Page 46 of Holly Jolly July

Looking from my phone to Ellie, I’m not sure who I’d rather spend time with: my mother, or the woman who is banging the same guy as me. Which would be less awkward and painful?

“Yes. Let’s go back to your place.”

Interstitial

Ext. Brewed Awakening Café - Day

Annie is walking by the café and peeks through the windows to see James talking to several people in business suits.

Annie ducks around the corner when the group walks outside.

BUSINESSWOMAN 1

This has gone on long enough.

BUSINESSWOMAN 2

Your little fiasco the other day nearly

made the paper. Not the local paper,

the provincial paper! Do you know

what that would have done to us?

JAMES

As I explained, it was a one-time

occurrence, and won’t happen again.

I had an unruly customer disturbing

the peace.

BUSINESSWOMAN 1

This isn’t a one-time problem, James.

And the incident with that woman is

just the tip of the iceberg.

JAMES

What do you mean?

BUSINESSWOMAN 2

You’re hurting our community, James.

BUSINESSMAN 1

All of the businesses rely on each

other to bring customers in. When a

cornerstone unit like yours doesn’t