No Exit

The agreed-upon silence stretches on for a very long time. Inez breaks it by singing a song to herself about execution and beheadings. Estelle, who keeps herself occupied applying makeup, asks Garcin for a mirror. When he doesn’t respond, Inez steps in and offers to help Estelle apply her makeup by being her “mirror” (19). Estelle says she feels as if she stops existing when she can’t see her reflection; the self-image that exists solely in her mind is so vague and fuzzy that it makes her want to sleep.

Inez flirts with Estelle and insists Estelle ignore Garcin as if the two of them are alone. Inez takes over applying Estelle’s makeup and “improves” it by making her lipstick look “crueler” and “diabolical.” Estelle is distraught by her inability to see herself and judge her appearance to her own tastes; she cannot trust that Inez’s tastes are the same as hers. Inez begins to tease her by being a “lark-mirror” and lying to her that she has a pimple on her face. Estelle is afraid and fascinated by what she sees in Inez’s eyes. When the older woman admits she is attracted to Estelle, Estelle makes it clear she wants Garcin to notice her.