Interstitial
Int. Brewed Awakening Café - Day
Annie storms into the café, angry.
Kate is behind the till. There are no other customers.
ANNIE
Do you know where your boss is?
KATE
No, sorry, last I saw he was with you.
What’s wrong?
ANNIE
He left us! He abandoned my nephew and me at
the park. I’m not from here and it took me an
hour to find my way home.
KATE
Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry!
ANNIE
I didn’t have my phone on me and we wandered around for an hour. It was cold and the sun sets so early this time of year.
I was so scared, and I worried my sister sick!
KATE
I’m so glad you two are okay. You know,
I saw you walk by earlier and I should
have said something.
ANNIE
Said what?
KATE
He... Look, James avoids babies, okay? They’re a sensitive spot for him. When I saw
you two out with your nephew I thought it
would be okay, maybe it’s been enough time.
I was wrong.
ANNIE
Enough time from what?
KATE
There’s a reason why he hates Christmas,
why he doesn’t decorate, or bake, or
listen to Christmas music, or go to the
Small Business Association party.
ANNIE
What does that have to do with him
being uncomfortable around babies?
Christmas and babies are two of the most
magical things in the world, but he
hates them both.
KATE
They just remind him of how alone he is.
ANNIE
I don’t understand. He does well for
himself, he’s attractive, and under that grumpy exterior he’s actually kind of sweet. He smiled once.
KATE
You got him to smile?
ANNIE
Yeah. He has a really nice smile, actually.
He’s a catch... the total package.
KATE
(with apprehension)
I’ll tell you, but it didn’t come
from me, okay?
ANNIE
Tell me what?
KATE
His wife left him. Two days before
Christmas, three years ago. On the night
of the Small Business Association party.
One second they were planning their family,
and the next, she was gone. He hasn’t
been the same since.