The First Date V: Finale
/Marc: So...What happened?
James: I don’t know what to say.
Marc: Did you have sexual relations with her?
James: Who do you think I am? Bill Clinton. Sexual Relations... I cannot say. I truly do not remember her.
Marc: What do you mean? The message says more than once. How do you forget a person you slept with more than one time?
James immediately checks his contacts for her name. Multiple Nicki’s but not whom he had hoped. “I probably never saved her number,” he thinks, wondering how it all happened.
James: I spent a lot of time indulging that year. I honestly cannot remember everyone. The text says what? 2 years ago? Come on now...who would?
Marc: You need to indulge less if you can forget women from 2 years ago.
James: That’s the same year where I thought I had a problem. I went to SAA.
Marc: SAA? South African Airways?
James: Huh...what the f? No, sex addiction anonymous.
Marc: Wait...When was this? How come you never told me?
James: I felt embarrassed. I wanted to avoid any judgment. It was such a stressful year. I used sex as a crutch to temporarily give me a sense of relief and I took it too far. Plus, seating with these people really showed me that I did not have a sex problem. Just chose the wrong way to deal with my issues.
Marc: Damn…alright?
James: I barely remember any of these women. It was all a blur.
The Lyft turns right onto James’ street and the boys can feel the car starting to slow down.
James: It’s the building at the stop sign.
Marc: Call me tomorrow, alright?
James: Alright, got you?
A knock at the door wakes James and with a lack of vigor, he rolls out of bed.
James: Coming!
He shouts as he heads towards the door. He opens the door wearing no shirt, no pants, just underwear, and socks.
Marc: Put your pet iguana away. Jeez!
James: Good morning to you too.
He closes the door behind Marc and walks over to the kitchen.
James cont. : Coffee?
Marc: Yeah...make it Irish. Please and thank you.
James: Irish? Rough morning?
Marc: I woke up to messages of “your friend and Niki”, “are you like that too?”, “blah blah blah”.
James: Oh...Irish it is then.
Marc: I don't understand. Why is she mad at me?
James: By proxy.
Marc: ugh…
James: Since you woke everyone up. Why don’t you message her and tell her I invited her to brunch?
Marc: Should I extend the invite to Niki too?
James: Oh no no no...This is purely to clear the air with your girl.
Marc: alright cool.
TEXT Dialogue start
Marc: Good morning. James is inviting us to brunch at Le Pain Doré. Are you able to come?
Shae: Yes, I'm able to join. Time?
Marc: Noon
Shae: Ok see you soon.
Marc: See you there.
TEXT Dialogue end.
Marc: she’s coming
James: perfect...imma go shower since you wanna ruin people’s sleep and shit.
Marc heads to the kitchen and shouts
Marc: Do you want tea or coffee?
James: I'll take tea. English breakfast.
Marc: Cool…
James takes a quick shower but you can see the uneasiness on his face. He wonders how he’ll be received by Shae and will he be the reason his best friend loses a great girl. Will she choose to end it over her loyalty to Niki? He shakes it off and continues to get ready. He comes out wearing ripped jeans and a silk button-up shirt and walks over to Mark.
James: Where's my tea?
Marc: I didn't know how long you were going to take so I just made it. It’s cooling down a bit, needs another minute.
Marc picks up the tea mug and brings it over to James who was seated on the other end of the table
James: Thanks...We should go right after this.
Marc and James finish their drinks and head out the door.
James: Did you drive here?
Marc: Yes I did.
James: Okay, perfect...I’ll just go with you. I’ll just Lyft back if anything.
Marc: Sounds good.
Marc reaches into his pocket and messages Shae that he is on his way to Le Pain Doré.
She quickly responds, confirming that she should arrive there precisely at noon.
James: Let me drive. You never remember how to get there.
Marc tosses him the keys and just a few minutes they drive away.
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James: Reservation under James Dawn
Host: Hello, Mr.Dawn. Would you like to stick with the private room?
James: Yes, I would. I still have the view?
Host: Absolutely sir...Please, follow me.
James: Thank You...After you of course
Host: Thank you, sir.
Both James and Marc follow after the host up the stairs. They sit and waters were quickly placed in front of them.
Host: Your waiter will be here shortly with you gentlemen. Also, sir, you are waiting for one more party. Should I alert you when they arrive or bring them directly here?
Marc: Bring her here, thank you.
Host: Perfect then. Enjoy.
