Ref: Pages 45 and 46 of the text by Robert Olmstead

1. Think of a regular and anticipated parting–such as leaving for work–that might occur between two characters.
   A sailor and the barmaid.
2. Now mark the previous times when the same parting has taken place, following each with a significant action.
   Each time he left, Beatrice thought she’d never see Carn again. It became their custom that she would steal his shirt before he sailed off again. The last time he wore a gaudy red and yellow floral pattern, she still wore it. Even to sleep. A year ago he showed up to port a week early with a fistful of flowers and a golden torc. Sometimes he would bring her fresh fruit from whatever he landed. Last time was pomegranates.
3. Use the same constructs to evoke an anticipated arrival. Now the character is preparing for the event.
   For a month now she’s been waiting. There is a spot on the bar where she’s worn out her worry and thinned the wood. The mugs have all been cleaned and inspected, the stairs swept, the linens washed and dried. No sails on the horizon again this morning.

Each time he left, Beatrice thought she’d never see Carn again. It became their custom that she would steal his shirt before he sailed off again. The last time he wore a gaudy red and yellow floral pattern, she still wore it. Even to sleep. A year ago, he showed up to port a week early with a fistful of flowers and a golden torc. Sometimes he would bring her fresh fruit from whatever he landed. Last time was pomegranates.
For a month now, she’s been waiting. There is a spot on the bar where she’s worn out her worry and thinned the wood with her towel and her nervous energy. The mugs have all been cleaned and inspected. The stairs swept, the linens washed and dried. No sails on the horizon again this morning.