Summary

Yvan arrives at Serge’s apartment, but the painting is nowhere to be found. The two make small talk and Yvan hints at the painting by commenting on Serge’s boring décor. Serge asks Yvan if he has spoken with Marc lately and Yvan lies and says that he has not. When Serge believes that Yvan has not had any outside influence from Marc, he brings out the painting. While Yvan is not overly impressed with the painting, he has a much better reaction than Marc did. Serge tells Yvan how much it cost, and then studies Yvan’s face closely. The two men burst into laughter with no real explanation to each other as to why they are laughing. Serge says that Marc also laughed at the painting, but in a “sardonic” way. Serge confides in Yvan that Marc’s attitude is worrisome and...