Two After Noon is not about missed opportunities. It is not about unrequited love or losing out. Two After Noon is about first impressions. It is about two people that spend two hours together at two o’clock. What could happen? Realistically, what could happen? It seems like there are too many misleading movies and stories out there now. Of course they’re fun to watch, but they are so disconnected from truth and reality. How often do strangers “fall in love” so quickly and carelessly? Is the act of falling in love a necessary ingredient for romantic stories to be entertaining and engaging? I don’t believe it is.
Two After Noon revolves around the idea that two people can be thrown together, be attracted to one another, and connect on a meaningful level– but still not end up together. That may sound like a tragic notion at first, but that’s only if you interpret it as an ending. A common theme that fascinates me is that there are no real beginnings and endings; instead, everything is continuous and ongoing. There are so many things in our lives that are indefinite. Finding love and companionship certainly fit into that category. Sometimes you meet someone that seems, for a lack of better words, perfect. But then, for one reason or another, you don’t get to see that relationship all the way through. Instead, what that relationship could have been, is totally left in the dark. All you can hold onto is the indescribable feeling while it existed. But just because the relationship did not develop into something more, does that make it any less meaningful?
I can speak from personal experience that certain things have a way of coming around. Especially the things that you put away in your mind because you’ve attached an ending to them. I’m not saying to always dwell on misfortunes, but rather, to adapt to circumstances with a hopeful outlook.
As for Arthur and Erin, their story together may very well continue in the future but all we see is the two hour window of time they spent. Their impromptu date was a shared divergence from their plans but a glimpse of potential as well. When Arthur finally receives the phone call from his blind date, he’s thrown back on track while Erin is left by herself, again. Erin, while disappointed, is not too discouraged. It’s simply not in her nature. If there’s an “end message” to the short, then it’s to adopt the same positive, hopeful outlook that Erin keeps.
If you liked this short, you might also enjoy our “One Days: HK” series. The One Days is a collection of shorts inspired by the different people and places of Hong Kong. I guess you could say “Two After Noon” is our first attempt at creating an American version of The One Days. Enjoy!
