2.04
The bell jingles as Hannah enters. The same café. The same layout. It’s clear that this is the start of the loop. Hannah casts a glance at the still-empty chair where Josh will be sitting later, then joins the queue. The guitar fades beneath the murmur of voices and clinking mugs. When she reaches the counter, a barista, JANA turns to greet her.
Hi! How may I help you?
One cappuccino, medium, normal milk.
For here or to go?
For here.
Coming right up.
Jana freezes; puzzled.
And a pastry, please.
Alright. Can I have your name?
Hannah.
And how do I spell that?
With an 'H'.
Great. Have a seat, I'll bring this over.
Thanks.
She takes a corner seat, facing the chair she and Josh used last loop. The door chimes and Josh enters. She tracks him to the counter. At the exit, a patron juggling two coffees leans into a pull door: one cup goes, coffee across the floor. She looks back and Josh is already in his chair. He's looking around at the room, searching the various signs for something.
"Spill the beans."
What?
The wi-fi password. You're looking for it, right? Today it's "spill the beans".
Thanks.
Flannery O'Connor.
Excuse me?
Your book.
Oh. Yeah.
Josh.
Jana comes over and sets down coffee for Hannah.
It would've been really awkward if we lied about our names just now.
I only ever lie to the barista.
About your name?
I come here almost every morning. And I always tell them this is my first cup of the day.
Why?
This thing has two shots of espresso. I don't want to be judged.
Hannah smiles, takes her cup and moves over to Josh's table.
I'll let you in on a little secret. You are a grown man and you can drink as much coffee as you want. Can I see?
She picks up his book.
"A Good Man is Hard to Find."
Have you read it?
I prefer her earlier work.
I'll have to check it out. I haven't seen you here before, have I?
First time.
I'll let you in on a secret, too. If you're nice to Jana, she gives you free refills.
Nice how?
She loves to be complimented on her playlist choice.
Oh, I don't want her to get the wrong impression.
What impression is that?
That I'm out for something more.
Wouldn't want that.
Hannah smiles at the playfulness.
Anyway, the best compliments are the ones without an agenda. Then you can really brighten someone's day.
That sounds nice. My family didn't do a lot of compliments growing up, so I'm not that good at them.
That's why you memorise some for emergencies. The kind you can give to strangers.
Pre-planned? Isn't that a bit disingenuous?
Sometimes the ends justify the means.
She stands up.
Where are you going?
To the bathroom. Why?
I just... I didn't want to give the impression that I wanted to be alone. I mean, I'm fine being alone. But I'm fine to keep talking, too. I'll shut up now.
Hannah stands up and walks through the café, easy grin gone, shoulders squared. She enters the bathroom.