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Professor Taranne after Arthur Adamov

Dramatis Personae: Professor Taranne Jeanne The Chief Inspector The Underling The Old Secretary The Housekeeper The Journalist The Socialite The First Man The First Policeman The Second Man The Second Policeman The Third Man The Fourth Man

Adaptation by Raoul Ruiz, February 1987

I. INTERIOR. CITY HALL. BREEZEWAY. (The police station. To the left, in front, seated behind a table covered with papers, the Chief Inspector, an elderly man, of strong build. He wears a black jacket and striped trousers. Standing in front of the table, Professor Taranne, very tall. He is about 40 years old. He is also dressed in black and holds glasses in his hand. Nearby, an elderly employee, wearing a simple printed dress, compulsively arranges the papers, opening and closing the desk drawers. Seated astride a chair with his head resting on a file cabinet, an Underling. To the right, the stage is empty). PROFESSOR TARANNE (a little breathless, in a singular manner) -- But, you know my name! I am famous. I enjoy the public's esteem. You should know as well as anyone... or I should say, given your profession, better than anyone. You realize that this accusation is absurd. Why would I do that? The way I have always comported myself should be sufficient proof that I could never make such a gesture. ...Anyway.... show a little good sense, gentlemen. Please! What man would go around naked in this cold? (Laughing) I don't wish to get sick and laid up in bed for weeks. Like all busy workers, I'm stingy with my time. ...I'll demonstrate it for you if you don't get it. - Think about it! Can we rely on the testimony of children? They say everything that comes into their heads. To get attention, to make people care about them, they'll do anything. You have to know children. And I, I know them.

II. EXTERIOR. POND.

PROFESSOR TARANNE - .. Not that I have children for students! (Pompously) I am a professor of senior Faculty, but (turning to the Old Secretary still filing the paperwork) my sister has a little girl, a little girl who desires to be taken seriously. You must listen, listen! I like her a lot... more than that. I would say that I love all children. But to believe what they say! I was walking quietly along the water, and then suddenly I saw them...

III. INTERIOR. POOL. STATION. TARANNE - They were everywhere, they had me completely surrounded. Then others came over me, everywhere at once. All of them came upon me. So I began to run. I don't know why I ran. No doubt because I did not expect to see them there. Obviously, I ran, but that's all ...

IV. INTERIOR. STATION. PROFESSOR TARANNE - Look at me, gentlemen! Do I look like a man who just got dressed in a hurry? And when would I have time to redress myself? CHIEF INSPECTOR - I am sorry, but I have before my eyes a report that doesn't correspond to what you're saying at all. TARANNE - They ran, they called out, all of them together. (Whispering) As if they were giving the word.

V. INTERIOR. RESTAURANT. (POOL IMAGE). CHIEF INSPECTOR - And what were they shouting? TARANNE (in a high voice and pointing the index finger) "You'll see! You'll see!" (returning to a normal voice) But see what? I've done nothing wrong and I can prove it. CHIEF INSPECTOR - We only ask that you try to convince us. TARANNE - I am Professor Taranne, an eminent man. I have been to countless international conferences. Most recently I was invited to one in Belgium where I have celebrated an unprecedented success. All the young people crammed into my course to fight for a piece written by my hand. CHIEF INSPECTOR (rises and puts his hand on Taranne's shoulder) - I have no doubt of your success. But for the moment that's not what matters. (He removes his hand) We need to clarify this business to complete the report. (the Inspector remains standing) TARANNE - The report? What report? But if you file a report you risk causing me a great injustice by compromising my career. CHIEF INSPECTOR - You're not the first person this kind of thing has happened to. (Pauses) You'll be released with a fine, that's all. If you can pay it, this... incident won't have any consequences for you. TARANNE - Of course I can pay you. I have some money. I'll write you a check, nothing could be easier. (Putting his hand in his pocket). Right now, if you want.

