SHE’S ALL THAT AND A STACK OF WAFFLES
The scene cuts backstage where Mortimer Knightingale is leaning against the wall with his hands folded across his chest. He is looking down at his Adidas sneakers taking deep breaths, clearly calming down. He gives off a nervous vibe. Even with a mask, it is apparent he has a lot of anxiety. He looks up toward his right. He subconsciously brushes nonexistent dirt from his “G.A.S.” teal and black tracksuit top. He lets out one last breath and begins approaching the person walking towards him: Kohime Mori.
Mortimer Knightingale: Oh! Hey! Mori! What’s, uh, what’s up?
Kohime spots Mortimer in the area just as he calls out to her. Was he waiting for her? It doesn’t really matter as her face lights up with a smile. She waves to her newest friend with the exuberance of someone a few years her junior.
Mortimer Knightingale: Before you, uh, say somethin’, I just wanted to give you somethin’. You didn’t take the twenty a coupla weeks ago and, since you’re new here, I just figured you should get a, kinda, welcome gift.
Mortimer Knightingale pulls out a cassette tape and hands it to Kohime Mori.
Mortimer Knightingale: It’s a mix tape. It’s got the greats on it. Frank, Dino, Ella Fitzgerald,The Spice Girls, some musical numbers from Miss Saigon, West Side Story, Carousel, Phantom. It’s an ectlectric selection.
Kohime holds the cassette in her hands for a moment before beginning to inspect the item. With her age, Mori had never actually seen a cassette tape. In fact, it’s likely she didn’t even know what one was. She barely knew what a compact disk was, so the media that pre-dated it? Chances were certainly low. Her eyes peek up from the tape ever so slightly. Any internal thought processing stopped when Mori was reminded of Mort’s presence.
The man had given her a gift. Was it one she expected? Not at all. Is it one she has any idea of how to use? Not even a little bit. That doesn’t matter. A gift, especially one made with effort and care, is a gift that should be cherished. It’s possible to miss it, but a light blush forms on Kohime’s cheeks. Her smile morphs from beaming to shy. She clutches the tape to her chest like the most precious of possessions. Mortimer cannot help but smile and thanks the powers that be that he is wearing a mask which is likely concealing some blushing.
Kohime Mori: Thank you, Mr. Nightingale… I know some of that music. It sounds like you worked really hard on this. I really appreciate it!
Mori offers a deep bow Nightingale’s way, as is tradition in her culture.
Mortimer Knightingale: Um, hey, look, I don’t know what this….
Mortimer Knightingale begins going back and forth with his hands gesturing towards himself and Kohime Mori.
Mortimer Knightingale: ….is, plutonic, romantical or what, all I know is, you make me smile. Now, I don’t wanna be posthumous here, but I was wonderin’ if you were doin’ anything later cuz I was thinkin’ there’s these things here called Waffle Houses that’re open twenty fours so, maybe later, we could get a cup of coffee or a waffle or somethin’?
The light blush deepens on Kohime’s cheeks. She herself wasn’t sure what the nature of their relationship was. Seeing as how they were still getting to know each other, it was probably best not to think too much about it. She thought about the offer put her way.
Kohime Mori: I don’t really drink coffee. Like, I can probably sweeten it enough for me to like it. Cappuccino is pretty good. That’s kinda like coffee, but it’s not really the same thing, ya know? I’ve never had a frappuccino. I wonder if that’s more like coffee or cappuccino?
At this point, Kohime realizes she’s babbling, as she’s prone to do. She giggles awkwardly, an incredibly subtle wince flashing across her face momentarily. Mori makes an attempt to quickly recover.
Kohime Mori: I like waffles. So yeah, we could do that!
Mortimer Knightingale: Yes? Yes!
The masked PRIME wrestler is barely able to hold his enthusiasm. There is a part of him that wants to just break out into song but his voice is not what it used to be and the only song that is popping into his head is “Sherry” by Frankie Valli and he would never hit that high of an octave.
Mortimer Knightingale: Okay!
Mortimer Knightingale nods, beaming the biggest and most genuine smile that he has in a long, long time.
Mortimer Knightingale: Should we just meet here after the show then? Or maybe I should pick you up and your dressin’ room or locker room…..?
Mori puts a hand to her chin in thought. If you’ve gotten to know her a bit, you know what to expect from this.
Kohime Mori: Well I’m not wrestling tonight. I mostly just came to watch the show because my sensei says it’s important to study and learn. I guess I could hang out near the dressing room, but that would be kinda weird. I don’t wanna be accused of loitering or being a delinquent. I don’t think the police would get involved, but what if they did?! I don’t want a record!
Kohime once again realizes she’s lost the plot. Time to course correct.
Kohime Mori: Let’s just meet here. That’ll be easiest. No cops though, please.
Mortimer chuckles a little bit. There is a bit of hesitance but he just goes for it.
Mortimer Knightingale: Cops ain’t gonna care about—- You know what? Gimme ten minutes. Stay right there. Let me….
Mortimer Knightingale begins backing away excitedly and nearly falls over a garbage can.
Mortimer Knightingale: Whoa! Where’d that come from?
Mortimer laughs nervously.
Mortimer Knightingale: Let me go get my bag. Stay here…I’ll be right back.
Mortimer Knightingale continues backing away, keeping his focus on Kohime, wanting to hold onto this image for as long as he can (and maybe worrying that the second he turns away from her, she will disappear). The scene comes to an end as Kohime Mori stands in the corridor hoping that security does not arrive and detain her.