A Sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
One character is already there. Another arrives and addresses them.
One – I heard the show’s been cancelled.
Two – No? Are you sure? Who told you that?
One – The duty fireman.
Two – There are still duty firemen in theatres?
One – Apparently so.
Two – And why would the show be cancelled?
One – Supposedly there’s a fire in the director’s office.
Two – I can’t smell anything… Are you sure he’s a real fireman?
One – I don’t know. He was dressed like one.
Two – In the theatre, you know… It might be a costume.
One – Still, don’t you smell smoke?
Two – I just smoked one…
One – Even if he’s a fake fireman, it could still be a real fire.
Two – If he were a real fireman, he’d be putting the fire out.
One – Or maybe he’s a real fireman, but it’s not a real fire.
Two – Why would a real fireman invent a fake fire?
One – Or maybe he’s a fake fireman, but a real actor.
Two – So, the show’s cancelled, but it’s part of the play…?
One – Who knows. In the theatre…
Blackout.
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A sketch from the collection Stage Briefs
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)
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https://jeanpierremartinez.net