Game of Love (2023) Movie Script

1
"Match."
"Like a good 'Chess' match.
Your turn. FreeHugz."
"Hooked."
Ooh!
Hm!
Sounds athletic.
Are you serious?
You've had that card up
your sleeve the entire time.
Well, I saved the best for last.
Ah, well then save my pride.
Okay, we're doing another round.
Oh, no, absolutely not.
I believe you have
someplace to be.
Oh, yeah, Evie, about that.
Audrey, no, you don't,
he's expecting you,
now you can't just
go into one of your-
Okay, Evie, I appreciate
the gesture, I do, it's just-
I've made promises.
To whom?
To Phyllis from yoga.
Phyllis from yoga?
Look, it's her son
and he is very cute.
I know, but blind dates
are, they're horrifying, okay,
they're terrifying and I get
very nervous and awkward,
when I don't know exactly
what I'm walking into.
Audrey, Phyllis
is counting on this
and I don't wanna have
to change my yoga.
Okay, fine, so you don't
have to change your yoga class.
I'm gonna, you know
what, I'm gonna do this,
so you don't have to, yeah.
I'm speaking to you as a
friend, but please tell me,
that you are gonna go
home and change first.
Is that better?
You've made it worse.
I know you love me.
I'll see you here next week.
Off you go, have fun.
Well, I'm not
making any promises.
Bye.
Oh.
Oh, ah, Alan?
Ah, yeah.
Yeah.
Audrey.
Hey.
I'm late obviously, but
why dwell on the past, right?
I'm here now, so and wow, wow!
This is nice.
Yeah, I'm guessing
you didn't know.
No, no, but in my defense,
I didn't look you up either
and that's nice.
We should probably grab
our seats.
Yeah, let's grab our seats.
Sorry to interrupt, miss,
but we have a dress
code here at Chameleon,
no denim, no sneakers.
Oh, get outta here, that's.
I'm gonna have to
ask you to leave.
Really, really?
Yes.
Wow.
Ah.
Thanks, I'm sorry.
Oh.
Ah.
So you didn't look up my face?
You clearly didn't
look up the restaurant
and just flew in there blind?
I don't really believe
in putting on a front.
Right and for you, that's?
Not conforming to
society's expectations.
Wow, she's calling
me a conformist.
Oh, ah,
no, ah...
I gotta meet somebody.
"Got that right."
Oh, oh, oh, hold that!
Thank you.
Hey, Audrey, we haven't
met yet, I'm Patty,
I just started in the
graphics department.
Hi, Patty, I hope you're
having a good time so far.
Working here is a dream
and I guess I have
you to thank for it.
Oh, yeah?
It was one of your
games that inspired me
to wanna work here,
"Ocean Adventure."
Oh, that one left
an impression, huh?
I, I know you're busy,
but I would love to hear
how you got that idea
and got your start.
Oh, it's not that
interesting, I promise.
But welcome to the company.
Don't feel bad, I've
been here three years
and I've never seen her
take anyone under her wing,
she's not much of a team player.
Everyone get settled,
I have an exciting
announcement to make.
As your CEO, I am
proud of our growth
in the quest and
adventure game market,
but for our next game,
I want us to boldly go where
we've never gone before.
We are going to create
a game about love.
Love?
Mm-hm, it's
called "Love Life."
Why would we make
a game about love?
Well, in times like these,
people are looking to rediscover
that spark of connection,
I mean, to explore the most
elemental of all human emotions,
ah, it's so exhilarating!
The chairman of the Board
of Directors suggested it,
but I thought the
idea was crackerjack.
I can't wait to work on it.
Audrey, I want you
to drop everything
and design "Love Life."
Me?
You want me to design
a, no, no.
I'm not a, I'm not
a, no, are you sure?
With all due respect,
designing a game about love
is the direction you wanna go?
Sales potential
is very promising.
Everyone, this is
Matthew Reynolds.
He's a marketing consultant
we have brought on
to handle the
rollout of the game,
highly recommended by the Board.
Thanks, Susie and
thank you, everyone
and I'm thrilled to be here
and help expand the company
into an untapped market.
I'd really like
us to make a splash
by delivering
"Love Life" in time
to be considered for
the Tabletop Awards.
The Tabletop awards
are only four weeks away,
I mean, that's half the
time that we normally have.
But it's been several years
since we've won the award
for Best Game, so the Board
has made this a priority.
I know you are all
up to the task.
I...
They are.
Listen, I have the
marketing strategy all down.
The only thing left to do now
is for you guys to
just make the game.
Oh, yeah.
We just need to make the game.
I'm sorry, have you ever
designed a game before?
Oh, no, no, no, I've, no,
never designed a game before,
but that is what you and
your team are here for.
Yay, teamwork.
Hey, Audrey.
Yeah.
Listen, I think we
may have gotten off
on the wrong foot here.
We've been assigned
to work together
and although we're in
different departments,
I think this could be
a really good thing.
Yeah.
About that, um...
Why don't we
brainstorm over coffee?
How about a board game
with a countdown timer?
That could be fun.
How about?
Undo, yeah, yeah.
How about a board game
with a countdown timer-
No, I already ran that scenario
and if you were thinking
meeples, it's far too fiddly
and definitely no on
orthogonal movements,
because I mean, nobody
wants like a point salad.
Okay, then are you gonna
clue me into your ideas?
Because I mean, you're
just throwing made up words
at me right now.
No, no, no, no,
they're not made.
Of course they are.
They are official
gameplay design terms.
- They're official?
- Yeah.
Okay, listen, has it
ever occurred to you,
that I could actually help?
I mean, I do have
all the data points,
that the markets
are leading into.
Okay, you can't design
a game off of marketing.
What you're gonna get is
something just, you know-
- Good?
- Soul sucking.
Or you'll get something
that's specifically tailored
to an audience that
I'm sure they'll love.
Yeah, good, great,
great, great, great.
You come up with your idea and
then I'll just be over here-
- Not liking mine.
- Kind of coming up
with my own.
So I guess competitiveness
is your brand then?
I'm not competitive
and I don't have a brand.
Everybody has a brand,
mine is savvy professional,
yours is stubborn,
indie creative.
Oh, okay, first of
all, I'm not stubborn.
And second of all, I
don't have a brand.
This, this, this is,
this is personality.
In today's world, they
are one and the same.
Okay, are we
gonna do this thing?
Okay, you present your idea
and then I'll present mine
and we'll just see
who the Board picks.
Fine by me.
Great.
I guess you like to get
the last word in too, huh?
I do.
Okay, love, love,
love, love, love, love,
love is codependency,
sacrificing one's sense
of self, that's for sure,
jealousy, distortion of
reality, loss of control,
oh, which is definitely
not what anybody wants
to do in this game.
Love, love, love,
love is unplanned.
Love, love, love, love,
love, love, love, love,
love, love, love, love,
love, love, love, love.
