A lonely guy tries to work up the nerve to ask someone out for coffee — or tea.

He rehearses and rehearses his lines, but when the moment arrives, nature intercedes.

A hornet stings him in the neck, triggering an allergy that swells up his face.

Well, at least he made an impression.

Michael Gandolfini is that guy in “ Tea ,” a short film that you can watch for free below via Vimeo.

The short, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, was written and directed by New Jersey’s Blake Winston Rice , who also filmed in Jersey.

Set in September 1998, the story stars Gandolfini as Nicholas Steep and Olivia Nikkanen (“ Sweethearts ,” “Supergirl”) as Tierney Bayer.

Nicholas desperately wants to make a connection with Tierney, who works at a local ice cream shop.

READ MORE: Inter

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