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A. THE RED LION
Ah, the British public inn - is there anything greater? If there is I'd like to know what it is, by Jove! Spotted Dick, Toad in the Hole, Custard Tarts - it's a culinary delight! And think of the custom it would get: Madonna and Guy Richie, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, er, Simon Cowell?
V for Valentine?
Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal have long denied rumors of romance but these pictures capture tham captivating each other on a sunny afternoon in the West Village. Brokeback Mountain star Gyllenhaal waited for V for Vendetta actress Portman with a dozen tulips. He sat, fidgeted and frequently checked the time, but brightened up with a grin when he spotted his date. They hugged, kissed, then strolled along until arriving for an early dinner at The Spotted Pig on West 11th Street according to eye witnesses.
Inside the Michellin-starred gastro-pub Gyllenhaal must have surprised Portman with the bouquet. She left the restaurant smiling and holding them - an him.
"The guy looks like he's in love," said one witness to the wooing.
Well, you could do worse, Natalie.
Step 1: Smile as enthusiastically as possible at every moment to show you're really, really happy to be there. It shows you're a fun time kinda person, approachable or maybe on some pills. Either way, it's a winner - unless you have teeth like Shane MacGowan...then you might as well go home now.
Step 4: Joke time! You gotta make them laugh but with you not at you. An inoffensive anecdote will work well. You can recycle my 'Got arrested for stealing Speedos' story but you might want to scratch the Speedos part - I do.
Step 5: Going well? Of course it is! Now you can really test the water. Try a quick quip. Make it confident, maybe even slightly arrogant. Here I'm saying, "Can you see Uranus tonight? Can I?"
Step 6: Now you might want to try the 'Too Cool for School' vibe. No one likes the whiff of desperation so step back and act like you have somewhere else you have to be. Like the Jarhead premiere - actually, that line might not work for you.
Step 7: It's time to close the deal. I recommend the coy, 'Look, I don't usually do this but...would you like to come back to my house/hotel room/alley?". Badda bing!
Now students, use these tactics very wisely. I can't have thousands of folks running around, stealing my game all the time! Okay, you've cramped my style enough now, get outta here.