[Deemer]
(Treplev and Nina move behind the curtain.)
TREPLEV: My darling - if my play doesn't have a love story, fine. We are the love story!
(He tries to embrace her but she moves away.)
NINA: Not now. I'm nervous.
TREPLEV: You're going to be wonderful.
NINA: But I don't understand anything I'm saying!
TREPLEV: At rehearsal, you were fine.
NINA: Why can't you write an ordinary play?
TREPLEV: Because I'm not an ordinary person. You wouldn't want me to be,
would you? I can understand that you're nervous. It's the energy that will drive your performance.
NINA: I hope so.
TREPLEV: Of course it will. You're going to make mother jealous.
NINA: I don't want to do that.
TREPLEV: Why not? She deserves a little humility. She thinks she owns the stage.
NINA: Do you think she'll like the play?
TREPLEV: No.
NINA: Then why are we doing it?
TREPLEV: Because it demands to be done.
NINA: But if no one likes it . . .
TREPLEV: I didn't say no one will like it. I said mother will dislike it. Her tastes are so conventional.
NINA: I think mine are, too.
TREPLEV: Because you're young.
NINA: But if I don't understand what you're writing, how can I learn to appreciate something different like this?
TREPLEV: It takes time. Being around me, you're bound to grow.
(A pause.)
NINA: My heart is racing.
TREPLEV: Take deep breaths.
NINA: Do you truly believe I won't make a fool of myself?
TREPLEV: Is that what worries you? Nina, I've seen you rehearse this, you are doing a wonderful job. People will love you, even if they hate my play.
NINA: I wouldn't want that.
TREPLEV: People don't understand new movements in art.
NINA: That's what this is?
TREPLEV: (ignoring this) It's time to begin.
(He moves through the curtain to the stage to announce the play. Nina gets in position for her scene.)