Why not rehearse for
love? Love is chance.
Love is puppies!
Kittens!
Sunset walks.
No, that does not work at all.
It could definitely be...
Love releases the same
endorphins as eating chocolate.
What are you doing in
here all by yourself?
There you are.
I got this.
Oh yeah, I've got this.
I got this.
You can toss yours into
the shredder right now,
'cause I nailed this.
Enjoy the confidence while
you can, not gonna last.
Hey, guys, we're ready for you.
After you.
Great.
That didn't go well.
Crickets.
Excuse me, guys, hi.
Your presentation, thank
you, it was interesting.
Let me ask you,
have either of you
ever actually been in love?
Don't answer that.
If you're gonna design
a game about love,
we wanna, we wanna
see it, right?
- Oh.
- We wanna draw from it,
we wanna feel it, at
the end of the game,
we wanna feel like
we are in love.
Yeah.
- Right?
- Hm, hm.
It's not some marketing gimmick
and it's certainly not
some heady mind play.
Look, I got an idea for you.
I'd like to encourage
you to take a deeper dive
into the love connection.
- Oh, for me?
- The love connection?
You should call this
guy, Robbie Indigo.
He's here all week.
You know, before Robbie Indigo,
I, I'd never actually
been in love.
I know you're probably
thinking that's impossible,
but I'm here to tell you,
that it is possible.
Wow.
Robbie has a
seminar this afternoon
and I think you should go.
- Got a thing.
- Ah!
Ah!
You should go.
Go.
It's not a suggestion.
I cannot believe
that I'm in this position.
Don't be so dramatic,
you're only down seven points.
I'm supposed to be
working on my dream project,
instead I'm designing
a game about love.
The universe has a
beautiful sense of irony.
Yeah, get this, I have
to go to a dating seminar
with Matthew for it.
Well, don't knock it, Auds,
you could certainly
use the help.
How could I use help?
Come on, well, maybe
to learn to not sabotage
every relationship
before it even starts.
Yeah, I just call
it like I see it.
And how's that,
how do you see it?
There was Charlie,
the photographer.
Too clingy.
One date, Audrey.
Then there was
Jesse, the musician.
Too needy.
And how about Austin, the
writer? The guy was cute.
Yeah, too cute.
Okay, well, what's
the common thread here?
They're all really
into micro breweries.
No, Auds,
it's you.
So just go into the
seminar with an open mind.
You never know what
surprises await.
Like this.
Okay, have I ever told
you that I hate surprises?
Yes.
All right, here we go.
A dating seminar doesn't
sound so bad to me.
You haven't met Audrey.
Maybe you'll learn a thing
or two and up your dating game.
Better chance of that
than your Bball game.
I, well, whatever the case,
I need "Love Life"
to be a success,
Play It Cool is my
first big client
since striking out on my own.
It'll work out.
Maybe you'll finally work
through your baggage.
Wait, my baggage?
Ah-huh.
Oh, so now, now my
brother's a dating expert?
I know you got knocked
down in the past,
but don't you think it's
time to get back on the bike?
I am on the bike.
I date, I had a date last week.
And how'd it go?
I mean, as you know.
Yeah, ah-huh.
I just want you to
be as happy as me.
I doubt it.
Okay, 99% as happy.
I doubt that.
Ah ah ah
Ah ah
Wow.
Mm-hm.
An actual real life love guru.
Yeah, well, I have my doubts.
Hm, doubts that your
love life can't be fixed?
My love life doesn't
need to be fixed.
A little tune up then?
Have you
ever heard the expression,
people who live in glass
houses shouldn't throw stones?
Stones can't break this house.
Okay, well, I guess
we're about to see.
Okay, let's just
stick to the research.
Agreed.
It's no surprise how
frustrating dating can be.
Dating apps can
seem like quicksand,
it's enough to make us wonder
will we ever find love?
Now, how many of you are here
looking for that
lasting connection?
See, look around,
you're not alone
and I'm here to show you,
that it is possible.
Wow, there it is.
With the Five Indigo
Love Connectors.
But first, I'm gonna need
a couple of volunteers.
You two.
Come on, there's no reason
to be shy, get on up here.
- Go.
- Us?
- Yeah.
- What?
- Get on up there.
- No, no, no, no, no.
Did you put your hand up?
Let's give them a
round of applause.
Come on up here.
No.
So Audrey and Matthew,
I couldn't help but notice
you didn't raise your hands,
when I asked if you
were here for love.
- We're not.
- Yeah, we're, we're...
- We're, we're-
- We're working together
and we're not the
kind of people,
that need to pay
for dating advice.
Not that there's
anything wrong with, ah.
- All of you.
- Seeking out a dating expert.
Backtracking, interesting.
So, Matthew, would you
say you were someone,
who cares what
others think of you?
Not really.
Not any more than the next guy.
Oh, he cares.
Okay, Audrey, your
choice to reveal that
shows a strong desire to
separate yourself from others.
Would it be fair to assume
that you're someone,
who only relies on yourself?
Nail on the head.
I, I mean, doesn't everybody?
It's fascinating how we can
telegraph our inner feelings,
when we don't even mean to.
So, Audrey, can you tell
us something about Matthew,
that you admire?
Why back on me again?
- Why would I-
- Humiliating me like I,
I thought this was a
safe space up here.
- Why did you say that?
- Go ahead, Audrey.
Just off the top of my
head, he's patient, he, yeah.
Okay and Matthew, can you
tell us something about Audrey,
that you find say, impressive?
Yeah, I can, I can try that.
She's passionate about
things that she cares about.
Those are some
pretty profound traits
you've managed to identify
within each other,
wouldn't you say?
Mm-hm.
- Thank you.
- Well, great.
I give you the power
of body language!
Audrey, when you
first got up here,
you sat with your
arms and legs crossed,
one would imagine there
was a lot of tension
between you two.
Well, I mean, describe
like a lot.
And Matthew, you sat right there
with your feet pointed
directly towards the exit,
like you couldn't
wait to get away.
Could you blame me?
Yeah.
Okay.
This is what we do when
we feel uncomfortable,
when we focus on how we
might appear to others
or how others
might make us look.
But if we shift our
focus onto our partner,
everything
changes, look at this.
After focusing on the
positive things in each other,
you move to a more open
posture, you created connection.
By finding the light
within our partner,
we find it within ourselves,
the first step on any
journey towards love.
Yeah, yeah!
Oh, we're not actually
on a journey to love.
Towards love!
Okay, well that was not
illuminating whatsoever.
Not in the slightest.
Yikes.
Hi, I hope that wasn't
too uncomfortable.
You were great up there.
Oh, thank you, that
was a, yep, that was a,
a new experience.
Yeah.
Well, when you two are ready
to further explore the
depths of your psyche,
you know where to find me.
We do.
Oh, excuse.
Oh.
