Lucia: (with a strong Italian accent) Darling, I got you didn’t I! This is a new performance art piece we’re developing and I had to try it out on you and Hugh. Don’t be angry with me, I had to see if it would work. Meet the other actors, Eric and Christo. Aren’t they wonderful!
G. Lucia, I’m going to kill you! I almost had a heart attack when I saw you. You can’t keep doing these childish things, it’s not funny. I’m very upset with you.
H. Why don’t we all move into the house and discuss it there and not in front of the neighbors. And with that, Hugh had regained control of his life and what he hoped would be the destiny of his play.
Across town, another scene was underway. Rachel and Jack, two students in Hugh and Giovanna’s acting class had just returned to Jack’s apartment after having dinner in a nearby restaurant. Jack was setting up the living room so they could start rehearsing a scene they were preparing to bring into class next week.
Rachel: (Looking up above the fireplace) That’s a beautiful painting. It’s so mysterious.
Jack? Which one?
R: The one hanging over the fireplace.
Jack joins her as they both stand in front of the fireplace looking at the painting.
J: It’s a Degas, the French Impressionist.
R: Terrific colors. She reflects his colors.
J: And he reflects her colors.
R: They’re in the forest, aren’t they?
J: All alone.
R: Except for the trees, the wind, and the heat.
J: It’s a dance.
R: (turning in a circle as she does a sexy little dance looking at Jack the whole time) It’s more than a dance.
At that moment the front door swings open, and Rachel’s boyfriend Parker storms in glaring at the two of them.
Parker: Is this what you call rehearsing? I’ve been watching you from across the street and this clearly isn’t rehearsing.
R: Parker, what are you doing? Why are you here? What do you mean you’ve been watching us from across the street?
P: I’ve seen how you look at Jack in acting class. You always choose scenes to do with each other that are provocative and dangerous. Everyone knows there’s something going on. It just took me a while before I caught on.
J: Parker, you’re wrong. We really like working with each other on scenes, but that’s as far as it goes, bro. This is crazy, you and I are friends. We play basketball on Sunday mornings. There’s an unspoken covenant that none of us would ever do anything to violate each other’s trust.
R: We were just improvising sweetie, warming up to do the scene, exploring the characters.
P: I feel like an idiot. You must think I’m an idiot.
J: Bro, I don’t think that at all.
P: Well, I am. I’m an idiot. Go back to rehearsal. I’ll talk to you later.
R: Hey, I’ll call you when I get home.
Parker leaves. Jack and Rachel look at each other, still standing in front of the fireplace. They turn and look up at the painting.
J: I mean it’s starting out as a dance. Who knows where it will end?
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