You stand firm, anxious, and a bit scared realizing that you are on your first blind date... come to think of it first real date since that time you invited Susan from next door for a juice box.
She shows up and the first thing you notice is how good she looks in that red dress. You also notice her hair looks shiny and silky smooth and not wearing much makeup.
You both exchange greetings and you find out her name is Melissa.
She sits down looking at you and then away. Seems that she is shy.
You look at the menu trying to decide what to get yet all you can think about is her. As the waiter takes your order and leaves you notice a sense of awkwardness in the air.
First impressions are really important so say something quickly!
[[//Tell her she looks nice//|Okay Job]]
[[//Introduce yourself//|Good Job]]
[[//Crack a joke//|Bad Job]]You tell her she looks really nice and that her hair is lovely.
She seems surprised and a bit weirded out by the compliment, but thanks you for it. She claims that her mother helped her choose the dress and did her hair.
After that small exchange the awkwardness continues.
Better make some [[Small Talk]]
You introduce yourself and with a smile shake her hand.
She smiles back and introduces herself as well.
She says her full is Melissa Barales and that it's nice to meet you. She explains that she doesn't normally do this kind of thing, but her mother insisted that she go on a date. And who can say not to mom right?
You explain to her how you also don’t do this often and that you feel uneasy about this. She agrees with you and smiles.
[[But what else to say??|Small Talk]]In order to make things livelier you decide to cracka joke. Iys gotta interesting, entertaining, and most off all funny. So you say the funniest joke you can think of. Mybe one of dad's old jokes, they always made mom laugh.
"Hey so let me ask you this, what do you call a can opener that doesn't work?"
She looks a bit confused
"A can't opener."
you wait for her to laugh yet she never does. Now that you think about it mom never did have the greatest sense of humor.
[[Just move on from the topic.|Small Talk]]Before the food arrives, you ask her to share a little about herself.
In a shy tone she explains that she is a (if: $florist is true)[florist](else: )[[florist]] and owns a local flower shop in (if: $downtown is true)[downtown](else: )[[downtown]].
She asks you the same question, however you don't want to talk about the wrong topic, so choose wisely.
[[Speak about your experiences in downtown|Okay Job!]]
[[Explain your love of nature|Good Job!]]
[[Boast about yourself|Bad Job!]]
{
(set: $pickup to false)
(set: $job to false)
(set: $day to false)
(set: $mother to false)
(set: $florist to false)
(set: $downtown to false)
(set: $music to false)
(set: $salad to false)
(set: $friends to false)
(set: $relationships to false)
}
You explain to her that you don't really have the same problems as her when it comes to working in downtown. You tell her about your nice cushy job at an office firm and how its far away from having to deal with other people. You also never had a problem with parking since your company owns their own parking lot. Yeah seems like downtown has never been a nuisance to you.
She smiles and says she is happy for you, however, clearly not at all thrilled that you have it so easy. Kind of upsetting if you ask me.
However, she quickly shrugs it off as soon as the waiter comes back with your [[Food]].You explain to her your love of the outdoors and being around nature. Telling her about all the times you went outside with your family and loved camping. You also mention your favorite parks around the city that are littered with flowers.
She joins in speaking about her favorite spots around the city and talks more about nature. You both go back, and forth about which spots are the best.
However, the conversation is cut short when the [[Food]] arrives.
They say that confidence is key so, fake it till you make it right?
You explain about how great life is to you and those around you. Giving emphasis on how your presence is a gift to all. You tell her that being here with you is like a dream come true, right before winking at her and giving her your attempt at a charming smile.
However, you see her look around noticing countless other watching you both, her face then changes to a bright red as she puts her head down.
Doesn’t seem as though she understands the great honor bestowed to her, perhaps you should say it louder…
Oh wait [[Food]] is here.(set: $florist to true)
Melissa tells you that she loves gardening and her love of plants go all the way back to childhood. You see her mother is the one that taught her and ever since then she has been enamored with the outside.
The trees in forest, the plants in parks, and her little garden she keeps at home. Her passion for nature goes above and beyond and it seems like she can talk about it forever.
I think you should learn [[more|Small Talk]]As the two of eat you ask her to tell you even more about herself.
She quickly cleans her mouth with a napkin and speaks about how she is known for her peculiar taste in (if: $music is true)[music](else: )[[music]] and how she loves to hear jazz.
As she enjoys her food you notice she decided to get a (if: $salad is true)[salad](else: )[[salad]] and a cup sparkling water, quite the peculiar combination if you ask me.
