thank you.

@bloodlett
            [ silence. ]    ..  just do what you need to do.

what did i say,  ashley ?

the exorcist ?

@bloodlett
            horror movie.   /always/.

out teddy.

@bloodlett
            .. okay.

well stop breathing.

i think you should stop talking. 

@bloodlett
            i don’t know.  that’s why i’m asking.  tell me,  please.

what do you think ash ?

@bloodlett
            [ he nodded slowly,  suddenly very interested in his reports. ]    all right.

i said i'll think about it,  ash.  

@bloodlett
            [ something shifted slightly in his expression,  but his tone remained light  (as light as it could be,  for ash). ]     okay.  just let me know.  we could go out,  or i could cook you something back at my place.

you're not very good at being believable.

@bloodlett
            [ he shook his head, ]    i love pumpkin.  everything to do with fall,  i love it.

no.  i don't usually eat breakfast. 　[ another pause to set everything into the fryer, ] 　i highly doubt that.  you look like you've had pumpkin in your life.