• What's up?
• Not much... You?
• Not much.
• You're done moving?
• Yeah, I have almost everything I need, now.
• Cool. Show me your room?
• Nah, it's a mess.
• *insists lazily* come on..
• Next time.
• Sure.
• *pauses*
• You forgot your poster though.
• Huh? Which one?
• Chungking Express.
• Hah. We never did watch the end of that movie.
• I know. I watched it with FRIEND the other day, though.
• ... Didn't think FRIEND liked chinese movies.
• Well she does now, and she makes really good food.
• Better than me?
• ... It's different.

• What's up?
• Life goes on, even without you. I knew it was going to happen, but I guess I wasn't prepared for this.
• It'll be OK.
• ...Maybe not? I know we talked about it, but maybe it won't?
• It won't if that's the only thing that is ALWAYS on your mind...
• I know, I know. You're right, let's not talk about that. How have you been? Haven't talked to you in ages. Busy?
• Not ages. Didn't we talk like Tuesday or something?
• *purposefully evasive (he feels like its been ages)* Maybe... How's work?
• Work is great. I really like it, it's really getting me out of my comfort zone. I still can't believe I seized that opportunity.
• Cool. I'm so proud of you.
• Yeah. And then the other day we went out with some guys from the office, and ROOMMATE joined us. It got super late and everybody left but he had his bike so i sat on the handlebars and we did'nt crash! *she sounds super excited*



• Oh. I thought you were afraid of cycling in the city.
• *reins down her enthusiasm* Well, it was only for a short ride. Don't get all worked up.
• *pause* Glad you had fun...

• How was your day? Been thinking of me?
• Yeah, super busy, actually! I was almost going to not make it for our call, I had to drop off something at FRIEND'S NAME but I made in time.
• Come on, don't tell me you almost missed me! *grins*
• *a bit annoyed* Come on, I'm here.
• Yeah, and I'm happy to see you... How was FRIEND? Did she start her job already?
• It's only been a week so far, but I think she likes it. She never was really concerned about whether she was going to like it or not, you know.
• Yeah, maybe.
• She really isn't the kind of person to worry about work. She'd rather do stuff in her free-time, I love that.
• Yeah, she's like that. I'm glad you guys keep each other company.
• Yeah, she's a pretty good replacement.
• *smiles playfully* Oh come on! There's nobody like me!
• *silence* *sighs out of tiredness* If you say so.
• *silence* *sighs out of melancholia*
• I didn't do much, otherwise. We hung out for hours, actually, so just that. And work.
• Oh, ok. Good. How was work?
• Meh. As usual. Same but different.

• How was your day? Did you miss me?
• Of course I did. But I'm getting used to it... I try not to think about it too much, you know?
• I’m sorry.
• Don't be.
• *pauses* Did you do anything fun recently?
• Well, we all went out the other night. It was a bit weird, everybody knew you weren't there, but no one said anything.
• I'm sorry…
• Stop being sorry. *pauses* What about you?
• Well, not much. I don't really feel like going out. At all.
• Why not?
• I think about you. All the time.
• Hey. Maybe actually you should go out? Maybe it'll be alright.
• Well I don’t really feel like it. Everything here is so new.
• Come on, you should! I’m sure there’s plenty to do.
• I know. we did go to this bar last time with ROOMMATE. It was OK, I guess.
• Oh, cool. What was it like?
• It was kind of nice, actually. Really good music
• Huh. Glad you had fun with him.
• *shrugs*. It had nothing to do with him.

• Its good that you see people outside of work, though. Even if its your roommates.
• Well, the girl I don't see very often. She doesn't hang out that much. *pause* you seem to hang out a lot though.
• Yeah, but with the same people. Nothing to be jealous of.
• Yeah...
• FRIEND has been going out with us more and more. It's funny, I never thought I'd become friends with some of your friends, though.
• *faking being offended* that's not nice.
• Sorry but.. Well you know what I mean. They were never really my friends, you were the missing link.
• Not really a link.
• I don't know.
• ...
• ...
• Did you guys do anything fun?
• I'm not really in the mood for fun right now. But she's helping.
• Yeah she always made me feel better when I was a bit down.
• Yeah, I hope she'll do the same for me.

• I'm glad you're hanging out with your roommates. It's important to live in a place you don't dread coming back to.
• Yeah, he's super nice, actually. Kinda like you, in a way. It's weird.
• Hmm. Now I'm curious. What kind of guy is he?
• Why do you want to know so much?
• Well, he's my replacement, apparently, so I want to know all about him.
• You know. He's like beyond just being cool. He dresses in a cool way, listens to cool music, has cool friends. goes to all the cool places. It's crazy. Sometimes a bit annoying too.
• Haha, he's so cool that he keeps reminding you of me?
• He doesn't really remind me of you in that way. More like, being present, you know?
• I get it. He's there and I'm not. What do you want me to do about it?
• Don't start...
• I won't... It's just. You know what I think.

• It's cool that you get to go out. That didn't happen much over here.
• What do you mean?
• Well we mostly stayed home.
• Yeah but that's what I wanted to do every night. Hang out with you. Not you?
• Yeah, well, thinking back on it, going out would have been nice, too.
• But you never said that you wanted to!
• Meh. Doesn't matter. I went out with FRIEND a couple of times this week. It was fun. Turns out she's pretty fun.
• Yeah, yeah. She parties a bit too much, though.
• I don't know, I like it.
• *playfully* yeah well I like you, and I want you to not go out with any other girls, especially my friends!
• *half-playfully* Too bad, you can't stop me.

