Short play by Sarraute, known for her "theater of language". She does pinpoints the failure of conversation and the social missteps and offers them a place to unfold (a bit like a view in slow motion reveals invisible mishaps). It could have been written by Kafka.

A man interrupts himself: he has just noticed Jean-Pierre is silent. Why? What has he just said to cause what looks like an accusatory silence? Was he too lyrical? Was he shameless in expressing his feelings? He fills in the blank and blames himself; the others mock him but, little by little, they also come to feel the same weight. Jean-Pierre's silence (especially in a radiophonic play) paralyzes everyone.