The First Date III

• Last night… Marc and Shae are having one of their late night chats. Marc with the sleepy-raspy voice and Shae giggling the night away. They are fully emerged in the puppy love phase.

Shae: There’s something i wanted to ask but I haven't gotten around to it

Marc: Go ahead...ask away

Shae: Niki is having an art show tomorrow afternoon. I would love it if you came. I would love for you two to get acquainted.

Marc: errr...yes, i would love to. I can bring James and you could meet him too.

Shae: Perfect...I cannot wait to meet James. He sounds like a character.

Marc: Absolutely

Shae: I’m off to bed...i have to help Niki with setting up tomorrow morning.

Marc: Have a goodnight.

Shae: Goodnight.

• Shae hangs up first and Marc lays there in bed stuck with his mind running amok. “James is going to be so pissed...I told her that I thought Niki was rude...Is Niki going to like me? Is there a dress code to this event? I should dress nice, It’s an art show in the city. I didn't  ask how much the entry fee. What time is it? It’s 3 am...I’ll wait a few hours and call James.” Marc settles himself and closes his eyes allowing the sleep to sink in. That same morning the girls wake up energized and ready to tackle the day. Niki especially with fire in her eyes. She is determined to create the show of her life. The show that would put her on the map and be seen.

Niki: Shae... Are you up?

Shae: Yes...Just putting on clothes.

Niki: Ok great...Can we take your car and i’ll get us breakfast and everything else.

Shae: Sounds like an even trade

Niki: Perfect. Well...i”m done

Shae: Finishing up right now.

• Shae steps out of the room with her bag and keys in hand, and they both step out of the apartment. They take the elevator down and exit the building, and walk to a white 2016 Nissan Sentra parked across the street. The ladies fasten their seatbelts, put on Power 105.1 on the radio, and just like that the day begins.

Shae: I invited Marc tonight

Niki: oh ok nice...wait...What?

Shae: I thought it was time that you two met and i want to know how you feel about him.

Niki: Fine...sure, I hope he likes art

Shae: Marc is also bringing his best friend for me to meet as well

Niki: really? That’s smart...He won’t be the only one that must impress the best friend.

Shae: You think that’s what he’s doing?

Niki: Actually no...but it comes off like that.

Shae: we’ll see...i suppose

• They continue the drive to the venue. They park and make way to the doors. They notice that the doors are locked and before they could call for assistance, a voice yells out to them. They walk towards the voice and the lady on the other side of the paying booth hands them the key. The lady also mentions that Mr. Jones the concierge will be there for the entire day for any technical assistance they may need. Niki takes the  key with Shae following and enters the hall. Most of the needed furniture were already being taken out by Mr. Jones. Niki approaches the man. 

Niki: Good Morning! Are you Mr. Jones

Mr.Jones: Good Morning! Yes i am...Miss Kandu? I hope I am pronouncing it correctly.

Niki: Yes you did. Thanks...this is Shae, she’ll be helping us today.

Mr. Jones: Nice to meet you miss...i didn’t know what kind of art show tonight would be. I took out some pedestal stands for sculptures and Easel stands for paintings. 

Niki: This is great...its a mixture of the two actually

Mr. Jones: Do you know how many of the two you’ll be presenting...as you can I've already put out some chairs and tables for the cocktail section.

Niki: Shae can you go check if the seating is enough for the 125 people...12 sculptures and 37 paintings.

Mr. Jones: alright...i’ll just go out back and get a few more stands.

Niki: Thank You!

Shae: The lounging area is perfect... It’ll seat about a third while the rest roam through the gallery... Where did he go?

• She shouts as she walks back towards Niki.

Niki: He went out to get a few more stands. Perfect...less work for us. What an amazing guy this Mr.Jones. He practically did everything.

Shae: Right!

• Niki left hand begins to vibrate and she checks the message. “We are right outside”.

Niki: come with me...seems like the valuables have just shown up.

• They both walk out the double entrance doors heading outside seeing a few guys leaning on a mid-size truck.

Niki: Hey guys! Are you guys delivering the paintings and sculptures.

Delivery Guy: Yes...just lead the way and we’ll bring them in for you.

Niki: I have some stands being brought out. Will you and your guys able to place them for us.