VI. INTERIOR. RESTAURANT. CHIEF INSPECTOR (rises and takes the arm of Taranne) - No, not right now. I must ask you only to sign a declaration (places a document on the table) that you acknowledge you were discovered naked by surprise by some children at nightfall. (He rises) You can add that you did not know you were being watched. TARANNE - I knew very well that I was being watched by those probing eyes. The whole world has their eyes fixed on me... Why are you looking at me now? Myself, I don't look at anyone. Even more often, I purse my eyes. Sometimes, I nearly shut them. (Pauses) I had my eyes nearly shut when they came, all of them. CHIEF INSPECTOR - How many were they? TARANNE - I didn't count them. I didn't have the time. Why are you asking me that? I have told you who I have been and that should suffice. I don't believe that you ever heard talk of me. CHIEF INSPECTOR - I regret that I haven't. TARANNE - That's very regrettable indeed. It is always better to know with whom one is dealing.

VII. INTERIOR. CORRIDOR. HOTEL. TARANNE -... Yet again, how can you rely on children's gossip? What is the evidence that the girl who came here to inform you actually witnessed the scene? Other children would have told her about it in their way, and then she transformed it, modified it, without even realizing it. (pauses) Yes, that's what happened.... The rest is easy: simply call the people who know me. I can give you their names... and their titles. They'll testify to my moral character, my renown. (Pause) Let them come here, everyone. Then you'll see! (enter from the right the Journalist, a middle-aged blond women, neither ugly nor pretty, with a haircut like a boy's. She wears a pleated skirt and a short-sleeved blouse).

VIII. INTERIOR. CORRIDOR. (COCKTAIL LOUNGE). JOURNALIST - You haven't seen a very tall, strong man? He always has his glasses in his hands... He told me come here. UNDERLING - Nobody came, miss. Except (indicating Taranne) Mr Professor. (Taranne leaps forward) TARANNE (approaching the Journalist) - I think we have already met, miss. If I remember correctly, you recently published a thesis ... (turning to the Chief Inspector) a quite remarkable thesis. JOURNALIST (while walking casually) ~ You must be mistaken. I am a journalist. (to the Underling) Its getting hot in here. Would you like to take in a little air?

UNDERLING - Sure. (He gets up and moves to open the window, rear stage) TARANNE (to the Journalist) - Allow me to introduce myself... JOURNALIST (turns his back to the Professor and goes over to the Chief Inspector who is in the middle of writing something) Whatever else may be said, men lack imagination. When they attempt to pick up a woman, they always go after a certain part. (the Chief Inspector laughs lightly as he continues to write. She moves over to the window which should be located in the rear of the frame).

IX. INTERIOR. STAIRCASE. (Enter at right the First and the Second Man, very hurriedly, in winter coats. The First Man carries a leather briefcase. Clearly, they are already in the midst of a conversation.)

FIRST MAN (Second) - Well, I told you to be wary of him. TARANNE (approaching the two men, after a hesitation) - I am so pleased to meet you. You should be able to provide me a service. (The two gentlemen stare, speechless, since they take Taranne for a madman) FIRST MAN (very coldly) - I do not know you, sir.

X. EXTERIOR. STREET. (The Second Man makes a hand gesture signifying 'me neither') TARANNE - How can this be? But I have seen you often in my courses! SECOND MAN - We aren't taking any courses. (Laughing) We're past the age of studies. (Urgently, to the First Man) We must change our agenda. (The First Man takes the arm of the second. They scurry). TARANNE (chasing after them) - But gentlemen! You can't possibly not recognize me!

Xbis. INTERIOR. HOTEL. TARANNE -...It's impossible... I am... Professor Taranne. THIRD MAN (quizically, like someone searching his memory) - Taranne? SECOND GENTLEMAN (turning pointedly away from Taranne and taking the arm of the First Man) - In any even, my acquaintance with you is over. TARANNE (meekly) - I beg you, sirs, make an effort, a very small effort. And perhaps, in less than a minute, you will cry (joyfully): 'But it's Taranne!' FOURTH MAN (shrugging his shoulders) - You can see very well that we are busy. (Taranne stands dumbstruck) FIRST MAN (to the second) - It is time to take steps.

