"Grace?"
"Mmm?"
"You're still up."
"I didn't think you'd be awake, either… I didn't hear you come in."
"Well, we had to stop the shoot. The guy's dead."
"What?"
"I didn't want to alarm you - "
"Who's dead?"
"The guy . Dom what's-his-face. He landed out of the plane wrong."
"Nobody lands out of a plane right . How could you not tell me?"
"I'm tellin' ya now!"
"God, I just - Johnny. I feel so stressed."
"I hear ya."
"I met my cousins - and they're all unhappy. I live in this little house - yes, yes, don't give me that look - and I see no matter how big our house, wherever we live, whoever we meet or don't, we'll not necessarily always be happy. It's meant to be a struggle, isn't it?"
"It's fleeting for me too, darlin'. Even the rush of a stunt - you see me smiling, but it's not always from within. It's to encourage the others I'm alright. Otherwise - but you know."
"Perhaps it's getting old. Perhaps it's settling into a routine - of family. You know, we didn't have much in the way of family. Even a decade ago, my cousins barely talked to me. And you know my parents and extended family - how they are. They say you're happiest in your fifties or sixties. But how will life have changed for us?"
"It's gotta be perspective, hon. And wisdom. A welling in your gut. There's just that click - that moment. And your bones ache and you poop yourself and you need help opening the door - and in everything else - but at least in your mind, you're settled."
"And what if we're not?"
"Then we're fucked."
"Oh, Johnny. At least you're smiling."
"I smile for you, babe. And for Kylie. You know, when she hits primary school, she'll know none of this. She'll have the hope and the curiosity you were just growing out of when I met you. And you, most of all, have held onto it so tightly when so many people our age are by now ruthless and cold, and always thinking several steps ahead. You know now, your cousins won't change or won't embrace some sort of reunion party. And money won't coat the walls in safety and warmth. We're all drained. We're all tired. And it's only gonna get worse. But there'll be more moments - moments that last a sunny afternoon - and that's what you live for. What you don't do is discount completely that they'll ever happen - it'll fly over your head like the Shamal carrying the next family hoping to make a new life here. It's tempting to run away, but sometimes, what you're looking for is already inside you ."
"Where did you learn such wisdom, Johnny?"
"I'm fighting death each day, darlin'. You get a bit o' wisdom outta that when you know you're addicted to the thrill, but you've gotta come home each day. And here I am. And here we are. And on the world spins, and we're makin' it happen, baby."
"I hope so, Johnny. Another day to go… "