Grandma: She calls me her grandmother. How could I not know about my own grandchild? You should talk to her… clear your feelings.
(The door creaks open. Ella walks in, frowning suspiciously.)
Ella: Why'd you stop talking when I came in? Go on, continue.
Grandma: (suddenly dramatic) Oh, my head… it hurts. You two, get out. I need some time alone.
Ella: What? Suddenly a headache?
Damian: But you were just— (confused)
Grandma: Go out for a while. I know you won't leave me alone otherwise. Just give me some time.
Ella: No, you'll just start thinking negatively again.
Grandma: No! Get out, you little arrogant girl. It's an order. Can't you respect your elders?
Ella: Oh, come on. Don't play the elder card. You need rest.
Grandma: And for rest, I need silence—which I can't get with you here. Hey, you, boy. Take her out.
Damian: Me?! (surprised)
Grandma: Who else here is a boy except you? Of course, you. (gives him a meaningful look)
Damian: (realizes the hint) Uh… yeah. She's right. Elders need silence sometimes to rest.
Ella: What? You mean I'm noisy?
Damian: If she insists this much, we should follow.
Grandma: It's not insisting. It's ordering.
Ella: What—how—?!
(Damian gently but firmly pushes her out.)
Ella: Hey! Why did you push me out?!
(Damian quickly puts on his mask and hat again.)
Damian: Come on, she's sick. We should do what she wants.
Ella: Ugh, whatever!
(Ella peeks through the window—Grandma is already pretending to sleep. Just then, Damian notices a girl nearby staring at him, as if she recognizes him. His expression tenses.)
Damian: (hurriedly) Hey… hey, let's go.
(He takes Ella's hand and quickly leads her outside. They end up walking in a quiet, empty park nearby.)
(They walk side by side, a noticeable distance between them. Ella looks at the space and frowns.)
Ella: What's wrong with you? COVID is over!
Damian: Why are you shouting? (covers his ears)
Ella: I thought my voice wouldn't reach you. (folds her arms)
Damian: …So… (he walks a little closer)
Ella: I'm tired. (spots a bench nearby and sits; Damian remains standing beside her) What now, you won't even sit? How were you able to survive sitting in the car?
Damian: It's not like that. I'm just not tired.
(He sits down anyway. Ella smirks.)
Ella: "I'm not tired." Yeah, whatever.
Damian: Since we're here… should we share some things?
Ella: Why? (confused)
Damian: I mean, if we're working together, we should at least know each other's background.
Ella: My background's all clean. Is yours?
Damian: Not like that. I mean, tell me something about your family.
Ella: Family? (pauses) Well… I have my mom, dad… and a servant.
Damian: Servant?
Ella: My younger brother.
Damian: (lets out a small laugh) Oh…
Ella: And you?
Damian: I'm an only child. Just my mom and dad.
Ella: Okay.
Damian: And your favorite actor?
Ella: You know it's not you. Still asking?
Damian: Just want to know my competitor.
Ella: He's not famous. Not a competition for you. But… he's better than you.
Damian: (raises an eyebrow, teasing) Oh, really?
Ella: Leave that. It doesn't even count in a background check anyway.
Damian: So… (pauses) why do you want to be a director?
Ella: Because I'm not a good actor. (laughs) Okay, listen—I think the people behind the screen work harder than the ones on screen. They never mind not getting noticed for their work.
Damian: So you don't want fame, just money?
Ella: No. For me, it's more like freedom.
Damian: Oh.
Ella: And you? Why did you become an actor? I mean, you are a good actor, but why this field?
Damian: I never chose it.
Ella: What? Then why are you in this field?
Damian: …It's a long story.
Ella: We have plenty of time. Grandma won't let us in until at least half an hour has passed, so continue.