A date in New York.
May 14th, 2013
< Age of consent debate.
October 13, 2011.
1. M to me, 5.03pm.
Hello there,
I am a real 26 year old gal. Ivy educated, attractive, employed. In a relationship and not looking to change that, but yes! something is missing… so I feel ready to bring back some excitement to my life and meet new friends. I have a thing for British guys. So would you be willing to send me another picture of yourself?
Here’s mine.
Thank you. M
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2. Me to M, 5.18pm.
Hello M (M for mysterious?),
Thank you for your message. I understand completely relationships are complicated beasts, and we all need our own space to let off steam (that’s a British saying, not sure if you use it in America). I come to the States often, but on this trip I’m only around until Sunday. Would you be interested in having a glass of wine later this evening? I’d love to hear more about you.
Another couple of pictures attached (some of these are professional, but I assure you they’re real). Please send more of yourself.
Luke.
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3. M to Me, 5.22pm.
Hey Luke,
Thanks for your response. Cute pics 
Sorry I don’t have more of myself. I’d love to meet you for a glass of wine later this evening. I’m in the UWS (Upper West Side), you? I could meet around 7. Would that work for you?
M.
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4. Me to M, 5.28pm.
Hi M,
I’m on the Lower East Side (LES?), so diametrically opposed to where you are! So how about we meet half way? Midtown? Do you know any nice bars?
Could we make it 7.30? My number here is 415-XXX-XXXX in case you have to get in touch before then.
Luke.
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5. M to Me, 5.35pm.
Luke,
Midtown sounds good! I know there’s a ton of cool places around 46th and 9th. So how about we meet at that intersection and find a place together ?
7:30 works for me
M.
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6. Me to M, 5.39pm.
Excellent. See you there. I’ll be wearing a black leather jacket. How will I recognise you? It’s like a spy movie – you should pick up a copy of the Financial Times Just kidding I’m sure we’ll recognise each other, and you already have my number if you can’t find me. See you there.
Luke.
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7. M to Me, 5.51pm.
Great. I’ll be reading the book review section of the Times under a black umbrella Just to add to the spy movie feeling to all of this (and maybe to reduce some of that weird CL feeling too). See you then!
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8. Me to M, 5.58pm.
Actually, rainy New York is the perfect backdrop to a spy movie…
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October 14, 2011.
1. M to Me, 12.58pm.
I got your text. I am happy to know I was remotely… mmm… conducive.
I did the same and woke up wondering if last night actually happened. Did it? I’m still not sure. It has localized itself in the part of my brain where fantasies, myths, and indescribable dreams are encoded. The music, your voice, the wine, your touch, the steak, the piano, the candlelit wooden floor, your beard, the bread, my shoulders, hazy New York outside. All of that remains in my head with the texture of a watercolor left in the rain, a quality that only forms when time is spent in a different time dimension.
Picture courtesy of Dan Nguyen on Flickr.
