Summary

Marc addresses the audience in the opening lines of the play. He explains that one of his oldest friends, Serge, has just purchased a white painting. Marc says that if you “screw up” your eyes, you can see other shades of white in the painting. The scene transforms to the interior of Serge’s apartment. Both men are staring at the painting without speaking. Serge tells Marc that he paid 200,000 francs for it – a price that he feels was a bargain based on the famous artist and what people have paid for his other paintings. Marc is not impressed, and tells his friend that he has just spent a fortune on “shit.” The two argue about Marc’s merit to judge any piece of art.

Serge addresses the audience and describes how hurt he is by Marc’s “vile” reaction to the painting. Marc then addresses...