Storytelling Week 6: The Girl

It was a normal night at Bison Witches, the local bar, and Steven was feeling slightly buzzed from his Irish Trashcan. He and his friends visited the joint frequently in hopes of meeting a companion. This place served alcohol and sandwiches, so the guys figured the girls there would be just the right amount of classy and fun. Their plan wasn't working out so well though. That night Steven's friend Lance was bringing his sister.  She was in town from Virginia where she was going to school. Steven looked up as the door of the bar opened and watched as the most beautiful woman he had ever seen walked in. She wasn't the typical beauty that you would see in a Cosmo magazine. She was wearing a white t-shirt and worn out jeans with holes in the knees. Her hair was all over the place and surrounded a face with no hint of make-up. She looked so raw and unkept, but something about her kept Steven from looking away.

He had always been good with women. He acted confident and was the one that could make any girl laugh. In this moment though, he was panicking. He had to know this girl, but everything in him was telling him to run. So he did. He made up some ridiculous excuse and left without speaking a word to this girl.

Steven could not shake the image of her in his head. He was in a trance all week and could not find anything to distract him. Friday night finally came around, and the gang met up at Bison Witches. Steven walked straight up to Lance and asked, "Can I date your sister?"

Lance laughed for a beat and then looked at Steven in confusion as he realized the seriousness of the question. "You didn't even talk to her last week. You left right after she got here. What changed your mind?"

"I haven't been able to get her out of my head. I don't know what happened last weekend. I just panicked. You have to help me, man. What can I do?" Steven pleaded.

"Well, she likes guys who play guitar. I could teach you sometime," Lance offered.

"Would she date me if I learned how to play?"

"It might help, but she probably wouldn't date you just because you played guitar. She likes smart guys, you know? We could join a trivia team or something."

"Would she date me then? Would she say yes if I was smart and played guitar?"

"No probably not. She's into well-rounded guys. The last guy she dated was buff. We've been talking about joining a gym."

"Then would she date me?"

"Dang, dude! She's just my sister! She doesn't come with a manual! I don't know what would make her like you," Lance finally exclaimed and walked off to join another conversation about anything less serious.

The next day, Steven sent Lance an email. He apologized for being so forward the previous night and asked if he could at least have her number. Seven minutes later, Lance responded.

I just wanted you to be persistent. She's my sister. Whoever dates her better be willing to jump through hoops to get her. Her number is 672-4385. She's back home for the summer. Call her. She'll like you. I was actually hoping that you two would hit it off.

The annoying persistence was worth it. Steven called. They talked for hours. They have a date next weekend.

Author's Note:
This story is based off of the beginning of The Monkey King. A powerful and revered ape one day realizes that he doesn't want to be a slave to death and goes in search of a way to defeat it. He finds a spiritual master and seeks wisdom from him. He suggests several different techniques to study but only gives up the truth of immortality when he feels the ape is truly ready to receive it.

Steven is hit by the overwhelming sense of attraction and is willing to do anything to quench his desire. The back and forth dialogue was drawn from the original story. The master would suggest something, but if it wasn't enough, the ape would push even harder. Lance was testing Steven on how persistent he would be and rewarded him for his efforts in the end.

Bibliography:
The Master. The Ape Sun Wu Kung. The Chinese Fairy Book. R. Wilhelm. 1921.

The Girl. Photo from Pinterest.