Picasso at the Lapin Agile

Freddy, owner of the Lapin Agile bar, tends to his customer, Gaston, an older regular at the establishment. A young Einstein–initially not recognized since he is not wearing his hair in the tell-tale loose way made famous by his future photos, and because he has entered out of order from the dramatis personae in the play’s program–comes into the bar for a date, scheduled at another establishment. He assures Gaston that the woman will surely arrive at the wrong bar, just as he has.

Freddy's girlfriend, Germaine, arrives and the conversation turns to talk of women. As if summoned by the conversation, Suzanne, a young woman enters. She is looking for the famous painter Picasso, a suave debonair rumored to frequent the bar, with whom she has had an affair. She recounts her initial meeting with Picasso, presents a sketch he gave her, and theorizes about the differences between the sexes. Einstein's mathematical talent is invoked to figure out the bar tab and Freddy’s stockroom order.