The Height of the Storm Page 2
AnneI know.
MadeleineSo, the mushrooms, you can imagine! He kept on going for walks, but nowhere near the river.
AndréBut who, who is it you’re talking about?
MadeleineArmanet.
André frowns, as if the name evokes some confused memory.
AndréAh.
AnneLast night, I came across … You were saying he never stopped writing. But I was surprised to see that towards the end, he was still writing a lot …
MadeleineWell!
AnneRecently … just seeing his handwriting … it’s been … I don’t know …
She breaks off, overcome with emotion.
MadeleineWhat’s the matter?
AnneNothing. It’s …
MadeleineWhat’s the matter with you?
AnneNothing. I said. It’s the onions.
Madeleinecomes over to her daughter and takes her in her arms.
Madeleine Come on, come on …
They stay like that, in each other’s arms, not speaking, as can happen between a mother and a daughter, without quite knowing why, when the subject is painful.
André(not looking at the two women behind him) Yes, he used to live other side of the hill. Armanet, I mean. We knew his wife better. Friend of your mother’s. Some people thought he’d found some poisonous mushrooms. There are plenty of them round here. They can kill you … But then they would have found the body … The path along the river seemed more likely … Except, years later, I bumped into him in Paris in a station. Can you believe it? I’m almost sure it was him. I was staggered. I couldn’t get over it. I went over to him. And I said to him: ‘Armanet? Is that you?’ And then, I saw his face distorted with terror. Terror. Colossal. Gigantic. ‘You must be mistaken …’ That’s what he said to me. Then he ran for it, fast. You think people are dead, but it’s not always the case … You know what I mean? He was with a woman … But I never told anybody. I kept it to myself. Naturally. It’s everyone’s right to take their secrets with them, don’t you agree?
He turns towards the two women and sees that they are in each other’s arms.
What’s the matter with her?
The two women move apart. Everything is as if they’ve heard nothing of the story he’s just told them. Everything’s as if he weren’t there at all.
MadeleineCome on.
AnneYes.
MadeleineAll right?
Anne (to her mother) Yes. Yes. I’m sorry. Forgive me.
AndréWhat’s the matter with her?
Anne smiles broadly to dispel this attack of sadness.
AnneI ought to be braver.
MadeleineNot at all. It’s quite normal. Nothing to worry about.
AnneIt’s all been so sudden.
MadeleineI know. Come on.
AnneYes. Yes. Sorry. Right. I should get back to it. I … You’ll call me if you need me?
MadeleineAll right.
AnneUnless I can help you … You want me to do the onions?
Madeleine(smiling) What, and make yourself cry again? No, no. Off you go. Go and work. I’ll call you when it’s ready.
AnneAll right. See you soon …
She goes out. Madeleine begins to peel the mushrooms.
MadeleineI know you’ve always thought she was hard. But, believe me, things aren’t easy for her at the moment.
Pause.
Élisetells me she’s in the middle of separating from Pierre. I’m not supposed to know.
Pause.
She found out he was seeing another woman. Younger, of course … For several months. So, inevitably … And with everything that’s going on here, it hasn’t been easy for her …
Pause.
Are you hungry?
André doesn’t answer.
It won’t be long.
He goes over to the window and looks into the distance, as at the beginning.
What are you looking at?
Pause. No answer.
Is it because of the storm? We need to check the vegetable garden … The amount that came down last night. I hope there hasn’t been too much damage.
Pause. She suddenly stops what she’s doing, troubled by a thought.
Who’s going to look after it now, the vegetable garden?
Pause.
André? Are you listening to me? The vegetable garden … Who’s going to look after it?
Pause. He turns towards her.
What’s the matter?
AndréI can’t understand why you ask her to come and see us …
MadeleineWho? Anne? I didn’t ask her. She wanted to spend the weekend here.
AndréWhy?
MadeleineWhy do you think? To help you. Not to leave you on your own.
AndréHelp me? Help me do what? I don’t need anything. No, I don’t like it. This business of interfering in other people’s lives. And it’s both of them …
He glances out of the window.
Look, the other one’s out there … Still on the phone …
MadeleineThey mean well …
AndréMean well? You know what Anne just said to me? She’s invited some estate agent to drop by! She made an appointment … And he’s supposed to come tomorrow. Here! D’you realise? The least you can say is they’re not wasting any time. And the excuse is they want to help me!
Pause.
You know what I am, I’m an old plant in an old pot. You can’t uproot me. I’ll manage very well by myself.
MadeleineYou? Manage by yourself? You can’t even make yourself a meal.
AndréI’ll manage.
Madeleine smiles.
What? What’s so funny?
MadeleineNothing. I’m just thinking about you in the kitchen …
AndréI don’t deny it, I’ve never had the knack for all that … for anything concrete.
MadeleineAfter all these years …
AndréYes, I know. I know.
MadeleineI wonder what would have become of you without me.
