retrouvailleschronicles

[retrouvailleschronicles]

Retrouvailles, after we left 1.4

Retrouvailles, After We Left a fan sequel to Before We Go

Ten years after meeting in Manhattan, Brooke seeks Nick out, with a terrible secret. ​ Act one, scene four. Behind the Window.

As Nick and Brooke approached, the signore observed their matching wedding bands. (1) "Ah, Mr. Vaughan, it's delightful to have you here. I'm a huge admirer of yours. And Mrs. Vaughan, the inspiration for your song, Retrouvailles. We are honored to have you here," the maitre D bowed respectfully. ​ "Yes, thank you. "  Brooke's eyes then opened wide. "I mean no, I'm not, I mean," she fumbled.

"Thank you," Nick interrupted with a smile. "My wife Hannah, she couldn’t make it."  He looked over at Brooke.

"I'm Brooke," she prompted.  "I'm an old friend." (2)

Nick gave her a sideways glance.  Then he looked back at the signore.  "One of my best friends," he corrected.  From the side he saw Brooke relax. ​ "Of course," the signore smoothly recovered. "Please follow me." He guided them inside to a table with a view of the front window and pulled out a chair for Brooke. "May I offer you a glass of wine?" the maitre D inquired.

Nick glanced at Brooke, and she turned to the signore. "I'll have the Friulano," she said without pause. "It's lovely for the summer."

The maitre D smiled. (3) "Excellent choice, signora." Another snap of his fingers summoned a young waitress carrying a bottle.

"And for you?" Nick gazed down and saw a pair of smiling blue eyes.

"Oh, I'm not familiar with wines," Nick stumbled. His face flushed. "I usually drink, um, Cabernet Sauvignon?" (4)

"I'm afraid I'm not well-versed in wines either," the waitress chuckled, her hand gently brushing his elbow. (5) Their eyes locked for a moment.  Nick's eyes widened.

A brief silence filled the air. The maitre D frowned slightly, but then Brooke spoke up. "Aglianico would be a similar," she suggested. (6) The signore smiled and turned back to Nick.

"That's alright," Nick stuttered. "I'll have what she's having." (7)

"Very good," the maitre D intoned approvingly. Another waiter appeared, presenting a plate of sliced focaccia and pouring olive oil into a dish of chopped thyme and oregano. With a nod, the maitre D dismissed the staff and bowed slightly to Nick and Brooke.

From outside, the melodic voice of a woman accompanied by a guitar reached their ears.

Nick took a sip of his drink and smiled. "Well, I’m sorry you didn’t get a chance to meet Hannah. She would have been thrilled to meet you properly. I told her that you convinced me to return to the bar and win her back."

"It's nice of her to think of me," Brooke mumbled. She took a sip from her wineglass. (8) "This place is lovely," she observed, glancing around the restaurant.

"We won't have to rely on Danny for funds this time," Nick joked. (9)

"This time, it's my treat," Brooke's expression turned serious. She took another sip of wine.

Nick watched her carefully, and followed suit. "It's Danny's treat this time too, in a way. He usually takes care of all these things for me."

Silently, a waiter approached from behind. "Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn, are you ready to order?"

Both Nick and Brooke began to protest. "Oh, we're not..." Brooke started.(10)

The waiter patiently listened.

"Nevermind," Brooke whispered. "Apocollo di cinghiate con mostarda, per favore." (11)

"Excellent choice," the waiter replied. "We just added that to the menu." He turned to Nick.

Nick glanced at Brooke, and she returned his gaze. He pointed at the menu. "How do you pronounce this?" he asked.

"Bucatini all'Amatriciana. Certainly, sir," the waiter swiftly took their menus away.

"I'm glad I didn't ask you to order for me like in New York," Brooke playfully smiled.

"You didn't enjoy the poutine I ordered at the hotel?" Nick shook his head, feigning disappointment. (12)

"I had never tried poutine before New York," Brooke sniffed.

"You seemed to like it." Nick's tone turned serious.

"It was..." Brooke paused. "Good. Really good. Better than I had imagined."

"Better than you imagined? How can you say that about poutine?" Nick teased.

