Interstitial
Int. Brewed Awakening Café - Day
Annie enters the café, slow and hesitant.
James sees her and sighs.
JAMES
What do you want?
ANNIE
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, but I was
walking by and I overheard the conversation
you were having with those people. I can’t
help but think this is my fault.
JAMES
You’d be right.
ANNIE
I may have been a catalyst, but your
barista told me that this was going to
happen eventually.
JAMES
Who?
ANNIE
I don’t want to get anyone in trouble—
including you. Let me help you. We can
redecorate together, I’ll even try to
bake some cookies that aren’t store-bought, even though I haven’t baked anything
since I was a kid.
JAMES
No. Thank you. You’ve done enough.
ANNIE
I’m not going to let what happened
between us ruin your business.
JAMES
Why do you care?
ANNIE
It would be a shame for this place to
go out of business. Let’s just say I
tried coffee at one of the other cafés
in town, and you were right.
JAMES
I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you, can
you repeat that?
ANNIE
(smiling while rolling eyes)
You... were... right.
JAMES
(smirking)
I like hearing you say that.
ANNIE
Don’t get used to it.
JAMES
So you’re doing this just to get your
coffee privileges reinstated?
ANNIE
I also feel guilty for my part
in all of this. I was trying to
help, but I made things worse,
and the last thing I want is for
your hatred of Christmas to get
any worse. Your life is hard enough
as it is.
JAMES
Why do you think my life is hard?
ANNIE
I’m assuming you’re grumpy for a
reason.
JAMES
(taken aback)
I’m grumpy?
ANNIE
(smiling)
The grumpiest.
JAMES
Fine. But I’m making the cookies.
ANNIE
Deal.
James offers his hand for Annie to shake.
JAMES
I’m James by the way.
ANNIE
I know. I’m Annie.
Annie takes his hand and they hold on longer than necessary for a customary handshake, their gazes lingering.