Waiting for Merlot

"Hello, Kuni."

"Hello, Jean."

"So, we're here again, are we? Is this the third time this week?"

"The fourth, actually. You've probably left out Tuesday."

"I have not. It was just after Monday. It rained. We stayed home."

"We did no such thing. It snowed, we went to the park, then came here."

"As we always do?"

"As we always do."

"Certainly, this is the best café. You've always said so."

"Have I? Then it must be so, mustn't it?"

"I suppose. I really have no opinion on the matter myself. I enjoy letting you choose where we'll meet. You have an excellent sense about such things."

"I do, don't I? Shall we order some dinner? Are you hungry at all?"

"Famished. But there's been no sign of the server. Odd, isn't it? On such a quiet night, you'd think that we'd be surrounded by several eager underlings, clamoring for our attention."

"Not to mention for our purses. This is what they do, isn't it? And why the café is open in the first place? And why we've come here, mouths watering, heads swimming from hunger?"

"I don't suppose it matters much, in the end, really. We've come here so often before and not been satisfied."

"There was that one time..."

"Which one, Blossom?"

"I was about to tell you, if you would but let me finish, Doudou. We came here at sunset, in the Spring, it was. Or perhaps the Fall. You said you were starving and ordered two seafood platters. I had the goulash. Oh, and a glass of Merlot. I remember it as though it were yesterday."

"But it wasn't yesterday. And it wasn't I who ordered seafood. Don't you remember? I ate sausages that night. I'm allergic to seafood"

"You are? No! Then who was it?"

“Not I, I assure you. This is, after all, our first date."

"How can that be? We've been here every night this week...?"

"Not Tuesday. It rained that night. And it's still our first date, no matter what you recall. Where is that waiter?"

"I would love another glass of that Merlot."

"Has their cellar even seen a Merlot? I'll ask the steward. Will you wait here for me?"

"Certainly not. I think I shall go home now. It has been a dreadful evening, after all."

"You know, it has. Worse than Tuesday. Let's end it here and now, shall we?"

"Yes, Good night, Doudou."

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"Hello, Jean."

"Hello, Kuni."

"Is today Tuesday?"

"Today is today, Blossom. Tomorrow is Tuesday. You really should learn to keep that straight in your mind."

"Nothing is straight in my mind, Doudou. Everything goes round and round in circles. Like the way we keep meeting up here, for instance."

"But this is our first meeting. I've never been here before. And neither have you."

"But I have, Jean, I have. And so have you. We shared a glass of Merlot. You had an upset stomach from some bad seafood and wanted only something to soothe the ache."

"Nonsense. We've only just met. And I've never been to this dreadful place before in my life."

"Oh, why do you call it that? It's not dreadful at all. In fact, I find it peaceful."

"Well, the staff seems intent on leaving us in peace, for their part. I wanted some dinner. I haven't eaten since… well, I'm very hungry."

"Why are you so cross today, Jean? I've never seen you like this. Is something troubling you?"

"You are troubling me, Kuni. You've never seen me like this? I venture to point out that you've never seen me at all. I told you as much the other night, when we were here for our first date."

"But I thought this was our first date! Really, Doudou, you should try to get things straight in your mind. You really are confused. And sad. Or perhaps cross."

"This is our first date. And so was the other night. And all the others. And if I'm cross it's because I really can't stand Merlot and you keep giving it to me! Why must you torment me so?"

"Oh, but I haven't given you any Merlot at all. Not one drop. In fact, I haven't had any myself. No one has come by to take our orders. It is only you and I in this café. It's always only you and I."

"There was that one time…"

"Which time do you mean, Doudou?"

"Oh, what does it matter. We've never met before tonight, and I've never been in this awful place. And I do so want some dinner."

"Well, shall I find the hostess and inquire as to why the staff choose to avoid this table?"

"Never mind. I'm going home. Good night, Kuni"

"I suppose that would be best, in light of things. Good night, Jean."

"Shall we meet again tomorrow? For our first date?"

"Tomorrow is Tuesday; it may rain. We shall see."