Olivia was siting by the honey bee coffe and co when Ian walked in through the door. He didn't know how to address her after her comment. He felt awkward. Was that her way of calling him inferior? he did not know. However, he decided to brush it off and not really poke the issue.
'Hey' he said awkwardly.
Olivia looked up. She had brought her computer with herself. She was wearing those green round glasses that were so characteristic of her. 'Hey' she greeted back.
'Did you already order or would you like me to do so?' Ian asked casually.
'I haven't. Sure. A black coffee please. Like my soul'
'you sure you want a glass of milk?'
Olivia smiled. She didn't have a comeback.
Ian headed towards the counter. As he did, Olivia starred nervously at the computer opened in front of her. Placed her hands on the keyboard a couple of times, pretending she would type something, but she didn't. Ian came back soon after. He held three glasses. Chamomile tea, a black coffee and a glass of milk. He placed the last two in front of Olivia. 'Judge yourself the degree of darkness in your soul. I have no business doing that' he said as he sat down next to her. 'How is your day of applying to jobs going so far?'
'I did five' Olivia answered. 'I think I want to be a counselor. I originally thought I would like to work in human resources, but I am kind of hating the idea the more I read about it.'
'Like, counselor for a school?'
'Yeah that would be a nice top choice. I wouldn't mind being a social worker either.'
Ian placed his hands on his cheek. Thinking. Putting dots together the way he was aware that it wasn't his job to do so.
'was that why you left academia? lack of direct impact to people?' he asked.
'drop it' Olivia said deffensively. 'I'll talk about it whenever I want to talk about it.'
Ian put his hands up in surrender. But he knew, and she knew, this was not their last time talking. There was a question in front of Ian. A puzzle. Something that did not have an answer, and they both new how much Ian craved having answers.
'for now let's say yes. Let's say I want to have a direct impact on people' she said, braking off the silence.
'fair. I can't help you there though, but I will let you know if I hear there is any opening within counselling. i doubt it, but I will.'
Olivia smiled. She turned her gaze to the tv at the side of the coffee shop. They were steraming the baseball game. She never liked sports. 'so what is it that you do for fun around here?' she asked.
'what do you mean?'
'do you only work and get coffee? what else is there in this town. Do you have any hobbies? do you have anything you care about that you fill up yourself with? or your free time?'
'I am sure I cant interest you in pokemon trading cards, can I?'
'no, you can't. But what else do you do appart form pokemon trading cards.'
'what does it matter'
'what do you mean what does it matter. what is the point of anything. This cannot be it. We can't be her just getting coffee, and working, and fighting for our lives to pan out, when in reality we are not enjoying one second of it'
'i do enjoy my work.' said Ian. He was looking at her concerned now. Were this breakdowns common to her as of recent?
'maybe could it be that you feel devoid of something to fill your time with?' he asked.
'I think just work would never fulfill me' she answered. 'even if i do find the chance to be a counselor. I need more. I need something more, well, more.'
'you have to expand there.'
'I can't. I dont have it clear myself yet. Nothing makes sense to me at the moment.'
'can you not use those words. Aboslute words such as nothing or everything are always untrue, and is therefore futile to use them in arguments. the argument will automatically be flawed.'
'So never use the word never'
'that's a classic isn't it?'
'yes, but i guess you are right. I had not seen the Irony there.'
Ian pretended to pet her head, exaggerating the motion of his hand, as if her head was far larger than its actual radius. He was calling her dumb.
'I deserve it.' she said to the gesture.