Part One Here, mostly an introduction and backstory (tl;dr I file my divorce papers and three days later manage to secure my first number in somewhat spectacular fashion)

This is Part Two of the years-ago story of how I rescued myself from my divorce, was reminded of the enduring principles of TRP by breaking my favorite plate, but had a blast doing it. Strap in.

This is partially for entertainment, but I'll do little tl;drs in each major section to keep it TRP. Note I am half a decade out of The Game at the time of the story (and less than a week off filing my divorce papers), so this is a lesson in both success and failure.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS

  1. How to make the date experience fun
  2. The importance and mechanics of constant escalation
  3. How to use social settings to boost your perceived SMV and build attraction with your date

Cast of Characters From Part One:

  • JC - my Colombian brother from another. ♫Imagine if we never met the broskis♫
  • Vanessa - That One Girl...also Colombian. You missed out on seeing what she looks like, come back for part three

6:30AM - The Aftermath

I wake up on a deck chair. I realize I'm on JC's rooftop pool. Fuck, it's breezy up here! Wait...it's cold because I'm not wearing my blazer. I realize the girl passed out next to me is wearing it. She's an ex-pro soccer player with practically no bodyfat, can't blame her for that theft. JC and the girl he pulled are passed out a few chairs over. But that's for another FR...

1:00PM - At The Outdoor Bar

We're out nursing our hangovers with the classic cure - the hair of the dog and some sunshine. Before I left, Vanessa was teasing that she would come pick me up, so I figure the best way to ask her out is to text her "I'm at [outside bar]. When are you picking me up?" We banter a bit after she denies saying it - I quickly realize we're texting too much.

So I do the unthinkable...and call her. We chat logistics quickly. Rooftop bar, 9pm-ish. Click.

What Have I Done Right So Far?

  1. Abundance - Stuck with my original mission and didn't drop everything for Vanessa
  2. Outcome Independence - Pulled the night before, so why wouldn't I be able to do it again if she didn't respond? This attitude comes through in your communication.
  3. Text for logistics - didn't let that drag on and shot my shot right away. Girls will literally thank you for calling them, it's that rare now.

8:30PM - The Rooftop Bar

JC suggested your stereotypical bougie hotel rooftop. I knew there'd be a wait so I came an hour early.

Pro Tip: ISOLATE. You're not going to do as well (with a date) floating in a 3-deep barside crowd as you will at a small table, especially at a nice place.

I flirted with the hostess(es) and said I wanted a particular 2-3 spots once one freed up. I got the spot I wanted - it helps to look like you know what you're doing on the first date, it's a form of preselection. She arrives and sees me right away - it's on.

We're still strangers at this point, so I start with the basics. Turns out she specializes in behavioral therapy with autistic kids! I say, "Wow Vanessa, that's perfect! You'll know how to manage me perfectly!" Keep it funny and interesting. A few $18 drinks later, it's going well....so it's time to move the venue.

  1. Establish yourself at the venue if you can - gelling with the staff and being "in the scene" is freebie social proof
  2. Move the venue regularly to keep the excitement going

11:00PM - Food Interlude

If you want to go out until 4am, you have to pad your stomach. The best way to fuck up a good night (date or no date) is getting too drunk. We walked to a casual joint nearby the club I wanted to take us to next - I told her to sit on my side of the booth. This made for easy escalation; I've got the cover of the table to feel up her legs, squeeze her ass, all the works while we wait for the food. Always Be Escalating.

I hit up JC via text - the squad is already at the club and has a table. It's time to move venues again.

12:00PM - The Club

Some fun facts: there are two ways not to pay cover as a dude. First, bring a 3:1 ratio of 7/10+ girls and be upfront with the doorman. Second, have a table. Lucky #2 for me here, so we get waved in.

We're in a mixed group, all polyglot Spanish speakers. I intro Vanessa to the group, pour two drinks from our table bottle...and turn all my attention to the dance floor and the rest of the group. This accomplishes two things: vet how Vanessa hangs in the group, get some push/pull and more social proof going, and withdraw attention for a bit.

I dance with one of the girls in the group while Vanessa jabbers with the others. Make "friends" on the dance floor, work the room, the works. After a solid hour of this, I grab Vanessa and pull her onto the dance floor. From here on out there's not much talking - dance floor makeouts, grinding, and brief breaks to the table are about it. I've got all my attention on Vanessa and we're vibing.

  1. If you like to party, make sure the girl gets along with your friends. If she doesn't, you are probably blind to some red flag
  2. For those that partake in the club, use the room to your advantage. You're a fun guy who works the room - make that visible to your accompaniment
  3. Absence makes the heart grow fonder - vibrant social settings are great to pull away a little. When you come back to her, get touchy and sexual because that keeps the emotional rollercoaster going.

2:30AM - Logistics Hit the Wall

I can tell Vanessa is getting tired and the club is showing no signs of cooling down. I'm having a blast but realize I need to address this issue. I pull her aside and get ready to talk logistics - how'd she get here, where does she live, and (to myself) how am I getting myself there?

Turns out the respective answers are "she drove" and "far as fuck away". Uh oh. I'm now in a bind because I hadn't thought about my closing mechanics AT ALL. I'm staying with JC who is nowhere near ready to leave.

Getting a hotel room feels desperate, I hamster to myself. Plus she'd have to move her car there! I start inventing a million reasons it's not happening tonight. This attitude creates a self fulfilling prophecy.

I walk Vanessa to her car around the block from the club. We make out heavy, my mind is racing. I call shotgun. She calls my bluff. Fuck, hail mary comes up incomplete.

I tell her I want to see her next weekend - she obliges. I tell her "we'll start at [hotel closer to where she lives], show me the best Colombian food. Saturday night is AirBNB on the beach." She gives a sly smile and tells me that she loves the plan. Partial victory, but no close. C'est la vie....but I'm feeling good about next weekend!


What Did I Do Wrong?

  1. No plan to close - I didn't find out until crunch time where she lived, and wasn't staying by myself. That's a lot to improv when facing LMR.
  2. Male hamster - I sealed by own fate by bitching out and not trying to close then and there. If she's down to be in a hotel with me all next weekend, she would've done the same right there.
  3. Failure to lead - I waited until she was visibly getting tired to make a move. Partially fits into "failure to plan" but I partially entered her frame when I walked her to the car.

ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF HOW TO BREAK A PLATE IN THREE MONTHS

  • The weekend at the hotel and the beach goes spectacularly

  • I start to gradually overinvest in Vanessa and develop oneitis

  • It all comes crashing down when I take her to my buddy's wedding, but the mistake is a teaching opportunity so you, dear reader, don't do the same!