One Sentence
One sentence from a lovely lady encountered passing on the sidewalk, and she became drafted.Ā
āYouāre eventually gonna need to take that coat off.ā
Spoken with concern and a sharp humorous touch, her words diffused a bonding warmth. Within eye contact of reeling minds, the trainwreckedĀ āmeā under a belted beige trench and straw boater hat was daylighted. Dismantling my cover, her nature flashed. Was I notably groomed? Or was it the fitted coat? Was she too wearing light perfume?
Rain was no threat on this hot day in San Francisco. Pandemic evolution reached a Mad Max existence of bad haircuts and close range theft. I became a coat walking chihuahuas, defenses loaded, receded from my social, loving self.Ā She was the first open flower of a heart I met in years.
This namaste āthe player in me sees the player in youā moment strolled back into mind nearly a year later. She favored Olympia Dukakis and held the same elegance as women in my family who know how to sleep on their hair. Neither of us were acing incognito.
Jacq, my adoration and first character, was holding all my heart with the cutest magnetism and the encapsulated arrow of loveās inspiration, though he lacked a flaw. I felt for his woes, and ruffled through his charm as we sat conversing by the rose hedge near the property entrance. It was all honeymoon, with a few possibilities for a past. Shifting focus from details to fitting personality surfaced another memorable speaker.
Jacqās diamond gained its inclusion from a guy I briefly met in New York City during the Y2K years in a now-closed postage stamp dance floor venue in the East Village.
āThanks for letting us do coke.āĀ
Spoken with a genuine clouded charm of warmth and appreciation, the awkward introduction was heartfelt as it was inappropriate. He was no more from New York than myself. Less so did I understand how I was granting permissive ruling, unaware of his recreation. Nothing about him appeared strung. He was an attractive gent sandwiched within a gathering on a plush bench in front of a table, waving his red flag in the air.
I can Sherlock1 his three instances toward conversation, though guidance from the lovely lady encountered on the sidewalk could have served well. In story, I give him supportive familial company of keen awareness for his flaw, a mother. To me, she became āClaire,ā the experienced caretaker of certain traits.Ā I give Claire the chance to care for his odd-heart-moments outside of a crowded evening venue, an opportunity not belonging to me.
Though Jacqās inclusion is personality based, I would still like to apologize to my beloved Jacq for fusing his perfection. After the era of our twenties, what if this gentĀ became a Jacq.? What if he didnāt survive? Most of all, I hope he is happy and well, filled with the same charm and shifted away from what he packaged in responsibility.
Two brief moments with strangers roughly twenty years apart converged on the same page in character metamorphosis. Some things can only come in time and this is their moment. To burn that beige trench coat is my moment! Perhaps, Iāll replace it with a style more fitting, making clear Iām out of hiding even when it does rain. My bliss shall be in leopard print2.
The best discoveries are reached from the grapevine.Ā
Please do tell a few friends of common interests. Share directly, or via social media.
Scene Sample Early-ish, Before Jacq Hears Rose (From An Early Rough Version)
CLAIRE
(knocks, enters simultaneously) Good morning, angel! Was the grand wedding of empires the incredible celebration of the year? Even I would have crashedā¦ (sound of canisters tipping on the floor in the background) Jacq!? Are you all right, darling?
JACQ
(foggy minded) Iām alive, mother. Starting my day in the kitchen! ā¦ Did you happen to notice my Jag anywhere near the driveway, or the house?
CLAIRE
Begin your search two inches from the front steps. A good reason for rushing past the threshold would make an elating discovery,
(enters the kitchen doorway, sees Jacq laying on the dining table still wearing dress clothes) yet here you are. Did you happen to notice you are sleeping nowhere near a bed, or a bedroom?ā¦
JACQ
Sheās beautiful and welcoming and smells of flowers, (looking toward a tipped over vase on the table) I leaned in and wrapped my arms around her. We didnāt let go. (sits up and looks toward the table surface) You are all of every wish I have made and forever the keeper of my heart and mind.(places a hand on the table) I will return for you, my love. (Kisses the table and turns to Claire)
CLAIRE
If that someone was reclined on the table with you I wouldnāt be so displeased, son. ā¦ That calendar is set. Our skyscraper of cakes is in transit for tonightās event in the Palms Manor. Your future is to appear.
JACQ
Oh Claire, youāre the shining star, adored by so many, and you-guessed-who is the music talent. Take my dance card, go warm some hearts, though find your own dining table. Sheās mine. (Jacq lays back down on the table and wraps the cloth around himself)
CLAIRE
(Pulls the edge of the cloth until Jacqās legs dangle from the table)
I expect my phone will not ring for a solemn conversation with a groomās parent, fortunately, though you know why I placed not a fingerprint on the Constance event. Hyper to hyper-vigilant is an askew road. Better to braise some carrots and press a sturdy coffee than swim through a vat of cream cheese icing.
JACQ
I do have a grip on this. The past is not mine to become, nor will I ruin a wedding.
CLAIRE
No, youāre in luck. (Lovingly passes her hands down the sides of Jacqās head) I bought a brand new evening gown, and itās in my Jag parked in the roundabout.
JACQ
You always save my day, perfectly on time. Thank you, mother.
CLAIRE
Yes, angel, for you every time. Gather my dressing case and after we can chat about how you are risking that waistline you admire endlessly and everything else here surrounding it.
(gestures the room)
JACQ
My physique is dashing! (extends his arm to pull off the tablecloth and present himself)
CLAIRE
As is your parking job.
JACQ
The carās really outside?
CLAIRE
Exactly. Where you left it, Jacq.
JACQ
Well this day is all my bliss! (exits to go to the car)
CLAIRE
Oh this bliss is yours, certainly not mine anymore.(picks up the empty canister of icing with the spatula, sets it in the sink, and runs water)
Song Of The Post
The best discoveries are reached from the grapevine.Ā
Please do tell a few friends of common interests. Share directly, or via social media.
New here? Enjoy a complementary subscription, from me to you. šā
āSherlockā (verb) is a term used by acting coach Tim Phillips to define his process of script analysis.
The Leopard Lounge is a now closed nightclub above the Sin Sin restaurant in Manhattanās Lower East Side.