• I'm glad you're hanging out with your roommates. It's important to live in a place you don't dread coming back to.
• Yeah, he's nice, but he's not you, you know.
• Hey, don't worry, I'm sure we're going to see each other soon! *insert screen caps of lo budget airlines*
• Yeah, I can't wait!
• So... what's your roommate like?
• Why do you want to know?
• Well, he's my replacement, apparently, so I want to know all about him
• No, he's not... Anyway, he's weird. He really likes his job but never talks about it. He talks about movies aaall the time, though. He wants us to watch all of them. *insert screencaps of rottent tomatoes/imdb on the screen*
• Haha, he doesn't know you... You'll fall asleep everytime.
• Hahaha yeah, maybe. I've gotten better at that though.

• you know, there will never be someone like you in my life
• Why do you have to say that ? *genuinely surprised*
• Well, things are kind of different, now, in case you haven't noticed.
• Yeah. Yeah I did.
• We're both meeting new people.
• Kind of like starting new lives.
• It is like starting new lives.
• You look tired though
• maybe
• try not too go out to much
• why not?
• I don't know. I don't like that. But I'm not gonna tell you how to live your life.
• I kind of like it. ROOMMATE's good company, he knows where to go. *pause* I mean you go out too, and i'm not telling you what to do.
• True.
• ...I have to go
• Well, you've gone once already.
• ...


• call drops.

• I don't know, it's kind a weird thinking you can spend time with other people, with your roommate, without me.
• I don't want to hurt you, you know that, but I'm bound to meet new people here, to make some new friends.
• Yeah, yeah, I thought I was prepared for that but it's still a weird feeling when it actually happens.
• I'm sorry, I really don't want you to feel that way. I know it hurts...
• Hm. It does, a bit.
• Don't be jealous. You have literally no reason to be.
• It's not as if you were spending all your time with someone else.
• It's not like that! You know I love you.
• Not for long, apparently.
• Whatever.
• I...
• *pretends to ignore his subtext*
• You're right.
• ... *wants to switch topics* Anyway, do you have plans for the rest of the week?
• Come on. You know what I want to talk about.
• *abruptly* I don't. I've had enough tormenting.
• But...
• Listen I have to go. Let's be more reasonable next time.
• Fuck you.


• call drops

• It's funny to think that you spend more and more time with another guy and me with different girl.
• She's not just another girl, she's my friend!
• Yeah, yeah, but still. It's different in some ways. Don't you think?
• What do you mean in some ways? What fucking ways?
• I'm not. It's just... I never thought I'd see FRIEND like that.
• Like what? What the fuck are you talking about?
• Nothing. Don't take it that way, I didn't mean to...
• Well you just did. I can't fucking believe it. Think about what you say next time.
• Next time?
• Yeah next time I'll accept one of your calls *hangs up*

• I don't know, it's kind a weird thinking you can spend time with other people, with your roommate, without me.
• I don't want to hurt you, you know that, but I'm bound to meet new people here, to make some new friends.
• Yeah, yeah, I thought I was prepared for that but it's still a weird feeling when it actually happens.
• I'm sorry, I really don't want you to feel that way. I know it hurts...
• Hm. It does, a bit.
• Don't be jealous. You have literally no reason to be. You're the only one.
• It's not as if you were spending all your time with someone else.
• It's not like that! You know I love you.
• Not for long, apparently.
• Oh fuck off, it's hard for me too.


• call drops

• (starts) I mean this whole thing was never going to be simple. We both knew that from the start...
• Yeah, yeah...we did, I guess.
• These things are never easy, but...we can probably make it work.
• (a bit distracted) Yes, yes. I don't think we should give up on it so easily. People usually make these things work out, right?
• Maybe, I'm not sure. Some do break up.
• (brief pause as both do other things on their computer for a few seconds)
• Maybe, you know....it's just worth talking about where we think this is headed.
• (a bit confused) You mean this relationship?
• Yeah..yeah. This...whatever we have here between us. Whether we want to commit to something, knowing that this isn't gonna be as fun anymore.
• (still a bit distracted) Yeah, no, you're right. It's definitely something worth discussing.
• So...wanna discuss it?

• (starts) I mean it was never going to be simple. We both knew that from the start...
• Yeah, yeah...we did, I guess.
• These things are never easy, but we are going to make it work. One way or the other.
• (a bit distracted) Yes, yes. We will make it work. We can totally make it work.
• (brief pause as both do other things on their computer for a few seconds)
• I-I think it's worth talking about just where we think we are headed.
• (a bit confused) You mean this relationship?
• Yeah, I mean what we have here. I've never been away from you for so long.
• (still a bit distracted) Yeah, no, you're right. It sucks. We should talk about it.
• Okay, so...what do you think?

• (starts) I mean it was never going to be simple. We both knew that from the start...
• Yeah, yeah...we did, I guess.
• These things are never easy but we are going to make it work. One way or the other.
• (a bit distracted) Yes, yes. We will make it work. We can totally make it work.
• (brief pause as both do other things on their computer for a few seconds)


• I-I think it's worth talking about just where we think we are headed.
• (a bit confused) You mean this relationship?
• Yeah, I mean what we have here. We've been together for so long, but you've never spent so much time away from me.
• (still a bit distracted) Yeah, no, you're right. Where do you want to start?
• I don't know. There's so much. *trailing off*

• Hey...how's it going?
• It's fine...fine.
• Yeah....Listen about last time, I'm really-...
• (interrupts) I should apologize for that. I don't think I should have ever said that.
• Hey, hey. You know, let's not talk about that. Move on beyond that, okay?
• (pauses)... Okay...yeah, I guess that's the sensible thing to do.
• It is.
• (brief, awkward pause as they try to avoid eye contact)

• Me? I....(a little pause, speaks looking off-screen) I think it's not what we thought it'd be. I still love you...
• Yeah...Me too. Do you think it's really going to happen?
• I want it to. But I'm beginning to realize it's going to be a lot harder...I mean it's not just the physical distance but it's...you know....
• Yeah, I get what you mean. It's like you only exist within this computer screen.
• Yeah, exactly. And it's slowly defining how we imagine each others' lives..
• At least we know it's going to require some effort.
• Yeah, and we both need to commit to it. *neither look very committed at the moment*
• I can do that.
• Me too.
• Cool. Glad we made things clear.
• Yeah, it was gonna happen sooner or later.
• Yeah, you're right. It feels like some weird sort of rite-of-passage.
• (laughs) Haha, yeah right.
• (little pause as they once again get distracted by their respective screens)
• So, do you have any plans to come over here for Christmas?

