No Exit

Estelle wants Garcin to help her. Garcin says Estelle should ask Inez for help instead. Estelle stands facing Garcin and speaks to him, while Garcin stares back at her silently. Inez stands just behind Estelle, whispering into her ear. Estelle does not acknowledge Inez’s presence and speaks to Garcin as if he is conversing with her when she is in fact speaking with Inez.

Estelle needs Garcin’s help because she “doesn’t want to be left alone” (32). Olga has taken Peter, the last man on earth who has romantic feelings for Estelle, to a cabaret. Estelle does not love Peter but needs his attention. Estelle claims Peter “belonged” to her. Inez tells her that nothing on Earth is hers any longer. Olga is going to take Peter because Estelle isn’t alive and that’s the way of things. Estelle believes neither Garcin nor Inez will love her or call her their “glancing stream” or “crystal girl” like Peter did. She feels as if her sins have permanently stained her. Estelle watches helplessly as Olga tells Peter everything about Estelle and Roger. Peter loses interest because of what she’s done and Estelle no longer has any connection to Earth, like Inez.

The scene breaks when Inez commands Garcin to step away.