(Julian and Claire are walking down an old, out of service train track. Birds are flying overhead. It is nearing sunset, the sky is pink and orange. A tall mountain in the distance.)

Julian - "Do you think there are some birds that are scared of heights?"

Claire - "Yes...Baby chicks are nervous hopping out the nest...Also there are so many birds on the road that seem to not fly but are okay with walking slowly across and nearly getting ran over by a car. My assumption is that they are either scared of heights or are depressed birds looking to commit suicide."

Julian - "Rather grim but I see your point. Do you have a favorite animal?"

Claire (thinking first) - "Hmm, that is tough but if I had to choose a favorite it would be a sloth."

Julian - "Basic...but why?"

Claire - "They are soooooo cute! Plus, they look like they are smiling and I like how chilled out they are."

Julian - "Who put them in slow motion? If I was a predator in nature my prey would be sloths, they seem easy to kill."

Claire - "How dare you be a bully."

Julian - "That is not a bully, it is nature. Eat or be eaten. Nature is cruel, it doesn't care about fairness. Life eats life, the circle of life, like the inspirational Lion King theme song beautifully sings."

Claire - "Okay...Well, do you have a favorite animal?"

Julian - "No, there are far too many to choose from. Why must there be favorites? We are so concerned with favorites. What's your favorite movie? Your favorite song? Your favorite 90's alternative-rock band? Your favorite asian-fusion restaurant? Your favorite teen-fiction vampire romance novel? And I don't even want to begin to tell you how exhausted I am of constantly being asked by people what my favorite brand of anti-cavity toothpaste is. Why must there be favorites! Why can't I like a whole multitude of things? Is there a law in place that strictly prohibits such a thing? Why must I choose one over all the others? For someone who is so concerned with fairness, you don't seem to apply it to everything else but sloths."

Claire - "Jeez! I apologize for awakening something that has been clearly troubling you. I was just making small talk."

Julian (apologetic) - "No, I am sorry Claire. I got carried away. Anyways how are things with you and Bach? Are you guys gonna get married?"

Claire (blushes) - "Oh my gosh! Shut up!"

Julian - "You love him."

Claire - "Oh my gosh! Shut up! No I don't." (blushes and looks away)

(Julian stares at her with a blank expression and stops walking.)

Claire (throws her hands down) - "Ugh! Okay fine, I do love him."

Julian - "Obviously." (starts walking again.)

Claire - "Though he hasn't asked me to marry him yet. I keep waiting for him to do so. We've been living together for more than a year now and things seem to be going splendidly. I am hoping now that Thomas is in town, he can ask all the men of my family for permission to marry me."

Julian - "Maybe he is just too nervous."

Claire - "Nervous about what?"

Julian - "I don't know...Maybe the idea of committing to one person your entire life is daunting? Or the expectations that come along with marriage? Or perhaps the idea of asking our Father for your hand in marriage terrifies him...You know how terrifying Father can be at times. He really has a knack for making one feel stupid and small."

Claire - "You are right about that...But actually Father and I recently had a talk, and I think he is softening with age."

Julian - "That is expected, most men lose muscle as they age, so flabbiness and softness is common."

Claire - "No I mean emotionally and psychologically."

Julian - "Do a playa a favor and explain."

Claire - "He said he may be willing to pass out Bud-A-Ritas with Bach and I at the restaurant so that he can spend more time with us both. Also you won't believe this, but Father is actually open to the idea of bringing other people joy rather than simply himself."

Julian (with a puzzled countenance) - "Are you sure you were talking to our Father?"

Claire (chuckles) - "Yeah I was surprised too, but people can change."

Julian - "Let me know how that goes. I can see Father complaining immediately."

Claire - "He does enjoy complaining."

Julian - "A little too much. Though at times it can be amusing."

Claire - "I'd say more annoying than amusing...Anyways, how are things going with you? We haven't had the chance to speak for a while, you know, just you and I."

Julian - "Well don't tell Mom but Father gave me the sex talk."

Claire (laughs hysterically) - "I can only imagine how that went."

Julian - "If you are imagining a disaster then you are correct."

Claire - "Indeed I am."

Julian - "Oh and I met a girl!" (excited)

Claire - "You did!? Do I know her? What is her name?"

Julian - "Isabel, I met her at the record store. I'm going to take her to the cinema for our first date."

Claire (thinking deeply) - "Isabel...Isabel..why does that name sound so familiar?"

Julian - "Well maybe because I literally just said it a few moments ago."

Claire - "Shut up smart-ass. I do think I know her."

Julian - "Really?"

Claire - "Yeah...Isn't she a medium?"

Julian - "I don't think she is a medium, perhaps a small...Maybe an extra-small, she does have a rather petite frame."

Claire - "No medium as in psychic."

Julian - "How am I supposed to know that?"

Claire - "You talked to her didn't you?"

Julian - "Well she didn't mention anything regarding that and that'd be a weird thing for me to ask. Perhaps on our date she will read my mind and know that I want to kiss her and she will make the move so that I don't have to."

Claire - "Sorry Julian, but she will expect you to make the move."

Julian - "Barnacles!"

Claire (reassuringly) - "But she will give you the signs."

Julian - "I thought the world was changing? Why can't women make the first move.? Why do men have to? Men making the first move is a sign that the patriarchy is still as strong as ever."

Claire - "You are just saying this because you are scared of being rejected. Don't be a coward Julian."

Julian - "I got an idea."

Claire - "Let's hear it Einstein."

Julian (truly confused) - "Who is Einstein?" (looks around for someone named Einstein)

Claire - "Nevermind, what is your idea?"

Julian - "You should be a trailblazer for all women, and you should propose to Bach."

Claire (with vehemence) - "No!"

Julian - "Why not? Why can't women propose to men?"

Claire - "That just isn't the way it works."

Julian - "Well why? Why do you have to abide and follow old rules and traditions that you had no say in creating?"

Claire - "You may be right Julian."

Julian - "If you want to marry Bach I say you take initiative, you don't need to wait for the man to take lead."

Claire - "You are right Julian."

Julian - "Thank you. It is nice being right every once in a while...I can see why Father is so adamant about being right all the time, I feel empowered."

Claire (picks up a stick and throws it) - "Fetch boy!"

(Julian goes down on all fours and runs after the stick like a dog). *Woof* *Woof*

Scene Ends