"Balance Beam"

Theo and Carmen are walking in the middle of a large park (for example, central park.) They have been dating around 6-8 weeks, nothing too serious and are getting to the stage where they really want to get to know each other better. Taking it slow, they’ve held hands, but are still waiting on their first kiss.

Theo: What do you mean the guys you’ve dated previously were useless at it?

Carmen: I mean it! There are certain rules to go by. None of them worked out because they couldn’t follow the simple rules.

Theo: You have my full attention. I do not intend to mess this up like they have so I should know these requirements.

Carmen: You’ll think about it too much once you know.

Theo: Try me! Please.

Carmen: “One, you got to take it kind of slowly.”

Theo: That seems reasonable. I think we’re doing okay there.

Carmen: “Two, you got to hurry up and make your move.”

Theo: Wait what?

Carmen: You can’t go too slowly.

Theo: That contradicts the first rule!

Carmen: You have to know when long is long enough. If you wait too long then you’ll never get there because you won’t be dating each other.

Theo: I’ll think about it. What are the others?

Carmen: “Three, you’ve got to tell her how you’re feeling” and “four, you’ve got to be the perfect gentleman.”

Theo: Well, Carmen, I do believe I’m smitten right now with the prettiest and smartest woman I’ve ever dated.

Carmen: I’m not joking here. This is how you win the heart of a lady. These are the rules I keep in the back of my mind.

Theo heads over to a wall and starts to shake it. This is made from something flexible and flops as he shakes it.

Theo: Look “you shake the wall, you got to make it bend.” That’s something you said on our first date. When it seems improbable, like this wall, it may not be and may be the right thing to try. I’m not joking around.

Theo stops shaking the wall. He goes to his spot next to Carmen.

Carmen: “You’ve got to show [me] that [I’m] a balance beam” and we balance perfectly. Not always, but most of the time.

Theo: Your analogies are always so fascinating. What’s this?

Rain starts pouring.

Theo: “I keep falling all around [your] fairy tale.” This downpour is story perfect. We can take “a walk in the rain.” I suggest it!

Carmen: I “confess that” I don’t actually like this part of fairy tales. Come on! Let’s go over here.

They huddle beneath a huge tree that is so thick with leaves doesn’t allow water to get to them. Carmen reaches over and snuggles into Theo’s arms, trying to stay warm.

Theo: I’m trying to “stay cool, but I’m giddy like a school boy.” Are you sure you want to be cuddling up under this tree? The car is not far, I can go get it and pull it up to that roundabout over there and pick you up closer.

Carmen: I’m fine as long as you “handle with care. [My heart] is not a toy.”

Theo: You don’t have to worry about that. I’m not here to break or hurt anything or anyone. I’ve been waiting to tell you I want to be your boyfriend.

“And though [their] clothes were wet, [they] sat and smiled” at each other.

Theo: “I never thought I’d smile so much” with anyone. I grin from ear to ear when I’m with you. Really I grin when I think about you.

Carmen: You know what they say.

Theo: What’s that?

Carmen: “The first kiss always says the most.”

Theo and Carmen turn toward one another and kiss passionately.

Blackout.

The music and video above is owned by the artists and their record labels, as applicable.

*The lyrics used for this inspirational piece are the alternate lyrics known as “Fairy Tale.”