My psyche's better
left unexplored.
That's because you're
afraid of what you'll find.
But okay, there's
nothing to find.
Oh, is that why
you called me out
in front of all those
people on stage in there?
Oh, you're angry about that?
That was, it was a joke.
I'm not angry.
Why do you care so much how
you're perceived by others?
I mean, maybe you should,
maybe you should explore that.
You should explore that.
Hardly.
Oh, well, it did give me
an idea for the game though.
Okay.
What if two players start out
at different starting points?
Okay, what do you mean?
You know, like how
Robbie was saying,
people come into relationships
at different starting points?
- Yeah.
- Some are more open
than others, so maybe those
people get a head start.
That seems a
little unfair though,
I mean, to the other
players, don't you think?
Yeah, well, all is
fair in love and war.
Yeah, well, I'm
beginning to think
you actually prefer the latter.
Oh, I do have an idea though.
- Oh?
- Yes.
What if players judge each other
based on their body language?
Yeah, no, that would
be too complicated,
'cause you'd have to explain
to the players what that means
and yeah, it just wouldn't work.
Okay, fine.
Nevermind.
Maybe we're getting
ahead of ourselves.
Yeah, we don't even know
what the board looks like,
we should start there first.
Probably.
- Yep.
- Tomorrow, yeah?
Ah, tomorrow, that sounds good.
Yeah, I'll see
you tomorrow then.
Yep, okay.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
"Being forced to collaborate."
And right on time.
Technically, I was a few
seconds earlier, but that's.
Do you just wake
up this competitive?
Yes, but the caffeine helps.
Oh, wow, look at the those.
What, why are you
looking at my shoes?
Oh, they're just really white,
kind of need
sunglasses to see them.
They're
supposed to be, they're new.
And the style I kinda follow
says it's, it's the new trend.
- Why is that important?
- Because it is.
- Oh.
- Why do you never dress up?
Because I like
to streamline my decisions,
make room for more
important things
like choosing a game board.
Oh, whatever works.
What's that squeaking
sound, is that your shoes?
That's your shoes.
Specifically heard, you know-
Not my shoes.
I can tell that they're not
like, they're kind of like-
They're moving,
I'm walking in them.
- Hey!
- Oh!
- Hey, Audrey.
- Whoa!
- There you are.
- There you are.
- Here I am.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
Hello.
Were you guys
waiting here for me?
Yeah, we know it's crunch time
and we just wanted to let
you know that graphics
and fabrication are available
whenever you need us.
- Yeah.
- That's great.
I, ah, I just have so much to
figure out, but um, then I'll-
Right, so if you want
extra hands with that,
we are more than happy to help.
Okay, that's great.
I am gonna jot some things down,
then I'll circle back
when the time comes.
We'll circle back.
Ah, we'll circle back,
we'll, we'll circle back.
- Sounds great.
- Okay.
Yeah.
We'll be here.
You're doing great, keep it up.
Just, she just,
you, you're good.
That's so nice, he's so nice.
Yeah, that went well.
Did it?
Yeah.
Yeah, okay.
Oh!
Mm-hm?
Are you still working
or are you avoiding me?
Can't it be both?
It can.
Ah, oh, where is everyone?
It's after eight,
everybody's gone home.
Oh, I must've
lost track of time,
I'm still trying to figure out
what this board looks like.
Well, here's what I came
up with during the 1000 years
of solitude I spent
waiting on you.
So the path of squares
are laid along the edge,
just like "Monopoly."
Okay, but what about the middle?
Well, I figured we'd use
a different game element
for that, I just, I
haven't figured it out yet.
But what does your
board say thematically,
you know, about love?
Ah, well, people live on
the edge of their emotions.
Yeah, I, I don't
know, I have nothing.
- Yeah.
- What do you,
what do you have?
I don't know,
I was just going for more
of a classic configuration,
you know, like "Chess"
or "Shoots and Ladders."
What about the love
connection though?
I don't know.
Okay, well, then
what about dinner?
Dinner?
How are you thinking about
food at a time like this?
We're gonna be
stuck here all night.
Well, grab some granola
bars or something.
We deserve better
than that, come on.
I have a better idea.
Have you ever been
to Maison Isabella?
The stuffy, pretentious
French restaurant?
- For field research.
- Oh.
You know, the game
is about romance,
why not see it in its
natural habitat, right?
- Field research?
- Field research, we're going.
I just have to run a quick
errand, it's on the way though.
Here.
Your quick errand is shopping?
Yes, I have someone do
shopping for me actually.
Oh yes, of course you do.
Hey, my stylist, Rachel
knows what looks good on me
and what's trendy, so.
What about what you like?
I like what makes me look good.
- Ah-huh.
- Matthew.
- Rachel.
- My favorite client.
Of course.
Muah, muah, let me get
the item I've selected.
- Okay.
- Hi.
Hey.
- Hm?
- Oh!
Yes, stripes are going
to be so hot this season.
- Mm-hm.
- Well, as usual, I dig it,
so bag it.
Excellent. He's so easy.
Oh.
Gotta keep up with the trends.
Still trying to be
the cool kid at school?
Well, my career is literally
calibrating what's cool,
so yeah, pretty much.
Actually, Rachel, how
would you style Audrey?
- Oh.
- Oh, yeah, no, no.
I'm, I don't know what I am.
I sense a lot with couples.
We're not a, we're-
Oh, I know, I mean, I see
couples try to change each other
all the time especially
with what they wear.
Yeah, we've been there before.
Yes, I know, everyone
needs a stylist.
I always say life isn't
perfect, but your style can be.
- That's good.
- Mm-hm, yeah.
That, that's really good.
Thank you.
Here you are.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
My pleasure.
Ciao.
Bye, muah, muah!
Nice meeting you.
Okay.
- Audrey.
- Yep, ah.
Yeah, Rachel.
- Rachel.
- Yep.
Okay, bye.
Bye. Okay.
- It's good.
- Come on.
- She's nice.
- Let's go.
Seems like she really gets you.
Oh.
Oh, thank you.
So I brought two notebooks.
- Ah-huh.
- Supplies.
- Ah-huh.
- Since we are here to work.
Ah-huh and don't forget,
we're gonna eat
while we're here too.
Yes, right, sure.
I was thinking on
the way over here,
what if we divided the
squares up into categories,
like different stages of love?
One of them could
be first dates,
One o'clock.
Total first date.
Mm-hm, that's a good
marketing strategy.
Yeah.
And couples could play it
as a first date activity.
- Bon soir.
- Oh!
Good evening, I'm Pierre.
Is there anything I
can start you off with?
Ah, no, we actually haven't
looked at the menu yet.
We're just writing
down our thoughts.
Very well.
Take your time.
- I'm ready to plate up two.
- Oui, oui.
Chef, table 24, they
are observing everything,
writing it down, you
know what that means?
Food critics.
