The stage is set with two chairs facing each other, a dim spotlight on each. Between them, a small table holds two glasses of water. The backdrop is a simple projection of shifting abstract shapes, reminiscent of album covers.
Morrissey (played by Actor 1) enters stage left, a dramatic figure, draped in a flamboyantly simple costume that echoes his public persona. He moves with deliberate, measured steps, taking his seat with an air of contemplation.
Johnny Marr (played by Actor 2) enters stage right, his attire reflecting a blend of rock n' roll chic and casual confidence. He strides to his chair, guitar in hand, placing it against the table before sitting down.
(The lights dim, then brighten slightly as the conversation begins.)
Morrissey: (Leaning forward, voice dripping with a mix of nostalgia and sardonic wit.) Johnny, isn't it peculiar, our symphonic divergence since the yesteryears of The Smiths? My venture into "Viva Hate" was akin to declaring artistic independence. It’s as if we’ve been using different palettes on the same canvas, though mine, admittedly, has been the more refined.
Johnny Marr: (With a playful smirk, engaging Morrissey with a spark of camaraderie and challenge.) Oh, Morrissey, our paths have indeed been a spectacle. While you've eloquently bared your soul, I've explored the musical spectrum with "The Messenger." A leap into the unknown, yet our shared past always seems to bleed through, doesn't it?
Morrissey: (Affecting a mock sigh, leaning back with a flourish.) Admirable, your eclectic journey, Johnny. I, however, have delved into a deeper monologue with "You Are the Quarry," my very essence laid bare. But naturally, not everyone is inclined to swim in such introspective depths.
Johnny Marr: (Nodding, a glint of humour in his eye, he leans in.) Indeed, Morrissey. We’ve tuned into different frequencies, exploring divergent narratives. "Call the Comet" was my grasp at the celestial, an attempt at innovation. But, as you imply, dwelling on a single chord can hardly be considered evolution.
Morrissey: (Arching an eyebrow, his voice tinged with mock surprise.) Do tell, Johnny, does the spectre of The Smiths haunt your melodies, or is it merely the ghost of collaboration past?
Johnny Marr: (Laughing softly, he picks up the guitar, strumming a chord.) The essence of The Smiths is the seasoning in my musical concoction. Impossible to create without that hint of our past—whether in a melancholic melody or a jangly riff. But then, some prefer their dishes overly seasoned, don’t they?
Morrissey: (With a dramatic pause, he gazes into the distance.) Indeed, Johnny. My explorations in "Ringleader of the Tormentors" have led me to new emotional territories. Innovation, after all, is more than repackaging old tunes in new wrapping.
Johnny Marr: (Placing the guitar back, facing Morrissey directly.) Our roots may anchor us, Johnny, but they also allow our branches to reach out in different directions. Not all explorations bear fruit, of course.
Morrissey: (Slowly standing, casting a shadow across the stage.) Precisely, Johnny. It’s our shared foundation that intertwines our musical narratives, guiding us as we wander. A bond that, in its complexity, continues to give, understood by those who truly listen.
(The lights dim on Morrissey, leaving Johnny Marr in a solitary spotlight as he picks up his guitar once more, the chords echoing as the stage fades to black.)