Man: Man
Woman: Woman
Woman looks around. A small pause.
Woman sighs and then looks at him. Man does nothing.
Woman sighs again, man still does not react.
Woman (takes a handkerchief out of her pocket and throws it in front of him, man does not react.Woman follows something from side to side with her eyes and says:Oh look a nice couple the two, isn't it?
Man Mmmh
Woman You're not looking at all!
Man ( looks up briefly) Mmmh, yes
Do you remember how beautiful it was when we were still so young in love?
Man ( without looking up) Mmmh.
Woman Yes in the past, when I was still a young thing, many men courted me. Even the rich Alexander. Have I ever told you that he once invited me to his house?
Man ( becomes attentive) No, you didn't! Invited? To your home? When?
Woman It was just the other day when you were at the convention.
Man And? Were you there?
Woman No, I wouldn't go there without you. He is now alone again, his wife has divorced him.
Man ( thinking) Have you ever regretted your decision for me?
Woman No, I don't think so!
Man What do you mean, you don't believe? What is that supposed to mean?
Mrs. Sometimes I do, you know, when you stare so absently at your newspaper and seem to forget me completely, it annoys me.
Man And why don't you say that then?
Woman I have!
Man When?
Woman Now just and 30 years ago already.
Man What did I say?
Woman ( overly clear) Mmmh !
Man ( irritated, suggests a "Mmmh") Uh, and then you put up with that all this time without saying anything?
Woman When you love someone, you have to put up with one thing or another. Don't you have something you have to put up with about me?
Man Well, since we got the cat, you only cuddle him and not me.
Woman Oh, I didn't know that was so important to you. But the cat has such beautiful fur (stares grinning clearly at the bald head of man).
Man Mmmh! (contorts his face)
Woman Do you think we could go back to the way we were?
Man What do you mean, like before? I'm not old yet! Some men my age are just beginning to start a family.
Frau Ja, they get a Russian woman from the catalog who only gets involved with a fat old German out of sheer necessity.
No, I mean, like newly in love. So with helping into the jacket, holding the door open and so.
Man ( considers) Mmmh!
Woman Isn't there anything you would like to have back the way it used to be?
Man If you had again more understanding of my weekly skat round!
Woman (somewhat upset) How now? Where do I have no understanding?
Man When I say goodbye that evening, you make a face, and when I tell you later that Kalle has annoyed me once again, all I hear is (snippily disguised): You don't have to go there.
Woman (considers) Good, agreed. Let's try this: (face beams) More mutual understanding and attention, like in the beginning. But I think it's time now, we have to move on.(Both pack their things and get up awkwardly and rub their bones one back the other knee or something and leave together (hooked)).