YOUNG ACTOR’S PORTRAIT 
I’m ready to meet with myself again

Author: Malgorzata Szyszka
http://www.szyszka.art.pl
e-mail: szyszkamalgosia@yahoo.com
mobil:+48501392436

Translated by Agnieszka Hein

Cast:
He  – young actor
She – journalist

Space: modern pub

Music: jazz

Part One
Scene 1 

He: A presentiment that something better is about to happen is the most important. Just one word, one tremble of the soul, moments of high consciousness that turn into something...

Scene 2

She: Eyes

He: Brown

She: Height

He: 181 centimetres

She: Weight

He: 72 kilograms 

She: Handsome 

He: Silent

She: Virtues

He: Being a perfectionist, great intuition and an eccentric taste 

She: Vices

He: Postponing things 

She: Women 

He: Stimulating, joyful

She: Men

He: Honest, resolute

She: Colours

He: Navy blue, pastel, black, white, all shades of grey

She: Music

He: Changing, throbbing

She: House chores

He: I do them myself

She: But you don’t like doing it.

He: Short-sightedness 

She: Are you scared?

Part Two

Scene 1

She: I am sorry. 

He: Yes?

She: You are this talented actor, aren’t you?

He: So it seems.

She: Hi, I am....

He: I know who you are...

She: Oh, I see. 

He: Would you like something to drink?

She: No, thanks

He: Are you sure?

She: I am here because

He: Nice to meet you.

She: Maybe it sounds stupid but I’d like to explain everything. from the beginning. I haven’t done it for a long time and I find this situation quite awkward. I don’t quite understand why I agreed to this meeting. 

He: But you did agree. 

She: It’s not what you think. I am not involved with anyone right now. I used to write and I still do. I want you to understand it well. I was asked to conduct this interview. I do it for the sake of our mutual friend and because she asked me to do it. I don’t believe in future telling. If she told you that you would meet a young journalist and that she would become the woman of your life...It’s not true. All has been planned. I agreed to it. I agreed to conduct this interview although I haven’t talked to anyone for a year. In a professional sense. I’m trying to be a journalist again I can guarantee nothing If I succeed then I should ask, really,  if you still feel like talking to me.

He: But you used to work as a journalist?

She: Yes I did, although most of my interviews never got published. 
.....
She: I know it sounds weird. The things I’ve said.  I know I sound strange. I want to conduct this interview but I’ve had bad experience and I wouldn’t like to... 
.....
She: What do you want to know? Who are you writing this for?
....
She: Who am I writing this thing with you for? 

He: For example...

She: For intelligent people, who need art to live. Perhaps they are not just readers but creators also. 

He: Do you think that...

She: If you want hear your own thoughts you have to start thinking ...

He: Do you think that writing makes any sense ?

Flash

He

Flash

Scene 2
She: Are you really 180 centimetres tall? 

He: Is it important?

She: Is your weight 68 kilograms?

He: Do you want me to undress? 

She: No, better not. 

He: Well, all information is important. I am really 180 centimetres tall and my weight is 68 kilograms. Why are you asking me? 

She Because I am trying to imagine a person who is 180 centimetres tall and weights 68 kilograms and doesn’t look like you. 

He: Doesn’t?

She: You’re not that tall.

Flash
She
Flash

Scene 3

She: Tel me something about yourself?

He: What do you want to know?

She: Tell me anything. Whatever comes to your head.

He: Human nature is very complex.

She: No, it’s not that. It’s about you. I am asking about you. What comes to your head when you think: “I am ...”

He: I am

She: a person....

He: ...of some character.

She: Like what?

He: He has beautiful brown eyes. He is handsome, they say. And what comes out of it?

She: I don’t know. You should know whether anything comes out of it or not. 

He: It does. Something does. Is this life, though? I think not, and I believe not. I hope it is not the only reason. If nothing comes out of it, then it’s nothing.

I don’t know. Good- looking. That’s what others say. Not stupid. Maybe. Maybe yes, maybe no. What a bullshit! I am not interested in what other people say. A talented young actor. O, my God! 

She: An actor – what does it mean?

He: It is such a bloke for hire. A person who is supposed to respond to director’s feelings. 

She: Do you feel like a person for hire?

He: Excuse me?

She: Do you feel like a person for hire?

