DANCE CLASS
MARIE 2 and KARINE still dancing. KARINE seems put out by something.
MARIE 2
Are you still mad?
KARINE
…
MARIE 2
Right. Okay. You are.
KARINE
…
MARIE 2
Want to switch in a minute?
KARINE
…
MARIE 2
Roles I mean, if you want. I can be the man.
KARINE
…
MARIE 2
That way you can practise as the woman.
KARINE
…
MARIE 2
I’m not really the masculine leadership type, nothing decisive or determined about me, so I don’t mind if that’s what you want to do, okay?
KARINE
…
MARIE 2
I’m just saying… whatever you like.
KARINE
…
MARIE 2
Are you enjoying this?
KARINE
…
MARIE 2
Karine?
KARINE
(impatient) What?
MARIE 2
Can’t you see I’m making an effort to be accommodating?
KARINE
Yes.
MARIE 2
So?
KARINE
So it doesn’t always work, Marie. Sometimes things go just too far when you’re spiteful, then you try to be cute as if nothing’s happened.
MARIE 2
It’s not my fault. Oh, you just can’t understand. How could you?
KARINE
What can’t I understand?
MARIE 2
You can’t understand, because life’s been good to you.
KARINE
Right. That’s got to be it.
MARIE 2
You have a great family; John and you have a wonderful child…
KARINE
(on the verge of tears) The school said my son has a spiritual void!
Pause.
MARIE 2
(filled with compassion) A spiritual void? Omigosh, is that something serious?
KARINE
I don’t know, but it’s got me worried sick! He’s always complaining of stomach aches.
MARIE 2
Oh c’mon, Karine, you shouldn’t worry yourself about it… everyone has one of those… spiritual voids…
For no apparent reason, one of the men breaks into noisy sobbing and falls flat on the floor. They all stop dancing. The instructor turns off the music.
SOBBING MAN
I’m sorry… I’m really sorry. Please excuse me. Really, nothing’s wrong, nothing in particular. It has something to do with energy, circulation, fluids; it’s a mystery to me, but it happens from time to time. I’m not sad or anything; it’s just to do with my body, a “physical memory” someone said. It’s like if you’re having a massage and they touch a particular spot… you know, certain places that… and you aren’t expecting it, but you just start crying like crazy. You say, “My God, get over it. It’s just a massage. It’s not like it hurts or anything,” but you can’t stop crying anyway, even if there’s absolutely nothing weighing on your mind, nothing sad anyway. You cry just the same. The first time, I thought, “Here we go. I’m having a rebirth,” and I was actually relieved. I had been longing for it, but in therapy it never happened; still it finally did happen. It must not have been a rebirth because I was no different, not transformed or anything, not lighter, just tired from crying. You’re supposed to know, aren’t you, when you’re having a rebirth?
They all stare at him, speechless.
I’ll think I’ll have a drink of water.
They start dancing again.
In one couple, the BOYFRIEND’s obviously having a lot of trouble.
BOYFRIEND
(just can’t get it) Christ.
Pause.
GIRLFRIEND
…You’re going against the beat… One!… Five! No, you missed it again.
BOYFRIEND
He said not to tell me if I get it wrong. You’re not supposed to say anything.
GIRLFRIEND
Eh?
BOYFRIEND
He said to follow me, even if I get it wrong. Just follow and wait for me to get it right.
GIRLFRIEND
Boy, that’s dumb. If you’re off the beat, I’m gonna tell you, so we can get back on… Five! Nope, that’s not it again.
BOYFRIEND
I’m not the one that’s supposed to change.
GIRLFRIEND
What?
BOYFRIEND
That’s what he said: the man does not adjust to the woman. Boy, do I love salsa!
GIRLFRIEND
Stop being so dumb, Marc-André. Suppose you drown—do you really think I’m gonna drown with you? (He steps on her foot.) Ouch! Watch what you’re doing!
BOYFRIEND
I signalled I was changing direction!
GIRLFRIEND
No you didn’t! You stepped on my foot. That’s not signalling!
BOYFRIEND
I did too signal, but you were talking the whole time. You just don’t pay attention!
GIRLFRIEND
What do you mean you signalled?
BOYFRIEND
On your shoulder blade. Slight pressure on the shoulder blade. You’ve got to tune in to your shoulder blade, Josée.
GIRLFRIEND
Hey, enough of this power trip, okay.
BOYFRIEND
Can you just be quiet for a minute please? There are decisions I have to make.
GIRLFRIEND
Marc-André, cut that out!
BOYFRIEND
You’re the one that got us into this salsa stuff.
GIRLFRIEND
Yeah, well, I’m not so crazy about it after all.
MARIE 2
The world’s face is torn off to be filed away in treaties, paintings and maps. East and West come to mirror one another, each celebrating its share in the other, being both revelation and revealer by turns; painting transcends all mistrust and all invasions. Still, disenchantment reigns in the hearts of men.