Central Park, Manhattan, New York 1938

[henry_jones_jr]

[April 15th, 1938 @ 9:37 pm EDT]

It's a mild Spring evening in New York City. 5th Avenue is still bustling with Friday traffic and pedestrians, but here in the park it's far more tranquil. The only sounds are the rustle of new leaves in the breeze, the gentle clip-clop of hooves on the pathway, and the sedate trundle of carriage wheels.

Comments

[lovesoldthings]

It's fantastic. Brilliant. Sally is seated next to Indy in the sort of carriage that she's seen in plenty of Hollywood movies. Here she is, dressed in a fashionable dress similar to what Katherine Hepburn wore in Bringing Up Baby, and still reeling from the dinner he treated her to.

Or perhaps her head is spinning from the wine she's consumed. "New York is wonderful," she finally chooses from all the comments still bustling merrily through her head.

[henry_jones_jr]

When Indiana Jones takes you on a date, he pulls out all the stops. He's kitted in a spiffy three-piece suit and tie, he's clean-shaven for a change, and he's even gone to the trouble of breaking out his less-battered dress fedora.

"Glad you like it," he replies, as smooth and as charming as ever.

The steak dinner at Gallagher's was lavish even by his standards, and the tickets he got them for What a Life turned out to be premium seats. Finishing the night with a carriage ride is just his way of icing the cake.

He lazes back and drops his arm around her shoulders.

[lovesoldthings]

Sally would like to think this is overkill. The steaks were absolutely perfect, as was the glass and a half of wine she had. She's wondering if the potency levels are different in Indy's time. Or maybe it just feels stronger because of where she is, and who she's with.

"I did. This is--" she pauses as his arm makes a casual appearance, and tries very hard not to grin. "I'm a huge fan of movies set in this time, and I can't believe we just saw a real Broadway show."

As Indy can see, she's speechless.

[henry_jones_jr]

Indeed. Her enthusiastic babbling brings a grin to his lips. He's drunk far more than her, but there are no palpable differences in his behavior or demeanor so far.

"Wouldn't have been a New York date without one," he comments. "Not in this era, at any rate."

The carriage rolls on under the incandescent glow of the street lamps.

"Sorry it was so long before I got the time to bring you. Worth the wait though?"

[lovesoldthings]

"But Indy, a Broadway show. I know how much those tickets cost in my time." No, she does not occasionally Google said tickets from her home computer just in case she wins a partial lottery and has the money to fly to New York and see one.

In other words, Indy just made her year.

"Very much so. That memory is going to stay with me for a long, long time."

She may, after a slight hesitation, rest her head against the crook of his shoulder - lightly! So as not to spoil the elegant twist her hair is currently in.

[henry_jones_jr]

Indy shrugs at her first response. He can afford it. She may have or may not have picked that up from the luxurious upstate home they entered into when they went through his door, or from the deluxe car they drove down to Manhattan in. Indiana Jones is a very wealthy man. He just doesn't flaunt it very often.

He smiles approvingly at her second remarks, and pulls her in slightly.

"Good."

"Are you warm enough?"

[lovesoldthings]

Sally is a practical woman, most of the time, so tallying up the cost of things is almost second nature by now. It always helps to know what you can, or cannot, afford. But now is not the right moment to be worrying about monetary things, especially curled up at his side.

"Perfectly warm, thank you."

She is still too busy gawking (and trying not to look like she's doing so) at the passersby. And the vehicles. And the clothing. And a running commentary about the play they just saw.

[henry_jones_jr]

Indy is content to simply watch and listen, smiling all the while. In time her chatter tails off, and Indy's ears rejoice they sit together in comfortable silence for a while, each enjoying the picturesque scenery offered by this stretch of the route.

[lovesoldthings]

Sally is rather captivated by the night sky, or, at least, those pieces of it she can glimpse through the somewhat heavy tree cover as they progress through the park. She can't quite imagine the area, so obviously a place of refuge for animals and birds of all sorts, as it should look in her era. In fact, it rather seems like a crime to try.

"I'm beginning to feel like a fairy tale princess."

[henry_jones_jr]

Her confession brings another smile to Indy's face.

"You certainly look the part," he responds.

"Would that make me your Prince Charming? Or does it just mean that you're about to burst into song with all the local wildlife."

Disney's Snow White hit the big screen a year ago in Indy's time. He and Marion had gone to see it together, so he does have some awareness of the latter phenomenon.

[lovesoldthings]

Sally is now very much afraid that her cheeks might rival the red lipstick she chose for the occasion. Not that this particular shade is as bright as any of the women attending dinner or the play, but it suits her muted personality.

"I... thank you," manages the photographer, possibly sinking an inch down in her seat. "I think you need an evil step-mother to get into the Princess Academy though."

Pause.

"But you are as handsome as any prince on screen."

[henry_jones_jr]

"Aw shucks."

Indy certainly isn't going to argue with an evaluation like that. Quite the opposite in fact—he's gonna pounce on it and milk it for all its worth. Wearing a typically lazy smirk, his head takes on a leisurely tilt.

"The real question is," he drawls, "do I act like one?"

[lovesoldthings]

'Awe shucks' is a phrase that she's only heard in old movies, and around Indy. Sally permits herself a mental squee before sitting up in order to eye him in a properly somber manner.

At least before a low giggle escapes. "A prince of artifact collecting, yes. I can't quite picture you in twelfth century tunic and leggings, though."

[henry_jones_jr]

That wasn't the answer Indy was really looking for.

"Um. I was referring to my conduct over the course of this date."

[lovesoldthings]

And Sally is entirely aware of that, but she can't resist teasing Indy. His laid back personality is such a striking difference from the reserved men she grew up around in London. On this particular outing, however, he has been,

"Exemplary, Mister Jones. You have been an ideal date."

[henry_jones_jr]

"Oh good."

His smirk gets more pronounced.

"In that case, perhaps your Majesty will be able to overlook my pending indiscretion."