#jolette

Thanks @mindonaledge for the prompt!

A tent in the woods -- small, big enough for two people. There’s a slight dusting of snow on the ground and on the trees surrounding. CHARLOTTE (C) sits outside huddled against the cold in a fold-out chair. JOHANNA (J) comes around from the other side of the tent clutching a thermos in her hand.

J: (in a whisper) Any luck?

C: (not whispering) No.

J: Shhh!

J takes a seat in a second chair, uncaps the lid of the thermos, and pours some hot tea into the cup which she hands to C.

C: This is pointless! What are we doing out here? I’m freezing!

J: Keep your voice down, you’ll scare them off!

C: Aren’t they supposed to all go south for the winter?

J: Some of them, not all.

C sighs.

C: Lestrade had a triple homicide -- possible serial killer. If we hurry --

J: No.

C: But I --

J: Watch the birds, Charl.

Pause.

C: There aren’t any birds.

J: Well, there might be if you kept your voice down.

Pause.

C: I’m cold.

J: Oh my god!

C: Jooooooooo, I’m freezing.

J: Go back in the tent, then, I’ll watch for birds.

C: Come warm me up?

J: I’m here for the birds.

C: No, you’re not, admit it. You wanted me alone. In the woods. No one around for miles to hear what we get up to.

J: I’m really here for the birds.

C: (sighs dramatically) Fine. I’m going back into the tent. Alone. Cold and alone.

She stomps off dramatically to the tent, unzips and rezips it loudly, shuffles around inside. J sips her tea and pretends not to pay attention.

C: (from in the tent) I hear it’s easier to transfer body heat if you’re not wearing clothes.

J doesn’t respond.

C: Jo?

J doesn’t respond.

C: Joooooooooooooooooo.

J: (quietly) Damn it.

J sets the tea on the ground and storms off inside the tent.

C: (from inside, triumphantly) I win.

J zips the tent up, and silence falls in the woods after a moment. In the distance, a chickadee calls.