Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 57

Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 57

thought to catch them later. He never did So back home, sweet smell of the known, he just sat, switched on the TV, and watched the top ten replay from the football games. 10 AM, the house went into a crazy move of every single entities moving in a defined path unknown from the others, a life in itself, an ecosystem supporting the life of the house. The wall were vibrating, some cheers went through the double layer of the windows. It was cricket time. Henri stormed out of his room, and met Justin down the hallway. Hiya, going to the field watching cricket, fancy coming? Why not, let me grab my jacket Not that Henri knew cricket, it was a good time to let the spirit settle and think of something else. Its where he would meet the muse for whose he wrote this music. What was he thinking about? Hey you up there, I told you not to enter my brain. Second warning. As soon as he got excited speaking to the invisible, this thought vanished and went back deep-buried in the cemetery of lost thoughts. This way, Justin lost the track of what he was thinking and turned to his mate: So Henri, thinking of putting your writing in less pensive, more acting mode? What are you speaking about? Some moves, dynamic moves. You have a good set up of the people. Ive seen what you are thinking of in your scale down model, still how are you going to fill the whole space? Only with a board game? True, something I havent checked yet, I was focusing on the speech and the lyrics and missed this point around. Still at one stage, I believe scene III, the actors are going through the audience and start to speak. Well yes, thats a start, but didnt you think of having more contribution from the audience, build on the unexpected reaction from one to the other It is my first play, it is for fun, I can see more and more complexity thinking your way. Its to be prepared, and to grab the audience in an unanimous wave. Will never happen, how many people will be attending it? Perhaps 10, 20, maybe 30. I am keeping that as a gift, I want the surprise of seeing their reaction. And the costume, where are you doing it? And the make-up? On the go, we are in England, there are 7 11 all around, why should it be different through this play The unexpected will bring its doses of silence, it will break the rhythm of the play, and perhaps even worst, the flow of the whole scene. You know that last impressions are the one that count, you cannot gamble on a series of cock-ups. You should enter politics, you would be a great assistant in setting up the scene and the speech during the election time. Did it, not worth. Ok, I am taking numbers here just to give an idea, nothing more. In an audience, you have 50% of the people sharing the same conviction as the person giving the speech, 10% of journalists, and the remaining 40% of opponents or not well yet totally decided where their voting will go. Surprises are much less than the one we will witness on your play. Ok, so tell me, dont have any actors yet, fancy looking at that, and starting to recruit, your help would be invaluable there. And, yes I do see you in the play, just pick up the one you would enjoy and go. I am free to choose any actors Totally, and as soon as they can remember 10 lines and express an emotion Ok, I am coming back home, I do enjoy that. Back home, he plugged on facebook, and put the announcements to the Bristol area, to his friends, to the unknowns people across the streets that might be interested, well interested is a big word. He had no fish to attract the prey, only the pleasure of going on scene, playing 5 acts, and going back to the usual day to day life. He gave a shot at writing an ad on the local website where every events were posted, from the last fishing contest, to music

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🔖 Labels : Un Homme Pressé, Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 57

Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 56

Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 56

losing yourself, a pin in a stack of herbs, rethink yourself, express it, dont try to please was the first thought he shared with his computer. He would think later how to bring it more into a diplomatic way. He knew Justin hated to feel rejected, and would rather fit with the flow. Still, the field he entered required a total dedication. And not complacent move, to stand for it, and to be able to bring it into further lights. They were to work together, writing some inspired thought along only ten pages, it gave the opportunity to go further some thoughts and deepen the line of the plot. 21 Set up The light from the room blinded his eyes several minutes before he could ever read what he wrote. Deeply asleep through his reading, Henri woke up through half the reading. His mind slipped somewhere else. Time to put a frame to the play, or more exactly, put it in frame. It was hanging there in his mind, bending on one side, the other side, he didnt have any clue about it. A quick play, still 5 acts, but what are ten pages for a play. First he had to transcript it on screen, this took him ten minutes. After, he went down to the kitchen and poured himself a nice whisky on the rocks, while the day still hadnt introduce itself, not even the green light of the sun through the horizon, only the light of the stars. Yet, it was the best time for him to write. He was deep asleep since late last night. He woke up early this morning with what he thought was an idea. He would never know. This latter escaped him and didnt come back, no notice. He had to work from scratch. His mind, quite dazzled by the artificial light and this early morning, went to drift on other shores. Still, this was a pleasant time, free and calm, he could surf through the world, vibrate with the emotions, unsettle through other inspirations. At 6.30AM, an idea crossed his mind at the reading of the play on screen. Silence was still the key knight of the morning, key player of the night. How to master silence? Silence is, he believed, the most effective leverage of an efficient acting, where emotions crosses human attitude to express the whole depth of a situation. Silence is key in a song of loud music. He reflected on the play and included several acting silence within the final draft. It had to be discussed with actors, actors who wanted to express on a scene, hence to express vocally. This balance would be hard to achieve, still it was the unlock to get the whole sensation of this unsettlement out, to get his idea over the scene to the seats of the audience. He overheard a door opening, some scratch on the floor, some bumps on the wall. He didnt dare to twist his moving physical conditions onto checking. He stayed there, half lying, half sitting, stared to the computer screen. *** 9AM. When Justin came back alive to what he called home, he crossed the path of Henri on the stairs. Both didnt speak, just nodding. He didnt feel right to introduce the fact of leaving the stack of papers to his flat mate. He thought to leave him time reading. So he moved, and continued to run his personal business as per usual. Business of a morning, coming back from a night out. Well not that exciting, working late, business dinner, and then, and then. Nothing great, everything calm on the surface of the sea. The kitchen was a mess, ball of papers lying on the floor, some daft representations of a building on one side, some drawings standing over the sink, and colors whose paint didnt have time yet to freeze the movement of the scene. He walk-juggled, and found his path to his shell. Coffee, oh my dear coffee. He poured milk and cereals in another bowl, and ate straight, and drank fast his coffee. Some thoughts crossed a mind he usually found peaceful in the morning. He

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🔖 Labels : Un Homme Pressé, Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 56

Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 55

Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 55

me after work around a drink. Mr. Henry I am keeping that in mind, many thanks. SCENE V Xavier and Mr. Henry are meeting in a bar in front of the business. Xavier Hiya, Mister Henry Mr. Henry Please call me Marc, I am no longer one of your customers. So tell me what do you see in this pub? Xavier Youre direct, here I dont know, Ive just arrived ten minutes ago. Have you seen that the clock at the bar has two minutes of advance with the one at the wall? Mr. Henry - No Xavier Look around, Can you see where the light is getting mixed to the light of the bar, yeah there, just at the entrance. Mr. Henry No. Xavier What do you see? Mr. Henry A useful organization of the tables, one waiter, one waitress, four tables, all rectangular, nine chairs and one bench. And well, five customers, including us Xavier Nothing more? Dont you see that one of the customer is crossing his legs, that he has two different socks, one green, one orange? That the girl over there is very nervous and cannot sustain a look anywhere here? Mr. Henry No, but one of the light at the ceiling is broken Xavier- Ok, we are coming from far, Do you want to understand you son? Tell me, twenty years ago, what were you doing? Mr. Henry In a pub like this, next to my university, discussing with friends and classmates and reinventing the world. Xavier And what happened? Mr. Henry I dont know, Work has started to take his load. Ive met my wife, we had a first child. My imagination went out, Ive started to have several ties and a cellphone, and no more desires to throw it all by the window. I must defragment, and you, what do you see else here? Xavier- The top of the lamp at the entry, moving slowly with the breeze given the door is opened, one cellphone that is vibrating, and illuminating the jacket of this person. There, one couple in becoming staring lovingly at each other. Legs are crossing. Eyes and smiles are light and wide. The second pin from the clock never stopping its run, and still this person being so nervous, crossing in and out her legs. And of course, this deficient light at the ceiling. Mr. Henry Ok, I might have forgotten and be too formatted Xavier - Take another glass, we are Friday, take a deep sip, and breath it away. Remember of the first time you were discovering things. Simplicity with no complexity. Marc smells his glass, then takes a sip. He puts back the glass on the table. Silence is empowering him. He lets his mind drifting along the music of the place, a jazz, his feet start to take the rhythm, he is swinging smoothly on his chair. He is more relaxed. His phone rings, He puts it on silence. After a moment, Xavier speaks Xavier See, how easy can life be? Feel that flow. Mr. Henry Well, yes, but a client called me. Xavier Let it go, it can wait Monday morning. Marc is breathing intensely. Justin told him he wrote this draft in literally 3 hours over the couch on a Sunday afternoon. Of course, it wasnt ready for the big screen, too much sensitive part an imbalance between the first scene and the remaining, Still, a certain maturity was lacking in the last three scenes, it looked like emotions took over Justin and he wrote simple but difficult and far from self-explanatory writings. The clock continued to tick, and in the play he read, it took him 10 minutes to be fair. He started to record comments, straight comments coming from the in vivo fire of the reading time. Maybe, Justin was trying to connect with the public via some general feelings he thought of. Maybe was he losing himself in a maelstrom of nonsense? Justin, remember, what was your first feeling about people? Stay open-minded, listen, we are as different as the number of faces in the photography of this crowd. Dont search for it, it s like

