3.2
Lights out sirens, are heard. Different sirens are heard over them. Then a distant explosion. Lights come up on Celeste and Monsieur at the table a portable radio between them.
Monsieur: Everything at once. Gil and Steve, then the evangelist, and now this.
Celeste: We should get a TV. And Marie pregnant.
Monsieur: Ah, yes, she will need our help. They yell too much on TV. You would think with pictures they wouldn't need to yell but they do.
Celeste: Listen,
Radio announcer: The explosion at the space centre appears to have occurred in the parking lot for the viewing area. It is not yet clear if this was intentional or some sort of accident. There are injuries, some are reporting deaths, but we have no confirmation. There is no word yet if the launch will be affected. It is scheduled for 6:27, about an hour from now.
Monsieur: Do you think . . .
Celeste: It must be. Cars don't just blow up.
Monsieur: Did they say it was a car?
Celeste: What else is in a parking lot?
Monsieur: I do not understand. Who would? Would you have? For the revolution?
Celeste: I don't know. Maybe. When I was young . . . probably.
Monsieur: But like this? Just anyone?
Celeste: No, it would have to have been against someone, something. To blow up something to do with the state, yes. But not the people.
Monsieur: But always they are people. And somehow one can always connect things. These people what were they?
Celeste: At the launch? Just people . . . tourists, people who wanted to see the launch.
Monsieur: People like our Americain friends.
Celeste: Alors, I didn't even think.
Monsieur: But more, they are not just people. Monsieur Matt, he is a . . . aficionado n'est ce pas? A supporter of space programs?
Celeste: Oui, d'accord . . . merde. Mdala? (Monsieur shrugs)
Police detective (entering): Monsieur Meursault?
Monsieur: Oui, ici.
Police detective: Et Celeste Rimbaud?
Celeste: Oui.
Police detective: Do you know Stephen Diehl?
Celeste (glances to Monsieur who nods): Oui . . . he worked as a waiter here. Is there a problem?
Police detective: With employing Americains without work permits?
Monsieur: That is not why you are here.
Police detective (pauses momentarily): Non. We arrested him earlier today. He was (looks at notes) attempting “to free the girls” at Madame Auraria's?
Monsieur: Vraiment? Trés bon!
Police detective: Do you know Madame Auraria's monsieur?
Monsieur (shrugging and smiling): At my age, I know of such things, like I know that once I could run and jump and I felt no pain—it would be more accurate to say I believe in such things rather than that I know them.
Police detective: I was not implying . . . but why did you cheer when I told you of monsieur Diehl's action?
Monsieur: Because it is an action.
Police detective: Comment?
Celeste: N'importe detective. What are the charges? Why have you come to us?
Police detective: Because he gave you as references. He said a murderer and a revolutionary could vouch for his character. Does he drink a lot, this waiter?
Monsieur: Hardly at all.
Celeste: What is required? (Marie enters)
Marie: Celeste, Monsieur, oh pardon. J'interromps.
Monsieur: Marie, il est bon de te voir. Assis. (he gestures to his table)
Marie: Merci monsieur. (she sits) Have you heard from Steve yet?
Police detective: Ah, do you know the Americain as well? Perhaps he has saved you?
Celeste: Bastard!
Police detective: Watch your tongue. I apologize mademoiselle, it was a joke.
Marie (truly baffled): I don't understand.
Monsieur: And we will not offend you by explaining the bad joke. But yes we have heard of our Steve. He is under arrest, but otherwise well (looking at detective) yes?
Police detective: Yes. He may have some bruises from the scuffle, but nothing serious.
Celeste: He'd better not. Again, what is required of us. You didn't come around just to let us know.
Police detective: Well, do you vouch for him? You can bail him out, too. But without your vouchsafe he's headed for deportation instantly. He may be anyway if he can't prove he's here legitimately.
Monsieur: Of course we vouch for him. I can't go down, Celeste go, please.
Celeste: Who will run the place? With respect, you cannot.
Marie: I can cover for you Celeste. (Monsieur nods)
Celeste: Alright, I suppose we'll need cash.
Monsieur: Thank you Marie. What is the news of Gil?
Marie: He's coming home tonight. I'll go down to the hospital after Celeste gets back.
Celeste: All right monsieur. I will return with our waiter.
Monsieur: Gracias Celeste.
Celeste: Hmmph.
Celeste and detective exit
Interesting comment here: "You would think with pictures they wouldn't need to yell but they do."
ReplyDeleteAnd, I must admit that I always wanted to use "Alors!" in a story.