Bea and Pikachu PIKACHU: [drops into the seat at the next table over from where he was just sitting, breaking into a grin only after he sees who he’s sitting across from.] Oh, hey, I remember you from the traveling clinic. [just in case the familiarity doesn’t go both ways, he gestures to his name tag. it’s worth noting that the bottom of the P in “Pikachu” zigzags into a lightning bolt.] You having a good time so far?
BEA: [grins back and nods her head] I totally remember you. How could I ever forget someone who calls himself Pikachu? [points to her own name tag, which is hardly as artistic, just to be safe then smiles again] It’s been fun so far. I didn’t think so many people would come because there was a lot of skepticism about it, but I’ve talked to a lot of really nice people. What about you?
PIKACHU: Yeah, I've been having fun too. [nods as well, before glancing around the room so that his gaze sweeps over most of the couples.] It’s different than I thought it would be. I thought for sure people would be a little more … I don't know. There’s a lot of the same thing over and over. Small talk. How are you really supposed to get to know anyone over small talk? [shrugging, he gestures toward one pair that really seems to be hitting it off.] Maybe I do it wrong.
BEA: [looks at him thoughtfully, finding herself agreeing with his assessment of the event] Ask me anything, then. Not all the, ‘what are you hobbies’ and ‘what’s your favorite color’ bullshit. Something real. I promise I’ll answer.
PIKACHU: [his eyebrows lift slightly, then he breaks into a grin] Alright, accepted. You get a question too, after this. [several racy options immediately spring to mind, of course, but he gives a small shake of his head, discarding them all.] Okay, so here's what I want to know: What’s your turning point? What's one big decision you've made that ended up bringing you to this spot you're at right now?
BEA: Hmmmm. [trails off her ‘m’ as she ponders] There’s a couple I guess. Like, I’m in Texas instead of California because my nana got sick and my dad moved us here to take care of her. But that wasn’t really my choice. [pauses a moment before eyes widen as an answer comes to her] I made the decision to leave Fox Grove and move to the UMCB so that I could apprentice under one of the doctors. If I hadn’t done that, who knows where I’d be. Maybe dead from the fire that destroyed the school. [her nose crinkles at the thought]
PIKACHU: [letting out a soft whistle] Damn, that’s serious. I heard about the fire. It was a bad one. [a beat of silence follows, as he takes in the information she’s just given him.] Okay, then, that’s definitely deeper than small talk. So what’s your question for me?
BEA: Yeah, it was pretty bad… [trails off and grows quiet for a moment, thinking about the people she’d known at Fox Grove who got hurt and died. But after taking a sip of water she asks:] My question for you is: besides anything related to your daughter -- because I assume that would be your answer -- what’s something you’ve done in your life that you’re proud of?
PIKACHU: Other than Mia, huh? [his lower lip juts out slightly as he frowns, clearly trying to rack his brain for something to come in second to his daughter] Wow, I can think of a lot of things I’m not proud of, which probably says interesting things about me, but … I guess getting my GED? Or maybe my electrician’s license. Both of those would have made my Tía Gloria proud, anyway, and she was a pretty good judge of that kind of thing.