In June and July 2002 I was in New York to attend a language school. I could have chosen every big city in the United States but the main reason that I chose New York was that I would have the chance to see The Goat and Bill again, and because I like the special flair of this city. When I was in New York in February to see one of the previews we were a group of 12 people. I was very excited to see Bill in person but among all the others I felt safe. This time I was alone, with no one to take my arm and calm me down. I had expected to see the show together with Gio and Carrie, but Gio couldn't come, and we decided to choose another day when we could go together. You probably can imagine how excited and kind of scared I was. I wasn't prepared to meet him alone, and I didn't know if he would remember me. But then everything was very easy. Everybody who had the chance to meet Bill knows how friendly, charming and likable he is. My greatest fear was that he would use all these difficult words he uses in interviews and I wouldn't understand him. But he was very considerate, and chose his words very carefully. I had no problems understanding him, and I was so thankful that I calmed down a little bit. We spoke about the book I did for Bill, and an article someone had given to him, where his performance was praised, and you could see how happy he was about it. I met Bill four times, and I remember how happy and proud he was when Edward Albee joined one of the Talkbacks. He said something like: "Isn't it amazing that Edward Albee came to New York to take part in the Talkback?" I think Bill admires him very much. When I left the theater I saw him talking to Edward Albee, and if you have seen the Charlie Rose Show with Bill, Mercedes and Albee you can see how he concentrates on everything Edward Albee says. It's very interesting if you see The Goat so often. It's true what Bill said, every performance is different, and every audience is different. But also the actors are very different every night. The most intense performance was the one when Bill had a bad cold. Mercedes played her role very crazy that night, and Bill was really crying. I think if you don't feel good, the tears come easier. Even though every performance was great, that show was the one that moved me the most and I could have cried with him. When I think about my meetings with Bill, it's a strange feeling. When I met him first in February I suddenly had the feeling: "My goodness, he is a real movie star." But when I met him this time I didn't have that feeling, it was more the feeling to meet a good friend. It's probably because he is so normal and doesn’t behave like a star. I had a great time in New York, and I am glad that I had the chance to meet such a wonderful person.

Ilona