Motivation

From Noises Off

By Michael Frayn

(Lloyd, the British stage director, has been asked by one of his players what his motivation must be in a scene)

Lloyd: Freddie, love, why does anyone do anything? Why does that other idiot walk out through the front door holding two plates of sardines? Who knows?

The wellsprings of human action are deep and cloudy. Maybe something happened to you as a very small child which made you frightened to let go of groceries It could very well be.

Freddy, love, I'm telling you --- I don't know. I don't think the author knows. I don't know why the author came into this industry in the first place. I don't know why any of us came into it!

(Deep breath)

Alright, Freddie, I'll give you a reason. You carry those groceries into the study, Freddie, honey, because it's just slightly after midnight, and we're not going to be finished before we open tomorrow night!  Correction --- before we open TONIGHT!!!

(turns to go to his seat)

And on we go. From after Freddie's exit, with the groceries...

(becomes aware of how upset Freddie is)

Oh... Freddie, I think the point is that you've had a great fright when she mentions income tax, and you feel very vulnerable and exposed, and you want something familiar to hold on to.

(satisfied, he turns to go again)

And on we merrily go. "Yes, but I could hear voices"