Pearl — 2022, Dir. Ti West

#me trying to run from my problems

THE FLORIDA PROJECT (2017) dir. Sean S. Baker

me when someone asks how im doing lately

ƚαɠ ԃυɱρ!

Sammy is almost always the first to throw the punch. It’s a fight or flight instilled in him - gifted even, by his father. And when his anxiety levels are already high, so are the rest of his emotions. He’s barely slept, bags under his eyes from a four-day stand-off with his dad, so when a couple of older men that used to tease him in school make a snide comment about his mother, he’s the first to throw the punch. Every ounce of frustration that has built up goes straight to his fists as he swings, ‘‘ Fuckin’ say it again ! ’’ He’s spitting like some feral animal, barely registering the hands that grab him from behind and pull him away ‘‘ No - let me fuckin’ at ‘em, I can take them. ’’ the heel of his hands press into his eyes as he tries to bring himself back down. ‘‘ they’re always fuckin’ pickin’ at me, that group of fucking pratts are. They called the fuckin’ cops on my brother last week as well ! ’’

matilda is sitting on the floor behind the counter, trying to eat a sandwich as quickly as possible. They’re now ‘ down a staff member ’, so she’s doing a shift ALONE for the first time. It is an odd feeling, and she’s trying to keep herself busy as to not focus on or feel the overwhelming grief that comes with loosing a friend. The sound of the door takes her by surprise - of course, their first customer of the day is going to come while she’s trying to have lunch - and she quickly wraps it up before the familiar voice echoes through the shop. She stands up quickly, a smile forced across her features. ‘‘ good afternoon, darling boy ! ’’ its bright, it has to be. ‘‘ i mean, you’re welcome to still do so if you wish, i’ll just close my eyes. ’’

DESPITE LACKING EMPLOYMENT THERE , the record shop would be one of the first places anyone who knew nickie would look , should they be on the search for him. less so lately than usual , but loitering around the shop and bothering its employees ( mainly his sister ) was typically one of his go-to pastimes. wandering through the door , the first thing they noticed was how quiet it was , not a soul in sight. " anybody here ? " they called out , hoping someone might emerge from the back rooms , " hope you know I'm going to start stealing things if I'm left alone for too long. " it was a joke , sure , but one that had the likelihood of quickly becoming reality if he grew bored enough.

CLOSED STARTER | FOR MATILDA YAXLEY ( @hecrtgolden )

Little Women (2019) dir. Greta Gerwig

Matilda didn’t like exploiting her friends' kindness. She disliked it almost as much as she disliked not having a stable home. But at this point, the blonde has learnt to accept that the hands she’s been dealt are pretty shit - and even if she tries her best to put on a happy front - it all just kinda sucks. At least she’s got a tent. It could always be worse.

The tent in question is set up in its usual spot next to the pond in the park. She feels a lot less alone knowing the ducks are just outside. Plus, it’s quiet - or at least it is until almost midnight when what sounds like a footstep breaks through the silence. Matilda is quick to grab the flashlight next to her and unzip the tent ‘‘ whose there? ’’ she calls into the darkness.