“Anyway, after all that kerfuffle, I was deep in my feelings,” Tess sighed. (Pause briefly for emphasis.)
“You know, sometimes I can shake off those moments, but that day, I couldn’t. The energy to even go window shopping was gone. I was in my feelings,” Tess paused, “ and when I’m in my feelings, well… I eat my feelings.” (Pause for reflection.)
“You eat your feelings?” Hayden raised an eyebrow, curious. (Deliver with a mix of curiosity and surprise.)
“I eat my feelings,” Tess confirmed, nodding as she picked up the microphone from the stand and made herself comfortable on the sofa. (Pause briefly for the transition.)
“You know, using food as a little pick-me-up. Anyway, I went to Central Plaza Food Court for a bit of KFC.”
“Classic,” Hayden interjected. (Deliver this line casually.)
“As usual, the food court was chaotic and loud,” Tess paused, her tone softening. (Pause to shift tone.)
“I was already in a bad mood, and that feeling of being just an average Joe was soon replaced with insecurity and fear of judgment. I felt like everyone was staring at me, judging me, you know?” (Pause for empathy.)
“I’m sorry,” Hayden said softly. (Deliver with sincerity.)
“No, it’s okay,” Tess reassured him. (Pause briefly before continuing.)
“So, I stood there, looking at the KFC menu, and then… there he was, standing right beside me.” (Pause to build suspense.)
“This is where he claims he saw you first?” Hayden asked. (Add a touch of intrigue.)
“Yes,” Tess chuckled. (Pause for a light laugh.)
“We both stood there, staring at the menu as if it were the Mona Lisa, projecting our hopes and dreams onto it, hoping they’d somehow come true. For a brief moment, the chaos of the food court faded away, and that’s when I really took a good look at him.” (Pause to emphasize the moment.)
“And?” Hayden prompted. (Add a sense of anticipation.)
“I don’t think he noticed me staring,” Tess continued. (Pause for a moment of thought.)
“His eyes were glued to the KFC menu. I remember his faded green bomber jacket, his navy-blue shirt, his Justin Bieber haircut that covered his ears, the glint in his eye, and his serious expression. It seemed like he was making a life-changing decision. But, knowing what I know now, I see that he really was making one .” (Pause for emphasis.)
“Did you say anything?”
(Pause briefly after Hayden's question to indicate Tess is reflecting.)
“No, but he did… wait, actually, he didn’t,” Tess corrected herself. (Pause for a light chuckle tone.)
“He noticed me staring, stared back, and then just walked away.”
“And you?” (A curious tone from Hayden; pause before Tess responds.)
“I carried on and ordered my KFC.”
“What did you get?” (Playful curiosity in Hayden's tone; brief pause before Tess answers.)
“Zinger box,” Tess replied. (A confident tone, quick delivery.)
“While I waited for my order, I kept searching for him. For a few moments, I’d see him, then he’d disappear, then I’d see him again, staring at the food menus of other stalls. (Slightly slower and reflective tone here.)
I remember thinking it was strange. I couldn’t understand why he was doing that.”
“Did you ever ask him why?” (Pause for emphasis after Hayden’s question.)
“No. Once he told me his story, it all made sense. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to; it was that he couldn’t. (Softer, heavier tone.) All he could do was dream about it.”
(Pause here to let the weight of her words settle in.)
“Are you okay?” (Gentle, concerned tone from Hayden.)
“Yes… I just need a minute,” Tess answered. (Pause for silence to indicate a reflective moment; shift to lighter tone after.)
The room fell silent. Hayden watched Tess with concern.
(A slightly slower delivery for narration here.)
He knew that some parts of the conversation would hit too close to home, but the last thing he expected was to find the subject of his interview at a loss for words.
(Pause for a breath before continuing Tess’s dialogue.) Tess closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, a fire was burning in them.
“Anyway, I chowed down all my food. But of course, it didn’t make me feel better emotionally. (Slightly exasperated tone.) It just made me feel worse and worried that I’d eaten junk again. The only consolation I got was that my tummy was full.”
“I swear, if I ever meet the person who said junk food was bad, I am going to have words with them,” Hayden spoke, chuckling. (Playful tone, with a slight laugh at the end.)
“I’ll join the queue,” Tess laughed. (Lighter tone with energy.) “So… what was I saying?”
“The only consolation you got from KFC was that your tummy was full,” Hayden jumped in. (Quick delivery, helpful tone.)
“Oh, yes. So, I ate, then I left the food court and walked around Hyde Park. (Pause here as if she’s changing the subject.)
Okay, I know this is off-topic, but Hyde Park should not be called a park—it’s hardly a park,” Tess commented, and Hayden laughed. (Pause for Hayden’s laugh to settle.)
“Anyway, I was imagining all the comebacks I could’ve said to that sales lady until I decided to call it a day by taking a train to Central from St. James Station. (Slightly tired tone.)