Filmmaker Hugo Keijzer tells the story of Leo, a gentleman on a date who is confronted with an unusual request. Then, he’s forced to choose between his firm belief in reality or the attraction of her fantasy.
Leo and Anna are on a date. As they finish dessert, he asks about her plans for the weekend. Her coffee machine is broken and he volunteers to go over and fix it.
Anna cuts to the chase. She says he can pretend to fix it and make a move on her. She adds she’ll refuse, but want him to continue. He’s confused.
Anna makes it clear — she wants him to force her into sleeping with him. Leo asks why he’d do that.
The waitress interrupts and asks if they’d like coffee.
Leo can’t believe what she’s asking him to do. But Anna doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with playing out a fantasy.
Suddenly, Leo asks if something happened to Anna as a child. She tells him as a little girl in Italy, she’d play a game, called “Man and Woman,” with her best friend. They’d take turns dragging each other around before, eventually, falling in love.
Leo asks if Anna worries about getting hurt. Without hesitation, she pulls out a contract. Leo takes a look and begins to pick it apart. She’s neglected to consider property damage and location liability. He suggests a public place would be better.
Then, he sees her safe word is “Eclair.” He asks what happens if she’s gagged, passed out or worse.
The waitress comes back and Leo brushes her off.
Anna wants Leo to follow her and push her into a dark alley, then shove her against a wall and cover her mouth with his hand. Leo is silent.
He says this it’s unfair. If the roles were reversed, he’d be accused of hurting women. Anna knows he’s making excuses and tells him to sign it and decide later. Then, she writes her address on the contract and gives him a kiss goodbye.
Leo sits and contemplates the proposal. Then, he signs the contract, before burning it.
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Have you read the original anthology that was the catalyst for The Good Men Project? Buy here: The Good Men Project: Real Stories from the Front Lines of Modern Manhood
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