"the First Date"
/The elevator in Briggs Manor opens up. James walks out and enters apartment 604. Heads straight towards the kitchen.
James: Yo Marc...I come bearing gifts… Large brooklyn style pizza and krispy kreme donuts... Tonight's fight is going to be so fire. Hey...you got alcohol...nevermind found it.
Marc: I have a date tonight...I told you that!
James: WTF...no you didn’t...wait did you?
Marc: I’m very sure i did
James: I’m sorry man...i need to listen to you more
Chuckles while places his hand over his breast in sign of a promise.
James: So... how does she look?
Marc: What do you mean how she looks. You’ve meant her
James furrows brow
James: what are you talking about?
Marc: Come on bro! * while tilting head* Peanut Butter Pecan Pie
James: ooooohhh yeah! So...what’s the game plan?
Marc: This is not a cliche dinner and a movie. She is my date to the Hingston ball. Where she will see me putting in work and showing her that i can be successful broker.
James: Isn’t this a first date why are you risk bringing a stranger to something so important. What if she cannot keep up with everyone.
Marc: this is about me showing my potential. Plus she’s in law school. She can definitely keep up.
James: Fun activities and conversations can express that as well. Why are you starting at a pace you might not be able to maintain. Can’t always bring her to every ball. Exclusivity is the brokers model is it not.
Marc: of course i can keep this up. I’m still going to be same charming, intelligent, gentleman that she said yes to
James: first off, fuck all those adjectives you just described yourself as. Second, You can only afford crispy chicken dinners. So how is she going to take it when she cannot be taken to these places. Also, (while interrupting) in this new age coffee or tea is a great date option. Wait even better fucking yoga.
Marc: oh Shit! Did i over do it? Did i raise the bar too high for myself?
James: Rule 1- confidence. If i was able to make you second guess your choice she will eat you alive.
Marc: Why do you sound like this is war?
James: because... it... is. You’ve already made a that choice so you must finesse. You must have your questions and responses ready. First dates is all about the first impression. If you are prepared you cannot fail.
Marc: finesse how?
James: she’s in your playground. Make her feel welcomed and comfortable. And definitely make her engage more into you than the other way around.
Marc: Why into me?
James: If she’s engaging, it means she is intrigued and willing to see beyond your lack of game.
Marc: i have game…
James: * blank stare
Marc: ok i get. I am not the best...any other rules i should know about?
James: don’t have the time to give you a lesson... i’ll give you the top 5; Rule 1: Confidence… Rule 2: no physical contact before she does… Rule 3: Humour… Rule 4: eye contact… Rule 5: RESPECT… Some good old fashion R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Marc: Rule one, three and five i totally get... but two and four. You need to break that down for me.
James: Are you serious? People, especially women do not like to be touched. Consent is very important. If you do what you’re supposed to do she will initiate contact and even let you go for that goodnight kiss. And number 4 is absolutely crucial. When you go pick her up and check her out, which you will, you must use all that time to compliment the outfit and how it caresses her body. Every things she wears are accessories compliments her and does not make her. The rest of the night is all eye contact only if the conversation sways onto the physical.
Marc: So basically, i must control every aspect of the night and always have the upper hand.
James: YES... Finally my friend you understand.
Put hands over mouth and pride gleaming in his eyes.
Marc: Does not sound very fun
James: How pretentious of you to assume that this date is meant to be fun. This for her and about her. Your job is to make sure she wishes to see you again. Her job is is to be courted. There aren’t any benefits to you. All you’re going to do, is all the work, spend, restrain your deepest desires for what... a kiss... that will be mediocre at best.
Marc: Who hurt you? * he shakes his head in disbelief *
James: Hahaha... very funny. Don’t fuck this up. I can tell you really like her.
Marc: I gotta pee can you please get out the bathroom
James: i’ve known you since middle school. I’ve already seen that baby dick of yours.
Marc: i’m a grower not a shower you ass
James smirks and walks out toward the kitchen
James: Are you done yet? No one pisses for that long
Marc: uh huh..
James walks back carrying two glasses
James: Here...some liquid courage. Lord knows your going to need it
Marc: Thank You...i guess
James: i know you are... It‘s 7:50 pm. Shouldn’t you be leaving by now.
