A Sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
Two characters (men or women), standing side by side on stage facing the audience, looking ahead at two imaginary graves. The first one glances over at the second.
One – Bravo! That’s a well-flowered grave… It’s really beautiful.
Two – Thank you… But it’s a lot of work, you know. Well, when you see the result, you forget everything else…
One – That’s for sure.
Two – And your roses, did you get them from the florist next door?
One – Oh no, I grow them myself. And mind you, without any fertilizers.
Two – Organic roses are the real deal. (A pause) And… how long did yours pass away, if I may ask?
One – It’ll be twenty years exactly, on December 31st.
Two – December 31st?
One – Yes indeed… New Year’s Eve. You can imagine how much in the mood I was for celebration…
Two – A turkey bone stuck in his throat…?
One – No, he was hit by a car… A drunk driver who didn’t even have a license.
Two – It’s them who should have gone… Anyway, he died on the spot. He didn’t suffer.
One – And yours?
Two – It’s been exactly five years today. It’s his birthday…
One – So it’s still fresh… It leaves such a void, doesn’t it?
Two – You can say that again… I got another one, but people say it’s the same, but it isn’t. It doesn’t replace…
One – That’s for sure.
Two – And what about you, did you get another one?
One – No. I didn’t even feel like it. I know it wouldn’t have replaced…
Two – Well… Life goes on, despite everything. Do you have any children?
One – Three. But that doesn’t replace either, you know?
Two – It’s not the same. Especially when they grow up. And they leave you.
One – If they hadn’t died so young, they’d never have left us.
Two – Yes, but still… They live shorter lives than us, we know that. We should be prepared…
One – Despite everything, when it happens, it’s a shock. How did you find yours?
Two – On the internet.
One – Ah, yes… In my time, that didn’t exist yet… I took the one from the neighbour. She didn’t want him anymore.
Two – Some people are like that… They get one, and then they realize it’s not what they had imagined… So, they prefer to abandon him… It’s sad, but well. Luckily, you were there to take him in… I’m sure he was very happy with you, as long as he lived…
One – Do you have a photo?
Two – Look, there’s one right there on his grave.
One – Oh yes… I hadn’t noticed… My God, he was so handsome… With his big ears…
Two – And even if you had seen him a few years younger. With his coat so thick. And yours?
One (pointing to the grave) – Look…
Two – Oh, yes… All curly… He had a good face…
One – He was a sweetheart…
They sigh.
One – Well, we’ll have to go. I think they’re waiting for us to close.
Two – Do you come here often?
One – As often as possible. But it’s quite far… And you?
Two – I live nearby, fortunately. I can come every day…
One – Then we’ll surely see each other again.
Two – God willing.
They begin to leave.
One – And yours, what did he die from?
Two – Oh… A long illness, as they say when they don’t know. Towards the end, he was in so much pain… I had to put him to sleep.
One – Come on, think that where they are now, they no longer suffer.
Two – Do you think there’s a paradise for them too?
One – Who knows… There are cemeteries, after all…
Black.
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A sketch from the collection Stories to die for
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)
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https://jeanpierremartinez.net