Grown-Up Make Believe

Last night, I planned to go see the lights on temple square with friends. Exciting, eh? I think so.

These plans withered and died when only a few of us could make it, we were running late, and realized it would be crazy busy anyway. So instead, we ran over to my house and played a few rousing games of Nertz, which is possibly the best card game ever invented. But eventually we got bored. We tried playing an awesome game my little sister has, but that didn't last long - Christian decided to cheat the system and we realized why these kinds of games are usually meant for children.

We flopped lazily on the couch, staring at nothing in particular, wondering what we should do. Several things were suggested, but most weren't exciting enough for us.

Slowly, a plan started to form. Let me introduce to you the best night I've had in a long while:


Chili's. Table for four.

A meeting "to plan a 5-year high school reunion".

Ordered: Queso and a plate of 4 mini burgers.

4 Characters, dressed appropriately.

Character 1: Julie Murdock Green. Used to be Senior Class Activities Chair. The likable cheerleader in high school - pretty, fun, outgoing, student council, dates all the jocks (but not a player). Got married 3 months out of high school to Rob Green, the love of her life. Now has two children, Max (3), and Amelia (1), with another on the way. Intense cravings (bag packed with chex mix, nuts, water bottle, granola bars, prunes, chocolate), had to use the bathroom often. Clothes: Jeans, tennis shoes, white v-neck and frumpy sweatshirt. Hair pulled hastily back in a messy bun.
Played by: Anna.

Character 2: Chloe Freeman (Chloe pronounced "Clo-ay", everyone at the table gets it wrong). Used to be Senior Class Vice President. The people-pleaser in high school who never had a distinct group. Tried drama, student council, choir, drugs, softball, basketball, everything. A bit of a hippie, all in all. Now works for Samson & Sons Law Firm, doing secretarial work. Clean, organized, put together, attractive. Has dated multiple men over the years for work purposes, in order to get good promotions. Currently dating David, her boss, who plans to take her to New York for Christmas to meet his family (she's also expecting a proposal). Answers work phone calls during dinner, constantly texting David, and skeptical of most at the table. Clothes: Black and white dress, belt, fishnets, purple pumps, peacoat, scarf. Hair slightly curled, make-up perfect.
Played by: Cassidy.

Character 3: Rich (short for Richard). Used to be Senior Class Something. In high school, the all-around consistent, outgoing guy. Friendly and fun. Now married to a girl from Kentucky named Alex. He's just found out she's pregnant, however, and not with his child. Apparently she's been having an affair with a man for months now. Bitter, sad, confused, and quiet. Tries several times throughout the night to order a drink to drown his sorrows, but Chloe gets angry and pulls the drink menu away. Clothes: Dark jeans, belt, black collared shirt, slightly untucked. Hair a bit askew, especially after he returns from a long stay in the bathroom.
Played by: Christian.

Character 4: Sarah. Used to be Senior Class President. Was the bookish, smart, driven, somewhat awkward student in high school. Now, a slut (please excuse my blunt language). Went to Cambridge right after high school, and met a man in the library who she fell in love with. She got pregnant, but had an abortion, and the man left her. She promptly dropped out of college, and took up a new lifestyle. Being fed only through dates, sleeping around with rich men. Arrives at the restaurant half an hour late. Quite taken with Rich (she told us later the goal was to get him to take her home), who is distant at first, but also wants to get revenge on his wife. Clothes: Little black dress, cream jacket, pink heels. Hair wavy and down, make up heavy but still attractive.
Played by: Brynne.

Yes, we played out nearly the entire night as these characters meeting to plan their 5-year reunion. The plot thickened as the night went on.

The rules: No breaking character.

Chloe arrived first, precisely on time. Julie joined her shortly, and they got a table together. The two talked for a while. Chloe was surprised to find out Julie already has kids, and told her she looked good "for already having two" and said she could tell another was on the way (as a side note, I made myself look 8 months pregnant at my house, but my mom wouldn't let me go out in public like that [understandable]. So I was just my regular size. Pregnant, but not showing).

Rich came next, silently sliding in at the table and acting rather cold towards them both. A conversation went something like this:

Julie: How have you been? What have you been up to?

