The Necklace (SCRIPTED)

Scene 7 - 9: Ashamed

Scene 7

Narrator: It was now four o'clock in the morning.
In a deserted little room, there were several men sleeping, including Monsieur Loisel.

(curtains open)

Since midnight Madame Mathilde's husband had been dozing in this room in company with several men whose wives were having a good time.

(Madame enters the room and finds her husband sleeping)

Madame Mathilde:
Loisel, my dear, wake up! It's already four o'clock in the morning.

Monsieur Loisel: (wakes up) Oh, Mathilde!

(He stands up and pauses for a moment and gets something from his bag.)

Here, wear these clothes. We're going home now.

(Puts the clothes on Mathilde's shoulders.)

Madame Mathilde: These clothes? But -----

Monsieur Loisel: Wait a little. You'll catch cold in the open.

I'm going to fetch a cab.

Madame Mathilde: (didn't listen to his husband and exits quickly.
Monsieur Loisel follows her)

Monsieur Loisel: My dear, wait!

(hurriedly walk towards her wife.)

(curtains close)

Narrator:

Because Mathilde was afraid to be noticed by the other women who were putting their costly furs. That's why, she hurriedly went out.

Scene 8

Narrator: When they were out in the street...

(curtains open)

(Monsieur and Madame Loisel enter, walking in the street.)

... they found nothing.

So they walked down towards the Seine, desperate and shivering.

Then ....

At last they found an old, night prowling carriage and went home.

Monsieur Loisel: Get in Mathilde!

(he tried to grab her hands but Mathilde went fast inside the cab)

Mathilde: The next time find me a new coat.

Monsieur Loisel: (didn't respond, he just close his eyes.)

(curtains close)

Scene 9

Narrator:
The carriage brings them to their door, and sadly they walk up their own apartment.
As for Monsieur, he must be at the office at ten.

(curtains open)

(Monsieur and Madame Loisel enter. Monsieur Loisel
took off his coat.)

As Mathilde takes off her garments that were on her shoulders and looked at the mirror.

But...

Madame Mathilde: (cries) Oh!

Monsieur Loisel: (looks at Mathilde)
What's the matter with you, my dear?

Madame Mathilde: (touches her neck) I...I...I've got no longer the necklace,

I mean Madame Forestier's necklace.

Monsieur Loisel: (shocked)
What! Impossible!
(searches at her dress)

Are you sure?
You still had it on when you came away from the ball?

Madame Mathilde: (continue crying)
Oui, I touched it in the hall at the Ministry.

Monsieur Loisel: But if you had lost it in the street, we should hear it fall.

Madame Mathilde:
Yes. Probably we should. Did you take the number of the cab?

Monsieur Loisel: No. You didn't it notice it, did you?

Madame Mathilde: No. (they stare at each other)

(Monsieur Loisel puts his clothes again.)

Monsieur Loisel: I'll go over the ground we walked and see if I can find it.

(Monsieur Loisel exits, while Mathilde sadly covers her face.)

(curtains close)