• Me? I....(a little pause, speaks looking off-screen) I think it's not what we thought it'd be. I still love you...
• Me too. I love you so, so much... But how are we going to make that work though?
• I don't know...I mean it's not just the physical distance but it's...you know....
• Yeah, I get what you mean. It's like our daily reality is limited by this computer
screen.
• Yeah. it feels like you live mostly through my facebook feed, now
• It is going to be hard. But I trust you.
• Yeah...
• And I will keep on trusting you.
• Same.
• ... *looks infatuated*
• *looks somewhere else on the screen*
• I'm glad we had this talk.
• Yeah, it was going to happen sooner or later.
• Yeah, you're right. It's feels like a rite-of-passage.
• yeah maybe.
• (little pause as they once again get distracted by their respective screens)
• So, do you have any plans to come over here for Christmas?

• Me? I....(a little pause, speaks looking off-screen) I think it's not what we thought it'd be. I still love you...
• Me too. I love you so, so much... But how are we going to make that work though?
• I don't know...I mean it's not just the physical distance but it's...you know....
• Yeah, I get what you mean. It's like our daily reality is limited by this computer screen.
• Yeah, exactly. And it's defining how we see each others' lives.
• It is going to be hard. But I trust you.
• Yeah...
• And I will keep on trusting you.
• Same.
• ... *looks infatuated*
• *looks somewhere else on the screen*
• I'm glad we had this talk.
• Yeah, it was going to happen sooner or later.
• Yeah, you're right. It's feels like a rite-of-passage.
• yeah maybe.
• (little pause as they once again get distracted by their respective screens)
• So, do you have any plans to come over here for Christmas?

• I think it's not as easy as we thought it'd be. I love you and I don't want that to change.
• Yeah...I don't want it either. I really want us to stay together.
• I know, I want it as much as you do. But I'm beginning to realize it's going to be a lot harder than I thought...I mean it's not just the physical distance but it's...you know....
• Yeah, I get what you mean. It's like our daily reality is limited by computer screens.
• Yeah, exactly.And it's defining how we see each others' lives..
• And it makes us rely more and more on trust.
• I trust you.
• I do too, but...
• What?
• It's what you said. It's going to be hard.
• *pause*
• We needed this talk, I guess.(laughs)
• Yeah, sooner or later.
• Yeah, you're right. It feels like a rite-of-passage.
• (laughs) Haha, yeah right.
• (little pause as they once again get distracted by their respective screens)
• So, do you have any plans to come over here for Christmas?

• (unsure): Eh...I'm not really sure yet. I really want to but there might be a holiday trip that those at work might be organizing.
• Oh...I see.
• Yeah, I really don't want to miss out on that either.
• (small pause)
• But then I really want to see you too.
• Yeah, me too. I figured that Christmas would be the best time for you to come over here.
• No, you're right. I dunno, I've kinda have to figure out stuff in my head.
• Yeah...okay.
• (extended pause)
• (deep sigh) Anyways, I'll let you know though, in case I end up booking my tickets.
• Yeah, cool. Definitely let me know if you do.
• (pause)
• Alright, I need to get rolling.
• Same, it's getting late here.
• Alright, see you soon!
• You too. (smiling)

• (unsure): Eh...I'm not really sure yet. I really want to but we might have a lot of work over the break, so I might have to stay.
• Oh...I see.
• Yeah, I really don't want to look like I'm slacking off.
• (small pause)
• But then I really want to see you too.
• Yeah, me too. I miss you so much... and Christmas would be the best time for you to come over here.
• No, you're right. I dunno, I kinda have to sort shit out.
• Yeah...okay (clearly finding it hard to hide his disappointment)
• (deep sigh) Anyways,I'll let you know though, in case I end up booking my tickets.
• Yeah, cool. I'll come get you at the airport, whatever the time.
• (pause)
• Alright, I need to get rolling.
• Same, it's getting late here.
• Alright, see you soon!
• You too (winks)

• (surprised/taken aback expression turning into a smile over the course of this line): Oh...really? Wow, that's amazing. I'm so glad.
• Yeah! I'm so excited to be able to see you again.
• Yeah, I can't wait. We'll have so much fun.
• Yeah, can't wait to hold you, I can't wait to feel you close.
• (blushing) Haha, yeah.
• (both laugh sheepishly for a while)
• (slight pause)
• (looks off-screen; deep breath) Anyways, I'm probably going to book my tickets pretty soon, so I'll let you know.
• Yeah, cool. I'll be waiting for you at the airport.
• Is your roommate going to be there?
• (slight pause) I don't think so, he said something about going back to his family, so we'll have the place to ourselves.
• Excellent! Can't wait for it.
• Me too.
• Alright, I need to get rolling.
• Same, it's getting late here.
• Alright, see you soon, baby!
• You too (kinda smiling)

• (surprised/taken aback expression turning into a smile over the course of this line):Oh...really? Wow, that's amazing. I'm so glad.
• Yeah! I'm so excited to be able to see you again.
• Yeah, I can't wait. We'll have so much fun.
• Yeah, can't wait to hold you again.
• (blushing) Haha, yeah.
• (both laugh sheepishly for a while)
• (slight pause)
• (looks off-screen; deep breath) Anyways, I'm probably going to book my tickets pretty soon, so I'll let you know.
• Yeah, cool. I'll come get you at the airport!
• Is ROOMMATE going to be there?
• (slight pause) Nah,he will be going back to his family, so we'll have the place to ourselves.
• Excellent! Can't wait for it.
• Me too.
• Alright, I need to get rolling.
• Same, it's getting late here.
• Alright, see you soon, baby!
• You too (kinda smiling)

• Listen, I'm sorry again for not showing up for Christmas. You know how it's been.
• Yeah, no worries. I ended up spending it with my parents. Good food.
• I'm sure they were delighted to see you, as always.
• Kinda disappointed not to see you but I explained to them why you didn't come.
• Good. I was kinda sad I didn't get to see your mom, too. I liked her.
• Yeah, she liked you too. Was weird, though.
• What?
• Seeing you and my mom, chatting away at dinners.
• She's nice.
• I always wondered if it was about me.
• I can't really remember what we talked about.

