A sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
One – Promise me you won’t panic…
Two – What?
One – There’s a metre of water in the hold.
Two – You told me earlier there was barely ten centimetres.
One – Yes. But now the water’s up to my knee.
Two – Oh my God! Does that mean we’re sinking?
One – That’s why I told you not to panic.
A pause.
Two – I mean, we’re only on a small canal. It’s not exactly the Titanic.
One – No.
Two – Worst case, we’ll just look like fools.
One – Yeah… There are already quite a few people watching us.
Two – Go back and check the hold.
One – OK.
The first one disappears. The second one smiles, trying to stay calm. The first returns.
Two – Well?
One – Now it’s up to my neck.
Two – Yes, I can feel we’re sinking… (A pause) The deck is already underwater.
One – It’s too late to head back to shore.
Two – So what do we do?
One – There are more and more people watching…
Two – Let’s at least try to keep our dignity.
One – You’re right.
Two – Smile!
One – I’m doing my best here.
Blackout.
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A sketch from the collection Don’t panic!
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)
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https://jeanpierremartinez.net