Nora accepted a one-day job as an extra because between contracts she had more time than money. She was supposed to walk across a square in a borrowed coat carrying an empty basket. The man assigned to play her partner was named Stefan. He said he worked in an archive and had come because a friend promised lunch. Both immediately checked whether the shoes were at least comfortable.
The assistant director explained that in the background they should look in love without attracting attention. Nora asked how exactly someone fell in love inconspicuously. Stefan said he had plenty of experience, mostly one-sided. She was still laughing when the cameras started. They spoiled the first take, then the second because he missed his pavement mark while looking at her.
By lunch they had learned to walk at the same pace. Between takes they discussed jobs nobody at family gatherings knew how to describe. Nora subtitled educational videos. Stefan organized old catalog cards. In the film they were a young couple from some prettier era; outside the frame they were two people in their thirties carefully calculating how many days off they could afford.
Near the end they received a new direction: he should brush hair from her face. Stefan first asked whether the touch would bother her. Nora said no, then was surprised how much his asking mattered. The shot worked on the first attempt. The assistant praised them and sent them to return their costumes. Suddenly everything that had seemed natural had a deadline at the dressing room.
Nora changed more slowly than necessary. She did not know whether his attentiveness had been part of the job. Stefan waited outside in an ordinary jacket, looking less confident than in the borrowed coat. He said he did not know whether they should simply say goodbye now. Nora replied that she would like to hear something about him that was not filling a pause between takes. They went for coffee although both were tired of standing.
There were no prepared directions on the second date. Conversation sometimes stalled, Stefan spilled sugar, and Nora talked too long about her former job. Still, they stayed until closing. When he reached toward her hair again, he paused and smiled. "This is my idea now," he said. Nora kissed him before he could habitually seek somebody's approval. The film came out several months later. They were barely visible in their brief shot, so they watched it twice for a reason unrelated to acting.