A Sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
A rooftop terrace. A character, man or woman, arrives (The CEO). They take off their shoes, loafers or high heels, and approach the edge of the stage, as if at the edge of an abyss, considering jumping into. Another character, man or woman (Angel), arrives behind the CEO and stands there, puzzled.
Angel – Mr. President…
The other turns around.
CEO – Sometimes I wonder if it wouldn’t be better off stopping. Don’t you?
Angel – Stopping smoking, you mean?
CEO – Honestly, what’s the point of all this?
Angel – I don’t know, Mr. President…
CEO – It’s the crisis, my friend. The shoe market is in free fall. The company is on the edge of the abyss. There’s just one step left to take.
Angel – I… You shouldn’t be so pessimistic, Mr. President. We can still feel a bit of a stir.
CEO – A stir? You feel a stir, do you? But that’s a fever, my friend. A fever!
The CEO moves away from the edge of the stage, barefoot.
CEO – Have you heard of Empedocles’ sandals?
Angel – Empedocles’ sandals? No, Mr. President. But if you’d like, I can look into it.
CEO – Well, my dear, if one day you find my shoes on the edge of that volcano, you’ll know where to find me.
Angel – Where’s that, Mr. President?
CEO – Down below, my friend. In the cauldron of hell!
Angel – Very well, Mr. President. (His mobile phone rings) Excuse me for a moment, Mr. President… Yes? Yes, yes… Listen… I can’t talk to you right now… (Lowering his voice, moving away a bit) I’m with the CEO… (While he speaks, the CEO discreetly walks away, leaving his shoes behind.) Alright, I’ll call you back in five minutes…
Angel puts away their phone and, not seeing the President anymore, stands there, puzzled for a moment. Angel leans toward the edge of the stage to look down.
Another character, man or woman, arrives and starts smoking as well. Angel turns around and is surprised to see them.
Ellis – Are you okay?
Angel – Uh… Yes, yes…
Ellis – What are you working on these days?
Angel – The… The Sandals of Empedocles, have you heard of them?
Ellis – I’ve heard a bit about them, yes.
Angel – And do you know who they belong to?
Ellis – The sandals of… Well, to him, right?
Angel – To whom?
Ellis – To Empedocles.
Angel – Ah yes, obviously.
Ellis – Why?
Angel – I don’t know… A hunch… Don’t tell anyone, but I have a feeling it’s going to go up.
Ellis – Go up? Empedocles’ sandals?
Angel looks at the shoes again.
Angel – On the other hand, we might soon have a leadership problem here. If I were you, I’d sell. This stays between us, of course…
Angel leaves. Ellis watches Angel go, intrigued. After a moment, Ellis notices the shoes, approaches, and examines them with perplexity. Then Ellis moves a bit closer to the edge of the stage and looks down. Ellis takes out their phone and dials a number.
Ellis – Yes, it’s me. Hey, could you sell all the shares we have in… (Alan, another character, arrives and he stops) Wait, I’ll call you back…
Ellis leaves. The other one remains alone on stage.
Black.
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A sketch from the collection Nicotine
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)
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