WATER

FLIP. FLIP FLIP. FLIP.

ALVINA

Ok, what's up?

FLIP. FLIP. FLIP.

ALVINA

You're going to have to talk to me eventually you know.

FLIP. FLIP.

ALVINA

So what's the big plan? You're just going to sit there playing Tiddlywinks into all eternity is that it?

MORE TIDDLYWINKS-FLIPPING.

ALVINA

Well. Suit yourself, I've got work to do.

INTERVIEWER

I'm suffering from ennui.

ALVINA

Ennui.

INTERVIEWER

Yes. Weltschmerz.

ALVINA

Right.

THE INTERVIEWER OPENS A BOOK.

INTERVIEWER

Sei mir gegrüßt, Melancholie,

Die mit dem leisen Feenschritt

Im Garten meiner Phantasie

Zu rechter Zeit ans Herz mir tritt!?

Die mir den Mut-

ALVINA

What's that?

INTERVIEWER

"Melancholie." A poem by Gottfried Keller. It describes the abyss that is human extistance-

ALVINA

(SNATCHES BOOK) That's enough of that.

INTERVIEWER

But it's Gottfried Keller! I love Gottfried Keller!

ALVINA

You don't need Gottfried Keller! What you need is... Bubbles! Yes! Bubbles! Let's blow some bubbles!

INTERVIEWER

(SIGHS) No.

ALVINA

We can make some really, really big ones?

INTERVIEWER

(SIGHS) No.

ALVINA

Maltesers?

INTERVIEWER

(SIGHS) No.

ALVINA

No?

INTERVIEWER

(SIGHS) No.

ALVINA

Alright. Cocoa!

INTERVIEWER

(SIGHS) No.

ALVINA

I said: cocoa!

INTERVIEWER

(SIGHS) No.

ALVINA

What?!

INTERVIEWER

Could I just have a glass of water?

ALVINA

Ok, now I'm worried.

INTERVIEWER

What's the point Alvina? It's all so boring!

ALVINA

What? What's boring? (PAUSE) You're going to have to be a bit more specific.

INTERVIEWER

(SIGHS) Everything.

ALVINA

What about that MI5 agent? The one with the runny nose? That was pretty thrilling-

INTERVIEWER

Boring.

ALVINA

That cult leader. What was his name? Zale Indigo Ravenheart-

INTERVIEWER

Boring.

ALVINA

Siiri? You don't get to make small talk with an AI everyday! Especially not one with a perm and a manicure.

INTERVIEWER

Boring.

ALVINA

The last guy? Steve?

INTERVIEWER

What? The cockwomble? Oh, you must be joking! Boring boring boring boring.

ALVINA

Got it!

INTERVIEWER

Give me back my Gottfried Keller.

ALVINA

You don't need Gottfried Keller. What you need, is cheering up. German poetry is not going to cheer you up.

INTERVIEWER

It's Swiss.

ALVINA

It's depressing.

INTERVIEWER

It speaks to my-

ALVINA

Listen. I've got just the thing.

INTERVIEWER

(DOUBTFUL) What's that.

ALVINA

A client.

INTERVIEWER

You want to cheer me up with a client.

ALVINA

I wasn't going to accept his case, but I think he'll do you a world of good. (WALKING AWAY) I'm going to have to make some calls...

INTERVIEWER

Hey! Give me back my Gottfried Keller!

ALVINA

Catch!

SHE THROWS THE BOOK. THE INTERVIEWER CATCHES IT.

ALVINA

Wait till you meet him! This guy's going to blow the Keller right out of your mind.

ALVINA LEAVES.

INTERVIEWER

Die mir den Mut wie eine junge Weide

Tief an den Rand des Lebens biegt,

Doch dann in meinem bittern Leide

Voll Treue mir zur Seite liegt!

Die mir der Wahrheit Spiegelschild,

Den unbezwungnen, hält empor,

THE INTERVIEVER'S RECITING FADES INTO THE BACKGROUND AND OVER THE TOP OF IT WE HEAR:

OYSTEIN

Bob. Episode seven of The Amelia Project. Coming soon.

INTERVIEWER

Daß der Erkenntnis Träne schwillt

Und bricht aus dunklem Aug hervor;

Wie hebst das Haupt du streng und strenger immer…

END.