Dinner with an Exemplar

 AUTHORS NOTE: 

        Written in 2019. A project where you had to write about a dinner you would have with a character (real or fake) and I choose Alice from Alice in Wonderland. I also had to quote the book.

Dinner with an Exemplar

I clicked the alarm off and pressed the input for music. I turn the volume up loud. I discard the old pajamas that I slept in and grab a towel from the rack on the wall by the bathroom. I reach for the handle inside the shower and pump it to hot. The toothbrush laying on my bathroom sink looked impatient so I brushed my teeth while the mirror fogged. Throwing the towel over the top of the glass shower door, I turn the heat down and step into the muggy warmth. I lip synced the song while shampoo was flying down the walls. I turned the water off and wrapped up in the towel. I rung out my hair and dried my legs. Floating around the room, I throw undergarments and shirts over my chest. For every shirt, I pause in front of the thin mirror. I finally find one suitable and pull out some matching jeans and flats. I go back into the bathroom for the toothbrush. Pretending that it was a microphone, I sang into it in tune with the song. Then, I put on my clothes, dried my hair, and put on a thin coat of makeup. I checked my agenda on my phone and tonight it said I have dinner plans with Alice Hargreaves, a very polite seven-year-old. She is a young girl from England who has lots of imagination (Wikipedia).

 We met one day at a dog park. Alice had run into the dog park chasing a small Yorkie. She asked for my help and we spent an hour chasing down the tiny mutt. When we finally caught him, we chatted for a minute or two and then went on with our days. I watched her walk back the way she came in and up the street until out of sight. We bumped into each other a few more times at coffee shops and grocery stores occasionally. We would talk and catch up when finally she suggested dinner sometime and I agreed. 

I grabbed my things and switched off the radio. I had a few errands to run for work and had to pick up some things for the rest of the week. I turned off the lights and locked the door behind me. The house was still bright with sunlight. As if in a lapse of time, the sun moved gradually from left to right. It turned from bright to dark while turning from yellow to orange, to purple. I unlocked the door and walked back into the house, flicking on the lights as I enter. My arms were full with grocery sacks and reusable shopping bags. I put them in order close to the closet by the bed. I glanced at my watch and noticed that I better hurry. I quickly discarded my casual outfit and put on a more dressy look. It was a burgundy cocktail dress with lace that coated the outside and the bare of my arms. My straightened hair was gently curled and a small jacket was filled out by my figure. I grabbed my bag and car keys and headed for the restaurant. 

I parked my car in the glow of the enchanting steakhouse. The front was lit up with tiny fairy lights and a fireplace. There was a warm smell drafting from the entrance. I had made a reservation in advance and thought that it might be a little too formal for dinner. Considering the situation, I waved away my nervousness. I told the hostess my name and she took me to the table. Alice wasn’t here yet but I was a little early anyway. I sat down and smoothed the napkin onto my lap and ordered a coffee. Not more than five minutes later, Alice arrived and we greeted each other. After she ordered a pink lemonade, I asked her how her dog was. She replied and said that the dog was doing well but also that she was sorry that she needed help. I told her that it was nothing to feel sorry about. She said that she had not been responsible for her dog. I told her that it was okay and people make mistakes. “Nonetheless, it's no use going back to yesterday because I was a different person then” (Carroll), she said as she smiled. Alice was wearing a light blue dress with a white cover over the front. She had on white tights and black flats. Her beautiful blonde hair was pulled back with a black headband. Alice had pure blue eyes that would suck you in if you were to just see them. We talked about smaller things in our life for a while and then I stated that she seemed very curious about everything. She responded by saying, “‘Curiouser and curiouser’ every day!” (Carroll). We laughed together and ordered our food as the waiter appeared in front of us. He nodded as he took his notepad back around to the kitchen. Alice said that she was grateful for my friendship with her. I told her that she was too sweet and that she is a great friend. She said something along the lines that told me she was a little confident, but not to where it needed to be. I responded by telling her that she has great virtues.

Alice has a great curiosity aroma around her (Cliff Notes). She has a thirst for understanding and is happy when it is achieved. She wonders all around the world looking to soak up all the information. Alice has a yearning for learning and eats it up like candy. “Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast” (Carroll). With this, she also has the power of intellectual courage. She is prepared to persist in thinking and communicating when she faces fear. She stays strong when she may be in danger. Alice can, most of the time, persuade the situation to turn out differently, and that is a skill that will keep her the safest human ever. Alice is also the most honest person I’ve ever met. She commits to the whole truth, even when she has to find it and acknowledge it. She is true to herself and believes in harmony. This is another factor of being strong. Honesty is power in the world of false hopes. “In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again” (Carroll). Finally, She is compassionate to others. She cares for other people and beings that need it. She has empathy and it is an intellectual skill that can open someone’s mind and emotional perspective. Alice seems more maternal when she is compassionate and that could comfort most people immediately. “One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others” (Carroll).  All of these virtues were part of the reason why she is my role model. 

Just like me, Alice is a curious little girl. I used to explore just like her. I would tell her all of my advice and knowledge. She listened to me with a smile and a nod. I kept explaining my life stories that were similar to hers. We connected over our conversations and the mood was heartfelt. We finished our dinners and the waiter came by to take our empty plates out of the way. We sat soaking in the warmth of everything. Dessert came and we ate in silence but it felt like we were still exchanging words by happy sounds. After we got the check, we exchanged hugs and I told her that this was the best dinner I’ve had in a long time. She agreed and we walked out of the restaurant together. I told her good night and watched her walk away. Then all of a sudden she disappeared into the moonlight. I smiled and walked to my car to drive home. The whole evening keeping me happy and warm for the rest of the night.  

Works Cited

“Alice (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Oct. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_(Alice's_Adventures_in_Wonderland).

“Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.” Alice as a Character, www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/a/alices-adventures-in-wonderland/critical-essays/alice-as-a-character.

“Lewis Carroll Sheds Light On How To Smile During The Adversities Of Life And Never Give Up.” Inspirational Quotes To Fire You Up With Motivation Even When Taking A Single Step Seems Difficult., quotes.thefamouspeople.com/lewis-carroll-6.php.