P4 Theater Archive | VORTEX | Rehearsal Fragments | 19–20 Feb 2022

I love traveling abroad. I love Japan's cherry blossoms and shrines.

I prefer online games and figurines.

I also play games at home

And collect some figurines.

Don't you find it interesting?

Wow, I'm hopeless at games.

I don't know how to play at all.

I can teach you how to play games

My Switch is still collecting dust.

Really?

I want to play

I'll bring it next time.

We could get Pokémon.

Wow

But I really like

collecting those perfumes and shoes

Because I think they're unique

I don't really get that

But I like listening to pop music

I think pop music is unique too

Hmm, that's true

But I prefer classical music

What's so good about classical music?

You like to eat...

I'm a bank manager

Now we're suddenly talking about jobs.

I'm a security guard

Brecht?

No more Brecht.

These...

Is it possible to combine these two?

Just say it straight to her.

How am I supposed to make myself clear to you?

Right?

How does that feel to you?

Hmm

Think it over.

I can secretly watch the monitors

I can see you anytime

Don't you feel safe?

It gives me a sense of security.

Then can I install one

in your security booth too?

I'll watch you anytime too

But if, in that security booth,

you put on a show every day—

if you performed—

that might be interesting.

If you're just sitting there

I can perform for you

We can video call all day

I have plenty of time

But I still have to work

You can watch whenever you want

Call me and I'll be there

I have my own security booth

Let's drop that.

Do you own a place?

I rent a 20-square-meter apartment

I agree, I agree.

I totally agree.

Oh, exactly!

Oh!

No—

Be a bit sarcastic

What are you doing?

You still don't believe it.

That's exactly right.

Perfect.

What do you want now?

Wow, a whole twenty square metres!

Right, right.

Exactly.

Twenty square metres!

Exactly.

Wow, so huge!

Right—keep going.

Just enough for me.

Enough for both of us?

Sure—one bedroom, one living room, one bathroom.

I also have a soft double bed

Yeah. Enough room for two pairs of slippers?

Is there?

Two pairs of slippers

Ask it deadpan.

There is.

Haha

[unclear]—how did that come through?

Do you have a car?

Yes

I have an old-fashioned bicycle

The kind with a crossbar

Now I agree even more.

I can take you to and from work.

I love bicycles.

Exactly.

When I was little, my grandpa carried me

on his bike to kindergarten.

Ha

Maybe you can take me back to childhood

Your bike has a back seat, right?

Right?

Of course

If you don't want the seat,

You can sit on my lap

You can sit on that crossbar too

Now I really agree.

Oh!

Amazing!

Lucky me!

Is that some special trick of yours?

Exactly.

Wow, a man of hidden talents.

You can hold me and still ride?

You'd be riding...

How does that work?

After our date,

I'll take you for a ride.

Oh, okay, okay.

Oh, you...

At her.

You're going to insult her, right?

Anything goes. Insult her—go.

Aren't you good at that?

How come you've got nothing to say now?

What's going on?

Why?

Do you really think

I'd believe that?

Not enough. Not enough. Not enough.

Do you honestly think I

really agree with you that much?

You don't?

You're only saying that because...

Don't you think she's wonderful?

For you.

I don't want to sit on a bicycle

with you holding me.

I'm worried I'll fall off.

I don't want to squeeze in with you

in a twenty-square-metre apartment

with room for only two pairs of slippers.

You could fit your sneakers too.

I have a shoe rack.

I want a yard,

where I can keep a dog and a cat,

Can you do that?

But weren't you

just talking to me so nicely?

How else

would you have believed me?

You're so naive.

But you only have eight hours,

I'm trying to save you,

You're about to be restarted.

I think...

Even if I get restarted,

I still wouldn't be with you.

A loser.

Why does "loser" sound so mild?

Yeah, it isn't harsh enough.

Really?

[unclear]—you're just...

You're a fucking idiot.

You're a loser.

"Fucking idiot" sounds mild too.

You're a hick.

"Hick" doesn't sound mild.

"Hick" doesn't sound mild.

I'm doing just fine, aren't I?

Waiter, get me a steak.

The waiter comes over all smarmy:

What did he say?

Sorry, sir, this is a couples' restaurant,

we don't sell half portions.

Then you lose it and start swearing.

"Bullshit! Fuck your mom!"

What? I'm on a date, aren't I?

Then who the fuck is that in front of me?

The waiter says, "Sir, wake up—

that's you."

So you can use that mirror.

Those mirrors can...

These questions have never crossed my mind.

I don't know how to respond.

Honestly, I don't understand him at all.

After he asked those questions,

he felt like a stranger to me.

Like a poor little animal, soaked by the roadside.

Leave me there and your conscience will condemn you.

Yeah, yeah, I think that's it.

Maybe my perspective leans more toward...

seeing her as a little animal.

Because we're discussing the female viewer's perspective, right?

But I think my perspective leans more toward...

He's very innocent—not as mature as you all.

It's different from women's and men's perspectives.

I feel like this guy

came into this conversation thinking,

"This relationship feels unequal to me."

It's not about imbalance. His love is pure.

It is unequal. It definitely is.

It's just that I love you, but you don't love me as much.

You don't love me the way I love you.

To me, that's an imbalance.

That's his way of seeking love.

Never validates me.

Always acts so superior.

Sometimes—

Because of pressure, insecurity, things like that...

Yeah, your family is so well-off—you're a rich kid.

Why would you want me?

There are so many great girls out there.

Once I choose to be with you,

I feel a sense of responsibility.

No matter what happens,

unless I turn out to be a scumbag

and run off with somebody else.

I'm not really that rich.

What I can do for you right now

is honestly

the most

I can give.

I've never asked you for anything.

I've never once said,

"You're my girlfriend. You should give me gifts."

We just started dating.