This is an interview with Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. I sort of thought of the interview with Louie from Interview with a Vampire, and what Rice was doing with it as a plot device. I wanted to highlight something here, capturing Heathcliff’s voice. I don’t think I accomplished what I was going for, but without adieu, here’s today’s prompt.
Me: Welcome, good to meet.
Heathcliff nods.
Me: Well, let’s begin. Did you think almost 200 years later, we would still be infatuated with you and your love story?
Heathcliff: Time means nothing to me.
Me: Oh, right into it. How do you feel being the archetype for the tall, dark, handsome man of mystery?
Heathcliff stares off then folds his arms across his chest.
Me: Got it. How is Kathy?
Heathcliff clenches his jaw.
Me: Did you find peace with her?
Heathcliff: I’m here. I still wander.
Me: Are you sorry?
Heathcliff: For what do I need be sorry for?
Me: I mean, do you finally take responsibility for any of it?
Heathcliff: Any of what?
Me: All of it. The pain, heartache, toxicity of it all.
Heathcliff: I loved and found my love lacking.
Me: Two-hundred years later, we still view you romantically. We aspire to be loved by you; seen by you.
Heathcliff: I play no part in that.
Me: None at all?
Heathcliff: Kathy turned me a fool. She left me empty.
Me: That’s your excuse for abuse and violence and neglect?
Heathcliff: I had a right to vengeance.
Me: Is your love reductive?
Heathcliff: My love for Kathy consumed.
Me: Yes, everything, and vomited it all back out.
Heathcliff grinds his teeth.
Me: Is love not patient, kind, sacrificing even?
Heathcliff: I came from nothing and made myself everything.
Me: So, you were owed?
Heathcliff: Kathy was unkind.
Me: Sure, but what about you?
Heathcliff: What about me?
Me: So, it’s Kathy’s fault you brought misery onto so many?
Heathcliff: Kathy, my love, my life, was also a bitter blowen.
Me: Wow, some archaic misogyny.
Heathcliff crosses one leg over another, folding his hands on top his knee.
Me: Where did you go for three years? How exactly did you make your fortune?
Heathcliff: I became a man.
Me: A man who deserved respect?
Heathcliff: Yes.
Me: And you win respect with abuse?
Heathcliff: I took but a firm hand to those requiring discipline.
Me: And what did you gain?
Heathcliff sits in silence.
Imperfection 