(One of the private pool suites at the Palais Namaskar in Marrakesh. The First Student and the New Student sit in swimming trunks by the pool, surrounded by high walls, affording them privacy.)

The New Student

You are already so tanned.

The First Student

I am, aren’t I?

The New Student

I’m still so pale.

The First Student

You have a little sunburn on your earlobes.

The New Student

Hell.

The First Student

I did tell you to be thorough with the sunscreen.

The New Student

Ever read Si le grain ne meurt?

The First Student

The death of the grain?

The New Student

Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit …

The First Student

Dying is for later.

The New Student

Much later, I hope.

The First Student

Let’s postpone it until after this break.

The New Student

Let’s …

The First Student

Shall we have a dip?

(The New Student stands and jumps into the pool.)

(The First Student follows.)

The New Student

Refreshing.

(The First Student floats on his back.)

(The New Student dunks the First Student’s head underwater.)

The First Student

(after resurfacing)

Naughty.

(The First Student grabs the New Student’s head and dunks him. A little skirmish ensues. They dunk each other several times.)

The New Student

Stop it. I need to breathe.

The First Student

Me too.

(A pause.)

The First Student

I’m grateful to your mother.

The New Student

For paying for this?

The First Student

For sending you to the institute.

The New Student

I have to tell you something.

The First Student

What?

The New Student

A secret.

The First Student

I’m getting intrigued.

The New Student

Punishable by death.

The First Student

Death or hell?

The New Student

Death.

(The First Student splashes water in the New Student’s face.)

The New Student

I’m serious.

The First Student

Then you shall be drowned!

(He dunks the New Student’s head and holds him under for a while.)

(The New Student escapes and catches his breath.)

The New Student

What do you think — who is the chairperson of the institute?

The First Student

The director himself?

The New Student

Don’t be naive.

The First Student

(after hesitating for a moment)

Napoleon?

The New Student

Warmer.

The First Student

Don’t tell me …

The New Student

Yes. It’s her.

The First Student

Fuck-a-doodle-doo.

The New Student

Talking about fucking …

The First Student

Let’s.