Interstitial
Int. Brewed Awakening Café - Day
Annie enters the café to order lattes.
James is running the till and there’s a lineup of people getting their drinks. James doesn’t greet anyone, doesn’t wish Merry
Christmas, and is very abrupt and rude.
Barista is sweeping the floor in the background, pausing to wave to Annie.
Annie waves back.
Annie’s turn arrives and she steps up to the counter.
ANNIE
Good morning and Merry Christmas!
JAMES
What can I get you.
ANNIE
Wow, great customer service. Five stars.
JAMES
You want coffee or not?
ANNIE
I want a bit of hospitality with my drink.
JAMES
Order your drink and leave, or just
leave. I won’t stand for harassment.
ANNIE
Is asking for the bare minimum of social
interaction from a local business at
Christmastime harassment?
JAMES
I don’t have time for this.
ANNIE
If anything, you’re the one harassing all
these nice people by not greeting them
with kindness and wishing them well
for supporting your business.
JAMES
No one else has a problem with the way
I run my business.
ANNIE
That’s because they’re all scared of you.
I’m sure everyone here would love
a bit of Christmas cheer, some red and
green sprinkles on their lattes,
the smell of pumpkin spice. Heck
I bet they’d even settle for a
smile at this point!
Annie gestures to the other guests, who eye her uncertainly.
JAMES
You’re disturbing my customers. Please
see yourself out. You can get your coffee
elsewhere.
Annie gasps.
ANNIE
You’re refusing to serve me?
JAMES
Don’t make me ask you twice.
Annie looks around at other guests in the café, but they avoid her gaze.
The barista cringes and mouths the word “Sorry.”
ANNIE
Fine. I’ll go somewhere else, somewhere
with some decency. You’re not the only café
in this town, you know.
JAMES
Good luck with that. Next!
ANNIE
(walking away)
You lost a customer today. I hope
you’re happy.
JAMES
Good riddance.