The Height of the Storm Read online

  AnneSo he wouldn’t be completely on his own.

  WomanQuite.

  ÉliseAnd that’s why you heard us talking about the Blue House …

  WomanExactly. He moved in there, and really it was … I mean, it’s very well organised. It was perfect. Very pleasant and … he had a little room with a view of the park.

  ÉliseOh? Hear that, Dad, there’s a park.

  WomanHe could go for a walk every day. With the other residents. Or on his own, if he felt like it.

  AnneAnd I saw there was a lake as well, isn’t there?

  WomanYes, there’s a lake. With ducks. In fact, whenever I went to see him, he was always sitting on the same bench, facing the lake, feeding the ducks with little bits of bread. He loved doing that. That’s what they told me over there. Right up to the end, he was feeding the ducks.

  Pause. André goes over to the door through which Madeleine left. He opens it. He stops. Where is she? He turns towards his daughters.

  AnneYou know, we’ve thought a lot about this and if we talk to you about it, it’s because we honestly think it’s the best solution. But we wanted Mrs Armanet to come and talk to you about it herself.

  WomanIt’ll suit you very well, André. Believe me.

  AnneYes, you’ll be very happy there.

  ÉliseAnne is right. Everything’ll be fine …

  AndréBut in the end they fly away.

  ÉliseSorry?

  AndréThe ducks. In the end they do fly away. And then it’s the vultures’ turn. You see them wheeling above your head.

  AnneWhat are you …?

  AndréAnd the vultures feast in broad daylight.

  Anne doesn’t know what to say to this. He moves forward towards the bouquet of flowers, which is still in the middle of the room. He looks for something among the flowers. A card?

  ÉliseWhat are you doing, Dad? What are you looking for?

  AndréSome sense!

  AnneDad …

  AndréWe will break through the darkness with daylight. We will find the door. Because there must be one, mustn’t there? There must be some sense to all this! Isn’t there?

  The Man, in his corner, starts to laugh, still sharpening his knives.

  If not, what is my position? What is my position here? What is my position? My position! What is my position here? My position. Here. What is it? My position … what is it?

  Suddenly, he turns towards his daughters. Full of emotion, as if he were now talking about his wife and indicating the door through which she left.

  Where is she?

  Blackout.

  Three

  The following morning. Élise is with the Man.

  ÉliseAre you still angry with me?

  The Man doesn’t answer.

  Are you still annoyed?

  ManNo, no.

  ÉliseAnyway, I’m really glad you’re here.

  ManAre you?

  ÉliseYes, really. That you were able to meet him. It was important for me that you came out here. That you’re with me.

  ManWhat are you talking about? Everything’s as it should be.

  ÉliseWould you like another coffee?

  The Man shakes his head.

  When do you have to be back in Paris? Noon, is that right? We’ll have to leave in an hour if you don’t want to be late.

  ManFine. But you could always stay …

  ÉliseNo. I want to be with you.

  She smiles at him.

  I’d just like to drop by the cemetery on our way. If that doesn’t inconvenience you.

  ManNo.

  ÉliseJust to drop by. It won’t take much time.

  ManOf course. No problem.

  ÉliseTo be honest, I was a bit scared about how he was going to react.

  ManYour father?

  ÉliseYes. It’s a long time since I’ve seen him, you know. Quite a few weeks … I hadn’t realised things had … I mean … Yesterday, for example, I made the mistake of inviting a family friend for tea. He didn’t even recognise her.

  ManYes, you told me.

  ÉliseIt was so strange. I could see it in his eyes. He was lost … Everything was mixed up in his head … That’s why I was a bit nervous about how he would react to you.

  ManBut in the end, as you saw, everything went well.

  ÉliseYes. Very well. He was charming. Don’t you think? You can’t imagine the kind of man he was … He had a very special kind of strength … Everyone admired him. But basically, he owed most of what he’d achieved to my mother. She was always there. Backing him up … Her going was enough for everything to collapse. I mean, for him to completely lose his bearings …

  ManCome on …

  ÉliseAnd my sister, what did you think of her?

  ManVery nice.

  ÉliseNo, seriously … Tell me …

  The Man smiles.

  You see what I mean?

  The Man nods.

  She’s always been like that. So serious … When I was little, I was jealous of her.

  ManYou?

  ÉliseI had terrible complexes, because I wasn’t as … How can I describe it? I wasn’t like them. I was interested in other things. Less important things, no doubt. She, she wanted to be a writer. That’s what she wanted to do with her life. Write. She was very ambitious. And then, in the end, she did nothing.

  ManWhy not?

  ÉliseI don’t know. Perhaps it was difficult to get past Dad. She’s always had a complicated relationship with him. At the same time, she resented him. But I don’t know what for.

  Anne appears.

  AnneAre you talking about me?

  ÉliseAh, you’re up already?

  AnneWhat were you just saying?

  ÉliseNothing. I was saying … I was explaining to Paul that you were always Dad’s favourite.

  Anne looks daggers at her.

  Why are you looking at me like that? It’s true, isn’t it?

  AnneStop talking nonsense. Is he up?

  ÉliseI don’t know.

