Stuart Manashil

Maria Enders: Jo-Ann?

Jo-Ann Ellis: What's up?

Maria Enders: I wanted to ask you. You know the scene at the beginning of Act 3 when you tell me you want to leave and I get on my knees and I beg you to stay? You're on the phone ordering pepperoncini pizza for your coworkers in accounting. You leave without looking at me. As if I didn't exist. If you could pause for a second. Helena's distress would last longer when she's left alone in her office. Well, the way you're playing it, the audience follows you out but instantly forgets about her. So...

Jo-Ann Ellis: So? So what?

Maria Enders: When, when I played Sigrid I held it longer. I thought it was more powerful. Erotically. I mean, it really played well.

Jo-Ann Ellis: No one gives a fuck about Helena at that point, do they? I'm sorry, it's pretty clear to me that this woman is all washed up. I mean, your character, Maria, not you. And when Sigrid leaves Helena's office, Helena's a wreck, and we get it. You know, it's time to move on. I think they want what comes next.

Maria Enders: If you just held it a few seconds longer.

Jo-Ann Ellis: It doesn't really feel right for me, Maria.

Maria Enders: You're right. Yeah. I - I - I think I'm - I'm lost in my memories. You think you've forgotten your old habits, but their all - they all come back. Have to break them.

Jo-Ann Ellis: I guess you do!

Piers Roaldson: [Piers proposes new movie mutant role for Maria] I'm trying to consider genetics from a more human point of view.

Maria Enders: When I was reading it, I imagined someone much younger. Maybe me younger, actually, but you were seeing me in movies that were made years ago. I - I've changed.

Piers Roaldson: She has no age. Or else, she's every age at once. Like all of us.

Maria Enders: Can I be frank? Maybe it's because I'm working with her, but as I was reading it, I - I kept thinking about Jo-Ann.

Piers Roaldson: Yeah, well personally, I never think about Jo-Ann Ellis.

Maria Enders: You're wrong. She's smart. And talented. She's modern, just like your character.

Piers Roaldson: My character isn't modern. Not in that way, anyway. She's, outside of time.

Maria Enders: Outside of time. I don't understand. It's too abstract for me. It's all right.

Piers Roaldson: I - I don't like this era.

Maria Enders: You're wrong. It's yours!

Piers Roaldson: Amen! I didn't choose it.

Maria Enders: [laughs]

Piers Roaldson: And if my era is Jo-Ann Ellis and viral Internet scandals I think I'm entitled to feel unrelated, aren't I. I mean, it's nothing against her, I guess I just assumed you'd understand.