I have two characters - an older male who is a chauvinist, and a young woman. They meet coincidentally, and for various reasons end up walking together from the place they met to a train station. They have an awkward conversation on the way during which he learns some things about her, but at this point he doesn’t really care. As they get to know each other, they will form a friendship and he will learn to be less chauvinistic. He becomes a kind of father figure to her, and helps her to realise the value of the potential relationship with her estranged father (whom she has the option of meeting, but initially refuses to). The problem I have is how to go from the awkward walk to the station to them meeting again. They don’t care enough about each other’s situations to exchange contact details and arrange to meet. That leaves two possibilities: either the same interaction continues and during this period they become more invested in each other’s issues and agree to stay in touch, or they meet again coincidentally at a later date. The first option feels unrealistic. If the don’t care that much about each other yet, why would they continue talking? Also, they are leaving somewhere (a hospital) and each travelling elsewhere. I suppose they could coincidentally be travelling the same way, but this would feel forced, The second option, the chance meeting, feels a bit too convenient. I’m just kind of musing aloud (atype?) about this, but any thoughts would be really appreciated. It’s good to bonce ideas around
I’ve just had a thought. They wouldn’t choose to be together at this time, but something might force them to. They’re on their way to an underground station. Getting on the same train wouldn’t be too big of a coincidence. If the train breaks down inside the tunnel, they could be trapped together for a while. They would have no choice but to at least share the environment. And it’s reasonable that under these circumstances they might talk some more, get to know each other, and get to the point where they might choose to remain in contact. Any feedback on whether this sounds plausible would be appreciated.
Yeah, I've got a character nobody wants around but for (somewhat underdeveloped) Reasons, they're forced to. So totally plausible there. You could go with external forces from your plot forces them to keep in contact. By the sound of it, these two characters wouldn't be the types to be interested in hanging out with the other without something big happening to them. Maybe your technology somehow figured out they were a threat and decided to take action?
As I've been in similar situations (see your other thread) I would say that maybe she sees that he's a grumpy, miserable, sick old man. She feels sorry for him, and knows that his aggression and annoying habits come from a place of always having to be strong. These men have amazing stories, and love to tell them. Let them get stuck, let him tell her something that shows her another side. A side that she can't walk away from.
If they frequently take the same train (like to work or something) then repeat meetings would be inevitable. If they live in the same town the other gag would to have one of them work in a professional capacity that would facilitate meetings. Like if one of them is an accountant and gets hired by the other after they strike up a conversation or two. That sounds lame, I know. The super obvious one would be for her to become his caregiver if he's old and sick, which would draw in the obvious notes of him becoming a surrogate for her own father. That's probably the neatest, straightest line.
You’re right - they wouldn’t choose to spend time together. He’s a 50-year-old chauvinist, and she’s a 21-year-old young woman with braided hair, a nose ring and all those other things he hates about young women. She is brash, judgemental and suspicious. Through ultimately choosing each other I want them both to learn to be more accepting, respectful and understanding. Well remembered about the tech! But it doesn’t quite work like that. It only predicts probabilities of specific events, so would have to have been asked about these specific people carrying out some specific action. So any external interference which forces them together would have to be coincidental. I think the train breaking down is probably the easiest, since they’re getting on the train anyway. That’s possible. She could assume the best and keep pushing. But what I feel about him is that the more she pushes him, the more he will dislike her and push back. He’s not used to that kind of assertiveness from women. I suppose he could have a reaction to it which surprises even him, but I feel he’s too misanthropic for that. However, I like your idea of him opening up about something which allows her to see a different side of him. I suppose that’s what their relationship is actually about. They don’t move in the same circles, and he’s too sick to be working or socialising anyway. So I’m not sure frequent travel would work. But the carer idea is a brilliant one, which I hadn’t thought of. It’s important for these characters to choose each other. I don’t want her to be sent to care for him by an agency coincidentally, be forced to work for him, and then they grow to like each other. It’s a bit too coincidental, and doesn’t sit right with me. As I said, they have to choose. I think taking away the immediate choice (the train breakdown idea) still allows them to choose to communicate, choose to open up, and choose to stay in contact afterwards. As always, discussing this with you guys has been so helpful. Thanks everyone
@mashers I hear you, but in my experience, the most misanthropic people are the ones craving a connection the most. He's dying, maybe he's looking for someone to remember him? And not as that 'miserable old bastard'. Just a thought.
You’re absolutely right. I’ve just realised his backstory. He lost a child - a daughter. And she is estranged from her father. They both crave those relationships, but push people away. It’s sharing these parts of themselves that brings them together and helps them see through each other’s shell. She becomes his surrogate daughter, he becomes her surrogate father, and the help each other to heal. They’re still getting stuck on the train though
Sounds wonderful I'd love to read it when you get there. Please message or @tag me if you post anything or need a set of eyes Glad I could help.
Thank you I really appreciate your input! I might PM over some of the chauvinism stuff when I’ve had another look at it if that’s ok. I’d value your insight on that.