Marc: i’m done and stepping out any minute now * rushes to put on his shoes*
James: Ain’t nothing sexier than punctuality. * raises his glass*
Marc: * downs his glass and puts it on the table* wish me luck bitch as he runs out the door
James: Goodluck…* walks to the living room, turns on the fight, and sips* yup, he’s gonna fuck this up.
A Nissan Rogue pulls up near an apartment complex. Marc steps out and walks towards the double door entrance. Opens his last text message to remember the buzzer number. He reads “ Dial #1 before my apartment number. Apt number 305”. He dials #1305.
Niki: she’s coming down *through the intercom*
Marc: ok *as intercom closes cutting him off*
Niki: don’t fuck this up. Don’t over analyze it
Shae: no mom... i won’t *sarcastically*
5 minutes later
Marc: Wow...you look... amazing. You compliment this outfit perfectly!
Shae: I... compliment... the outfit
Marc: Oh no i meant...i’m sorry
Shae: i knew what you mean... Just messing with you *they walk out towards the car*
Marc: *chuckles awkwardly fearing that he is already messing this up*
they arrive at the Hotel. Valet takes the car and they both direct themselves towards the hall.
Mike: look who’s here *gest towards Marc*
the crowd turns and roars a welcome.
Marc: yes here i am. Hi everyone!
Everyone: hey!
Mike: who is this lovely lady with you?
Marc: this is Shae my.. *hesitates*
Shae: i’m shae. His date *interjects*
Mike: just his date
Marc: yes...my date
Mike: ok... Well...welcome...mingle with us. We’re friendly.
Marc: Thanks *winks and turns toward his date* . Do you want a drink?
Shae: Sure
They walk over to the bar
Shae: dark or white…
Marc: I’m sorry...What?
Shae: dark or white?
Marc: Oh yes...dark all the way... Just like my women
Shae: oh really. *eyebrows raises*
Marc: *laughs hysterically* my sad attempt on being funny. I apologize
Bartender: what can get y’all?
Shae: Macallan 17 double neat
Bartender: and for you sir...
Marc: gin and tonic
Bartender: bombay,hendricks, madison park, barr hill? Is there one in particular you prefer?
Marc: doesn’t matter
Shae and the bartender look quickly at each other holding back their judgement.
Bartender: coming right up
Marc: so...what are you looking for in a guy?
Shae: so your going straight to the point i see
Marc: someone once said honesty is the best policy
Shae: you’re absolutely right... i want a guy that doesn’t hide his feeling and goes for what he wants.
Marc: ok perfect... *reaches for her hand* … i think i can do that
Shae awkwardly pulls back and turns toward the bartender.
Bartender: Double macallan 17 neat for the lady ,and a gin and tonic for monsieur.
Both: thank you
Bartender: anything else?
Shae: that’s all thank you so much.
Marc: yes thanks. That's all. Shae...hmmm...so who was it that answered the intercom.
Shae: oh that was my friend...
Marc: it was a bit crazy how she answered *he states as he interjects*
Shae: ...niki *she finishes her sentence* .
Marc: is that a nickname? short for veronica, monica?
Shae: yes its a nickname... it’s actually short for Oluwaniki
Marc: interesting...what kind of name is that?
Shae: Nigerian name...what are you staring at?
Marc: i’m so sorry. But you are extremely beautiful and i cannot help myself but stare. *laughs while scratching the back of his head*
Shae: *chuckles* Thanks. Let's take some shots and go dancing.
Marc: ok sounds good. Bartender 2 shots of tequila please
Shae: no... 6 shots of Bulleit... Let's put some hair on his chest.
Both Shae and the bartender laughs...Marc joins on the laughter unaware he is the butt of the joke.
Bartender: six shots coming up
Shae: throw one in there for yourself.
Bartender: thank you... but it's pretty early in the night for a drink for me. I appreciate it though *set up the 6 shots*
They take the shots and dance the night way.
Marcs walks back into his apartment and sees James on the couch rewatching the highlights of the fight
James: so how did it good?
Marc: fairly well i should say
James: fairly well? What do you mean?
Marc: We spent a lot of time dancing actually... At one point of the night i needed to sell myself to Mr. Spearman for the internship at firm... Which i got by the way.
James: congratulations! That's very good man...Proud of you...I mean that, truly... Now...Details
Marc: i told her her she was extremely sexy
James: sexy? Really! beauteous, beautiful, incredible, amazing, wow, speechless, outer-worldly. All the worlds you could’ve used instead of sexy. What else? What did you order to drink?