• How have you been?
• As usual. Turns out, life can still be fun when you're not around...
• Heh, Thanks...
• Not like that, it's more like, different things can be fun,
• ...
• Anyway.
• I really liked seeing you again, you know.
• Me too. Sorry you didn't get to hang out with FRIEND
• I don't know. I just didn't feel like seeing her. Didn't realize that you guys saw each other so much, though.
• Yeah, well, not that much. * distant *
• ... *lost in her thoughts * She's the one who first introduced us to each other, remember?
• *suddenly day dreaming* yes. Yes, that I remember.
• In that sketchy bar?
• Yeah, it was pretty shit.
• And every night after that, I always ended up sleeping at your place.
• * a bit more defensive * Yeah.
• Never thought we'd end up like that.
• Yeah, but, you know... I think everything always ends up differently then what we'd like it to.

• Are you done being mad? You know I'm so sorry I couldn't come over the break. Work got crazy and, because of the storm...
• Yeah, yeah, I know. I don't want to talk about it anymore.
• K. I'm glad. I'll come next time, and you can even come and get me at the ariport.
• Yeah. And I promise I won't be late. Not like in Brazil.
• ...Yeah. I still can't believe I didn't dump you straight away after having to wait in that huge fucking airport.
• that's cause you were so in love with me.
• ...Yeah, I guess I was pretty in love at the time.
• I still think about it, sometimes.

• I think I miss you even more.
• Me too. It was good to see you, though.
• It was good to be back. You know, at first I was kinda afraid but it was good, actually.
• You had no reason to be afraid.
• Maybe. It's just... I don't know, seeing you, being together as if nothing happened.
• Yeah but it was nice to pretend, just for a bit.
• Were we pretending?
• I don’t really care what we were doing, you know. I was happy.
• You know bad I am at pretending we don't live thousands of miles away from each other.
• I don't know. I'd rather think about good times rather than hopeless ones.

• It's funny. I can't really remember anything in particular, now.
• Yeah, me neither. I remember periods, more than moments.
• Or, rather, random moments. Like this one time at McDonald's.
• Which one?
• You know, the one when we came back from whomever's party and we were hungry.
• Oh, yeah. And then this one time when we all had McDonald's and watched GLITCH on tv till late.
• Haha, yeah. We did that a bunch of times, though.
• I guess they all feel the same, now. I think I did the exact same thing with FRIEND the other day. We watched GLITCH, though. Was a bit better.
• Like multiple instances of the same class.
• That's a weird metaphor. But yes.
• Programming reference.
• Well that hasn't changed.
• Hey, I did try to teach you.
• I know. I should have said yes.
• Don't worry. Next time.

• You know, there are a lot of places that I don't got to anymore.
• How come? Like, which places?
• I don't know. The coffee place on GLITCH square. I don't think we ever went there together but, on the rare occasions that I'd wake up before you on Sundays and go out and get breakfast....
• 'Rare' is an understatement.
• Yeah I know, but I would go out, and get everything you wanted, and then on the way back, I'd stop at that cafÈ -I can't even remember its name- and just have an espresso at the bar.
• Huh. You never told me.
• It wasn't that big of a deal. It's just... It felt nice. Sitting there, among strangers, for a couple of minutes, looking at the window of the third floor of the building on the other side of the street. And I had this feeling of complete certainty that the woman I love(d) was waiting for me on the other side of the street.
• ...
• Anyway. I don't go there anymore.
• It's funny. I thought all this time you were just bad at buying bagels.

• ...
• Have I already told you how much I miss these moments with you?
• Mmh... * distracted * which moments?
• I don't know. I thought... I miss you, but I also miss being with you, you know? Like being comforted by your simple presence.
• What do you mean?
• Well, it's like... You know when you're supposed to meet someone somewhere and you get at the meeting point but then that person hasn't seen you yet, so you get to observe her for a couple of seconds without her knowing that you're here at all? And all you see is that person that has no knowledge at all that you're here, and so it's like seeing them for what they really are?
• Yeah...
• Well that's kind of the opposite with you. Having you near me was like having you disappear with me. Like our lives was only just one life, and we didn't really exist as separate persons anymore...
• * forcefully smiles * Mmh.
• And I 've had this feeling for a long time but I didn't know what it was, and just being back was... It made me realize. Don't you?
• Don't I what?
• Have that feeling?
• I used to. But now it's gone.

• Still... I remember this one time when you came to get me at the train station, in our last year of university. You had flowers.
• Haha, right. I I never told you that I was still in bed something like 20 minutes before your train was arriving. Those flowers were from the town hall's lawn.
• Yeah, I kind of suspected that. That they were from somewhere that was not the flower shop
• Because of the dirt all over it or because of the lack of proper packaging?
• Both. *pause* Too bad I got rid of them when they faded.
• Well, we probably would have lost them in the moving anyway.
• Or your sister would have taken them. I'm sure she still has some of my stuff that I left at your parent's place.
• But that's because you have good taste!
• Yeah, well I guess it's kind of like having memories of me still over here. By your side.

