Rhinoceros: Act I, Scene I Summary

Two men, Jean and Berenger, meet at a cafe in an unnamed "small provincial town" (3). Jean is tidily dressed in a suit and tie; Berenger is disheveled and looks like he just woke up. Though they arrive at the same time, Jean chastises Berenger for being late. They had agreed to meet a half hour previously and Jean, knowing Berenger is always late, waited to show up. Berenger asks what Jean is going to drink, and Jean scolds him for drinking this early. Berenger tries to act as if he were not planning on ordering an alcoholic drink, but Jean sees through his lie. Berenger still wears all the signs of a hangover and reeks of alcohol. He is a habitual drunk, and not only on Saturdays; all throughout the week he is always the...