Hampton Christopher - The Son

I Pierre Has something happened? Pierre is looking behind her, as if hes afraid that at any moment, someone might come out of the bedroom. You turn up with no warning You know very well Anne I tried to call, but you werent answering. Pierre Why? Is there a problem? Anne Is she here? Pierre Mm? Anne Is she here? Pierre Shes putting the baby to bed. Why? Anne I didnt want to disturb you. But you never pick up. And I had to speak to you. Pierre Whats the matter? Anne Its Nicolas. Pierre Oh, yes? Has something happened? Anne Yes. Pierre Oh, yes? Has something happened? Anne Yes.

Hes not well. And Im not well either. Its too difficult. I cant manage it. Pierre You cant manage what? Anne Its just impossible. I I dont know what to do any more.

I this morning, I was summoned to the school, and the headmaster Pierre exhales. She stops dead in the middle of her sentence. Pierre notices.Pierre What? Anne Am I disturbing you? Youre making a face, as if Im disturbing you. Pierre Of course not. Anne Its your son Im talking about! Pierre I know. Anne You ought to be just a little bit concerned Pierre Obviously Im concerned! Why are you saying these things? Anne Because youve got this expression.

As if I was here to annoy you with problems about With my problems. When Im talking to you about Nicolas! Pierre Im sorry. Im just a bit tired. You know what it is, the babys still not sleeping through and Anne (interrupting him) Anyway, he summoned me. The headmaster. To find out what was going on.

And thats when I found out he hadnt been to school for more than three months Pierre What? Anne Im telling you. For three months hes been pretending Every morning. Pierre What are you talking about? Anne Im explaining the situation to you and I Pierre Wait a minute He hasnt been to school for three months? And during all this time, you never noticed anything? Anne No. Pierre How is that possible? Anne He set off every morning with his bag and everything he needed for the day, but he didnt go there. Pierre Are you joking? What was he doing? I mean, all day For three months! Where did he go? Anne I dont know. He hardly ever answers when I ask him a question.

He behaves as if I dont exist. Pierre But why? Anne I dont know. Im worried about him, Pierre. Hes not like he was before. Believe me. I dont know whats happened, but something has.

Hes changed. He And Im wondering if To be absolutely honest with you Im even wondering if Pierre If what? Sofia comes in. Tense moment. Pierre tries to justify Annes presence. Ah, Sofia, I Sofia (hostile) Whats going on? Pierre Anne has come to talk to me about Nicolas. Its just been discovered he hasnt been going to school, and Anne Its not just that, Pierre Hes not well. Sofia Ever since Pierre left you, I expect Pierre Sofia, please. Pause. And the headmaster? What did he say? Anne They want to expel him. Pierre Unbelievable! Have you told Nicolas? Anne Yes. Pierre Unbelievable! Have you told Nicolas? Anne Yes.

But he couldnt care less Pierre Whats going on in his head? Anne You have to speak to him, Pierre. I cant manage it any more. He needs you. You cant abandon him. Pierre Im not abandoning him! Why are you saying that? Anne The other day, I simply asked him to I cant even remember what, something trivial, to clear his plate away or something like that and he looked at me with such with such hatred. I thought he was going to Pierre To what? Anne He frightens me, do you understand? Pause.Pierre Ill go and see him tomorrow.

All right? Ill drop in at the end of the day. Will he be there? Anne Yes. Pierre Ill drop in and see him. Dont worry. Anne Thanks. Anne makes an affectionate gesture to thank him.

Its not even as much as a gesture, just a hint, a sketch, but its enough to make Pierre feel embarrassed in front of Sofia. He was such a sweet child. So wonderful. Do you remember? So sensitive. I dont know whats happened In the distance, the baby starts crying. Sofia hesitates, then leaves the room.Pierre Come on. Dont worry.

Everythingll go back to normal. Anne You think so? Pierre Of course. Anne I dont know. Pierre Yes, it will. Dont worry. Anne No, thats exactly it. Anne No, thats exactly it.

Youre not here any more. Pause. Blackout.