Seymour quickly rearranged the sign on the door so it read: Closed, be back in an hour. It had been a busy morning. Customers flocked from miles around to see the famous Audrey II. It was huge now — having devoured two people — and took up nearly half the shop. Still, that didn't deter people from cramming themselves into the tiny little shop on Skid Row.
But now, it was lunch break for the two employees and the shop was quiet. Brushing away some stray amaryllises, Audrey hoisted herself onto the cluttered counter. Seymour thought she looked like some sort of flower queen as she sat amidst the many bouquets and arrangements. Gazing over at the giant plant, Audrey wondered aloud.
"That plant just keeps gettin' bigga and bigga! Mista Mushnik will be surprised when he gets back from Czechoslovakia,"
"Yeah . . ." Seymour laughed nervously, wanting so badly to change the subject, but not knowing how to do so.
"How long do you suppose he'll be gone?"
"Gee, Audrey, I dunno. I mean Czechoslovakia is awfully far away, so I guess . . . A long time?"
Audrey nodded trustingly, completely unaware of the brutal truth. Suddenly, she turned her gaze on him and began to smile coquettishly.
"Well, there are a few good things about him being gone for a little while, aren't there?" She continued to smile that perfect smile and tossed her hair playfully. Almost unconsciously, Seymour drifted towards her perch on the countertop.
"Yes, I guess there are a few things," He suddenly found himself very close to Audrey, as if she had magnetically pulled him over to her, "I mean, I've gotten a taste of what owning my own shop feels like . . ." He trailed off as Audrey looped her arms around his neck.
"That's a good one. Do you wanna hear my good thing?" Audrey asked flirtatiously.
"Uhh, sure," he stuttered, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks as she toyed with the curls on the back of his head.
She leaned down and whispered in Seymour's ear, "We get to be togetha,"
"Yeah, but we were always together," Seymour countered.
"Sure, but neva alone togetha . . . just you and I" And with that, Audrey tenderly tilted Seymour's head up and kissed him deeply. He responded by tentatively placing his hands on Audrey's waist and kissing her back. Time seemed to freeze when they were entwined in each other's arms. Unexpectedly, Seymour felt Audrey wrap her legs around him and close the gap between them. She scooted forward, letting most of her weight rest against him. To support her, he held her tighter. After a few blissful minutes, Audrey broke the kiss slowly but kept her face next to his. She gazed into his eyes, which were glazed over with pleasure and there was a goofy grin on his face.
"Would you . . . um . . . like to . . . um, go out to lunch with me?" Seymour stuttered, slowly regaining his composure.
"Of course! Let me grab my coat," Audrey slid off the counter, gave Seymour a quick peck on the cheek, then ducked into the back room. She came back a moment later with her white sweater draped over her arm.
"Shall we?" she asked, offering her other arm for Seymour to take.
"We shall," he replied, gently taking her arm in his.