• Hey, to be honest, I wouldn't remember half this stuff if we didn't have Facebook pictures.
• Haha, yeah. Or Instagram feeds.
• Your Instagram is pretty shit, though.
• Too meta for you.
• Yeah.
• ...
• I like your pictures. Some of them. Same old places. Same old faces. * scrolling out of screen * oh, are FRIEND1 & FRIEND2 still together?
• Uh-huh.
• I like that picture with FRIEND.
• She likes it too.
• Cool.
• ...
• I don't know if we can't put old photos on Instagram.
• Sure you can.
• Maybe I'll put some up. Some of ours.
• You don't have to.
• * pensive * You're right. Maybe I'll keep them to myself.
• ...
• ...
• Do what you want,
• I will.


• Call drops

• It's surprisingly hard not to forget. To keep in mind everything we've lived through.
• And everything we've been through.
• Yeah. But that made us stronger.
• ... Would've been better with the fights and the screams.
• But the fights and the screams were part of it! It was us learning to live together.
• I don't know. I never fight with my roommates. Well, her I don't see that often, but living with ROOMMATE is surprisingly easy.
• ...
• What?
• Can you stop mentioning him?
• What? He's the one I live with, now. I'd rather talk about something happening now than something that happened long ago.
• * low voice * It wasn't that long ago.
• Maybe. Maybe not. The point is, the past should stay the past.
• But the past will also stay ours.
• Not if we keep on disturbing it.


• Call drops

• I remember so much. I could start a list and it'd never end.
• I don't know. It'd have to end when you left.
• Maybe not. These are moments too.
• These are moments when we're not together. We look at each other, but you're only pixels. And on these pixels I project ever-fading memories of you.
• Am I not more than that?
• No. You're gone, remember? The last time I saw you was before you got into that cab. That's my last memory.
• But we had moments afterwards! When we were both eating M&M's, you in your room, me in mine, and we pretend it to give one to each other?
• I don't know. It wasn't that fun.
• I had fun.
• I think we were trying too hard.
• No. This kind of stuff, the stuff that seems so mundane in real life, is what makes our weird mediated relationship special. This is how me make it human.
• * doubtful * Did we?
• I think so. I'm still there. You're still there.


• Call drops

• We shouldn't talk about that too much.
• I know. But memories are pretty comforting.
• But then you end up with nothing but the past, and once that's gone -because it always goes- then there's nothing left. An empty present. And I don't want my present to be empty.
• So you're just letting go?
• No, it's just. I don't want to think about it. I've thought about it too much. I can't really live like that.
• I'm not asking you to live like that...
• I know. But...
• ...
• I'll always have the greatest affection for you.
• What do you want me to say?


• Call drops

• Hey
• Hey
• Working?
• Yeah.
• pause
• What are you working on?
• This one thing I told you about.
• Can't remember.
• Don't bother *types away* it's not that interesting.
• Okay.
• pause
• Oh I missed that.
• *mechanically* I missed you too.
• Oh no I just said I missed that one event.

• Hello!
• Hey
• How are you?
• Good.
• Long day?
• Yeah.
• ...
• And probably a long night.
• Tell me about it.
• Fuck work. Going out.
• I thought work was the most important for you?
• Mmh. People change.
• You think we've changed?
• G is scrolling.
• Huh?
• Nothing.

• You look tired
• Yeah. I'm not getting much sleep recently.
• What's wrong?
• Nothing.
• ...
• A bunch of small stuff.
• I'm sorry.
• Are you?
• Yeah.
• I don't want you to be sorry for me.
• *laughing to himself* Heh, that's what she always says.
• Who?
• Well, FRIEND.
• They look up the screen sometimes, to look at the camera
• Their gaze wanders from left to right, as if they followed something on screen
• B talks to someone outside the window, like a greeting followed by something not understandable.
• did you say something?
• *shakes head* mh-mh

• Hey.
• Hey.
• *not very into it* I miss you.
• Me too.
• *pause*
• *pause
• How are you?
• Okay;
• sure?
• yeah. Miss you too.
• They mostly sigh at each other
• They start scrolling stuff on the web
• what are you doing?
• trying to get this one thing to work but i can't.
• ...
• I'll just... ROOMMATE can probably help.
• Pause
• You?

Distant

2 or 3 longish emails about how they're doing, more like love letters when they're apart for a long time (one is on holiday or sth). They might be a bit long so let's not have too many of those - maybe one email template and then

One Distant ñ One Intimate

Instagram is a photo testimony of their social lives, going out with friends, different perspectives of the same picture (e.g. a statue at a museum), silly inside jokes that they have and also, slowly, the introduction of another boy in G's feed (the ROOMMATE) and a girl in B's feed (the FRIEND)

Node 2 ---------- Boredom is mostly translated through their scrolling / paraphernalia / body language

The great thing here would be to have the same template (facebook / instagram / gmail) and then just change pictures : text depending on what they are feeling - so we basically need 4 sets of each picture/mail => 2 that are displayed on boy' side, depending on whether he is distant or intimate, and same for the girl)otherwise, they just don't say anything, scroll around.

Both Intimate

Facebook is mostly facebook convos - basic day to day stuff such as ìcome pick me up after workî / ìhow's being on holiday at your parentsî / drunken messages and fervent love declarations

• *louder voice, as if she's getting out of some thought/slumber* K. I'm done with my stuff.
• *mumbling* Lucky you
• Well, I have to go.
• K. When do you think you'll be back.
• Dunno.
• I have a bunch of stuff to do tomorrow.
• Well that didn't change.
• I know.
• I can do... *looks up calendar*
• ...
• Like after the weekend?
• Sure.
• I'll see you tomorrow?
• Sure.

