ink, sweat + cityscapes

“ i suppose there’s no chance,” she asked hopelessly, “that howl could be properly in love this time?”
“i was afraid you’d start thinking that,” michael said. “but you’d be deceiving yourself.”
“how do you know?” said sophie.
“did he forget to spend at least an hour in the bathroom this morning?” michael asked.
“he was in there for two hours,” said calcifer.
“there you are, then,” said michael. “the day howl forgets to do that will be the day i believe he’s really in love, and not before. ”