Scene 26

The room is dark. MAX is alone in his room working with his film equipment when POUBELLE comes in.

POUBELLE

Dr. Street?

MAX

Angelique?

POUBELLE

Yes.

MAX

Are you okay?

POUBELLEYes.

MAX

Come here, let me make sure.

POUBELLE

No.

MAX

Are you angry?

POUBELLE

Why did you let the monsieur do that to us?

MAX

I-I don't know.

POUBELLE

He hates us.

MAX

He loves you.

POUBELLE

Why does he hurt us?

MAX

I don't know. He, I think he thinks he is doing the right thing.

POUBELLE

For science?

MAX

For you, for him, for everyone.

POUBELLE

What about you?

MAX

What about me?

POUBELLE

What does he do for you?

MAX

I've never had a home before.

POUBELLE

This is not a home.

MAX

There's never been a place for me before.

POUBELLE

Are you lonely?

MAX

Not now.

Beat.

Are you lonely?

POUBELLE

Yes.

MAX

Even with your sister?

POUBELLE

There are nights when the sounds of my bedsprings wake me. I turn to see if I've woken her but she lies there with her mouth open just un peu. I roll over to stop the sound because—don't you see? The springs only make the noise when I lie on my chest. It is the slow sound as the metal coils and releases, my breath, my chest so tight like when all the ribs were broken. Have you ever felt this way?

MAX

Not anymore.

POUBELLE

Why?

MAX

Because I found you.

MAX comes up to her in the dark. He takes her head in his hands. POUBELLE is scared but lets him. He kisses her forehead. Her body changes as she is touched.

POUBELLE

You have to stop.

MAX

Are you angry?

POUBELLE

You have to stop. You have to let us go. You cannot have me.

MAX pulls away and is visibly hurt.

MAX

I'm sorry.

POUBELLE

I have to go, the monsieur—

MAX holds her face and kisses her lips fully. ANGELIQUE has entered and hidden herself.

MAX

Your lip? Your lip—

She is gone. MAX exits. We see ANGELIQUE come out of the dark where she has just witnessed the kiss.