zozo's monologue and scene

First reactions

So I settled on Last of the Red Hot Lovers by Neil Simon. I'm not sure what the rest of the plot is like but this one seemed intriguing to me.

Barney has invited Elaine to his mom's apartment, planning to have an affair with her. Somehow it doesn't work out and she's about to leave when he stops her and delivers this monologue.

The intriguing thing about this for me is that it reveals some depth to his character. We have a bias against characters who commit infidelity and have looked down on adultery since the Ten Commandments, and so you start out really despising this guy. Especially because he seems angry at the start, ordering Elaine to "just sit there". But as the monologue progresses, he opens up and reveals why he wanted to have an affair. By the end you're almost feeling sorry for him. Should you be? Will I be able to evoke sympathy? In a way he's kinda pathetic. But it'll be an interesting challenge.

posted by Zozo @ 12:04 PM