Page 31 of Holly Jolly July

Int. Apartment Hallway - Evening

James walks Annie slowly down the hallway as they smile shyly at each other.

Through the walls they hear baby Henry crying.

Annie and James share a concerned look before walking faster toward Jenna’s door.

Int. Jenna’s Apartment - Evening

Annie opens the door and steps inside to find Jenna flustered and nearly in tears, herself.

James stands at the doorway, looking uneasy.

ANNIE

Oh no, are you okay?

JENNA

Henry won’t stop crying. Usually I take

him on a walk to the park so he can go

on his favourite swing. That always

quiets him down but I’m so exhausted

I can’t even think straight, and I—

ANNIE

I’ll take him out for you.

JENNA

No, it’s ok. The park is a few blocks away

and I don’t want you to get lost. The streets

around here are convoluted and—

JAMES

(stepping inside)

I’ll show her.

ANNIE

Are you sure?

JAMES

Of course.

JENNA

Thank you! I could really use the sleep.

Ext. Park - Evening

Annie is swinging baby Henry at the playground while James stands nearby. They are both dressed in winter clothes and snow

is piled all around. The streetlights are on and the sun is beginning to set, casting a romantic ambiance on the pair. They

are alone in the park.

ANNIE

How long have you been in Hemlock Grove?

JAMES

I moved here about five years ago. I grew up

not too far away. A few towns over. When they

rebuilt downtown we were the first to put in

a bid with our business idea. We’ve been

here ever since.

ANNIE

Have you always wanted to run a café?

JAMES

Not really. It was never my dream,

per se, but it became my dream.

And now it’s all I have.

ANNIE

I have to tell you, the coffee you make is

amazing. What’s your secret?

JAMES

I have beans shipped from all over the

world and roast them fresh in house.

After you roast the coffee it will oxidize

over time, reducing the fullness of the

flavour. We brew our coffee right

after roasting, which is why it’s

the best you’ll ever taste.

ANNIE

That’s amazing. Have you ever been

to where your beans are grown?

JAMES

We had plans for it, but no. Never.

ANNIE

We?

Baby Henry starts crying.

ANNIE

Sorry, he’s probably getting hungry. Here,

you hold him while I get his bottle ready.

Annie takes baby Henry out of the swing and hands him to James.

James looks at the baby, getting uncomfortable.

JAMES

No, I’m sorry. I can’t do this.

I have to go.

James hands baby Henry back to Annie and walks away quickly, abandoning them in the park all alone just as it’s getting dark.