Interstitial
Int. James’s Apartment - Evening
James’s apartment is similar to Jenna’s: small kitchen area with a table separating it from the living room. The lighting
is dim but warm, the walls have tasteful decorations, and there’s a touch of hominess despite James being a sad, single man.
Annie and James are standing opposite each other at his kitchen island with mixing bowls, cookie sheets, and ingredients scattered
around them. They both wear aprons dusted with flour.
Annie spoons some dough from a bowl and licks it.
ANNIE
This cookie dough is fantastic!
JAMES
Thanks. It’s my... It’s an old recipe.
ANNIE
When I was a kid I loved baking, but I
haven’t done it in years.
JAMES
Why not?
ANNIE
There is always so much else to do.
My job as a lawyer keeps me busy. I
barely have time to sit down unless it’s
behind a computer screen.
JAMES
So I wasn’t wrong about you needing to
slow down and enjoy the simple things in life.
ANNIE
No, you weren’t wrong. That’s why I love
visiting my sister so much. Her life is
so quiet and peaceful. Well, it was before
she had her baby. Now it’s loud. Very,
very loud.
JAMES
Sure is. I hear the baby crying all hours
of the night.
ANNIE
I’m sorry, does he keep you awake?
JAMES
Not really, I just feel bad for your sister
is all. Being a mother sounds like hard work.
Annie cuts out a final shape and places it on the cookie sheet.
James removes a baked cookie sheet from the oven and places the last tray in the oven.
James uses a spatula to lift a warm cookie from the sheet and tears it in half, handing one half to Annie.
Annie takes a small bite.
ANNIE
Wow, it’s even better baked.
JAMES
Many things in life are.
ANNIE
Seriously, you’re so talented.
JAMES
Just wait until we ice them. We’ll have to
wait for them to cool, though.
ANNIE
We?
JAMES
Sorry, I didn’t mean to assume you’d help
me with that. You’ve already done so
much, getting lights strung up in the
café and helping me with the garland.
It was nice having company for
everything.
ANNIE
And, you have to admit, it
looks great.
JAMES
(sighing)
You were right.
ANNIE
Wow, it does feel good to hear that.
JAMES
So you don’t need to come back and
help ice the cookies. Unless you want to.
ANNIE
I do.
Annie and James share a quiet moment.
ANNIE
I should go. Mind if I take a few
of these to my sister?
JAMES
Of course. I can walk you back. Wouldn’t
want you getting lost.