  AnneDid you sleep well?

  ManVery. Really … It’s so calm, this house!

  AnneAnybody want a coffee?

  ManNo, thanks.

  ÉliseWe’ve already had breakfast. And, you know, we don’t have much time.

  AnneWhat, are you planning to leave this morning?

  ÉliseYes. Paul has to be in Paris by noon. We’d like to have stayed longer. But …

  ManYes. It’s an important meeting. I’m sorry.

  ÉliseWe thought we’d pass by the cemetery on our way. If you’d like to come with us … Or maybe you’d like us to drive you back to Paris? There’s room in the car …

  AnneWhat about him?

  ÉliseWhat?

  AnneAre you planning to leave him here on his own?

  Pause.

  ÉliseWhy are you speaking to me in that tone?

  AnneWhat tone?

  ÉliseThat reproachful tone … As if I was abandoning him …

  AnneI didn’t say that.

  ÉliseYou suggested it.

  AnneNot at all.

  ÉliseAs if I felt no concern about the situation.

  AnneAnd do you feel any concern?

  Pause.

  ÉliseI don’t understand what you’re … Of course I feel concerned! How can you imagine I’m not?

  Pause. She controls herself.

  I was just saying to Paul that it really unsettled me, seeing him like that yesterday.

  AnneYou speak as if you’ve only just become aware of his condition.

  ÉliseI hadn’t imagined it was so … advanced.

  AnneI have to say it’s a long time since you’ve been to see them.

  Pause.

  ÉliseIn any case, Paul spoke to the woman who runs it on the phone …

  ManYes …

  ÉliseAnd she suggests we go and visit the place next Thursday.

  AnneYes, you told me.

  ÉliseThen why are you asking if I feel concerned?

  Pause.

  I�
��m sure he’ll like the park. Since he’s so fond of walking … Don’t you think?

  Suddenly, André appears.

  Ah, Dad!

  AnneAre you up already? Did you sleep well?

  He doesn’t answer.

  ÉliseCome and sit down … I’ll fix your croissants.

  AndréIs it morning?

  AnneYes.

  AndréWhere’s your mother?

  ÉliseWith strawberry jam, look … Come and sit down. Would you like something, Anne?

  AnneNo, I’ll just have a coffee. Thanks.

  AndréI haven’t seen her this morning. Is she not here?

  AnneNo.

  AndréHas she gone shopping?

  Pause.

  Or is she in her vegetable garden?

  ÉliseYes, I expect so.

  AndréAh.

  He goes over to the window to try to see her.

  She didn’t wake me up this morning. I hate being the last up.

  ÉliseCome on … Come and sit down.

  André suddenly notices the Man.

  You remember Paul?

  AndréAh … Yes. I … So? How’s it going?

  ManWhat?

  AndréThe driving school.

  ManSorry?

  ÉliseNo, Dad, you’re getting confused … Paul doesn’t work in a driving school. He’s an estate agent.

  AndréOh, you … Are you the one? Is he the one? Is he?

  AnneÉlise planned to leave this morning. They would really have liked to stay a bit longer, but Paul has a work meeting, isn’t that right?

  ManExactly. A viewing. It’s Sunday, but it was the only day possible for my clients. I’m very sorry.

  AndréYou’re an estate agent?

  ManYes.

  AndréBut … And my daughter told you to come?

  Man(uncertainly) Yes.

  AnneSo, I was telling you, Élise has to go back, but you’ll see her again on Thursday, isn’t that it?

  ÉliseYes, Thursday. I’ll be back and we’ll spend the day together and … We’ll go for a walk in a park.

  AnneAll right?

  AndréBut …

  AnneYes?

  AndréThis estate agent business …

  AnneWhat?

  AndréI don’t want to sell the house.

  AnneBut nobody’s said anything about selling the house, Dad.

  AndréYesterday, you told me …

  AnneNo, I didn’t, Dad … Stop all that, please don’t.

  AndréBut you told me …

  AnneI never said that.

  AndréI’m sorry, you told me …

  Anne(annoyed) What?

  Brief pause. He no longer knows the answer.

  No one has any intention of selling the house. Why would you sell it?

  Pause.

  ÉliseGood. I’ll go and pack my things.

  AndréYou’ve had breakfast already?

  ÉliseYes, thanks. I … I’ll be back.

  Anne(to Élise) Can I talk to you for a second?

  ÉliseMm? Yes. If you like …

  AnneJust for a second. I’ll be back.

  They leave. Pause.

  ManAnyway, it’s a beautiful house. You won’t have any trouble finding a purchaser if you do decide to sell … I mean … Beautiful proportions and a through light … It has something … Don’t you think?

  He takes a step towards André, who seems to be afraid of him.

  Don’t you agree with me? I’m sure you do. On this subject, at any rate.

  AndréI … I don’t know. Maybe.

  ManYou have no opinion on the matter?

  He takes another step. He looks menacing. André retreats.

  Come on … I’m sure you must have some sort of position on the question.

  AndréNo.

  ManYou don’t agree with me? Is that it? Be honest, just tell me.

  The Man’s mobile rings. His tone changes.

