The Accidental Masterpiece: The First Scene

SCENE ONE: BONNARD'S STUDIO
( Bonnard is writing a letter to one of his models. He is hunched over at his writing desk with the windows open. There is a soft breeze. Marthe enters.)

MARTHE:  What are writing there?
( Marthe looks over Bonnard's shoulder. Bonnard tries to block her sight from the letter.)

BONNARD: It is nothing...
( He starts to fold it up, but still is looking down away from Marthe.)
Just some business I need to take care of.
( He looks at Marthe with a sly smile, but Marthe isn't pleased. )

MARTHE: Well, what is the letter about?

BONNARD: Oh, it's nothing.
( Bonnard starts to turn back around to his writing desk, but then is stopped by a Marthe's hand.)

MARTHE: What are you not telling me this time?
( Marthe starts to turn bright red, and her cheeks swell up. Bonnard starts to notice.)

BONNARD: It is nothing that needs to be questioned.

MARTHE: This is what always happens though.
( She starts to sigh after a pause.)
You never tell me what goes on with you anymore.

( Bonnard spins around. He is now in an anger of rage. )

BONNARD: I do tell you what goes on. You just choose to never listen.

MARTHE: I do so listen. You just never actually seem interested when ever you tell me about it. You seem always so, soo, soo....
( In sudden outburst)
UNLIVELY.

BONNARD: I am a man of my word. I AM NEVER A PERSON OF BORE, BUT OF ART.

MARTHE: Well, you make it seem so unlively to me all the time. It is though you never want to love me anymore.
( She rips the crumpled letter out of Bonnard's hand. She starts to rip it open. )

BONNARD: MARTHE, you need to calm down. NOW!!!!
( Bonnard starts to get more angry.

MARTHE: Who is this? ...
( after a pause)
This.....
( starts to tear up)
This... Lucienne Dupuy de Frenelle?!?!?!?!
( starts to scream)
WHY DO YOU NOT LOVE ME?

BONNARD: MARTHE, You are the only woman I will ever love. No one will ever be like you, my sweet Marthe.

( While Bonnard is found out of his chair, kneeling on the ground to Marthe, Marthe starts to cry in her arms. The letter is still held onto. )

BONNARD: Honey, let me explain. You don't understand.

MARTHE: I do understand. I don't need you..
( she rips the letter in halves)
or anyone...
( she rips it in fourths)
to tell me ....
( she rips it into eighths)
" I LOVE YOU!!!"

( The papers fall to the ground, surrounding Bonnard as he kneels on the floor before Marthe.)

BONNARD:  MARTHE COME BACK PLEASE.
( he starts to cry, a single tear falls)

MARTHE: I thought I loved, and instead I was in love with a canvas that was plain and boring, that never got one stroke in at all. Bonnard, I envy you. I really do. None of that matters anyhow, because my heart belongs somewhere else. Not to a lost artist anyhow. Good bye my love.

( Marthe exits the studio, leaving Bonnard kneeling and crying in his studio, in a puddle full of lost love, despair and a broken heart. )