MONDAY JUNE 7TH 4:00 PM

 

Abdalla: Umm, do you care a lot about what people think?

Noha: No, not really . . .

Of course you . . .

No.

Yes you do.

No, not really, I don’t.

Why not?

I just really don’t

You must.

No . . . I really don’t. I thought I did, but actually now that I think about it, I really don’t at all.

You couldn’t care less what I think of you?

Umm, not care less, but I don’t have it on my mind what you think of me, I don’t ask what you think of me (laugh).

OK . . . I’ve never seen you act at all . . . if you can do me a favor . . .

Yes.

If you can play a part in one of the plays that you do . . .

Right now?

Yes.

You must be kidding!

No.

No way! Forget it!

Why?

There’s no way! You can’t just . . . you can’t just tell me act right now!

Why not?

Because it’s impossible.

It’s an easy part.

NO, there’s no such thing as an easy part, you can’t just act like that on the spot—you have to warm up, you have to be . . . you have to put yourself in the mood.

OK it doesn’t have to be perfect.

No, I can’t. I can’t do it otherwise, I can’t just go up and do it like that—it’s not an audition, I’m not here with the mindset that I’m here to act, it’s not a performance, I can’t do that, you can’t ask someone to do that.

Why not?

Because it’s not . . .

I though you don’t care what I think.

It’s not . . . I care about what I think, you know . . .

Well, just give me like . . .

No, I can’t, sorry.

Why not?

Sorry—I can’t—sorry.

That’s not a good enough reason.

It’s a good enough reason for me.

So you do care what I think?

No, I care what I think, if I didn’t do it well enough, I’ll be upset at myself.

Well, you don’t have to because I can’t tell the difference.

Well, I want to for myself, you know.

You think you’re gonna make a living acting?

Well I hope I do . . .

There are so many people who want to be actors.

Yes.

Every other guy waiting tables in New York wants to be an actor, and half the population of LA want to be actors too. What do you think makes you good?

Because I care a lot. I care about it a lot and there’s nothing I won’t do to get a role.

Why do you think you’re gonna make it?

Well I don’t know if I’m gonna make it or not, what do you mean by make it?

What do you think by make it?

Become famous, is that what you mean?

Are you acting right now?

Right now—no, I don’t think so.

How do I know you’re not acting?

Well, I guess that’s for you to find out (laugh).

You’re very competitive.

I’m very competitive? Is that a statement or question or what?

It’s a statement.

What makes you think so?

Umm, I feel it.

You feel it? Competitive in what sense?

You tell me.

I don’t know where this came from.

You have to know . . . you are yourself . . . right?

I never thought of myself as competitive, but you could be right, I mean there are a lot of things I don’t know about myself.

Do you have a business card?

No.

Why not?

Because I don’t feel I need one.

What would your business card say?

I have no clue . . .

Noha Farouk what?

A big question mark . . . I mean I wouldn’t get a business card . . .

But if you had one, what would it say?

Umm, I really don’t know . . . I can’t say actor . . .

Why can’t you say actor?

Because I am not a professional actor.

So can you say semi-professional actor?

No . . .

You’re very possessive . . .

OK, what makes you say that?

True?

I just find it funny that you’re throwing all those statements at me, you know, why do you say that? Is it a test or is it what you came up with?

No, it’s true isn’t it?

Well, with some things and some people, yes, true.

You’re very possessive not only in material things, but with your emotions.

Yes . . . yes I am.

Why?

Mmm, why do you wanna know?

It’s part of the experiment.

I’m really not that possessive over my emotions, but sometimes I am.

You’ve learned from experience.

No, not really.

This is, for the record, the final interview.

No way! Yes?

This is the last interview, so it’s not gonna be 6, it’s 4 . . . you’re happy, you’re ecstatic.

Yes.

You probably won’t see me anymore.

No.

No . . . would you care?

Would I care to see you again . . . Yes I’d be happy to see you again. 

Yes . . .

Something that is connected to something that you didn’t like in the first place.

No, I mean no, I didn’t like the whole thing, I didn’t like the idea of the interview, I didn’t not like you.

OK. So what do you think of me?

Why?

I don’t know.

Does it matter?

It wouldn’t hurt to say.

Well, I think you’re quite intelligent, very cautious, umm . . . you’re not very decisive.

About what?

Just in general, you’re not a very decisive person.

OK, this is your last interview so this is your last chance Noha, do you have any confessions to make?

No.

You have to have confessions . . .

What sort of confessions?

This is your chance, Noha.

I hate interviews, that is my confession, I hate interviews.

You don’t like to loose control?

No.

You don’t like being restricted?

No.

You don’t like people telling you what to do?

No.

Even your mother?

No.

Are you controlling this interview?

Mmm . . . sometimes yes.

I thought you’d end up being . . .

No, I didn’t end up being anything. I don’t hate people . . . only if they’ve done something very sinister to me. I’d just feel more comfortable when that thing is turned off . . . is it turned off?

No, it’s not.

Why not?

Where is it, oh here it is . . .

Oh, just turn it off.