XI. INTERIOR. HOTEL. TRANSOM. They take several steps. TARANNE (going over to the Chief Inspector, still seated at his table) - This is unbelievable. Not least because, without speaking of my degrees, my work... I have a face that it isn't possible to forget after it's been seen just once. CHIEF INSPECTOR - Absolutely! TARANNE - It's true that I have taken an international trip in the mean time. CHIEF INSPECTOR - I know. A trip that you've esteemed a very great success. TARANNE - A tremendous success. It seems I must go back soon. (Pause) Abroad, they look much more seriously into the problems that concern me. They grant them an importance that they do not always have here, I should say. (The Chief Inspector does not move, Taranne shyly approaches the two gentlemen. The Underling, who has remained seated in the same pose, seems to be sleeping. The Old Secretary is still fussing with her paperwork.)

XII. EXTERIOR. CITY HALL. JOURNALIST (leaves the window and goes to greet the two Men) - And me who you don't know at all; truly, I apologize. SECOND MAN - How we remember! TARANNE (taking a step toward the two Men) - I have often remarked... FIRST MAN (to the Second Man, turning away from Taranne) - I believe that it's in our best interest to hurry. (they walk) JOURNALIST - This must be the business you were telling me about the other day? FIRST MAN (lauging) - We cant keep anything hidden from you. (Enter a Socialite, an aged woman, dressed conservatively, with a violet hat, accompanied by the Third and Fourth Men, both tall, grey templed, elegantly dressed) SECOND MAN - Who have we here! (tightens his fist) JOURNALIST - It's a small world! FIFTH MAN (turning toward the Socialite and the Fourth Man, in a hushed voice) - It's the tireless journalist. (Laughing) They're everywhere, even in the halls of Academia. (tightens his fist; Taranne notices and approaches)

XIII. INTERIOR. BATHROOM. COCKTAIL LOUNGE. SIXTH MAN (to the Journalist) - I read your latest article. Congratulations. SOCIALITE (serious) - Speaking of the University, I attended a lecture last week that particularly interested me. (Seeing Taranne) Professor, I did not dare hope for such a chance. I was just speaking of you. TARANNE (bashful emotion) - I am pleased, Madam ... SOCIALITE - Allow me, Professor, to introduce you to my friends (Presenting Professor Taranne) Professor Mnard. TARANNE (crushed) - I ... (The Chief Inspector organizes his papers on the table, rises, puts on his coat and leaves to the left. Nobody seems to see him leave.)

XIV. INTERIOR. CITY HALL. FOURTH MAN (in a hushed voice) - Look! That isn't Professor Menard. He resembles him a bit, but Professor Menard is bigger, stronger... THIRD MAN (to the Socialite) - He holds his glasses in his hands like him (laughing) but apart from that... TARANNE (babbling) - I am... Professor Taranne... You most certainly know my work... SOCIALITE -Taranne? (The Third Man and the Fourth make hand gestures indicating: 'We don't either, we don't know his name!' The Underling rises, pushes his chair under the table and exits to the left. No one seems to see him leave.) TARANNE - You astonish me very much. And especially since I know and highly regard Professor Menard... and since, for his part, he has for me the greatest (voice cracking) consideration. (Professor Taranne talks into the void, no one has heard him. The Socialite takes the arms of the Third Man and the Fourth. They take several steps. The Old Secretary, who has finished her work, puts on her coat and exits to the left only no one seems to notice.) JOURNALIST (into space) - I should get going now. (She waves her hand goodbye and leaves to the right) SECOND MAN (placing his hand on the shoulder of the First) - This sham needs to stop right now. Good order is needed. (The leave to the right).

