Sharing one’s life story feels akin to flipping through slides. The snapshots might not captivate others as much as the vivid memories we cherish. But in this era of selfies, who still remembers the narcoleptic charm of slide nights from the past? For the younger generation, et me provide some context. Back in the days when an initiatory journey could lead you to Morocco, Greece, or the southern coast of Corsica, a couple of adventurers enjoying paid vacations, would assemble their most devoted friends. Together, they would indulge in a buffet adorned with flavours from the exotic destination, marking the culmination of their adventures. As a delightful post-coffee ritual, they would project vacation photos onto the white living room wall. Before this enchanting moment, these intrepid travellers meticulously organized their extensive collection of slides into various trays based on themes, carefully arranging the order of photos to enhance the overall narrative. Mastering not only the art of photography but also the skill of thoughtful editing was imperative. As the master of ceremonies smoothly navigated the transition from one slide to another with a wired remote, the projector emitted a sound reminiscent of a photocopier: click-clack. Naturally, incidents were not uncommon. Whether it was a tray mistakenly mounted upside down or a slide featuring an inverted image, the projection would occasionally be halted. This interruption was essential to swiftly rectify the situation, ensuring that not a single moment of the show was missed and that the message remained undistorted. The never-ending, slow-motion cinematic experience, accompanied by live commentary from the projectionist for each film frame, naturally prolonged the duration. To endure this ordeal with a smile, one needed genuine friends who could pretend to be truly amazed by the abundance of exoticism. What an adventure it turned out to be! Next year, it would be their turn to reciprocate, subjecting their friends to the cinematic saga of their own life’s vacation. To witness and be witnessed, right in the comfort of home. To carve out a small space for existence, at least once in a lifetime. To step into the spotlight, each taking a turn, yet always surrounded by friends. Blessed are those who, like them, embarked on a splendid journey. In today’s era of real-time, we narrate our lives simultaneously as we live them, rather than just experiencing them. The existence of the image precedes the essence of the journey. The concept of exoticism has vanished in the age of globalization. Travel has been reduced to mere relocation. The notion of “elsewhere” no longer exists. Only diverse locations. Memories and, by extension, futures have faded away, leaving only an eternal present. Awaiting a time when holograms and artificial intelligence enable us to exist everywhere at once forever. Like God. But for what purpose? I come from a bygone era where holograms were merely reflections in the hallway mirror, and where both intelligence and foolishness were still entirely natural.

All the texts available on this website can be downloaded for free. However, performance rights, which constitute fair compensation for the author’s work, are a legal obligation. Whether you are an amateur or a professional, you must request authorization to perform the play and pay the corresponding royalties for the production.

To get in touch with Jean-Pierre Martinez and ask an authorization to represent one of his works: CONTACT FORM.

A sketch from the collection Like a fish in the air
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)

Find all of Jean-Pierre Martinez’s plays on his website:
https://jeanpierremartinez.net

L’article Slide Night est apparu en premier sur La Sketchothèque.

Him and Her collapse onto the couch, obviously exhausted.
Her – I thought they would never leave…
Him – They say that seven out of ten couples don’t have sex during their wedding night. Now I understand why…
Her – We could try to improve the average…
Him – You forget that we take off at 6:45 AM… From Luton…
Her – From Luton?
Him – I told you! I got the tickets on eBay…
Her – Why do the low cost companies have to take off from the most depressing town in England…? On the other hand, it’s true that when you leave from Luton, it makes anywhere look like a dream destination. Even Bratislava…
Him – They say that Bratislava is very beautiful… In spring…
Her – Don’t you mean Prague…?
Him – Same region?
Her – The Seychelles are beautiful all year round.. And don’t forget that spring starts only in two months…
Him – Oh, The Seychelles… Everybody goes there…
Her – It’s true that a honeymoon to Bratislava is a lot more original… We won’t meet lots of honeymooners on the plane… The only couple who mixed up Bratislava with Brasilia resold their tickets on eBay…
Him – We will treat ourselves with the Seychelles in a few years… For our wedding anniversary…
Her – Yeah. Our silver anniversary… When I won’t be able to get into my swimsuit… (Sigh) Life is unfair. We should inherit at 20, start working at 50 when we’ve finished our retirement, and procreate at 70, to have some company in our old age… And marriage would be at the end, a final vow…
Him – On the other hand, a lifetime without a mother in law… Is it really worth it…?
Her – Do you think I will still love you in 20 years?
Him – Will you still have the choice…? When you can’t find a swimsuit that fits…
Her – I know a girl who said “no” on her wedding day, for a joke. She wanted to say “yes” immediately after but the mayor did not like the joke at all. She had to wait six months to get married for real…Turns out there’s a legal delay. Like for a driving licence. When you screw up, you can’t take it again right away. Did you know that?
Him – No…
Her – This wedding was as boring as hell, wasn’t it?
Him – People don’t marry just for the fun…
Her – Don’t tell me that they do it to go to Bratislava from Luton in the middle of the night. Or I’ll start asking myself why I said yes… What country is Bratislava in?
Him – Well… Prague was the capital of Czechoslovakia…
Her – Then you don’t even know which country you’re taking me to for our honeymoon! My mother was right: I really don’t know were I am going with you…
Him – Wait… Prague is now capital of Czechia… Bratislava should be capital of Slovakia. Or Slovenia… Anyway, it’s in Europe! We don’t even need a passport…
Her – And you, will you still love me in 20 years…?
Him – How could I not love my whole life long a girl who is ready to follow me to an unknown country of the EU…?
Her – If it’s a test then…
They kiss each other.
Him – I don’t want to hurry you, but our plane takes off in two hours. And it’s quite a long way to Luton…
Black.

All the texts available on this website can be downloaded for free. However, performance rights, which constitute fair compensation for the author’s work, are a legal obligation. Whether you are an amateur or a professional, you must request authorization to perform the play and pay the corresponding royalties for the production.

To get in touch with Jean-Pierre Martinez and ask an authorization to represent one of his works: CONTACT FORM.

A sketch from the collection Him and Her
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)

Find all of Jean-Pierre Martinez’s plays on his website:
https://jeanpierremartinez.net

L’article Wedding night est apparu en premier sur La Sketchothèque.