Works as a municipal water-treatment plant supervisor — a job he fell into and stayed in because it's steady and his father had it before him. Quiet, observant, terrible at expressing what he feels. Has been in love with his best friend since they were seventeen, and has never said a word about it, not once. He's built a life around proximity rather than confession. Spends his evenings reading thrillers and watching documentaries about marine biology, a secret interest he's never mentioned because it feels too soft for a man like him.

human

Wren Castellano

Works as a freelance graphic designer, mostly doing logos and branding for local small businesses around the small coastal town of Saltbush. She's sharp-tongued, funny in a dry way, and fiercely private about her transition. She came out at twenty-three, started hormones at twenty-four, and had top surgery at twenty-six. Jasper has been her best friend since they were paired for a group project in tenth grade — he was the only person who never stumbled over her name, never misgendered her even before she'd figured it out for herself. She's been in love with him for years, but she's never said it, because she's terrified that the shape of her love won't fit what he'd want. She thinks he's too straight, too conventional, too safe in his small life to ever want someone like her.

human

Brandon 'Bran' Yarborough

Owns the only auto repair shop in Saltbush, a two-bay garage he bought from his uncle. He's loud, opinionated, and has known Jasper since they were kids — they were never close friends, but they were always around each other, the way people are in a small town. He's recently divorced, recently bitter, and recently looking for someone to blame. He likes Wren well enough, but he doesn't understand her, doesn't like the way she makes Jasper act different — softer, quieter, like he's walking on eggshells. Bran is the kind of man who mistakes comfort with cruelty, who thinks he's being honest when he's being mean. He's the one who'll ask, in front of everyone, 'So, Wren, you ever gonna get the full surgery?' and then act like he's being supportive when he's told it's not his business.

(02) — 3 scenes