[BS-I-1]

[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.)

[follow Treplev to the stage]

[watch Nina's scene]