Interstitial
Ext. Downtown Hemlock Grove Courtyard (Cont’d)
A group of businesspeople approach Annie and James, interrupting their romantic dance.
James! Didn’t expect to see you here.
It’s been years since you’ve joined
the party. I didn’t know you could
still dance, but it looks like some
things aren’t easily forgotten.
BUSINESSMAN 1
Who’s your friend?
JAMES
Annie is my... lawyer. She’s here
to keep an eye on all of you, make sure you’re not up to anything insidious.
Annie looks from James to the businesspeople with her mouth set in a firm line, disappointed by her introduction.
Annie shakes hands with them while forcing a tight smile.
ANNIE
Pleasure to meet all of you. Wow, it’s
gorgeous out here. I’ve never seen anything
so beautiful.
JAMES
(whispering to Annie)
I have.
BUSINESSWOMAN 1
James, we want you to meet someone.
The businesspeople beckon a man forward.
BUSINESSWOMAN 1
This is Greg. He owns three franchise
Beanz Café locations and is interested
in taking over your lease. I think it
would be a good fit, wouldn’t you agree?
JAMES
(beat) You’d replace me with a franchise?
BUSINESSWOMAN 2
We feel he would be a better fit
with the community. They have excellent
seasonal fare, including thirty-seven
different flavours of coffee.
JAMES
My coffee doesn’t need thirty-seven
flavours because it’s not trying to
hide its offensive taste. Their beans
sit in bags collecting dust for months
before they’re brewed.
GREG
Hey, now—
JAMES
My wife and I opened this business
when there was nothing else here. Brewed
Awakening has been a cornerstone to Hemlock
Grove’s new downtown core ever since.
We are the community. I know I haven’t
been putting in as much of an effort
lately, but I’m here now, aren’t I?
BUSINESSMAN 1
A few decorations, one batch of sugar
cookies, and showing up late to a party
hardly suffice as making any effort to
be part of our thriving community.
BUSINESSWOMAN 2
Hemlock Grove needs a reliable unit that
is willing to put in maximum effort all
year round to drive customers to the rest
of our businesses, and you’ve done more to
chase people away than bring them in.
BUSINESSWOMAN 1
You’ve been through a lot. We all have. But sometimes change is necessary. Maybe you need to let go, start over somewhere
else, somewhere that doesn’t hold so many memories.
JAMES
It’s been a rough time, but—
BUSINESSWOMAN 1
You need to move on, James. For your
sake as well as for all of our
businesses. It’s time.