Scene III

The door opens again, and Estelle enters with the valet. She looks at Garcin, whose face is hidden by his hands, and thinks that he is someone she knows. Seeing her stare at him, he explains that he is not a torturer, but Estelle never assumed that he was. As the valet turns to leave, he informs the three of them that nobody else will be coming into the room; therefore, Garcin, Inez, and Estelle realize that their fate is to be together.

Estelle surveys the room with its three sofas, one for each of them. She complains that the accommodations are hideous, much like the house of her boring old Aunt Mary; but she says she will try to be as cheerful as possible. Inez and Garcin interrupt her talk to introduce themselves. Inez is immediately attracted to Estelle, thinking she is pretty; she wishes she had flowers to give her as a welcome gift.

Estelle, the third person who is to share the room, enters with the valet. When he is ready to depart, he tells the three of them that there will be no one else assigned to the room. As a result, the three of them realize that they will share their future together. Estelle and Garcin think they have all been thrown together by chance. In contrast, Inez is certain that they have been picked to be together as part of their torture.

Estelle is an attractive person who cares about appearances. She immediately complains about the lack of decoration in the room and worries that the color of her clothes clashes with the color of her sofa. In spite of her pettiness, Inez is attracted to her because of her beauty. She hopes that Estelle can become a replacement for Florence.

Garcin assumes that Estelle will think he is to be her torturer; as a result, he tells her that he is not. She haughtily responds that she never assumed that he was. Their relationship obviously does not get off to a good start.

It is interesting to note that the room is growing warmer. The heat is both literal and figurative. As the temperature in the room climbs, so do the emotions between Garcin, Inez, and Estelle.

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