Anne
Raymond
Cécile
The PLAY
She was my first love.
A friend of my mothers.
Anne!
Of course I have.
Oh, he...he’s fine.
I was working.
Failed.
I bet my father and Elsa won’t have much fun in bed when her skin’s all peeling off.
Anne, I was joking. They’re happily in love.
Do you think you’ll enjoy kissing him tonight, Anne?
Really? I think I should tell Elsa that my father’s found someone else to sleep with and she’d better come back another time. Is that right?
Elsa I’m sorry. My father had to take Anne home. She was sick.
Congratulations.
Why?
It’s okay.
No.
Please. Please.
We were only kissing.
We were only kissing!
WE WERE ONLY KISSING!
Yes.
Nothing.
No!
I don’t walk up and down my room.
Wow!
Of course I have. Oooooo, what’s his name?
Oh fine. They’re getting married.
It’s true.
I’m serious.
Elsa, it’s you he loves, you know that.
He does. Listen to me.
Cyril. You’re such a worrier. Listen, it’ll be fine.
Trust me. Hmmmm?
Well love does that to you.
Why?
I don’t love him anymore.
It’s your choice.
Oh don’t attach importance to it like that Anne.
Nothing at all.
No, I’m not satisfied with myself. I don’t like myself and I don’t try to. Anne, sometimes you force me to complicate my life. And I almost hate you for it.
Anne stop please. It’s my fault. It’s a mistake. We need you.
I’m sorry.
Forgive me, I beg you.
She’s gone.
Don’t you understand, she’s gone.
What are you doing?
Anne! Wow. As radiant as ever. Did you know
Elsa Mackenbourg?
Anne, my daughter doesn’t need any degree.
She will always have men to look after her.
Hey! what are you doing?
You can tell her...
Cecile!
Cecile, did you sleep well?
I come back with champagne.
Oh, why?
My God, that’s all?
But why, Cyril’s a nice boy.
She may be right. Try to understand.
Cecile. What’s wrong?
You’ve become so thin. You look like a flat chicken. Do you miss that boy? Or maybe, is it your exams?
But still, you’re not well.
Cecile. Do you want to come with me? Cecile, I know the kind of life you have lived with me was perhaps not suitable for your age but it wasn’t for me either. After all, we’ve never been bored or depressed during the last two years. Have we?
There’s no need to be so drastic, just because Anne’s conception of life...hey
is different. Try to understand.
She’s very beautiful.
Did you find that very pleasant to see her in Cyril’s arms?
And I don’t love Elsa.
I know it’s my choice. You know, if I wanted...
I don’t know what came over me. On the way back, I kissed Elsa and just at that moment, Anne arrived. It’s not my fault.
I couldn’t help it.
Don’t worry, we’ll get her back. Everything will be alright.
Cecile
You look so well. Have you missed me?
And Raymond?
Oh. Elsa Mackenbourg. He invited her here?
I do believe we’ve met before.
Anne Larson.
Cecile. Why do you get up so early here? In Paris you slept until midday.
Well? Your exams? Did you pass?
When are the resits?
Raymond! I suggest revision starts tomorrow.
I detest that kind of remark.
Your idea of love Cecile is rather primitive. It’s not a series of sensations independent of each other. It’s much more than that. There are such things as lastng
affection, sweetness, and a sense of loss. But I wouldn’t expect you to understand.
You can tell Elsa that I wasn’t very well and that your father drove me home.
Cecile. I’d like to ask you something.
Your father and I would like to get married.
Cecile, I was a little scared of you.
I thought you might not approve. I’m sorry about last night.
Does it seem ridiculous to you that we’re getting married?
Thankyou.
This is the last time you’re to see each other.
Do you understand?
Don’t be so naive.
Raymond, I’ve decided that Cecile should not see Cyril again.
I found them in the woods.
I hardly think he’s a priority in her life.
And Cecile is a nice girl. That’s why I should be heartbroken if anything should happen. And besides her exams are far too important.
Cecile, I really believe that if you worked, instead of walking up and down your room.
Try a little harder. Don’t complicate your life. It doesn’t suit you to be so pensive and sad.
Cecile. I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you.
Oh Cecile. You don’t think about the future, do you? That’s the privilege of youth.
To what do you attach importance?
You and your father irritate me at times. You haven’t given it a thought have you? You don’t know. Are you satisfied to be like that?
You don’t need anyone. Either you, or your father.
Sorry? It’s too late.
Forgive you? For what? My poor Cecile.