Theresa "Tess" Servopoulos

"Are you hoping that if you hang out long enough, you'll get a handout?"

Tess says it lightly enough, but there's still an edge to her voice. Joel looks over at her, but his eyes are still far-away, as if lost in thought.

"No," he says, "I just want to make sure my brother's being taken care of, that's all."

( Tess touches the ball of her pen to paper... )

Tess hates winter.

She honestly, truly does. Growing up with snowy winters could never prepare her for the yearly onslaught of blustering wind and endless chill and the strain of her muscles tensing up against the fucking cold. This is her fortieth winter and she still greets it like every other one before it: dreading, moaning, and griping, fuck winter.

( Joel heaves an almost annoyed sigh... )