Small talk

With several minutes till the movie starts, Ethan finds himself unsure what to do.

He doesn't really know Ashley, despite the other night. In fact, they may have shared more words that evening than the rest of their interactions all added together.

“You like musicals?” Ashley asks, making small talk.

“They’re okay,” Ethan shrugs, “But I’m not exactly going to be singing along.”

She snorts lightly. “I feel so robbed right now.”

“What about you?”

“I keep it to the shower, and occasionally when I’m a few drinks in.”

Ethan rolls his eyes. “I mean do you like musicals?”

“Ah,” Ashley shrugs. “I guess. I don’t listen to show tunes in my free time, but I’m always willing to sit through one.”

“Hm.” Ethan nods his head slightly, relating to the sentiment. “Even with this being a long one?” Ethan had seen it before, recalling it to be a bit on the lengthy side.

Ashley sways her head back and forth slowly. “Hmmmmm. Would you judge me if I left early?”

“I might. It’s a classic.”

“Not all classics are good. Have you seen ‘Gone with the Wind’?”

Ethan thinks back. “Can’t say that I have.”

“It’s awful. Four hours long and all to see a man say ‘damn’.”

Ethan chuckles, being aware enough of movie history to have heard the line before. The small talk so far felt less awkward than he’d expected. Maybe it was because they were sitting in the dark, and the part about Ashley that most unsettled him was her looking just like Charlie.