Famous people come up to me, but I don't know who they are

Host: The sunlight pours lazily through the large windows of a chic hotel lobby, reflecting off the polished marble floors and bathing the space in a soft golden glow. The air is cool, filled with the scent of fresh flowers and the faint murmur of conversation from nearby tables. Jack and Jeeny sit in a quiet corner, their coffee cups untouched, as they stare at each other, caught in the weight of the conversation unfolding. The vibe here is relaxed, but there’s a certain tension in the air, something simmering beneath the surface.

Jeeny: “I read something by Helena Bonham Carter today, and it really got me thinking. She said, ‘Famous people come up to me, but I don’t know who they are because my sight is so bad. It’s always at the pool of the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills when I don’t have my lenses in and my glasses are in my room.’”

Jack: (chuckles lightly, shaking his head) “Well, that’s an interesting way to put it. Famous people, but no idea who they are? That must make for some awkward encounters.”

Jeeny: (smiles softly, her tone more thoughtful) “It’s fascinating, though. She’s talking about how, even in the midst of that world, she’s detached in a way. She doesn’t see them the way others might. She’s not caught up in the glamour or the hype. To her, they’re just people, and without her glasses or lenses, she doesn’t recognize them.”

Jack: (leans back, his voice slightly skeptical) “But isn't that a bit of a luxury, though? To be so disconnected from the world around you that you don't even recognize who you're talking to? Most people would kill to be in that spotlight, to be around all those famous faces. I don’t know… it sounds like she’s intentionally trying to keep herself out of it.”

Jeeny: (nodding, her gaze soft and insightful) “Maybe it’s not about disconnecting, though. Maybe it’s about seeing the world for what it is. Fame, status — those things are often so overrated, especially when you’ve been exposed to them for a while. I think what she’s saying is that identity isn’t defined by who’s around you or what people think you should be. It’s about being in the moment, not letting others’ perceptions of you cloud your reality.”

Jack: (pauses, a more introspective look on his face) “Hmm. So, you think she’s embracing a sort of freedom? She’s not distracted by the titles, the expectations, and can just live in her own space without being influenced by the crowd?”

Jeeny: (smiling softly, her eyes thoughtful) “Exactly. It’s like she’s removing the lens that most people use to define the world — that lens of fame, wealth, or status. Without it, she sees things in a clearer, more authentic way. When you can’t see the world through someone else’s eyes, you have no choice but to focus on what matters to you.”

Jack: (chuckles, looking out the window, almost to himself) “That’s a powerful idea, actually. In a world where everyone’s so caught up in the show of it all, maybe it’s a bit of an escape to be blinded by something as simple as bad vision. Maybe it’s easier to focus on the real connections, the ones that aren’t based on image or reputation.”

Jeeny: (nods, her voice quiet but firm) “Yeah. And I think there’s something profound in that. If we took off our own glasses, or stepped away from the lens through which we view success, fame, and social standing, maybe we’d see people as they really are. Without the labels, we might actually connect more.”

Jack: (raises an eyebrow, his tone a bit skeptical) “But don’t we all kind of need those lenses to navigate the world? Fame, success, they do mean something in the context of our society. It’s hard to ignore those things completely.”

Jeeny: (smiling gently) “I’m not saying you need to ignore them. I’m saying maybe they shouldn’t be the focus. The lens you choose is up to you. Helena Bonham Carter, in her own way, has made the decision not to let fame cloud her view. She’s not playing the game; she’s just living her truth, choosing when to look closely and when to step back.”

Jack: (pauses, reflecting on her words) “I guess I can see that. Maybe it’s a good reminder to sometimes take a step back and not get so caught up in the world’s version of success. But, in the end, we still have to live in this world, right? Fame, identity, it’s all part of the deal.”

Jeeny: (gently, with a touch of wisdom) “It is part of the deal. But it doesn’t have to define you. The freedom comes when you realize that you get to decide what matters. You get to decide how you see the world, and who you allow to shape your view. Sometimes, it’s about looking at things from a different perspective.”

Host: The light outside is slowly fading, casting long shadows across the table. The room feels softer now, quieter. Jack and Jeeny sit in the calm, the tension of the conversation ebbing into a more reflective quiet. The world outside continues to move, full of fame, status, and distractions, but inside, there’s a peace in the understanding that sometimes the greatest clarity comes when you choose not to see everything — or perhaps, to see it all through a different lens.

End Scene.