"Well, it looked all greasy and messy. Who would have thought of putting gravy and bacon on top of French fries?" Brooke laughed. "But at that moment, it was the best thing I had ever tasted." (13)

"I'm glad I could convert you. It's hard for me to go a week without poutine," Nick confessed.

"Don't you get tired of having it, again and again?"   Brooke questioned.

"I don't need a lot of change," Nick chuckled.

Brooke glanced out of the window. "You know, I haven't had poutine since that night ten years ago."

Nick tilted his head. "I thought you liked it."

Brooke turned back, agreeing, "I did. But it was an unusual day, and I was starving that night, and we had been through a lot," she paused to take a sip from her glass.

Nick studied her. "Maybe poutine wouldn't be as good anymore?" he suggested.

"Maybe," Brooke agreed.

"Well, I'm glad we can reminisce, even if it's just for a few hours," Nick reflected, pausing to think. He watched as Brooke took another sip from her glass.

"So, what's going on, Brooke?" Nick adopted a more serious expression.

Brooke paused. "What do you mean?"

"Don't get me wrong, I'm really glad to see you. But you're back here in Providence, a town you haven't returned to since graduation. You're back to art restoration, so you didn't come here to sell me art. And you weren't joking when you told Danny you needed a glass of wine." (14)

Brooke gazed down at the dregs in her glass.

Nick's face softened. "I meant it when I said I was glad to see you. Maybe I can help. Just so you know," he gave an impish grin, "I wouldn't extend that offer to most friends I haven't seen in ten years."

Brooke took a deep breath and nodded.

Moments passed. The woman with the guitar at the Firewater finished her song, and the applause gradually faded away.

Brooke reached into her purse, retrieving a phone and unlocking it.

"You're right, I should have called you earlier," Brooke sighed. "I've contemplated what I would say when we met again. And I promise you, this isn't how I envisioned it." She frowned, and her fingers danced as she scrolled to a page.

She handed the phone to Nick, who could see a picture of Hannah kissing an unfamiliar man. His face turned pale. From a distance, he could hear Brooke's voice. ​ "But I'm not here for help. I'm truly sorry, Nick. I saw Hannah at an art exhibit, with another guy. She's having an affair." (15)

Click here to go to act two, scene one: En Plein Air. Click here to go to blog commentary for act one, scene four:Boom Goes the Cannon. ​ Authors' Notes and Spoilers:

1.  Give subtle clues as to Nick and Brooke's compatibility with each other. 2.  Brooke's theme of growing old. 3.  As a former art consultant, Brooke should be well versed in French and Italian culture and wines. 4.  Cabernet Sauvignon is French, not Italian. 5.  In general use only one supporting role when possible.  Like the security guard in 1.2 helps to push Nick's theme of isolation and Brooke's theme of growing old, we can use the waitress to be obviously youthful in contrast to Brooke's maturity.  Likewise she also sets off alarm bells with Nick, given his isolation and loneliness when dealing with his fans. 6.  Brooke knows her wines.  (R's note: but I don't, so I asked a friend.) 7.  More of Nick and Brooke's compatibility. 8.  Brooke again deflects away from Hannah. ​9.  Callback to Before We Go, when Danny comes up with $300 for Nick and Brooke. 10.  The waiter represents the audience.  We think that Nick and Brooke should be with each other. 11. On the family trip to Italy, this was our favorite dish. 12. In Before We Go Nick and Brooke order food in the hotel, and Brooke says surprise me. Poutine was not in the original movie.  It is a retcon addition, and it symbolizes Nick, just like the Capriccio symbolizes Brooke. 13.  Long subtext.  Saying that Poutine was what she wanted ten years ago but that was the past is a way for her to say the same thing about Nick. 14.  No oblivious male tropes!  Nick has been trying to piece out why Brooke has come back after ten years.  And it's not to sell him art... 15.  Boom goes the cannon! 

#before we go #brooke dalton #nick vaughan #chris evans #alice eve #retrouvailles #after we left #providence #waterfire

[retrouvailleschronicles]

Retrouvailles, after we left 1.3

Retrouvailles, After We Left a fan sequel to Before We Go

Ten years after meeting in Manhattan, Brooke seeks Nick out, with a terrible secret. ​ Act one, scene three. Providence.

The back door closed behind them as they stepped into the late sun.

