The first day of film classes at the Royal London College of Design (or RLCD, as most called it), was pretty relaxed. They were mostly shown around the campus, and given a lot of information about the school. The most intense thing was probably a discussion of favourite directors. Oliver once again took the opportunity to deride Dawson's love of Spielberg.
"The guy makes kid-friendly fairy tales" Oliver insisted
"Have you ever seen the Temple of Doom, or Schindler's List?" Dawson replied
"Touché"
"And what about you, Oliver. What are you into?"
"Well, I like complex, nuanced and gritty films"
"Such as?"
"Well, you ever see Steven Soderbergh's Traffic?"
"Yeah, its actually pretty good" Dawson conceded
"But I'm also partial to Guy Richie" Oliver added, to which Dawson scoffed
The tour wrapped up in the lunchroom, where they were treated to a complimentary buffet. The incoming class then immediately started to divide themselves up into cliques, which Oliver made observations about to Dawson.
"Take this group, for example. They're clearly into classic Hollywood. Anything in black and white, that features people smoking. They probably even think talkies ruined the industry"
Dawson was impressed, and pointed to another group.
"What about them?"
"Action movie bros. Their favourite movies all involve muscle bound topless men, but definitely not gay (Oliver winked after saying this). Favourite directors, James Cameron, Roland Emmerich"
Oliver then turned to another group.
"And here we have your art house freaks. Big on experimentation, not on plot. To them, the art isn't the art, the reaction is the art"
Turning to the next group, Oliver said "Now this group are your world cinema fans. Anything not from Hollywood, with bonus points for subtitles. Will debate endlessly about cultural context, but never about budget or profit"
Without skipping a beat, Oliver then turned to the final group and said "and finally we have the epic literary film nerds. Their favourite movies are always at least three hours long, and are mostly based on encyclopedia length novels, or sometimes even the bible."
"Alright, then that just leaves us" Dawson observed
"Oh, that's easy" Oliver said "We're a film making duo and odd couple. You with your Peter Pan sentimentalism, and me with my gritty, edgy style. We totally balance each other out"
"I hope so" Dawson said
At Emma's insistence, they had to get jobs, so they pay their way, while sleeping on her couch. Oliver suggested working in the bar Emma worked at.
"Even if I wanted to, we're not hiring at the moment" Emma said "Besides, no offence, but I don't think its a good idea work alongside whoever I'm living with. I mean, you just need a break from each other sometimes, you know?"
"I see your point" Dawson said, while staring at Oliver
"But I do have some suggestions" Emma said, setting down a rack of glasses, and picking up a newspaper, opened to the Employment section, with several listings circled.
"Now, good luck fellas" she said, sending them on their way
Dawson and Oliver applied for a string of jobs, most of which didn't go particularly well. They were given a trial at a cafe, that came to an end when Oliver got into an argument with a customer, after Dawson got an order wrong. They didn't last very long at a local library, due to Oliver's inability to keep his voice down. A supermarket job came to an end when a display that took a long time to set up came crashing down, just as they'd finished it, ruining many of the items, and neither wanted to take responsibility for it (in reality, it was both their faults).
Finally, they got around to an ad looking for someone in a video store. They explained they were experts on cinema, and could answer any question posed to them.
"What was the first ever movie to be filmed entirely in CGI?" the manager asked
"That would be Toy Story" Oliver said
"What movie won Best Picture at the 1983 Academy Awards?"
Dawson's head dropped, and he answered "Gandhi" in a disappointed tone
"Debut film of Director Quentin Tarantino?"
"Reservoir Dogs" Oliver said, immediately
"Top grossing movie of all time?"
"Titanic" Dawson answered
"And before that?"
"Jurrasic Park, E.T., Star Wars, Jaws, The Godfather, Gone With The Wind, The Sound of Music" Oliver said, which impressed Dawson
"And The Birth of a Nation" Dawson added
"Impressive" the manager admitted "But do you have any experience?"
"Actually, yes. I worked in a video store for two years, back home in the States" Dawson explained
"Yeah, me too. But not for that long" Oliver said
"How long?" the manager asked
"Well..." Oliver thought about the question for a while, and appeared to be doing an equation in his head… "three, yeah, three weeks"
"Well, that's better than nothing. When can you start?"
"Right away" Dawson said
"Does this mean we've got the job?" Oliver asked
"Yeah, now follow me, and I'll show you around" the manager said, and Oliver was overjoyed. Dawson however, had a more muted reaction. Although he was no less pleased. Concealing or downplaying his feelings made him think of a certain someone with glasses, waiting for him back home.
At the end of their first shift, which passed without incident, Oliver suggested they go home together, but Dawson said "You go ahead, I've got something I have to do."
"How long is your thing going to take?" Oliver asked
"Well, let's just say don't wait up for me, and I'll see you tomorrow"
Oliver got a look on his face, that seemed to say Dawson, you sly dog
"Its nothing like that" Dawson insisted. I just have to check in on someone"
"Alright, see you tomorrow then"
Dawson walked to a major train station, took a train to Cambridge, a bus to the University campus, then followed a map to the student dorms, found the appropriate door, and knocked on it. A face Dawson hadn't seen for sometime answered.
"Yeah?" Andie said, seemingly half asleep, but perked up once she saw who it was "Dawson!"
Dear Dawson,
I'm glad to hear you haven't forgotten about me, or those of us who took the time to show you around Boston. We certainly haven't forgotten about you. As you settle in to life over there, we are doing the same here. These things seem to have a nice symmetry to them.
I'm glad you were willing to share your most embarrassing story with me. I hope you'll understand if I don't do the same, at least not yet. Don't take it personally, I'm still processing it myself.
With regard to the kiss, I don't regret it either, but I am also uncertain as to what happens next. I don't have the best history with relationships, and it seems like you don't either. However, given that I've spent most of my life saying no to new experiences, and participating in things, and given that I'm trying to change that, I figure, why not give this a try. By this, I obviously mean a long distance relationship. Here's hoping we break our past habits and do better this time than we have in the past.
Sincerely
Daria Morgendorffer