Audition

The unnamed narrator, an actress, goes to a restaurant to meet a young man named Xavier. She is surprised that Xavier would choose to meet at the peak of lunch hour, and she initially hesitates to go inside. When she greets Xavier, she apologizes for being late. Xavier is glad that she came at all. Just as the narrator is about to ask how Xavier’s classes are going, Xavier apologizes for the things that he said the last time they met. The narrator does not initially address his apology and suggests that they order food.

The narrator asks again about Xavier’s classes. When Xavier replies that most of his classes are still technical in nature, the narrator asks him which artists he admires. Xavier gives one name: Murata, a director whom the narrator had worked with many years earlier on a film called Parts of Speech. (Murata died not long after the end of production.)

Xavier reiterates his apology, adding that he accepts what the narrator said to him. His acquiescence makes it hard for the narrator to understand what he really wants from her.

During the meal, the behavior of the waiter reminds the narrator of a lunch she had with her father in Paris when she was still young.