• *louder voice, as if she's getting out of some thought/slumber* K. I'm done with my stuff.
• But not done with me?
• Well, I have to go.
• Wait for me.
• Come on, I really have to.
• Please. Keep me company for a bit more.
• There's this other thing, I promised I wouldn't miss it.
• Don't you miss me?
• Not as much.
• ... *looks somewhere else on the screen*
• ...
• Nevermind then.
• I'll see you tomorrow?
• Sure.)

• I'm gonna have to go.
• Don't go. Please.
• I know but...
• G still isn't looking at the screen.
• It's not really going anywhere.
• Is it really about that? Or is it about us?
• I have stuff to do. And you have stuff to do too.
• Yeah, they're almost done with dinner.
• There you go, you have dinner. And your roommates
• But maybe I want to have you.
• Well right now you can't. You're too far.
• I wish I wasn't.
• ...
• Really have to go.
• ...
• ... See you.
• See you.

• I'm gonna have to go.
• Don't go. Please.
• I know but...
• B still isn't looking at the screen.
• It's not really going anywhere.
• Is it really about that?
• I have stuff to do. And you have stuff to do too.
• Yeah, dinner's almost ready.
• There you go, you have dinner.
• But I want to have you.
• Well right now you can't. I'm too far.
• ...
• Really have to go.
• ... See you.
• See you.

• Hey.
• *scrambles around, takes some time to answer*
• ...
• Oh hey. Sorry, just looking for some stuff.
• *annoyed* Ok.
• Fucking socks.
• they stare for a while as she's rummaging around for her socks.
• Tss.
• Sorry. Found them.
• I'm glad.
• You wanted to talk?
• I always want to talk.
• Yeah, but, about what?
• I don't really know.
• You never really know.
• I guess... *takes a breath* I guess I'm a bit tired.
• Me too.

• Hey.
• *scrambles around, takes some time to answer*
• What's up?
• Oh hey. Sorry, just looking for some stuff.
• What.
• Just socks. Doesn't matter.
• they stare for a while as she's rummaging around for her socks.
• Heh.
• What?
• Moments like that. Mundane moments.
• They're the worst.
• At least we had them.
• That's not the core of our relationship, you know.
• Then what is?
• I don't know. Never thought about it.
• Maybe we should have.
• Maybe we don't have one.

• Hey.
• *scrambles around, takes some time to answer*
• What's up?
• Oh hey. Sorry, just looking for some stuff.
• *annoyed* Don't mind me.
• Hey, they're your favorite pair of socks.
• they stare for a while as she's rummaging around for her socks.
• Tss.
• Found them! Wanna see?
• Not really.
• Don't you miss them?
• A pair of socks?
• Hey but they're important! They're part of our history?
• Maybe I don't want to be confronted to ìour historyî.
• That's also who we are.
• Who we were. We moved on.
• Maybe you moved on.

• Hey.
• *scrambles around, takes some time to answer*
• What's up?
• Oh hey. Sorry, just looking for some stuff.
• What.
• Just socks. Comfy socks.
• they stare for a while as she's rummaging around for her socks.
• Heh.
• What?
• Moments like that. Mundane moments.
• They were the best.
• Yeah. They're like the proof that you lived with each other.
• Maybe that was the core of our relationship, you know.
• But they're so rare now.
• I don't know. Never thought about it.
• Maybe we were a stay-at-home couple.
• But we don't have a home anymore.

• I told FRIEND...
• That you wanted to break up?
• she told you?.
• I know you
• Then you know why I want that.
• No.
• You do.
• I do want you to say it.
• Don't be mad.
• I'm not.
• Please.
• Say it.
• ....
• *stares*
• I'm with FRIEND now.
• I figured.
• I don't...
• Give me a minute.

• You know we've broken up before.
• I can't remember.
• I remember. I remember the heartache, and I don't want to go through that again.
• Let's not break up.
• That's not what I meant.
• Cause that's not what I want.
• I meant...
• What.
• I meant let's not get back together.
• ...
• It's just... I don't...
• *half-broken* why?
• Because we're not working out. We're not computing. We were meant to be close to each other, not torn apart on different edges of the world.
• Isn't it enough to think that we were mean to be?
• No.
• No to what?
• ...

• I told FRIEND...
• Glad you talk to her more than you talk to me.
• You don't want to talk to me.
• I don't want you to talk to her.
• You can't stop me.
• I shouldn't have to want to.
• What do you want?
• I want you to talk to me more.
• But you don't listen.
• No, you don't listen.
• This is exactly what I'm talking about.
• ...
• ....
• Say it.
• I'm done with all this.
• I know you too well.
• I'm done with the lack of communication, I'm done with the fake posting/texting. I'm done with being a powerless witness to the divergence of our lives.
• You never had the role of a witness.
• All I can do is look. All you can do is stare back. I can't even remember how you smell.

• Talk about what?
• You know what. You always know, that's why I fell in love with you.
• I don't want to talk about love. I feel like everytime we say this word, it crumbles a bit more.
• Whether we say it or not, it still goes away
• Not if we can do anything about it
• We can't.
• I want to try
• We've tried
• We can try more.
• I don't know. You're fooling yourself.
• Maybe I've been fooling myself. ever since we started being a thing (*is defensive since she doesn't seem to be willing to fight*)
• Maybe. We've never been anything.
• Don't say that.
• At least we'll know.
• What good would it be?
• What do you mean next time?

