Julie is sitting next to Tom. She looks concerned. After a while, she mutters:
- I love you, but… 
- What? Tom answers, whispering too.
- But I think there are a few things we need to discuss. 
Tom pauses his video game, turns to Julie. 
- What were you saying? 
- I said we need to talk. 
- We are talking. 
Julie sighs. 
- Look, if we want to make this relationship work, we need to set a few rules.
- I agree. 
- Oh you do?
Julie smiles.
- Yes, Julie. First, I think you shouldn’t interrupt me when I’m playing unless it’s really urgent. You know I’m trying to level up to diamond, and it takes a lot of time and focus. 
Julie is left speechless for a second. She mutters:
- You know what else takes time and focus?
- What?
- You don’t know?
- I mean a lot of things do. 
- Our relationship, Tom. 
- Oh.
Another silence. 
- So, Tom?
- Yeah?
- Well what do you think?
- No, I agree. 
- So are you gonna turn off that game?
- Sure, as soon as I reach diamond.
- I’m sick of this, Tom. We can’t have a moment together without Ultimate Ninja Master III taking up all your attention. 
- Hey, hey, that’s not true, the game only came out last week, Julie. If we’re gonna have this conversation it’d better be in good faith. 
- Yeah, and two weeks ago you were playing Ultimate Ninja Master II. 
- True, but it was not nearly as good as the new one. 
- I don’t know, when I tried it I thought it was pretty good. 
- It was good, just not as good. 
- Anyway, that’s not the point, Tom. The point is I need you to do better. 
- You mean…
- Not in the game. Do better for us, for our relationship. 
- No, I understand. I think I get it. I’m sorry. 
- It’s ok, Tom. It’s just… It’s important.
- No, totally. 
- Anyway I’m thankful we’re able to have this conversation without getting mad at each other. 
- It’s a shame I don’t have the other game pad right now, but two-player mode is actually a key feature of UNM3. I’m sorry I didn’t include you from the start. 
- Tom, I’m trying really hard to stay calm right now. 
- No I’m thankful you are, last time was a bit awkward when you started screaming in the middle of the restaurant. 
- It was awkward?!
Julie is now whisper-shouting.
- No, just a little, you know…
- You don’t think playing your stupid game on our night out is awkward too?
- It was insensitive, I get that. But again, UNM3 has a very good multiplayer mode so it won’t be a problem anymore, thankfully. 
- Tom, it’s probably my fault, I didn’t make myself clear. Let me reformulate. It’s me or the game.
- What do you mean, Julie?
- I mean you need to choose, me or the game. 
- Wow, uh…
- Hey can you guys please shut up? Another voice mutters, coming from behind. 
Tom and Julie both turn back to the person who spoke, in the seat behind theirs.
- Can you stop your little chit-chat? Some people actually came here to watch the movie.