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Immediately after watching
a 180-minute film
across the street,
Mr. and Mrs. CarPeo
We agreed our dinner
was utterly delicious
but we hardly had
more to say
about it
All we really talked about
was what we had
just witnessed
across the street
on 4th Street
Our conversation
was so vivid
that people dining
at adjacent tables
listened in
and offered to
buy us drinks
Imagine sitting through
a three-hour movie
and not being bored
for more than
three seconds
Though deserving of
the maximum 5-stars
YELP allows,
Kelsey
—our server at Lola's—
was asked a question
when I pointed
my finger
directly across the street
What do you think
that marquee is referring to?
"TAR,"
she quickly responded,
"is the La Brea Tarpits."
I could have told her
she was wrong
and reduced
her tip by 50%
but I did not do so
"It's a movie about
the first female conductor
ever to lead the orchestra
at the Berlin Philharmonic,
one of the world's
most prestigious sites
for classical music
performances.
The woman's name is
Lydia Tar.
"Her attitude is such
that it is impossible
not to hate her
but you can't take
your eyes off her
and
(at least ten times)
she says things
that you want to quote.
"All the hatred
you'll have for her
will do battle with
awe and admiration
for courage
in her DNA."
"I'd love to see the movie."
"Are you working tomorrow?"
"No."
"Good. It's the last day
TAR is screening
across the street.
I will get
two tickets for you
and a friend.
The manager is
a friend of ours
and he will admit you
to whichever screening
you want to attend."
"Thank you.
I'd like to see it
with my mother.
She's been playing violin
for one hundred years,
more or less."
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© PAUL OLIVERIO ©
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