We shall impress them
with everything we've got.
Oui, Chef.
Oui, oui.
At the bar.
- What?
- At the bar.
What about a stood up square?
- You think he's stood up?
- Yes, he's stood up.
If a player lands on it, then
they have to wait a turn.
- That's good.
- Put on a Wait sign.
That's, oh!
Quiche aux poireaux, a
classic and it pairs beautifully
with an Alsace Riesling,
selected by our sommelier.
Sorry, we actually didn't,
I think you made a mistake,
we didn't order this.
Compliments of the Chef,
the Chef has prepared
a special menu for you.
- Oh.
- Bon apetit.
- Thank you.
- Oh.
I just, we hadn't.
Bon apetit.
Merci.
Does that seem a
little generous of them?
They think I'm a
discerning gumar.
No, they don't.
What are you doing?
I'm aerating the tannins.
- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah.
Yeah, just drink your wine.
Cheers.
Compliments of the Chef.
He must like us.
Oh my, oh!
Oh!
Compliments of the Chef.
Wow!
Compliments of the Chef.
Starting to feel kind
of like datey.
- It's a work thing.
- Okay.
Compliments of the Chef.
Compliments of you.
Thank you very much for
dining with us this evening.
Oh, thank you, yeah.
I hope the cuisine was
worthy of the brilliant words
you shall compose about our establishment.
Au revoir.
- Au revoir.
- Okay.
- Merci.
- Bye.
Bon soiree, a bientot.
Yes!
Wow!
Thank you, but I don't
have to eat for all week.
That was...
Yeah.
I mean, I think we came
up with some good ideas.
Of course.
- Right?
- Yeah.
But whose board
game do we go with?
Well, speaking of
ideas, I had one.
So do you remember the
signature creme brulee
with the caramelized
leek crust we just had?
Yeah, what about it?
Two different flavor
profiles working in harmony.
Okay, so you, you wanna
join board game ideas?
Boom.
All right, all right,
okay, I can, I can do this.
Off the top of my head,
just spitballing here,
what if the players,
they started at the
bottom corner of the game
and they worked their way up
the edges of the board game?
Because at the beginning
of a love connection,
the path is obvious.
Exactly because it's planned.
That's right and
then the relationship,
I mean, it could go
in any direction.
There you go.
So you meet in the
middle of the board game,
a player can choose which
direction they wanna go,
like you want, I knew
you had it in you.
Oh, I like this, okay
and here, I thought
we would have nothing
for the end of the week
for the testing session.
But we do.
Oh, I'm so relieved.
Hey, also.
What?
Thank you for picking up
the check, that was nice.
If you wanted to date me,
you could've just asked.
- I don't.
- You could've been like,
"Hey, Audrey, do you
wanna go on a date?"
I would've been like,
"You like me? It's cool."
Ha!
I, I think this will work.
- Yeah.
- But no.
Hey, guys.
There they are.
What do you got?
Here's the mock up for
the "Love Life" board.
I had my department work
around the clock to finish it.
I can't wait to see
what you all came up with.
Yeah, sorry, Patty, we
didn't loop you in on that,
there just wasn't any time.
No, it's okay, I
totally understand.
I'm sure it looks great.
Oh.
I love it, this is great.
Do you?
Hm.
What, what's that, "Mm-hm?"
- No, you said-
- this was our, we put our-
- I know.
- Our ideas together
and we made this thing together,
this is what we
said, this is great.
I-I know, it looks
like a bunch of people
made it together.
Does it maybe
look a little busy?
Not gonna lie, I
wondered the same thing,
but there's still time for my
department to make a new one.
Actually, I have
an idea for the board
to look a little more
cohesive and more on theme.
I appreciate the
effort, I do, everybody,
but this is great, we're
gonna go with this board.
We're just, we're so close
to the testing session,
so this is, this is wonderful.
Yes, thank you for your input.
- Okay.
- Yeah, thank you.
That's right, thank you
for your contribution.
You doing okay?
Yeah, just trying to
figure out the layout
of this board game and
how to tweak it, you know?
Yeah, you know, I, good,
I mean, now that we have
the board, what's next?
Well, we gotta figure out how
the players move through it.
How about cards, player
draws a card each turn,
card has a question,
they answer the question,
depends on how,
you don't like it?
I was thinking more like dice.
Why dice?
Well, because it's thematic
to the game, you know,
like luck of the draw,
sort of luck and chance,
kind of like love.
You think love
is a game of luck?
Meeting the right person
at the right place and time?
Yeah, that's, that's luck.
Have you ever been in love?
What?
I, yeah, I loved-
I'll take that as a
no, don't worry about it.
Okay, have you?
I have actually
once a long time ago.
Oh.
And I can tell
you from experience,
that love is not all
about chance and luck,
it's intention and choice
and that's why I
think picking cards
and the answers to those
cards makes more sense.
Well, I think we have
a long night ahead of us.
I can't, my brother and
his wife are coming over.
Oh.
Actually, you should join us.
Oh, no, I, I-
I think their story
will prove to you,
that love is not all
about luck and chance.
I should power through.
"Frustrated,
the way my current
project makes me feel."
Oh.
- Oh.
- Hi.
Hey.
I wasn't expecting you.
Oh, you, I thought,
did, you invited me,
you sent me the address.
You were, I just didn't exp,
I didn't think you were
gonna show, that's all.
Oh, here I am.
But you did.
I brought you a
gift, a game, a game.
I see that.
Ah, for me?
Oh, yeah, come on in.
Wow.
This place is just
as I suspected it.
And what did you suspect?
Neutral colors,
you know, everything
just in its place.
Looks like it was ripped
out of a designer magazine.
And that's a bad thing?
No, no.
Oh, telescope, is this part
of the most eligible
bachelor collection?
- Something like that.
- Ah.
Is there a significance to this?
- No, none at all.
- Ah.
It's just abstract
art is always in.
Mm-hm, as I suspected.
Oh, that must be Mike and
Jacqueline, be right back.
So do you guys believe that love
is a intention and
choice that people make?
Or is it a result
of luck and chance?
Maybe there's a bit
of chance involved like-
There we go.
Being in the right
place at the right time.
Exactly, yes.
But that only takes you so far.
I think it's the
choice to seek love,
that allows it to happen.
- My guy.
- I got you, bro.
You really believe that?
Yeah, you don't think so?
No, I, I don't.
Well, look at us, you know,
we both spent years climbing
the corporate ladder
at the expense of
everything else
and we finally decided
enough was enough
and we met at a
speed dating event.
Okay, see, but
this is what I mean,
isn't it by chance
that you both happen
to go to the same
event at the same time?
Only because we made
the choice to be there.
Hm.
Okay, well, for simplicity's
sake, for "Love Life,"
I think we're gonna have to
go with the roll of the dice,
okay, it's chance.
And I guess being
that it's 48 hours away
from our testing
session, I will concede.