AndréIt’s true. I can see you now, getting the lunch ready … Over there.
He indicates the kitchen, where indeed Madeleine is.
André Organising our lives … Organising everything … All these years … It’s true. I can see you. So present. So strong … All the same! That’s not a reason for the way they’ve come in to land. Wanting to change everything without consulting me! I mean, d’you realise? An estate agent! What are they trying to do? Sell the house, is that it? On the pretext that to do the shopping you have to get in the car? What about me? What’s to become of me in all this? Where am I supposed to go?
MadeleineYou’ll have to talk to them about it.
AndréNo point. Things are very clear. I am not leaving this house. Out of the question! I shan’t move from here!
Élise comes in.
Élise(referring to her phone call) I’m really sorry, forgive me, I had to take it. (To her father.) Are you all right?
She strokes his face.
What’s the matter? You don’t seem to be in a very good mood …
MadeleineHave you ever seen your father in a good mood?
Élise smiles; without, however, having heard what her mother’s just said.
ÉliseWhat’s the matter, little daddy?
AndréNothing. It’s just …
ÉliseWhat?
AndréNothing. Nothing. Who were you talking to? I saw you through the window. Were you on the phone?
ÉliseYes. I was talking to Paul.
AndréPaul?
ÉliseMy lover.
AndréThe one who runs the driving school?
ÉliseNo, that’s Daniel.
AndréOh?
Madeleine passes in front of them on her way to the front door.
ÉliseIt’s Daniel who works at the driving school. But things are …
André(to Madeleine) Are you going out?
MadeleineI’ll be back.
André(anxiously) Where are you going?
MadeleineTo look for some chives …
AndréNow?
MadeleineYes. In the vegetable garden. I’ll be back. Don’t make that face, I’ll only be a minute …
André seems anxious about the fact she’s leaving. She goes out. He moves towards the door, like a child whose mother is leaving.
ÉliseAnyway, I don’t live with him any more. Daniel.
AndréOh?
ÉliseNo, it started getting impossible.
AndréShe’s gone down to the garden.
ÉliseThings weren’t working between us. I mean …
AndréErm …
ÉliseThings were starting to get contentious and …
AndréShe’ll be back soon. Don’t worry.
ÉliseSorry?
AndréMm?
ÉliseWho are you talking about?
AndréYour mother. She’ll be back soon.
ÉliseDad …
AndréWhat?
Élise reaches out for her father with a tender gesture. As if she were convinced her mother wasn’t coming back and that he’s comforting himself with illusions.
She’s gone out to look for … But she’s coming back. With the chives. From the vegetable garden. She always puts chives in the mushrooms. All three colours. And onions. She mixes them all up. Then she … She has her own recipe. No, no, she’s just stepped into the garden … For … So don’t worry. Yes, for …
ÉliseDad …
AndréWhat?
ÉliseI was talking to you about Paul.
AndréWho?
ÉlisePaul, not Daniel, he was before. I don’t live with him any more.
AndréJust as you like.
He’s only listening to Élise with half an ear, still concerned about Madeleine’s absence.
ÉliseI met a man I really love, his name is Paul.
AndréI see.
ÉliseAnd the good news is, I’m going to be able to introduce him to you! He’s just told me he’s going to come down here!
AndréWho?
ÉlisePaul! He had meetings this weekend, but he finally decided to cancel them.
AndréOh, did he?
ÉliseYes! He wanted to be with me. He cares about me, you see. For once, I think I’ve landed on somebody kind … He doesn’t want to leave me on my own. Considering the situation.
André frowns. For the first time, he seems to be listening to what she’s saying. What situation is she referring to? Élise realises he’s somewhat lost.
The situation, Dad … I’ve explained it to him. He couldn’t come to the funeral on Saturday. He was very sorry. Really. He would have loved to have been there. With us. But he had some very important meetings. Some bit of his contract had to be settled just at that moment. Anyway, he had no choice. But you’ll see him soon. Because he’s coming to see us. That’s good news, isn’t it?
AndréBut …
ÉliseIsn’t it?
Pause. André is trying to understand.
You know, I’m really looking forward to introducing him to you. And he is too, he’s really happy he’s going to meet you. I’ve told him a lot about you. He’s the one who put me in touch with the Blue House.
AndréThe Blue House?
ÉliseYes.
AndréWhat’s that?
Madeleine comes back with the chives.
Ah, there you are!
MadeleineWhere else did you expect me to be?
AndréWhat’s this business about the Blue House?
ÉliseMm?
AndréThis business … What is it?
Élise turns towards Madeleine, a little embarrassed, and not knowing what to say.
MadeleineWhat?
AndréThe Blue House?
Madeleine shrugs her shoulders. She doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
I’m beginning to think you’re hiding something from me. I don’t like that.
MadeleineNo, we’re not! Whatever will you think of next? By the way, I forgot to tell you. In the market, I bumped into someone you used to know.