  Oh, will you excuse me? It’s my associate … I absolutely have to take it … It’s about a developing deal, and … Please be kind enough to excuse me.

  He moves aside and goes to a corner of the room. André seems relieved. He looks around him.

  Hello? No, no, I’m still down here …

  Suddenly, Anne returns. The Man puts his hand in front of his mouth in an effort not to be heard.

  (On the phone.) No, no, don’t worry. I have the situation under control.

  AnneI’m sorry, Dad.

  André(to Anne) Where’s your mother? Is she still in the garden? I don’t see her …

  He glances through the window again. He seems worried. The Man might eventually leave so as not to have his conversation in front of them.

  Maybe she’s gone out shopping. Don’t you think? I haven’t seen her this morning, it’s a worry.

  AnneDad …

  AndréWhat? I’m just wondering, that’s all.

  Pause.

  AnneHere … I’m putting your coffee down over here. It’s hot.

  AndréI don’t want coffee.

  AnneBut it’s your breakfast.

  AndréIs it morning?

  AnneYes.

  AndréOh? Right.

  She puts the coffee down. He comes over to sit down and drink it.

  And my croissants?

  AnneThey’re here.

  AndréThank you. With –

  Anne(automatically interrupting him) Strawberry jam, yes.

  She sits down beside him. Pause. He seems happy.

  All right? Are they the way you like them?

  AndréYes.

  AnneGood.

  Pause.

  Dad … I wanted to talk to you …

  AndréYes?

  AnneHow shall I put it? You know … Your editor asked me to put your papers in order … Do you remember? A long time ago, you talked to him about some sort of private diary …

  Pause.

  I found it and read it.

  AndréWhat?

  AnneYour diary. I read it last night.

  Pause.

  I don’t know if it’s all true, but … I wanted to talk to you about it …

  Pause.

  The story about … that … that woman … The German woman …

  The Man comes back into the room to look for something in his jacket pocket, still on the phone.

  ManNo, I told you, he’s completely harmless now! It’s more or less in the bag! We’ll be able to exchange in no time.

  Anne and André watch the Man. What can he be talking about? He disappears again.

  AnneI’d never have believed that … As far as I’m concerned, you’ve always been a model … I mean … You and Mum … A model of love … And … But in the end, it’s always the same story … It’s ugly the way stories all turn out the same. Even yours … Even yours, Dad …

  She seems affected. There’s a clear echo forming in her mind of her discoveries about Pierre.

  AndréWhat?

  AnneWhat’s the story about Georges Dulon?

  AndréYou know, as time goes by, your attitude towards certain things changes. What used to seem important to us suddenly becomes trivial. Like an anecdote. You end up forgetting about it. Soap bubbles. You put it into perspective … You learn how to forgive …

  AnneWhat are you talking about?

  She has a feeling something important is being said between them. Once again the Man interrupts their conversation.

  Man(into the phone) Tell the lawyer to stand by, OK? And tell him the agreement still stands … He’ll get his share. Oh, yes, he’ll get his share.

  AndréWhat’s he talking about?

  Pause. Anne is looking for a way to resume their conversation.

  AnneAnyway, about this private diary … I don’t know what to do about it. You couldn’t publish it, that much I understood. Because of Mum …

  AndréYes.

  AnneYou didn’t want to hurt her.

  AndréWho? Your mother?

  AnneYes. All that I understand. But what about now? I can’t do anything
without your agreement … What would you like me to do? Mm? What would you like me to do?

  AndréLast night … Did you hear that storm?

  AnneLast night? No, I thought it was the night before …

  AndréNo, no, it was last night … I didn’t sleep well and … I had a strange dream … I couldn’t understand what was going on … Everything felt precarious. Uncertain. Crumbling. Like walking across an abyss.

  AnneAn abyss?

  AndréYes. It was … frightening. And then I woke up. Luckily, I woke up … Imagine a dream you never wake up from … It’d be a real nightmare!

  Suddenly, Madeleine appears in the doorway. She has a bag in her hand, as if she’s just been out shopping.

  MadeleineHere I am!

  André gets up.

  AndréAh, there you are! Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you all morning.

  MadeleineI went shopping for lunch … Did you sleep well?

  AndréNo. That’s what I was just explaining …

  MadeleineMust have been because of the storm.

  AndréI’m sure.

  Man(into the phone) I have to go. I’ll keep you posted.

  He hangs up.

  Sorry.

  MadeleineGood morning, Paul.

  ManGood morning.

  MadeleineDid you sleep well?

  ManVery well. Thank you.

  AnneYou know they’re not staying for lunch …

  Madeleine(frowning) How come?

  AnneThey have to go.

  ManYes, I’m very sorry. We …

  MadeleineYou wouldn’t like to leave after lunch?

  ManWe’d have loved to, but I have an important meeting at noon. I really can’t postpone it.

  Madeleine(put out) Oh? What a pity.

  ManI know.

  AnneAll the more for us!

  AndréWhat did you buy?

  MadeleineMushrooms.

  AndréAh … Wonderful. For lunch?

  Madeleine(as if stating the obvious) Yes.