Mistaken Encounter – A Comedy Sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
Two characters cross paths. They are both wearing face masks. After a moment’s hesitation, the first greets the second.
One – Hello!
Two – Hello…
One – How are you?
Two – Oh, sorry. With your mask on, I didn’t recognise you.
One – No, no, that’s all right.
Two – And I’m already a bit hard of hearing… When people talk to me through a piece of fabric, that doesn’t make it any easier. I didn’t recognise your voice either…
One – How have you been?
Two – Fine, thank you.
One – Good, good… And how’s business?
Two – Fine…
One – Mind you, the stock market isn’t doing too badly at the moment. Despite the crisis…
Two – Yes… Well, when you work in education, like I do, you know…
One – And your wife?
Two – My wife?
One – The last time I ran into her, she had a really bad cold. How is she?
Two – She died.
One – No… It can’t be… Then it can’t have been just a cold…
Two – No, it wasn’t a cold.
One – I’m so sorry. This disease really is terrible. But when did it happen?
Two – About ten years ago…
One – I see… So she didn’t die of… Well, of the…
Two – She died of leukaemia.
One – Right… So you’re not…
Two – Apparently not…
One – Sorry, with the mask… I must have mistaken you for someone else…
Two – But do we actually know each other…?
One – To be honest… No, I don’t think we do.
Two – Yes, that’s what I thought.
One – Well, then… Have a good day.
Two – Right… You too.
One – Well, give my regards to your wife… I mean… My condolences…
Two – Thank you…
They each go their separate ways.
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A sketch from the collection Lockdown Shorts
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)
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