Talkback

From the text of Talkback...

The play had ended. The play was already seen, by eyes not present. 

An actress enters. The set is from a show. 

ACTSS. You're all here for the afterword. 

She sits down. 

ACTSS. There is no afterwards. 

An actor enters upstage. 

ACTR. H--

ACTSS. It's ok. I understand. 

ACTR. May I sit? 

ACTSS. There's plenty of room. 

ACTR. How was tonight for you? 

ACTSS. Nothing real. Quick change was good. I felt off the mark during two-two, so that corner got bad sightlines. 

ACTR. It happens. 

ACTSS. Why are you pretending they're not there?

ACTR. They're there. 

ACTSS. So say something about it.

ACTR. What's there to say? We missed the show, all of us. 

ACTSS. I used to love being on stage. Now, most times, it passes me by. 

ACTR. So speak newness! Push your artistry to new heights! Learn to samba!

ACTSS. For whom? 

ACTR. Them. 

ACTSS. Why them? I do not know them. 

ACTR. I liked two-two tonight. Felt fresh. 

ACTSS. Look at us. Actors on a stage, and we can't act. 

ACTR. We're acting. We are. 

ACTSS. But what? By whom? For what? 

ACTR. By them. For them. For ourselves. 

ACTSS arises from her station and exits. 

ACTR. Someone left a flower with Annabelle, for you. 

ACTSS (offstage). Thanks. 

ACTSS is now backstage. (in dressing room)

ACTR. "Sinon nous nous perderons." That's two-two. In French. I'm taking classes online. 

ACTR arises from his station. 

ACTR. All this time, and I haven't understood why I've said the things I've said. 

ACTOR exits to dressing rooms. 

End.