Matilda: You said you’d stop seeing her! Sam: I know, but… [Sam trails off mid-sentence, fidgeting] Matilda: [huffs] For fuck’s sake, Sam! Stop pissing around and tell me the truth. Sam: I didn’t sign up for monogamy, Tilly! You knew that, you were happy with that-.. you didn’t want it either. I just thought you were being like.. extra emotional ‘cause, y’know-… [Sam stumbles over his words, gesturing toward Matilda’s midriff vaguely] Matilda: So, you gave me your word without ever intending on keeping it? Sam: I just figured everything would go back to normal afterward… Matilda: [sighs] I don’t want to argue, it’s all I’ve done today. Sam: So, let’s not. Matilda: Sorry.. I know you didn’t ask for this. Sam: That’s not the problem though, is it? Matilda: I don’t want you to change for me. Sam: Ditto. Matilda: I thought I’d be okay with it, but I’m not. Sam: Open relationships aren’t for everyone. It’s okay to want different things. Matilda: I guess we should stop pretending then… Sam: Probably. [Sam slides to his feet and pulls Matilda close, resting his head against hers] Sam: You don’t need me; you never have. Matilda: Duh. Sam: And let’s face it.. I’m not the one you want, am I? Matilda: [scoffs] Shut up. [Sam chuckles briefly] Matilda: You can go now. Sam: Alright-.. no hard feelings? … [Matilda hadn’t answered Sam before he left. She didn’t like being dumped, even if it was mutual-.. even if it made sense] Matilda: I guess it’s just-… [Sighing, Matilda cut herself off mid-sentence. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t talk to it-.. but right now, she felt as though it was all she had] Matilda: What a shitty day.

[Tristen paced frustratedly as he waited for Vicky to return his calls, texts-.. anything; she should be here by now] Sam: Hey, dude. [Sam was met with a blank stare] Sam: You doing okay? [Tristen didn’t know what to say, he wanted to give Sam a piece of his mind, but he didn’t usually like confrontation] Sam: Triss? Tristen: [snorts] You’re an asshole. [That was it now.. once he started, he couldn’t stop; it didn’t help that he was already feeling jittery and anxious. He might’ve felt bad for taking it out on Sam, though maybe he deserved it] Tristen: Why the fuck would you leave her now..? She’s about to have a baby! Sam: I don’t know what she told you, but it was a mutual split-.. no hard feelings. Tristen: That’s beside the point! You could’ve stuck around a while at leas-… Sam: [scoffs] Like that’d fly, we both know how independent she is. Tristen: I don’t think you know her as well as you think you do. Sam: Look, it’s not exactly your busin-… Tristen: Maybe not, but you’re still a shitty partner. [Sam squinted at Tristen, whom he had quite liked up until this point] Sam: You wanna talk about shitty partners-.. how bout we talk about you n’ Vic? [Tristen faltered, instantly losing his nerve] Sam: No? [Turning his back on Sam, Tristen made a hasty retreat. He didn’t want to talk about that] Tristen: Whatever, man. [Sam didn’t like to be cruel, but he didn’t particularly enjoy being berated by someone who barely knew him either] Sam: Yeah, walk away when it’s about you-.. stay outta my business, pal.

Matilda: How the fuck is it heartless? It’s literally the opposite. Sam: People giving up their kids for money seems pretty cruel to me. Matilda: That’s the worst way of putting it. Sam: Don’t get arsey about it! You wanted my opinion. Matilda: Yeah, ‘cause I didn’t think it would be so stupid. Sam: It’d make sense if it were someone else’s egg n’ stuff, y’know? They can do that these days. [Matilda rolls her eyes] Sam: They can! Also.. what if the mom changes her mind but keeps the money? Matilda: You’re such an idiot. Sam: I don’t know why you brought it up if you were just gonna get mad at me-.. wait, you’re not thinking about doing it for money, are you? Matilda: Are you fucking kidding me? Sam: What?! I know you’ve been struggling for cash, but-.. Matilda: I was thinking about suggesting it to Ivan, for free. Sam: You can’t do that! Matilda: Uh, why not? Sam: It’d be weird! You don’t even want kids, right? Like.. it’d always be around. Matilda: Just because I don’t want ‘em doesn’t mean I can’t produce one for someone else. Sam: It still counts-.. n’ what if they change their mind? You could end up stuck with it… Matilda: [scoffs] That’s not gonna happen. Sam: It might? I think you’d regret it. Matilda: Why’re you tryna talk me out of doing something selfless for once? You’re always banging on about how selfish I am. Sam: I just don’t think pregnancy would-… Sam: I was gonna say be easy-.. don’t storm off! Matilda: I wasn’t asking for your permission, by the way. Sam: Woah, woah.. wait! Matilda: I’m done with this conversation. Sam: Think about it for a while at least… Matilda: I already have. Sam: Bullshit! You can’t just decide something like this overnight. Matilda: Watch me. Sam: Tilly-… Matilda: Do you own my womb? Sam: Obviously not. Matilda: Then shut the fuck up.

Matilda: Triss-.. the fuck are you doing?! Tristen: Hey. Matilda: Hey?! There’s a power line right there! Tristen: Uhm, yeah.. that’s why I stopped. Matilda: What’s wrong with the front door?! Tristen: Uhh, s’not as fun? Matilda: Why did you even-.. just hurry up! Tristen: Hurrying up! Matilda: I’m gonna put fucking pigeon spikes on this thing. … Tristen: I’m sorry, I know it’s late… Matilda: Are you okay? Where’ve you been? Tristen: Eh, around-.. y’awfully kind when you want t’be, y’know? Even if you don’t think so. Matilda: [snorts] If you say so. Tristen: Mhm, I’ve got your number. Matilda: You can’t keep doing this though. Tristen: I jus’ didn’t feel like going home. Matilda: That’s not what I-… Tristen: [sighs] I know.

Sam: Wakey wakey! [Tristen jumps at the sound of Sam’s voice, offering a confused grunt in return] Sam: Coffee? Tristen: No, thanks. Sam: How about an aspirin? Tristen: I’m good. Sam: I’m starting to think we should’ve got a pull out. [Tristen huffs a half-hearted laugh through his nostrils, shifting uncomfortably] Sam: You sure you don’t want some coffee? Tristen: It’s okay, I should go-.. sorry. Sam: It’s all good, see ya. Tristen: Sorry, again-.. uh, bye… ... Matilda: Where’s Triss? Sam: He left already. Matilda: [tuts] I could’ve dropped him off. Sam: You know you’re just enabling him, right? Matilda: What am I supposed to do, kick him out? Sam: Maybe? Matilda: No-.. that’d definitely make things worse. I’m gonna mention it to Oscar at some point though. Sam: Sooner rather than later. Matilda: [scoffs] Give him a break.

[birdsong] [retching] Sam: You feeling alright? Matilda: Yep. Sam: Were you ever gonna tell me, or..? Matilda: [mockingly] Were you ever gonna say anything, or..? Sam: Well, I didn’t want you to think I was accusing you of looking fa-.. where are you going? Matilda: Out. [Sam tuts, studying his coffee for a moment; he contemplates going after her, though ultimately decides against it. He wouldn’t know what to say anyway, congratulations? I’m sorry? Are you out of your mind? Sighing, Sam shakes his head; he didn’t sign up for this]