing on Ted though.
Oh, don't even worry
about it. In fact...
And then Lily told
her the whole story,
right down to the brown shoes
with the little
snowflakes on them.
And by the end of it...
What?
I know who she is.
You know who she is?
But you weren't
even at the wedding.
Actually I kind of was.
What?
Well, after the newscast
I was so excited,
I decided to surprise Ted
by going to the reception.
Oh, damn it.
Oh, stop it.
What the hell?
Hello?
You okay in there?
Uh, yeah, I'm fine!
Um, just allergies
or something.
I'm fine.
Listen, do you wanna
come and cry out here?
I've been told
I'm an excellent hugger.
Oh, thanks.
Um, but I don't actually
cry in front of people
or cry at all
for that matter.
Man, it's gross.
Does everyone snot up
this much when they cry?
Hey, you're speaking
to a fellow snotter.
So, why you crying?
Because you have
feelings for Ted.
I don't know. Maybe?
Okay, what is wrong
with the two of you?
Seriously!
He likes you,
and you like him,
and just... just... just
be together!
Jeez, Louise,
happiness is not
that difficult.
Oh, look, okay.
Yes, I cried in the bathroom
and that was weird.
But that doesn't mean
I'm in love with the guy.
The fact is,
I... I don't know how I feel.
Yes, you do.
Seeing him with someone else
and crying about it?
Guess what?
That's how you feel!
That is nothing
but how you feel.
Okay, fine, I have
feelings for him. Happy?
Kind of, yeah.
But it doesn't
change anything.
I still don't wanna
get married,
and he's still Ted.
What I should do
is just tell him
who Victoria is,
so he can be happy.
Or you could tell him
that you're into him
and then you could
both be happy.
I'm gonna go find him.
Well, wait.
Which one are you
gonna tell him?
I have no idea.
And here's
the most amazing part.
Because I told her
I had converted
all my money
to India dollars,
she gave me $50
to take a cab
to the airport.
That's right.
I just got paid for sex.
I really should
give this money
to the Peace Corps.
They've done
so much for me lately.
Hi, guys.
Hey.
Um, Ted, can I talk to you
outside for a second?
Sure, what's up?
Uh, I, I have to
tell you something.
Oh, just get it.
Hello?
Ted? It's Stuart.
My lovely bride
would like to say
something to you.
Ted.
I'm sorry I hung up
on you earlier.
My new husband
and vodka cranberry,
which cost $10.50
at the freaking airport bar...
When is this plane
going to board?
Sweet pea.
have helped me realize
that sometimes I can act
like a crazy person.
And I don't want
my new husband to think
I'm a crazy person.
It's fine, Claudia,
don't worry about it.
Oh, um, Marshall wanted
to know where you guys
got that cake.
Cake?
Why don't you take this?
Sounds like you could use it.
Thanks. You're very sweet.
So, are you a friend
of the bride or groom?
We got it at this
little bakery downtown.
Actually, neither.
It's called
the Buttercup Bakery.
Pleased to meet
you, Buttercup.
I made the cake.
She made the cake.
Buttercup Bakery!
She wasn't on the guest list,
because she wasn't a guest.
She made the cake!
She made that cake.
Ted, this is the girl.
You gotta marry her. Today.
She has to move in with us.
I'm going down
to that bakery.
No, no, don't do it.
Baby, what are you
talking about?
Yeah, all day long
you've been busting
my apple bag
about finding this girl.
Well, I... I just think
that, that maybe
she's not that into you.
And... And, and that's why
she didn't give you
her number.
Robin, care to chime in
with anything?
Yes.
Ted,
go get her.
Going. Getting!
Ted. Oh, my gosh,
I love this moment.
You know why?
'Cause I'm gonna say it.
And this time,
you're actually
gonna say yes.
You ready?
You ready to say yes?
Ted, suit up!
Yes!
No.
Oh, come on!
Whoa.
Guess we were gone a while.
Oh, that's too bad.
I was looking forward
to one last dance.
Why, yes, I am.
Sorry, I could tell
what you were just thinking.
Wow, what was I
just thinking?
Damn, he's looking
mighty fine in that tux.
You got me.
You are good.
Yeah. Mmm-hmm.
You know, I don't
look like this every day.
On a real weekend,
the real Ted wears
a pair of jeans
and a sweatshirt
with bleach stains on it.
Mmm. The real Ted
sounds real sexy.
It's too bad
I'll never get to see it.
Buttercup Bakery.
This is it.
Good luck, dude.
Grab me a cupcake.
Ted? You still with us?
Tell me your last name.
You know,
there's one little
flaw in our plan.
What's that?
I'm gonna go home tonight
with a lot of great memories,
and one really sucky memory.
The memory of you
walking out that door.
Hey, Ted.
Yeah?
Close your eyes
and count to five.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Until our dying days,
we'll remember everything
about that night as perfect.
Maybe we both need that.
I mean, so many things
go wrong in life,
but this is the one thing
that never will.
I-I-It will always,
always be pure,
unadulterated, awesome.
If I walk in there,
I'm robbing both of us
of what could be...
The meter's running, dude.
Crap or get off the pot.
Yeah, yeah, I'm going.
Oh, thank God!