The Hour Before

One Ceremony

SOLANGE: We've long since stopped needing the twists and turns and the lies. Let's get right into the transformation. Hurry up! Hurry up! I can't stand the shame and humiliation any longer. Who cares if the world listens to us and smiles and shrugs its shoulders and says I'm crazy and envious!

One Letter

CLAIRE: For once in my life, I did a good job. You've got to admit it. If it weren't for me, if it hadn't been for my anonymous letter, you'd have missed a pretty sight: the lover hand-cuffed and Madame in tears. It's enough to kill her. This morning she could hardly stand up.

One Cup of Tea

CLAIRE: The phenobarbital! Don't make such a face. We must be joyous.

CLAIRE: How many do we need?

SOLANGE: About ten. Put ten pills into her tea.

One Phone Call

“CLAIRE: Monsieur? It's Monsieur! . . . This is Claire, Monsieur. . . . Very well. I'll inform Madame. Madame will be overjoyed to hear that Monsieur is free. . . . Yes, Monsieur. . . . Very well. . . . Good-by, Monsieur.

SOLANGE: Is he out?

CLAIRE: The judge let him out on bail.”

One Taxi

MADAME: What are you talking about? Monsieur phoned?

SOLANGE: We wanted to surprise Madame. Monsieur's out on bail. He's waiting for Madame at the Hong-Kong Bar.

MADAME [rising to her feet]: And you didn't say anything! Go get a taxi! Solange, quick, quick, get me a taxi. And hurry up. Go on, run. [She pushes SOLANGE out of the room.] My furs! Quick, quick! You're both mad. You let me go on talking. You really are mad. Or am I going mad!

MADAME: Did you get a taxi?

SOLANGE: It's here, Madame. It's downstairs, Madame.

MADAME: Let's hurry. So it's understood, you're to go upstairs and to bed. And tomorrow morning we'll just sleep and sleep and sleep. Claire, come and close the door behind me. And you're not to latch it. [Madame exits.]