Building A1

Building~A1
For your first lesson, I want you to read the excerpt above and see if you can identify with the emotion of either of the two main characters. What did you feel? What kind of response did you notice you had to the exchange?
(a.) Write a minimum of a 600 word paragraph analysis of what you experienced in reading this for emotion.
(b.) Copy and paste the above excerpt into a word file and highlight all metaphors in blue, all similies in green, and all the adjectives that you felt especially helped you identify with the characters feelings or reactions in red.


Part 1:

In the first paragraph Reid seems almost playful at first, giving the impression that the scene itself would be lighthearted and warm. I could tell he was definitely interested in Polly, as he looks for a sign from her. Once the conversation began and she hardly looked up from her desk, it was as if the air became sucked out of the room in an instant. She chose each word carefully, and the more she spoke, the more cold and calculated they became. I swear if I came close to hearing her enunciate each syllable in my head, lol. Reading Reid’s inner turmoil with the loss of his wife made Polly’s words even sharper, and they stung. Reid struggled with the mere thought of his deceased wife. I kept waiting for him to choke on the words as he said them. It did make me wonder how audible they were, or what tone he used when saying the actual words. I felt downright sorry for him having to say it aloud and worse for Polly knowing she was clueless about his loss. What I didn’t see was her demeanor change and that was puzzling. I felt a little compassion on her part, but not overly stated. While Reid worked hard to keep the conversation going, to get Polly’s attention his work was definitely cut out for him. He did get through it, and even stuck to his guns asking her out to dinner. Nothing seemed to detour him from reaching his ultimate goal in his pursuit of the woman he once loved, even her detachment from the situation. There is also the tidbit of information added about the cola, which is puzzling. So on top of having a past together, what happened during that incident and was it enough to make her standoffish? Could that be the reason for Polly’s attitude? If that were an innocent action, then that would lead me to believe a couple different scenarios. One, perhaps her feelings for Reid have never waned and just being around him is like being struck in the gut by him. If old feelings are bubbling up it can make the best of us act out of the ordinary in the best of circumstances. Maybe he broke her heart and now she’s guarding it with all she has. Maybe she’s in denial of what her true feelings are. There are so many ways I could go with this, but I lean towards Reid being the one that got away. I know my word count is short, but I’ve exhausted this every which way I can. I hope that I’ve made enough key points that detail the things that I’ve found while reading this scene.




“Could you recommend a good golf course close by?” Reid’s well sculptured frame filled the doorway of Polly’s office. An easy smile played on his lips as he arched an eyebrow. “I was hoping for a recommendation. “ He was watching her expectantly; hoping her eyes were still as expressive as in years gone by.

Finding his way back to her office in the confusing old building was a trial. When the German immigrants built then later added on to structures, there was never any logical explanation as to the flow, and so it was in this building. Polly’s office was in the very bowels of the grand old edifice, but was ultimately accessible by other pathways than straight through the kitchen. He had been impressed at the strong devotion of Polly’s staff when he had asked to see her. When he had asked several employees to tell her he wished a word, all had emphatically implied that she was busy and could not be seen at the time. After the momentary look of surprise that turned, spun into instant recognition; apprehensive and untamed when he asked her about the cola, Reid could only presume that she gave word that she would not receive him.


Polly’s eyes widened visibly as she looked up from reviewing the documents before her. “I assume you and the rest of the gentlemen are consigned to seeking other amusements while your wives shop and indulge in our local spa services?” She assessed; settling her features into a more passive expression.

Reid momentarily looked away as if she had sucker punched him. She obviously had not heard that his wife had died earlier in the year.

“You’ll want to try the Hidden Springs Resort course here on the edge of town.” The reply was aloof and remained all business. Signing a business card and extending it in his direction she added: “Just present this at the club house. Gerald will take fine care of you. Enjoy your day.”

Reid met her reticent look, sighed and shifted his gaze to the floor. He could not miss the battle behind those storm cloud blue eyes. It was a struggle to play it cool. Clearing his throat and shaking off his own unexpected emotions he said: “Have dinner with me tonight.”

“I have an appointment for early evening that I cannot reschedule. I would immensely enjoy the opportunity to dine with you and your lovely wife, I am sure. Maybe if you are not otherwise committed, plans could be made for tomorrow evening?”

Sucking in a sharp breath, Reid reacted to her chilly words as if she had openly slapped him. “Polly, my wife died of breast cancer just over nine months ago. Dinner would be just you…and me.”

“I am sorry, Reid. I had no idea.”

“Yeah, I got that part.” Reid ground out. Reaching for his card case, he flipped his business card onto the desk in front of her. “I will be here golfing for the next seven days. I would like to take you to dinner. Now excuse me, my brother and cousins are waiting.” Turning on his heel, he strode away and was quickly gone, leaving Polly to her bewildered expression.

The encounter had not gone as planned in any way. Polly had treated him with detached formality; a fairly appropriate response for their past history with the assumption that he was a married man. Reid’s heart was writhing painfully in his chest. She had not known he was a widower. The strength of his hopes for an easy reentry into her life had certainly been diminished.