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🔖 Labels : Un Homme Pressé, Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 55

Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 54

Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 54

knowing each other before this night. Back to work, Mr. Henry switches on his computer, starts to grasp the feelings of the day. Three hours after, Xavier arrives at the reception. Xavier Hiya, got a pack for Henry Sarah - Mister Henry. Xavier Yeah, him, What times is it? My watch went broke two months ago. Sarah - Twenty to twelve, Mister Xavier- Shit, euh Damn, I am late another time, Sarah Well, yes dont worry, Mr. Henry looks like he has other things on his mind, He is locked in his office since this morning, and didnt go out at all. Surprising, normally work does not take the much stake on him, it must be private. Xavier goes to Mr. Henry s office. This latter is speaking at the phone, a pencil on his other hand that keeps beating on the desk. Xavier- Sir Henry, one postage for you, please sign here. No answers, Mr. Henry mumbles. He opens the package quickly and goes back to his computer. On that, Xavier goes out on a final word. Xavier- Thanks, Tell me you have the face of greatest days Mr. Henry I beg your pardon ?!? Xavier- Nothing, I was just wondering that you werent looking happy. Mr. Henry Yes, private worries Xavier Family? Mr. Henry Yes, my son, he is emancipating more and more. I couldnt remember myself being that uncontrollable. Tell me, how old are you, Mister ? Xavier Twenty-six. Mr. Henry Ah, interesting, tell me, what do you do apart from the daily work? Xavier Well, thats gonna discredit me even more. Mr. Henry You know, with the credit you have, you wouldnt be able to pay for a call. Xavier - Ok, I dont know, the morning I wake up, I am leaving the alarm ringing to enjoy the music and then my phone rings given I am mainly already late. Mr. Henry Come up to the facts, what did you do yesterday evening? Xavier Well, I came back from work, took a shower and enjoyed a deep blunt silence by the door of my flat. I enjoyed a feg and looked to the moon settling herself for her midnight scene. Once I am good and relaxed, I am going for a drink at the pub. Mr. Henry And there ? Xavier In general, either friends are joining me in, or a discussion is starting with people around. Mr. Henry My son came back late this morning. I was taking breakfast, and he was showing insane and exhausted eyes. It is not possible to speak to him, neither to ask him questions. From what I gathered, he met somebody and spent the night across the town. And you, why do you have this exhausted face? Xavier answered disturbed while walking to the door. Xavier Hmm, Please sign here Mr. Henry, Many Thanks Mr. Henry Please answer me, youre afraid of what? Xavier Oh, I dare not to be afraid, still dont know if its the perfect place to speak. So yesterday, I went to a pub as per usual. I went to a night out with a friend. You know, youve been young as well. Mr. Henry Well, I must have forgotten Xavier What? Forgetting the sixties like that? Whenever my parents are telling me what not to do, I always had a smile from that coming to me. Mr. Henry Well, yes, still a generality Xavier Ok, between us, I went to one party, got invited to another one, this way till late this morning, and now I am meant to be working. Mr. Henry What a picture you are giving about youth! Xavier Oh, a picture, Id rather have the soundtrack. The only thing I know is that I am into good at staying focus too long. My eyes are escaping the front. Mr. Henry Too bad, it would give sense to what you have to say Xavier You know, Silence is made of gold and discussions are most of the time staying misunderstood. So here I come, disconnected from reality. Mr. Henry Thanks for your honesty. So, its part out experience, a social learning I shouldnt look to correct. Xavier Have a nice day. If you want, come and join

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🔖 Labels : Un Homme Pressé, Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 54

Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 53

Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 53

Mister, dont you see were in a meeting, couldnt it wait? Normally you are delivering late, and now you are interrupting us! Xavier stays staring at the screen Xavier Very well balanced the colors out of this pie, and this histogram, how beautiful. M. Henry- A pie, Mister, a pie. Your view is of no interest to us, only experts can help us. Xavier Still, looking at it, you should look to the part highlighted as conception, and it is an imbalance to the whole picture. The pie would be savvier and balanced this way. Mister Henry stops the presentation, only the shadows of the people in the room are showing on the white screen. Mr. Henry is staring by the windows. Mr. Henry Mister, leave us alone, your scooter is not well parked and blocking the driving lane. Xavier The exhausted souls outside deserve a break, it is raining, and still it is warm inside their car, they can start to speak to each other. Mr. Henry Mister, most of these cars if you havent seen have only one driver, no passengers. Please leave us alone, your mobile is ringing, another upset customer is waiting for you. Xavier Please sign here. Mr. Henry signs the delivery form Xavier Bye, Sir Xavier goes, Mr. Henry is coming back to his audience. Mr. Henry Eric, this guy was right. Once your analysis done, strengthen the training and recruitment. If required, call for subcontractors. SCENE III Walking by a river, Mr. Henry is walk-running composing a number on his cell. Xavier is sitting by, staring at the surface of the river. This scene is meant to be played in silence, in calm, providing a contrast with the previous scene. Mr. Henry is wandering on the scene, from left to right, from right o left. Xavier sits by the edge of the scene looking to the public. After 5 minutes, Mr. Henry stops walking midway through the audience. His mobile at hand, he says softly Keywords: Quality, Cost, Delay For you I live every day It gives me force to go forward Never looking too much backwards Xavier arrives on the other sides, and continues the poem To passion to the irrational Only comes this misfit daily ball A forgotten Cogito Ergo Sum Letting the stars flying numb Mr. Henry stresses his statement: Meeting in advance Order, preparing the dance The road all straight on this cement The flow is calm, only a dent Xavier, still his head in the sky, goes on They bring back to us desperation Look at it, in search of more deceptions To this life, one wouldnt believe Them, its their way to live The mobile from Mr. Henry rings, he takes it and screams at the phone: And yet the phone rings Sounding walls are moving Politeness is walking far Down here, for money only we dare Xavier puts himself in pause, he picks up a leave that fell down, and delicately throws it to the wind. Passionate as anyone Anyone consuming it with no tomorrow Landscape that comes and goes That we always catch up in a break. Mr. Henry hands up and puts the conclusion And so come other delays Plans derive, agree in a way. Xavier tightens his shoe laces and says: Taking that with no taste Finishing there with nothing best Mr. Henry crosses Xavier on his path. No looks are exchanged. SCENE IV Off voice: We can see Mr. Henry on the front of the scene. Next week is the birthday of his wife. At his desk, Mr. Henry finishes to eat. Once that done, he stands up and goes outside searching a gift for his beloved one. The screen is highlighted with scenes from a shopping street, Ads going up and down. He doesnt pay attention to the other walkers. He stops whenever he sees something interesting. Late this evening, he comes back home, takes dinner, opens a bottle of wine. His son came back home late. This latter went to party and has met Xavier on his road, without

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🔖 Labels : Un Homme Pressé, Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 53

Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 52

Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 52

late Mr. Henry It is the problem These documents you brought me were meant to be signed and sent to our director by this morning. Our president is no longer available, and out of office for one week at least. Youve made us lost a precious week. Xavier stares to the left, to the right, and finally goes out discreetly. He stops at the door. Xavier I am really sorry Mr. Henry Your apologies wont make it for the time lost. Be on time next time. Xavier goes out and sees the receptionist again Xavier What a twisted and harmful person this M. Henry Sarah Hes under a lot of pressure currently. Dont blame him. He is accountable as well for your delays. What were you doing? Your office is just a few blocks away Xavier I reflected some thoughts on the water under the tower bridge Sarah You stop on the way to here? Xavier Yes, if we are meant to be passengers of this life, better to grasp every single smiles on the road, have you never taste the present without thinking of the future? Sarah No, Ive got an agenda, and I am sticking to it. Xavier I see, planning is this fly killer that pastes. The phone at the reception is ringing Sarah -Good Bye, Sir Xavier is on his way out, when M. Henry storms out of his office and walks towards him. Mr. Henry Hey, Mister! Ive got this urgent paper for Mr. Guilbert. It has to arrive before end of today at this address. Here is a tip of twenty Euros. Xavier I am not taking any tips, I twill be done, dont worry. You can trust me, I am often late but I never miss my appointments. Mr. Henry Ok, but dont be late, I am stressing it out: its urgent, please ask Mr. Guilbert to contact me when he gets it. I need to get his approval as soon as I can. Xavier will be done SCENE II The morning after, Mr. Henry sits at his desk, speaking on the phone Mr. Henry Yes, President, you will get the planning in one hour. He hangs up and calls Sarah from his desk phone. Mr. Henry - Sarah, Please prepare a meeting in room Pi III. Must attend: Jean from production, Norbert from Procurement and Logistics, Francois from Quality, and Eric from Design. It is urgent, no apologies will be accepted. If they cant attend, one of their deputy should come. A music from a lift is filling the scene. Two minutes, and Mr. Henry cleans his desk and files, uses his computer, reflects and finally lies back on his chair. His colleagues arrive in the meeting room. The shadows of each individual is lining up on the white screen. Starts the meeting. Part of the screen is getting filled with diagrams, pie and so on. Mr. Henry Gentlemen, many thanks for making it. We are in crisis, we are late on every single planning we first proposed. We need to identify the root causes, and take the necessary corrective actions. The President is expecting our conclusion in one hour. These are the tasks Ive identified as critical. a. Jean, An additional budget has been freed. The production team will be required to work in night shift as well. b. Edouard, The providers of key critical elements are late and are impacting the production line. Get them together and identify the root causes, and bargain a discount deal from all that. c. François, Quality is under what we promise to our clients. In many cases, we have to redo the job for what would normally need only one operation. It has to be correct on the first spell, perform an audit now, and give me an analysis of the reasons. I want your conclusions by today. d. Eric, Design does not deliver, bring us alternatives Ok, now to all of you, here is the new planning you will find on the intranet, and remember, we cannot allow ourselves further delays. Anything to add? Xavier knocks on the door, an envelope in hand. Mr. Henry Come in. Xavier A letter for you M. Henry-

