I was soon released from prison and we had to perform an episode of the Lone Man Theater on one of the city streets so that we could find someone who would like the play and invest in it; the difference was that this time I had written the play and it was very different from the other plays; I didn’t need to hear from anyone.
Memories of prison kept coming back to me and I was constantly thinking about Anoush and Sadri, and that’s when I decided to add a new episode to the play “Lone Man” that would take place in prison and be exactly the same memories that Sadri and Anoush had with me during these six months; coincidentally, we were supposed to perform this very episode in this very street theater.
The bright street lights created a beautiful scene that revived a good sense of hope.
The first night of the street play, our theater was very well received, and after the play ended, everyone started clapping and screaming, cheering us on, and this was a turning point for me to rebuild my dreams.
The second night, one of the spectators, musically among the spectators who had come for the play, had a strange look that I didn’t like at all; the play ended shortly after.
The interesting thing was that after the play ended, all those who had come there dispersed; but the same strange man was still standing there with the same mysterious look, looking at me.
I couldn’t bear it anymore; I went forward and said: “Sir; can I help you?”
Makivand: Your cartoon is really great, it’s clear that this play was written by someone who has experienced all these situations himself.
Behrouz: Can I help you?
Makivand: Oh, yes, I was dealing with Mr. Turkashvand.
Behrouz: Yes, it's me; come here.
Mekivand: I'm Mekivand.
Behrouz: What's up?
Mekivand: I heard from the prison guard that you were writing a play, that's why I came to disturb you.
Behrouz: I'm sorry, I'm not following you, are you one of the prisoners?
Mekivand: No, I wasn't in prison; I just came there every now and then.
With that little word, I realized that he was one of the most benevolent people in the prison and that he was the person who helped me get out of prison.
Behrouz: Mr. Mekivand, can I ask you a question?
Mekivand: Yes, of course.
Behrouz: Did you pay my debts so that I could get out of prison?!
With a strange look that showed that he was lying, he said: "No, Dad, I came there to provide services and assistance." Saying this, a smile appeared on my lips.
Mack: Yes, as I heard, you wrote a play; I wanted to buy this play from you; because I am interested in artistic works myself and considering that one of the plays by children in prison and the episode I just saw, I really liked it and it was really impressive.
At first glance, I thought he wanted to give me charity; but after a few moments and a few simple words were exchanged, I realized that he was really interested in artistic works; it didn’t take long for our deal to come together and he bought the play from me at an exorbitant price; but he attached a few conditions to the contract that we wrote together.
That this theater would be in my name and that I would also be at the top of the job and well, this was a very good situation for me.
Today is a good day for me and there is no more news of outstanding debts; just in one word, everything seemed strange.
It's as if life doesn't really follow a specific algorithm, and as if life is an orderly collection of irregularities or a reasonable collection of irrationalities that have been crushed under the feet of society. Okay, but wrong.
Life can perhaps be summed up in this word, the game of life; which may even knock you out and you will no longer have the strength to get up.
After writing the contract, I came out of our booth that we had placed on the street so that the theater kids could change their clothes there and lit a cigarette to celebrate my little happiness with a cigarette.
The first taste, the second taste, again the same sweet dream that I always had of seeing myself at the "Tony Theater" ceremony and feeling that it was an unattainable point for me.
The taste of the cigarette sometimes made me crave it and reminded me of the cigarette I smoked in prison with a breastplate.
Days passed by and day by day the number of spectators at our street theater increased.
On the seventh night of the theater performance; I saw that Juan and Shervin were among those who came to see the play; I could not even lift my head due to the extreme sadness and shame.
He had undoubtedly come to scold me and ask why you were away for so long or, for example, which grave you were in.
After the play, I went forward and greeted him and Juan gave me a cold answer; but he slapped me in the ear.
Juan: Where have you been all this time?
He asked me exactly the question I was expecting.
Juan: Why aren’t you there? Where have you been all this time? If you had been released from prison, then why weren’t you with Shervin?
With great insistence, I took him to the booth and started talking while I was busy writing “The Lonely Man.”
Juan: Do you have any idea what happened to Shervin and me during this time?!
Behrouz: Juan, I am really sorry and very sad; I still don't know why I didn't tell you that I was released from prison or that I wasn't with you for a while.
It was as if with my words, he calmed down a little and understood me more; I went to the gas on the table in the cabin and made some hot chocolate and brought it to their partner.
Juan: Where were you when I needed you?