He: Listen, that’s the way it is. I practice this profession and that’s it. Do I feel like an actor for hire. Of course I do. And I am very happy about it. I have to bear the consequences of the choices I make. 
Stars at her
Jack of all trades. Yes, I am a person for hire and I am very proud of it. 

She: O.K. 

He: I am a thirty year old response to director’s imagination and I want to keep it this way. 

She: Weird. It’s interesting. Actors don’t usually like directors. Once, I read that directing was some kind of vocation, mission, a state of being permanently in love with art. 

He: Vocation? Some people take up this job not knowing the answers to basic questions. Even if they know what kind of story they want to tell they don’t know how to do it. At the end it is always an actor to blame. 

She: What do you do then?

He: I don’t work. That’s why I am not working right now. 

She: Is this the reason?

He: Yes, it is. 

He: Whose your favourite director? 

He: All of them.

She: You must pick one. 

He: No, not right now. 

She: Then when?

He: I don’t know

She: Don’t look at me like this. Asking questions is a hard work. Believe me.

He: Wait. 

She: I don’t like waiting.

He: Things we don’t know are of interest to us. Everything that’s hidden from us is a mystery. 

Flash
She looks through  window.
Flash

Scene 4

He: Tell me something about yourself. 
....
He: Everybody has a story, a story of one’s life. You are a mass media person. You extract data from other people, and you turn them into scripts... Everybody has something to say. Do you understand? I am talking about an inner conflict. A conflict that results from what happens in an outer world or in your own heart. If one can perceive things the way we do... If one can touch... If you find it interesting you can make a film about it. I’m interested in what is happening between us. A person is walking on the street and... 

She: When I look through your CV...

He: O, my God!

She: German 

He: Yes

She: English

He: Yes 

She: Russian 

He: That’s right. I can do anything for the sake of art. Do you understand? Anything.

She: And then we have sports: climbing, gymnastics, boxing

He: Are you asking me whether I know how to box?

She: Yes, I am.

He: I am the word champion in boxing. What do say to it?

She: Well...

He: If I took up boxing I would shortly become the world champion but I am not interested in it. I don’t feel like smashing somebody’s face in. 

She: What are you interested in, then? Why are you so sure you would win the best prize?

He: You don’t believe me, do you?

She: Are you saying that I don’t believe in you. Good. You climb...

He: You don’t believe that I can be successful. 

She: And you don’t understand that it’s awful. 

He: I would do anything for the film’s sake. 

She: It is so inhuman. I am reading your CV in which you are offering almost any service. Everybody would be terrified. What makes you happy?

He: Making a film.

She: Imagine there is no film. 

He: How come there is no film?

She: There are no script writers, no directors. You are not an actor. 

He: Listen, if we eliminate film we eliminate life. You want to eliminate film – eliminate everything else. Film is an inherent part of life. At least mine. 

She: I am trying to understand if you could forget about making films at least for a short while. 

He: I could. No, I couldn’t.  I don’t think I could. Yes, I could forget about making movies. No, I couldn’t. I don’t know. I love doing it and I don’t feel like doing anything else. Film is my life, my passion. 

She: Don’t you find it dangerous?

He: It is difficult because we deal with emotions. For example, I could take this glass (this Dictaphone) and smash it at the wall. You could react to it in a number of different ways. And the people around here - likewise. They do what they feel. 

She: The pressure put on an actor that he must be able to act out anything is so cruel. Don’t you feel lonely?

Flash  

Scene 5

She: This interview leads to nothing. 

He: Maybe it is a value in itself that you are a woman and I am a man and that we are talking about art. That it’s being recorded on the Dictaphone. If we say all that we think – our thoughts would become meaningless. I believe in stirring up emotions, exploring them and channelling them into a direction we determine. 

Flash

Scene 6
She: What do you like?

He: The moment when I get a script. Reading it creates a magical space. I can visualise what is happening on the pages. I began to live through these images. I like making love. I like good food. I like breathing. I like trees. And what’s important to you? 

She: In general? 

He: Right now?

She: I’m tired and I want take a leave. 

He: What for?

