If...Questions for the Game of Life, Part 2

Many of the questions require little thought.  Many of them demand much.  I plan on forging through the book and letting you explore my own thoughts with me.  I will promise to you (my few readers) to be as honest and truthful as I am able.  We continue...

2.  If you could spend one whole night alone with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?

3.  If you could spend one whole night alone with anyone in history, who would you choose?

So for starters, both of these questions can only be answered after you decide what you will be doing during that whole night: Cooking (Antoine Careme, Julia Child, or Ming Tsai), Conversation (Socrates, Catherine de Rambouillet, Gertrude Stein, or Bill Moyers), Religion/Theology (Jesus Christ, Martin Luther, or Dalai Lama) or Carnal Delights (Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Cleopatra, or Kate Winslet).  These are but a few topics and few people that could take shape throughout an evening.  There is also politics, the sciences, history, war, comedy, sports, literature, and music.

The Millionairess

As I write this, my mind continues to come up with new ideas, new people to talk to and learn from.  If I choose Careme, can I even understand what he has to say about the French cooking he is developing?  I do not speak French.  If I select Sophia Loren, do I get the 1960 The Millionairess or the 1995 Grumpier Old Men Loren?  Would she even partake in such an adventure? 

Would I make a choice only to be rejected?  Why does it have to be someone famous?  Couldn't my evening be equally fulfilling spending it with a friend or a family member?  This last question gets to the point of what I am feeling right now.  So...

2.  If I could spend one evening with anyone in the world who is currently alive, it would be Jeff Shehan, a.k.a. Junior.  Of all the friends that I have had throughout my life, this is the one I miss the most.  Something happened between us that caused us to drift apart.  I admit I failed on my part more than once with reactionary sentiments and blinded loyalty.  He was one of my best friends and one of the best people to have been a part of my life.  The evening would be spent with quick apologies on my part and wanting to know what he's been up to.  Reminiscing would obviously take place, but I would hope that any conversations we had would end up with us continuing on into the future.  I have allowed many relationships throughout my life to languish and cease and this one I regret.

3.  Anyone in history?  This question really begs you to pick someone of historical note.  Do I meet a "hero" only to be disappointed?  I think I would choose a polymath.  Imhotep, Archimedes, Al-Jazari, Leonardo da Vinci, any of the Ninja Turtles, Albert Schweitzer, or Rowan Williams would all be great choices.  However, I would have to choose someone that also is connected to my love of American history and politics and select Benjamin Franklin.  I would enjoy an evening playing chess (losing most likely) and conversation.  One evening would not be enough to discuss (or listen to in my case) the insight on so many topics in which he is well versed.