Dorcas: i am unfortunately awake
Dorcas: i need coffee in an IV
Dorcas: meet u in dekalb in 10?
Marlene: okie yep just coming
Marlene: see u there :)
Marlene: …
Marlene: where are u?
Dorcas: on the platform? where are u
Marlene: im here too
Marlene: at dekalb
Marlene: hope there’s not a dekalb and a diff dekalb ave
Dorcas: no….
Dorcas: maybe??
Dorcas: are u near here? *sends location*
Marlene: *sends location*
Dorcas: ur right
Dorcas: two diff stations
Marlene: okay amazing 😭
Dorcas: get the subway to here
Dorcas: *sends location*
Dorcas: we’ll meet there instead lol
Marlene: thought i was doing so good 😭
Dorcas: omg babe u are don’t worry
Dorcas: should’ve said it was the L
Dorcas: nvm
Marlene: see u soon!
Dorcas: <3
Looking up from her phone, just to be sure, Marlene walked into the coffee shop. Finally, now she knows what a “737” is. The shop was tiny, but the lack of a fourth wall gave the illusion of more room. A quick scan and Marlene was able to find the short, dark-haired woman on the bench at the far wall. She stood up, seeing Marlene walk in. They hugged, for maybe the second time ever. Long distance was crazy. Anyway.
“Coffee?” Dorcas asked, guiding Marlene over to the counter.
“Has to be iced, it’s too bloody hot for a normal coffee.” Marlene said, trying to pretend her shirt wasn’t stuck to her back.
“‘Bloody’ you’re so British, babe.” Marlene refrained from an eye roll, just. Dorcas giggled. Then to the barista she said, “Iced matcha with oat milk.”
“And you?” The barista said, now looking at Marlene. “Don’t worry, I can split the payments.”
“I have a regular iced latte, please. Thanks.”
They both paid and sat back down where Dorcas had been.
“I can’t believe you’re here. Like, I’m actually sitting next to you, Marls.”
“I know. It’s mad!”
“I’m glad you managed this; it was really nice of you to come.”
“Anything for you. You know that.”
There was a moment of quiet between them, but no awkwardness. The barista appeared with two coffees and placed them on the table. Marlene took one look at them and gave a startled laugh.
“What?” Dorcas asked, sipping on the straw of her coffee.
“When you said you needed coffee in an IV, I didn’t think you meant literally!”
Dorcas looked at her own coffee, as if realising what it looked like for the first time. It did look like an IV bag, with the straw poking out of one corner, and the order written on the front in black marker. Dorcas instead hid her giggle behind her straw.
“Americans.” Marlene said fondly, rolling her eyes.
Dorcas began talking away about her last few days, what it was like being back in New York again. Marlene was listening, of course, but she was slightly more preoccupied with the knowledge and the visual of Dorcas being in front of her and not a blurry impression of her through a phone screen.
They met through mutual friends. Kind of. They had known of each other online, had friends in common online. It was only on a spur of the moment trip to London that they officially met, through the wonders of Hinge. They matched and hit it off, and decided to meet up, given the short time of Dorcas’ trip. One drink turned into another, turned into staying over, turned into breakfast. Suddenly they were on day three of the date, with no end in sight. Marlene declared herself in love. When Dorcas eventually had to return to The States, they promised to keep in touch, and actually meant it. They did what they could; texting, calling, keeping each other in the loop as much as the time difference would allow. There was always the worry that they would never get the chance to see each other in person again, but they comforted each other with the fact that they were trying their best, and when Marlene had the opportunity to work on a project based in New York, she jumped at the chance.
“Babe?” Dorcas waved her hand in front of Marlene’s face.
“Hm? Yes?”
“I asked if you wanted to walk with me?”
“Oh! Yes, sorry. I got distracted.” Then, realising what she said, blushed. Dorcas raised her eyebrows but said nothing. She stood and offered her hand for Marlene to take.
They exited the café and walked into the hot afternoon sun. “Should we go to midtown?” Dorcas asked. “Or we can go to the upper east side, maybe. Where would you like to go?” Marlene: having no knowledge of New York yet said “I’m gonna pretend I know what those words mean.” Dorcas gave her a fondly exasperated look in response. “Fine, we’ll just wander, see where we end up. How’s that?”
“Sounds perfect, my love.”
“How do you feel about your first Chipotle then, babe?”