Flash
Make tidy – clean tables.
Flash

Scene 7
He: There is some mystery in a meeting of two people. The time passes and we get more mature. The development is conditioned by events. I would like us to meet in front of the camera. To see how we react to the reality we face. Imagine there is a camera filming what is happening between the two of us. Have we reached a contact. If there is none than what. Why are we running away? There is a difference when you have a text
I don’t know what it is all about, really. Well, I know what it is all about. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here. At least I understand some of it. We meet on many different levels. There more happens between the two of us – the more this man, the lady and the child are interested in the course of events. They can see their own life in it. They can see the mechanisms of their lives. They can feel the pain. Joy. Pity, there is no sense of taste, smell and touch. 

She: The sense of smell and taste can be arranged somehow. 

He: This is a tool the theatre uses. Not the film. The theatre – yes. It is full of it.

Flash

Scene 8
He: Do you keep all the recordings?

She: Yes, I do.

Flash

Scene 9 

Flash

Scene 10
Flash

Scene 11 
Flash

Scene 12
She: Do you believe in magic?

He: I think that it is an inherent part of our life. It’s a factor that determines each of my movement, each step. It’s an inner wish, inner need of I don’t know what. I have no idea. If I knew, I would...
....
He: There’s been a need for this meeting. Where did it come from? Have I created it? Have you? Maybe we have created this together and that’s why it became possible. It was strong enough to make us meet. I want to surrender to magic. 
....
He: I think it is a dream. The way we talk. In this very moment. Maybe not. Our energy becomes our words, gestures, the way we perceive things and the way we are. 

She: Would you like to know your future?

He: I prey for being able to do what I am to do. To have my eyes wide open. To be present in an every instance of life. This is my future. This is my present. This is my “now”. In a moment of weakness, though, I sometimes long to know the future. 

She: Are you not scared that one day you will find out something you don’t want to know? 

He: Like what? I am creating the future myself.

She: Are you sure?

He: Yes, I am. 

 He kisses  her.
 
He: It’s has only broken into small pieces. That’s it. I have no idea what it has got to do with me. I can only speak about my feelings. This is my reaction to what has happened... One move leads to billion consequences we are not aware of.. We take it for granted because we are acquainted with civilisation and development. It’s due to awareness and ignorance of mankind. So I surrender to the way the world turns and the way it develops. Am I telling the truth right now? I  don’t know. 
Look, there is a man sitting over there shouting : Why did you throw this glass? He wants to beat me up. The other one is laughing. He pays no attention. Yet another one is interested in a stain on the wall. Someone congratulates me. Someone is crying. All types of emotions. You have your habits and I have mine. I react to it in one way and you react in another. We learn about our emotions because we are confined to this place. You teach a woman in me. I teach you the way men are.
Flash

Scene 13
He: A script is the basic thing. The script that would attract attention of the audience. Money can be easily collected these days. It’s the very text that must attract the attention of the people. 

She: I will write a script for you. 

He: I take your word for it.

She: What is the most important for you? 

He: Work

She: And apart from that?

He: Still work. 

He: Love is the most important. It underlines all actions. Love underlines each relationship. Love underlines work. Love causes development. Love decides upon everything] Everything is full with love. Love and relationships are the most important. Relationships are the most important because we feel less lonely. You could go to a desert island and spend the rest of your life there. And you wouldn’t care at all. But why go there? Everyone has something to give to the other person. I don’t know, I’m talking bullshit. I don’t feel like talking about it anymore. Next question, please] 

She: You’re running away. 

He: Am I running away? Ask me a simple question  and I will answer it.

She: Maybe I don’t know how. All questions that I’ve asked seem simple to me.

He: Very, very simple. But none of them was an explicit question. 

She: Yes. And you take advantage of it. That’s why I said you were running away. I don’t know. Maybe I am wrong. That’s the impression I get.

He: You are very open minded person. It is a rare gift. 

She: I’ll write a script for you 

He: About what? 

She: Whatever you choose.

He: I take your word for it.

Flash

Scene 14
There is  empty flacon on the table.
Flash

Scene 15
The flower is broken
Flash.

Scene 16

Flash
There is  empty flacon on the table. 
Flash

Scene 17
He: How old are you?

She: Ann

He: Hight – about 170 centimetres, weight – rather stout, blue eyes, short hair. Sorry to ask but you like your job, don’t you? 

She: Yes, I do.

He: What if you couldn’t do it anymore?

She: I’ve told you I haven’t conducted an interview for two years. 

He: What if you had no interlocutors? If there was no one to talk to? Why don’t you sit down?

