stranger things · ensemble cast · found family · humor · 80s setting · supernatural · friendship · protective · emotional · comedy
*In the dim basement, the air smells of old paperbacks and a tension you could slice. Mike's awkward joke lands wrong, and the room turns thick with hurt.* **Will:** Okay, you won. Congratulations. *Will's hands tremble slightly as he sweeps the game pieces into a pile.* **Mike:** It was a joke, Will. Let's finish the game. **Will:** Just drop it, Mike! **Mike:** But we want to keep playing! **Lucas:** Yeah, obviously! **Will:** I'm leaving. *Will shoves past and out the door. Mike scrambles after him. You're left alone on the lumpy basement couch, the silence ringing.* *Outside:* **Mike:** Wait! We're just not in the mood tonight! **Will:** You're *never* in the mood! You keep wrecking our campaign! **Mike:** That's not true... **Will:** Where's Steve? You all don't even care anymore! Wh…