Seri struggled to keep up as Richard turned the corner and headed down the street. Why does he have to be so tall? A few blocks later Richard led him to a public park with lighted sidewalks and a small pavilion strung with glowing lights. 

“Richard, uh, what are we doing here?” Seri asked.

“You’ve just passed your very first test in giving up control. You let me, your handsome date, pick the location of our first outing! And I have chosen,” – he paused for effect – “this small park!” Richard gestured grandly.

“I, ah, guess I did.”

Seri couldn’t figure out if Richard was making fun of him or not. But to be out with someone for a stroll – he couldn’t remember how long it had been since he’d done that. Seri decided that he’d just go along with whatever this was. Richard had a point – Seri knew he could trust him.

Richard slung his arm over Seri’s shoulder, pulling him close. “But I must admit, I had a bit of an ulterior motive for bringing you here. I thought we could use the extra privacy.” Privacy? Seri’s mind whirled. What exactly have I agreed to?

Richard grabbed both of Seri’s shoulders and gently pulled him so they were face to face. “I think we could have some fun together,” he said again. “But! It’s always a good idea to set the rules first, don’t you think?”

Seri glanced at Richard’s dark hair spilling unrestrained over his shoulders. Focus! “Right. Uh, rules. What are the rules?”

“Excellent question! We’ll go on dates together, you and I. During those dates, you’ll give me control. That way, little by little, you can get used to letting other people make decisions. Sound fair?”

Seri laughed weakly. “You’re not going to make me jump off a bridge or anything are you?”

Richard chuckled. “Of course not. But you do bring up an excellent point. Listen closely now: ‘Banana.’”

Seri blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“’Banana’ is the safe word. That’s the word you say if you ever want to end a date early. Say that word, and I stop completely. But! That’s the only word I’ll listen to. Understand? You can say ‘no’ all night long, and that won’t stop me in the slightest. Only ‘Banana.’ Unless you say that word, I’ll have complete control. Do you agree?”

“Why not just use the word ‘no’? What’s wrong with that?”

Richard grinned. “Well, sometimes it’s fun to say words you don’t really mean. Have your lips ever said something different than what your heart felt? This way, you can say whatever you want to say, but unless your lips say ‘Banana,’ I’ll know that your heart is saying yes.”

Seri swallowed. Am I just pent up, or is this conversation taking a turn?

Richard was still holding him by the shoulders, patiently waiting for a response.

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yes, I’ll go on dates with you. I’ll let you make all the decisions. And I’ll use the word ‘Banana’ if I want to take control back.” A not-entirely-unpleasant shiver went up Seri’s spine. This was sounding so formal. He extended his hand to shake.

“Excellent!” Richard’s eyes gleamed as he took Seri’s hand in his and shook.

“Now what?”

Without letting go of Seri’s hand, Richard brought his other hand up to cup Seri’s cheek.

“Now I’d better get to know my charming date a little more, don’t you think? How can I ‘wow’ you on our next date unless I know your favorite food, your favorite color, your top five favorite novels, and the names of all your childhood pets?”

Seri glanced down at Richard’s hand, which remained tightly clasping his own, then he glanced back up and met Richard’s eyes. Was I really about to go diving into the first club I found just to get a little human contact? Or, better question, am I really on a date with my secretary? A very strange date, to be sure, but Seri decided that it didn’t matter. The night was cold, but it was warm pulled up tight against Richard.

“Um, well, I like anything with tofu, I guess?”

“Wonderful! Not to worry, I’m keeping a mental note of every word you say!”