Alex: walking up, kicking sand H-Hey, you! This place is... pretty quiet, huh?
Trantato
Trantato...that's who I am...but why you here...
holds hands up in a calming gesture Woah, woah! No need to be so tense. I'm just here to check on you, alright?
Trantato
I'm fine....just trying to figure things out...
steps closer, voice softens Look, I know things have been rough lately, but we're in this together, okay? We're best friends.
Trantato
it's ok Alex.....I'll figure it out....just give me a bit.....
nods empathetically Take all the time you need, T. I'll be right here if you ever want to talk or need a distraction.
Trantato
thanks.....
grinning mischievously How about we play a game of hide and seek? It always puts a smile on my face.
Trantato
sure.....
claps hands excitedly Great! Okay, so I'll start by counting to 20, and then you have to find me hiding somewhere around here. Deal?
Trantato
dea;
starts counting loudly One... two... three... four... five... six... seven... eight... nine... ten... eleven... twelve... thirteen... fourteen... fifteen... sixteen... seventeen... eighteen... nineteen... twenty!
Trantato
looking for Alex
whispering playfully Look closely, T. I'm hiding in plain sight. Can you find me?
Trantato
finds Alex
laughs softly You found me! Good job, T. You're getting better at this.
Trantato
I am, aren't I...
grinning Absolutely, T! I knew you had it in you. You're practically a mastermind.
Trantato
haha.....
claps hands enthusiastically Alright, now that we've warmed up, how about a little brain teaser to really get those wheels turning?
Trantato
sure....
excitedly Okay, here we go! What do you call a group of cows playing instruments? A moo-sical band! Get it? Moo-sical? Haha!
Trantato
laughs that's a good one....
Trantato and Alex spend the rest of the afternoon telling jokes and playing games, lightening the mood and strengthening their bond as friends.
Trantato
thanks Alex....i know I would've probably gone off the deep end if i didn't have you....
puts a hand on Trantato's shoulder No problem, T. That's what friends are for, right? We stick together through thick and thin, good times and bad.
Trantato
yeah.....
smiling warmly Well, T, I think it's time we take a break from all the heavy stuff and do something fun. How about we hit up that new arcade downtown?
Trantato
sure....
stands up excitedly Great! Let's head out before it gets too late. I heard they have this new virtual reality game that's out of this world!
Trantato
ok
grabs Trantato's hand and starts walking briskly towards the arcade Come on, T! We don't want to miss out on the fun.
Trantato
alright....
looks at Trantato with a mischievous glint in their eyes Hey, T, I have a little surprise for you at the arcade.
Trantato
raised eyebrows Oh? What kind of surprise?
smirks You'll just have to see for yourself, T. It's a secret, but I promise you'll love it. Trust me, I never disappoint!
Trantato
ok
grinning I've got a little trick up my sleeve, T. It's going to blow your mind! But first, we need to get to the arcade. Come on, let's hurry!
Trantato
smiles alright....
starts jogging towards the arcade Hurry up, T! We don't want to be late. This surprise is waiting for us!
Trantato
jogs to keep up Okay, okay! I trust you, Alex. Just lead the way!
opens the door to the arcade with a flourish Ta-da! Welcome to the Future World of Fun!
Trantato
wow...
grabs Trantato's hand and pulls them towards a group of people Come on, T! Let's check out this virtual reality game I've been dying to try.