A Sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez.
A man is there, dressed like a child. A woman arrives, also dressed like a child.
Two – Well, what’s going on with you? You don’t seem okay.
One – No…
Two – Where are your kids?
One – My kids just abandoned me.
Two – Right here on the street like this? That’s monstrous! How can anyone do that to an adult? Were they your natural children?
One – No, I was adopted. They took me in from the Adult Protective Society just about a year ago…
Two – The Adult Protective Society?
One – The Society for the Protection of Adults.
Two – There you go! Kids these days have completely lost a sense of responsibility. They choose a companion parent on a whim without thinking about all the responsibilities it involves: feeding, clothing, walking them… And when they’ve had enough, they abandon them on the sidewalk. An adult is not an object, after all! It’s not a toy!
One – Would you adopt me then?
Two – My dear, I would gladly, but I’m already the domestic adult for a family of five siblings. So if I came home with a companion, I’m not sure they’d be okay with it.
One – Too bad. You seemed nice. And your kids, do they treat you well at least?
Two – It’s okay… Once, they forgot me at a gas station when they left for vacation, but they didn’t do it on purpose. I was so scared… I thought they’d abandoned me too! But no, they came back to get me an hour later…
One – An hour?
Two – The next exit was over fifty kilometres away… So what are you going to do now?
One – I don’t know…
Two – Are you tattooed at least?
One – Yes… They tattooed their mobile number on my left shoulder…
Two – That’s still a sign of trust.
One – You think so?
Two – It means, at least at the beginning, they didn’t intend to abandon you… Although, on the left shoulder, it must not be easy for you to read that number.
One – Fortunately, I know the number by heart…
Two – Have you tried calling them?
One – I get a voicemail. They might have changed their number.
Two – Are you sure they did it on purpose?
One – We were on the street. I was walking ahead. At some point, I turned around, and they were gone.
Two – Ah yes, kids often do that when they want to get rid of their adults… Well, unfortunately, I’ll have to abandon you too.
One – Abandon me?
Two – Well, I mean… My kids are in that toy store there. It’s forbidden for adults. But they won’t be long coming out…
The other’s phone rings.
One – Hello? Ah, it’s you! No, no, I thought… Well, I thought I lost you… Oh, you’re in that store too? Yes, yes, I’m right outside with another adult. No, no, I’m waiting for you. Take your time… (He puts away his phone.) That was them…
Two – Well, you see, there was no need to be afraid… Kids, after all, don’t just abandon us like that.
One – You’re right… I jumped to conclusions too quickly… I’m a bit emotional. Do you live in the neighbourhood?
Two – Yes, yes… Just at the end of the street…
One – We can see each other from time to time then…
He seems to notice something.
One – This time, I absolutely have to leave you. I see them coming out of the store, and they hate waiting… (Towards the wings) Yes, yes, I’m coming! So, did you find something you like?
He exits. The other stays there, thoughtful.
Two – What a dog’s life…
Black.
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A sketch from the collection Sidewalk Chronicles
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)
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https://jeanpierremartinez.net