We need to talk...

INT. CHAIN COFFEE SHOP – MIDMORNING – SATURDAY

The shop is bustling with young parents with kids, older couples, and friends having coffee. Smooth jazz plays in the background.

You walk in and see So Good at a table holding two cups of coffee. You pull out a chair and sit down.

YOU

Hey

So Good hands you a cup of coffee.

SO GOOD

Splash of almond milk.

YOU

Thanks. You wanted to talk?

So Good nods. Looks down at the drink cupped in her hands.

SO GOOD

Thanks for meeting me.

It’s silent for a moment.

SO GOOD

Um, yeah. So, basically, this isn’t working. For me. And I think also for you. Right?

The question hangs in the air. Trying to appear nonchalant, you slowly sip your coffee. It burns your tongue, and you try not to wince, but So Good notices.

SO GOOD

I just don’t think the Under $50 series works for anyone. I mean, it barely even works for me. And I don’t even know if you like literary events and art exhibits, and parody musicals of memorable pop culture moments. I mean, do you?

YOU

I liked it when you got really into standing in crazy long lines for free Shakespeare tickets this summer.

SO GOOD

Fantastic content opportunity. Good times.

So Good looks off wistfully for a moment.

SO GOOD

But if we’re going to do this, it has to really work for both of us. I mean, we’re both in this thing together, right?

YOU

I mean, I like seeing you in my inbox most weeks and on the Substack app.

So Good takes a deep breath and looks into your eyes.

SO GOOD

Look, I really care about you, and I want this to work for both of us. I’ve been working on myself, and I know I need to make some changes. I know you’ve been pushing me to share more of myself, and I really do want to be more vulnerable with you. Remember when I wrote about Trader Joe’s? I want to do more of that. I can be really witty and also really earnest, and I guess I’ve been too embarrassed to share that side of me.

So Good looks down at her coffee. You tentatively reach across the table and take So Good’s hand. She smiles up at you, hopeful.

SO GOOD

I also know I could be more organized. I really want to share my favorite things and events with you in a more digestible way. What do you think if I give you two separate monthly events roundups, one for literary events and one for general arts & culture events?

You and So Good look into each other’s eyes. So Good can’t tell what you’re thinking.