(Friend 1 and Friend 2 sit on a park bench, watching the ducks swim in a pond, when a leaf falls onto the ground from a nearby tree)
Friend 1: (Looks down at the leaf and sighs) Whelp, it’s official.
Friend 2: What is?
Friend 1: Fall. Just as that leaf did.
Friend 2: Oh, well – that time of year.
Friend 1: I know, it’s only that I wish summer would last all year long – it feels shorter and shorter every time.
Friend 2: You were complaining when it was 90° less than a month ago.
Friend 1: Well, I don’t want that much summer. Just a mellow 70-80° spread and 16 hours of sunlight each day is all I’m asking.
Friend 2: All year long?
Friend 1: All year long.
Friend 2: You know, today we get around 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night with the Fall Equinox.
Friend 1: I prefer the Fall Equilux.
Friend 2: What’s that?
Friend 1: Exactly 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night. Happens about a day earlier.
Friend 2: For real?
Friend 1: It’s a science nerd thing – we mere mortals wouldn’t understand.
Friend 2: You’re the one who brought it up.
Friend 1: I liked the sound of it.
Friend 2: Whatever: what I was driving at was that you should at least be happy that we get equal parts day and night this week.
Friend 1: Yes, I’m sure we Northern Hemisphere-ers are just thrilled to be reminded that we’re now going to have more night than day for the next six months.
Friend 2: Southern Hemisphere-ers should be happy getting more day than night for the next six months, though.
Friend 1: True. How I loathe them.
(They stare at the swimming ducks and the falling leaves while the setting Sun shines through the trees)
Friend 1: Doesn’t all this withering plant life remind you that, with every autumn, you’re that much closer to The End?
Friend 2: I actively try not to let it.
Friend 1: Oh. Just me, then.
Friend 2: Right, OK, here are some stuff to look forward to: fall festivals.
Friend 1: Mm.
Friend 2: Apple picking.
Friend 1: Mm.
Friend 2: Halloween?
Friend 1: I’ve barely reached the point in the year where I can emotionally accept it.
Friend 2: Looking at the colors of the beautiful leaves –
Friend 1: Dead leaves.
Friend 2: – beautiful dead leaves that you don’t have to rake up?
Friend 1: Mmmm.
Friend 2: Pumpkin spice everything?
Friend 1: I can get that any time of the year.
Friend 2: Not really.
Friend 1: Oh.
Friend 2: Cooler walks in the park without sweating up a storm?
Friend 1: Eh.
Friend 2: Back to sweaters and jeans instead of T-shirts and shorts?
Friend 1: Hm. I do love a good sweater.
Friend 2: OK then.
(They sit in silence for a few moments again)
Friend 1: All right, I think I’ve quietly mourned summer enough –
Friend 2: “Quietly”?
Friend 1: – and I’m ready to accept fall and all its trappings. I only ask for one favor.
Friend 2: Sure, I’ll try – what is it?
Friend 1: Keep winter and all its trappings away from me until at least November.
Friend 2: Now that’s asking for a miracle.