Context: It feels like an ice cream kind of day.

Setting: A snowed-in ice cream parlor

Tags:[M4A][Strangers to ?][Mysterious Shy Speaker][Relaxed Listeners][Meet-Cute][Wholesome][Holding Hands][Comfort][Reverse Comfort][Vulnerable][Valentine's Day][Mild Angst][Touch Starved][Connection][Supernatural?][Flirting][Sweet][Sharing Ice Cream][CW: Isolation/Depression]

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***

[Scene opens outside of a desolate ice cream shop]

[SFX: Howling winter winds and a door chime]

[You trudge through the snow into a familiar ice cream parlor, bereft of anyone save for two employees and a tired-looking man sitting at the lone table. He turns to you and clears his throat:]

“Oh, uh, pardon me.”

[He beckons to get your attention]

“They asked me to just sit so they could bring out what they have. It’s the only table so, if you want to sit, feel free.”

[Pause]

[SFX: A chair creaking as the Listener sits]

[The man appraises you with a shy smile and tired eyes]

“Hmhm, Hell of a storm, huh? I should start a betting ring for how many times I’ve heard “It’ll let up in a few hours”. Maybe it’s actually sentient and won’t quit until we ignore it. Who knows.”

[Pause]

[He chuckles a little]

“I know that look. That’s the “Is this guy OK?” look. I think I have a resting tired face. Or resting zombie face. Or I stay up too late binging shows I’ve seen a million times.”

[Pause]

“For what it’s worth, I think your frost golem look is cute, too.”

[SFX: The Listener shaking some snow off and Danny chuckling]

“Hehe, sorry. I’m just kind of surprised anyone else would venture out into a blizzard for ice cream.”

[Pause]

“Why’d I come out?”

[SFX: The winter wind howling quietly]

“I guess it just felt… like an ice cream kind of day, you know? Even if we’re in the middle of a blizzard and stuck in this shop for a bit, it’s… kind of nice, right?”

[Pause]

“Yeah, like… You know those moments where you’d dread showing up somewhere or doing something for one reason or another, then the thing or plans gets canceled and you just instantly feel a million times better.”

[Pause]

“Haha, it’s silly, but… There was a time in high school when we got the day off suddenly and nobody told me. I guess in the hurry they forgot to lock one of the doors leading into the lunchroom from outside and I popped right in. It took me a bit to realize what had happened and, at first, I panicked!”

[He gestures like he’s been spooked with a laugh]

“When the fear wore off… I can’t even describe the feeling. Like being eager for Christmas morning. My first thought? Fire up the cafeteria fryers!”

[Pause???]

“Hell yes, I made myself a school lunch! I was way better at slinging grease than those surly gents were, anyway. Found out years later that they would up together, hehe. That’s something else…”

[Pause]

[You both watch the snow fall outside, the quiet oddly comfortable]

“I’m Danny, by the way.”

[Before you can answer, an employee brings you both over cones]

“Oop, ice cream’s here. Thanks, Jay, appreciate it. Oh, you did have Winter Crisp! But you… only have Winter Crisp, huh? Well, what do you think, my new friend? Care to give fate a chance?”

[Pause]

“There’s the spirit.”

[You take the cone and thank the apologetic employee before they hurry off]

[Pause]

“Winter Crisp? It’s baked cinnamon apple, cranberries, and graham crackers in vanilla ice cream. Pretty good, if I do say so myself. And, hey, you’re lucky. This is the only month they serve it.”

[Pause?]

“Yeah, I guess I’m enough of a regular to know all the flavors of the month. Still, kind of wild, huh? Fate, I guess.”

[Pause]

“You’re a regular too, huh? Damn. I wonder if we’ve crossed paths before and never even realized it. I don’t think so, to be honest. I definitely would have remembered you.”

[He smiles, eyes bright despite the bags under his eyes]

“I think we were exchanging names before we got interrupted. So, hi, I’m Danny, and you are?”

[Pause]

“Hm, I like that name. So, now that we’re besties, can I ask a question?”

[Pause?]

“Well, I came out here because it felt like an ice cream kind of day. For me, those days are usually… not the best ones. Now, I could be wrong, and it’s obviously not my business, but if you feel comfortable sharing, I’m happy to listen.”

