[ Mary is, admittedly, pretty surprised to receive this message. She wasn't expecting anything like that at all. As soon as she listens to the recording, she returns Jim's call. ]
[ He'd be lying if he said he wasn't nervous about what her reaction might be, but he still picks up the call. He still wants to hear her answer, even if it ends up being a negative one. ]
Quite well... um, how are you? [ They could continue to go through niceities, or she could get to the point. ] I... got your message. Yes, I will go to Peter's party with you, if you'd like.
[ He was about to answer that he was doing fine, albeit awkwardly so, when she instead went straight to the point. Something he was very grateful, and he appreciated it in Mary. She wasn't the sort to dawdle or dance around the subject.
On his end, he smiled. It came through with the call in a slight huff, close to a chuckle. ] Really? I mean, that's great. And yes, I'd like that very much. Obviously. It'll be fun.
[ She's definitely coming across as a little unenthusiastic, which in turn makes Jim worry that he might be pushing too much, and making her uncomfortable in the process. ]
It's... fine. Never mind. [ He forces a light tone into his voice. ] I'll see you at the party, Mary.
I mean - yes. Yes, we can go out other times, if you'd like.
[ She wants him to know that before he cuts the connection. Of course, if this date is awful, Mary probably won't want to go out again, but they can cross that bridge when they get to it. ]
I would, but only if you actually want to. You don't have to worry about upsetting me by saying no or something.
[ There's a pause. ]
Which-- I'm not saying you would, by the way. I just mean... we're still friends. And I like spending time with you, whether or not you're interested in something more.
voice.
Jim? Hello? It's Mary. Are you there?
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Hi. Yes, it's me. How are you, Mary?
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On his end, he smiled. It came through with the call in a slight huff, close to a chuckle. ] Really? I mean, that's great. And yes, I'd like that very much. Obviously. It'll be fun.
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[ She feels like she still ought to confirm it, even if he did say that she would be "his date". ]
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That's what I meant, yes. But it's-- fine, either way. We can just go as friends, it's fine. [ One 'fine' too many? Yep, things are definitely fine. ]
It's up to you.
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Yes, I'll go on a date with you. To the party, I mean.
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Oh. Great, then. That's great. I mean, we can still go on other dates.
[ Just (not so) subtly hinting that he might ask again sometime. ]
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[ She doesn't mean to sound unenthusiastic or awkward. No one has ever technically asked her out before. People in her time didn't really date. ]
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It's... fine. Never mind. [ He forces a light tone into his voice. ] I'll see you at the party, Mary.
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[ She wants him to know that before he cuts the connection. Of course, if this date is awful, Mary probably won't want to go out again, but they can cross that bridge when they get to it. ]
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[ There's a pause. ]
Which-- I'm not saying you would, by the way. I just mean... we're still friends. And I like spending time with you, whether or not you're interested in something more.
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Okay. I look forward to it too, Mary.
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