Oh, sweet victory.
Did I just get that?
You did, you did, you did.
Well, whatever it was that
brought me and Mike together,
it worked, when
you know, you know.
- Yeah, we knew.
- Hm.
And besides, someone
had to pick up the slack
after Matthew's
engagement ended.
Oh.
Oh, you didn't
tell her about that?
No, it hadn't come up until now.
Anyway, the game.
Yes, the game.
The game.
- Okay.
- We got that.
This looks a lot more
complicated than it really is.
Hear me out.
Okay, start with these.
Sorry for spilling the beans.
Sorry, man, it's not
like it's a secret, right.
That's why I'm surprised
you didn't tell her yet.
You two are working on a
game about love after all.
Exactly, we're working,
so there's no need
to do a deep dive into each
other's relationship histories.
Hm.
Plus, man, Audrey is closed
off about that sort of thing.
She's not the only one.
What's that supposed to mean?
It's just you've changed a
little these past few years.
Maybe, but there's nothing wrong
with prioritizing new things,
you know what I'm saying?
At the expense of what?
Anybody ready for round two?
- Saved by the bell.
- Mm-hm.
Then let's go.
We're in.
Okay, the thing you wanna
remember about testing
is you definitely do not wanna-
Interrupt them?
That's very funny.
Oh, you're nervous.
I'm not nervous.
- Oh, you're nervous.
- I'm not nervous.
- Little bit.
- Oh.
Hi, everybody, thank you so
much for coming to "Love Life."
Well, open the game and
have some fun.
Why is there so many squares?
- Why are they laughing?
- They didn't look.
I don't understand.
Let's just try to figure it out.
Look at them, they're confused,
they don't even know
what's going on.
No, no, no,
give it, give it to him.
Okay, there is green.
Honestly, I don't understand
what the point of this game is.
Yeah, I don't understand
how it's supposed to lead
to a love connection.
It's just not fun or romantic.
Oh.
This is a disaster.
Ring, ring.
Please tell me that
that's an entirely new,
reworked version of
"Love Life" in that box.
Nope, settle for
cupcakes? We can stress eat.
Enter immediately.
Have you ever had
a game fail so spectacularly?
Nope.
And neither has the company
and we need a hit game.
What do you mean?
Oh, the board game industry
has got pretty tight margins
as it is and Play It Cool,
they were feeling the
squeeze this year, so.
I had no idea.
I feel like I let
Susie and everyone down.
Well, you're not the
only one under pressure,
let me tell you, I need to
knock this out of the park
to prove that my company
is a viable asset.
Yeah.
All right, Mr. Professional.
All right, we just need to, we
need to, we need to regroup,
we need to rethink, right?
The general
consensus of the game
was that it lacked depth, right?
We were too focused on
the squares with the dice
or making our own ideas
land, that we forgot
the essential elements of what
this game was supposed to be.
What's that?
Well, you know, it was
supposed to be about two people,
that were trying to connect.
Yes and how do we do that?
We dig deeper
emotionally, right?
Oh, ah.
We dig deeper emotionally.
How do we do that?
I've been here
for about an hour.
I know.
Thank you, so you're looking
for a shortcut to love?
Yes.
I think you might be focusing
on the wrong element here.
- Oh.
- Seems to me,
you'd have greater success
focusing less on the game
and more on trying to
understand one another.
Oh, yeah, we,
we understand each other.
Yeah, yeah, Audrey
never hesitates to tell me
exactly what's on her mind, so.
- Okay, that's not exactly-
- Well, you do.
So you know your
Indigo Love Connectors.
The Connectors?
Yeah, my seminar, you were
there, the emotional pathways-
- Right.
- Used to express
and receive love from a partner,
there are five of
them all trademarked.
- Yeah, you wrote that down.
- I did, I did.
- You got that?
- Yeah, you were there.
- We got that.
- But you said partners,
Audrey and I aren't partners.
No.
You are in the creation
of this game, are you not?
Here, chapter three,
there's a questionnaire,
that'll help you discover
which Indigo Love
Connector best suits you.
$44.
Each?
52 if I sign.
- Ah.
- 44.
I got it.
He's got this.
Okay, so it looks like there
are Five Love Connectors,
"Affirming the love,
creating the love bubble,
receiving the love,
love through service
and love through touch."
Wow, he's really trademarked
a whole lot of love.
Okay, I think I already know
mine, love through service.
Wait, when have you let
anybody do anything for you?
I have.
Oh, okay, yeah, yeah.
I was just really
independent, okay,
my parents were doctors,
they worked late.
They left me with board
games to keep me company.
So that's why you use
competition to relate to people,
it's all you knew.
One trip to a relationship guru
and he's a psychotherapist, ha!
- Okay.
- Okay.
I don't know, these questions
seem a little personal.
That's the whole point of it.
I have an idea, why
don't we just do the test?
- Mm-hm.
- Individually
and then we can compare?
- Okay, all right.
- Okay.
You do you, I'll do me and-
- Great.
- We do we.
- I love it.
- All right.
And I say that with zero irony.
So how'd it go?
I had some technical issues.
- Technical issues?
- Yeah, mine's broken.
What was your result?
Well, it said that
my Love Connector
was creating a love
bubble, so clearly wrong.
Was it?
Quality time with your parents,
that's considered a love bubble.
Weren't you denied
that as a child?
So?
So maybe that's
what you long for.
I, I cannot psychoanalyze
on an empty stomach.
Okay, this is the
best pizza in Seattle.
So what Love
Connector did you get?
Receiving love?
- Hm.
- Which makes no sense.
Okay, well, let me play
therapist here for a minute.
There's nothing more to uncover.
Yeah, okay, well, just
off the top of my head,
you know, just
pulling things down,
how about your engagement,
that you neglected
to tell me about?
I knew you were gonna
bring that up, I was waiting.
Yeah, well, you can't drop
a little something like that
and expect me not to pick it up.
I-I thought we
were working on Love Connectors
here, not love histories.
Yeah, well, I mean,
but they want us to,
you know, dig deep.
Okay.
Fine, we were together
for three years.
Happy?
And?
Her parents didn't
think my career lined up
with the image they
had for their daughter.
Yeah, so she ended it.
Wow, what was your
career before this,
like a tax auditor or something?
Astrophotography.
As, astro-
Astrophotography, come on.
Taking pictures
of the night sky.
That's unexpected.
That's cool.
So what, they didn't think your
future was bright enough or?
That's not at all, I
wasn't actually trying to-
No.
I wasn't doing the like
the night with the bright.
You did, but it's
okay, it's all right.
- I'm like
- It's okay, it's okay.
Don't worry about it,
don't worry about it.
But, hey, you know what's ironic
is a star is actually the
brightest thing in the universe.
That's cute, it's...
So do you still take
pictures of the stars?
No, no, I
haven't for a few years now.
