The Hungry House by Elizabeth Amelia Barrington

more like a star in one of your movies than the director. Have you ever thought of acting?"
    John looke d down at the ground, as if he saw another world living in the sidewalk. "Yes, I thought of it, briefly. Actually, you know, the idea scared me a little. I've always lived in my own fantasy world, with my head full of stories, as it is. I almost felt that if I went over to that side of the camera, I might never come back. The characters in my films are very real to me."
    Then, he looked directly at me. "The main thing is, I like to have more of a say in the creative process. I know actors like to think they do, saying things like 'this line just doesn't work for me,' and then putting up a fuss until it's changed. But, in fact, the director takes hold of the creative process long before the actors become involved. I enjoy working with the writer and making sure I understand his or her vision. Then, of course, I've written many of the screenplays for my movies. I like being the director."
    After, they had reentered the restaurant and ordered their meals, John began talking about the movie. "The screenplay is a seriocomic takeoff on the current interest in the television show Portlandia. Vignettes of Portland characters have been pieced together. The scene you will watch is a satire of a vegetarian woman who claims to care about all creation, but in reality is not a very kind or considerate person. You'll see when you watch it. It's very funny, if you like black humor, that is. It's the shortest scene in the movie."
    "I do like black humor . And I think this is a very topical subject right now. But besides poking fun of some Portlanders, it could also raise some interesting questions."
    "Such as?"
    "Well, I don't want to bore you."
    " Vicky, I come from a planet where everyone talks about movies. Only movies. I would welcome a discussion about something else."
    "Well, just remember, you asked for it."
    "Okay. Shoot."
    "Well, the subject of really caring about people and the planet is an interest ing one to me. In many areas, whether it is politics, religion, business or whatever, people may say they have an idealistic goal. Let's use a movie as an example. A movie may be made in order to highlight some social injustice. But then, the way the movie is made is unjust. The extras may be ill-treated for example. This type of thing is repeated in many places, not just the movies."
    "So what's the answer, then?"
    "I don't know, yet. The only times I can think of that the problem was completely surmounted was when the earliest saints of the church left society and went to fast and pray in the desert. Tradition says that they lived in harmony with nature and that wild animals approached them to be blessed. Later, of course, others came to learn from them, the monasteries and convents came into being, and they had to be continually reformed and reinvented."
    "How long have you been studying all this?"
    "A couple of years . There is a library at Mt. Angel Monastery that I go to, when I can get there."
    By this time, the y were eating their meals. John paused, fork in hand to study me.               "You know, you have extremely unusual interests for such a young woman."
    "Yes, I know . I don't know whatever possessed me to talk about it with you. I haven't mentioned my interests to anyone except my mother."
    "You are a visionary of sorts . I feel honored that you felt you could share your thoughts with me. And, as I said, it is great to talk with someone about something other than movies. You're even brighter than I thought. Did you skip a grade or two?"
    "There was talk about that a couple of times, but my mother felt that if I skipped grades, it would stunt my social growth. Besides I wanted to stay in school with my friends, especially in high school." I felt embarrassed. "I'm so sorry--I can't believe I am sitting here with a famous director babbling about the desert fathers and mothers. Or that you have the patience to