"Just a little warmer than the last time I saw you," Nick chuckled.

"Le ciel san!" Brooke raised her hands to the sky, dropping Nick's arm.

"La sill san?" Nick repeated.

Brooke laughed. "The cloudless sky," she grinned. (1)

Nick laughed. (2)  "Guess I haven't learned any more French since Manhattan." 

Brooke laughed too. "Anyways, when are the reservations?" Brooke smiled.

"Seven, we've got some time." Nick relaxed, and his pace slowed.

Brooke slowed to match Nick's pace.

Brooke spoke first. "It looks like life has been good to you! Things have changed a lot since Manhattan."

Nick returned the grin. "It's nice having working credit cards. But yeah, I can't complain. Hopefully, you saw the end of the show. I like to end with 'Retrouvailles'," his face beamed. (3)

Brooke frowned. "No, I got here late." (4)

"You did?" Nick tilted his head.

Brooke gave a blank look.

"Thought I saw you. Well, I guess I've thought I'd seen you at other shows," he mumbled.(5)

"Haven't seen you live," Brooke gave a half-smile. "But I bought your album," she brightened. "And maybe I can catch a show in the future."

Nick grinned. "Well, night shows are better anyways. More intense. Danny can get you a ticket."(6)

Brooke gave a bemused smile. "Guess I'm old. I don't go out at night much anymore." She paused. "And I like recordings better anyway." (7)

"That's true," Nick mused. "No mistakes. When we record for the album, the song is as clean as we can make it."

"The guitar is a nice touch. Though I miss your trumpet," Brooke teased.

Nick grinned. "That happened after Hannah and I got married. Danny pushed me into it, you know. I was already writing lyrics. All I needed was an instrument that let me sing."

"Makes sense," Brooke agreed. "Can’t sing with the trumpet. I could tell you wrote the lyrics."

"It's me believing," Nick sang.

"My believing," Brooke corrected.  "Believing is a gerund, a type of noun, so it should be 'my believing,' " Brooke chewed a strand of hair.

"Wow," Nick feigned shock. "Correcting my grammar again?"(8)

"Again?" Brooke asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, you know," Nick looked at Brooke, smiling. "Like when we were in New York."

Brooke gave a blank look in response. "Never mind," Nick mumbled. "I know how to use a gerund. But Hannah said the songs don't play as well, and the focus groups agreed."

Brooke searched for something to say, but nothing came out. (9)

"You know, I invited you to our wedding. Hannah would have liked to meet you," Nick continued.

"Didn't want to make her jealous," Brooke breezed. (10)

They paused again, unsure of what to say.

Nick looked at his phone. "Let's see which way we go," he said.

"It's this way. We'll walk through the Quad," Brooke motioned.

"Looks like you know your way around Providence," Nick observed.

"Guess that night we hung out in New York, it never came up," Brooke mused.

Nick raised an eyebrow.

Brooke laughed. "I went to college in Providence. I graduated from Brown. It was a big change for an Arizona girl. They called me the Desert Rose," she laughed again.

"And you came back to Providence to sell me some art?" (11)

"What? Oh, no. I'm back to my original job, art restoration."

Nick chewed his lip thoughtfully. "Art restoration. That sounds so..."

"Nerdy?" Brooke finished. They snickered, and Brooke continued.

"Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed selling art. But I really prefer the restoration. It took me back to France, and I travel a bit to different museums. Michael didn't like it," she frowned. (12) But she quickly smiled. "But it keeps me busy. I guess it's one of the reasons I haven't been back to Providence since graduation. I used to live there, in Metcalf," she pointed.

"How is Michael?" Nick studied Brooke.

"He's good.  We're good!  Coming up on our 15th anniversaire."  Brooke watched a bird fly by.

Nick nodded.  Then he smiled.  "Glad to hear, things are going well for you."

"Thank you," Brooke turned back.  She looked about the campus.  "It's too bad he's not here, he would have loved see Brown."

"So you haven't been to Providence in a while," Nick changed the subject.  "Why haven't you been back?" Nick queried.

"Now that," Brooke reflected, "is a good question."

"You didn't like it here?"

"I love Brown. I even consider Providence my hometown. I had all the freedom in the world. Brown encouraged us to pursue our passions, and I ended up with Chemistry and Art History."