You could say I
rebranded myself.
Oh.
Yeah.
Your Love
Connector makes perfect sense.
How so?
Well, according to
our love guru, you know,
receiving love is like
receiving the perfect gift,
it makes you feel seen,
valued and understood.
Yeah, I don't see how
that pertains to me though.
- No?
- No.
Well, you were rejected
for who you were,
so you know,
maybe deep down, all you
really want is to be accepted,
to feel seen.
Is there a cave that I
can crawl into right now?
Because I'm feeling
a little too seen.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
Well, you and me both, so.
We are quite the team.
Teamwork makes the dream
work, isn't that the saying?
That is what they say.
What?
Maybe that's it.
What's it?
This whole time we've
been approaching the game
as a single player, but what
if we approached it in teams?
That's, that's a great idea,
players can work through
the challenges together.
I mean, it would be
a whole new experience.
And, and, and
established couples
can prove they've still got.
Prospective couples could
see if they have a chance!
Yes, yes, that's an amazing
sales angle, you know what?
I'll research other team-based
games in the marketplace.
- You know what?
- What?
I've got a better
idea, follow me.
Okay.
Welcome to Boardwalk Cafe.
What better way to
research the games
than to see them in action?
- Ah, clever.
- Mm-hm.
In the marketing world, we
call this customer observation.
Oh, in my world, we call it
a regular Friday
night, you know?
Okay, okay, okay.
It reminds me why I like
to design games so much,
the joy it brings people, okay.
I can see that.
Like some prefer
more of the classics.
Mm-hm.
Others prefer what we
call more the Euro styles,
strategy based and then
there's the fantasy games,
some campaigns have been going
on for a really long time,
this one's been going
on for three years.
- Three years?
- Mm-hm.
This place is great,
I'll give it to you.
And you ain't seen nothing yet.
And you must be
Evie, I'm Matthew.
The one and only.
So,
these are all the
best games I know of
for playing with teams.
Know of a few others, but
just might make you blush.
Oh!
Well, Evie might be the only
other person on the planet,
that knows more about
games than I do.
- Well.
- Really?
So how'd you get into it?
Oh, well, that would be
my late husband, Thomas.
Oh, did you guys meet here?
No, met the old fashioned
way at a Renaissance fair.
Seems like you guys must
have been quite the pair.
Oh, I think you could say that.
I wish I could've met him.
And you know what? He
would've liked you very much.
But you know, we
better get cracking.
I think we need to recruit
a few more players.
So, hello, would
you like to join us
for a game of
international intrigue?
Light is shining
through the trees
You're here
standing next to me
Okay, orthogonal, what's that?
Well, if you were
paying attention.
I'm trying to win
though, she's killing us.
Yet another view
All feels too
good to be true
I have five.
On this perfect, lovely day
Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo
Worst luck, Matthew
Maybe next time we put
some money on the line.
You're saying to
me, oh, no, no, no,
I have a feeling
you'd clean me out.
Oh, I would be gentle.
I don't believe that.
Well, before Evie takes
you for all your worth,
we should talk about
overall impressions.
Seems the best part about
playing the game in teams
is doing the
challenges together.
Yeah, I agree, it's
just creating those ones
are quite tricky, especially
on a tight timeline.
I knew you were gonna say that.
- Mm-hm.
- The game is now played
in teams of two, creating
it doesn't have to be.
What do you mean?
The coworkers at your
office, they can help.
They could, yeah,
except, you know,
they got a lot on their plate,
they're busy with a
lot of other games, so.
You do that a lot.
What do I do?
Turn down offers to help,
you just did it to me.
You did it to Patty.
Nothing wrong with
being self-sufficient.
Because you think that
they may not be there,
when you need them, you have
a whole team at your disposal.
Even if I wanted
to ask them for help,
I don't know the first
thing about managing a team.
If you can learn the
rules to all these games,
I'm sure you can handle it.
Wow, he's good, I like him.
Have I got news for you.
Taylor Swift's got
another album on the way?
I wish, but this is
nearly as exciting,
Audrey has called
a meeting with us.
No way.
I know.
Well, we'd better hurry,
who knows when this
might happen again?
True team.
And that's where we're at.
The game will be
played in teams.
Okay, cool.
Good to know.
I was wondering if
you could help me, if-
- Ah.
- If you could help
Us.
Design it in time for
the Tabletop competition.
- We'd be happy to.
- Okay, great.
Where do you wanna start?
Okay, Patty, you once
told me that you had an idea
for a board game layout.
Oh, right, I just
thought, what if the path
of the squares on the board
were shaped like a heart?
And the, the players
would work their way up
on opposite sides of the heart.
Until the winning
matches meet in the middle
and, and go to the top,
yeah, that could work.
- Patty!
- Oh!
That is an amazing idea!
How did you come up with
that? That's brilliant.
The heart, the theme, it's
just, it'll make the board pop!
How long do you need until
you can have it ready?
Um, ah, end of day.
Good answer and, and
Marshall, I'll get the designs
for fabrication for you
as soon as it's done.
Aye, aye, captain.
- Yes, teamwork!
- Let's get it done.
Put it in, we're doing
this, three, two, one.
Team.
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la-la
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la-la
Hey, hey.
Hey.
For you.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Listen, I know that it must
have been stressful for you
to ask for help.
- Okay.
- But I'm proud of you.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
What's that game behind you?
Oh, that.
I picked this up
at a antique store,
when I first started here.
Oh, well this, this
is vintage for sure.
- Mm-hm.
- Yeah.
Who are these people?
I don't know.
Whoever they are,
this board game
probably meant
something to them,
so I keep it as a reminder.
Of what?
Of why I do this,
games like these can
bring people together,
you know, becomes part
of their tradition.
I get to be a small
part of that, so.
That's beautiful.
Yeah.
I see what you did there.
- Right.
- Hey, is this a good time?
I, I have something to show you.
- Yeah, yeah.
- Yeah.
There are options,
I've tried out a variety
of heart designs in
all different shades,
so you can pick your favorites.
Thank you so much for
the quick turnaround.
I have to warn you, I may
have gone a little overboard.
My love for the Pantone
color wheel knows no end.
Let me know which
one you choose.
- Okay.
- Oh, Patty,
these are incredible.
I don't even know how
we're gonna pick just one.
I know. Okay, why
don't we do this?
Why don't we just
point to the one,
that speaks to us the most?
Okay, fine.
All right.
Three, two, one.
Try this.
You went for the same one.
That's my favorite too.
"Connection,
with someone that
took me by surprise.
Any advice?"
"Lean into it."
So we're making great progress,
there's just still one element
that we need to work out
or should I say reconsider?
Reconsider?
Yeah, something that I was
wrong about the first time.
Did you guys hear that
or was it my imagination?
I'm confused.
Funny, we need to
figure out dice or cards
to move through the game.
