Blake Hodgin (left) and Sammi Nguyen.
BLAKE HODGIN > 30
Lab manger
GREATEST ASPIRATION To write a novel
WHEN HE’S HAPPIEST When I have given or done something thoughtful and creative for someone I love.
SAMMI NGUYEN > 30
IT technical Lead
WHO PLAYS HER IN A MOVIE Kristen Wiig
WHAT HER EXES LOVED [I’m] understanding and level-headed.
8:45 P.M. OLEANA, CAMBRIDGE
> FIRST SHIFT
SAMMI Took a nap when I got home from work [since] the date was scheduled so late.
BLAKE I was literally running from work to the restaurant. I was desperate not to commit the faux pas of arriving late to a first date.
SAMMI We arrived within minutes [of each other].
BLAKE A very elegant, slender, well-dressed woman — with a tantalizing beauty mark under her bottom lip — sat there waiting for me.
SAMMI He was neatly dressed and had a pleasing smile. He appeared rather young to me.
> TALKING SHOP
SAMMI We both work for the same university.
BLAKE I quickly learned that this was her favorite restaurant. She had been here just two weeks prior.
SAMMI He had never had monkfish and was always deterred from trying it given how hideous they look. I persuaded him, and he enjoyed it.
BLAKE We had both lived near the Capitol in Washington, D.C., for about a year. It may have been the highlight of the date when we discovered that we were both regular visitors of the ravioli artisan in Eastern Market.
SAMMI I think the comfort level stayed steady with sprinkles of silence.
BLAKE I think that, with my prodding, she told me more about herself than I did about myself.
SAMMI I realized pretty early in that he is not my type. He is a polite guy with a lot to offer the right person.
> CLOCKING OUT
BLAKE I got the sense she was possibly interested in calling it a night.
SAMMI It was getting late, and it appeared mutual there was no spark.
BLAKE I ordered a coffee because I wanted to have a few more minutes with her.
SAMMI We walked out of the restaurant and parted ways.
BLAKE No kisses, no numbers exchanged. Fairly abrupt.
> POST-MORTEM
SAMMI B
BLAKE B+
> SECOND DATE?
BLAKE I don’t think so. There was something missing.
SAMMI There was no chemistry. — Compiled by Andrew Doerfler
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