Behrouz: I had gone to Radin's little shed; he gave me the key and said to go there for a while until my father came back from the mill. Then the creditors found out about these stories and I ended up in prison.
Juan: Do you know what I had to do because of you?!
Behrouz: I know, I know that it was very difficult for you.

Ah; but I had to.
Juan: I also had to come visit you in prison during these six months.
Behrouz: What can I say; you see I can’t say anything because I’m embarrassed.
Juan: By the way, how did you get released from prison?
Behrouz: You might not believe it, a benefactor found who paid all my debts and I was released; and the interesting thing is that I saw him just yesterday and we talked a lot about my play and then he bought “The Lonely Man” from me.
Juan: How nice.
Behrouz: By the way, he said you should definitely get to work yourself.
Juan: Well, that’s great, why did you do street theater?
Behrouz: Honestly, no one usually goes to the theater these days, so I said I’d at least promote my play by doing this.
I started telling him the whole story from the beginning to the end and told him everything.
Behrouz: I just managed to save a lot of money in these seven days; I know that our situation is going to get better.
Juan: I hope, since we couldn't make a living from this art of ours, God willing, it will be as you say.
Behrouz: Don't worry Juan, everything will be fine.
Juan: In that case, your situation is much better than mine, and you're not just saying that everything will get better.
As I spoke, Juan's eyes grew bigger and bigger in surprise and I fell in love with looking at him more; the interesting thing was that until that moment, I had never loved him as much as I did that day; it was as if I had just been born; or maybe Mania's soul was appearing inside Juan's body; I still don't understand the reason for this strange look and day by day, without wanting to, I fell in love more and more than before.
But I didn't say anything about theater or what I wanted to do.
The "Lonely Man" street theater continued its work and everything was going as I had thought.
Nearly a month had passed and our street theater was coming to an end and my life was also getting better. One night, Mr. Makivand showed up.
Makivand: Hello Behrouz, how are you? What are you doing with your theater?
Behrouz: Thank you very much; everything is going well as I expected.
Makivand: Let me see; the stage kids aren't bothering you, are they?
Behrouz: No; everything is fine and normal.
Makivand: I want to make you a suggestion; of course, it depends on whether you want to do something like that yourself or not.
Behrouz: What suggestion?
Makivand: I was watching your theater work with children from far and wide and it seemed to me that it might be better, considering that our theater has met with a lot of fans; to send it to the Tony Theater Festival.
Behrouz: Mr. Makivand, but this work requires a lot of money; I cannot pay this money; as you know, I was thrown in prison because of my debts.
Makivand: Yes, I know; but I did not say that you should pay the money. The money is fine for me; but on the condition that our company's name is also a sponsor in the theater that is going to be performed; can you afford it?!
I was frozen in place and I did not know how to react at all and I was just mourning. I was thinking about Mr. Macivand and the time when I was in prison and I dreamed of participating in this festival.
I said with a smile: “Yes, of course, why not! One of my dreams was to participate in the Tony Awards. But there’s just one problem!”
Macivand: What’s the problem?
Behrouz: Mr. Macivand, the problem is that several of our actors have been offered jobs and signed contracts with other places, and it may not be possible for us to have them.
Macivand: Oh, dad, no matter who you bring for this role, it takes a lot of time to get the role right, right? Don’t you think this will hurt you?
Behrouz: No, I’ll do something about it; I’ll finally ask Shervin and Xuan to play these two roles. I can help them get started faster.
Mekivand: Yes; your file also said that your wife works in theater.
Behrouz: That's great! There are only two more roles that I don't know who to give them; one is a muscular man, and the other is Comrade Jing, the main role of the lonely man.
Mekivand: Look, I don't know; you don't have more than a month to prepare for the Tony Awards; do whatever you think is necessary, I know you have the ability to win a place in this festival.
Behrouz: Thank you for your encouragement.
When we finished talking, I left the booth to think about those two roles; as usual, I lit my cigarette; I didn't know exactly what to do in this situation, should I be happy? Should I be stressed? Or should I...?
As soon as I came to my senses, I saw that my cigarette was finished; when I wanted to put it out, I remembered the cigarette that I smoked with Sadri in prison; remember that well...
Wait a minute, these roles are exactly the right match for both Anoush and Sadri!

If I could bring them with me to the "Lonely Man" theater, how great it would be; but I might not be able to use them in the theater; Sadri, whose crime is political and I don't think they'll let him go, and Anoush, who I don't think will be able to get out of prison because of his record; I have to think differently and see if these two people can be used in this theater or not?!