“So good! I loved it.” Marlene replied. “The portion, though? I could’ve halved that and still not finished it!”
“Ah, American portions.”
“Indeed.” They paused as they emptied their tray into the bin before walking out.
“This way?” Dorcas asked, lopping an arm through Marlene’s. “There’s a shop up here I’ve been wanting to visit.”
“Lead the way, Meadowes.”
They walked along a few blocks, ducking for shade any time they could. They paused on their way at a small independent ice cream. A look towards each other was all they needed before stepping inside. Marlene got butterscotch; Dorcas chose pistachio. They each ended up with both around the edges of their lips and on their tongues.
Wonder how, hm.
With their ice creams polished off, they walked a little while more. Dorcas waved an arm, gesturing further down the street. “It’s just that way,” she said. Just as they were coming up to Dorcas’ shop, they passed a group of friends on the pavement – sidewalk, whatever – and all of a sudden with a few jabs to the arm, Dorcas pulled Marlene inside the shop. The bell chimed, and the shop assistant greeted them. Then Dorcas turned Marlene towards her. “Did you see who that was?”
“What? No?!”
“Remus. Lupin.”
“No-” Marlene turned and tried to surreptitiously look at the group still stood outside the shop. “Fuck. It is him.”
Remus Lupin, the Tony award winning theatre actor. The man who almost swayed Marlene from lesbianism (until she realised, she would never actually date him; he was just pretty to look at sometimes) was just a thin wall away. He was stood, with a group of people – not fans, they looked too friendly with each other. A shorter man with sandy hair stood to his right, talking all sorts with his hands, and to his left was one of the most gorgeous girls Marlene had ever seen: she had dark skin and dark tightly coiled curls, she was wearing a crop top, tight jeans and the thickest platform shoes making her almost as tall as Remus. Both girls realised how long they had been looking out of the window and quickly moved away, looking around the shop they were in.
“La Duca.” Dorcas said. “It’s where all the theatre actors get their dance shoes.”
“Think he was here getting some?” Marlene asked with a small laugh. Dorcas laughed quietly too.
“One day I’ll have enough for a pair from here.” Dorcas said, trailing her finger across the shoeboxes that lined the high walls. Then they were leaving the store, Remus Lupin still outside. Both too awkward to interrupt or say anything, they walked past. Just as they did, Remus let out a loud, surprised laugh, at something one of his companions must’ve said.
Swear, both lesbians just about swooned – they won’t admit that though.
“Oh, I know where we are now!” Marlene exclaimed as they turned the corner into Koreatown. The string lanterns over head and the mouthwatering smell of food. “If I wasn’t still so full from Chipotle earlier, I’d get one of those.” She said, pointing to a stand selling fresh Tanghulu. “I’ve always wanted to try it.” She continued.
“How about a compromise?” Dorcas said, walking them into a small Korean grocery shop. She picked up two sodas, a strawberry and a pomegranate, for herself and Marlene. After paying the girls stood to the side, trying to open them.
“I used to be able to do this.” Dorcas said, grunting softly as she attempted to press open the lid. Marlene let her be, having no idea how to help her. Eventually the older cashier took pity on them and took the drinks to open them before they spilled all over the counter.
With no real destination in mind Marlene and Dorcas wandered until they reached the edge of Manhattan and they were looking out across the Hudson River. Despite the heat, Marlene kept her hand clasped firmly in Dorcas’, she looked over as Dorcas spoke a mile a minute. Her dark skin glowed, shiny with sweat, and her eyes were covered by large sunglasses. Marlene had never seen someone more beautiful. With a gasp, Dorcas suddenly pulled to a stop.
“Oh my god. This is perfect.” She started walking again, pulling Marlene with her. “I’d forgotten about this; there’s a mini Broadway performance at the pier.”
“And you’re sure this wasn’t carefully planned, Dorcas, huh?” Marlene teased.
“No, I’d tell you.” With an eye roll. “C’mon!”
And so, they sat on a bench at the edge of the park while the stage was being set up in front of them. People slowly gathered, sitting on blankets and pull-out chairs and chatting amongst each other. Then people began standing up and approaching a dark-haired man. He wasn’t exceptionally tall – maybe an inch or two taller than Marlene – and Marlene couldn’t see his face, but she could tell he was important. He had that air about him.
“Hey, babe, who’s that?” Marlene asked.
