Sequin in a Blue Room

"What do guys say when they come over?"

"I usually go to their place."

"Besides, it's not like I'm going to see them again."

"Basic technique's not really that different."

"I'll take your word for it."

"You married?"

"You're not?"

"I am."

"Do you still have sex with your wife?"

"I do."

"But you have sex with men?"

"I do."

"So you're bi then?"

"When did you figure out you were gay?"

"I'm not gay."

Hey, how was it?

How was what?

How was he?

Fine.

Well, can't be much of a date. You weren't gone long enough.

- -

Hey, mate. I'm heading out for the date.

Listen, I don't know how long I'll be,

but I'll try and message you.

Wish me luck.

[indistinct announcements over loudspeaker]

You've got my name on your heart.

-What? -Your jumper.

Oh, right.

Good one.

We're in English together.

-Yeah, I know. -Ah.

Cool.

You can put your stuff on the table.

Do you want a drink first?

No.

Nice view.

Close it.

How do you want to do this?

Take off your clothes.

God, they don't normally look like you.

What?

The guys who respond.

You're so beautiful.

So fucking beautiful.

How old are you?

Eighteen.

How old are you really?

Sixteen.

I should go.

I could get this place again for us.

I don't really do that.

Do what?

See people twice.

Right.

People, or just me?

Everyone.

That's just how it works.

Obsession.

There is a clear relationship between the notion of love

and the notion of obsession.

From the earliest of writings, we see absolute present,

not only within romantic love...

- -...between person to person,

but even with unrequited love,

ever burning despite the expressed indifference.

But what happens when an obsession is unattained?

We are positioned in these texts to believe...

- -...that the active, persistent

pursuit of love, our obsession,

-is a sign of passion. -

Heathcliff to Catherine.

Francis to Nicholas.

-Darcy to Elizabeth. -

Ripley to Dickie.

Even further, darker,

Humbert to Lolita.

But in each example, love, affection, attention,

be it Platonic or sexual,

is attained through active pursuit, strategy.

- Now, by next week,

we will be discussing the tropes further.

So please be ready with examples...

- -...and discussion points.

- -

[voice inaudible under techno music]

How was your night?

Good.

Really good.

What's going on?

There's something different about you.

Come on. Tell your old dad.

-Nothing. -Bullshit.

You know, I...

I don't need to know all the details

of what you're up to out there.

I know you're not getting anyone pregnant.

So, no worries, right?

Because you'd tell me, wouldn't you?

If there was anything I needed to worry about?

Tropes of a love story

are usually used to emphasize the connection

between two people.

Tropes like distance, war, betrayal.

- -Can anyone here

name some great love stories,

fiction or otherwise?

And we can examine the tropes present.

Oh, um...

Twilight.

All right, that's enough.

Twilightis actually brilliant

because the very genre itself lends to the conflict.

You've got Edward the vampire, Bella the human,

and immediately you see the obstacles

their love will have to overcome.

-Yes. - Titanic?

Separation of class. Just as profound.

The English Patient.

There we have it all. War, distance, class.

Brokeback Mountain.

Separation from self.

Two different lives keeping the lovers apart.

Can you all open your books to page 117?

This is a letter from author Penelope Gompel

to her lover, Sebastian Moore.

So notice how she emphasizes how time works

under the influence of love.

Uh... Henry, if you don't mind.

"My darling, you have left me hours ago."

"On one hand, my atoms ache with the pain of eternity."

"On the other, I am still drunk,

as though the champagne you poured last night

just reached my lips this morning."

"Many things linger there."

- -"Spaces behind your kneecaps."

"The distance from shoulder blade to shoulder blade."

Are we even apart?

I trace my lips, and you are there.

I trace my jaw and you are there.

I trace my neck, and you are there.

Does my memory take you by the hand?

Does it lead you to the fire?

I want your mouth.

Tommy.

From the train.

Yeah, I remember.

Right, I wasn't sure if you...

What are you doing after this?

Going to class.

No, I meant...

after school.

Oh, undecided yet.

Yeah.

Uh, a few of us were thinking of going to the movies tonight.

Some cheesy love story.

I'd rather die, but we thought it'd be a good way

to knock out this assignment.

Might even smuggle in some Vodka Cruisers.

Whoa. Well, have fun.

Well, would you like to...

I dunno, can you join us?

Are you asking me on a date?

No.

I mean, yeah.

I could.

-OK, um... -Really? Awesome.

I mean, cool.

So I'll see you there then. In class, I mean.

Yeah.

Can't believe I saw you last night.