XV. INTERIOR. HOTEL. BED. SOCIALITE (to the Fourth Man) - Shall we go? We can't stay here forever (suddenly very serious) like the guilty ones. (The Socialite and the Third and Fourth Men leave as a group to the right. Professor Taranne takes a step or two after them, but very quickly stops and slumps, defeated, into a chair. Then he suddenly notices the absence of the Chief Inspector and the Old Secretary and leaves precipitously). TARANNES VOICE (from offstage) - Excuse me but I would like to know if you've seen the Chief Inspector or the Old Secretary? This is very irritating... I must sign my confession and I haven't done it. (Terrified) They couldn't have left without one of us see them. I don't understand. (Enter, left, the Housekeeper, wearing a grey blouse. She casually arranges the table and chairs, puts away the files and takes a ring of keys which she hangs on the wall out of frame, to the right of the scene. Then, she leaves). TARANNE - Still no one! How tiresome this is! The housekeeper is gone on her way, as usual. Under these circumstances, she would do better to give her leave, that would be more honest. (Pauses) I would still like to know if I have any word. (Enter, at right, two Policemen with suspicious expressions). TARANNE Who are you? What do you want? There's no one at the station. FIRST POLICEMAN - We're looking for a certain... (He retrieves a document from his pocket) SECOND POLICEMAN - Taranne. TARANNE - You meant to say: Professor Taranne.

FIRST POLICEMAN - According to our records, the profession has been left blank. TARANNE - That's an annoying oversight. But anyway, what is your proof that it's me you're looking for? (The police laugh) I am Professor Taranne. I have a chair at the University (the police approach him). What's going on here? I haven't done wrong to anyone. (Laughing) I have a conscience for myself. SECOND POLICEMAN - We didn't ask for much, but you couldn't keep quiet. FIRST POLICEMAN - The violation you've committed is very commonplace. You'll be released with a contravention. TARANNE - Still I must know what all of this means! FIRST POLICEMAN - Calm down! Who then has never had some contravention?

XVI. INTERIOR. HOTEL. STAIRWAY. TARANNE (as though he's made a heroic decision, after a hesitation) - Ah, that's it... You aren't up to date! But I am coming from the police station. I have signed the necessary paperwork. My case is settled. Whatever else, you'll need to make plain since I am here, free, before you as I am explaining. Your process is very poorly organized, it has to be said. But, in the end, what you do there is your own business. SECOND POLICEMAN - You're mistaken. We're not attached to the district station. It;s on the subject of another offense that we've been ordered to interrogate you. TARANNE - Yet again, explain to me. FIRST POLICEMAN - You are accused of having left behind your papers in the beach changing room. SECOND POLICEMAN - You think everything is permitted. You no longer believe that the cleanliness of these facilities must be respected. TARANNE - You've gone mad. I haven't used any changing room, neither yesterday, nor... the other day, and this is the only time when I have been bathing lately. (Pauses) However, I am accustomed to using a changing room. I hate undressing on the beach where the whole world can see me. And every precaution must be taken if one doesn't want to be the target of indiscriminate gazes, all these precautions wear me out, and in any case cause me to lose time that I'd rather use (laughing) for other things.... more useful. (Approximating via gesture). It's quite a feat to drop your trousers after having very quickly fastened your shirt around your waist, it may fall, you must be very careful. (Pause) It can be said that you can always withdraw behind the cabins, but the sand is never refreshed and it is so filthy.... One hesitates to go to such lengths.

XVII. INTERIOR. STATION. FIRST POLICEMAN (shows Professor Taranne the paperwork he holds in his hand) - Okay. We are only asking you to make the following declaration: 'I swear that I have not used the shower rooms, since... however long, and sign your name. It's not too hard. SECOND POLICEMAN - You could, if this is right and if you wish to, write after 'since however long': 'this was because I did not have any money.' TARANNE - That's true, I didn't have any money on me. This could happen to anyone... to forget his money at the house. Even so, it seems somewhat strange that such a predicament should recur a few days later. But if you think about it, that's a superficial view of the situation. Things always come in waves. It's curious, but the deed is done. Yes, the last time that I went to the beach, I had also forgotten my money. You might tell me that I could have retrieved it, retraced my steps, but that, gentlemen, I could not do and I can never do. Going down a route with the idea that one has already gone down it before, to look over all of the fine details, I don't think I have the strength. (Changing his tone) And anyway, I don't like to walk in general. I can't work while walking. THIRD POLICEMAN (Retrieving a notebook from his pocket) - Do you recognize this? TARANNE - But, that's my notebook! ...