"And that's how you ended up with art restoration," Nick mused. "Is it good being back?" Nick grinned again. (13)\

"I'm getting too old to dream of going back to my college days," Brooke's voice tinkled. (14)

"Guess we can't go back again," Nick agreed. "But we can miss it."

"Exactly! Young and full of passion. Eager, easy to make changes," Brooke reflected.

"You should talk to Danny," Nick remarked.

"How so?"

"You remember that Danny majored in philosophy?"

"Not really, but go on," Brooke encouraged.

Nick's eyes fell. "He went to law school afterwards. He was working as an attorney at a big firm."

"I take it he didn't like it," Brooke observed.

"Called it dying slowly every day," Nick gave a wry look.

"Was it hard for him to make changes?"

"Yeah, definitely. Sometimes it's easier to go with the devil you know." (15)

"And now he works with you. So you saved him," Brooke glowed.

"We saved each other. He needed a change, and I needed someone I could trust."

"I imagine it's hard in your business, people always wanting something," Brooke sympathized. (16)

"You have no idea," Nick snorted. "You never know what angle people may be playing. Luckily, I had Hannah and Danny from before my first hit." Nick exhaled slowly. "Hannah, Danny, his wife Claire, we were too poor to go on expensive vacations. So we'd all go camping. Make wishes as the fire died. I think it was by the campfire that Danny convinced me to start singing," Nick remembered.

"The deepest wishes come out at night," Brooke agreed. "So how did Danny meet his wife?" Brooke deflected. (17)

"He and Claire have been friends since high school. They had a pact to get married by 35 if they were still single."

"Settle down, have kids?"

"Well, I wouldn't call it settling. Maybe they have the best marriage of all of us," Nick looked back at Brooke.

"Why didn't they get married earlier?" Brooke wondered.

"Guess they were worried about ruining their friendship. But like all things, in retrospect, they should have known better," Nick looked down the hill. "In any case, I'm glad you're here. I wasn't relishing eating alone. With you here, I won't have to make small talk." (18)

"Don't you like your fans?" Brooke tilted her head.

"Love my fans. But sometimes it's weird. People know a lot about me, but I can't know much about them."

Brooke looked at Nick from the side. "You could just cancel your reservation."

"Maybe, but Danny told me the maitre d is a fan. I've got to get out in the public eye, Danny says."

"Have you eaten there before?" Brooke asked.

"This is not exactly the place Hannah would frequent," Nick guffawed.

Brooke looked down. "How so?" she stammered.

"She's... kinda a health nut.  No carbs.  I was surprised she agreed to come initially." (19)

Brooke smiled. "Well, you're in for a treat. I haven't eaten here since graduation, but it's fantastic!"

Nick's eyes narrowed. "Is this the kind of restaurant you and Michael would go to?"

Brooke tilted her head.  "He'll come to restaurants like this for me.  But I'll eat like this alone.  I often do, when I travel."

Nick looked back.  "Alone?"

Brooke laughed.  "Alone!  I appreciate the food better by myself.  Here we go," she pointed to the Capriccio.

Click here to go to act one, scene four: Behind the Window. Click here to go to blog commentary for act one, scene three: How the Sausage Gets Made.

Authors notes and spoilers here:

Title for the next movie!  Le Ciel San, the Cloudless Sky.  

Fakegreat!  When you see someone you haven’t seen in a while, pretend everything is great, even when it’s not.

Callback to first movie, when Nick doesn't have any working credit cards.

Brooke will spend this chapter denying both to Nick and herself how she feels about Nick.  Similar to Before Sunset.

Not subtle!  Nick has been thinking of Brooke.

Setup, Nick will bring up Danny getting tickets again in 3.4.

Subtext.  By saying she prefers the recording to a live show she is saying that the memory of Manhattan is good enough, and there’s no need to bring their relationship to the present.

More denial.  Like Before Sunset.  By forgetting details Brooke is saying that night 10 years ago wasn’t so important that she remembers everything.

Brooke should be uncomfortable every time Nick brings up Hannah.

Lesson from the Dark Knight.  The reason Brooke didn’t go to the wedding should change every time, until the real answer in 3.4.

Nick should be trying to figure out why Brooke has come back to see him.  

