“What’s it like?” said Katy.
“It’s weird, man. It’s weird,” said Mark. They walked down the hall toward who knows where, just a quick escape from the maelstrom that comes with being two of the most recognizable people currently on the planet.
“Why is it weird?” she asked. The last time they had seen eachother was when her bus had left Camp Tawonga that late August afternoon in the summer of 1998. He had been wearing a hoodie and jeans, she remembered, and it seemed appropriate that this was practically his uniform at 26.
“I’m just a guy,” said Mark “A guy who had an idea. And now look at this. What does this all mean. I don’t even know. Life sort of chooses you, y’know? I don’t think I… and I guess you as well… I don’t think we chose any of this. Even despite the hard work.”
Katy nodded.
“We were just pups,” she said.
“Come again?” said Mark.
“Pups, you know, uh, small dogs. It’s a phrase,” said Katy.
“Aaron Sorkin didn’t write this dialogue,” said Mark.
Katy stared at him blankly.
“It’s a joke, Kat” said Mark.He stared at her with his goldfish eyes, the same expression that he wore on the cover of Time’s Man Of The Year issue, the same that had taken her breath away at Camp Tawonga all those years ago. Katy felt uncomfortable. Was she falling for him again?
“What’s that?” she said, trying to change the subject.
“It’s a security camera,” said Mark, and someone behind them snapped a picture with their iPhone, the familiar sound of the camera shutter closing brought them out of the moment.
Mark sighed.
“It’s good to see you, Mark,” she said. She remembered their first kiss, and that magical summer.
“You too,” he said. “Let’s get a burrito”.
Katy laughed, and tried to feel for his hand, but he pulled it away.
“I really want that burrito,” said Mark, and they walked towards the cafeteria.
