Sideways Des is Sideways Widmore's righthand man, and Chuckles has a job for our laddie. Des must pick up junkie Charlie Pace from the airport courthouse, where he's being arraigned on drug charges, because Charlie and his band, Drive Shaft, are to play at a charity gig arranged by Charles Widmore's wife. It seems young Master Widmore, a classical musician, has conceived of this concert that combines classical music with rock-n-roll. Desmond's all, "Say no more; it's done, Charles." Their relationship is characterized by an easy, but deep respect. Widmore remarks that as a single man, not shackled by commitments and attachments, Desmond really has the life. When Des says he's blessed, Widmore says, "Ah no. It is I who is blessed -- to have you in my employ." Before Des leaves, Widmore pours him a generous shot of MacCutcheon's. "A drink to celebrate your indispensability... Nothing's too good for you." As soon as I pick my jaw up off the floor, I'll start the next paragraph.

Des arrives at the "Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, Airport Courthouse," and for the second time in this episode, we're treated to a nice, long look at his reflection. I wonder if our double scoop of Des is significant somehow -- perhaps representative of his special snowflake nature? Anyhow, just then Charlie exits with his lawyer. Des introduces himself, but Charlie walks off -- paying Des little to no mind. Charlie strolls down the stairs and right into the heavily trafficked street -- nearly getting run down umpteen times, but he never flinches. He heads straight for the bar, "Jax," across the street. Is that a kangaroo on the sign? Des looks at his watch, grumbles and follows after his delinquent charge. Inside, Des tells the bartender, "I'll have whatever he's having." A bad attitude and haircut to match? No Des, don't. Once his drink arrives, Des turns to Charlie. "One drink, then we go."

Charlie asks Des how he lucked into this babysitting gig. "What are you, Mr. Widmore's chief lackey -- henchman?" Des says he doesn't have a title but gets plenty of perks. Charlie asks, "Such as?" Des deadpans, "I get to meet charming people." Hee! Even surly Sideways Charlie has to smile and raise his glass at that. "Tell me, Perky, are you happy?" Des says he is, but Charlie tells him he's wrong. "Have you ever been in love?" Des, who just told Charlie he has a great job, a lot of money and travels the world, says: "Thousands of times." Fresh! That's not what Charlie's talking about. "I'm talking about spectacular, consciousness-altering love. Do you know what that looks like?"