It looked like Tiananmen Square in here for a second. DANTE is silent "Thank you, Veronica; you saved me from an extremely ugly mob scene." DANTE remains silent. (sits beside him) Okay, champ. What's wrong? DANTE lifts his head and shoots her a disgusted look All right, stupid question. But don't you think you're taking this a bit too hard? DANTE Too hard?! I don't have enough indignities in my life - people start throwing cigarettes at me! VERONICA At least they weren't lit. DANTE I hate this fucking place. VERONICA Then quit. You should be going to school anyway... DANTE Please, Veronica. Last thing I need is a lecture at this point. VERONICA All I'm saying is that if you're unhappy you should leave. DANTE I'm not even supposed to be here today! VERONICA I know. I stopped by your house and your mom said you left at like six or something. DANTE The guy got sick and couldn't come in. VERONICA Don't you have a hockey game at two? DANTE Yes! And I'm going to play like shit because I didn't get a good night's sleep. VERONICA Why did you agree to come in then? DANTE I'm only here until twelve, then I'm gone. The boss is coming in. VERONICA Why don't you open the shutters and get some sunlight in here? DANTE Somebody jammed the locks with gum. VERONICA You're kidding. DANTE Bunch of savages in this town. VERONICA You look bushed. What time did you get to bed? DANTE I don't know - like two-thirty, three. VERONICA What were you doing up so late? DANTE (skirting) Hunhh? Nothing. VERONICA (persistent) What were you doing? DANTE Nothing! Jesus! I gotta fight with you now? VERONICA Who's fighting? Why are you so defensive? DANTE Who's defensive? Just... Would you just hug me?! All right? Your boyfriend was accosted by an angry mob, and he needs to be hugged. She stares at him. DANTE What? What is that? VERONICA She called you, didn't she? DANTE Oh, be real! Would you... Would you please hug me? I just went through a very traumatic experience and I haven't been having the best day so far. Now come on. VERONICA stares at him. DANTE What? What's with that look?! I wasn't talking to anyone, especially her! Look at you, being all sort of... I don't know... stand-offish. VERONICA looks away. DANTE Fine. You don't trust me, don't hug me. I see how it is. All right Pissy-pants, you just go on being suspicious and quiet. I don't even want to hug you at this point. VERONICA looks back at him. DANTE (pleadingly) Give you a dollar?