| Steve Sorenson: Wow. What a day. I’m so happy that shift is finally over. |
| Margaret MacDonald: You can say that again, Steve. It was really busy today. I didn't sit down for six hours! |
| Steve Sorenson: I know. My feet are killing me. Being a nurse is rewarding, but sometimes... sometimes I just want to sleep for a week. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Only a week? I could sleep for a month! But, we can’t go home yet. Remember? We made a plan. |
| Steve Sorenson: A plan? Did we? I’m so tired, I can’t remember my own name. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Come on, Steve! It’s Friday. We agreed to go to the movies. You promised! You said you needed to relax. |
| Steve Sorenson: Oh, right! The movies. Yes, I did say that. I need a distraction. I need to forget about work for a few hours. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Exactly. Since I’m new here in D.C., I need you to show me the best movie theater in the city. |
| Steve Sorenson: Well, there’s a great one just a few blocks away. It has really comfortable seats. They recline all the way back. |
| Margaret MacDonald: That sounds perfect. Is it far? |
| Steve Sorenson: No, it’s a short walk. We can get some fresh air on the way. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Great. It’s nice to be outside. The air in the hospital is always so... sterile. |
| Steve Sorenson: True. So, Margaret, how are you liking the exchange program so far? Is Washington D.C. very different from New Jersey? |
| Margaret MacDonald: It is different. It’s busier here. Princeton is quieter. But I like it here. The hospital is huge, and I’m learning a lot. |
| Steve Sorenson: That’s good to hear. We’re happy to have you. But, tell me, do you miss home? |
| Margaret MacDonald: A little bit. I miss my craft room. You know I love handcrafting, right? Making jewelry and knitting. I don’t have much space for that in my temporary apartment here. |
| Steve Sorenson: I didn't know you did knitting. That’s a very relaxing hobby. |
| Margaret MacDonald: It is! It helps me focus. What about you? What do you do when you aren't working? |
| Steve Sorenson: Me? I like the outdoors. I love climbing mountains. |
| Margaret MacDonald: really? That sounds dangerous! |
| Steve Sorenson: It’s not too bad if you are careful. I usually go back to my hometown, Baltimore, or nearby areas to hike on weekends. But during the week, I just hang out at my apartment building. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Oh, the... what was it called? The Triple Peanut? |
| Steve Sorenson: The Triple Almond! The Triple Almond Apartment Building. It’s a funny name, I know. But it’s a nice place. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Right, the Triple Almond. I’ll try to remember that. Anyway, look! I think I see the cinema sign up ahead. |
| Steve Sorenson: Yes, that’s it. Okay, are you ready to see a movie? |
| Margaret MacDonald: I was born ready. Let’s go! |
| Steve Sorenson: Ah, smell that? Popcorn. The best smell in the world. |
| Margaret MacDonald: It does smell delicious. Okay, let’s look at the posters. What is playing right now? |
| Steve Sorenson: Let’s see... There’s a big screen here with the times. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Okay... looks like there are a few options starting in twenty minutes. |
| Steve Sorenson: Oh, look at this one! "The Wedding Mistake." It’s a romantic comedy. |
| Margaret MacDonald: A romantic comedy? Really? |
| Steve Sorenson: Yes! Look at the poster. The guy is tripping over the wedding cake. It looks hilarious. I love comedies. They are light and easy to watch. |
| Margaret MacDonald: I don't know, Steve. That looks a bit... silly. I was thinking of something different. |
| Steve Sorenson: Different? Like what? |
| Margaret MacDonald: Like this one! Look! "The House on Shadow Hill." |
| Steve Sorenson: That? That looks dark. Is that a horror movie? |
| Margaret MacDonald: Yes! It’s the new horror movie everyone is talking about. It’s supposed to be terrifying. |
| Steve Sorenson: Terrifying? Why would you want to be terrified? We just finished a twelve-hour shift at a hospital! I don’t want to be stressed. |
| Margaret MacDonald: It’s not stress! It’s exciting. It’s adrenaline. It wakes you up! |
| Steve Sorenson: No, no, no. I deal with stressful situations all day. When a patient is crashing, my heart beats fast. I don’t want my heart to beat fast when I’m relaxing. |
| Margaret MacDonald: But that’s why it’s fun! It’s a safe kind of fear. You know it’s not real. You can scream, grab your popcorn, and then laugh about it later. |
| Steve Sorenson: I prefer to just laugh. Without the screaming part. Come on, Margaret. "The Wedding Mistake" has that famous actor. You know, the one with the nice hair. |
| Margaret MacDonald: "The one with the nice hair"? That describes half of the actors in Hollywood. |
| Steve Sorenson: You know who I mean! He’s funny. The review says, "A heartwarming story about finding love in unexpected places." Doesn't that sound nice? |
| Margaret MacDonald: It sounds... predictable. I bet they hate each other at the beginning, and then they fall in love at the end. Right? |
| Steve Sorenson: Well, yes. Probably. But that’s what makes it comforting! You know everything will be okay. |
