Page 28 of Holly Jolly July

Int. James’s Apartment - Evening

James’s apartment is similar to Jenna’s: small kitchen area with a table separating it from the living room. The lighting

is dim but warm, the walls have tasteful decorations, and there’s a touch of hominess despite James being a sad, single man.

Annie and James are standing opposite each other at his kitchen island with mixing bowls, cookie sheets, and ingredients scattered

around them. They both wear aprons dusted with flour.

Annie spoons some dough from a bowl and licks it.

ANNIE

This cookie dough is fantastic!

JAMES

Thanks. It’s my... It’s an old recipe.

ANNIE

When I was a kid I loved baking, but I

haven’t done it in years.

JAMES

Why not?

ANNIE

There is always so much else to do.

My job as a lawyer keeps me busy. I

barely have time to sit down unless it’s

behind a computer screen.

JAMES

So I wasn’t wrong about you needing to

slow down and enjoy the simple things in life.

ANNIE

No, you weren’t wrong. That’s why I love

visiting my sister so much. Her life is

so quiet and peaceful. Well, it was before

she had her baby. Now it’s loud. Very,

very loud.

JAMES

Sure is. I hear the baby crying all hours

of the night.

ANNIE

I’m sorry, does he keep you awake?

JAMES

Not really, I just feel bad for your sister

is all. Being a mother sounds like hard work.

Annie cuts out a final shape and places it on the cookie sheet.

James removes a baked cookie sheet from the oven and places the last tray in the oven.

James uses a spatula to lift a warm cookie from the sheet and tears it in half, handing one half to Annie.

Annie takes a small bite.

ANNIE

Wow, it’s even better baked.

JAMES

Many things in life are.

ANNIE

Seriously, you’re so talented.

JAMES

Just wait until we ice them. We’ll have to

wait for them to cool, though.

ANNIE

We?

JAMES

Sorry, I didn’t mean to assume you’d help

me with that. You’ve already done so

much, getting lights strung up in the

café and helping me with the garland.

It was nice having company for

everything.

ANNIE

And, you have to admit, it

looks great.

JAMES

(sighing)

You were right.

ANNIE

Wow, it does feel good to hear that.

JAMES

So you don’t need to come back and

help ice the cookies. Unless you want to.

ANNIE

I do.

Annie and James share a quiet moment.

ANNIE

I should go. Mind if I take a few

of these to my sister?

JAMES

Of course. I can walk you back. Wouldn’t

want you getting lost.