SETTING:
A casual diner or local restaurant. Not overly romantic—just their usual spot. There's a half-eaten plate of fries between them.
CHARACTERS:
ADAM: Trying to be casual but clearly picking his moment.
PARIS: Realist, comfortable, eating a fry.
[SCENE START]
(ADAM is tapping his fork against the edge of the plate. PARIS notices, stops mid-bite, and just looks at him until he stops.)
ADAM
Sorry.
PARIS
You’ve been weirdly quiet since we sat down. What's up?
ADAM
My landlord emailed me the lease renewal today. Rent’s going up another two hundred bucks.
PARIS
Ugh. Seriously? That place isn't even worth what you pay now. The radiator sounds like a haunted house.
ADAM
Yeah. I’m definitely not signing it. So I’ve been looking at listings all afternoon.
PARIS
Find anything decent?
ADAM
Not really. Everything close to work is tiny. Like, "kitchen is next to the toilet" tiny. (He pauses, shifting in his seat) Honestly, the whole time I was looking, I just kept thinking about how stupid it is that I'm looking for a place just for me.
PARIS
(Setting their fork down, looking at him fully)
Stupid how?
ADAM
We basically live out of duffel bags anyway. Half my hoodies are at your place, your coffee maker is at mine. We're paying two rents to split our time between two apartments.
PARIS
(A small, knowing smile forms)
Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?
ADAM
I’m just saying... your lease is up in two months. We could get a place that actually has a dishwasher. Together.
(PARIS takes a sip of their drink, letting the idea sit in the air for a second. It’s a big step, but it makes total sense.)
PARIS
You’re messy, Adam. You leave your shoes right in the middle of the hallway. I trip over them weekly.
ADAM
I can learn to use a closet. I promise.
PARIS
(Leaning back, thinking)
A dishwasher would be life-changing.
ADAM
See? Purely a financial and lifestyle decision. Totally practical.
PARIS
(Softening, a real smile breaking through)
Shut up. It’s a huge step. But... yeah. I want to. I’m tired of saying goodbye at the subway station just to go back to an empty apartment. Let’s do it.
ADAM
(Relieved, grinning)
Yeah?
PARIS
Yeah. But I get the bigger closet. That's non-negotiable.
ADAM
Deal.
[SCENE END]