The Third Date (Photostory)

Randolph and Melanie are on that crucial third date.  You know the one where you get an idea of whether you are going forward with something a little more serious, or if you will part ways forever.  Don't pay attention to the other diners at the restaurant.  I didn't move them around like I normally do because I had to hurry up and take these pictures.

Randolph and Melanie have arrived at the restaurant.  

"Hello Mr. Reed.  Nice to see you again." (Hostess)

"Hello Andrea.  I reserved a table for two."  (Randolph)

"Yes, you did.  I see it right here on the list."  (Andrea)

Melanie stands there quietly, but the whole time she is thinking, Andrea is awfully friendly with Randolph.  How often does he come here that she knows his name?  And how many different women has he brought here, I wonder?

"Let me grab a couple menus.  Right this way."  (Andrea)

Randolph helps Melanie with her chair.

"Thanks."  (Melanie)

"We have a few specials tonight and your waiter Pierre will let you know what those are.  He will be right with you.  Enjoy your meal."  (Andrea)

"Thanks for agreeing to see me again.  I really had a good time last time."  (Randolph)

"So did I.  I don't get out very often, so it was a nice treat."  (Melanie)

"So what keeps a beautiful woman like you from getting out and enjoying all this town has to offer."  (Randolph)

"Well I'm a single, hard working mom and there's very little time to get out and enjoy anything else." (Melanie)

"Well I hope you will give me an opportunity to show you a few of my favorite spots."  (Randolph)

"Well, I'm here at one of your favorite restaurants, so I guess that's a start.  How often do you come here?"  (Melanie)

"I meet clients here, sometimes, so I would say I eat here several times a month."  (Randolph)

Melanie breathes a little sigh of relief.  She's glad to hear he brings clients here.  Maybe that means she is the first date he's brought here.  She knows this is probably a long shot, fine as he is, he probably has a lot of women clamoring after him.

Melanie and Randolph open their menus as the waiter arrives.

"Hello, I'm Pierre, your waiter.  What can I get you to drink?"  (Pierre)

"I'll have a cosmospolitan"  (Melanie)

"And I'll a Guinness."  (Randolph)

"I'll be right back with those drinks."  (Pierre)

"I hope you're hungry because they have excellent food here."  (Randolph)

"They have a lot to choose from.  Do you know what you're going to order?"  (Melanie)

"I'm trying to decide between the steak and the lasagna.  But I've probably had just about everything on the menu, and you can't go wrong, whatever you choose."  (Randolph)

Pierre returns with the drinks.  He then gives a rundown of the three dinner specials for the evening.

"I think I'm going to try the lasagna and I see that comes with a garden salad."  (Melanie)

"Yes, ma'am.  And for you, sir?"  (Pierre)

"I'll have the shrimp scampi for my appetizer and the NY strip steak with the baked potato."  (Randolph)

"So where were we?  That's right, trying to figure out how to get the busy trial lawyer with the almost teenage daughter, out more."  (Randolph)

"Yes, we trial lawyers tend to be a lot busier than you corporate lawyers."  (Melanie says with a smile)

"Ouch.  That hurt.  But I have to say it was nice seeing you in action.  I was mesmerized and very happy I was in the courthouse that day.  I knew right away that I wanted to meet you.  Your toughness is very sexy, but I was curious to see if there was a softer side."  (Randolph)

"And..."  (Melanie)

"And Melanie's softer side is just as sexy."  (Randolph)

Melanie is all giddy inside.  She wants to smile one of those big toothy grins, but she just gives a little smirk.  It's been forever since she's felt this way about a man.   This is the man she'd dreamed about.  Tall and handsome, with a career she could be proud of.  Good riddance, Rod.  You can have your little Danielle with her little crumb snatchers.  

"You seem to be deep in thought.  What's going through your mind?"  (Randolph)

"Nothing.  I'm just happy to be here."  (Melanie)

Pierre returns with the appetizers and the bread basket.

"Ma'am would you care for some fresh ground pepper?"  (Pierre)

"I'll have a little, thanks."  (Melanie)

"Would you care for any of my shrimp?"  (Randolph)

"They smell great."  (Melanie)

"Here take a little bit."  (Randolph)

Randolph places a couple pieces of shrimp on Melanie's plate.

"Thanks."  (Melanie)

"So tell me a little about the company you work for?"  (Melanie)

"Oh no you don't.  I make it a point not to discuss business when I'm out on a date."  (Randolph)

"It's not discussing business.  I was just trying to learn more about you."  (Melanie)

"Yes, but before you know it, we will look up and realize that we've spent hours talking about work and cases, etc, etc.  That's what we do.  We are lawyers.  Most of us love our jobs and get totally immersed.  So in order to keep myself from going there, I don't discuss work when I'm on a date.  Even if that date is a beautiful, trial lawyer."  (Randolph)

Melanie blushes.

"Tell me something interesting about you."  (Randolph)

"Well, like I said I have a ten year old daughter, who keeps me very busy.  When I'm not busy with her, I'm working."  (Melanie)

Melanie quickly tries to think of something interesting to tell him.  She doesn't want her perfect man to lose interest in her.  She's a professed work-a-holic, but that's the last thing she's going to tell him.  Think Melanie, think!

"Well I have traveled quite a bit."  (Melanie)

"Really?  Where to?"  (Randolph

Melanie relaxes a little and starts telling Randolph some of the places she's visited.  She doesn't mention that all of these trips were work related.  Now that she has found her perfect man, she needs to work on a strategy to keep him,