Is the Camera On?

“Come on, Jay, we’re gonna be late!”

“How can we be late, it’s only us.”

“I – actually you’re right. Hmmm. Well, hurry up anyways!”

“I’m coming, I’m coming don’t worry. Do you know where my coat is?”

“It’s in my hand, I grabbed it already, just come on!”

“Ok, ok, jeeze.”

“Don’t forget the camera!”

“Already in the car.”

“Perfect, thanks Jay. You ready now?”

“Yup, let’s get going. Do you want to stop for some coffee on the way there? It’s still pretty early.”

“Hmm… I feel pretty awake, if you couldn’t tell, but, yeah, I’d like coffee. Where are you feeling?”

“Definitely a Dunkin Donuts day, if you ask me.”

“Alright, floor it.”

“The mall is, um, very busy today isn’t it?”

“What did you expect, silly, of course it’s going to be busy. It’s a Saturday morning before winter break. And why do you care?”

“I just didn’t think there’d be so many people, you know… watching.”

“Jay, sometimes you say the craziest things. No one’s going to be watching, they’re all trying to get some presents and get on with their day. Don’t even worry about it.”

“But, what if someone we know comes by, and I’m posing or whatever we’re doing –“

“Oh boy, no you don’t. Come on, you’ll feel better once we get started. Where should we set up? It has to be somewhere with good light, a nice background too….”

“We could go near the food court. There’s a lot of props we could use, I guess. And no one should be there since it’s early still.”

“Oh, that’s perfect, Jay! This is why I love you. Ok, let’s go!”

“Clo, not- not that way! The other way!”

“Right!”

“What if I take the pictures? It is my camera…”

“Only if you promise to get in a few.”

“This is for your Instagram if I remember correctly, Clo.”

“And I would like for my adorable, sweet, and loving boyfriend to be in some of those pictures.”

“I honestly have no idea how to say no to that….”

“Perfect! Ok, so I’d like to take a couple in this booth over here, the red cushion will look cool against my outfit.”

“Wait, your shirt’s yellow though. Won’t that be, like, ketchup and mustard?”

“That’s what’s gonna make it look cool. I can use the food as props! Oh, and I can use some of these platters. And, and, maybe I could order some of the food to make it look really messy, and then –“

“Well if you just wanted a messy table there are plenty unoccupied.”

“You’re right, you’re right. Ok, let’s start with this first. I want to get a few clean shots before moving on. Is that alright?”

“Hey, you’re the one calling the shots here, I’m just following you’re lead. Now, smile!”

“Ok, these look great! But, there’s something missing…”

“Really? I thought you looked really good in them, especially the ones where you’re posing with the… What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Oh my god, what else is missing, Jay? Come on.”

“I really don’t know what you mean, I think these look perfect. So, I say, we pack up, maybe get some shopping done and –“

“Nope, nope, not today. You, my friend, promised to be a model. And you have yet to fulfil said promise. Come on, let’s go. Let’s see that sparkle, I know you’ve got it.”

“Clo, come on, I’m not dressed for this, really, I don’t even match with – You did this on purpose didn’t you. I never wear this coat. This bright, yellow, coat.”

“What can I say, I’m a genius in the making. And look how cute we’d look together if you’d just take a picture with me. The sooner you agree, the faster we can leave.”

“Fine, fine. Let’s go.”

“So, Jay, don’t look now, but people are coming into the cafeteria. Hey, I said don’t look!”

“Whenever anyone says don’t look, you always look! Have you never seen a rom com before? Ok, we should have enough by now, let’s go.”

“No, no, Jay, please? Just a few more! You were doing so well and look how cool these turned out. I have so many more partner pictures we could take. Let’s just stay for –“

“Clo, I – I really don’t want to. We’ve taken enough already. Come on, we can do some shopping before we leave if you want.”

“I’m not moving. We are going to take a couple more pictures whether you want to or not. I will get you to get over this fear of yours whether it’s the last thing I do as your girlfriend.”

“Clo, come on, I’m not gonna break up with you over some pictures.”

“Oh, I’m well aware of that. I just mean this will be a long-term goal of mine in our relationship.”

“You really want more pictures?”

“Jerimiah, I want a million pictures with you and it would never be enough.”

“Well, how can I say no to that. Fine, I will agree to a few more, if you promise we can go out for lunch.”

“Deal.”

“Would you just- can you just stand still?”

“Why? What would be the fun in that?”

“Well, for one we’d be able to get a clear picture.”

“Nah, you want to have the live action photos. There so much more…. Interesting! See! Look at this one. If I wasn’t moving, you wouldn’t be rolling your eyes and I wouldn’t be laughing. See, look at how great it turned out.”

“My eyes are practically closed in this one, what are you talking about? Coffee was not the way to go - Hey! Give it back, Clo!”

“No way, I’m going to be in charge of pictures from now on, thank you very much. Now how do I get this the way I want it…. There!”

“Clo, what are you- Oh, don’t put it there, we don’t know when that was last cleaned! “

“Jay, just shut up and smile. It’s only a trash can. Now turn. Now pose. Again. Again. Aga-“

“What are you doing, no one’s taking the picture.”

“Ah hah, that’s where you’re wrong, good sir. The camera is rolling. And then- I can – screenshot – the video. So look cute, won’t ya? Not that you’ll have any trouble with that.”

“You flatter me. Now, what do I do?”

“Just have fun alright, Jay. It’s really not that hard. Here for this part, just dance with me.”

“Is this a ploy for public embarrassment. Were in the middle of the mall.”

“So? Main character worthy, right? Come on.”

“I don’t know, Clo, we’re already getting some weird stares…”

“For me?”

“I – fine. Anything you’d like. The camera still rolling?”