AndréWho?
MadeleineThis morning. Mrs Scharz? Mrs Schwart? Does that mean anything to you?
AndréMrs who?
MadeleineSchartwz. Or something like that.
AndréNever heard of her.
ÉliseLook, give me the chives, I’ll rinse them …
MadeleineMrs Schwartz or … She came up to me in the street to talk about you. She said you know each other very well … that you’d known each other years ago … She was with her son … They’re staying round here for a few days … She wanted to know how you were …
André But I don’t even know who you’re talking about!
MadeleineI’m talking about your friend …
AndréWhat friend?
MadeleineMrs Schartz?
André shrugs his shoulders.
ÉliseWas that the woman you were talking to just now? In the market? Brown hair?
MadeleineYes.
ÉliseShe was strange. Don’t you think?
MadeleineShe wanted to come and say hello to you …
AndréMe?
MadeleineYes. According to what she told me, you knew each other when you were children. Then, in Paris, you were part of the same little group. That was her expression. ‘The same little group.’ That’s why …
AndréDon’t tell me you suggested she come round …
MadeleineI thought you’d be pleased.
André(appalled) What?
MadeleineI suggested she come for tea.
AndréAre you joking? When?
MadeleineToday.
AndréYou mean she’s going to come here?
MadeleineIs that a problem for you?
André(becoming agitated) But I don’t even know who this woman is. You’re saying a name I don’t recognise … A German name … No. No. I don’t know her. All this has nothing to do with me. All these stories. Nothing, d’you understand? We’re not going to go through all that again!
MadeleineWhat are you talking about?
AndréYou have to cancel it. Did you give her the address?
MadeleineShe knew it. I told you, she spoke about you as if at one time you’d been really close. Mrs Schwartz? I even wondered if you’d … well, you know what I mean.
André(racked with misery) She’s lying. I don’t know who this woman is. Or what she’s looking for …
MadeleineI’m sure when you see her, you’ll recognise her.
AndréNo! No! No!
MadeleineBut why are you getting yourself in this state?
André(agitated) All you have to do is tell her I’m not here. That I’ve left.
MadeleineBut …
AndréTell her she’s come too late. I’m not here. Not to be seen. Sick, whatever you like.
MadeleineIf that’s what you want … I thought you’d be pleased, that’s all.
AndréNo.
MadeleineI mean, if an old friend of mine were to surface, I’d be happy to have a cup of tea with her!
AndréWell, I wouldn’t.
MadeleineFind out what had become of her …
André (vehemently) I said no. Understand?
MadeleineAll right. No need to take that tone.
André takes refuge in a corner of the room. Pause. Uncomfortable atmosphere. Élise takes a step towards him.
ÉliseDad …
AndréWhy do you all have to dredge up my past like this? What are you looking for? I haven’t committed a crime, as far as I know.
MadeleineNo one’s said you had.
AndréWell, then? Leave me in peace! And the other one’s rummaging through my papers …
MadeleineThat’s quite normal. In these circumstances, that’s what people do.
AndréIn what circumstances?
MadeleineMm?
AndréIn what circumstances? What are you talking about?
Élise(gently) You know very well.
Pause. He’s trying to understand. Why is she talking to him as if he were dead?
Anyway, I wonder who could have sent these flowers …
MadeleineWhat’s it matter?
Élise searches through the bouquet.
ÉliseThe card must have fallen out.
MadeleineAnd I did say … No flowers … But no, nobody was listening. It’s always the same.
ÉliseAnyway, they smell nice.
MadeleineHe would have hated this.
AndréWho?
Madeleine(as if he hadn’t spoken) All these flowers … He would have found it ridiculous. And in the street … Did you see? When I was out … All these people coming up and speaking to me …
ÉliseIt’s natural. People admired him a lot.
MadeleineMaybe. But this thing of endlessly talking to me about him. It’s even more irritating than the flowers …
ÉliseAll the same, with this woman, you were saying she …
MadeleineYes, well, she’s different. I don’t know. There was something about her. Don’t you think?
Élise shrugs her shoulders.
Mrs Scwartz … Why did you say you thought she was strange?
Élise Just an impression. But I didn’t speak to her. I was on the phone with Paul. I wasn’t listening to what you were saying to each other.
MadeleineI think she knew him very well.
AndréNo …
MadeleineWhen he was young. At the time of his first successes. I’m looking forward to talking to her about it. It’s quite simple.
AndréNo.
MadeleineTo be able to talk to someone who knew him well.
ÉliseI understand.
André(panicking) But I don’t understand. At all. I don’t understand any of it!
They stop and look at him, as if sizing up his presence for the first time.
(His voice choked.) I’m here.
Hiatus. It almost seems as if they’re about to speak to him. But suddenly, they no longer see him. It’s as if a mirage has cleared. They return to what they were doing.
MadeleineRight, well I’m going to get lunch ready.
ÉliseSure I can’t help you?