Delivery Guy: Yes of course...just lead the way

• The guys had trolleys made it easier to move the sculptures and the smaller paintings inside. With the direction of Mr. Jones and Niki they placed them on their respective stands. They also placed the others for auction in the back taking away all the heavy duty lifting the girls initially thought they would’ve had to do. They thank these gentlemen and they were done. All done and ready before high noon.

Mr. Jones: ok...we’re basically done. These guys were lifesavers.

Shae: oh yes...i barely did anything.

• Mr.Jones, Shae, and Niki all laugh on how smoothly today is going. They double check the lay out for a final time making sure nothing was overlooked.

Niki: Thanks again for everything Mr.Jones

Mr.Jones: I'll see you ladies at opening night...and i will be there helping stock the bar.

Shae: Bar! I cannot wait for that. 

Niki: Great...see you tonight!

• They exit the hall as Mr.Jones locks after them. See y’all in a few hours, he says parting ways. The girls agree to go back home and order in. 

Shae: i’m craving Thai. What are you feeling?

Niki: Pho actually 

Shae: in this blazing hot day? 

Niki: I know, right? Such a weird craving

Shae: i know this one spot...great Pho and amazing Thai food. Plus no delivery fee for any order over 20 dollars. Let’s order now and the food should be delivered by the time we get back.

Niki: sounds good to me

• Shae orders as they walk to the car. Exactly as Shae predicted, as they exit her parked car they seen the delivery guy speed walking to the door. They yell out to him confirming that he is here to deliver their food, Niki pays as she promised and they go in all jittery ready to eat.

Niki: What do you know about the best friend?

Shae: Not much really...Law School? He’s in law school, i think.

Niki: Nice...future lawyer and Marc is in what again?

Shae: International Business with a minor in Accounting.

Niki: So, that means James is in his Final Year as well

Shae: I believe so...They’ve known each other since they were kids.

Niki: How nice? Do you know how James looks like?

Shae: I don’t actually...Marc doesn’t even use social media. I can’t even check that for you.

Niki: No social media? At all?

Shae: He has but no activity whatsoever in at least a year.

Niki: *looks at her in shock* … You know what! I’m going for a power nap then get ready for tonight. 

Shae: Me too

• Niki stands up as Shae instructs her to go to sleep leaving cleaning up to her. Shae throws out the boxes of food and cleans up a little bit then heads to her room. 2 hour power nap should be enough as she sets her alarm hearing her snoring roommate fall deeper into sleep.

            2 hours later, Shae’s alarm rings as she frantically seats up searching for her 

            phone. She stretches and gets out bed. She heads to the crib and pours herself a 

            glass of water. After the drink, she walks over to Niki’s room waking her. They do

            not say anything but she gets up, heads directly to the bathroom. Shae exits and

            does the same, heads to the bathroom to ready herself for the night.

            Both exit their rooms 50 minutes later ready to head out. They still have a few    

            hours before the event begins but they must verify the bar and make sure

            nothing has been overlooked. Niki needs tonight to be as perfect as it can be. They head    

            back to the Hall to see that Mr.Jones have taken care of the bar and gave out the

            Jobs to the others on where and what they’re jobs are for the night. 

Niki: Thank you for everything...you’ve really made today the easiest event i’ve ever thrown.

Mr. Jones: Just doing my job miss...Your instructions when booking the venue where extensively detailed which made it easier for me to perform the task at hand. So just go relax and i’ll go finish up with security.

Niki: Thanks again

Mr.Jones: Don’t mention it

• A few hours go by and the people begin to pour in. One after another, the Hall begins to fill up. What a success is starting to look. Niki is welcoming the people and thanking them for coming. She heads to bar to Shae.

Niki: Are they here yet?

Shae: No not yet...no update from Marc either

Niki: Look at the door...i think it’s them. You didn’t tell me James was black. 

Shae: I didn’t know

Niki: Look at the fits...They clean up nicely.

Shae: stop whispering...here they come

Marc: Hello ladies! *hugs Shae and shakes Niki’s hand* … Nice to officially meet you Oluwaniki.

Niki: Nice to officially meet you as well. Niki is just fine

Marc: Shae.. this is James. James this is Shae

James: Nice to meet you and Niki. Thank You for extending the invitation.

