Page 8 of Holly Jolly July

Annie approaches the counter to order.

ANNIE

Hello, and Merry Christmas!

Can I have two pumpkin spice

lattes with lots of nutmeg, please.

BARISTA

Oh, I’m sorry, we don’t have any of

that. I can make you a regular latte,

though.

ANNIE

It’s Christmas and you don’t have

pumpkin spice? What about peppermint?

BARISTA

No, sorry. If it were me, I’d stock

those things, but my boss, James over

there, refuses.

Barista nods over her shoulder to the man seated in the back, ignoring them while staring at his computer.

ANNIE

Is he also the reason there’s no

Christmas cheer in here?

BARISTA

Yeah, he doesn’t do Christmas

decorations.

ANNIE

Seems like someone needs a little

Christmas spirit.

BARISTA

I think you might be right. But you

didn’t hear it from me.

ANNIE