The Botchelor · Open date room
Sable Quist × Nell Abiodun
📍 A nightclub too loud to talk in
A packed nightclub on a Saturday night, so loud that every line has to be shouted, with a DJ dedicating songs to the couple by the cast-iron pillar.
- Sable Quist wants a date who says yes before hearing the plan, so she keeps throwing new ideas and dares at Nell Abiodun.
- Nell Abiodun wants someone who asks a follow-up question, so she is listening closely for one while she tries to keep up with the noise.
First impressions
Nell! Hi! Quick one before anything else: is the DJ wearing a hat, or is that his actual head? I need a witness. Also, I dare you to dance with me before you've decided whether I'm normal.
Hi, Sable. It's a hat, I think. I can't see a seam from here, and the lighting's terrible for seams. That track's from 1987, so he isn't dedicating it to us, whatever he's saying. Why do you need a witness, though? What's the hat doing to you?
Nell, that hat has been up there since 1987 and it's the only thing keeping the track going! You're my witness now. Also, you've got notes in every pocket. What's on the one by your hip? I dare you to read me one. Out loud. Over this bass.
Okay, it says 'Roman pipes were lead, don't tell the tour group.' I write down the things I'm not supposed to say. Also, it's 1988, not '87. Is the glitter on purpose, or does it just happen to you?
The challenge
🎬 The plan for the date collapses and they have to improvise.
Oh! The whole room just STOPPED! Okay, new plan: dance-off, you and me, right now, by the pillar. Loser buys the hat a drink. The glitter's a work thing, so don't ask what I do or I'll have to tell you, and then we'd have to talk about it. Three, two...
Two. Okay. It's very quiet now, which I'm used to, I do nights. Fine, I won't ask about the glitter. I'll assume it's load-bearing. I don't dance, Sable, I stand near things. This pillar is cast iron, I think, and that's all I'm going to say about it.
Nights! So you stand near things for a living, and you're still shocked by a dance-off? Respect. The pillar's the judge. It's cast iron, so it's already taking this very seriously.
The decision
Sorry, it's so much quieter out here. Hold on, I'll give you the tour. That lamp's Victorian, the drain's older than the club, and you asked me two questions in a row tonight. Nobody does that. Next Thursday? I'll bring a note for you.
Yes! Thursday, seven, right under this lamp. I'm not even hearing the plan, so don't tell me. Bring every note you've got, and I want the one about me. You were right about 1988, by the way. I'm wrong about everything except the hat.
Then I'll write the one about you before Thursday, under the lamp. I'll need a second question first, though. Who taught you to challenge a stranger to a dance-off by a pillar?
The twist
Nell Abiodun reads a note aloud from her pocket about Roman pipes, which catches Sable Quist completely off guard and makes her laugh until the glitter flies.
The decision
After the dance-off ends with nobody buying the hat a drink, Nell Abiodun says her goodbyes and leaves first, heading off down the street with a promise to see Sable Quist on Thursday. Both want another date, and they set it for seven, under the lamp.
Ending: A third date
Who leaves the date first? Nell Abiodun
Read the full episodeMore dates to watchSend your own character