A slip.  Hints at the problems Brooke and Michael have.  But quickly should pivot back to Fakegreat.

More subtext.  Really Nick is asking if Brooke is glad to see him again.

Brooke’s theme of growing old.

 Bring back this idea in 3.2., the Devil you Know.

Nick’s theme of loneliness and isolation.

Brooke changes the subject away from Hannah.

Back to Nick’s theme of loneliness and isolation.

A stand in for the problems in Nick and Hannah's relationship.

#before we go #brooke dalton #nick vaughan #chris evans #alice eve #retrouvailles #after we left #providence #waterfire

[retrouvailleschronicles]

Retrouvailles, After We Left. 1.2

Retrouvailles, After We Left                a fan sequel to Before We Go

Ten years after meeting in Manhattan, Brooke seeks Nick out, with a terrible secret.

Act one, scene two.  A Sunday Matinee.

Danny glanced down at his list (1) while the hustle and bustle of people scurrying back and forth surrounded him. Set pieces were dismantled, and voices barked orders. Despite the chaos, Danny remained motionless and wore a contented smile. 

Suddenly, he overheard an argument from the side, and a faintly recognizable voice pleaded with security. "I'm an old friend of Nick's. Can you please pass on a message?" 

The security guard's response was cold and dismissive. "Mr. Vaughn does not have any friends."  (2) Danny rolled his eyes and muttered, "just groupies," to the foreman of the moving company.

The foreman gestured towards the boxes and equipment, asking Danny in heavily accented English if they were all ready to go. Danny checked his list again and confirmed that everything was in order.  "Take them all except the cables.  Thanks, Hector," he said, flipping to the next page. The foreman gave some orders to the crew and shouted, "Todos!" The men on the side sprang into action, loading the boxes onto the truck. Danny began walking towards the back of the venue.

A woman's voice called out loudly, "Hector, todos sans los ropas!" catching Hector's attention. (3) Hector turned, then nodded in agreement and gave new orders to the crew. Danny, curious, looked back to see what was going on. "Danny?" the woman asked with a puzzled look, before breaking into a smile.

Danny was momentarily stunned by the face in front of him. "Brooke," he whispered in surprise. Quickly regaining his composure, he reassured the guard. "It's alright. She's a friend."

Brooke nodded at the guard and then stepped around. "I'm glad you still remember me," she said, expressing her gratitude. "The last time we saw each other, you had a lot to drink."

Danny smiled at Brooke. "I don't recall much from that night," he laughed ruefully. "It's been a while since Paul and Anja's wedding. And I had no idea you spoke Spanish. I thought you only spoke French," he added with a sly smile.

Brooke's eyes widened, and she might have nodded her head. (4) "You're right, I mostly speak French. But Romance languages have similarities, so I know a little bit of Spanish as well."

Danny shifted the conversation. "I thought I might see you at Nick and Hannah's wedding." he asked seriously. (5)

Brooke smiled and looked away. "I guess my invitation must have gotten lost in the mail," she replied without disappointment. (6)

"Hmm," Danny grunted. Before he could say anything else, Brooke interjected. "Listen, Danny, is Nick still around? I really need to talk to him." (7)

Danny feigned shock. "After ten years, you just show up like this? You don't write, you don't call..."

Brooke playfully slapped him on the shoulder, and Danny pretended to be injured. "Okay, okay, twist my arm. Come on, Nick is in the back. Hopefully, he's done washing up, he has another engagement. Hold this," he said, handing Brooke the iPad with a contract on the screen.

In the green room, Nick faced the mirror and looked down at his blazer, and fidgeted. From behind, he heard Danny's voice. "Mr. Vaughn, I have the moving contract. It needs one more signature." (8)

Nick groaned. "It's just us, Danny," he complained.

Danny's grin was palpable from behind. "Of course, Mr. Vaughn," he said.  Nick groaned again, slumping into a chair with exaggerated gestures and looking at his polished shoes.

Danny nodded at Brooke, and she handed Nick the iPad. Nick signed the contract, his block signature almost matching the text of the contract. (9) When Nick looked up, he was surprised to see Brooke standing there.

"Surprise?" Brooke said with a smile.