XVIII. EXTERIOR. STREET. TARANNE -... How did you get that? Answer me. You are answerable to me. I have it constantly about me, it never leaves me. I note all the ideas that occur to me during the day, ideas that I develop later ... No, you wont find the full text of one of my lectures. (Laughing)

XIX. EXTERIOR. CANAL. TARANNE (Laughing) - ... All the notebooks in the world wouldn't suffice, my lectures are long, very long. A friend assured me that in no other University have any others so long been given. I am entitled to several hours. Sometimes, I occupy the lectern until nightfall. As I speak, they light the lamps, and through the open doors comes a constant stream of new auditors ... Naturally, I don't like that very much because is causes me to lose my train of thought... but many people have occupations during the day which they cannot escape, no matter how much they want to, they must stay in their place. All the more so since my situation does not suffer from this state of affairs. My lectures are subdivided so that one can very easily follow one part without necessarily having heard the one previous ... It's not that I repeat myself, ...

XX. INTERIOR. HOTEL. BATHROOM. COCKTAIL LOUNGE. TARANNE - ..., goodness no. But at the beginning of each part, I review what I've said previously, and this review, gentlemen, far from being useless, sheds new light on the question I am addressing. FIRST POLICEMAN - There are many pages in your notebook in a writing which doesn't seem to be your own. THIRD POLICEMAN (showing the notebook to Taranne without giving it to him) - Here, for example. TARANNE - No, no. Look. That's mine. Mine! I recognize it very well, a handwriting like mine is so particular.... THIRD POLICEMAN - Then, reread to us what you have written. TARANNE (trying to decipher the page he is being shown) - I would.... you... wines... So it is, I have difficulty deciphering it but that proves nothing. When one is writing very quickly, while walking for example -and I often work while walking- it turns out that one is not able to reread it.

XXI. EXTERIOR. STREET. TWILIGHT. FIRST POLICEMAN - The author of a text should be able to complete what he's taken pains over by rereading in his own text. SECOND POLICEMAN - So they say... TARANNE (terrified) - Then I should attempt to take another's writing? But why? (Laughing) In the interest of what? FIRST POLICEMAN - I don't know. For a little change. TARANNE (extending his hand) I am begging you, give it back to me. FIRST POLICEMAN - A little patience. SECOND POLICEMAN - One question more. Why are the first and last pages of the notebook the only ones written upon? The pages in the middle, they're... TARANNE - The pages in the middle? No, that's not possible. It's been a long time since I been using this notebook... It's a very old notebook that I have used for reviewing, for locating certain notions that I have a need for. I remember.... I wrote throughout it even in the margins; you had to have noticed that.... Everything is covered by me; by me, you understand? SECOND POLICEMAN (giving the the notebook to Taranne) - See for yourself.

FIRST POLICEMAN You haven't used up all of the pages, it's all right there. TARANNE Yes, there is a gap. A gap, in the middle....

XXII. INTERIOR. CORRIDOR. ? SECOND POLICEMAN (laughing) - We told you so. TARANNE - I will explain it to you. It's very simple. Sometimes I open my notebooks in one way, sometimes in another. You understand? Oh! I foresee your objections. You are going to tell me: 'Why then is it always written in the same way? If you begin at each end, you wouldn't be able to to read a single scribble.' Very well... only, I pay attention... (The two policemen exit to the right. Taranne, who has not noticed their departure continues his explanation). Clearly, I should have been able to take heed not to confuse the pages, and... that wouldn't have happened. But I was distracted. Gentlemen, a great many thinkers and researchers are this way. They're all the same everywhere, it's well known. (Laughing) There are a great many anecdotes about this topic. (perceiving suddently that he is alone, he exits quickly to the left). TARANNE'S VOICE - Wait! I haven't signed my declaration. You haven't given me a pen and I haven't got one with me... Upstairs, I left it upstairs. But I can't go look for it... I don't know why, my key isn't on the ring; and the housekeeper has left, as usual.... Do you hear me? (He shouts) Gentlemen!

HOUSEKEEPER I found it on the desktop when I returned. Someone had attached a note in which was written: return immediately to Mr. Professor Taranne. I dont know anything else.

