Mark St. Germain has written a short, sweet, two-character play about how he imagines a meeting between legendary psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud and emerging writer C.S. Lewis would go.

You enter 2nd Story’s intimate downstairs theatre and take in what could have been Freud’s office. You are greeted by a wall-to-wall bookcase, old furniture, a radio, a worn rug, a desk, chairs and, of course, the famous couch.

Freud appears. Wait a minute, it’s Ed Shea. He sure looks like Freud, with his round glasses and white beard. And he says things you would expect Freud to say. The man is only a few weeks from dying, infected with mouth cancer that is causing extreme pain and discomfort.

Enter emerging writer C.S. Lewis (Wayne Kneeland), invited for a discussion of issues relating to their interests in religion and expanding to their opposite positions on just about everything.

The conversation moves rapidly, exposing different points of view, while occasionally finding agreement. While there are numerous interruptions from the ringing telephone to news reports on the day England finds itself in the middle of World War II, to an air raid scare, the conversation is brief, often confrontational, and to the point.

The verbal fencing is laced with humor, while often a bit cerebral. While mostly centered around Freud’s atheism and Lewis’s “born again” conversion, sex creeps its way in, along with morality and science. The definition of “joy” almost brings the two to a mutual understanding.

At one point, Freud blurts out “Thank God!” There is a pause, while Lewis, and the audience, recognizes the irony in the atheist’s response.

“Freud’s Last Session” is quite different from the usual 2nd Story play selection, offering Shea an opportunity to show off his multiple acting skills, and in complete contrast to his last role as the devoted dog owner in “Sylvia.”

While it is short, it will leave you much to ponder. You may be tempted to read more about Freud, his Jewish upbringing and strong atheism. And you also may wish to take another look at Lewis’s “Narnia” series. Be sure to pick up a copy of Eileen Warburton’s essay, which sheds some light on the two men.

“Freud’s Last Session” is at 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St. in Warren, through August 3. Tickets are $30. Call 247-4200 for reservations.