A sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
They are sitting side by side. She is sleeping against his shoulder. She gradually wakes up and startles slightly.
Her – I’m sorry… But you should have…
Him – I didn’t dare to wake you…
Her – I slept for a long time?
Him – We’ve started the approach procedures…
Her – Sorry?
Him – I mean, uh… Approach manoeuvres… for landing!
Her – Oh, yes…
She tidies up her hair a bit.
Him (engaging) – Are you on vacation?
Her – Uh… No… I’m joining my husband…
Him – Ah… What does he do?
Her – He… He’s a doctor… He works for an NGO…
Him – Ah, yes, of course… In a country like this… Apart from tourism and humanitarian work… Prostitution a bit… And drug trafficking, of course…
Her (thrown off) – And you? Are you on vacation?
Him – Uh, no… I’m into arms trafficking.
Her – You mean…
Him – Kalashnikovs, rocket launchers, landmines… I just got a batch of almost brand new tanks. If you’re interested…?
Her – Thanks… My husband already has an SUV…
Him – He’s right, it’s more practical. Parking a tank is very difficult, and it consumes as much as an Airliner.
Awkward silence, followed by a jolt that the actors can emphasise with a slight start.
Him – Ah, there we go… We just landed. (They get up.) Well, nice to have met you.
Her – You… You’re really an arms dealer…?
Him – No. It was just to make you dislike me. To avoid any regrets. A married woman… with an Humanitarian Doctor, it’s hard to compete… And you?
Her – Me?
Him – Are you really married?
Her – Uh… Not really, actually…
Him – You’re single and on vacation, like me.
Her – I’m going to the Club… Don’t tell me you too…?
Him – We all go there… It’s a charter…
Her (innocently) – Oh, really…?
Him – You were really asleep…?
Her – No… Thankfully… I snore…
Him – How about I buy you a drink at the bar tonight?
Her – I took the all-inclusive package, with unlimited drinks. Didn’t you?
Him – Yes… I think it’s time to get off, or else the plane will take off again. It does two rotations a day… After you, please… (They head towards the exit.) Weren’t you here last year?
Her – Yes…
Him – I thought so too…
Black.
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A sketch from the collection Lost Times Chronicles
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)
Find all of Jean-Pierre Martinez’s plays on his website:
https://jeanpierremartinez.net