We now return to the one-on-one date between Marielle and Leopold.Leopold: Ah, I see--a
jazz club.
Marielle: It's a nice place, isn't it?
Leopold: I agree with your previous assessment: very classy.
Leopold: And indeed, very quiet. This must be a very exclusive club indeed!
Leopold: Marielle, I feel I should apologise. That movie was a poor choice for what I had hoped was going to be a singularly romantic evening.
Marielle: No, Leopold! It was really an excellent movie. It won a couple of Oscars and Anne Hathaway won the Best Supporting Actress award. And I thought Hugh Jackman was magnificent in the role of Jean Valjean.
Leopold: Oh, I agree. His versatility astonishes me. It is an excellent movie, but quite confronting to see such a graphic portrayal of such a brutal, terrible time that is, for me at least, relatively recent history.
Marielle: Well, Leopold, if it makes you feel better, I don’t look on these types of movies as a history lesson. I enjoy movies that inspire and make me think. Although I did think Javert’s suicide was underplayed. Surely Javert’s questioning of his values and adherence to the letter of the law was as important as Jean Valjean’s redemption?
Leopold: Perhaps, but the movie was relatively true to the book and Hugo did not place as much emphasis on Javert’s epiphany. Did you know that Victor Hugo was a bystander caught in the crossfire of the actual June Rebellion? Hugo witnessed the first day at the barricades. It must have been terrifying – 3,000 rebels pitting their high ideals and puny guns against 30,000 armed troops.
Marielle: Oh no! I had no idea! That's terrible. No wonder he portrayed it as so gruesome, he was really there!
Marielle: Wow, I'm glad I chose you to come on this date with me. I'm sure none of the other guys would have had the same insight into that movie that you do.
Leopold: I’m sure none of them would have been so gauche as to choose such a disturbing movie for a date in the first place.
Marielle: Don’t make yourself out to be the bad guy. You suggested it, but I chose it and I don’t regret it. Let’s talk about something else.
Leopold: Thank you, Marielle. I really like the art deco style of the Simlux Cinema Palace. It was one of the best things to come out of the 1920’s.
Marielle: I agree. I love the rich colours and bold geometrical motifs of the period. The whole culture is so fascinating to me! The decadence and style.
(sigh) Fantastic. Well, shall we get a table?
Leopold: Yes, let's.
Leopold: Here, allow me to get your seat.
Marielle: Why thank you, Leopold.
Leopold: Have you eaten here before?
Marielle: No, never. I arrived in Starlight Shores not long before you did, actually. They arranged all of the dates for me, although I did have some input.
Leopold: What do you think is the most interesting on this menu?
Marielle: Oh, my! Well, there are a lot of choices. Uh, the Lemon and Eggplant Lasagne sounds good . . . right? It certainly has exotic ingredients!
Leopold: Then I shall try that. Would you prefer to order for yourself?
Marielle: Oh! Well, I usually do, but since we are in the 1920s here, why not be traditional? I'll have the Plasma Chowder.
Nina: Hey Susie, come here! Did you notice who's on Table 1?
Susie: From here I can see a handsome man--hel-lo gorgeous!
Nina: No, the lady!
Susie
(squinting): Is she a vampire?
Nina: Yes! But not just any vampire, that's Marielle Neige, the bachelorette! From
The Bachelorette!Susie: Oh! So that guy is one of the bachelors?
Nina: Looks like Leopold.
Susie
(muttering): If she doesn't want him, I'll take him.
Nina: Listen, I'll make you a deal. I'll take the order, and you can bring their food.
Susie: Deal!
Nina: Hello, I'm Nina, and I'll be your server this evening. Would you care for something to drink?
Leopold: Not just now, thank you.
Nina: All right then, are you ready to order?
Leopold: Yes, thank you. The lady will have the Plasma Chowder and I would like the Lemon and Eggplant Lasagne.
Nina: Copacetic! That'll be out in two shakes.
Leopold: Excellent. Thank you.
Leopold: First of all, thank you for granting me the privilege of being your first private date card. It’s an honour that I value highly.
Marielle: You're welcome. I'd say I chose well--It's been delightful.
Leopold: Well, thank you. I too have enjoyed it thus far.
Leopold: This restaurant is indeed an elegant setting and enhanced exponentially with the grace of your presence. I noticed all the heads turn toward you as we entered. That is a particularly becoming hairstyle. It suits your face and enhances your eyes.
Marielle: Oh, thank you! That's very sweet of you to say. I'm fairly overwhelmed with praise.
Susie: Here you are! Here's your lasagne and plasma chowder.
Leopold and Marielle: Thank you.
Susie: I'm Susie, by the way.
Marielle: Thank you, Susie.
Susie: So if you need anything, you can just . . . uh . . . give me a call.
Marielle: We will!
Susie: Especially you, sir.
Leopold: Thank you.
Marielle
(hinting gently): Goodbye, Susie.
Susie: Oh, right.
Congratulations to viewers melancholy_anju and chetanhaobijam for correctly guessing what kind of club the two would be going to! Your prize is the admiration and envy of your peers. Now proceed to Dinner, Part II
