Mary: “So you really had a good time tonight?”
Anthony: “Absolutely! Your friends are exceptionally talented; to be honest, I’m surprised they’re quitting.”
Mary: “Yeah, well, I guess it’s just not what they want to do with their entire lives or something.”
Anthony: “It can be a harsh business. They’re probably quite wise.”

Mary: “So do you know of any place that’s open right now? I’m still a bit wary of going back to Bellie’s, I don’t care how forgiving he seems.”
Anthony: “I’m still suffering from some pretty fierce post-traumatic stress syndrome just when I drive by it on my way to work. There’s always Swanky’s, but I’m not sure we’re dressed to code.”
Mary: “Swanky’s?”
Anthony: “It’s an odd little martini-and-swing-dancing type place I’ve been to once or twice. Now that I think about it, I’m not sure they have much in the way of food apart from olives and cocktail onions.”

Mary: “Actually that sounds really fantastic for any other night. I’ll make you take me there some time when I’m not about to waste away from hunger. You’d think in a town with so many vampires there’d be more 24-hour diner places.”
Anthony: “Maybe vampires aren’t into the whole ‘dining out’ thing in quite the same way the living are.”
Mary: “Yeah, probably not.”
Anthony: “There’s always Denny’s.”
Mary: “No, I want food. You don’t happen to have any french-fries left at your house, do you?”

Anthony: “Sadly I’m out of even the basic ingredients of food.”
Mary: “I tell you what, then. Emily’s the one who does all the cooking at our house, but I think she keeps us pretty well stocked. I’ll let you make dinner for me tonight.”
Anthony: “That’s very generous of you.”
Mary: “I thought so! I know for a fact we have a decent supply of beer as well.”
Anthony: “I think you’ve come up with a fantastic plan. Shall I follow you, then?”
Mary: “Yep! I’ll try not to run any red lights.”

Anthony’s easy smile made Mary’s head spin despite her best efforts to remain grounded and in control. She quickly matched it before ducking into her car, waving after she started the engine.

She drove home at as reasonable a speed as she could, doing her best to ignore the grumbling of her stomach as she waited impatiently for the light to change at the last main intersection before her street. She glanced quickly in the rearview mirror and smiled again unconsciously when she spotted Anthony’s car.

In what felt longer than the actual few minutes it took, they were both pulling into the driveway.

Mary: “Welcome to casa de la Mary, my own little sliver of the universe. At least as long as I continue to be able to pay the rent, of course.”
Anthony: “It’s um… nice.”
Mary: “Don’t let the outside fool you, that’s just how we keep out the riffraff. Or try to anyway. Once in a while James manages to find his way inside, but mostly I blame Emily for that one.”

Mary finished working through the numerous locks and dramatically swung open the front door, stepping aside to allow Anthony entrance.

Anthony: “Wow, this is actually pretty amazing!”
Mary: “It’s really just some cheap paint and fabric, plus a healthy dose of Emily’s chaotic bohemian styling and my eye for color.”
Anthony: “It’s very ‘you.’”
Mary: “Let me show you the kitchen, and the food kept within said kitchen.”

Anthony laughed good-naturedly and followed Mary through the living room.

Mary: “All the food-type items are in the fridge and pantry, of course. If you need anything specific I can try to help but mostly it’s the blind leading the blind. I’ve never been much of a cook.”
Anthony: “I find cooking to be very grounding. Sometimes after work it’s the only thing that can really help me focus again.”
Mary: “You sound like Emily.”

Anthony: “It’s very therapeutic. You should try it some time.”
Mary: “I burnt water once. Ever since, Em hasn’t let me near the kitchen in any food preparation related capacity. She does let me clean up, however.”
Anthony: “Sounds like a wonderful working relationship.”
Mary: “We’re very symbiotic.”

Anthony: “You’ve got quite an interesting variety of ingredients in here. How does chicken alfredo with some garlic bread sound?”
Mary: “Perfect!”
Anthony: “As an added bonus, it’s relatively quick to make.”
Mary: “Even more perfect!”

Mary grinned stupidly in spite of herself. Just as she was pulling out one of the kitchen chairs to sit in, there was a slightly frantic knock at the front door.

Mary: “Not again. Excuse me for just a minute, apparently I’m more popular than I thought.”
Anthony: “I’ll just get started on dinner.”
Mary: “I’ll get rid of whoever this is as quickly as I can.”

Mary felt like her day was repeating as she walked through the living room once more to answer the front door. She was thankful that at least this time the television was off so she wouldn’t have to deal with seeing Andrew’s rage-inducing face grinning at her.

Mary: “Your kid’s not here this time, he’s— Oh.”
Charlie: “I need that watch back, missy.”
Mary: “What? Who the hell are you?”
Azrael: “You’ll have to forgive my associate, he lacks interpersonal skills. I’m Aidan Thorsen and this is Charles Aeron. A few months ago my friend here sold you a Mickey Mouse watch, circa 1954, on eBay.”
Mary: “And…?”

Azrael: “We need it back.”
Mary: “Haven’t you ever heard of email? What the hell do you think you’re doing showing up on my doorstep in the middle of the night?”
Azrael: “I assure you this is a matter of grave importance. We wouldn’t have intruded on you otherwise.”
Mary: “Everything’s always a matter of grave importance in this town. I think I need to move.”
Charlie: “Where’s the watch?”

Mary: “I don’t have it anymore. Sorry.”
Charlie: “What?!”
Mary: “I. Don’t. Have. It.”
Azrael: “Could you be so kind as to tell us where we can find it?”
Mary: “Why should I?”

Mary stood firm despite her desire to run screaming as the young man in her doorway fixed his eyes on her own. There was something timeless and unending in their pale grey depths, something that resonated in her soul.

Mary: “Right. Well. The thing is, I bought that for a friend. He’s got it, and he’s not currently here.”
Azrael: “Do you know where he is right now?”
Mary: “He’s probably at a club in town called the Xenon. If he’s not there, he’ll be at home.”
Charlie: “Where’s this club at?”
Mary: “South side of town, just a few miles from here. If you take 299th to Avondale it’s a straight shot.”
Azrael: “Thank you. You’ve been a tremendous help.”
Mary: “De nada.”

Mary felt dazed as the two men bowed slightly before walking down the front steps. She slowly and methodically locked each of the locks on the front door, not even blinking.

Anthony: “Is everything all right out there?”
Mary: “Everything’s fine. It was just some Jehovah’s Witnesses.”
Anthony: “At this time of night?”
Mary: “I think they’re getting desperate.”