After two hours of talking and random conversations, I was beat. The line at the end of the hall had dissipated and there was time for one more sample before the night continued. I was curious enough that I thought I would take a shot at this mysterious sample everyone seemed to talk about. The twenty minutes we had chatted had been the most interesting and enjoyable time I had all night. I really wanted to know more about this sample. When I had revealed to him that I had figured out he was blind, and he hadn't responded. I felt like I had just ruined the wonderful conversation we had. So when the final announcement had played, I said my goodbye and without another response I suppose I had my answer to getting to know him better. I shocked myself with the feelings I had walking out of this room. The conversation we had was invigorating and interesting. I thought he had laid the clues out seamlessly for me to find. That was the point wasn't it? Each sample designed their room to impress but were encouraged to use their favorite foods or drinks so that the tasters could better get to know them. Antonio had said that was one of the great things about the club. They got express themselves without the person seeing you first. You could lay out who you were in front of them before they decided you were just a pretty face. It's why Antonio had decided to be a Sample and not a Taster. He wanted to show people who he was before they saw him, because most of the men that asked him out really only liked him for his face and body, and let's be honest, Antonio is stunning. 

Every one of the Samples I had talked to this evening had made some kind of comment or remark on my appearance. Most seemed to venture away from the scars on my face and talk about my style, but everyone had said something. The last Sample had not said a word, and I thought maybe he was looking past everything and actually wanting to get to know me, but as the conversation continued, I put the pieces together. The black room and decor, the plain black coffee, the questions about the senses, he wanted the Tasters to “see” through his eyes. He carefully picked the questions and also showing you what he “saw” in the decor of the room, so when he never mentioned my style of appearance, I made the educated guess. That was the secret all the other people wanted to know about, right? Did he not want people to know that he was blind? Was it embarrassing for him? Of all the people here, I would understand feeling like an outsider. Everyone was beautifully shaped and manicured, as was I, but they seemed to have no flaws, outwardly, as I did. So what did I do something wrong by saying that? Maybe he wasn't blind and I offended him? No. That cant be right.

I pulled out my phone to text Antonio:

Me: Hey. How’d it go? Looked like you were busy the whole time! I didn't even get to pop in to say hello Mr. popular.

Antonio: O.M.G! I met so many interesting and weird people. And Holy COW! I'm second for requests! Honey how the hell am I gonna choose just one.

Me: Wow! Thats awesome. Im happy for you! Just have fun with it. Im not gonna be requesting anyone so Ill probably go home. Be Safe!

Antonio: But what if someone requests you?!

Me: HA! I doubt that. I think everyone was either scared of me or put off by my conversation.

Antonio: Oh that cant be true. Youre just….. Perceptive, BUT interesting.

Me: There was only one interesting Sample anyways, but I think I offended him anyways so its not worth it. Maybe next time huh?

Antonio: Really?! There will be a next time?!?! YAY GURL!

Me: haha yeah… well have fun tonight.

Antonio: Oh baby you know I will.

Me: God youre obnoxious

Antonio: You love me

Me: Unfortunately

Antonio: Ouch… Youve stabbed me with a rusty spoon! Bitch!

Me: haha i love you. Ill see you at home.

Antonio: Alright. Love ya gurl! TATA!

Well at least Antonio seemed to be having a grand time. I'm glad he seemed so upbeat about this. It would have been a shame to waste all his energy and excitement about this evening on a bad experience. I hope he finds someone nice. Someone who can love all his little quirks. He’s obnoxious on the outside, but is quite and introvert at heart.

I made my way to the lounge with the rest of the Taster. As we entered the same waiting lounge as before, the perky barbie birdie handed us more paperwork. Shouldn't there an easier way to do this? Like an app or something? Whatever it's not my business. I looked down the questionnaire and sighed. Of course they would turn it into a survey. This was more troublesome than I thought it would be. Also, discouraging. I didn't have a bad time, but my last encounter still had be me worried for some reason. Why was my heart aching a little? I never liked to hurt peoples feelings, but I also didn't have the opportunity to see him again unless I made a request, which would probably be denied. GAH! Ill just forget about it today and maybe when we came back a second time I would try to talk to him again, just to apologize. That was a decent plan. Okay. Now to fill this out I'm sure the barbie birdie wouldn't let me escape without filling this out. I stared down at the page and began filling it out.

Using a scale from 1 to 5, five being the best and one being the worst, rate the experience you have had during our Sampling.

1: Were the Samples you visited intriguing? Meh… I guess Ill put three. It would go either way.

2: Were the Sample choices varied enough for personal interest? I guess so. They seemed diverse enough. Ok three, yeah I’m that survey taker.

3: Do you wish there was more diversity in samples? No? Yes? Is this scale even right for this question? Who came up with these? Ill just put a three.

4: Did you feel connected to any sample? Yes, I did. Something clicked in me with him but not the other way around so… Three.

Thank you for participating in this short survey. Below are spaces for requests. You may request as many samples as you want. Please place your requests in order of most desired to least. If one is not available or not interested, a request will be made to your second choice and so and so forth.

Wow. This is really elementary. They should really consider making an app or a computer system for this club, seriously. I suppose it is still new, but its generated enough hype and business that they should be able to afford something as simple as a computer system for this right? Whatever, again, not my business.

I stood walked over the barbie and handed her my paper. She looked at me in her fake sweetness and stated,

"Oh! I see you don't have any requests. Would you like to wait and see if you are requested? If not there is also a dinner for all the un-requested Tasters."

"No. Thank you. And besides a dinner for 'All the un-requested Tasters' sounds like a pity party to me. Id prefer to be on my own."

"Well that exit is there if you aren't willing to wait."

"Yes, Thank you."

Wow! Barbie Birdie got some claws out. She obviously didn't think I had a chance either. Oh well, I cant say I'm too heart broken over an unsuccessful night. I could always use the extra sleep. I had to work tomorrow afternoon anyways. I walked out the door and followed the signs to receptions were I picked up my coat and bag. I nodded to the receptionist and made my way out the overdone hall. As I stepped into the night air, i breathed a sign of relief I didn't know I needed. I told myself I wasn't expecting anything from this evening, but I was certainly disappointed to be going home, alone.