Speed Dating Storytime - part one ✨
somehow despite her intention to meet someone in person, she was still catfished
INT. OFFICE BUILDING - WORK CUBICLE
Mariah, 29, came across a flyer on instagram advertising speed dating in her neighborhood. It was her third time seeing it on her timeline in the course of a week, so finally she decided to click the link and see what it was all about.
“Oh, cute.”
She thought, as she scrolled through the pictures on eventbrite. It was a nice surprise to see that all of the men were of color - majority Black - and actually good looking.
Hmm…she hummed, as she hovered her mouse over the Get Tickets button.
INT. WESTFIELD MALL - FOOD COURT
“$25? For speed dating? Why would I do that when I can meet women for free?”
Mariah sits across from Shamir, 32, her male co-worker who’s entire relationship history includes two 8-month situationships and an ex-girlfriend from college.
“Well you get a free drink out of it, and people go with the intention to date”
“Ask Morgan, I’m sure she’d go with you”
Mariah looks to Morgan who’s passing by.
“Ask me what?”
“Mariah’s going to a speed dating event tonight and wants someone to go with.”
“Dang Shamir - ” telling all my business, Mariah thinks, hoping her thoughts are telepathic.
“Oh girl I saw that! It honestly looks kinda fun. How much are tickets?”
“Kind of a lot -”
“$25 actually ain’t bad when you think about it. Especially for a man. I’d lowkey saving money since drinks are free” Shamir considers it.
“Oh girl I’m down. I ain’t been meeting anybody interesting on Raya anyways”
Mariah forces a smile. “Yay.”
INT. MARIAH’S BEDROOM
It’s 6:45pm. Doors open for the event at 7. Mariah’s on her third outfit attempt and is seriously hating her options the more she tries. It didn’t help that she she was overdue for a washday so a bun was the only style she could manage in the time she had since getting home from work.
This is dumb. I’m literally about to stay my ass inside.
Her hands slapped onto her sides as she looked at herself in the mirror. The jeans made her ass look non-existent, and her once go-to hot girl shirt was now faded and lackluster.
Fuck this, I’m not going.
She picks up her phone to text her co-workers, when she sees one from Shamir saying he was about to be outside.
Mariah takes a deep breath. Looking in the mirror once more, then back to her closet, she decides to change her outfit altogether one last time.
Her phone vibrates. “Here”
EXT. MARIAH’S APARTMENT
She locks her door. The sound of her heels hit the ground as she turns to walk towards the car pulled up to the curb.
“Okay Mariah!”
Morgan yells from the front seat of Shamir’s car.
Mariah wore a fitted black dress she’d bought on Black Friday for 60% off. It was unlike her usual style, but like the speed dating flyer, she’d seen an ad for the dress repeatedly on her timeline, so she decided to buy it.
She opened the back seat to Shamir’s car. He reaches back to help move the gym bag and tennis rackets from out of the way.
“You look nice” he says, quickly facing forward.
“Thanks” she responds.
Morgan twists the dial on the radio. 🎶 Glo Rillaaaa
INT. ALTA - BATHROOM
Mariah looks at herself in the mirror. She’s feeling herself after that welcome cocktail. She normally wasn’t a drinker, but her nerves were on another level. All of the men were fine as hell, and the girls were even finer.
“And that includes you bish” She says aloud as she turns sideways, admiring her arch in the reflection.
She flips her hair to the side to complete the bad b*tch pose when she notices a tag hanging from the back of her neck.
Her smile flattens as the host’s voice echoes from the other side of the door -
“Speed dating starts in 5 minutes! Ladies, please find your seat!”
Stay tuned for part two!