Terms ·
I picked up those extra espressos you like from that place on 5th. The ones with the extra foam. Anyway, the construction around the Westgate roundabout is getting ridiculous. It’s a mess. Every single time I drive through there, it's a different kind of chaos. It feels like they’re just moving dirt around to look busy. It’s almost enough to make you lose your temper, isn't it?
The foam is too thick. It's practically a soup. And the Westgate mess? It's been three years. They aren't building anything. They're just delaying the inevitable. Is that why you brought them? Because you wanted to talk about traffic?
They weren't too thick, they were just... different. Forget it. And it’s not about the traffic. It's about the principle of it, the way things just sit there, unfinished. People just let things linger. Like that project you left hanging. It's easy to just walk away from a mess and call it 'done' when it's actually just stuck. Does that sound too harsh? It’s just how it looks to everyone else.
The gallery isn't stuck. It's just in a quiet period. People always want things finished. They don't understand the value of the pause. You sound like you're looking for a fight to avoid something else. Are you?
A quiet period. Right. That's one way to put it. It’s just... some people call a pause a pause, but others just call it procrastination to avoid the hard work of actually deciding. But no, the gallery isn't a fight. It's just that when everything is left in limbo, someone eventually has to account for the clutter. You’re just being defensive because it's easier than looking at the mess. Is that it?
Defensive? It’s expensive to stay in limbo, Marc. But someone has to manage the clutter. You keep poking at it. Are you actually going to say what's on your mind, or are we just going to talk about my business?
It's not just "your business." It's the thing we talked about back in July. Or, well, the thing you agreed to. The costs are piling up, Jo. It’s not just about the money, though god knows the lease isn't getting cheaper. It’s about the fact that the paperwork is sitting on your desk, gathering dust. You’re waiting for a perfect moment that isn't coming. Does that land too hard? It’s just... there it is.
The lease is fine. I haven't even looked at the paperwork since Tuesday. You're acting like the walls are closing in. If you wanted a decision, you should have asked for one instead of bringing me coffee.
Tuesday? You haven't even opened it? That’s... well, it's one way to manage things. I didn't bring the coffee to demand a signature, Jo. I brought it because it's a Tuesday. But if you're going to treat a simple gesture like a transaction, then fine. Maybe you should just handle it. If you can find the time between all those "pauses" you value so much. Is that what you wanted to hear?
The coffee's getting cold. You're making it a tragedy. If you wanted to talk about the lease, you'd just say it. Stop making everything about the paperwork. It’s making you look desperate, Marc. It's just paper.
It's not just paper. It's the commitment you made when we sat in that corner booth in April. You made it look so easy then. If it's just paper, then sign it and get it off the desk. Or don't. But don't act like the hesitation is some sort of artistic choice. It’s just... well, it’s not the same thing as a decision. Does that make sense? Or am I just being dramatic?
You're always being dramatic. It's a heavy word for a Tuesday. The signature is there. It's just... it's waiting. If you can't handle a bit of uncertainty, maybe you shouldn't have gotten involved in the first place. Should we go?
Wait. It's right there, you say? It's just waiting? That’s a hell of a thing to say when you know how much was riding on that conversation. You make it sound like it’s a spectator sport. If you’re so certain about it, why does it feel like you’re guarding it? Fine. Let's go. If you're finished with the coffee, then there's no point in sitting here staring at the paper.
Then let's go. You're acting like the ink will dry the moment you touch it. It’s just a signature, Marc. It doesn't change who we are. You're so eager to move on to the next thing. Is that why you're in such a rush?
It’s not about being in a rush. It’s about not letting things rot. You say it’s just a signature, but you haven't even lifted the pen. That’s the difference. You’re acting like we're the same, but you’re the one holding the pen while everyone else is waiting for the ink to hit the page. If it's so easy, why are we still sitting here? Let's go. Before the silence gets too heavy.
The silence was never heavy until you brought it up. You want the pen to move so you can stop feeling the weight of it. Fine. I'll sign it. But don't think for a second that it makes everything perfect.
You're signing it now? Suddenly? You make it sound like a concession, like you're doing me a favor instead of just... doing what you said you would. It’s not about perfection, Jo. It’s about the fact that the lease doesn't care about your mood. If you sign it, sign it. But don't act like it's some grand, tragic gesture just to make the point. Is that enough of an answer for you?
It's the only answer you're getting. You're so focused on the ink that you're missing the room. If you want to leave, then stand up. Just don't act like you're the one carrying the weight of the whole world.
I'll stand up. If that's the only way to make this official. But you can't keep acting like the weight is just an illusion you've invented to keep us stuck. You know that. You've always known. If it's done, then it's done. Let's just... let's just go. We can figure out the rest later. Or not. It doesn't matter as much as you make it seem. Does it?
It matters more than you'd admit. You want the relief of the decision without the cost of the change. If it's done, then it's done. Let's go. I've had enough of this table for one day.
The cost of the change. That's a clever way to frame it. You're making it sound like there's a price tag on a choice you already made. If you're so ready to be done with this table, let's move. But don't act like you're walking away from nothing. We'll see. I'll just take the coffee to go. It's better to have it somewhere where people actually move. Shall we?
Take the coffee. It’s probably better that way. You always did like to keep things moving so you wouldn't have to sit still. Just don't expect me to chase you to the next place. Shall we?
The coffee's practically a cold mess now. And you're right, of course—it's easier to keep moving than to sit in the silence and wonder where things went wrong. But don't act like you're the one choosing the pace. If you want to stay here and stare at the empty chair, that's your business. I'll take it. Let's just walk. It's better than watching you wait for a moment that's already passed.
It hasn't passed. It's just changed. You're so busy looking at the exit that you're tripping over your own feet. If you want to walk, then walk. But don't tell me you're the one setting the pace. You're just running.
Running? That’s a hell of a thing to say to someone who’s just trying to keep the momentum from dying entirely. If standing still is the only way you know how to exist, then fine. You call it running, but maybe it's just refusing to let the dust settle on everything. If you’re done, then you’re done. Let’s just walk. It’s better than standing here, defending a pace you aren't even keeping.
Then let's walk. You're fighting for a momentum that isn't there. You'll keep moving just to prove you can, but you'll still be tired when you arrive. I'll catch up. Or maybe I won't. It's all the same, really.
"It's all the same." That's easy to say when you're the one who didn't commit in the first place. You make it sound like the distance between us is just a matter of walking speed. If you don't catch up, you don't catch up. But don't pretend it’s the same as someone who actually tried to reach the destination. Let's go. The street is busy enough to keep us from talking too much.
Destination? We were just going for coffee. You always make the simplest things into a marathon. If you want to arrive somewhere, go. Just don't expect me to keep pace with your grand designs. The street is waiting. Let's go.