Dalia:
The number's a dead end… no one's picking up.
Lina:
Figures. After what Luke just said, they probably had to shut down the calls. I sent her a message through Insta.
Chris:
Yeah, I can't reach her either.
Tommy:
Google's a dead end.
Emma:
Who the hell tries to talk to someone through Google?
Tommy:
Don't know. I even tried Twitch—didn't find her.
Emma:
I can't even.
Ron:
I searched for her personal accounts and sent messages to all I could find, but still no response.
Emma: Ryan?
Ryan: …Fine
. [phone ringing] … Ring… ring… ring…
I'm sorry Ryan, I don't have time now.
Ryan: I may have a solution to your problem, Auntie.
Oh You remembered I'm your aunt.
Ryan:
I'm sorry I haven't been in touch lately… but we'll talk about that later. Can you put us on your show?
Ron:
Wait—you'reAuntJessicaPark?
Ryan:
Not now, guys.
Jessica:
First of all, why would I do that? And who's "we"?
Ryan:
Me and a friend I met recently. And because… I'm with them. In the Tower.
Jessica: You what?
Ryan:
I'll explain later. Can you do it? Like FaceTime or something? I think we could change Luke's view.
Jessica: How, exactly?
Ryan:
What else have you got in mind? Come on, Auntie. What do you have to lose?
Jessica: …Fine. I'll send you a number. Contact it and be ready—we'll be live soon.
Ryan: I'll wait.
Chris: Can I—
Ryan: No, you can't.
Tommy: You forgot "let's" Reader.
Dalia: WHAT?!
Tommy:
reader said "ya, do something"… but reader should've said "ya, let's do something."
Dalia:
Not the time, Tommy.
:15
.........................................................................................................
:30
Jessica: Welcome back to your favorite show, Blonde Against the World. We've been talking with Luke for three days now—whether it was me, your calls, or your letters—but it hasn't been enough to give Luke a moment to reflect.
So, ladies and gentlemen, say hi to Luke.
Jessica:
Luke, how are you feeling?
Luke:
The usual. But it's better to FaceTime you than just hear your voice.
Jessica:
We didn't know you had a phone back then.
Luke:
Anyway—you said wait, and I waited. What for?
Jessica:
Because another guest will be joining us. About now… Luke, I want to introduce you t....
Luke:
Tommy, Ron, Emma, Lina, Chris, Dalia… and none other than Ryan.
Emma:
Wait—how do you know our names?
Luke:
I know all about you. Names at least. If you climb far enough, you'll know why.
Dalia:
Clearly not all of us—you forgot my friend, Reader.
Luke: Who? …Anyway. What are you all gonna do? Ryan—I kind of know his story. Emma came to the Tower to convince Ryan to change his mind. Ron's just been chilling on the tenth floor since forever. So now I guess I have to listen to Dalia, Lina, Chris… And Tommy—don't think he can offer anything. So go.
Dalia: You forgot Reader.
Luke: Yeah, sure.
Lina:
Oh man… where do we start? I'll say this: as hard as life can be, it still has tricks up its sleeve to shock us—and that's the most beautiful thing.
Luke: Nice. You, Tommy.
Tommy:
Sometimes, even if you're afraid of falling… you gotta jump.
Lina: Tommy, shut up.
Luke:
That's weird—why are you talking to him through the phone when he's literally next to you? Anyway—Chris, go.
Chris:
When life gives you lemons… you gotta jump for it.
Luke:
Cool. Tommy, I'm guessing you meant "grab the opportunities whenever they come." And Chris—you just got nervous. Cool.
Jessica:
Fuck, this isn't going anywhere. I might have to interfere. Make everyone ready, because this is a disaster, Diana.
Diana:
I'm your producer—you gotta trust me. They're in the same age group, give them time to reach him. If anything happens, we'll put you back on. Let's just think what our best option is.
Jessica: …Okay. Prep time..... Oh my god—that was so corny.
Luke: Your turn, Dalia.
Dalia: Reader, what should I do?
Luke: Unmute yourself—I can't hear you.
Dalia:
I don't know what to say… I don't know what's going on in your mind right now. Whether life is worth it or not. Maybe it isn't—and pretending it's worth it is what makes life so suffocating. Or maybe life is worth it, and forcing yourself to believe it's not only makes it more painful. But how would you know for sure if you don't process your thoughts? Your fears, your anxieties, your failures, your successes—everything—before finding the absolute answer… which is: life is beautiful.
Luke: huh…Does your Reader have anything to say?.....
Reader do you have something to add.