"Oh, okay," Lionel replies when Val brings up taking a photo. His views on aliens -- not just the extraterrestrial type -- and how people have an impulse to other those who are unlike themselves can be put on hold. They can pick that thread back up later if they want.
Lionel isn't privy to Val's thoughts about him. Obviously. But mention of mothers and photos triggers his own memories. Of his own mother and her criticisms of him. Don't wear yellow, it makes you look pale. And, Smile with your mouth closed, otherwise your face stretches. Critiques poorly disguised as helpful, motherly advice.
He's so wrapped up in these thoughts that Val's arm on his shoulder startles him, but successfully brings him back to the present. He gently puts his hand behind her back and on her hip. He looks at the phone and smiles, as commanded. Though it's only after the photo is taken that he realizes it was an open-mouthed smile.
"We can take another if you want," he preemptively offers before she's even checked to see how it turns out.
THE SURLY STUMP: Val & Lionel
Lionel isn't privy to Val's thoughts about him. Obviously. But mention of mothers and photos triggers his own memories. Of his own mother and her criticisms of him. Don't wear yellow, it makes you look pale. And, Smile with your mouth closed, otherwise your face stretches. Critiques poorly disguised as helpful, motherly advice.
He's so wrapped up in these thoughts that Val's arm on his shoulder startles him, but successfully brings him back to the present. He gently puts his hand behind her back and on her hip. He looks at the phone and smiles, as commanded. Though it's only after the photo is taken that he realizes it was an open-mouthed smile.
"We can take another if you want," he preemptively offers before she's even checked to see how it turns out.