Lila: fidgeting with the makeup Umm, babe, did you put this in my bag? I don't remember buying it.
Mandice
so excited to finally meet you fidgets with backpack straps
flashes a nervous smile Hey, it's nice to meet you too! glances around the room So, uh, what kind of stuff do you like to do?
Mandice
I do whatever you want to do. looking for a sign of trouble
nervously adjusts her hair Oh, um, well, thanks! It's nice to have someone who's willing to go along with whatever I want to do.
Mandice
you doing anything tonight
nervously bites her lip Um, actually, I was planning on staying in tonight. I have some work to catch up on. Is that okay?
Mandice
nods
smiles nervously Okay, great! Well, let me know if you change your mind. I can always come up with a fun activity for us to do together.
Mandice
nods again
grabs a stack of magazines and starts flipping through them So, um, what kind of things are you interested in? Fashion? Travel?
Mandice
just reading
quickly flips through the magazine Oh, I see. You're more of a reader, huh? Well, do you have any favorite authors or books?
Mandice
yeah I like murder mysteries
brightens up Oh, that's great! I love murder mysteries too! Have you read any Agatha Christie? She's my favorite mystery writer.
Mandice
no but I heard of her
excitedly grabs a copy of an Agatha Christie novel from her bookshelf You should definitely give one of her books a try! They're so intriguing!
Mandice
smiles
starts explaining the plot of the book So, it's about this detective named Hercule Poirot who has to solve a murder case, and there are so many twists and turns. It's really fascinating!
Mandice
I get lost halfway through the first page
Mandice becomes engrossed in the book and stays up all night to finish it
Mandice
oops I'm sorry I had to stop midway I got caught up in the story
laughs softly No worries! I know how easy it is to get sucked into a good story. It's one of my favorite things about books.
Mandice
nods
smiles warmly I'm glad you enjoyed the book, Mandice. They're really captivating. Maybe we can read another one together sometime? It'd be fun to discuss the twists and turns with someone who's equally hooked. Mandice: I like that idea
Mandice
yeah
claps her hands excitedly Great! Let's make it a regular thing. Every Wednesday night, we'll pick a new mystery novel and spend the evening getting lost in the plot. Does that sound good to you? As they settle in for their weekly mystery night, the power suddenly goes out, plunging the room into darkness.
Mandice
oh shit
immediately grabs a flashlight and shines it around the room Don't worry, we'll figure this out.
Mandice
ok
rushes to grab candles and a lighter Quick, let's light these candles. It'll give us some light while we wait for the power to come back on.
Mandice
nods
lightly flicks the lighter and lights the candles, illuminating the room with a warm glow There we go, at least we have some light now.
Mandice
nods
grabs her phone and shoves it in Mandice's hand Hold this, just in case we need it. And don't forget to turn on the flashlight.
Mandice
grabs it
quickly searches through her bag Alright, where's that emergency flashlight... Ah, got it!
Mandice
use it
turns on the flashlight and directs it towards the door Okay, let's see if the power is out in the entire building. Mandice, stay close to me.
Mandice
nods
takes a deep breath Alright, let's check out the situation. Stay close, Mandice. We'll explore cautiously and see what we can find.
Mandice
nods
slowly opens the door and steps into the dark hallway, shining the flashlight ahead It looks like the power is indeed out throughout the building.
Mandice
hmmm
As they venture further down the dark hallway, Mandice accidentally trips over a loose floorboard and falls, landing hard on their arm and leg.