Nathan and Hanna Get Some Ice Cream

"Could we take a break from the filming, Hanna? It's awfully warm out today, and it's really starting to get to me."

"If, and only if, you promise to work extra hard later, then I guess we could stop and sit under a tree for a few minutes or something. Oh yeah, you need to spend at least some of that time thinking about the project. I won't accept anything less."

I hope she doesn't actually expect me to do that. It's difficult to change your mindset from small talk and relaxation to something much more work orientated. Wonder how I'm going to get myself out of this one, or would Hanna even notice? It's not like she can read minds.

Since we were working in one of the Avitus courtyards, there's a shaded area with benches nearby: the perfect spot to wind down in. Hanna wastes no time starting the work-focused conversation.

"So, does the lighting seem good to you? It seems so simple, but make one mistake with it and you just messed *everything* up. You do that and you just created a fokken nightmare that I'm going to have to fix. That is, without a doubt, the last thing I want to do."

I need to stop her before she takes this any further.

"Actually, I was hoping we could just take this break as an *actual break*."

Either Hanna isn't pleased to hear this or she's seeing it as a competition of sorts. It's difficult to tell.

"Do you think this will increase your productivity? If so, you better explain yourself."

"Yeah, I kinda do. Spending a few minutes away from a project lets you come back to it with a fresher set of eyes and new ideas. We want this to look at good as possible, so having this break and then considering any alternatives we can think of seems like the best course of action."

That seems to have satisfied her.

"Well, okay then, but we're getting back to work within ten minutes sharp."

While Hanna fiddles with her phone, I take in my surroundings. It's very warm out, but it's much better in the shade. There's a light breeze that picks up every now and again, the fauna gives off a very faint, but sweet, aroma. The only thing that's missing is sound from nature. Hanna's cursing at her phone every now and again, but that's not exactly natural. Well, maybe it's natural for her.

After around two minutes, Hanna perks up.

"Nathan? Do you hear something?"

"Uh… no, I don't."

But sure enough, I begin to hear a very faint sound. As the source comes closer, it becomes much easier to identify the sound as ice cream truck music."

"Yo, Nathan! Is that an ice cream truck? We really don't see many, if any, out here. Wonder why it's decided to drive by Avitus."

"Want to go check it out? Wait a second, Hanna, you have money, right?"

"Did you really not bring any with you, Nathan? Who the hell doesn't carry money around with them? Bring some next time or you're not getting anything."

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind."

We get up and start running towards the front gate, hoping that we aren't too late. The music continues to grow louder with each step, which can only be a good sign. Just as we reach our destination, the truck pulls up and stops. The man inside speaks up while we catch our breath.

"Oh, hello. I wasn't expecting to actually see anyone come by, considering this is a university and all that."

Hanna responds before I'm able to.

"Well, it's a really warm day and it's never a bad time for some ice cream, well, unless there's a lot of work to be done. Isn't that right, Nathan?"

"Yeah, sure. Still, we're on a break."

"Anyway, I'll have a half strawberry and half chocolate ice cream. What about you, Nathan?"

"I'll have vanilla, please."

"Jeez, Nathan, at least spice up your life a little bit!"

Should have known Hanna wouldn't let something even that simple get by her.

"Fine, half vanilla and half black raspberry."

"There you go!"

"Okay, sit tight, you two, I'll have them ready in just a minute."

…

"Half strawberry and half chocolate for the young lady and half vanilla and half black raspberry for the gentleman. That'll be four francs, please."

"Okay, here you go. Thanks for driving by."

"Maybe I should come back every now and again to see if anyone else would like to buy some ice cream?"

"Couldn't hurt. Anyway, let's start heading back, Hanna."

I would have guessed otherwise, but Hanna is really occupied with her ice cream, so much so that she hasn't said a word since she got it. Hm, maybe that's one of her favourite things to eat?

"Maybe ice cream breaks are a good thing to have every now and again, so thanks for that, Nathan."

"Yeah, no problem, I quite enjoyed it."

"You ready to get back to work?"

"Of course. Let's go check that lighting…"