XXIV. INTERIOR. BRIDAL SHOP. (She exits left. Taranne kneels again over a chart and studies it. Enter, right, Jeanne, a young brunette woman with ordinary features and a similar voice. She shows no surprise and walks around the chart so as not to trample it. She stops at the other side of the chart to the left of the stage.) JEANNE - It's nice here. TARANNE - Jeanne, extraordinary things are happening to me. JEANNE - Extraordinary? Are you sure about that? According to you, everything is always extraordinary. (Laughing) What I brother I have here! TARANNE - Listen to me well: somebody came and gave me this chart... It's the plan of the dining hall on an ocean liner on board of which I have secured a position. Only look, I have not secured a position on board of an ocean liner. JEANNE (getting on her knees and clambering on the chart) - By the looks of this plan, this is one big beautiful dining hall. TARANNE - Yes, it is big. JEANNE - In the travel agencies, I have often admired the photographs of the 'President Welling.' That boat is definitely the fastest and the best appointed of all. TARANNE - That's possible. It's still true that I have not secured a position on board of this cruise ship, not one, and as a consequence...

JEANNE (She seeks a random chance, putting her hand on the chart) - What are you complaining about? Everything has been so hard for you. (Placing her finger on a point on the chart) You see, the cross, here, that's your position. You are at the table of honor, and at the center no less! TARANNE - All this doesn't explain why I should have secured a position on board of an ocean liner. To go where? One doesn't go to Belgium to see the sea, that I do know. JEANNE - In order to be well positioned, they will need to know who you are. TARANNE - Very well... That's not by chance why they have placed me at the table of honor, next to the highest personalities.... But I don't have any intention of traveling so far. I have no reason to do that. I have nothing to look for... nothing to fear. JEANNE (standing up and moving to the far right) - You must have bought a ticket one day when you were tired, after too much work. And since then, you have been less tired and you have forgotten that you bought it. TARANNE (absentmindedly) - Maybe... JEANNE - Yes, it often happens that one does things that one later forgets. Often, I look for my combs and find them in my hair. It's funny, you're a little peeved for a moment and then you laugh. (She laughs, then in a serious tone) I have a letter for you. TARANNE (very rapidly) - From Belgium? JEANNE - I don't know. There is a statue on the stamp and an inscription.

TARANNE - You have the letter? (He goes towards Jeanne, bypassing the chart)

XXV. EXTERIOR. PARK. JEANNE (taking a letter from her pocket) - Over the statue, it's written: (reading) 'Independent Territory'. TARANNE - But there are never such inscriptions on stamps. (Extending his hand) Give me that. JEANNE (Showing the letter to Taranne without giving it to him) - You see, on this side, there's another stamp with a lion. TARANNE - Yes. The royal lion of Belgium. JEANNE - I have been forced to pay a surtax. (Laughing) I have lost all my pocket money. TARANNE - Give me that. (He attempts to take the letter, but Jeanne resists) JEANNE (Offering the letter to Taranne) - As you wish. TARANNE - No. You read it. (Jeanne sits down at the end of the table and opens the envelope. Taranne stays not far from her.)

JEANNE (reading in a neutral tone that she does not waver from until the end of the piece) - "Sir, you show an impatience in your last letter, I must confess, has shocked me.

XXVI. INTERIOR. CITY HALL. CORRIDOR. TARANNE (distracted) - I'm sure of it. I have been clumsy, I vexed about that. JEANNE (reading) - 'I had believed that drawing my wife's state of health to your attention would have been sufficient explanation to you of the reasons for my delay in replying to you.'... TARANNE - Clearly, I should have asked him for news about his wife. But he should put himself in my place. I was speaking to him in my letter about questions that touch my heart directly. One can't so easily move from one subject to the other. (Pauses) Well yes, I forgot his wife. JEANNE (reading) - 'Under these circumstances, it is in every way impossible for me to make any decisions that would necessitate your second term among us.'... TARANNE - He thinks he's irreplaceable. For making such decisions, many others are just as qualified as he is; many other would be happy to do me a favor by making the rounds for me. JEANNE (reading) - 'I must also tell you that during your last trip I discovered with surprise that you had neglected to make known to the committee the precise time of your lecture bringing hardship to your colleagues who were obliged, at the last moment, to change their schedules. TARANNE - But they asked no better! JEANNE (reading) - 'I am also aware that your presentations have been prolonged beyond acceptable limits.'...

