Could Have Been
He is sitting on a bench on a small pier reading; with her camera, she quietly sits next to him and points to shoot.
What she thought might happen.
HIM: I’m not sure if that is more rude or weird.
HER: I think it depends on how you take it personally. May I?
HIM: I suppose I can’t stop you now.
HER: [Snaps a Polaroid, waits for it to develop, then snaps another.] Perfect.
HIM: I don’t think I agreed to two.
HER: One is for the water.
HIM: The water?
HER: For better times.
HIM: I am sure that makes perfect sense. [He stands up, smiles at her, and starts to leave. He pauses.] Aren’t you coming?
HIM: I’m not sure if that is more rude or weird.
HER: I think it depends on how you take it personally. May I?
HIM: I suppose I can’t stop you now.
HER: [Snaps a Polaroid and waits for it to develop.] Perfect.
HIM: I think, to be fair, I should get one too.
HER: [Smiles.] I whole-heartedly agree. [She waits as he takes two pictures of her.] Two?
HIM: One is for the water. For better times. One is for your number.
HER: [Snaps a Polaroid and waits for it to develop.] Perfect.
HIM: Should I be frightened?
HER: Only if you’re afraid of girls. [She stands up, starts to leave, then pauses.] Aren’t you coming?
HIM: Only if you’re not afraid of boys.
HER: [Snaps a Polaroid and waits for it to develop.] Perfect.
HIM: [Hesitates.] I can’t think of anything clever to say.
HER: Why would you want to say anything clever?
HIM: I’m trying to ask you out.
HER: [Snaps a Polaroid and waits for it to develop.] Perfect. What are you reading?
HIM: [He shows her the cover.] I think it’s one of those books the movie actually turned out to be better than.
HER: Really? I’ve never read it.
HIM: You can borrow it when I’m done.
HER: I disagree.
HIM: We’ll have to debate about that sometime.
What actually happened.
HIM: I’m not sure if that is more rude or weird.
HER: I think it depends on how you take it personally. May I?
HIM: Sorry. [He stands up and leaves.]
HER: [To herself.] Perfect.
