Unannounced Bounce
In which Jason is merciless.
| Jason: | Hello? |
| Elsa: | Hello, Jason? |
It is hard to hear her over the noise of the bar. Jason mouths “Elsa” to Jess who makes a stern face and points at him. He gives her a thumbs up and takes the phone outside.
| Jason: | Elsa? |
| Elsa: | Jason, where are you? |
| Jason: | Where am I? Where are you? |
| Elsa: | I’m at your flat. |
| Jason: | My place? What’re you doing at my place? |
| Else: | You gave me a key. |
He did. He had. Casually, you know, like, oh hey drop by whenever, it’s cool—one more unsuccessful attempt to reel her in. “Yeah, well, like hang around for a few days and then come by unannounced, you know?”
| Elsa: | Are you angry? |
| Jason: | Yeah. Yeah, I am. I haven’t seen you in a week and a half and now you call at,” he checks his watch, “Twelve-thirty! It’s twelve-thirty and you just bounce over to my place? |
| Elsa: | Please, Jason, don’t be angry. |
| Jason: | Look, it’s not—it’s just not cool to treat someone the way you’ve been treating me. It’s not. |
| Elsa: | I know, it’s just— |
| Jason: | I’m not on-call, Elsa. You can’t just show up. I’m not on-call. |
| Elsa: | Please, Jason, please… |
| Jason: | Look, I’m not—you don’t have to leave—sleep there if you want to—or don’t—but I’m out with my friends, and I’m staying out with my friends. |
Silence.
| Jason: | I’m a nice guy, Elsa but damn it, I’m not a pushover. |
The word makes him mad. Pushover. Wimp. Toy. Puppet. “I gotta go. Goodbye.”
And then he hangs up. He surprises himself. For once he’d been merciless.