A Sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
Two women arrive. The second starts smoking or vaping.
Isabel – Sometimes, I swear, I feel like killing him.
Carmen – Who?
Isabel – The boss!
Carmen – Oh, right…
Isabel – You know he gets upset when I tell him I’m taking a smoking break?
Carmen – Maybe he’s concerned about your health.
Isabel – Yeah, right. Who does he think he is? Even slaves on galley ships got to take a break now and then.
Carmen – You think so?
Isabel – Well, we’re not slaves, after all!
Carmen – That’s true. (She offers her a cigarette) Want one?
Isabel – No, thanks, I quit.
Carmen – You quit smoking?
Isabel – Yes… That’s also why I’m a bit on edge, you know?
Carmen – And you still take your smoking break?
Isabel explodes.
Isabel – Oh no, not you too!
Carmen – What? What did I say?
Isabel – Just because I quit smoking doesn’t mean I’m giving up my smoking break!
Carmen – Yeah, no, I didn’t mean that.
Isabel – The smoking break is a hard-won right, damn it!
Carmen – Yeah, yeah, totally. Absolutely. Yeah.
Isabel – Oh, you’re all pissing me off!
She leaves. The other follows her.
Carmen – Wait, we can still talk…
Isabel – If this keeps up, I’ll start smoking again. Is that what you all want?
They exit.
Black.
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A sketch from the collection Nicotine
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)
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