Shae: Are you a fellow art lover?

James: Not as much as i should be

Niki: We have plenty of paintings and sculptures around and i hope you fall in love with a piece.

James: Are they all yours? 

Niki: No...just two pieces! Everyone is just so talented.

James: Can’t wait to see your pieces

Niki: Thank you so much for coming...You’ll have to excuse me. I must go to my hosting duties

Shae: yes of course...

James: Goodluck tonight!

• Niki smiles back at James and continues walking away. James watches her leave then turns back to Marc and Shae.

Marc: Drinks anyone?

James: Definitely...How’d you and Niki meet?

Shae: * chuckles* We met freshman year at the dorms and we’ve been like sisters ever since.

James: And you study in?

Shae: Law...

James: Hey bartender! Can i have a French 75 and two Glenfiddich 15 neat. Unless you have Macallan somewhere.

Bartender: We have a Macallan 18

James: Double Macallan neat and a French 75

Bartender: Coming right up

James: Thanks...What kind of law? If I may ask.

Shae: Criminal Justice...What’s a french 75?

James: Our boy over hear like Gin so I ordered something i know he’ll love. French 75 is Gin, simple syrup, lemon juice , and champagne. A very classy cocktail for such a classy and dapper man 

Shae: Sounds good...And yes he is dapper. You both are.

Marc: Thank you...You look amazing as always

Shae: * smiles

James: I hope I didn't over step by ordering your drink just like that. Marc mentioned you liked Scotch

Shae: No...it was a great choice. Thanks

James: Don't thank me. Thank Marc for the tip

• she reaches for Marc’s hand, looks up at him, and mouths “Thank You”. Marc smirks and replies with a wink. James turns back around.

James: Here are the drinks

Marc: Thanks man!

Shae: Thank You!

James: You are both very welcome.

Marc: Want to try this?

Shae: Yes i do...Oh my! It’s really good. It’s not too sweet and you can still taste the gin. French 75...i will definitely remember that.

James: So back to law...Do you plan on opening your own practice or join a firm?

Shae: My own practice is the dream. However, it would be incredible to work for Dawn & Whitby PLLC 

Marc: I didn’t know you wanted to be apart of that firm...What about you James? Do you plan joining your fathers’ firm as well?

Shae: Your father?

James: Richard Dawn

Shae: Seriously? 

• James always hated using his Father’s name in non-transactional settings. He understood that his name made people stop trying to upsell him and worked towards having his business. His biggest worry is to be treated different as soon as people know that he is the son of Richard Dawn.

James: Yes

Shae: He is my idol

• Niki while making the rounds over heard the part of Richard Dawn.

Niki: I bet you wouldn’t join your father’s firm

Marc: Why wouldn’t he?

James: Why wouldn’t i?

Niki: Maybe to get out of his shadow

Marc: James is not worried about that at all...he is too talented to fear the expectations of others.

Shae: You never know Niki...outshining Richard Dawn in his own firm will solidify him as a better lawyer.

Marc: Exactly !

Niki: Maybe, just maybe...upstaging Richard Dawn in court is the fastest way for people to say “ He is even better than his father”

• James laughs and says both scenarios are great. I still have not decided. My father does not believe in nepotism. I always fought for my place.

Shae: That’s good...Do you study criminal justice like your father?

James: Corporate law actually. I already know everything on criminal justice already. 

Niki: I bet you do. You’ve technically have been his intern since birth

James: hahahaha...basically. 

Niki: You want to dominate another field. I can understand that.

James: What about you Niki...what do you study?

Niki: I graduated already, in the Arts...I work for the Museum of Fine Arts as a Curator’s Assistant. These shows that I put on is to show that I am ready for the next level.

Marc: This gallery is lovely. It looks amazing. 

Niki: Thank You Marc!

James: Shall we go check the arts

Shae: We shall...

Marc: Let’s go

Niki: Split up...that way you can enjoy it without being influenced. 

Shae: Sounds good

James: Sure... I'll start by the paintings.

• They night begins and its time for Marc to be under the spotlight. No Shae and no James to help answer Niki’s questions. 

To Be Continued…