A sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
Two characters, visibly at a loose end.
One – What were we talking about again?
Two – Nothing…
One – Oh yeah… (Another silence) So, how are you doing?
Two – I’m fine… And you? You look worried…
One – No, no, it’s just that…
Two – What?
One – I don’t know what to do with my money anymore.
Two – You’ve got that much?
One – I don’t know…
Two – Well, you’re rich then.
One – When do you actually become rich?
Two – When you no longer know what to do with your money, I suppose.
One – Then I guess I’m rich.
Two – You really don’t need anything anymore?
One – I already have everything I need. I’m financially secure, as they say.
Two – And there’s nothing else you fancy?
One – Unfortunately, as you get older, you have more money but fewer desires.
Two – Buy something beautiful.
One – Something beautiful?
Two – Art. Besides, it’s tax-deductible.
One – Like what, for example?
Two – Paintings are the least bulky…
One – Paintings are fragile, aren’t they?
Two – True. You could buy sculptures then. Marble doesn’t age.
One – I’m wondering if I should just buy gold instead.
Two – Gold?
One – Gold bars.
Two – You don’t know what to do with your money, so you’re going to use it to buy gold?
One – It’s sturdier than paintings, isn’t it? Or even marble. Gold is indestructible.
Two – Yes, but you can look at paintings or sculptures.
One – You can look at gold bars too.
Two – Can you really?
One – I’ve never seen a real gold bar. If I had one, I’m sure I’d enjoy looking at it.
Two – Yeah…
One – If you had gold bars, wouldn’t you like to look at them?
Two – Yeah, I suppose I would…
One – Yeah… Gold bars, why not…
Two – Or… you could give some of your money away.
One – Give it away? To whom?
Two – I don’t know… To those who have less than you.
A pause.
One – Do you have less money than I do?
Two – I don’t know.
One – I think I’ll buy some gold bars.
Two – OK.
One – If you like, you can look at them with me.
Two – Thanks.
Blackout.
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A sketch from the collection For real and for fun
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