| Margaret MacDonald: But "The House on Shadow Hill" is a mystery! We don't know what will happen. Look at the tagline: "Don't open the basement door." |
| Steve Sorenson: See? That right there. I don’t want to see what is in the basement. I want to see people eating cake and making jokes. |
| Margaret MacDonald: You are such a chicken, Steve! |
| Steve Sorenson: I am not a chicken! I climb mountains! That is brave. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Climbing a mountain is physical. Watching a horror movie is mental. Maybe you are brave outside, but scared of ghosts? |
| Steve Sorenson: I’m not scared of ghosts because ghosts aren't real. But watching people get chased by monsters isn't my idea of a relaxing Friday night. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Please? I really, really want to see it. The special effects are supposed to be amazing. |
| Steve Sorenson: I don't know... |
| Margaret MacDonald: How about a compromise? |
| Steve Sorenson: What kind of compromise? |
| Margaret MacDonald: We watch the horror movie... and I will buy your snacks. |
| Steve Sorenson: You’ll buy the snacks? |
| Margaret MacDonald: Yes. A large popcorn and a soda. |
| Steve Sorenson: A large popcorn? With extra butter? |
| Margaret MacDonald: Yes, with extra butter. |
| Steve Sorenson: You drive a hard bargain, Margaret. Okay. But if I get nightmares, I’m calling you in the middle of the night. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Deal! You won’t regret it. It’s going to be great. |
| Steve Sorenson: Okay, look at the menu. The prices have gone up since last time I was here. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Yeah, cinema snacks are always expensive. But it’s part of the experience. |
| Steve Sorenson: True. Can I help you carry anything? |
| Margaret MacDonald: No, I’ve got it. Excuse me? Hi. Yes, I’d like one large popcorn, please. |
| Steve Sorenson: Don't forget the butter! |
| Margaret MacDonald: And please add extra butter topping. |
| Steve Sorenson: Perfect. |
| Margaret MacDonald: And two medium sodas. Steve, what do you want to drink? |
| Steve Sorenson: I’ll have a cola. No ice, please. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Okay, one cola with no ice, and one lemon-lime soda with ice. And... do we need candy? |
| Steve Sorenson: I don't need candy, but I want candy. |
| Margaret MacDonald: What kind? Chocolate? Or the sour gummies? |
| Steve Sorenson: Chocolate. Definitely chocolate. Those round chocolate bites with the peanut butter inside. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Good choice. Okay, and a bag of the chocolate peanut butter bites. That’s all, thank you. |
| Steve Sorenson: You are very generous. Next time, when we see a comedy, I will pay. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Deal. But admit it, you’re a little bit excited about the scary movie now, aren't you? |
| Steve Sorenson: Maybe. A little bit. I do like the adrenaline of climbing... maybe this is similar. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Exactly! It’s like a rollercoaster. You go up slowly, and then—whoosh! You scream, and it’s over. |
| Steve Sorenson: As long as nobody chases me with a chainsaw, I’ll be fine. |
| Margaret MacDonald: I can’t promise that. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Here are the snacks. Careful, the popcorn is very full. |
| Steve Sorenson: I’ve got the drinks. Let’s head to the theater. What number is it? |
| Margaret MacDonald: Look at the ticket. I think it’s theater number four. |
| Steve Sorenson: Theater four... that’s down the hall to the left. |
| Steve Sorenson: You know, it’s funny. In Baltimore, where I grew up, we had this old, tiny cinema. It only had one screen. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Really? Just one? |
| Steve Sorenson: Yeah. We didn't have a choice. Everyone watched whatever was playing. Sometimes it was a cowboy movie, sometimes a space movie. |
| Margaret MacDonald: That sounds nice, actually. It sounds simple. |
| Steve Sorenson: It was. We didn't argue about genres because there was nothing to argue about! |
| Margaret MacDonald: In New Jersey, we went to the big mall. There were twenty screens! It took an hour just to decide what to watch. |
| Steve Sorenson: That’s the problem with too many choices. Sometimes it’s harder to decide. |
| Margaret MacDonald: That’s why I’m glad I’m here with you. If I was alone, I might just go home and knit. |
| Steve Sorenson: Knitting is safer than "The House on Shadow Hill." |
| Margaret MacDonald: You know, crafting is very detailed. You have to be patient. Maybe that’s why I like horror movies. Crafting is quiet and slow. Horror movies are loud and fast. It’s a balance. |
| Steve Sorenson: That makes sense. I have a stressful job, and my hobby—climbing—is also intense physically. So maybe that is why I want a quiet, funny movie. I need a break from intensity. |
| Margaret MacDonald: I understand that. I’m sorry if I pushed you too hard. |
| Steve Sorenson: No, no. It’s okay. I need to try new things. If I stay in my comfort zone forever, I’ll be boring. |
| Margaret MacDonald: You? Boring? Never. You live in a building called the Triple Almond. That is automatically interesting. |
