Author's Note: I subscribe to the common fan interpretation that Audrey is transfem, and this scene reflects that. The status quo in this AU before this scene takes place is that Audrey has only ever used the name Audrey within The Gutter and has been going by the name that will become her deadname, James, everywhere else. She passes incredibly well, partially due to the skills that she has picked up at The Gutter, besides her voice, which, ironically, is slightly low for a woman's at this point and generally sounds a little bit 'off' because she hasn't done voice training yet. She started trying to do it without having any resources available besides the help of some 'totally cis' friends at The Gutter shortly after this scene and ended up massively overcorrecting on the pitch front. She goes by James outside of The Gutter because she has severe internalized transphobia at this point in the story and doesn't believe that she is actually a woman yet, which is an extreme Tl;dr of her motivations and general outlook on life and character arc in this AU, and I would be happy to answer any questions about it. Neither she nor Seymour know at this point in the story that trans people exist because it's not like they or anyone else in Skid Row would have been taught about them. For anyone who has read my work Suddenly Cell Block Tango, James is indeed also the name of Audrey's ex before Orin in this AU, which I did for symbolic reasons that I am not going to explain here because it would make this author's note longer than it has to be.
(Mr. Mushnik is sitting at the counter of the flower shop, reading a newspaper, and Seymour is reading an old botany textbook which is in bad condition at a table in front of him. Suddenly, the bell above the front entrance to the shop can be heard. Seymour, slightly startled, looks towards the door and is quickly stunned by and enamored with the person who just entered the shop. Simultaneously, Mr. Mushnik looks in the same direction and quickly starts paying attention to the potential customer, who is revealed to be Audrey by a shot of the front door. Audrey takes in the atmosphere of the shop for a few seconds before starting to walk towards the counter. She gives Seymour a very slight wave and smiles at him while passing him, and he returns the smile, then quickly gets up and follows her, leaning against the counter slightly and watching her fascinatedly as she speaks to Mr. Mushnik.)
AUDREY
Uh... hello... (Mr. Mushnik looks at her suspiciously after hearing her voice) I saw in the papers that you were looking for someone to do floral arrangements? I...I'd like to apply for that position if that's alright. I have some experience with...
MUSHNIK
(he interrupts her) And what would your name be, (adds emphasis) sir?
AUDREY
(clearly in emotional pain) Oh... uh... m...my name is James... James Fulquard...
SEYMOUR
(his lovestruck gaze towards her gains a hint of confusion) ...Did you say your name is James? Did you me- I mean, did I mishear... did I mishear the name Jamie or something? I... sorry, I don't know what's going on with me today (he laughs nervously)
AUDREY
(reassuringly) No, no, you didn't, my name is (she hesitates slightly) James... but sometimes I go by Audrey... if you'd rather call me that.
SEYMOUR
(overenthusiastically) Of course! I love- I'd love to call you that, Audrey.
(Audrey beams at him, and he smiles back at her)
MUSHNIK
(exasperated) Alright, that's enough. (addressing Audrey) Come in tomorrow at opening time sharp and I'll let you know if you got the job or not. And don't be late, (adds emphasis) James.
AUDREY
(deflated) T...thank you, sir, I'll be on time, I promise! And I'm honored that you're thinking of hiring me.
MUSHNIK
(he looks back towards his newspaper and continues to read it, flipping the page) Mhmmm
(Audrey waits for a few seconds before warmly smiling at Seymour and starting to head towards the front door. He quickly follows her before realizing that he does not have a game plan.)
SEYMOUR
(panicking) I uh... I was just thinking I'd (trails off as he realizes that what he's saying is stupid) show you out... (regains the volume) if that's okay with you, Audrey... I really hope you can work here, I'll...I'll put in a good word for ya.
AUDREY
(beaming) Thank you... (she realizes that she doesn't know his name and trails off, then laughs slightly) and what is your name?
SEYMOUR
It's Seymour... Seymour Krelborn.
AUDREY
Well, thank you, Seymour. I hope I can work with y-work here too. (She starts heading towards the door again and he quickly follows suit. They reach it. He holds it open for her, and she shyly looks downwards and smiles before looking back up at him) I'll see you tomorrow.
SEYMOUR
(overenthusiastically) See you, Audrey!
(Audrey exits the shop. Seymour lets the door close behind her, and she walks back towards her apartment.)
MUSHNIK
(the second after the door closes) Don't even think about it.
SEYMOUR
(looks back at him confusedly while still being head over heels for Audrey) …What?... sir?
MUSHNIK
(looks up from his newspaper at Seymour) I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's not that you can't get (he does air quotes) 'her.' (a brief flash of anger crosses Seymour's face at the air quotes) Please tell me I don't need to explain to you why THAT is a bad idea.
SEYMOUR
(incredibly confused) W...why would it be? She's... (struggles to put it into words) phenomenal... MUSHNIK
(sighs loudly and exasperatedly and facepalms slightly) That is a man. I'll admit it, he had me fooled before he opened his mouth. (Seymour is increasingly angered by his insults towards Audrey) But after that, you'd have to be deaf to not realize it. Chase after some women instead, maybe one will eventually get desperate enough to go for it with you... or her biological clock will, anyway.
SEYMOUR
(undeterred) I don't care if sh...h...she is a... man or not! I lo-she's amazing! And she's not fooling-trying to fool anyone!
MUSHNIK
(looks at him exasperatedly and then goes back to his newspaper) Fine, get an anal fissure from your new (does air quotes) 'girlfriend,' what do I care. Maybe then you'll finally come to your senses. I doubt it if you haven't already. (beat, he turns the page) I'll hire him, this'll be the closest you'll ever get to touching a woman so I'm practically obligated to.
SEYMOUR
(conflicted but also incredibly happy that Audrey will be working with him) ...T...thanks... sir?! (beat) ...I'll fix up the back room for Audrey (he starts heading towards the back room, deep in thought), she can do her floral arrangements there, I hope it's nice enough for her... (he trails off)
MUSHNIK
(laughs) Yeah, and you're fixing to get yours 'fixed up' by him.
SEYMOUR
(pauses at the door to the back room, confused) ...What?
(Mr. Mushnik does a dismissive hand gesture towards him, and Seymour shrugs slightly and goes into the back room.)