Dorcas looked up, squinted slightly in the man’s direction, before inhaling quickly. “That’s Regulus Black.” At Marlene’s blank look: “He was in Phantom when he was only 18 or 19, something crazy like that.”
“Did you see him in it?”
“No, but I saw him in Titanique recently.”
“Oh. Well let’s go over – look, he’s talking to people.”
Dorcas suddenly looked quite scared. “Marls, wait. What do I say?”
The girls stood from their bench and walked over to the larger group of people surrounding Regulus. As they crossed the short distance Dorcas stressed quietly, not wanting to make a fool of herself. With a short push from Marlene, Dorcas stood in front of the actor. He looked quite intimidating now that he was facing them. He was dressed smartly, but still casual enough for the city. His face was carefully controlled, he never seemed to let anything slip, but when Doras spoke to him, he smiled.
“I saw you in Titanique.” She blurted out.
“Oh, did you like it?” His voice was quiet, shy. He seemed to genuinely want Dorcas’ opinion of his performance.
“I did. I think you were so good. The best, I- um, yeah.”
“Good. Well, I hope you enjoy the-” He waved his hand around the park, and to the stage behind him. The two girls nodded and moved to the side to let other people have a chance to talk to him.
Dorcas looked a bit spooked, so Marlene hugged her. She heard Dorcas let out a small groan, “That was so embarrassing.” She said. “I just spoke at him.”
Marlene patted her on the back, “It was fine, babe. I promise.” Dorcas didn’t look convinced.
“I feel so bad. We don’t have time to stay for the performance.”
“It’s okay. He won’t notice.” Marlene replied, starting to head for the way they entered.
“No, no. Babe. Let’s go this way. Around the back.”
“I promise it’s not embarrassing, Dorcas.”
Dorcas wasn’t listening. She pulled Marlene to the path that went behind the stage towards the toilets – “It looks like we’re just going to the toilets now”, she said. Marlene just giggled, there was no stopping Dorcas, it seemed.
Then the path ended. There was no sidewalk on this side of the park; they were walking onto a slip road to the highway.
“Dorcas- we should- c’mon lets just go back. There’s no pavement this side.”
“No. No, we can’t. He can’t see us leave.”
And so, Marlene followed Dorcas as she weaved in between the cars parked next to the short wall, ignoring the glares they received from the cars that passed. At the end of this assault course of cars, almost at the pavement they began on again, there was just one car that was too close to the wall for them to squeeze past. Dorcas and Marlene had no choice but to sprint across the small wall that separated the road from the park – the one Regulus was still in. Following Dorcas’ hunched over run, Marlene scuttled along past the car, giggling at the silliness of it all. Once they had made it back to familiar Manhattan streets, Marlene took Dorcas’ arm, pulling her into the side of the pavement
“I have something for you.” Marlene rifled around in her tote bag before pulling out a slightly crumpled envelope. She swore under her breath, trying to flatten the corners before passing it to Dorcas for her to open. She watched her face as she did. Dorcas didn’t disappoint; her eyes lit up and her jaw dropped. She lifted a hand to cover her mouth, looking into Marlene’s eyes. “Are you for real? We’re going?”
Marlene nodded, her cheeks sore with how wide her grin was.
The next evening saw Marlene and Dorcas outside the Al Hirschfeld theatre.
“On the fifth anniversary! Babe, you- I don’t think you understand how excited I am.”
Marlene could tell; Dorcas had buzzed about it nonstop since she’d been handed the tickets. In all honesty, the anniversary was a nice coincidence, Marlene had just wanted to take Dorcas to her favourite musical. Finally past the security and ticket check, they made their way through the theatre to their seats. Marlene couldn’t resist, she’d splurged. They were right down at the front in what the website called the “Can Can Table” seats. Dorcas looked completely taken aback, her mouth opened and closed, with no sound leaving.
“I’ll get us drinks.” Marlene said, guiding an awestruck Dorcas into her seat, before making her way to the bar and getting them both an (overpriced) vodka lemonade. Marlene returned, placing a Moulin Rouge themed cup in front of Dorcas, then sat down next to her. The theatre was nothing like anything she’d seen before; nothing like the theatres in England. The whole room was draped in red lights and soft, slightly eerie music played. Marlene truly felt like she had been transported to Paris and was in the real Moulin Rouge. On her right there was a massive elephant protruding from the wall, above a small balcony, and the stage extended in a walkway that surrounded the tables. Suddenly, Marlene realised how close the actors would be to them, and her stomach fluttered with excitement.