| Steve Sorenson: You will never let me forget that name, will you? |
| Margaret MacDonald: Never. It’s the best name for a building I’ve ever heard. |
| Steve Sorenson: Here we are. Theater four. |
| Margaret MacDonald: It looks dark inside. The previews are starting. |
| Steve Sorenson: Let’s find seats in the middle. Not too close to the screen. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Okay. There are two empty seats in row G. Let’s go. |
| Steve Sorenson: These seats are amazing. They are so soft. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Told you. Okay, shhh. The movie is starting. |
| Steve Sorenson: Hold the popcorn. I’m going to need it for protection. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Oh my goodness! That was incredible! |
| Steve Sorenson: I... I think I need to sit down. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Are you okay, Steve? You look a little pale. |
| Steve Sorenson: Pale? I feel like I ran a marathon! That was so intense! |
| Margaret MacDonald: But wasn't it good? The part in the basement? When the light flickered? |
| Steve Sorenson: Don't remind me. I jumped so high I almost spilled my soda. |
| Margaret MacDonald: I saw! You grabbed my arm! |
| Steve Sorenson: I was checking your blood pressure! I’m a nurse, remember? |
| Margaret MacDonald: You were scared! Admit it. |
| Steve Sorenson: Okay, okay. I was a little scared. Just a little. But... |
| Margaret MacDonald: But what? |
| Steve Sorenson: But it was actually fun. You were right. |
| Margaret MacDonald: I knew it! I told you. |
| Steve Sorenson: It was intense. I forgot about the hospital. I forgot about my tired feet. I was just focused on running away from the ghost in the screen. |
| Margaret MacDonald: See? It relieves stress. It clears your mind. |
| Steve Sorenson: It definitely woke me up. I’m wide awake now. I don’t think I can sleep tonight. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Oh, don't worry. You’ll be fine. Just check under your bed before you sleep. |
| Steve Sorenson: Stop it! That’s not funny. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Okay, sorry. But seriously, the story was actually quite sad in the end. |
| Steve Sorenson: It was. The ghost just wanted to find her family. It wasn't just about scares; it had a good plot. |
| Margaret MacDonald: I’m glad you liked it. Next time, we can see "The Wedding Mistake." |
| Steve Sorenson: Really? You’ll watch the romantic comedy with me? |
| Margaret MacDonald: Yes. I owe you one. It’s only fair. |
| Steve Sorenson: Great. Then it’s a date... well, not a "date" date, but a friend date. |
| Margaret MacDonald: A colleague outing. |
| Steve Sorenson: Exactly. A colleague outing to see bad romance movies. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Hey, look at the time. It’s getting late. |
| Steve Sorenson: Yeah, it’s almost ten o'clock. Do you need to catch a bus? |
| Margaret MacDonald: No, I can take the metro. The station is right there. |
| Steve Sorenson: I’ll walk you to the station. It’s on my way home to the Triple Almond. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Thank you, Steve. That’s very kind. |
| Steve Sorenson: The air is cooler now. It feels nice. |
| Margaret MacDonald: It does. D.C. is beautiful at night. The monuments look lovely with the lights. |
| Steve Sorenson: Have you had a chance to visit the museums yet? |
| Margaret MacDonald: Not yet. I’ve been so busy at the hospital. |
| Steve Sorenson: You have to go. The Air and Space Museum is fantastic. And the Natural History Museum. |
| Margaret MacDonald: I want to see the Art Gallery. |
| Steve Sorenson: The Art Gallery is great too. Maybe next weekend, if we aren't working? |
| Margaret MacDonald: I’m on shift next Saturday, but I’m free Sunday. |
| Steve Sorenson: Sunday works. We can do a museum in the morning, and get lunch. |
| Margaret MacDonald: That sounds like a plan. You know, I’m really glad I came on this exchange program. Everyone is so friendly. |
| Steve Sorenson: We try to be. But you are easy to get along with, Margaret. Even if you like terrifying movies. |
| Margaret MacDonald: And you are a good friend, Steve. Even if you are afraid of the dark. |
| Steve Sorenson: Hey! I’m not afraid of the dark. I’m afraid of what is in the dark. There is a difference. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Whatever you say. |
| Steve Sorenson: So, how are you getting back to your apartment from the station? Is it a long walk? |
| Margaret MacDonald: No, it’s just two blocks. It’s a safe neighborhood. |
| Steve Sorenson: Okay, good. Text me when you get home, okay? Just so I know you’re safe. |
| Margaret MacDonald: I will. You too. Don't let the ghosts get you on the way to the Triple Almond. |
| Steve Sorenson: I’ll run fast. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Here is my entrance. |
| Steve Sorenson: Alright. Thanks for the popcorn. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Thanks for the company. And for being brave. |
| Steve Sorenson: Anytime. Goodnight, Margaret. |
| Margaret MacDonald: Goodnight, Steve. See you on Monday at the hospital! |
| Steve Sorenson: See you Monday! |
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