Writing Exercise #2: POV

       You arrive at the restaurant. It was Jasmine's, you are almost positive. Although you cannot be positive because you left both the directions and the name of the restaurant sitting on the kitchen table, as you always do. But that doesn't matter anymore, because you are here. You made it all by yourself. You give yourself a mental pat on the back, or a literal pat on the back if you are feeling extra proud, and turn your car off.

You step out, lock the doors twice (just in case), and walk around the parking lot to the front entrance. You have never been here before. There are two benches set to either side of the door.  Each is lit by rather beautiful lights.  You find this romantic and decide this may not be an atrocious night after all. Your date has good taste.

As you approach the front door, it begins to open.  You think, could this be my date? But before you can think of how absurd it would be for your date to stand by the front door, opening the door for everyone that came in just in case it were you, the doorman is clearly seen.  He greets you and ushers you to the hostess.  You give the agreed name, "First date."

The hostess smiles at you and asks you to follow her to your table.  Your guest has already arrived.  You are pleased that your date is prompt.  And you mentally note another good sign.  You make it to the table; the hostess pulls out your chair and asks for your coat.  "What great service!" you remark, "This place is fabulous."  Your date remains seated, waits for you to be pushed in, and says, "I know. It is great for dates because you don't even have to do all that date bullshit, the holding of the door, the taking your coat, the seating."

You die a little bit inside. Your date chose such a nice place not to impress you with taste, but because the establishment does all of that "date bullshit" for you.  Fantastic.  You ask, "Do they pay for the meal, too?" Trying to make the best of this lame situation. Your date laughs.  You mark down a point for yourself for getting a laugh so early in the evening.  And then the reply comes, "Well I picked the place so I figured you could buy this time."

"This time" you repeat in your head.  There is already a next time.  This is suffocating.  You literally feel like you have been lead into an elevator and asked to stay there for the next hour and a half.  "You are too much" you finally blurt out.  Then comes the kiss of death. More laughter followed by, "Oh baby, wait until after we leave the restaurant." You gather yourself, stand up, note the dumbfounded expression on your date's face, and turn for the hostesses stand.  "Where exactly are you going?" you hear from behind your back.

At this point you have done away with all hope so what is there to lose? "Oh baby, you don't need to know. Thank you for what could have been a wonderful evening."