TARANNE - If I was required to prolong my lectures, the abundance of materials obliged me to... I could not do otherwise. JEANNE (reading) - "Finally, it was told to me that the attention of your auditors was significantly relaxed, some going so far as to speak aloud, while others left the lecture hall before you had finished" TARANNE - Who has helped bring her such lies? How can she be so gullible? See, it's absurd! If the room was empty while I was giving my lecture, I would have seen, I would have stopped. Instead, I spoke in one manner and without lowering my voice.

XXVII. INTERIOR. HOTEL. ? TARANNE (Lowering his voice) - At any moment I have lost my voice. Sure, it turned out that some students left before the end, but that's because they had a train to catch to travel back home. They had come in from out of town, especially to hear me, and there was only that train. You would have nothing to reproach these students for, nothing. Save for murmurs which, one time, were rising from the back of the room. I know what provoked them. Some students, who had taken seats among the young people around them, called out: 'What brilliance! Such powers of reason!' I don't begrudge these students; they took conscientious notes. It is in any event normal that they should have broken the silence. JEANNE (reading) -All of this would hardly matter if the interests of your lectures were not in question, which is not the case. Your latest expositions seemed to me very uneven.'

XXVIII. INTERIOR. HOTEL. BEDROOM. TARANNE - Unfair! Easy to say! That's how you were always able to get to the point. As if there weren't questions that were more pressing than others because they concerned you personally, those that touched you... (He pokes his breast with his fingers) JEANNE (reading) - 'Some points interested me. But I would have liked to see them expressed more clearly, and I would say with more honesty. The ideas you shared with me remind me a little of those already established by Professor Menard. Not that I have any reservations about these ideas. They seem to me to deserve the greatest attention. But how did you manage to neglect to provide your references and present as the result of personal research the findings of a work that we all know and admire.'

XXIX. INTERIOR. POOL. TARANNE (slumped, so to speak, at the table and babbling) - It's not true... it's not true.... We have had the same ideas at the same moment. These things happen. This isn't the first time. JEANNE (reading) - 'I would not have been able to let go of my impressions of you perhaps if I had not been made aware, from various sources, of letters suggesting to me what must can only be called your insensitivity.' TARANNE (resuming his reverie) - They have written everything to him! I knew that they would do it. I've observed them very well. While I was speaking, they chattered: (mocking in a high pitched voice) 'He stole Professor Menard's glasses! Too bad he's so much smaller than him!' and I know not what other slights. If only they had had the courage to come clean and say to my face the things that they were muttering among themselves, I would have stood up and I would have said: (with an expression of horror) 'Gentlemen...' JEANNE (reading) - 'The result of all this is that I am unable to invite you to our next session. Believe me, sir, that I am sorry to have had to have modified the opinion that I had made of you. Jeanne stands, sets the letter down quietly on the table and prepares to leave. Taranne holds onto the table to avoid falling. TARANNE - Why tell me that now, after all of these years? Why didn't they already tell me? Why didn't they tell me, anything? Now that its seen, now that it strikes the eyes for the first time. (While Taranne speaks, Jeanne moves around the chart with caution and exits softly to the right. After his final line, Taranne turns toward the chart and looks at it intently. Enter, left, the Housekeeper. Without looking at Taranne, she removes certain objects that comprise the decor: table, chaise, etc. and carries them into their stalls. Taranne, who has noticed nothing, takes the chart and proceeds with mechanical steps to the base of

the stage and searches intently for where to hang it. A hook has already been installed. By raising on his tiptoes, he manages to hang the chart on the wall. The chart is a large gray area, uniform, absolutely empty. Taranne, back to the audience, looks at it for a long moment and then very slowly starts to undress. The curtain falls.

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