GELO Why?
HERMIT Because stupidity is not like a woman, it wont leave you for another man.
GELO You have a very dark view of humanity. They dont always act distortedly on purpose, a lot of the time they just make mistakes.
HERMIT I agree, its human nature to make mistakes, and they use this quality to their advantage.
GELO Why do you hate people so much?
HERMIT But I dont, Im just indifferent to them. Thats just the essential condition of my loneliness.
GELO But have you always felt that?
HERMIT Some time ago when I lived in a valley among people. I had a friend; our friendship was the most wonderful thing in the world. I was ready to give him my whole world, myself unconditionally, because a real friendship has no egotism and no boundaries. But my world wasnt interesting enough for him. And I was only needed like an object, which you use and then put on the shelf for the next time. And so, he used me and my friendship, only when he needed it. And then he betrayed me. Threw me away and forgot about me like I was a used handkerchief. I couldnt stand this betrayal. I was young, and apart from his friendship I didnt have anything at allI decided to die. All my emotions, thoughts, and desires had to disappear. And dissolve in loneliness. And so, I went into the mountains. Since then, I have settled down here. At the end of the day my loneliness is my punishment and burden for me being young and gullible. But my loneliness is also my way to peace in mind and happiness.
GELO Has your soul really become that stale and gloomy? Just because of your friends betrayal, you have turned your back on the rest of the world?!
HERMIT What do you know about my soul, a soul of a lonely man!!! It is covered in wounds like a body of a smallpox sufferer. The soul of a lonely man is unable to create something magnificent, to fly and be joyful! It can only moan and sorrowfully watch the world go by. It doesnt contain love or hatred. The wound of a lonely soul hurts and itches. This itch changes into emptiness and indifference. You want to peel the scab off, but youre afraid, what if it becomes even worse. Any human contact is like a gulp of liquid in a desert, but you never know whether it is water or poison. And because of this you want to drown into an immeasurable sadnessand youre surrounded by anguish and emptiness But I dont want to change anything! And I will not!
GELO And with this heartache you hide yourself here from life and people?
HERMIT Sometimes I come across people. I go down into the valley to the fair. I wonder among the loud and variegated crowd, peer at their faces and their eyes. Trying to understand what they are thinking and feeling about and why they are hustling and bustling
GELO To get lost in a crowd doesnt mean you are a part of them!
HERMIT I think youre right, thats why I seldom do it.
GELO And how do you feel when you are doing it?
HERMIT Lonely, but in a crowd. It is a strange feeling; all around you is commotion, conversations, other peoples lives. Im at center of it all, but it feels Im on the outside looking in, at people and myself. I walk around and I dont know who I am, where I am and why I am here. Im alive but dont have a life
GELO It seems youre bogged down in your memories. They drag you like a quagmire. Shake it off! One cannot pity himself all life and condemn others.
HERMIT Whats it to you?!
GELO Im trying to understand you because you saved my life.
HERMIT Its not my fault; I didnt do it on purpose
GELO Listen! To live in the past isnt a life but an illusion. Real life is in the present and in dreams about the future.
HERMIT Youre wrong. A persons memories are his treasure, his fortune, and his assets. One cant throw away life experiences out the window, even if they are sad and sorrowful.