When the both of you are done, she looks at you as if waiting for you to say something.
[[Speak about the music you listen to|Good Job!!]]
[[Ask her why she got the salad|Okay Job!!]]
[[*BURP*|Bad Job!!]]
You tell her that you like rock or pop music and that you love going to concerts with friends.
Despite the obvious distinction of music taste, she seems to be really interested in concerts. She explains that she has never gone to a concert, seeing as she never got the chance or isn’t good around crowds. The more you speak about your concert experiences the more enamored she is with the idea of going to one.
Sound like you are killing it with [[the small talk|More Small Talk]]
You ask her the reason for her choice in salad but, she doesn’t seem so keen on answering. She claims that while at work a customer who didn’t end up like the flowers started commenting on their quality. As soon as she told him to leave her started braiding her with comments on her body. Ever since then she has been trying to eat healthy.
She stops eating and claims that she lost her apatite.
Apparently, she doesn’t like being questioned about her food choices.
Probably not the best idea to question a woman’s eating habits.
Better think of something else to [[say|More Small Talk]]
She explains that she and her mother used to listen to jazz on the radio and tv whenever they could. On the car ride from school, in the house, and even while showering. She could spend hours listing to it. Although she has never gone to see jazz live or a concert, it’s something she wishes to go see with her mother. Although sadly being in a crowd isn’t really her cup of tea.
Seems like music is a big part of her life, wonder what else [[is.|Food]]
(Set: $music to true)
The salad seems simple and not all tasty, but despite that she continues to eat it, as though she is forcing herself.
Better stop thinking about her food and focuse on [[her.|Food]]
(set: $salad to true)Really dude? Now your just asking to get left on read.
{
(put: (count: (history:), "Bad Job", "Bad Job!", "Bad Job!!" ) into $toosoon)
}
(if: $toosoon is 2)[Wait something is happening.
(link: "Too Soon")[(goto: "Too Soon")]]
(else: )[[[time for some more small talk|More Small Talk]]]
As soon as the waiter picks up the plate, the sense of awkwardness feels as though it’s about to settle in once again.
However, this time she takes the initiative by asking you about your relationships with people. Melissa first starts by speaking about her romantic (if: $relationships is true )[relationships](else:)[[relationships]]. She also mentions that the reason she doesn't go out more often is that her (if: $friends is true)[friends](else:)[[friends]] are no longer with her.
As she waits for your response, you panic. Time for you to be the one on the hot seat.
[[Speak about the single life|Good job!!!]]
[[Talk about your friends|Okay Job!!!]]
[[Seems too personal, doge the question?|Bad Job!!!]]
She gets up abruptly and just stares at you. You wonder what’s wrong and as you were going to ask, she speaks.
“I’m sorry but I can’t, not with you, your just too…”
She stops with a look of disgust and anguish on her face. She turns and leaves, as she does you notice others are staring at you.
You get up and leave
Wonder what went wrong?
She blushes at the mention of her different partners though the years, or lack thereof.
Melissa explains that she was never the outgoing type and a very shy person from the start. She spent most of her time in school doing schoolwork or with her best friends, never really talking to guys, much less dating them.
Much of the interactions she has had with guys revolves around talking to customers and that’s only for a short time. Hence the reason her mom told her to try a blind date.
Seems as though you two are more in common then you realize.
Wonder what else do you guys have in [[common|More Small Talk]]
(Set: $relationships to true)
When questioned about her friends Melissa hesitantly answers. She has known them for most of her life, dating all the way back to the beginning of high school. They spent most of their time together gardening or at her house watching movies and talking. She shared everything with her friends, including her love of flowers.
Melissa smiled as she talked about her friends, though that changed the more she talked.
Apparently, they moved away about a year ago. It would appear that their different careers and goals lead to different paths. She still keeps in touch with them but not as often as before.
She looks down at her lap, disheartened.
Might want to answer her question [[now|More Small Talk]]
(Set: $friends to true)
You tell her that you are in the same boat as her, you lack the courage to talk to girls and that it’s a problem even now. In fact, the reason you are here is because a friend's influence and persuasive mouth.
Melissa laughs and tells you that she understands where you are coming from, seems as though you two are more alike than you realize.
Looks like it’s time to [[walk|Walk]] her home.You decide to talk about your friends and what they mean to you. Much like Melissa they have been a major part of your life. You tell her that they have been there for you since you met them in college. You guys go everywhere together and have a great time doing anything. You mention how they are the ones that encouraged you to go on this blind date in the first place.
