“If you're trying to depress me, you're right on target.”
Por qué es buena
A light, self-mocking answer that turns a small jab into a line you remember.
Registro
Informal
Úsala tú
If you're trying to cheer me up, you're right on target.
00:00 / 03:03
00:00 / 03:03
Clifford Anderson Visits the Bruhls, Explained
Deathtrap · 1982
Capítulo 6 de 30 · 3'03"
A young playwright arrives at the Bruhl house and charms his host with his enthusiasm: he recognizes the prop weapons and admits how he got hooked on thrillers. "You're infected, all right. But you're still in the early stages," Sidney tells him. Under the shop talk, the older writer is sizing up the newcomer.
Key moments
Start here, then watch the full scene- 1:18–1:59
How Clifford Got Hooked on Thrillers
42s - 2:10–2:37
Taking Care of His Spiritual Child
27s
Clifford Anderson Visits the Bruhls, explained
What happens
Clifford Anderson comes to the Bruhl house for the first time, and Sidney introduces him to Myra. Clifford marvels at the house and recognizes the stage weapons Sidney has collected. The two writers trade stories about the plays that hooked them, and Clifford shows Sidney the first draft of his thriller.
What's really going on
The scene is an audition, and both men know it. Clifford performs the role of the adoring young writer: he names Sidney's old plays, describes the moment he first fell for thrillers, and jokes about 'thrilleritis malignus.' But he also draws a line, 'I'm not pursuing money, Mr. Bruhl.' Sidney keeps the upper hand by diagnosing him instead of praising him: 'You're infected, all right. But you're still in the early stages.' The older man is weighing a rival while acting like a mentor, and the weapons on the wall sit in the room like a promise.
Key lines & what they mean
- “If you're trying to depress me, you're right on target.”
- Sidney jokes that Clifford's remark about being twelve when he first saw his play lands exactly as intended, because it makes him feel old.
- “You're infected, all right. But you're still in the early stages.”
- Sidney frames the shared obsession with thrillers as a disease, and puts Clifford a few stages behind him.
- “As you can see, I'm taking very good care of my spiritual child.”
- Sidney presents the manuscript as the offspring of their mentor-student bond, a claim that also stakes his ownership of it.
- “I frequently fantasize about high-tech, something you just hose down.”
- A throwaway line about the old house and its clutter, joking that he dreams of a home you can clean with a hose.
Theme
- Ambition — The young writer's admiration masks competition: Sidney measures the newcomer even as he plays the gracious host.
- Identity — Clifford defines himself by the plays he grew up on, and Sidney recognizes a younger version of his own obsession.
Qué aprendes en este capítulo
Puntos de enseñanza
Repasa justo después de verMi nivel1/5
A1–C2 es la escala MCER. Las tarjetas por encima del nivel elegido se atenúan y la reproducción no se pausa en ellas.
Puntos de lengua
Toca una tarjeta para saltar a ese momentoFrases de oro
Una gran frase en sí misma: por qué y cómo usarla“You're infected, all right. But you're still in the early stages.”
Por qué es buena
Calling a passion an infection is playful yet oddly flattering, and the second half softens it.
Registro
Informal
Úsala tú
You're addicted, all right. But you're still in the early stages.
“As you can see, I'm taking very good care of my spiritual child.”
Por qué es buena
Calling a script his spiritual child captures a writer's pride and obsession in one breath.
Registro
Neutral
Úsala tú
As you can see, I'm taking very good care of my old records.
“I frequently fantasize about high-tech, something you just hose down.”
Por qué es buena
A throwaway complaint about an old house turns into a funny, vivid wish for something easy to clean.
Registro
Informal
Úsala tú
I frequently fantasize about a kitchen with no dishes to wash.
Siguiente · 07feet on the groundLa escena: Myra Pushes Sidney to CollaborateIdeas clave
Lo que te llevas- Passion here is dressed up as an infection, half joke and half pride.
- Sidney's jokes quietly test the young visitor he does not trust yet.
- The weapons on the wall show who is really armed in this room.
- Small talk about old plays is how these two size each other up.
Preguntas frecuentes
La pregunta, luego la fraseWho is Clifford Anderson?
A young playwright from Sidney's college seminar. He sent Sidney his thriller script, and now comes to the house for the first time to talk about it.
Why does Clifford know Sidney's old plays so well?
He grew up on them. He says Gunpoint was the first play he ever saw, at twelve, and that it is how he got hooked on thrillers.
What does Sidney mean by calling thrillers a disease?
He jokes that the appetite for thrillers is contagious, passed down from generation to generation, and says Clifford is infected but still in the early stages.
Is Clifford after money?
He says he is not. He admits he would like some if he had a place like Sidney's to work in, but insists money is not why he wrote Deathtrap.