SETTING: THE NEW APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY The narrow stairwell and hallway outside their new apartment. Cardboard boxes are stacked haphazardly, blocking half the hallway. CHARACTERS: ADAM: Sweaty, exhausted, carrying a deceptively heavy box. PARIS: Out of breath, holding a floor lamp and a bag of random loose items. [SCENE START] (ADAM comes taking the stairs two at a time, carrying a massive box labeled "KITCHEN - HEAVY." He stops at the top of the landing, leaning his weight against the wall and panting.) ADAM I take it back. I don't need books. I don't need a cast-iron skillet. We should have thrown everything away and started over. PARIS (Walking past him, completely unbothered, carrying the lamp) I told you to let the movers handle the books, but you insisted you wanted to do the heavy lifting yourself to "save time." ADAM I was trying to look capable. PARIS You look like you're about to pass out on a public staircase. Put the box down. (ADAM drops the box onto the floor with a loud, hollow thud. He stretches his back, groaning.) ADAM That's the last of it, right? Tell me that's the last box. PARIS (Unlocking the apartment door) From the truck? Yes. But we still have to actually unpack all of this. ADAM (Looking at the mountain of cardboard clogging the hallway) Unpacking is a problem for tomorrow Adam and Paris. Right now, I can't feel my arms. PARIS (Stands in the doorway, looking back at him. The sarcasm drops, replaced by a soft, genuine look.) Hey. We actually did it. ADAM (Smiles, stepping over a box to stand right in front of them) Yeah. We did. No showers in the kitchen. PARIS No showers in the kitchen. Come on, help me drag this last one inside so we can close the door. [SCENE END] Scene 4: Floor Thai SETTING: THE NEW APARTMENT - NIGHT A few hours later. The apartment is mostly dark, lit only by the streetlights outside the window and the floor lamp Paris brought up. Boxes are still everywhere, but a small space has been cleared in the middle of the living room floor. CHARACTERS: ADAM: Relaxed, sitting cross-legged on the floor. PARIS: Leaning against Adam's shoulder, holding a plastic container of takeout.

The Hall Way Hand Off