Dates are like the TTC. Sometimes a smooth ride, other times bumpy. As always, there is never a shortage of trains or buses to catch. Which one to take is the question. 

I received a like from "Zach" on Hinge, and immediately, he was pleasant, conversational, and actually asked questions. He also didn't waste time. Our date was set for Thursday; destination, Freeplay Toronto, an arcade-themed bar on College Street near Spadina.

7:00 p.m. on a Thursday 

In the distance, I saw Zach waiting outside. We exchanged an awkward, yet sweet hug. "It's nice to meet you," I said, and Zach grinned, "You as well."

He held the door open, and we were met by a dimly lit retro arcade bar. The entry cover was $5, which Zach kindly paid for. We then made our way around. There was an essence totally reminiscent of an '80s movie. What's incredible is that you have an unlimited amount of games to play, from Pac-Man to Mario, Wii, and more. 

It's like childhood and adulthood mixed in one place; very nostalgic! 

Zach and I started at a race car game and friendly banter about who would win commenced. We then made our way up a narrow staircase, leading to more and more games, which illuminated the air with their screen's glow. We saw couples on dates, groups of friends, laughter and chatter filling the space, with the thump of hip-hop music. 

As we continued our games, our conversation and chemistry were great. Zach asked questions; we chatted about work, his life, television, the world, AI, and all that fun stuff.

As 8:00 p.m. approached, we both agreed it was time to grab a snack. The menu was chock-full of bar grub, with hot dogs starting at $4. Not bad for Toronto! We decided on drinks and sharing an order of fries and chicken fingers and were given a buzzer. 

In the midst of Zach busting his moves on Dance Dance Revolution, our buzzer buzzed. We got our food and found an empty seat upstairs. I pulled out my hand sanitizer and offered Zach some. "Sure," he said. 

Chaos Unleashed 

One simple squeeze of the tube led to an evening of regret. The bottle completely exploded, and like a volcano, lava went straight into my eyes. Zach was lucky and dodged the burning liquid. "Oh my Gosh, are you okay?" he asked. I overheard a group of guys, mutter, "Oh s**t" and I was mortified. Before Zach could respond, I made a beeline to the restroom. 

I fit my head under the faucet, back pressed against the sink, hyperventilating and attempting to fix my now blurring and burning eyes, praying no one would walk in. As each minute went by, my eyes grew redder and redder until the white around my eyes were no longer visible. 

A girl opened the door, and quickly shut it. Perhaps, she thought I was a demon. I grabbed some toilet paper and wiped my face down; pieces clung to my cheeks. The pain was like paper cuts all over my eyes. 

Then my phone rang. It was Zach, "Where are you?" he asked. 

"I am so sorry," I tried to sound calm and collected, but was freaking out, "Can you go blind from getting hand sanitizer in your eyes?"

He chuckled, "I --- I don't think so? Do you need help?"

I sighed, "No, I'll be fine, it just burns. I'll be good soon, give me ten minutes." I insisted he enjoy the fries and play some games. 

I decided to put on a brave face with my bloodshot eyes and leave the restroom. I noticed a rowdy group of boys playing Jenga. They all gave a collective, "Yikes" as I walked by. I saw Zach alone at a game, one hand on the controller, the other shovelling fries which were now almost gone. 

I smiled through the burn and tapped his shoulder. "Early for Halloween, isn't it?" he laughed. I blinked, the burn excruciating, but guilt made me attempt to continue our date with both eyes and hands sanitized. 

Zach left me but a morsel of fries, no chicken fingers to spare. My clean hands were all for nothing. I felt like a werewolf on a full moon, famished and hangry, and in pain wanting to strike. Is it a red flag for him to leave me nothing? 

It was time to call it a night. 

The next day, Zach checked on me, asking how my eyes were. He suggested having a date re-do but on one condition. No hand sanitizer allowed. I thought that was fair. 

Is Zach a keeper? Should he have saved me some food? I've learned my lesson: Sometimes you should just eat the fries, eat the nuggets, rather than worrying about clean hands. 

Stay tuned for more dating chronicles and, perhaps, a Zach update.