[Pause]

[He listens, occasionally going for a bite of his cone and missing horribly]

“Ahh… Valentine’s Day blues, huh?”

[Pause]

“Yeaaah, same…I can’t even remember the last time I went on a date. But, at the very least, I’m learning to appreciate my own company. Even if I can be a massive dick sometimes. Trust me, I would know.”

[His smile turns a little sardonic]

[Pause]

“That long for you, huh? Well, don’t beat yourself up for it. Without another person to work on, I think folks like us just have to be satisfied working on ourselves.”

[Pause]

[He chuckles quietly]

“No, I don’t consider myself a Buddhist monk. Unless you count sitting on the floor, belly hanging out, and smiling for no good reason?”

[Pause]

“Hmhm… I am the master at that, sure. And eating chips with no hands while reading. Can’t get grease on the pages, you know? I’m a gerbil reader. I gotta be nibbling on something.”

[Pause]

“Hey now, I don’t critique your hobbies. Mostly because I don’t know them.”

[Pause]

[He cocks his head slightly]

“You don’t really know them anymore either?”

[Pause]

“Ah… You started a lot of them to pass the time, and keep your mind off being alone. I get that.”

[...]

[The mysterious man seems to pick up on your discomfort[

“This is probably weird but… I know I’m just some random guy you just met, but I’m not going to judge you. I mean… I get lonely a lot as well. No matter how content I am by myself, there’s always that tiny little stab of longing, you know? But, in a weird way, I think it keeps us from giving up entirely.”

[His smile turns a bit sad]

“I think I just miss the contact the most. Who knew ‘touch starved’ was a thing? Heh. Makes me feel kind of gross, I guess. Like a horror movie monster hissing ‘LeT mE fEeL yOuR sKiN’ or some nonsense. First of all, rude.”

[Pause]

“Haha, ignore me. I think all this sugar is actually giving me some energy back.”

[Pause?]

[He pauses, cocking his head at your question]

“Would I like to hold hands…?”

[Pause]

[He ponders for a moment, unreadable before he smiles once more]

“I would be delighted to hold your hand, my new friend.”

[He gently offers his hand]

“Two strangers in an ice cream shop have done weirder things, I’m sure.”

[You take his hand and he gently squeezes yours]

[SFX: The wind blowing outside, them shifting in their seats a bit]

“...This is nice.”

[...Pause]

“And simple, huh? Hmhm. Dumb human brains, almost making a mountain out of a molehill. Look, I can say wholeheartedly, honestly, and without a shadow of a doubt that I would be interested in getting to know you better. I’ve never had such a meaningful conversation with a stranger before. Not even Steely Dan.”

[Pause?]

“Hm? Oh, no, he’s the dog walker for the Bakers.”

[...]

[He smiles again and squeezes your hand gently]

“I do need to get going, unfortunately… but, if you’re not too worried about some oddball discussing philosophy with you at an ice cream parlor in January, then…”

[He pauses and winks]

“Maybe we could make it ice cream in February instead?”

[...]

[He laughs]

“Oh, it wasn’t THAT smooth, c’mon. I haven’t even proposed yet!”

[Pause]

“Hmhm, alright, I’ll behave. Here, let me see your phone.”

[SFX: Phone tippy-tappys]

“There’s my number. Just gonna save it under “Weird Ice Cream Guy”... Hey! Haha, alright, alright, here.”

[He hands back your phone and stands]

“Hey, um… Thanks for making my day a lot better. If you’re feeling up to it, maybe we can marathon some bad movies or something? No pressure, of course. I’m happy to meet you wherever you feel most comfortable.”

[Pause]

[He smiles again, a faint blush on his cheeks]

“Yeah… I’ll talk to you soon. But, oh, one more thing…”

[He pauses and winks at you]

“You look out for Cupid, alright? I hear he can get a little trigger-happy this time of year. Especially when it comes to people he takes a fancy to. Hmhm, stay safe, my new friend.”

[SFX: The door chime and more howling wind]

[With that, your mysterious new friend vanishes into the blizzard, hands stuffed into his coat and whistling]

[The End]

Note: Have an inappropriately early Valentine’s Day script because I’m ME :D