• Does that make you happier?
• I don't know.
• ...
• I don't feel as cold inside anymore.
• I don't what to tell you...
• You were. I'm sorry I'm leaving you alone.
• I...
• I'm sorry that I hurt you. FRIEND didn't want that either.
• I'm not...
• It's the one thing we ever had a fight about.
• Listen to me.
• ...
• Don't... Don't worry about me.
• *interference and call drops*

• I'm not letting you go.
• I just have a laptop to close, and I could be gone forever.
• Don't.
• then don't do what you always do.
• i'll try.
• don't call me, don't text me.
• you wouldn't pick up.
• but it would be there. and we've had enough of that. enough for a lifetime
• i want to make things harder.
• you're not only making it hard for me right now, you're making it hard for us now and for us tomorrow, in a month, in a year. we'll always have this pile of messages, texts, emails and pictures to dive back into and fail to drown in.
• i know.
• it wouldn't be like paris.
• chuckle. maybe.
• no. they could forget paris if they wanted. they didn't have to delete their info from their phones.
• don't do that.
• i have to. i have to move on and this is going nowhere.
• then keep in touch.
• we've been keeping in touch. all this was keeping in touch. and you see what good it did?
• i'd rather see the pain coming.
• well it's there now.
• i never wanted...
• ...
• ...
• I have to go.
• Don't...
• *interference and call drops*

• I'm not letting you go.
• I just have a laptop to close, and I could be gone forever.
• G : Don't.
• then don't do what you always do.
• i'll try.
• don't call me, don't text me.
• you wouldn't pick up.
• but it would be there. and we've had enough of that. enough for a lifetime
• i want to make things harder.
• you're not only making it hard for me right now, you're making it hard for us now and for us tomorrow, in a month, in a year. we'll always have this pile of messages, texts, emails and pictures to dive back into and fail to drown in.
• i know.
• it wouldn't be like paris.
• chuckle. maybe.
• no. they could forget paris if they wanted. they didn't have to delete their info from their phones.
• don't do that.
• i have to. i have to move on and this is going nowhere.
• then keep in touch.
• we've been keeping in touch. all this was keeping in touch. and you see what good it did?
• i'd rather see the pain coming.
• well it's there now.
• i want to go.
• ...
• ...
• I have to go.
• Don't
• *interference and call drops*

• You know I'm not coming back.
• I can come. We talked about it.
• I know, you came, but you didn't stay.
• I can't stay.
• I can't come back.
• But I care about us.
• Maybe... Maybe you don't care enough. Maybe we didn't care enough, and understimated. Or... Or maybe we overestimated. Maybe we're not, not that...
• No, we were that. We were all that and more. We're not at fault. You're not at fault. Whatever you're doing over there, whatever you're thinking, it's OK. I did the same, I thought the same. Doesn't have to tear us apart.
• Maybe that's what I want.
• What?
• Not to be torn apart, but the other stuff. The new stuff. I can't go on being stuck in these fucking memories that fade out even more every time I try to find some refuge in them.
• We can create new ones.
• I can't. I've tried, we've tried. These are not memories, these are just data packets transiting in glass fibers. I can't feel you. I can barely see you.
• There's always a way.
• Maybe not.
• Give us some time.
• It's already been too long. Please.
• ... We can talk about it.
• No. We can't even talk about us.
• I loved you.
• Don't start.
• *interference, call drops*

• Hey.
• Hi.
• How... how are you?
• I'm good. I'm getting better and better.
• Good. Me too.
• What are you up to?
• You know. Not much.
• Yeah. Life here is OK. Not as bad as I thought it'd be.
• ... How was your day?
• T'was Alright. I worked until late. Still on that project. Then we had some drinks with the others, but I didn't stay long.
• How's the project going?
• Good. I'm pretty happy. But still, it's a lot of work.
• Hey, at least you're dedicated. That's good.
• I don't know, maybe. I stayed because of that, so imagine if it didn't work.
• Don't say that. I'm sure it'll be fine.

• Hey.
• Hey.
• Thanks for calling.
• You didn't really leave me a choice.
• Don't say it like that. I really wanted to talk to you. In person, I mean.
• ...Yeah well not me.
• I'm sick of facebook messages. I'm sick of having to wake up every morning and read the response to what I sent you the day before.
• You know we could just stop it. Stop sending them.
• You say that, but you always reply. You're as guilty as me.
• Because I need to make sure that we are clear.
• Clear on what?
• Come on... Clear about... clear about the fact that I never wanted to hurt you.
• But you did.
• ... Listen, if I'm with him, it's... it's because he's closer. He's there.
• He's not me.
• No. He's different.
• I... I... kind of saw it coming.
• Yeah, well... Why didn't you say anything?
• Don't try to put that on me.

• Hey.
• Hey.
• Thanks for calling.
• You didn't really leave me a choice.
• Don't say it like that. I really wanted to talk to you. In person, I mean.
• ...Yeah well... not me.
• I'm sick of facebook messages. I'm sick of having to wake up every morning and read the response to what I sent you the day before.
• You know we could just stop it. Stop sending them.
• You say that, but you always reply. You're as guilty as me.
• Because I need to make sure that we are clear.
• Clear on what?
• Come on... Clear about... clear about the fact that I never wanted to hurt you.
• But you did.
• ... Listen, if I'm with her, it's... it's because she's right here. She didn't leave.
• She's not me.
• No, I couldn't, if she was like you. She's... she's different.
• ...She was my friend.
• You... you weren't that close.
• We were. But you just decided to completely ignore that. You only thought about you.

• Hey.
• Hey.
• How are you?
• Good.
• I...
• It's so strange, seeing you.
• Yeah.
• ...I got your email.
• Yeah, you wrote back.
• It made me cry.
• I'm sorry, but I really needed to tell you that.
• Yeah I get it. It's not your fault.
• ...
• You know the worst thing?
• What?
• You know this stupid thing, on gmail, when you open an email from someone and then they show you the latest pictures sent by that contact.
• Yeah I see exactly what you mean.
• Guess what our last picture is.
• *pauses* At your parent's place?
• No...
• The last day?
• *broken voice* yeah, the last fucking day we spent together.

