The other night I was out with a good friend enjoying some beers and oysters in the O.C. (that's "Orange County," for the uninitiated). It was a festive Friday night, and the place was packed with couples. Seated very close to us was one such couple. The girl was smokin' hot--your typical blonde O.C. bombshell. The guy was . . . not so attractive. That's not to say he was ugly; he was just large. Very large. The guy you pray doesn't end up occupying the seat next to you on that long overseas flight. Despite his physical appearance, though, you could tell he was a gentleman and a man of means.
As my friend and I saw it, the date wasn't going well. The formality in which they interacted with each other strongly signaled that there would be no happy ending this evening. But more telling than that was the fact that she didn't look at him that much. She wasn't rude. She wasn't looking around the place scoping out other guys or watching the Laker game on television. Her attention was squarely focused on the task at hand, it's just that she wouldn't make eye contact with him. Although I guess I can see why she'd want to avoid doing that, what with the eyes being the windows into the soul. Even one quick glance could betray her true feelings for this guy.
So then it made me wonder, what the heck is this girl doing with this guy? I guess it could've been a blind date or an online encounter translated terribly into the real world. But the way they interacted with each other suggested a familiarity not found in those types of situations. They were likely co-workers or friends of friends--they'd met before. She definitely didn't have the air of someone who was surprised by the guy's physical appearance. No, she knew that well before sitting down that night. So what was up? Well, then came the food--shrimp cocktail, oysters, thick cuts of steak, giant crab legs, lobster tails the size of the guy's forearm--and they consumed it all. When the bill came, I saw the guy pick it up, review it, and place some cash inside. The girl didn't flinch. I didn't get to see what happened after that, but I imagine they parted ways cordially. Maybe a handshake or awkward side-hug as a capstone to the evening.
So, was the girl just in it for a the meal? I guess maybe you could rationalize it as the girl thinking, "I'm not physically attracted to this guy, but he's a nice guy and his pockets are indeed full grown. So I'm gonna accept his offer of a date in the off chance that his personality wins me over. At the very least, it'll be a free meal." I've heard of girls doing this sort of thing, accepting dates from guys knowing that no romance will likely follow and going primarily for the meal. But it seems to contradict everything we're taught to believe. You know, the independent woman and all that. Plus, doesn't it flirt dangerously with what you might label "prostitution?"
Ok, now before you get too outraged, let's be clear that this type of interaction doesn't fit within the literal definition of the term (i.e. no one is selling her body for a grilled piece of meat). But, there was a quid pro quo there. Maybe not cash for sex, but cash for something much more valuable--time. Although she'd leave the restaurant with belly sated, it was at the expense of two hours of her life that could've been used for carefree libations with best friends or a memorable night of karaoke with the family or even some quiet time alone with a book, a cup of tea, and some boss music. Instead that time was invested in an empty encounter with a guy who borders on being a stranger.
Oh, who knows, maybe I'm being naive. Perhaps the guy blackmailed the girl into going on the date, and she was an unwilling captive. Or maybe the girl really liked this guy, but was too nervous or shy to show it. Or, maybe the guy knew exactly what he was getting into, but to him, his brief time with this beautiful goddess was worth the price of all the oysters, steak, and lobster in the O.C.
--KM
"I'm a provider, girl. And I love you."
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