opening of the play introduces us to an artist's studio where Andrée is painting and interacting with her model and friends, including Loret and Paul Rouss. Their playful banter touches on their personal lives and the precarious nature of relationships, emphasizing Andrée's past marriage and her apprehension toward the institution of marriage itself. As the discussion evolves, it becomes clear that Andrée has a complicated relationship with Pierre Belval, who is expected to arrive soon. The conversation foreshadows the tension surrounding their living situation, which defies societal norms and ultimately leads to gossip and criticism, setting the stage for conflict later in the play. (This is an automatically generated summary.)