Rich: Well. I'm... married.

Julie: Oh, really?! That's great.

Chloe: To who?

Rich: You don't know her. Different school.

Chloe: We know a lot of people.

Rich: She's from a small town in Kentucky.

Julie: What's her name?

Rich: Alex.

Julie: That's great. And do you guys have any... are you going to have kids?

Rich (has been looking down at menu entire time): Uh... no. I don't think we're going to be having any kids.

He promptly left to go to the bathroom, staying in there for about 10 minutes. As soon as he's gone:

Julie: My gosh, did you see his reaction when I asked about kids??

Chloe: Yeah!

Julie: I bet their close to a divorce or something. (putting hand on chest) That just breaks my heart.

Chloe: Or she can't have kids. That could be it.

Julie: Yeah, but it was like he had emphasis on the fact that he wouldn't have kids with her.

When Rich returned, his shirt was half untucked, his hair frazzled. Sarah joined, and when she walked up our mouths dropped.

The entire night was delightful. Let me just give you a couple snippets:

-Julie: Oh my gosh, I'm so hungry. (reaches into bag and opens bag of chex mix)
Chloe: Julie! You can't do that.
Julie: What?
Chloe: I just... fine. I'm just used to higher end places.
Julie: Want some chex mix?

-I offered chex mix to everyone at the table throughout the course of the night.

-Cass kept getting texts from her boyfriend, and would open them, smiling. It worked though, because her character got cute texts from David.

-(Rich grabs packets of sugar and begins dumping them in his water)
Sarah (flirting): So... is that any good?
(Rich nods, she fills her drink with sugar as well, sips)
Sarah (reach across table to touch Rich's hand): You know, it is good.

-Sarah staring at Rich the entire night.

-Julie DEVOURING any food she comes in contact with.

-Julie excusing herself to go to the bathroom.

-Julie: So Rich, where do you work?
Chloe: Probably the same ice cream shop as always.
(Cass dated a guy named Rich who worked at Maggie Moo's)

-Sarah (checking pockets): Oh, I left my phone...
Julie: Where'd you leave it?
Sarah (pausing): At a... friend's. I was in a rush.

-Julie sniffing food before eating anything.

-Julie: What I wouldn't do for a drink right now...
Chloe: I've been sober for a month, now.
Julie: Oh, good for you!
Chloe: Yeah. My sister and I got in an accident when we were drunk.
Julie: Oh no...
Chloe: Both her legs are broken.

-(Rich reaches across Chloe to grab drink menu)
Chloe: No. No drinking.
Sarah: (sipping sugar water seductively, looking at Rich) Let's get drunk and dance crazily on the tables.
Rich (slowly nodding): Yeah.
Julie: What? No!
Sarah (still staring at Rich): Maybe some other time?
Rich (looks up): ...Yeah. (pause, he nods) Yeah!

-The twist.
(Julie's talking about husband, Rich suddenly looks up)
Rich: Wait, what did you say your new last name was?
Julie: Green.
Rich: And your husband's name is...?
Julie: Rob. Rob Green.
Rich (realization hits him, he covers face and looks down) Where did you say your husband is tonight?
Julie (confused, but it's starting to hit her): Shopping for Christmas while my mom watches the kids...
(awkward pause)
Julie: I think I'll just call Rob real quick... I forgot to tell him to pick some stuff up...

...That's right folks, my husband was cheating on me with Rich's wife! I got his answering machine twice.

-And the best part of the night
The waiter comes out.
Waiter: So, split the bill? Together?
Rich: Don't worry, I've got it.
Julie: Really?
Rich: Yeah.
Brynne (breaking character) CJ??
Awkward pause, she's just referred to Christian, not Rich. We all busted up laughing and the night was over.

ANYWAY.
Maybe you enjoyed that post, maybe not. Mostly I just wanted to share with people how cool my friends are. We often wonder what normal people do when they're bored.

Go play make believe for adults! It's fun!

Much love,
Anna Elizabeth


P.S. Obviously, Caroline Grace needs to post soon, wouldn't you agree? I think you're all getting tired of me.