A Sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
Two characters (men or women). Possibly a couple. Maybe elderly. They remain silent for a moment.
One – It’s muggy, isn’t it?
Two – Yes.
One – It came all of a sudden.
Two – Mmm…
One – This morning, it was fine, right?
Two – This morning…?
One – And suddenly, it’s so hot.
A moment passes.
Two – It smells like a storm.
One – You think so?
Two – I don’t know…
One – So why did you say that?
Two – That’s what people usually say, right?
One – Usually?
Two – Someone says, “It’s muggy,” and… the other responds, “It smells like a storm.”
One – Mmm…
Two – Wasn’t that what I was supposed to say?
One – Yes… Sure… (A moment) Still, at this time of the year…
Two – What?
One – That it’s so muggy like this.
Two – Mmm…
Silence.
One – Or maybe it’s just me… (A moment) Aren’t you feeling hot?
Two – No, well… Not really…
One – Then why didn’t you tell me?
Two – What?
One – You also said it was muggy!
Two – I don’t know… I said it just like that… Not to upset you…
One – So, it must be me…
Two – You…?
One – Maybe I have a temperature!
Two – Do you feel like you have a temperature?
One – I don’t know… What do you think? Is it muggy, or is it me?
Two – It’s true that I’m starting to feel a bit warm now that you mention it…
One – It might be contagious.
Two – What?
One – Fever! It was fine a while ago, and now you’re starting to feel warm too. It might be contagious!
Two – No, but I’m not really warm. I said that just to…
One – Why?
Two – I don’t know… Just… (A moment) What if you take off your sweater…
One – You think?
Two – You can always try.
One – Won’t I catch a cold? If I have a fever…
Two – It’s not really warm, but… it’s not that cold either. It’s neither hot nor cold.
One – Okay…
The first character takes off their sweater.
Two – So?
One – Oh, yes…
Two – Feeling better?
One – Oh, yes, yes… Now I feel better…
Two – Did you wear your sweater this morning?
One – No…
Two – Well, you see, that must be it…
One – Yes…
Two – It must be the sweater…
One – It’s true that this morning… It wasn’t that warm, right?
Black.
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A sketch from the collection Lost Times Chronicles
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)
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https://jeanpierremartinez.net