From the R.M. Dolin novel
The Dangling Conversation – SYNOPSIS
There’s nothing special about Kyle, he’s a quiet thoughtful guy who’s been battered by life but finds ways to be happy, at least that’s what he tells himself each night sitting alone on his park bench worrying about where his on-again/off-again relationship with Nadia is heading. Adding to his angst are government efforts to make him the fall guy for a software glitch rendering food and drugs approved in the last ten years suspect.
Isabelle’s everything Kyle’s not, she’s young, impulsive, emotionally driven, and scared; scared of her abusive Ex, of having to restart again, and most of all, scared of love. She constantly strains her relationship with Henry because of insecurities. Complicating matters is Sergio, who’s re-entered her life years after she walks away because he’s about to propose. When Isabelle invades Kyle’s quiet sanctuary it’s an awkward start; she can’t relate to his stories, and he’d prefer she found another bench. Isabelle’s persistence eventually leads to meaningful conversations about life, love, and the complexities of just getting by.
Kyle’s been forced into early retirement by false accusations and while certainly tragic, what chews up his bandwidth is Nadia, the woman he’s loved most of his life but never seems able to be with long term. Isabelle’s a divorcée skilled in the art of self-denial who easily shares what most keep private. Her openness gets Kyle talking about his first wife, Maggie; how they fell in love and were so happy until things went tragically wrong. He segues to his Nadia story but offers scant details, talking instead about happiness; what it means and how illusive it is. Isabelle remissness about her time in collage with Sergio, an aspiring chef who believes everybody has a Barcelona; a magical place they’re allowed to realize any dream, find lasting love. It’s obvious Isabelle’s never surrendered feelings for Sergio, feelings brought to the fore because of Henry who she’s recently met.
Kyle incrementally reveals deeper layers of his Nadia story, including the magical year they spend together before she abruptly leaves one night without warning or explanation. Not knowing why, is the painful part Kyle uses to help Isabelle understand she must be honest with Henry. He describes a journey he took from Barcelona to Milan and how, when caught in a fierce mountain storm, is forced to reconcile how the loss of his unborn son led to the demise of his Maggie marriage. When Isabelle accuses Henry of being a shit, because he’s too invested in his Ex, Kyle defends him by revealing more about his relationship with Nadia and framing love in mathematical terms using the analogy of Poets versus Novelists, which upsets Isabelle because she sees herself as a Novelist but wants to be a Poet.
On a deeply revealing night, Kyle attempts to tell his Olivia story but Isabelle hijacks the conversation to talk about the time she lures her Ex into a trap to blackmail him into leaving her alone. Eventually Kyle restarts his story; his wonderful marriage, his daughter’s spilt penny episode that became a precursor to Olivia’s withdrawal and slide into depression, the details of how she takes her life, and how he still profoundly loves her. He describes how it’s possible to be both in love with Nadia while still in love with Olivia.
As more layers are unwrapped, Kyle dangles his FDA story, how he’s being scapegoated and the likelihood he’ll be arrested. Isabelle talks about similar troubles her dad experienced and laments Henry not having her dad’s strength of character. Things blow up when Henry invites her to a wedding she’s certain his Ex will attend. Kyle relates her anger to his frustration with Nadia ignoring repeated invitations to visit.
Isabelle returns from attending her friend Margo’s funeral, upset that after Margo convinced her to break up with Sergio, she takes up with him. With Sergio now back in her orbit Isabelle better understands Kyle’s Nadia-story. Kyle talks about his high school buddy, Red, who could never catch a break before revealing more details about his troubles with the government. Isabelle contrasts what Henry would do in Kyle’s situation against what Sergio did in a similar spot. Her angst comes to a climax when Henry accepts a promotion out of town, which Isabelle declares is Karma’s payback for the way she walked out on Sergio years ago. Kyle suggests that if he and Isabelle were cast as characters in a novel, it would be called, ‘IS LOVE POSSIBLE?’ The problem though, is they’re both pathetic protagonists.
Kyle knows his arrest is imminent and warns Isabelle of potential impacts but she’s too distracted with Henry to worry and wonders if she’s subconsciously sabotaging things for possibilities with Sergio. He’s waited over a week for Nadia’s response to his heartfelt letter begging for clarity and with the Feds staking out his house, if he doesn’t get her reply today he likely never will. As fate’s final sonata, Isabelle makes her decision regarding Henry and Nadia’s letter finally arrives. Lacking the fortitude to open it, Kyle has Isabelle read the five-word anemic response. He doesn’t need to be told; her eyes betray what his heart refuses to see.
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