After Hours
Originally posted on April 1, 2009
Andrea has re-entered the studio after leaving for the day, to retrieve something she has forgotten. She enters the lounge area to discover Gideon there studying his script.
Andrea: Gideon? What are you doing here? I thought everyone was gone.
Gideon: I’ll be leaving soon enough.
Andrea: *to herself* As usual, you didn’t answer my question….. *aloud* I came back for something.
Gideon: Did you.
Andrea: I forgot my……oh where did I put it? I thought I set it down in here when I….
Gideon: *reaching for her script* Looking for this?
Andrea: Yes, thank you. I must have picked up the wrong one on my way out. When I got home I realized I didn’t have the script with the newest re-writes. I need to study it before Monday.
Gideon: Indeed.
Andrea: How do you feel about all the changes?
Gideon: Feel?
Andrea: I thought you might be annoyed about how much my part has been expanded.
Gideon: The director believes the additions will enhance the story and go over better with the audience. It’s important to everyone involved that this film becomes a commercial success.
Andrea: But you don’t agree.
Gideon: I didn’t say that. However, there is always a certain risk in pinning hopes on an unknown’s performance.
Andrea: I knew it! You think the re-write is a mistake, and you’re convinced I won’t be able to handle it.
Gideon: Believe what you like.
Andrea: I’ll tell you what I believe. I believe this chance is a challenge, and I am going to meet it head-on. I believe I am capable of doing a good….. no, an outstanding job with this larger role. I believe I will prove you wrong.
Gideon: If you put as much passion into your character as you do in arguing with me, there’s not a doubt in my mind that you will pull it off.
Andrea: If you think for one minute that I…. wait…. What did you say?
Gideon: I believe you heard me.
Andrea: You really believe I can do it?
Gideon: Andrea, I don’t believe in spending hours upon hours of my time on lost causes. Certainly you can do it. But it will take a lot of extra time, and enormous amount of effort. Skilled actors can make it look easy, but don’t be fooled. There are no shortcuts, not if you want to be one of the best.
Andrea: Is that what you want, Gideon? To be one of the best? Is that why you’re still here, long after everyone else has gone?
Gideon: *with wry humor* No, I stay late trying to come up with unreasonable demands to make of you. I’ll have you know it takes a lot of creativity to be such a heartless, demanding taskmaster.
Andrea: *with matching humor* And I thought you came by it naturally. Gideon, I…. *she starts to lean in, then pulls away*
Andrea: I have to get going. I’ll see you early Monday.
Gideon: The lot will be dark by now. I’ll walk you out.
Andrea: Yes, all right.
Gideon: Why do you keep looking at me like that?
Andrea: I was just wondering something.
Andrea: What it would be like to kiss you when neither of us is angry, acting, or trying to prove a point.
Gideon: Care to satisfy your curiosity?
Andrea: Yes, please.
Gideon: Your car?
Andrea: Yes, this is it. I guess I had better go home now.
Gideon: Yes, I guess you had better do that.
Andrea: Thanks for walking me to my car.
Gideon: My pleasure.
Gideon: See you Monday, bright and early. Good night, Andrea.
Andrea: *sigh* Good night, Gideon.