Episode 4: Beckett Goes Outside

“I require you,” Diana says, “to accompany me.”

I stare at her.

“…Outside?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

She tilts her head.

“Yes.”

The café is quiet.

Which is the only reason I agreed.

I sit facing the exit.

Always facing the exit.

Mask secure. Gloves intact.

Drink: frozen lemonade.

Safe.

Across from me, Diana watches with faint amusement.

“You’re scanning the room,” she notes.

“I’m just making sure my suroundings are safe better to be safe than sorry.”

Then—

A disturbance.

Loud voice. Sharp tone.

“I said this isn’t what I ordered!”

Ah.

A Karen.

Nature’s most predictable disaster.

She escalates quickly.

Staff apologizing.

Customers staring.

Phone out.

Recording.

Of course.

Diana sighs softly.

“Observe,” she murmurs.

“I am.”

The woman continues.

Gets louder.

More aggressive.

Then—

The manager arrives.

Calm. Professional.

Explains.

Shows receipt.

Shows order.

The woman… posted it online already.

Live.

Comments start flooding in.

Someone recognizes her.

Points out the contradiction.

Then another.

And another.

Her tone shifts.

Panic creeping in.

Too late.

She leaves abruptly.

No victory.

No dignity.

Just consequences.

I take a slow sip of lemonade.

“…That was fast.”

Diana nods.

“People document their own downfalls now. Very efficient.”

I consider that.

“…I prefer silence.”

She smiles.

“I know.”