Photo Booth

A story written while listening to Photo Booth by Death Cab For Cutie.

“Jason, don’t! Just smile!”

“Julie…”

“I want this to be a nice picture.”

“Well, I’m sorry if I’m ruining your day.”

Flash.

“Jason, that was our last picture.”

Another quarter.

“Please just smile.”

“Pictures like tha-“

Flash.

“Great. Now we have a picture of you talking.”

“I’d rather say something important than smile meaninglessly.”

“Asshole.”

Flash.

“Julie…”

“Get your junk out of my apartment.”

“Is that what you want, Julie? For me to leave?”

Tears now.

Flash.

“Yes, Jason. That’s exactly what I want.”

“Just wait. You won’t last a week without me.”

Standing.

“Jason…wait.”

Flash.

Sneer.

“I knew it. You can’t stand for me to leave. You’d fall apart.”

“That’s not it. I just think...”

“No, Julie. You don’t.”

Flash.

Another quarter.

Money for quarrelling.

“You don’t understand, Jason. I’m trying. I am.”

“Trying to what?”

Spitting the words.

Flash.

“…Forget it. Just go.”

The curtain swishes to allow exit.

Flash.

Flash.

Flash.

Flash.