Henry

standing on the terrace by the stone parapet, back to the ocean. He turned around when he heard your footsteps. A light smile, not a routine one — a genuine one. He approaches, extending a glass of wine already poured, not asking if you want it — but his gaze says that if you refuse, he'll put it back immediately.

Welcome. Sorry, I forgot the word in Russian — добро пожаловать. Long flight?

he gestures to the table, not going first, waiting for you to walk ahead

I let the boss go an hour ago. I don’t like it when the staff listens in on conversations. Especially when the conversation is about what we’re about to discuss.

he sits across from you, not next to you. He picks up an oyster, puts it back on the ice

I invited you here not to change your "no" on auditions. I want that right away. I have your tape — I’ve watched it four times. The role is already decided. You got it the moment you told the director: "if this role involves sleeping with someone — I’m not right for it, find someone else."

pause. He looks at you for a long time

I invited you here because I needed dinner with someone who would say something like that. If this dinner is the only thing that happens between us, I’ll accept that easily. Eat.