The narrator recounts her quirky 18-year love story with Tom Box, an Australian living in New Zealand. Their journey began with odd encounters, including a Star Trek uniform at a punk gig and a misdirected poster for Dalek-like set pieces, leading to a deep connection built on shared humor, activism, and a love for dressing up.
The narrator recounts the unconventional beginnings of her 18-year relationship with Tom Box. She first heard about Tom, an Australian living in New Zealand's South Island, before meeting him in Wellington in 2007. Their first encounter was at a punk gig where Tom stood out in a pale blue Star Trek uniform, which to her, an unfamiliar observer, looked like pyjamas. Later, while living in a squat and working as a theatre set designer, the narrator created set pieces that vaguely resembled Daleks. A mutual friend connected her with Tom, who was obsessed with Doctor Who. To get his attention, she drew a poster offering the 'Dalek' to a good home and, after initially placing it in the wrong alleyway, successfully got a response from Tom. Their initial text exchanges were quirky, with Tom expressing suspicion, but the narrator enjoyed his 'filthy sense of humour.' Their first dates involved pool, pinball, and roller disco, where they proved to be an 'unbeatable duo.' The narrator eventually moved into Tom's flat. She reflects on how this relationship felt different from previous ones, like a destined path, though it brought a pang of fear and sadness as it meant potentially ending her exploration of relationships with women and her carefree squat life. Together, they developed shared hobbies, including an annual tradition of dressing up in elaborate, self-created masked characters for road trip photos. The narrator deeply admires Tom's work as a gardener, his dedication to regenerating native bush, and his past as a forest blockader, highlighting his strong moral compass and deep care for nature. After 18 years, they continue to build their life together, balancing her film industry travels with his role maintaining their home, enjoying both time apart and their shared adventures.
