Interstitial
Int. James’s Apartment (Cont’d)
ANNIE
What, you wouldn’t consider us friends?
JAMES
It’s been a long time since I’ve had one
of those. I think I’ve forgotten what
it’s like.
ANNIE
Well, friends are there for you to help.
To keep you company. To... talk about
things, if you need.
JAMES
I don’t have much to talk about.
ANNIE
It’s hard to be friends with someone if
they don’t let you in.
JAMES
To be clear, I was never offering friendship.
ANNIE
Right. Of course.
JAMES
And you’re not even from here. Why would I
invest time in a friendship with someone who
lives so far away? That’s a lot of emotional
labour with very little return.
ANNIE
I’m here often to visit my sister.
And... never mind.
JAMES
What?
ANNIE
No, no, you refuse to hold up your end
of the friendship bargain by not opening
up so I’m not going to, either. Friendship
is a two-way street.
JAMES
Fine. I’ll tell you one thing about me.
But you go first.
ANNIE
Fine. I was going to say I love my
life in Seattle, but being here with my
sister and her family, seeing the way of life Hemlock Grove has to offer, it makes
me feel like someday I could live in a
place like this, too. Slowing down might
be good for me. I’d have time to enjoy my life. To take walks, to read, drink coffee, bake cookies.
Annie smiles, then licks icing off a spoon, getting a bit of icing on her face.
JAMES
I think you deserve a life like that.
ANNIE
Your turn. Something about yourself. Anything.
JAMES
(taking a breath)
This is the closest I’ve felt with another
person in three years.
James reaches up, wipes icing off Annie’s face with his thumb. They share a moment, leaning toward each other.
James pulls away at the last second.
JAMES
I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me,
but I think you should go.
ANNIE
What? Um, okay...
JAMES
I have a lot of cleanup to do, is all,
and we open at 5:00 a.m. every day.
ANNIE
(standing)
Can I help with dishes? I really don’t
mind.
JAMES
It’s fine. I like doing dishes. They
help clear my head.