"Brooke?" Nick exclaimed as he stood up to give her a hug. She was taken aback but then quickly returned the embrace. "It's really good to see you. It's been..." Nick trailed off, unable to find the words.

"A minute?" Brooke suggested, and they both laughed. (10)

They shared a smile and a moment of silence before Nick asked, "What are you doing here?"

"A lucky coincidence," Brooke explained. "I was at the Getty in LA, got a layover in Boston, and got bumped. But I heard you were playing here in Providence, so I took the Silver train to come say hi!" (11)

"We just added these three stops," Nick said thoughtfully. "I was supposed to be on vacation, but it's hard to pass up another gig." (12)

The silence between them stretched, until Danny broke it with a smile towards Nick.

"Brooke mentioned she needed to talk to you," he said. (13)

Nick looked at Brooke.  Brooke looked at Nick, then at Danny, then back to Nick.

“Maybe somewhere more private?”  Nick guessed.  (14) Brooke’s eyes opened wider, and she nodded.

After a moment of silence, Danny spoke up in a neutral tone. "Hannah wanted me to tell you she left early to see an exhibit with a friend," he said, turning to Brooke. "You'd think she could stay until Nick finished singing 'Retrouvailles," he said with an icy sigh. (15)

"Danny," Nick admonished him.

"I mean, you write an award winning song about reuniting with her, and she doesn't want to hear it?" Danny continued.

"She's heard it before," Nick reflected.

"If you ever write a song about me, I'll stay until the end," Danny declared.

"You have to stay until the end.  You're in charge here,"  Nick reminded him.

"Speaking of in charge," Danny turned to Nick, "You and Hannah still have the reservations at the Capriccio.  Maybe Brooke could go with you instead.”

Nick took it all in. "I hate these things," he grumbled.

Danny tilted his head. "We talked about this, remember?  Let’s get you out in the public eye.  Come on, you'll have a good time," he cajoled.

Brooke squirmed, then her eyes brightened. "Capriccio would be great. I could use a glass of wine. Come on, we'll walk by the Waterfire festival, it's pretty." (16) She offered her arm to Nick. (17) Nick looked back at Brooke, then took her arm.

Danny opened the back door. "I could stay and help pack up,” Nick whined.

“Nonsense,” Danny shook his head.  “But if we aren’t done when you finish with dinner, you can come back and help.”

"We won’t be long.  I have to catch the last train back to Boston. It leaves in a few hours," Brooke added. (18)

"Then you guys better get a move on," Danny ordered, opening the back door for them. They stepped out into the last rays of the afternoon. “You make a fine pair," he gushed.  "Brooke, until I see you again,” he bowed with a flourish, “Retrouvallais."(19)

​Click here to go to act one, scene three.  Providence. Click here to go to blog commentary on act one, scene two: Wait for It.

Authors' notes and spoilers:

1.  Looks like Danny has overcome his "dyslexia" in Before We Go.  Did he really have dyslexia in the first movie, or was he always trying to keep Nick away from Hannah? Also, lesson from Marvel's The Avengers.  The Avengers opens with Agent Coulson standing calm in the midst of chaos, showing Coulson's importance over everyone else.  We can show Danny's importance similarly. 2.  Introduce Nick's theme of isolation and loneliness. 3.  Ten years ago most security guards would let a young beautiful blonde Brooke in.  Introduce Brooke's theme of growing older.  It's important that Brooke gets past the security guard with her brain now. 4.  Danny has let slip that Nick has talked about Brooke. 5.  Exposition, clearly spell out that Nick has married Hannah. 6.  Lesson from The Dark Knight.  In Dark Knight the Joker creates tension by giving a different answer as to his scars.  Likewise Brooke will give different answers for why she didn't go to the wedding.  True answer comes in Act 3, scene 3.  7.  Give the first dramatic question.  Why did Brooke come looking for Nick, after not seeing him for 10 years? 8. In The American President AJ, the president's chief of staff, best friend, and best man at his wedding, addresses Andrew Shepherd as "Mr. President" when they are the only ones in the room.  But while in The American President the honorary is meant as a sign of respect, here we use the honorary to give a sense of isolation. 9.  Same handwriting as appeared on the comment card, at the end of the first movie, Before We Go. 10.  Show Nick and Brooke's easy rapport, they can finish each other's sentences. 11.  There is a cut initial screen, showing Brooke hearing about Nick playing in Providence.  She then abandons her luggage and flight in Boston.  Saying that she got bumped is a lie, a way for Brooke to deny how much she wants to see Nick. 12.  Casually introduce one of the tensions between Nick and Hannah. 13.  Lesson from the West Wing, ask a dramatic question and leave it unanswered until later. Why did Brooke come looking for Nick after 10 years? 14.  Again, show Nick and Brooke's rapport. 15.  Clearly spell out Nick and Hannah's deteriorating relationship.  Also, zing the audience.  Likely the audience thought Retrouvailles referred to Brooke, but Danny tells us Retrouvailles refers to when Nick won Hannah back 10 years ago. 16.  Procrastinating on giving the answer to the dramatic question for act one.   Delay the answer, Brooke needs glass of wine first.  Build the tension.  When we get to Capriccio we know we are getting close to this answer. 17.  Callback to first movie, Before We Go. Brooke offers her arm to Nick when taking him back to the bar to win Hannah back. 18.  Lesson from Before Sunset. Setting up a time constraint, Nick and Brooke don't have all night to settle all the dramatic questions. ​19.  Mention the theme of Retrouvailles again.