Marc: i had a gin and tonic and she had a macallan
James: *jumps off couch* My kind of woman... She has a friend... Who ordered first?
Marc: she did
James: Wait...i just picked up what you said. She orders a macallan and you take a fucking gin and tonic... Strike 1
Marc: how? I like a gin and tonic
James: she showed knowledge of alcohol. You needed to show the same if not have her teach you. Did you forget the part of her engaging with you.
Marc: who doesn’t like a gin and tonic.
James: it’s not about the drink but did you at least inquire about the types of gin they had...from that blank stare i can tell you did not.
Marc: shit...you think she noticed?
James: i noticed and i wasn’t even there
Marc: damn
James: ok what else? Did you make her laugh? Showed her a fun side to you!
Marc: i used that same joke that you used the other day.
James: what joke?
Marc: i drink dark...just like i like my women
James: no the fuck you did not *stares shockingly*
Marc: what?! It worked when you use it.
James: you don’t see the error in it. Seriously?
Marc: *shakes head in confusion
James: you do not know this woman and you tell this black girl you like your women dark... She’s brown skinned at the most. Hence, the Peanut Butter Pecan Pie reference.
Marc: how was i suppose to know it would be racial. You got laid when you made that joke.
James: The girl made a comment about a very dark film then made a dark joke. So i said i like my woman dark. Secondly, she was white.
Marc: i was culturally insensitive
James: yes...very...what happened next?
Marc: i think i called her friend rude
James: wait what? How did it even get there? Screw it how did the night end.
Marc: danced the rest of the night and drove her back home. She Kissed me on the cheek then i came home.
James: you initiated the kiss or her?
Marc: well i thanked her for being my date and then she said that she had fun. She kissed me on the cheek
James: hmmm interesting. Want a drink?
Marc: yes thanks...wait don’t you have your own place.
James: of course...but where would i wash my clothes for FREE
both look at each other and laugh.
Shae passes her key fob and walks into the building. She smiles as she presses for the elevator. Third floor apartment 305.
Shae: * opens the door and a strange man is already at the door heading out *
Kane: excuse me beautiful... *walks pass her* .... she’s in the bathroom. She’ll be out soon
Bathroom door opens. A messied hair with peachy undertone skin walts out
Niki: Hey shae...see you later you *waves goodbye to kane at the door*
Shae: new thing
Niki: i think i’m in love
Shae: that good huh?
Niki: i think i cried…
Shae: Damn…
Niki: screw that. So...how did it go?
Shae: hmmm... i don’t know how to describe it
Niki: damn that bad
Shae: not bad per se.
Niki: tell me the bad first.
Shae: he was awkward. He ordered a gin and tonic.
Niki: he’s on his james bond shit...What’s wrong with that?
Shae: i wish...it was more like a to go to drink and when the bartender ask what kind of Gin, he said it didn’t matter. It showed me he was uncultured about alcohol.
Niki: he doesn’t know about alcohol. That just proves he might not be an alcoholic.
Shae: *chuckles* i don’t think that's a criteria for alcoholism
Niki: what else happened?
Shae: he called me dark...and he had the audacity to call you rude.
Niki: *eyes widen, eyelash batting, and staring* ...bitch! You lying
Shae: i swear
Niki: he’s white? When were you going to bring that up
Shae: i didn’t think it was relevant. Plus i kissed him goodnight.
Niki: wait...he calls you dark. You’re brown skinned at the most. if that’s not insensitive, i don’t know what is. Then he calls me rude...you know what fuck him. He doesn’t even know me. So why the hell did you kiss that asshole.
Shae: come on now Niki. He’s not an asshole. The date was imperfect. He showed potential. You should’ve seen the way he worked the room. Every action he took only made him looked good.
Niki: what are you talking?
Shae: the date...i was there as his date...he needed to win an internship at this huge firm. And the way he got it was beautiful. If he can dedicate himself for his future in that manner. He can learn to be more romantic and learn about cultures he is not knowledgeable about
Niki: isn’t that sweet. Fuck him anyway. By the way he is already a no from me. Tell him my rude ass said that
Shae: come on Niki. Don’t be like that *wraps her arms around her from behind and kisses her cheek* … And can we talk about that superhero. Did you see them shoulders on him?
Niki: oh hell yes... I bit them shoulders *growls*
Both: *laughs hysterically*
END OF PART 1
TO BE CONTINUED…..