AN: This is my first attempt at anything in the NT fandom so, bare with my if characterization isn't exactly spot on or anything. Yes, I know it's short, but there's only so far you can go with a plot like this.
All of the usual disclaimers apply here: I don't own the movie, actors, or anything else for that matter. I'm a poor college student and suing me would be completely pointless Bruckheimer. Also, no actual shrimp or cows were harmed in the writing of this story.
"It's Just Not Natural"
"No way. I won't eat it. You can't make me do it. It's just not…natural" Riley added with a bit of a shudder after glancing at the proffered item from Ben with clear disdain.
"Riley," Ben practically spat through gritted teeth, "it's a shrimp, not some foreign delicacy from a questionable source. And what do you mean 'it's not natural?' It's probably the most natural thing in here. Humans were, at one time, a true hunter-gatherer society and people ate what they had to in order survive. Including shrimp. It's a little thing I like to call the food chain." Ben spoke the last two words as one would to a toddler when explaining that one plus one simply equaled two.
"But it looked like that when it was still alive" Riley countered matter-of-factly. "And you know I have this thing about eating things that are still in animal form, it seriously just creeps me out." He added with another glance at Ben's plate.
"That's not entirely true" Abigail said popping one of her shrimp into her mouth. At Riley's confused look she explained further, "You eat those dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets from the grocery." she announced smugly.
Ben Barked out a laugh at Riley's look of indignation, he could practically see the wheels turning in his friend's head, coming up with a response to shut he and his wife up for good.
"Fine," Riley huffed a few seconds later as the corners of his mouth into a small smile, "I only eat things in extinct animal form." He declared causing Ben and Abigail to shake their heads in both frustration and laughter. "Anyway, those are made from chicken, not actual dinosaurs, so your point was pretty much moot anyway." He added as an after thought.
Abigail smiled at him, "I know I just wanted to see you squirm" She replied playfully.
Riley laughed himself and took a bit of the hamburger he ordered and had since smothered in ketchup.
While this was happening, Abigail leaned over to her husband and whispered, "You know he's lucky we like him, no one else would put up with him for more than ten minutes."
"I totlly hrd tat" was the muffled response from around Riley's mouth of food. After swallowing he added thoughtfully, "And you guys totally love it."
On a side note, this was based off of an actual conversation I had with some friends as iHop one night. Loved it? Hated it? Please let me know. As someone who hopes to write professionally some day, constructive criticism is always appreciated.