Imprint
September 28th, 2020
Starring: Alvin (male, 60+), Joey (Early 30’s)
Alvin’s apartment. He and Joey look on at 10x10 painting hanging in the living room. It’s a hot pink print of Alvin with his hair spiked, posing in a folding chair.
ALVIN
It was my summer project. The magenta sort of came to me.
I was so stumped about what to do with that wall, I said screw it, why don’t I just fill it myself?
JOEY
With yourself.
ALVIN
I think of it as another side of me. A persona.
JOEY
But when I look at it all I see is you.
ALVIN
Well
JOEY
How many have you done of these?
ALVIN
Just the one.
Do you think someone would want it?
JOEY
A large print of you in their home?
ALVIN
Yeah. It’s not selfish if someone else owns the self-portrait.
People put up art of random people all the time, why not me?
JOEY
Well, you’re not anybody.
ALVIN
Warhol wasn’t always Warhol.
JOEY
But you’re not Warhol.
ALVIN
I’m not trying to be Warhol.
JOEY
This looks like you’re trying to be Warhol, but it’s you instead of Warhol.
ALVIN
Ok sure but I’m thinking, even if I was trying to channel the artistic spirit of Warhol, which I am not because I’m really doing my own thing, maybe someone would make that association between me and Warhol and be like, “hey, I want that in my apartment.”
…
What about you, would you want it?
…
JOEY
I know it’s going to be impossible to take this the right way
But I’m glad you have your main job.
…
ALVIN
At least help me take it down.
JOEY
Sure.
They each take a side of the painting and take it down, leaning it against the wall.
JOEY
I should get back to the gallery.
ALVIN
Don’t let me stop you.
Alvin walks Joey out.
ALVIN
I’m not burning it. In case you find someone or you change your mind.
...
Thanks for being honest.
JOEY
You’re welcome, Uncle Al.
Keep trying.
Joey leaves. Alvin goes back to the painting, then slides the canvas across the floor, in front of a closet. Instead of clothes inside, there are at least 7-10 other canvases, all of the identical size and print, but in different colors. Alvin slides in the magenta print, and closes. The blank white wall in the living room stares back at him.