Do you play football?' Brandon asks. 'No.' 'Baseball?' 'Nope.' Brandon is on a roll and won't stop until he's found the answer he's looking for. 'Tennis?' 'That would be a nada' 'Then what sport do you play?' Carlos puts down his food. Oh, no. He's got a rebellious gleam in his eye as he says, 'The horizontal tango.' ...Alex stands and says through chlenched teeth, 'Carlos let's talk. In private. Ahora.' ....Brandon turns to my dad with big, innocent eyes. 'Daddy, do you know how to do the horizontal tango?
In the scene from "Rules of Attraction" by Simone Elkeles, Brandon is curious about the sporting interests of Carlos and quizzes him on various sports. When he gets to the question about what sport Carlos plays, Carlos teasingly responds with a cheeky remark about the "horizontal tango," implying something quite different from traditional sports. This light-hearted exchange captures the interaction between the characters, revealing their personalities and sense of humor.
As the conversation escalates, Alex intervenes sharply, requesting a private discussion with Carlos, which hints at a more serious underlying issue. Brandon, innocent and oblivious to the tension, innocently asks his father about the "horizontal tango," revealing the humorous yet awkward dynamics among the characters. This moment effectively showcases the blend of comedy and conflict characteristic of the book.
