The Father - Andre Lines

Line flashcards with cue lines on the front for Andre from Florian Zeller's The Father, translated by Christopher Hampton.

Nothing.

ANNE: So? What happened?

What?

ANNE: Dad.

I just did. Nothing happened.

ANNE: Tell me.

Nothing at all. Just you bursting in on me as if something had happened, something… But nothing happened. Nothing at all.

ANNE: Nothing happened?

Nothing.

ANNE: Nothing happened?

So? What does that prove?

ANNE: I’ve just had her on the phone.

Who?

ANNE: She left in tears.

It’s my flat, isn’t it? I mean, this is incredible. I’ve no idea who she is, this woman. I never asked her for anything.

ANNE: You can’t go on behaving like this.

To help me do what? I don’t need her. I don’t need anyone.

ANNE: She’s there to help you.

Me?

ANNE: She told me you called her a little— And I don’t know what else.

Could be. I don’t remember.

ANNE: Yes.

What, just because I called her a little—

ANNE: She was in tears.

Me?

ANNE: No. Because you… Apparently you…

With a curtain rod… What is this nonsense?

ANNE: Yes. With a curtain rod.

This woman is raving mad, Anne. With a curtain rod… Can you see me doing that? I mean… Obviously she has no idea what she’s talking about. Physically? With a… No, best if she does leave, believe me. She’s raving mad. Best if she does leave. Believe me. Especially as…

ANNE: That’s what she told me. She told me you threatened her. Physically.

Mm? Listen… If you must know, I suspect she was…

ANNE: As what?

She was…

ANNE: She was?

(whispering) I didn’t want to tell you, but I suspect she was…

ANNE: She was what?

She was stealing from me.

ANNE: She was what, Dad?

I’m telling you. She stole my watch.

ANNE: Isabelle? Of course not. What are you talking about?

Yes.

ANNE: Your watch?

No, no, no. I already had my suspicions. So I set a trap for her. I left my watch somewhere, out in the open, to see if she’d pinch it.

ANNE: Isn’t it more likely you just lost it?

ANNE: Mm? Somewhere. Can’t remember. All I know is it’s now nowhere to be found. Nowhere to found. I can’t find it, there’s your proof. That girl stole it from me. I know it. So yes, maybe I called her a… Like you say. It’s possible. Maybe I got a bit annoyed. All right. If you like. But, really, Anne, a curtain rod, steady on… Raving mad, I’m telling you.

Anne sits down.
What’s the matter?

ANNE: Where? Where did you leave it?

What about?

ANNE: I don’t know what to do.

That’s what we’re doing, isn’t it?

ANNE: We have to talk, Dad.

I said, I don’t need her! I don’t need her or anyone else! I can manage very well on my own!

ANNE: I mean, seriously. This is the third one you’ve…

You’re not listening to what I’m telling you. That girl stole my watch! My watch, Anne! I’ve had that watch for years. For ever! It’s of sentimental value. It’s… I’m not going to live with a thief

ANNE: She wasn’t easy to find, you know. It’s not that easy. I thought she was really good. A lot of good qualities. She… And now she doesn’t want to work here anymore

What?

ANNE: Have you looked in the kitchen cupboard?

How do you know?

ANNE: In the kitchen cupboard. Behind the microwave. Where you hide your valuables.

How do you know?

ANNE: What?

Mm? Yes. I… I think so.

ANNE: I just know, that’s all. Have you looked there for your watch?

Who’s asking you to?

ANNE: Dad, you have to understand I can’t come very day. It’s…

What are you talking about? You’re just being insulting.

ANNE: It’s the way it is. I can’t leave you on your own.

Have you been in my cupboard?

ANNE: No, it’s not insulting. You have to accept the idea that you need someone. If only to do your shopping. Not to mention… the other stuff. I’m not going to be able to do it any more.

Anne. Tell me the truth. Have you been in my cupboard?

ANNE: What?

Then how do you know that… I mean… that I sometimes… with my valuables… when I… Yes. In short. How do you know?

ANNE: No

Found what?

ANNE: I can’t remember. I must have opened it by accident

Where are you going?

I didn’t touch anything, Dad. Don’t worry. Can you hear me? Dad? I didn’t touch anything. We can’t go on like this. We just can’t. Not like this… It’s impossible… Why can’t you understand?

You found it?

Oh. Yes.

ANNE: Your watch.

Only because I hid it. Luckily. Just in time. Otherwise I’d be here talking to you with no means of knowing what time it was. It’s five o’clock, if you’re interested. Myself, I am interested. Pardon me for breathing. I need to know exactly where I am during the day. I’ve always had this watch, you know. If I were to lose it, I’d never recover.

ANNE: You realize Isabelle had nothing to do with it.

Yes. But why are you… You keep looking at me as if there was something wrong. Everything’s fine, Anne. The world is turning. You’ve always been like that. A worrier. Even when there’s no reason. You’re like your mother. Your mother was like that. Always scared. Always looking for reasons to be scared. But that’s not the way the world works. All right, fine… You’ll tell me there’s also a kind of… That the shadows are closing in. But mostly, no. You see what I’m saying? That’s what you have to understand. Now your sister, she’s always been much more… much less… She doesn’t keep worrying about everything. I mean, she leaves me be. Where is she, by the way?

ANNE: Have you taken your pills?

Move, you mean…

ANNE: I’m going to have to move, Dad.

Right. Why not. Sounds good.

ANNE: Live somewhere else.

Really? Why?

ANNE: I’m going to have to leave Paris.

Is that why you’re so keen on this nurse living with me? Is that the reason, Anne?
Brief Pause

Well, obviously it is. The rats are leaving the ship.

ANNE: We talked about this. Do you remember?

You’re leaving?

Pause

But when? I mean… why?

ANNE: I won’t be here, Dad. You need to understand that.

You?

ANNE: I’ve met somebody.

You mean… a man?

ANNE: Yes.

Really?

ANNE: Yes.

No, it’s just that… since your… What was his name?

ANNE: You needn’t sound so surprised.

That’s right. You have to admit, since Antoine, there hasn’t been a lot of… What’s he do, anyway?

ANNE: Antoine.

What, you? In London? You’re not going to do that, are you, Anne? I mean, come off it… Never stops raining in London!

Pause

Do I know him?

ANNE: He lives in London. I’m going to go and live there.

Are you sure?

ANNE: Yes. You’ve met him.

Oh?

Pause

So, if I understand correctly, you’re leaving me. Is that it? You’re abandoning me…

ANNE: Yes, Dad. Lots of times.

What’s going to become of me?

Pause

Why can’t he come and live in Paris?

ANNE: Dad…

What about your job?

ANNE: He works over there.

I see.

ANNE: I can work from home. I don’t need to be in Paris.

To what?

Pause

To what?

ANNE: You know, it’s important to me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be going. I… I really love him.

Pause

I’ll come back and see you often. At weekends. But I can’t leave you here all on your own. It’s not possible. That’s why. If you refuse to have a carer, I’m going to have to…

You’re going to have to what?

Pause

You’re going to have to what?

ANNE: You have to understand, Dad.