• What did you want to tell me? I thought we had said everything.
• Maybe we did. But I needed to see you one last time.
• ... Yeah. It's nice.
• Maybe it's nothing. I don't know, maybe it's stupid, but it's the closest thing I'd get to closure.
• Do we really need closure?
• Yeah. I do, at least. Being able to talk to you. And not hide behind text.
• It's not hiding behind text. It's letting everything pour out at once. It's different.
• Still, they didn't make a lot of sense, thoes emails.
• They didn't need to.
• Yeah. I guess... I guess you're right. But still, I've had enough of that.
• Yeah, you know what they say, everybody moves on. Maybe they're right.
• Heh. I'm not moving on that fast. I'm still here, talking to you.
• Yeah. But it's not like before.
• Would you like it to be like before?

• Why did you call?
• Because I need to know.
• You need to know what?
• I need to know what you're feeling.
• *exasperated* We talked about this. We've talked about this over and over.
• But you never answered.
• Answered what? None of your messages made sense.
• ... *struggling to say it*
• Do you still love me?
• Come on, you know I can't answer that.
• But I need you to answer that. I need to know.
• How's that gonna help? You think that's gonna make us less miserable?
• You're not miserable.
• You don't know.
• It's obvious.
• ...
• Answer...
• You don't understand that somebody can love two people, do you?
• So you love him.
• ... Yes. But I love you too. I just wish you weren't behind a fucking screen.
• Did you tell him?
• Why do you need to know that?

• Why did you call?
• To see you. I miss you.
• You have to stop. You have to let go.
• How can I let go? How can I let go when I'm alone here, and you're home, with her?
• But that's not going to be forever. You know she's going to leave to. I'm going to be alone too.
• You know we could have just stayed together.
• I... I don't think we could have. Even if she hadn't been there.
• Don't say that. We didn't try.
• We did try.
• Yeah... I guess you didn't try.
• ...I did try.
• ... *she knows she's right*
• I don't want to have to prove it.
• You can always prove everything.
• Let's not go down this road.
• What if I want to? What if I want to go over everything you ever wrote me?
• Then maybe you should. But that's all they are. Words.
• They're still your words.
• They're still out of context.
• So everything you said is out of context? It means nothing. *messages between Boy and FRIEND pop up*
• No. You know what I mean. Sometimes, you regret sending a message barely after clicking 'send'.
• I don't want you to regret anything that has to do with me.
• You can't stop me from doing that.

• ...Why did you call?
• Well, I wanted to see if we could sort it out. Figure out what we're becoming.
• Are we? Are we really becoming anything?
• I hope so. I mean... We have so much between us. It can't just vanish.
• It won't just vanish, even if we wanted to.
• ...
• You know how many facebook messages we sent each other? 80,000.
• ... You shouldn't re-read that.
• I know, I didn't. I was just curious to see what our first message was.
• I don't think I can remember...
• Well, you'll just have to take a look. One day.
• Maybe one day.
• Don't wait until we're nothing.
• I... I never said we were nothing. *email appears proving the opposite*
• Then what are we?

• Does thaB: I guess...
• I guess that's all.
• Yeah.
• One thing though, before we...
• Yeah?
• Don't forget me.
• I won't. At some point I really tried to, but not anymore.
• Maybe we aren't the focus of each other's lives anymore, and haven't been for a long time. But that doesn't mean we should disappear completely.
• Don't worry. I'll write.
• Thank you, but...
• Not too often. Just to let you know how things are.
• Thanks.
• Heh. I still know pretty well.
• Heh. I'll do the same.
• And maybe we'll see each other again.
• Maybe that day we'll nothing to say to each other.
• Who cares?
• ...

• I'm going to be honest, I don't know what I want out of this anymore.
• But we should keep something out of it. Like, I don't know. Not delete all the memories.
• I barely even look at our pictures anymore, anyway. It wouldn't make a difference.
• It would make a difference if you ever want to look at them again.
• I'm sure I'd remember at least the important parts.
• I don't think there are parts that are more important than others.
• ...
• And even though, it's like... I think... I think you don't "remember the important parts", they're already part of you.
• ... *agrees to make him happy* Yeah you're right.
• Don't say that to make me happy.
• I'm not. I... I'm gonna have to go.
• Cause we don't have anything to say to each other anymore?
• No. It's more that I've had enough of all this drama.
• It wasn't all drama.
• Look, we just keep on repeating the same thing over and over again.
• ...
• I should go.
• ...Have a good night.
• ... I'll try.
• ...
• ...Take care.

• I'm going to be honest, I don't what I want out of this anymore.
• But we should keep something out of it. Like, I don't know. Not delete all the memories.
• I barely even look at our pictures anymore, anyway. It wouldn't make a difference.
• It would make a difference if you ever want to look at them again.
• I'm sure I'd remember at least the important parts.
• I don't think there are parts that are more important than others.
• ...
• And even though, it's like... I think... I think you don't "remember the important parts", they're already part of you.
• ... *agrees to make him happy* Yeah you're right.
• Don't say that to make me happy.
• I'm not. I... I'm gonna have to go.
• Cause we don't have anything to say to each other anymore?
• No. It's more that I've had enough of all this drama.
• It wasn't all drama.
• Look, we just keep on repeating the same thing over and over again.
• ...
• I really should go.
• ...Have a good night.
• ... Take care.

• But, yeah, let's... try and keep in touch.
• I don't know if it's such a good idea.
• But I couldn't imagine otherwise.
• Well, even if we could, everything I do on this fuckin a computer is tainted by your presence.
• What do you mean?
• You know. You're always in my favorites somewhere. You always pop-up on the screen *a lot of notifications with her name show up on the screen*
• *half-jokingly* Just don't remove me from everywhere.
• I couldn't remove you from every single aspect of my life *maybe this is weird phrasing*
• Well, I'm not going to.
• I don't think you can disappear any further.
• ...
• ...
• *genuinely* I don't know what to tell you.
• We don't have to talk. We've already said too much. We're only going to repeat *glitches* our selves, at this point. *glitch repeats until call drops*