19 A Little Chat for Bedtime

Nowicki read the summary. The movie was really going to be boring. It was about a social activist who deals with lost street youth. Śliwiński played one of these boys - a fugitive from the provinces who comes to the capital to escape his pathological home.

Despite Dominik's fame, Andrzej did not expect much from this film. He was not interested in social issues, and he generally avoided cinema other than comedy. Śliwiński was a total debutant in a supporting role, so he could not expect too much, and the leading actor, according to Nowicki, had his best years behind him. Andrzej did not expect anything but boredom and for the first thirty-nine minutes of the film he experienced nothing else. And then he showed up.

It wasn't how the camera showed him, but how he showed up in camera. His hair was lighter than it is now and longer, almost completely obscuring his face. He was one of the three boys standing in front of the gallery. He was neither the tallest nor the lowest, dressed like the rest, and seemingly unremarkable, if not for the fact that he drew the viewer's attention to himself. His attitude, rebellious and aggressive, when the protagonist approached them, gave the impression that he was looking at a young wolf with piercing eyes.

Andrzej blinked. The character he saw was completely different from the Dominic he knew, yet totally real. Was the boy such a good actor, or has his personality changed over the years?

The movie suddenly attracted Nowicki. The problem of the boy who ran away from the alcoholic home suddenly became very important to him. He wanted to get him out of all the troubles the teenager was getting into. The boy, however, gave the impression that he did not want to be saved and finally ended up tragically causing Andrzej to experience something that he had not experienced while watching the film since he was a child - emotion.

"Shit," he swore, standing up in front of the monitor.

The kid had talent, no doubt about it. It came as no surprise that all women, young and old, began to adore Śliwiński while watching this movie. The boy completely took over the screen - a slender figure and a pretty face with a piercing look, so unusual for his age, and a slightly hoarse voice with a singing, Eastern accent made him something fresh and attractive.

Andrzej did not see such a brave look in the real Dominik. In life, the actor was much quieter and gentler. He wasn't looking for trouble and was not noticeable. It is as if they were two completely contradictory personalities.

That's probably what good acting is all about.

But too often, people mistook movies for reality. Thus, they expected that in the real world, Śliwiński would also be brave, aggressive and dark - as tragic as a romantic hero loved by Polish women. Yes, in his real way, Dominik was even more tragic, but the world did not want to see him like that.

But I don't want to see him like that either, Andrzej suddenly realized. I do not want to see him tragic but happy. And he won't be happy as long as he has to be afraid.

Lightning struck outside the window. Nowicki saw the approaching black clouds, heralding a downpour.

So there will be a storm after all.

Darkness was coming quickly, and soon the lights had to be turned on. The rain hit violently along with the gale and thunder. It was a very sudden storm, and such storms usually last a short time - a few, maybe several minutes. Andrzej didn't even bother to close the window.

An incoming text message made him jump up. It wasn't his phone, it was ...

The photographer walked over to his bag from which he took out a cheap model of a cell phone. He had one missed message.

'Thanks again for today. You're right, there are more people like you. '

"Like me?" Andrzej said at laud. "What's his point?"

'There are still places and people I would like you to meet.' He wrote back.

For a few moments there was no reaction and when Andrzej was about to put down the phone, he felt vibrations flowing from him.

��I'm looking forward. Will we discuss the details tomorrow at breakfast?'

Nowicki smiled.

'Make a signal when it's ready.'

'Ok :D Good night.'

'Good night :D'

'I'll have to top up that account,' Andrzej thought, feeling quite nice. It was nice to receive good night wishes, even by text.

***

Dominik seemed to be awake all night. His eyes were clearly dark circles and his conjunctiva was cloudy. Andrzej even suspected that he was crying, but he couldn't ask for it.

It's not that he thought a man couldn't cry, but it was a very intimate experience that can only be shared with someone close to you. In any other case, there was a risk of ridicule. The man showing the tears showed his weakness and thus became susceptible to attacks by the stronger. After all, it was a brutal world full of stereotypes, where any deviation from norms invented by someone was a crime.

Andrzej did not think that Dominik's greater sensitivity made him inferior, on the contrary, he believed that because of her, Śliwiński was unique in his own way and valued this trait in him. Others, however, may not have known it that way. Dominik was right in pointing out that at school the stronger girls preyed on the weaker ones. It wasn't limited to school or to women. There was a tendency in human nature to use whoever they could for their own purposes.

Nowicki was no better. The blackmail he committed against the actor weighed more and more on his conscience and honor.

Therefore, for this meeting he took the money he had extorted from Dominik. That day, the actor told him to keep them, but it wasn't fair anyway. The money he had gained too easily, and at someone else's expense, did not give him satisfaction. He wasn't able to spend even a single cent of them.

Andrzej crossed the threshold of the actor's house.

"Maybe it's not the best time," he said. "You look tired."

"Wrong. All this made me fall behind a bit and kept working."

Perhaps, thought Nowicki, not entirely convinced. He looked more like he was crying his eyes out rather than reading scripts, but the photographer wasn't going to ask.

"I brought some of my works as if you wanted to see them. Assuming, of course, you still want me to make your portfolio."

"Of course."

"That's cool. You'll see what style I'm working in, and then we'll talk. But… what the hell does smells so good here?

Dominik mentioned a name that Andrzej could not even repeat. It sounded exquisite, appetizing and French. The photographer had no idea what was underneath it, but the smell alone made him drool. It was definitely not hard-boiled eggs in mayonnaise.

"I went to the gastronomy more by necessity than by vocation, but I liked cooking. Of course, it's more fun to do it for someone else, not just for myself."

It could only seem to Nowicki, but he sensed a note of nostalgia in Śliwiński's voice. Did he miss the times when he prepared breakfast for Marczak after intoxicating nights?

For some reason, the photographer felt disgusted. The thought that Marczak, this brutal man, had so much taken possession of Dominik's heart and body ...

"Andrzej ...?"

"Yes?"

"You've been very pensive lately. I'm sorry if I distract you from your responsibilities ..."

"No, no, what are you saying?" Nowicki felt embarrassed. "You gain a lot from getting to know you better, so I'm glad that we will work together."

Dominik smiled - probably for the first time today. His face changed instantly, taking on a glow.