People began moving about on the stage, on the walkway and above her on the balconies - ensemble members. She was confused; the lights hadn’t gone down yet. She watched as many scantily clad women traipsed across the stage. She glanced at Dorcas out of the corner of her eye to see her looking back at Marlene with the same slight guilt Marlene could feel painted across her own face. They both broke out into giggles.
All of a sudden, the audience gasped and began clapping. Marlene tried to see what had happened; the women were still walking about, and the lights still hadn’t dimmed. That’s when Dorcas sharply elbowed her.
“Fuck me its-”
“Remus Lupin.” They said simultaneously.
For the second time in as many days, Marlene and Dorcas were in close proximity to Remus Lupin. He was on the walkway behind them, dressed in a long black coat, about to perform as Christian. His first role to earn him a Tony.
“That was insane.” Marlene said, as the lights came up. “I can’t believe we saw Remus Lupin singing ‘Roxanne’ and saw him doing the Can Can. I don’t think life gets better.”
“It doesn’t.” Dorcas still sounded dazed.
Marlene started to guide Dorcas towards the exit. “And the girl who played Satine? She was gorgeous! Hold on let me check her name.” Marlene fished the playbill out of her bag to check the cast list. They hadn’t been allowed to pick up the playbills as normal – only being handed them during the interval. Not to spoil the surprise, Marlene assumed. “Mary Macdonald. Hm.” Marlene continued.
“Marls.” Dorcas suddenly came to life, grabbing her lover’s hand. “We need to go to the stage door.”
Marlene nodded. “Lead the way.”
There were so many people stood outside of the Al Hirschfeld. Marlene was sweating and the playbill was sticking to her fingers, but they had made it to the front of the queue somehow. Dorcas was clutching the railing so tightly Marlene was worried it might snap in her grip. There were so many phones pointed towards the small door in the corner, waiting for whoever might walk out of it. There had, of course, been a few false alarms as ensemble members and family members left the theatre but there was only one person everyone was waiting to catch a glimpse of. Her heart was thrumming so loudly in her chest, she wouldn’t be surprised if they could hear it inside the theatre. Marlene lifted her phone, not wanting to miss when he would step outside.
Then the crowd erupted into noise. There he was. Stepping out of the theatre, timidly, as if they hadn’t seen him almost have sex on stage just an hour ago. He had a bag over his shoulder and a second bag, which he placed on the floor, that was overflowing with bouquets of flowers. He made his way down the steps towards the railing, signing playbills and taking pictures.
“You get the picture; I’ll get the signature.” Marlene whispered to Dorcas. She nodded.
Just before Remus got to them, the stage door opened again, and two dark haired boys, who almost looked like twins, made their way out of the theatre. Remus turned, stooping his fan interactions for a moment to hug the shorter of the two. The tips of Remus’ ears went a bit pink, as the other, taller man laughed. The taller man steered the other behind Remus towards Broadway.
“See you later, Remus.”
“See, you Reg.” Remus replied, before returning to the crowd before him.
“Was that Regulus Black?” Someone behind Marlene asked loudly.
Remus looked up. “Yes.” He replied, a shit eating grin took over his face. There was lipstick residue on his cheekbone.
Twice in as many days, again.
Then it was their turn. “Picture or signature?” Remus asked her. He really was beautiful up close. His nose was slightly crooked, as if he’d broken it once and it hadn’t healed quite right, and his bronze-coloured hair fell into his eyes slightly. His eye contact was slightly unnerving. Why wasn’t he looking away yet?
“P-picture.” Marlene fumbled with her camera. “Is it against the rules if my girlfriend gets in with us too?” She asked.
Remus laughed. “I’ll allow it.”
And so, Marlene took a picture of herself and Dorcas with Remus Lupin, and then he signed their playbill.
“What are your names?” He asked.
“I’m Dorcas, this is Marlene.” Dorcas’ confidence had recovered clearly.
“Pretty.” He replied. Both girls blushed.
It seemed an age later that they managed to squeeze themselves out of the crowd, spilling out onto the streets on New York like they hadn’t just met Remus Lupin on the fifth anniversary of Moulin Rouge on Broadway. They made their way to the subway, swinging their joint hands between them.
“We don’t have to say ‘goodbye’ this time.” Marlene whispered.
“Come back to mine.” Dorcas replied.