A few minutes later the waitress shows up with Shae.
Waitress: Right this way.
James and Marc raise up from their seats to greet Shae. Marc pulls out her seat.
James: Thank you so much for coming.
Shae: Thank you for inviting me.
He smiles at her and turns his attention to the waitress.
Waitress: Hello, I’ll be serving you today. My name is Nikita. Can we start you all with some drinks?
The room went quiet as they tried to play off how close her name was to Niki and how they knew they weren’t quite ready for that conversation just yet.
Marc: You know what. Since we’re here for brunch, can we just have mimosas? Is everyone good with that?
Waitress: Sure...Prosecco or Champagne?
The tension eased up in the room.
James: Champagne, Veuve preferably.
Waitress: Perfect
James: If everyone agrees. I think we should just take the Chef’s brunch table. It comes with everything we could possibly want.
Waitress: Excellent choice.
Shae & Marc: Hmmm yes...Sure.
As they look down the menu and see the price, they both are a bit shocked at how casually James chose these options,
Waitress: Perfect I’ll get that started for you. I’ll also bring the bottles up for you since they are included with the Brunch table.
James: Thank you.
The waitress walks out and James immediately shifts his gaze to Shae and Marc.
James: While we wait for the food, I want to clear the air.
Marc: You want to do this now?
James: Let’s get it out of the way now and enjoy the rest of the time after.
Shae: I agree.
Marc shakes his head for his fear that this might end horribly wrong.
James: I want to start this by saying, Marc here, is not like me in any way. The “Birds of feather” thing does not apply here. I can only imagine how hurt or angry Niki must feel, but I honestly do not remember. I--
Shae: How do you forget someone you slept with? Especially, someone, you slept with more than once.
Marc trying to hide his shocking expressions let out a quick chuckle followed by a masking cough.
James: I don’t know how to say this without sounding like an ass. I was living recklessly if she met around that time frame she said. I was going through the motions. Everyone blends together in my head for that year.
Shae: Wow ok…
James points at Marc.
James: He is a great guy and I can see he really cares for sure. I hope you don’t judge him through Niki’s lenses.
Shae: I am my own person, I don’t need anyone to make my choices for me.
James: Of course not! I meant nothing by it. I just hope you give Marc the opportunity to prove how great he is.
Shae: I think I can already see that.
Shae looks at Marc and smiles. Marc reaches his hand out over the table to her and smiles back. The waitress walks in with the drinks. She sets them on the table and gives a quick update on the food.
Waitress: Everything is getting prepared as we speak. In the meantime, is there anything else I can get you all?
James looks at both Marc and Shae. They both shake their heads no.
James: Hmmm...No, thank you, Nikita.
Waitress: It’s a pleasure. If you ever need me just ring me on the tablet. You can also use it to place any other orders or requests.
All three: Thank you!
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Shae walks in, a huge smile on her face, she takes off her shoes and starts turning towards the living room. Niki walks out of her room and quickly asks about her morning.
Niki: I love that smile on you. Marc?
Shae: Yeah…
Niki: Where’d you go? Disappeared on me.
Shae: Hmmm…James invited me and Marc. The both of us went to brunch with him. That’s where I was.
Niki: Really? You hung out with him.
Shae: Come on now. He wanted to clarify things to me so I let him.
Niki: Did he convince you that Marc isn’t like that? and you shouldn’t judge Marc by his actions?
Shae: They are two different people. And yes, Marc is not like James at all. That is clear.
Niki: I can’t believe you are falling for that. Birds of a feather flock together. Remember that!
Shae: That’s not true. That’s actually exactly the reason for the brunch.
Niki: You see. They want to control the narrative.
Shae: James wanted to be transparent and I can appreciate that.
Niki: Please...Transparent my ass.
Shae: I believe him.
Niki: You know what, I don't wanna sound bitter over this man. I don’t even care anymore. But you’re my girl and I wanna make sure you’re fine.
Shae: I’ll think it’ll be good, baby. Thank You. Just don’t be petty with him.
Niki: No promises. If he’s good to you, I’ll be good.
They both embrace and walk to the kitchen
Shae (cont.): Tell me more about the Superhero.
Niki: Girl, he disappointed me in the end. I don’t even speak to him anymore.
Shae: What happened?
Niki: He turned me off.
Shae: The shoulders though.
Niki: Ugh…I miss them. Please don’t remind me.
The End!