As you continue to talk about your friends with enthusiasm, you notice that she is not quite feeling the same way. Perhaps talking about friends was not a good idea seeing as her friends are not here with her.
Looks like it’s time to [[go|Walk]]
The whole subject seems a little too personal for your liking, so you decide to change it.
In a nervous manner, you ask her how the food was. She tells you it was fine but then asks you again. In order to avoid it, you call for the waiter to come get the plates and for the check. As the waiter does you laugh nervously and ask her if she is ready to leave?
With a stern look of disappointment, she says yes.
{
(put: (count: (history:), "Bad Job", "Bad Job!", "Bad Job!!", "Bad Job!!!") into $toosoon)
}
(if: $toosoon is 2)[Wait something is happening.
(link: "Too Soon")[(goto: "Disappointment")]]
(else: )[[Guess it’s time to leave|Walk]]
As you walk her home you try to think of what else to say before the night ends. You try and remember the whole night and see if there is something to talk about, something that is important to her but what? What could she have mentioned in your date that she hasn't talked about?
[[Ask her about her family|Good Job!!!!]]
[[Tell her you had a great time|Okay Job!!!!]]
[[keep walking|Bad Job!!!!]]
{
(put: (count: (history:), "Okay Job", "Okay Job!", "Okay Job!!", "Okay Job!!!!" ) into $okay)
(put: (count: (history:), "Good Job", "Good Job!", "Good Job!!", "Good Job!!!!" ) into $good)
(put: (count: (history:), "Bad Job", "Bad Job!", "Bad Job!!", "Bad Job!!!", "Bad Job!!!!") into $bad)
(if: $okay is 3)[(goto: "OkayEnding")]
(else-if: $okay is 4)[(goto: "OkayEnding")]
(else-if: $okay is 5)[(goto: "OkayEnding")]
(else-if: $good is 3)[(goto: "GoodEnding")]
(else-if: $good is 4)[(goto: "GoodEnding")]
(else-if: $good is 5)[(goto: "GoodEnding")]
(else-if: $bad is 3)[(goto: "BadEnding")]
(else: )[(goto: "OkayEnding")]
}The mention of her family brings a painful look on her face. She tells you that her father was never really around much because he had to work a lot. Whenever he was home, he would be too tired to be with her. Nonetheless, she had a happy childhood and it was all thanks to her mother.
The mention of her mother brings a pleasant look on her face.
She explains to you that her mother was her first best friend as well as the best mother anyone could ask for. From day one her mother has been there for her and that while her dad was not, she was like two parents in one. She continues talking about her mom and how amazing she is all the way to her [[apartment|End]].You tell her you had a great time, mentioning that she looks great and that it was fun talking with her
She returns the kind gesture with a smile and a "me too"
The rest of the walk was quite not much to say anymore
Looks like you reached her [[apartment|End]]You both walk, quickly without saying a word, not the best ending to a date.
You both reach her [[apartment|End]]She turns to you and smiles.
“I had a great time and I’m hoping we can do it again sometime”
She proceeds to kiss you on the cheek and then enters her apartment. You walk home and as you do so you think back.
That wasn’t hard was it? Not too shabby.
She walks up to the entrance of her apartment then looks at you with a smile, however, that smile fades as she begins to talk.
“Look, I had a great time and it was fun but, I don’t think this will work. Instead let’s be friends, that way we can still talk okay. Well goodnight.”
She opens the door and enters. You start walking home and think to yourself, it wasn’t love at first sight but hey at least you got a new friend right
Not bad for you first blind date.You ask her how it feels working in downtown, knowing its hard with how crazy it is these days.
Melissa proceeds to explain that downtown isn't the best place to work with the amount of people that come in and out of her store. Or the fact that there is almost zero parking and its filled with some of the nastiest people you can think of. However, despite all the problems with working, she loves her job and its worth all the trouble.
Sounds like she has it [[rough|Small Talk]]
(set: $downtown to true)She hurries to the entrance to her apartment and then turns to you with a frown on her face.
“Look, I’m sorry but, this won’t work. We are just too different from one another and I can’t see us even being friends. I refuse to be with someone who doesn’t take things seriously, goodnight”
She enters her apartment and close the door behind her before you can even get a word out.
You stand in the street wondering what went wrong. Better luck next time!
She gets up, but when you try and do the same, she stops you and gives you a sad look on her face.
“I don’t think this will work I’m sorry. We are just too different from one another and I refuse to talk to a person that doesn’t treat this seriously.”
She walks out the door and leaves you alone.
Not the best decision making my friend.