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At lunchtime, Lauren pops into my office and asks if I want to go grab a salad with her. I was planning on sitting in front of my computer and eating popcorn while scrolling through our client database looking for a match for a new client. This sounds like a much better option though. I need more veggies in my life.
After we place our order and have a seat, Lauren asks if I’ve ever heard of dining in the dark.
“You mean that thing where people eat in the pitch dark?” I ask.
“Exactly.”
“I’m aware that it’s a thing but I don’t know much about it.”
“Okay. So, there is one of these restaurants in the city that approached me with the idea of sending our clients there on first dates. Apparently, it’s a new thing, kind of like that reality show where they don’t get to actually see each other until they’ve agreed to get married, but without having to date in the pods.”
I sit across from her, absentmindedly scratching my hand, wondering how this would work.
“Would you be up for giving it a try? Going on a first date with someone to try it out, you know?” she asks, biting her lip and trying not to laugh.
“Are you kidding me, Lauren? That sounds 100% horrible,” I say, raising my voice more than I intended to.
The couple at the next table look over at me with surprised looks on their face. I apologize and give my attention back to Lauren.
“We need to stay on top of dating trends. This is a great way to do it. Actually experiencing the date before sending a client,” shesays, swallowing a too-big bite of chicken. “And, you’re the only one in the office currently single, so…”
“Damn, Lauren! Do I get extra pay for this? Maybe combat pay…”
She laughs and shakes her head no. “I’ll give you next Friday off though, if you want it.”
I give her the same look I used to when she had proposed some ridiculous scheme in college. “Sounds like I don’t have a choice in the matter,” I say with an edge to my voice. “When do you want me to do this godawful thing?”
“Sometime soon?” she says hesitantly, squinching up her face.
“Fuck. Okay, may as well get it over with,” I agree, taking a deep breath. “Who’s my date?”
“Brett knows a guy from work who recently broke up with his girlfriend. Maybe he’ll agree to go?”
“Okay. Just let me know when you find out,” I respond warily. “The shit I do in the name of research.”
“Oh, come on, Sash. Maybe it will be fun…”
I look at her incredulously. “About as fun as getting a cavity filled, I’m guessing.”
She laughs and we go back to chomping on our salads.
I start wondering what one wears to a dining-in-the-dark experience. Perhaps my most comfy pj’s…
Two weeks later, I’m getting ready for my date at Eclipse. I’m dreading it and wondering if it’s too late to back out.
I arrive right on time. My date should already be here and seated. It’s planned out this way so we won’t see each other until the end of the meal.
I’m dreading this but find myself slightly grateful for something to do to get my mind off of Spencer. I feel badpractically ghosting him but I’m not ready to talk to him yet about what’s going on in my mind.
I am greeted by the host who has a pair of night-vision goggles perched on the top of his spiky blonde hair.
“Are you ready?” he asks, motioning toward the inner blackness of the restaurant.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say, reaching for his outstretched hand.
We begin slowly making our way to the table where my date is waiting. I wonder what he’s doing in the dark waiting for me. He’s obviously unable to do the usual things one does while waiting for someone – scrolling the socials, answering emails or responding to texts.
The entire restaurant is pitch black and I can’t see a thing. We arrive at the table and the host pulls out my chair and carefully guides me into it. He says our server will check in in just a few minutes to get our drink order.
