A Sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
A terrace. Two loungers. She arrives in a white bathrobe, sunglasses on her nose. She walks to the edge of the stage, takes a deep breath, and gazes at the horizon. He arrives in turn, leaning on crutches.
Her (without turning around) – Ah, the fresh air! Can you feel that sea breeze?
Him – Well, no… but my nose is a bit stuffy this morning…
He sits with difficulty on a lounger and places his crutches next to him.
Her – And those seagulls… Can you hear that? What a change of scenery!
He takes a metal box from his pocket, opens it, and offers it to her.
Him – Want a lozenge? Clears the airways…
But she pays no attention to this offer.
Her – It’s truly paradise… I feel alive again! Don’t you?
He takes a lozenge from the box and puts it in his mouth.
Him – For me, it would make me want to vomit…
He puts the box away.
Her (excited) – A new day beginning… And it promises to be glorious…
Him – Are you sure you’re okay?
Her expression changes completely.
Her – I’m completely depressed…
Him – I have other kinds of lozenges if you want.
Her – My husband was supposed to come with me, but in the end, he stayed on the platform.
Him – I’m really sorry. So, you’re temporarily single…
Her – More like definitively widowed.
Him – I see…
Her – Except that he’s still alive… (Pause) And what happened to you?
Him – I’m on vacation, just like you.
Her – I meant your crutches…
Him – Ah, that… I know I need them to walk, but I don’t remember why…
She turns again towards the sea.
Her – The sea is so blue… Like a real postcard… I’m thinking of taking a dip…
She removes her bathrobe, revealing her swimsuit.
Him – Don’t go drowning yourself… That would be a shame… And it probably isn’t very warm.
Her – What makes you say that?
Him – We’re out of season.
Her – Ah, yes…
She puts her bathrobe back on.
Him – Want to play Scrabble?
Her – Thanks… I’m not that desperate yet…
Him – Did you love him that much?
Her – He was my husband…
Him – You’ll forget him…
Her – I already can’t remember very well how we parted…
Him – Farewells are the first to fade when you rewind.
Her – Are you in the movie business?
Him – If I was, I don’t remember it anymore… And you?
Her – I’m an actress, to some extent.
Him – You’ll see, this little time-out will do you a world of good.
Her – I already feel younger… Okay, it’s decided, I’m taking a dip!
Him – In the ocean?
Her – In the pool!
She leaves, revealing the inscription on the back of her bathrobe: Titanic. He stands up without his crutches, approaches the edge of the stage, and spreads his arms while looking into the distance.
Him – I’m the king of the world!
Black.
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A sketch from the collection Lost Times Chronicles
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)
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