She: This is not possible

He: Imagine that it is. That’s very real. There is not a single person around. Just you, a tree, grass, and flowers. Birds are singing. The sun is shining. 

She: Under such circumstances I would probably talk to myself, I’m afraid. 

He: I think so, too. Is there anything that would stop your inquisitiveness, search for the truth?

She: I don’t know.

He: You should know.

He: Why do you think so?

He: Because you are not only responsible for your own life but for the life of other people as well. 

She: Let’s not exaggerate. We are a grown up people.

He: Are we? I didn’t know that being grown up means being wise.

She: I don‘t know what you are expecting from me?

He: Your favourite past time?

She: Asking questions

He: Then ask. 

She: I’ve got something in my eye.

He: Sure.

Wait

I can see nothing.

She: Here. I can feel it here.

He: A small, black insect. Do you like such creatures. Can’t you ask standard questions?

She: I cannot answer questions under such circumstances. Especially those corresponding to a general image of the world.

He: Let’s start again. Colour. Blue. Iron lady. Head in the sky.

She: I said nothing of that sort.

He: And I have just interpreted a non existing answer just like your readers would do. What do you want?

She: Peace and quiet. 

He: You’re lying.

She: Maybe. If so, what would you do my dear college?

He: I would write that you lied in the interview.

She: It is a serious accusation. Readers would need some evidence? 

He: We would think of something. The truth is important, isn’t it?

She: No, it isn’t.

He: No? It is just a job. You are worth as much as you earn.

She: I am doing this to buy a new car, to build a house.

He: Of course. This is about popularity. To be recognised on the street, in the shop. So that young chicks, sorry young blokes would long for you. And I’m not talking about physical contact.

She: Maybe, that’s what you want. But not me.

He: I know. You dream about a man and the world beautifully expressed through the truth.
Flash

Scene 18
She: I am listening.

He: I said don’t talk. I am listening  because you are not doing it. 

She: I don’t understand.

He: As don’t I.

She: What do you expect from me?

He: Yes, the profession of a journalist has got something to do with satisfying your and somebody else’s vanity. 

She: It takes years to satisfy people’s expectations.

He: It’s about getting to know as many people as possible and climb up the carrier ladder. 

She: Journalism is about directing a text. It a media art, it is where you research and experiment. Art in development. Search for the truth and beauty. Analysing, interpreting and creating the world through the media. It’s a tool to get to know the reality that surrounds us. Discovering a secret. There is a classic trend and an avant-garde one. Journalism takes over the functions of modern literature and film. The basic question is what is the present situation of this art? What are the possibilities and challenges?

He: Do you believe in what people say?

She: Yes, I do. No, I don’t. I don’t know. 

Flash
Scene 19
He: Show me what came out of our conversation. Good- “I’m ready to meet with myself again”. How did you come out with a title like this?

She: You said that yourself.

He: Me?

She: Yes, you.

He: You didn’t ask me such a question.

She: Maybe I didn’t.

He: You didn’t.

She: But you answered it.

He: OK, but does it make sense? 

She: You can answer again.

He: But what?

She: Anything

He: We already have “anything”.

She: You can answer wisely.

He: What an idea!

She: Your answer can be stupid. It cannot be vague, though. Success is what counts. If you want to win you have to eliminate your competitors. 

He: It used to be so beautiful.

Flash

Scene 20

He is proof-readings.

Flash

Scene 21

He is proof-readings.

Flash

Scene 22

She: Have you revised it?
He:  It needs more thinking over. What sort of person I really am? Let’s think about what sort of person we are creating?

She: Are we creating? “We shall sell and deliver goods which are in demand”.

Scene 23

She: Do you have any vices?

He: Sometimes I don’t feel like polishing my shoes

Flash

Scene 24

She: Love is the most important. It underlines everything.

He: I’ve got something in my eye.

She: You don’t believe in me. You don’t believe that I can be successful.

He: I have bad experience and I don’t what it to happen again. 

She: I would like us to meet with in front of the camera.... like we are now.

He: Journalism is the search for the truth

She: A small black insect.

He: If she said that you would meet a young, talented journalist and that she would become the woman of your life. This is ...

She: ...not true.

He: What do you expect from me?

Flash

Scene 25

She: Is there any question that I haven’t asked but you would like to answer? 

He: Let’s not print this interview, shall we?

Flash
End