A Sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
Two characters are there with signs on which nothing is written yet. A third character arrives.
Three – Excuse me, is this the starting point for the protest?
One – Yes, yes, this is it.
Three – Alright…
Two – We start from here and go to… Where exactly are we going?
One – Well, I think this time it’s… Listen, I’m not exactly sure, actually. But we’ll see, right?
Two – After all, we just need to follow the others.
Three – Ah, okay…
One – Are you joining the protest with us?
Three – Yes, well… I hope I didn’t pick the wrong protest.
Two – Is there another protest today?
Three – Ah, I thought you knew. There’s a counter-protest.
One – A counter-protest? Did you know there’s a counter-protest?
Two – No… Oh, this could get tricky then… If the counter-protest route intersects with ours.
One – You think we might cross paths?
Two – Where are they going?
Three – I don’t know.
One – Like us, we don’t know where we’re going anyway…
Two – Yeah, true.
A moment of silence.
One – What did you write on your sign?
Two – I haven’t written anything yet. I’m out of ideas…
They think.
Three – Maybe I could help you?
One – Why not?
All three think.
Three – Sorry to ask, but I want to make sure I’m not mistaken… What are you protesting for exactly?
Two – For what? You mean against what?
Three – Oh, I don’t know, I… I thought it was the others who were protesting against…
One – The others?
Three – The counter-protest…
Two – Oh no, the counter-protest, they’re for.
Three – For?
One – You don’t seem to have much experience with protests, huh?
Three – Uh… No, I have to admit this is my first protest.
One – Well then, let us explain. We’re the protest, and we’re against.
Three – Against? Against what?
Two – It depends, of course. But we’re generally against.
Three – I see…
One – The others, the counter-protest, they’re against the fact that we’re against.
Three – I think I understand this time… I mean, generally… But this time, what specifically are you protesting against?
One – Against what? I can’t remember what we’re protesting against today…
Two – I don’t know… I haven’t written anything on my sign yet… I was waiting to know what the slogan was.
Three – The slogan? I thought you were against slogans, precisely. I mean, against the established order.
The two exchange a glance.
One – You’re a clever one, aren’t you? Are you trying to confuse us?
Two – You’re not a cop, are you?
Three – A cop?
One – An undercover cop, infiltrating us!
Two – Are you here to demoralise us?
Three – Oh no, not at all. I’m not with the police. I mean, I have nothing against the police. But I have nothing for them either.
Two – Okay, fair enough. But what are you doing here, then?
Three – Well, I’ll tell you… I want to get more involved…
One – Alright. In that case, you’re welcome.
Three – Thank you… But I would still like to know what I’m protesting for.
One – We always decide at the last minute, so we don’t risk being co-opted.
Three – And the counter-protest?
One – Apparently, today, they have a bit of a head start on us…
Two – So? Are you with us or against us?
Three – I think I need to think a bit more… I might have gotten carried away too quickly… In the end, I wonder if I’m really ready to commit… Excuse me?
He leaves.
One – Some people, I swear…
Two – When you lack political maturity…
One – Are you sure he wasn’t a cop?
Two – Who knows…
One – Still, it’s strange.
Two – What?
One – There are only two of us.
Two – True, you’re right.
One – Are you sure the protest is today?
Two – I don’t know anymore. That guy completely confused me.
One – Since we don’t have any slogans.
Two – Maybe there was a counter-order.
One – I suggest we come back tomorrow, shall we?
Two – You’re right. Anyway, apparently, the base wasn’t ready for a protest of this magnitude.
One – You know what they say: don’t be right too soon.
Two – I hope we don’t run into the counter-protest, though. We’d look ridiculous…
One – We’d look like two fools, yes.
Two – Do you think so?
They exit.
Black.
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A sketch from the collection Sidewalk Chronicles
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)
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