The dust has cleared, and now that the 14th has passed, I can actually discuss things with people outside of my "inner circle". This inner circle consisted of the two people who knew most of what was going on, fully supported my insane idea, and then provided the means to make it happen. Steph, Amanda, I dunno if you read these silly ramblings, but thank you.
The Vagina Monologues were amazing as always, and I really liked the two new pieces they put in. I actually knew several people in the play, though I didn't know they were in it until I got the program. This is also largely due to the fact I know 90% of these people just in person, and I don't think I know their last names (nor them mine) despite the fact we always see each other around campus.
The plan for the evening was simple. Wait until Tessa goes to the theater for the Vagina Monologues, sneak into Amanda and Tessa's room using Amanda's keys, set up the 1lb box of Sees candies, the 12th rose (out of a dozen), and a small poem. The poem read:
"Eleven roses that I gave you "a few hours have but passed "eleven roses all I gave you "for here remains the last."
So how did it go? Let's start the Mission Impossible theme, just so we have some mood music. If you happen to have the song, go ahead and start it before you read. In fact, read the timestamps with mentally inserted typewriter effects. It just makes everything all the more comedic and fun.
12:00 pm ` 2/14 I was on-line waiting for Amanda, we needed to go get flowers. She knew of a florist in Seaside called Seaside Florist off of Broadway. Since I had no better idea, I said sure, why not.
12:05 pm ` 2/14 Missi messaged me, said I was coming to Marie Calendars with her, Erin, Kari, and Dan. I invited Amanda so we could do errands afterword. The reservations were at 1.
1:15 pm ` 2/14 Arrive at Marie Calendars. I think this speaks for itself. We did have a good lunch though, a big lunch, and it was a good thing since neither Amanda or I ate the rest of the day.
2:40 pm ` 2/14 Arrive Seaside Florist on Broadway. The place is crowded, and the staff is busy. I got elbowed at least a half dozen times in there. Amanda needed 2 tulips, one for Tessa and one for Shayla, and I needed my roses for the plan. I told the lady I needed 11 roses wrapped, and a single long-stemmed rose. She rushed into the back, and returned with a vase of 11 roses. There was no way I could carry that, full of water, into the world theater. "Um, could I have the 11 wrapped like a bouquet," I asked very timidly. She gave me a look like I was crazy, and so I quickly explained the purpose of my plan, and that she was in the play at the CSUMB World Theater, so carrying a vase would be a bit tough. She was kind enough to rewrap everything, and Amanda and I paid with the cash from lunch. I intend today to stop by the bank and get the cash to cover the remaining expenses from the day. We got the flowers, came back to my place, and put them into some water. The plastic glasses and a juice pitcher served nicely. We chilled for a little bit, and Amanda got a phone call saying her plans had slightly changed. She needed to get back to her room, stat.
4:00 pm ` 2/14 We enter, we talk, Tessa has been doing a lot of cleaning while we were out. On the way in, Amanda slipped me her keys so I could get into the room later that evening. We relaxed while Amanda straightened her hair. I was hoping to hang out until Tessa's parents got there, so that I could say hi again, and reintroduce myself, and make some general chit-chat. Tessa put on the Disney's Cheetah Girls, and we watched that for a bit.
4:40 pm ` 2/14 Tessa's parents arrived early. Still hadn't said hi to the best friend. I had heard a lot about Cathy, so I was hoping to meet her and at least put more than a picture (and her fish) with the name. They went to dinner around 5 or so, and Amanda and I parted ways about 5:30 so we could get ready. Kevin was supposed to pick her up at 6 for dinner, I would be back about 7 to set up the room.
6:30 pm ` 2/14 Kevin's not there, Amanda assumes she isn't going to dinner. I drive to campus and chill in the 201 parking lot waiting. She says Tessa is probably going to go straight to the world theater, I said that knowing my luck, probably not.
6:32 pm ` 2/14 Tessa's parents come back to the room with Tessa, I gloat on the phone line with Amanda.
7:00 pm ` 2/14 After dropping Tessa off, they remain in her room since the doors don't open until 7:30 anyway. I figure I can wait them out.
7:15 pm ` 2/14 They haven't left yet, I start to wonder. I call Amanda and discover they aren't leaving until 7:30. She thinks she won't be leaving until then either at this rate. I ask her to keep me posted, and then call Stephanie to save Kevin, Amanda, and I seats, and explain the situation. Then, it was a matter of waiting.
7:25 pm ` 2/14 I got a text from Steph saying the line was to the street. I relayed the text to Amanda in part to keep her aware of my end of the situation, but also in a small hope it would have Tessa's family move. And really, I didn't want them to leave at 7:30, get there 7:35 and not be close to the stage and see much. Her family did go though.
7:30 pm ` 2/14 Was in the room, got everything set up. Kevin called and said he was on his way, so we decided to meet him street-side. We made it in, we found Steph who did have our seats, and we settled down for the play. The beautiful irony in this is we ended up sitting right behind Tessa's family. Of course, Steph didn't know this, but it was still amusing. And so began the play.
10:20 pm ` 2/14 Gave Tessa the 11 roses and hung out with her family and introduced myself to Cathy and her BF. It was a random stab, but it was nice to be right. Plus I knew Tessa was a little preoccupied for anything else. We all stayed around and chatted for a bit, and then Tessa went back to her room, and I sorta held my breath.
10:32 pm ` 2/14 I discover she went back with her family. The music "Dance with You", the chocolates, the rose, the short poem were all sitting there in her room and her parents are going to see it. This caused massive momentary panic until I sucked up a deep breath and replied calmly, "there's nothing I can do about it now". It was the truth. This wasn't a romantic comedy, and this wasn't something from a Hollywood set. Racing a car back to 201 to undo a Valentine's Day display would have been a bit silly. So I just waited it out.
10:45 pm ` 2/14 Went to Kevin's with Amanda and Steph. Had a shot of vodka and a cosmo. Most of the time, the three of them were bitching about work and sharing experiences. I was rather quiet and reserved, silently hoping Tessa walked in first and saw the display before anyone else, siblings included. I know if a girl did something like that and my bro saw it before me, he would never let me forget. I can hear him now, "oooooooh, Jakob got a rooooooooose!" Right, so anyway, I slowly took my mind off of it, and just relaxed until the morning hours.
2:00 am ` 2/15 Drove Amanda back to her place, Tessa was back. I decided I would find out from her myself what she thought and told Amanda she didn't have to pry and that I appreciated her help. Gave her a hug and headed to my place.
2:15 am @ 2/15 Passed out. Once awake again, I started capstone and hopefully will get to hang with her a bit today midst the work on my capstone and stuff. What a day, what a night, and what an insane idea. I lay down a huge plan almost 2 months in advance, but you know what they say about the best laid plans of Mice and Men.
And if you don't, you should go read more Steinbeck.
In response to "The Big Plan":