Oh, so you agree that love
is about choice and intention?
- No, I didn't say that.
- No?
But our players are
choosing to play this game,
so I thought that we could, you
know, really lean into that.
What kind of cards
are we talking?
Well, cards that present
a question or a challenge,
is that right, Matthew?
Exactly.
How a player answers determines
what square they move to.
And this is where
you all come in.
See, normally I would
draw inspiration
from my own imagination,
but this game
presents a little bit of
a challenge for me, so.
How can we help?
Thank you, I thought we could
all brainstorm and come up
with, you know, these unique
questions or challenges
and draw from our own, your
own romantic experiences.
Marshall looks like he
wants to go first, hit me.
Well, in that case, we're
gonna need a bigger board.
Oh!
Damn you, you wanna
feel something new
Hold my hand and let
the truth be anew
Every time you, you
wanna dance on the groove
Hold my hand and let
the beat get you through
I know we oughta show
no one should know
All done now
that you're home
I know we oughta show
no one should know
All done now
that you're home
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
La-la, la-la, hey
La-la, la-la, la-la, hey
Well, I think we have some
pretty good options here.
Yeah, we might just
finish this game yet.
Hey, ah,
can I see some of
your photography?
You just asked me that.
Are you, are you serious?
Yeah.
Okay.
You sure?
No, I'd rather not see any
more facets of your life.
Yes, I'm serious.
Wow, Matthew.
These are stunning.
Thank you.
Where did you take these?
Outdoors.
Okay, I'm serious.
I took them at the Planetarium.
- Hm.
- They have a,
a real nice view on the roof.
I just, I haven't
been there forever.
Why?
Ah, just some things become
more important, I guess.
What's this one?
Sagitta, it's Latin for arrow.
You see, the story has it that
Zeus was struck by the arrow
and afterwards, he fell in love,
because the arrow was fired by
the Greek god of love, Eros.
Wasn't he rebranded
as Cupid after that?
That wasn't the response
I was expecting, but yes.
Yes, you are right,
he was rebranded just like you.
Me, why me?
You haven't noticed?
You're no longer
stubborn, indie creative.
- Oh.
- Yeah.
Now you're slightly
less stubborn.
- Okay.
- Team leader.
Funny.
I'm just here
weaving mythical tales
of arrows striking
the hearts of gods.
Hm.
Arrows, what if we
had the player pieces
made into tiny, little arrows?
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
that's a good idea, yeah,
like a little,
small Cupid arrow,
when it moved along
the board's path.
Mm-hm, guiding players
to their true love.
Hm.
It could work.
It's late, I should probably, um.
You're right, we only have
two days before the deadline.
You shouldn't keep
those locked in a drawer.
Thank you for
agreeing to do this
and I should have
asked for help sooner.
Oh, hey, you know me, always
happy to test out a new game
and I can be unbiased
with this one,
because heaven knows my romance
days are long behind me.
No, don't sell yourself short.
You never know what kind
of card you're gonna draw.
The deck can be
full of surprises.
Oh, doubtful, but on that topic,
if anyone is gonna draw a suite
of hearts, it's you, Auds.
Me?
Yeah.
Why would you say me?
Ah, you and Matthew.
Me and Matthew?
Well, come on, there's
obvious chemistry.
Well, I, I don't, I-I don't
know what you would call it,
but he is smart.
Cute.
He is...
Ah, thank you, Evie, for
helping me with this.
Very kind of you.
Okay, got it.
You're on fire today,
everything must be going great.
Yeah, it's about to be game.
I didn't mean the game,
I meant you and Audrey.
What about us?
Don't give me that look.
I've seen this vibe before
when you fell for Emily.
Oh yeah, this ain't that.
Maybe it could be
or are you just gonna
roll the dice on this one?
Here they are ready to
unite two would be lovers.
Oh, look at that.
Cupid himself couldn't
have done it better, come on.
Oh wow, Marshall,
this gives "Love Life"
a whole new meaning.
Good job, you really took
an idea and ran with it.
Thank you.
Thanks, so does this mean
the game's officially complete?
Not yet, we still have
one piece of the puzzle
yet to solve.
Oh, what's that?
The ending.
Ah.
Yeah, we need kind of a
big move, a grand gesture
to give it all a, I don't
know, like a satisfying ending.
Well, listen, I mean, we
can all come up with something
here now, you know,
put our heads together.
Mm-hm.
Well.
Yes?
I know.
You got it.
- Say it.
- No, nevermind.
- Are you sure?
- Yeah, I got nothing, sorry.
Yes, she's got it.
Yes, what?
What?
No, that's just my friend, Lynn
texting about tonight's plan,
but I'll let her
know I can't make it,
we've got an ending to crack.
You know what, why
don't we just all
take the afternoon off?
Wait, really?
Go, go, get outta
here, clear your heads.
Boy, Abby and Allison
will be thrilled
to have me home early.
Abby and Allison?
Oh, your kids, your kids?
- Three kids.
- Oh, your kids, your kids.
That's...
That's cute, they have lives.
I see it,
just, wow!
What?
I mean, whatever
happened to the woman,
whose best course of
action was to push through?
Well, maybe it's not always
best to push on through.
Oh, spoken like a true leader
who cares about her team.
Well, don't put me on the
cover of "Forbes" just yet.
Okay, now I have to figure
out what I'm going to do
with the rest of my day,
now that I have some
unexpected free time.
Oh, I know what you're doing
with your unexpected free time.
There she is.
Didn't think I was
gonna pull 180, did you?
I, I didn't expect it at all.
Come on, I have an idea.
Okay.
The Planetarium.
Ahhuh.
You didn't have
to do this for me.
Well, you brought me
out of my comfort zone,
so I thought I'd bring
you back into yours.
Yeah, I'll take it.
I got tickets to the Sky Show.
No way.
Let's do it.
As we travel
beyond our solar system
into deep space, a celestial
event of stars colliding
creates two possible outcomes,
a destructive collision
of a supernova
or the creation of
a new brighter star.
Thank you.
- Hi.
- Hello.
Do you work here?
Oh, no, I don't, but I'm
here so often, I might as well.
I'm looking for a gift
for my granddaughter,
got any suggestions?
Ah, "Maze Craze" is a good one.
What's that you're playing?
That's a new game
created by a friend of mine
and well, she wanted me to be
a Guinea pig and try it out.
Would you believe
a pet Guinea pig
is the present my
granddaughter begged me for?
Well, I would
stick to board games,
'cause they're
cleaner and quieter.
"Love Life?"
Yeah, it's all about
finding a love match.
Sounds exciting, though
I'm not the target audience,
my romance days are long gone.
Well, mine are too,
but I, I could use a
partner for the game
and I was wondering if,
well, would you
like to try it out?
I kinda like the
idea that two different stars
can collide and make something
so different and beautiful.
From destruction to creation.