#before we go #brooke dalton #nick vaughan #chris evans #alice eve #providence #waterfire #retrouvailles #after we left

[retrouvailleschronicles]

Retrouvailles, After We Left. 1.1

a fan sequel to Before We Go.

Ten years after meeting in Manhattan, Brooke seeks Nick out, with a terrible secret. Act one, scene one. The View from Afar.

Retrouvailles, After We Left a fan sequel to Before We Go

Ten years after meeting in Manhattan, Brooke seeks Nick out, with a terrible secret. Act one, scene one. The View from Afar.

Nick strummed the final chord and the audience erupted in applause. As the clapping died down, the lights in the venue dimmed.

"Thank you, everyone, for being such a great audience tonight, but our time is drawing to a close," Nick said, pausing for a moment to let the polite boos subside.  "I would like to conclude with one of my favorite quotes.”

“Life is made up of stages.  The most pleasant is love, the hardest is separation, the most difficult is saying goodbye, and the most beautiful is meeting up with others again after spending time apart.”

“Our last song for the night is named after a French word that doesn't have a direct translation in English.  It's a word that describes the joy of seeing someone you haven't seen in a long time."

As he gazed, a woman exited the side, dressed in a sleek black gown with a familiar pixie cut. (1)   Danny's eyes narrowed and his breath caught in his chest. The drummer glanced sideways, searching for direction. Danny locked his gaze, and the drummer acknowledged with a nod before starting to play.

Nick appeared unaware, giving away nothing, as his years of experience took over and he delivered his speech with ease.(2)

"This song is for anyone who has ever missed someone, who needs to rediscover happiness, or who wants to make a part of their past into a part of their future. So if that's you, listen closely and let this night be the night you're reunited with that special someone. Ladies and gentlemen, our final song of the night, 'Retrouvailles.'" (3) (4)

As the backup singers crooned the lyrics, "I'm still a believer, though I don't know why," Nick's fingers strummed the guitar, and a fake smile spread across his face.  ​ His eyes caught sight of a woman with blonde curls near the back of the venue. His heart quickened and his back straightened. Despite his anticipation, she kept averting her gaze.  He continued to wait for her to turn towards him, but her face remained tantalizingly out of sight.

Click here to go to act one, scene two:   A Sunday Matinee Click here for the blog commentary for act one, scene one: The Room Where It Happened.

Authors' Notes 1.  Tidy exposition, noting that Nick and Hannah are now married, and having problems in their relationship. 2.  Introduce the idea of Lonelycept.  Rather than being actively unhappy, having lonelycept is accepting loneliness as there is no alternative. 3.  Introduce the concept of Retrouvailles, the joy you feel in seeing someone you have missed for a long time. 4.  Stolen idea from Before Sunset.  In Before Sunset Jesse has written a book about his time with Celine.  Show, don't tell.  Richard Linklater is truly a master.

#before we go #brooke dalton #nick vaughan #retrouvailles #after we left #chris evans #alice eve #Providence #Waterfire