According to Merrick: Daniel and I played on the same rec soccer team. We spent a weekend at a mutual friend’s mountain house and Daniel asked about my relationship status. A couple weeks later, we went to the same concert, knowing he was interested in me, we “ran into” each other. Daniel concocted a story about singing on stage with the band and that he was flying to France the next day. I didn’t know what he was talking about, but I was curious to hear more from this man of mystery. We exchanged numbers and the following week I invited him over to watch a movie in my backyard with friends. My plan worked. According to Daniel: It was a cool October evening in Denver, Colorado. “The Goonies,” Colorado’s premier 80s band was set to play the hippest venue in town: Ophelia’s, a brothel turned art gallery and concert hall. One of those $20 free-trade organic locally-sustainable cocktail spots. Daniel was no stranger to Goonies shows, attending an average of 10 performances per year. Much to the dismay of the band, in the break between songs, Daniel had a habit of “politely” asking the band to learn “Hungry Like The Wolf” by Duran Duran. Digression. Back to Ophelia’s. During an intermission, the band brought Daniel on stage to work the crowd. As the show resumed, the lead singer invited Daniel to sing along as The Goonies unveiled their newest song. Two things can be said of this rendition of “Hungry Like The Wolf”: 1) faces melted as Denver rocked like it had never rocked before. 2) despite years of high school choir, Daniel is a terrible singer (and dancer). Beaming with confidence from his impromptu live performance, Daniel gazed out on the crowd. And there she was. Looking incredibly suave, Daniel casually jumped into the crowd, strolled towards Merrick and asked, “if I sing another song on stage, will you give me your phone number?” Confused, Merrick replied, “I just walked in. I have no idea what you are talking about.” My plan worked.