Going Home

START: Playwriting classroom, community college

END: White picket fence

Head east on Stranger Drive, toward the desk with the dark, brooding man. Then, turn left into his almost

burnt-caramel eyes.

In a half-second, fall into the nonchalant persona of a first impression, easing the accelerator of your eyes, cheeks, head-tilt with a gentle step. Do not speed, not even to match the tempo of your mind’s quickstep.

Continue straight for ten minutes. A rehearsal of your first production.

After the roundabout, take the exit onto Public Speaking Boulevard. (You’ll know it by the feeling in your cheeks, a blush not born from mortification but the realization that your phobia has never been this fun.)

This first play of introductions, your shyness

put center-stage in a cushion of his storyteller-charm.

Use the stop sign to breathe and smile. Then turn right.

Continue straight on Prof. Lecture, past the Sneaking Glances and into Accidental Shoe Taps. (Population 2.)

In a quarter-hour, pull into the parking lot of The First Assignment. Park, but keep the engine running.

Pull out the map.

//

Preview Route

In five years, he’ll bring you back. Remember the far wall for its “what’s that?” fake-out. See your dark, brooding man bending in a half-kneel just off to your side. As you turn around, trace with your eyes the footpath he’s led you down (“chasing a Legendary”).

Say yes.

//

Re-Center

Get out, and enter the glass doors. There’s a table near a vending machine. In pursuit of the plot to a 1 Minute Play, you will decide if he is worth it.

Thus:

• Step 1: “What do we disagree about?”
• Step 2: Be vulnerable.
• Step 3: “What would be a couple’s death-bed conversation?
• Step 4: Be honest.
• Step 5: The characters are taking form. Witness prophecy, here, at the beginning.
• Step 6: “What’s your email address?”

There is a space here

for your heart to leap, and the seed

of an idiosyncratic smile to take root.

See your inner sunlight brighten

at the thought. Warm

and blush.

Give him your phone number too.

//

Still Going Home? Tap “Resume.”

Head south on Denouement Place, then turn right onto Maybe Not.

Continue straight.

The dark, glinting man is keeping pace with you.

In two minutes, say yes to his offer of a ride. (Your sister will be working here longer than you need to stay.)

Merge onto Accepted Ride Home and get into the left-most lane.

You have reached your destination.

***

A/N

Thank you for reading! This is for the super-talented and wonderful human Poppy's 1.2.3. Challenge.