Modern Love Amsterdam

INSPIRED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES COLUMN MODERN LOVE

BUTTERFLIES

I really need to eat. I'm practically going to faint.

I'd have to go all the way back! I just finished paying.

What? White wine, all right. Coming up.

SEARCHING FOR THE SPORTY WOMAN WITH BEAUTIFUL CURLY HAIR

DIDN'T DARE TO SPEAK TO YOU

ETERNAL REGRETS TOBIAS

This lady demanded her own push present.

He said it was the most expensive one they had. Now he's broke.

Well, I'll have to do the same with Marvin.

Think he'll go for it three years post-partum?

He'll have no money after three years of childcare.

Are you okay, Roos?

What? For Ella's birth. Yeah, beautiful.

When's the opening?

In two weeks.

Really? Already? And the competition?

-In three weeks. -No, seriously?

Yeah, it'll be fine.

Don't you want any dressing on that salad, Roos?

-Or she could use wine. -This is good...

Hey, guys. I mean I don't know, but...

Do you think this might be me?

"The sporty woman with beautiful curly hair.

"I saw you in the park. Didn't dare to speak to you.

"Eternal regrets.

"Tobias."

-July 15th? -Last Friday, we were here too.

-Roos, that's you. -That's you.

Maybe he's here now too.

-Tobias! -Shut up, please, don't.

-Could be. -You will call this guy.

You have to call.

Do it. Just get your legs around that pole.

His pole won't win me the nationals.

Maybe he's got a good grip.

Or maybe he can really go the distance.

Or you'll be on an airplane to Ibiza in a few weeks.

I guess we'll never know. Give it here.

Roos, this is silly. Come on.

-Boring. -I'll call.

-Bye. -Say hi to Tobias.

Hey.

We should get together just the two of us soon.

I feel like ever since Ella's birth...

Well, I feel like I hardly see you anymore.

So don't you think we should talk about it?

Of course.

I'm really busy right now, with nationals and the opening, but...

-Soon. -Yeah?

Of course. And I'll see you next week.

-Later! -Okay, bye.

First hold tight with your legs, grab onto your ankle.

Then I want you to lean back into the V-position.

Let go. This is where you want to be.

Careful.

Good.

Try with the other leg?

Keep a good grip. And then try to let...

Nice. You have to see what feels right.

And then let go. Perfect, that's it.

-Roos? -Fuck.

Hey, I'm Tobias.

Hey.

-Well, here we are. -Yes.

Funny.

You chose an appropriate place.

"Bide your time." The other side's, "As long as it takes."

It's part of a longer poem

where the tower actually speaks to people

and says...

"Try to stay as still as me, and don't rush things.

"Let time do its job."

Cool.

I'm a historian.

I have a master's in urban history.

That's why your bag has Anne Frank on it.

This bag is full of the ingredients for a wonderful evening, madam.

You coming?

I know a nice café.

-Somewhere over there. -No, no.

It's all good.

What are you doing?

Okay, not this one. Not this one. Wait.

Hello?

Good evening, sir.

I'm here with a beautiful woman who hasn't eaten yet.

I was hoping we could warm something up at your place.

Sir?

Come on.

Fourth floor.

-Is that a friend of yours or something? -No.

Hello, youngsters.

-You're not here to rob me, are you? -Absolutely not, sir.

-I'm Tobias. Pleasure. -Hello Tobias, I'm George.

And who is this pretty lady looking at me with trepidation?

This is Roos.

We're on a date and I'm trying to wow Roos a bit.

I've brought two frozen pizzas with me

and I was hoping that we could warm them up

and then maybe even eat them here.

Well, good thing you rang my doorbell.

Come in, come in.

Did you try everybody?

A couple.

Okay, enough with the theatrics. Who's this George guy?

No idea.

I've never met him before.

Sir and madam, here we are.

Your pizzas.

-Who ordered the Hawaiian pizza? -I did.

Then this must be yours, four cheese pizza.

And lucky you, you get to wash it down

with this divine wine.

Chateau de La Trimouille.

Sounds good, doesn't it?

Look at that.

You have a lovely photo collection.

Yes, thank you.

I have my husband to thank for that, really.

Yes. Photography was his greatest passion.

He called it food for the eyes.

The first time I took him out to eat, we went to a hot food vending machine.

We got frikadellen.

I had no money.

That was the start of 40 years of unconditional love.

Give him a chance.

Cheers.

I don't drink, actually,

and pizza is an absolute no-go.

How come?

Alcohol-free training regimen.

-What do you do? -Pole sport.

-What do you do? -Pole dancing.

I'm training for the nationals.

-Are you really? -Yes.

Who's your biggest competitor?

There's this chick from Lelystad, Yfke Boon.

She can fold herself in half, it's crazy.

She's so flexible it's not even funny.

Well, fuck Yfke Boon.

Yeah, fuck Yfke Boon.

But yeah, this...

Chateau de La Trimouille, you're not going to drink it?

Shame. Cheers.

This is really good.

-Holy shit. -Right?

Cheers.

In some obscure... I don't know where.

Whatever, so we're standing there.

And who comes in? Andy Warhol.

My husband immediately...

It's nice, right?

How George talks about his husband like he's still alive.

I hope he gets a breath of fresh air in the house.

-Yeah? -Yeah.

-Could you move on that easily? -Don't ask me things like that.

Why not?

I don't know if I was made to be with someone for that long.

You?

No.

I don't think I have a talent for that either.

-Pick up, it's okay. -It's just a friend, she can wait.

You saw her, in the park.