Chapter 2, Episode 5

Transcript: Chapter 2, Episode 5

Judd and Blaze sit side by side on a bus stop bench, the overhead light brightly shining down on them. Blaze is hunched, his grocery bag on the bench beside him. He says, “You don’t have to wait with me. I don’t want to keep you out too late.” Judd, sitting casually, looks at him and says, “I don’t mind.”

Blaze leans forward with his head down and his forearms braced on his knees. Glancing up at Judd with tired eyes, he says, “So, uh… How have you been? Any interesting exorcisms lately?”

Judd looks up with a wry smile and says, “Oh, they’re always interesting. I wish they were less interesting. We had a record number last month. Horrible.”

Judd narrows his eyes and says, “But enough about that. How are you doing?”

Blaze’s head is bowed, his long read hair concealing his face. He gives a tiny reply of, “fine.” Judd, looking concerned, asks, “Fine?”

Blaze’s narration reads, “Judd is the only person I know, living or dead, who asks how I’m doing and actually wants an answer. If only I could ever be cool in front of him. But he has a way of finding me whenever I’m on the verge of a breakdown.”

With his head still bowed and his hair covering his eyes, Blaze replies, “Tough day, you know? But I’m fine.”

Judd hesitates, then asks, “Still clean?”

Blaze turns his head, staring intensely at Judd through the sliver between strands of long hair. He says, “Six years. You don’t have to ask every time.” Judd replies, “Good. I’m glad.”

Judd asks, “Are you eating enough? Blaze replies, “When I remember.” Judd asks, “How about rent?” Blaze replies, “I… I’m a week late. But I’ll figure it out.” Judd says, “I can give you—“ and Blaze firmly interrupts, “No,” as he curls over his knees and clutches his head.

Judd says, “You can’t lose your home, Blaze.” Blaze splays his hands and replies, “I know!”

Introspectively, Blaze braces his chin against his interlaced fingers and says, “I just need to pawn something. But all my expensive stuff is haunted, and I won’t sell it till I can get the ghost to pass on.”

Judd stares silently down at Blaze with a slightly raised eyebrow and gentle smile.

Blaze looks up at him hotly, his eyes welling. He says, “I know, I’m a mess. Not everyone can be as perfect as you.”

He looks down, squeezing his eyes shut, and says, “But just… let me be a mess.”

With furrowed eyebrows, Judd says, “I was only offering to help you.” Blaze whips around, tears in his eyes, and yells, “Because you don’t respect me!”

Judd pulls back and stares silently at Blaze with a restrained, inscrutable expression.

Blaze raises his gloved hands over his face and cries, “I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I’m just tired.”

Turned away with his eyes closed, he says, “Today was… a lot. I’m drained dry. And it never ends…”

Judd leans forward as bright headlights shine on his face from off-panel. Raising his eyebrows, he says, “Well… maybe you can take a break for lunch on Friday. I think it would be good for us to clear the air.”

He continues, “We need to talk about what happened at the Clybourn Hou—“ but Blaze cuts him off and cries, “Ah!” They look up from their seat at the bus stop to see at CTA bus approaching. The destination reads FAFO in glowing orange LED letters. Blaze says, “There’s my bus.”

A low view shows Blaze’s legs as he boards the bus, while Judd stands behind him. Judd says, “You have to have lunch anyway, right? This way you’ll remember to eat.” Blaze shakily replies, “Ah…”

After Blaze boards, Judd stands beside the bus, calling toward it, “Twelve o’clock at Grady’s?”

A response from inside the bus says, “okay.”

Judd watches with a vague smile after the bus departs, leaving exhaust fumes in its wake.

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