Back in December, I finished an outline for a new novel called Strangers When We Meet about a woman who meets the man of her dreams during a flash mob. The mob gathers in a city park (Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia) and kiss for 60 seconds before walking away, leaving astonished bystanders behind. My character spends the next two weeks attending flash mob after flash mob in an attempt to find her sexy kissmate again.
The idea that something so intimate, and yet so impersonal, could spark a love story appeals to me, but I wondered if it would be a hard sell for a reader. That is, until I watched the following video on Monday:
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However you want to look at the people in this video – they’re all pretty, they’re actors-slash-models, it’s a publicity stunt – the fact remains that they are strangers to one another. What transpires is a glimpse into our humanity and our need for connection.
Sure, it’s awkward. Watching it is awkward, so I can’t even imagine what it must have felt like to be one of those people, asked to “make out” with someone they didn’t know. In front of cameras, no less.
“Are you filming?” (Thankfully, yes.)
“Should we just start?”
All of them seem to want to establish a baseline connection; something that justifies (?) what’s about to happen.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“You have nice eyes.” (I love that line, by the way.)
Some of the kisses are innocent and sweet, so full of hesitation that the participants never really let their guard down. That’s perfectly fine. Perfectly human. Some of them, however, are so full of unexpected longing and – dare I say it – potential that I wouldn’t be surprised if the film crew felt like intruders. I know I did.
Human connection is something that we all strive for, though some people are reluctant to admit it. Loners. Anti-socials. Whatever. Valentine’s day is a BFD (big effin deal). eHarmony and Match.com don’t struggle for business. Romance novels outsell most (if not all) other genres.
I’ve been reading a lot of romance, lately. Learning from the masters, if you will. I’ve noticed a recurring theme starring the secretly lonely, misunderstood Alpha Man and/or Jilted Woman. If only s/he found the right woman/man/situation. If only s/he took a chance, s/he could find true love. Taking a chance is a terrifying prospect, especially if you’ve been hurt in the past. People tend to stick to what they know; who they know. So, to be asked to engage with a stranger? I don’t know if I could do it, but I love the idea that someone could and would.
Watching this video, stories begin to pop into my head. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I’ve seen a lot of my author friends comment on it. And I’ve no doubt that Strangers When We Meet will draw some inspiration from these little vignettes, I mean…c’mon. Some of these people are so clearly dazzled.
“What’s your name again?” *giggle*
I love it! But don’t mind me, I’m just rambling as I hit replay. In my romantic little heart, love connections were made that day. At the very least, watching this gives me a spark of hope that in this highly digital, impersonal age, nothing trumps a kiss.