The Maids

The sound of the doorbell signals that Madame is home. Solange and Claire spring into action, tidying the bed. Solange asks Claire if she is certain that she wants to kill Madame, and Claire affirms that she is. Solange advises Claire to put 10 pills in Madame’s tea. Claire agrees, confirming that she has the pills, and Solange exits. After a moment, Madame enters with a bout of anxious laughter, followed by Solange. Madame comments on the poor quality of the flowers that flood the room, sent as condolences after her lover’s arrest. She was out all night and saw her lover in jail, but only from far away and for a quick moment. Solange tells Madame that Claire is making tea, and Madame says she feels guilty having tea when Monsieur has nothing.

Solange assures Madame that Monsieur will certainly be free in short order as they’ll know right away that he isn’t guilty. Madame replies that even if he is guilty, this ordeal has made her realize how much she loves him. She says that she’ll never abandon him, even if she must follow him to Devil’s Island or Siberia.