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🔖 Labels : Un Homme Pressé, Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 52

Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 51

Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 51

didnt know that much if that was about winning though. This casino succeeds in making him forget about winning, and emphasize its desire to play. Have you ever seen a roulette? So nice, a deep warming grass like carpet, all velour and charming luxury all around, you really dont want to leave. His play? Well, whatever, take most of now, you will see later all the twist and turn you can bring to it from what happened today. Indeed, he had this sensation. This day was the postcard of life in the moment, simple as it is. How wonderful, Louis Armstrong took him in his strong arm, Henri went so in a deep and welcomed sleep. Happy. How good is to feel no strings attached, just feeling floating through the wind coming from the window. Light, and Fresh. A vegetable taking its source to its prime. Still, in the morning, he missed the time down his flat. You are really on holidays, when at what stage you might feel home sick or at least put in prospective what life is back there. This moment came, right in the morning, before he put the feet down the floor. He thought he should awakened straight from now on, and not let his mind drifting in a undefined shore. An elephant within a porcelain store An elephant, a whale, he couldnt describe himself on his first visit to the place where his play would be on stage. Nothing like expected, and an impulse to the blood of creativity. Balcony that were overlooking the scene. Just skidding around Justin left a stack of paper in front of Henris room. Back home in the midst of lost postages and folders that were waiting for one stare, he went skidding on this track with no further notice. Skidding around This is an adaptation from an earlier play I wrote in a book published in French last year. If you enjoy it, I would kindly ask you to dare to spend 1 to one of my book on Amazon, yes in English. SCENE I On his scooter, Xavier drives carelessly, head in the air. The ambiance is showing on a movie by the back scene white frame. He stops at the middle of a bridge, bending over the river, a smile to his lips. He likes bridges, and mechanically he starts to sing: Under Tower Bridge flows the Thames With all his love, From all he remembers Joy always came after the sorrow Comes the night, bells the ring Days are over, Im living here Hands in hands stay face to face While under The bridge of our arms goes Eternal Stares, on a tormented wave Comes the night, bells the ring Days are over, Im living here Love escapes us like this torrent Love escapes us How life is still And how hope is violent Comes the night, bells the ring Days are over, Im living here Come the days, and go the weeks Neither the time spent Nor love returns Under Tower Bridge flows the Thames Comes the night, Bells the ring Days are over, here we are standing Translation and adaptation from Le pont Mirabeau Apollinaire One person walking by is pushing him inadvertently. Here he goes out of his bubble. He dares a look to his phone and comes back to earth. Xavier- Sh , I am already late The back screen of the scene shows a building. Xavier enters a building through a room left of the scene. His helmet in one hand, he goes to the reception, and leaves a pack onto the reception desk. Xavier Good morning, Speedy Delivery company. One package for M. Henry Sarah Mr. Henry is waiting for you. He asked you to come and see him. First office, top of the stairs and left. A desk is displayed on the screen. The shadow of Xavier is walking over it. Xavier Good morning Sir, you asked to see me? Mr. Henry Good morning Xavier What can I do for you? Mr. Henry A complaint from my side to hear. I have contacted your company many times, the situation didnt change, you are still late. Xavier Ah yes, I am one hour

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🔖 Labels : Un Homme Pressé, Un Homme Pressé – Extrait 51