Hm, you know, when
I was a little girl,
I used to think I could
see the man in the moon
from my bedroom window.
How did the man in
the moon cut his hair?
Oh, is this an astronomy joke?
Eclipsed it.
I'll save the rest of
the jokes in my arsenal
for another time.
Okay.
You're a true gentleman.
Here, take a look.
Take a look, you can
see the man in the moon
a little bit better than
your bedroom window.
Oh.
Nope, I can't see anything.
Okay, all right, well, hold on.
All right, how about now?
Oh, okay.
Mm-hm.
Oh, wow!
Mm-hm.
That's been in front
of me the whole time?
All you had to do was look.
All I had to do was look.
Oh.
It's Susie, it's gotta be
important if it's at this time.
Hello.
Hi, Audrey, I'm here with
Senior Board Member, Nick.
Hi, hi, Audrey.
And so sorry to
call you so late,
but we have some urgent news.
- Yeah.
- Is this about "Love Life?"
I'm actually here with
Matthew right now,
I'm just gonna put
you on speakerphone.
- Oh, good.
- Hey, Susie.
Well, we can tell
you both together then.
So Audrey, on
behalf of the Board,
we are pulling the game.
What?
Why? I don't understand.
I'm as surprised as you are.
Well, we heard about
the testing session
and how can I tell you this?
There's just no time
to right the ship.
The ship is right now, the
game is completely different.
I know, I tried to
smooth things over, but-
- You did.
- I did.
You really tried to
smooth things over.
I did try, but we
hate to tell you,
it really is out of our hands.
Well, what are we
supposed to do now?
I'm sorry.
Yeah, sorry, guys.
I'll talk to you later, bye.
Why would they do
something like that?
I don't know.
Oh, this is all my fault.
Come on.
Audrey, you can't blame
yourself, let's not do that.
Oh, I can, I was put
in charge of this, okay
and look what happened.
What happened was you
created an amazing game,
assembled an amazing team.
The layout wasn't ready.
- No.
- It needed more work.
The test was rushed, none
of this would've happened,
if I would've just
stuck to my process.
- Of doing it alone?
- Yes.
But no, Matthew, you
had to convince me
to make this a group effort.
Do you know what happens when
too many people are involved?
Nothing gets done!
You can't control
everything, Audrey.
Listen, I know that,
we had, I don't
know what we had.
You know what we
had, don't do that.
Please don't push me
away, don't minimize this.
We can talk about it, just
let me be here for you please.
I'm sorry,
I think you may think
I'm someone that I'm not
and I just, I can't,
I'm, it's a lot.
- Just take a-
- I just need to be alone.
Hey, Audrey.
- Oh, hi.
- Hi.
- Hi, Patty.
- Hi.
I had some questions
about what you want
for the ending of the game.
Oh.
Ah, you didn't hear?
Um, yeah, the game got canceled.
What? No, that can't be
true, it's, it's so good.
Well, tell that to
the Board of Directors.
Oh, this must be why they called
an emergency meeting this
afternoon, I'm so sorry.
It's okay, you know, it
gives me a chance to sort of,
um, work on my own ideas, so.
Well, if you want a
sounding board for those,
I'd be happy to help.
Thanks, Patty, I
think I'm just gonna,
I'm gonna do this one on my own.
Thank you.
I'll, I'll leave.
Oh, thank you,
Evie, but you know,
it really doesn't
matter anymore.
Oh, it matters, Auds,
because the game really works.
What do you mean?
Well, I played it with a man
I met at the Boardwalk Cafe,
turns out we have
a lot in common
and we have a date
later this week.
A date?
A date
What?
Evie?
Yeah and so it
seems I'm, you know,
not ready to give
up all my cards yet.
No, oh, I'm happy for you,
that's so great.
Oh, thank you.
Oh, Auds, the game has
gotta be out there,
so you shouldn't let it go
in a single burst of glory.
You hear me?
Oh and Auds, and you shouldn't
fold all your cards either.
Bye.
Bye.
Thank you, Evie.
"If you ever wondered,
two stars colliding is
nothing but a bust."
He's FreeHugz.
Oh, oh.
Ah, okay.
Pick up, pick up, pick up.
Oh, ah!
Oh!
Oh!
It's me.
I wanted to say that I'm sorry,
I push people away, I do.
It's just because I'm afraid
that they're gonna leave anyway
and I'll be disappointed
and alone
and the truth is,
I already am, so,
Um...
I'm sorry.
Listen to this, ah,
you're FreeHugz.
That's just-
The mailbox is full
and cannot accept any
messages at this time.
Oh.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no!
Why?
I can't believe
the game's kaput.
I guess everything goes
back to the way it used to be.
Yeah.
Guys, I need your help.
Oh, it's just so many stairs.
What are the chances
that you can make
four more prototypes of
this in less than two hours?
Oh my, I mean, it's possible.
What's happening?
Well, sort of like a
last minute, you know,
Hail Mary idea to save the game.
Save the game, what's all this?
Susie, can you convince
the Board members
to take the meeting offsite?
Where did you have in mind?
I have an idea.
"I still believe two stars
can create something
beautiful together.
Come to Boardwalk
Games and find out."
This is "Love Life,"
the game of love,
where players initially
explore flirtation
and then it evolves
into discovering
the deeper meaning of love.
The game challenges the
players to let down their guard
and discover true,
genuine connection.
Well, they certainly seem
to be enjoying themselves.
- Yeah.
- But how did you manage
to pull all this
together so quickly?
I have moved through life
mostly as a solo player
and one thing this
experience has taught me
is it's much more rewarding
to have a team
and I have the greatest team,
so thank you.
Have you have
heard from Matthew?
Matthew didn't
resign his contract.
Oh.
Unfortunately we
did not see all this.
Yeah, no.
I'm sure he would be very proud.
Yeah.
- You okay?
- Oh yeah, I was just, um,
I was just hoping
that he would be here.
So I'm curious,
when the couples reach
the middle, is that it?
The game finished?
No.
The game has more
meaning than that.
When couples play, they go
from initial attraction to.
Curiosity,
then interest.
As couples become
more enlightened,
they move towards something
that they never knew
they needed, but always
secretly longed for.
They see when they find
themselves in the middle,
they realize that there's a
big move, a grand gesture,
something uniquely personal.
Something that represents
the beginning and
hopefully not the end.
And at that moment, they
realize the game's path
has been bringing them
together all along
and now they come
together as one.
- Oh.
- Mm-hm.
You came.
I'm not one to disappoint.
So have you figured out
the grand gesture?
Have I ever?
Aw!
Wow, I think the game works.
It looks like you and your team
have got yourselves a game!
Teamwork makes dream work.
Yay!
No rush in, you know,
finalizing the details on...
Okay, Tabletop Awards can
wait another year.
Of course.
Congratulations, you did it.
We did it.
I guess it turns out
we're a match, huh?