7th day in Istanbul
INT. ASKIN’S APARTMENT (Cihangir, Istanbul) – DAY
Natalie unpacks. Django, in frog pose on the bed, looks on.
Django: Mom. Mom. MOM.
Natalie: YES. I’m sorry. Yes?
Django: Why are you moving around so quickly?
Natalie: I… I don’t know. Sometimes I do that when I’m anxious.
Django: Are you anxious because we live here now?
Natalie: Sort of, yeah.
Django: Why?
Natalie: Well, because there’s a war in Ukraine, and the economy is going crazy and it’s summer, so a lot of housing isn’t longer affordable, and Uncle Askin has had this place for a long time which means we can more easily pay the rent here.
Django: I don’t understand any of that. But I meant: why are you anxious?
Natalie: Oh. I guess because there’s so much change going on, in our lives and in the world. And I don’t have a plan. You know. The usual.
Django: How long will we stay here?
Natalie: I have no idea. It depends on work, and the economy, and probably other stuff.
Django: Is this the kind of place Pop-Pop wants you to live in, because it has nice furniture?
Natalie: Probably.
Django: I miss Pop-Pop.
Natalie: I know you do.
Django: Especially how he feeds me treats at the kitchen table.
Natalie: I know.
Django: What about that guy that we keep spending time with? The one who drove us here?
Natalie: What do you think of him?
Django: I like him. Especially when he gets down on the floor to talk to me. You should do that more often.
Natalie: You’re right, I should.
Django: Could we live with him?
Natalie: No.
Django: Will I always have to be stuffed into the uncomfortable tube bag when we take the train that goes underground?
Natalie: I’m sorry about that, baby. We’ll try to take taxis if we can.
Django: Will there always be sirens and so many cars and so many people? Istanbul is so loud and crazy that sometimes I feel like hiding in a dark room.
Natalie: Me, too. I feel really bad about that for you.
Django: And there’s no grassy parks.
Natalie: Yeah. It’s weird, isn’t it? Makes Ottawa feel like farmland.
Django: But it has really good sidewalk smells.
Natalie: I can tell.
Django: The kitchen table treats here are top notch.
Natalie: I’m glad you approve.
Django: You seem excited about all the art and history stuff here.
Natalie: It’s true, I am. That kind of stuff makes me really excited.
Django: I like that guy at the store where you buy my food.
Natalie: It is nice how much people love dogs here, isn’t it?
Django: I think we’ll be okay here for a while, Mom. And if not, we’ll figure the next thing out when we need to.
Natalie: Yeah? Are you sure?
Django: Yeah. I’m sure.
