Page 121 of Play Room Actor

“Clothes. Books. A Scarface movie poster.”

“You’re into Al Pacino?”

“He’s a great actor.”

“And books? What do you read?”

“Mostly classics. Dramas—plays. I also like historical novels or the occasional crime novel.”

“A man with books. Very sexy.”

“I only saw screenplays lying around here. Don’t you read anything else?”

“Not much. I have enough to do with the screenplays.”

We sat in silence for a while. I enjoyed his touch, how he gently caressed my hand and thoughtfully gazed at it. Eventually, our eyes met, and I smiled at him with contentment.

It just couldn’t be helped. The moment I saw Kilian’s face, it sparked feelings of happiness in me, and I wanted to kiss him.

“Can I ask you something?”

I didn’t like the serious tone in Kilian’s voice, but I nodded.

“Back then, at Sebastian’s bachelor party, when we first ran into each other … what was with the full beard? I mean, three days later, you showed up at the theater with a three-day stubble and landed the role of Hamlet.”

“I grew it out after I decided to play the monk. But then Hamlet came up. When Theo told me after the callback that he wanted to see me as Hamlet, but made a face at my beard, I knew it had to go. Theo knew I’d show up clean-shaven for the rehearsal, and I was just glad my chin stopped itching.”

“I like you with a beard,” Kilian said with a mischievous grin. “But what I like most about you is that you’ve given up on the celibacy thing.”

“That’s probably thanks to you.”

“Yeah, and I’m still waiting for a thank you.”

I leaned back with a content smile. “The three months will be up on Sunday.”

“Do you want to celebrate? I could take you to Red, one of the playrooms. There are seven others we could try.”

“I don’t work there anymore.”

“What?” Kilian stared at me with wide eyes. “Did they fire you? I hope it’s not my fault.”

“No, I quit.”

“Why?”

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “Are you disappointed?”

“Of course!” he exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. “What do you think? I had so many plans with you!”

“I want to focus more on acting.”

Kilian frowned. Before he could say anything, I rested my forearms on the table. “Theo gave me the role of Eisenring in Biedermann and the Arsonists.”

It was a delight to watch the surprise in Kilian’s face transform into joy. “You’re going to play an arsonist?” he exclaimed, excited. “Congratulations! And Eisenring! He’s cool! Perfect for you. Just like Hamlet.”

“Did you know about the new play?”

“Yeah, the script is over there on the chair. Theo told me to take my time thinking about the lighting. I didn’t know he was already looking for actors.”