"I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG" "Not wearing my gift?" "Was it too big?" "No, I'm fine as am." "We could go shopping If you like and buy other things." "If you like." "How was your journey?" "Hate flying." "How long have you been here?" "It's been 10 years." "Came to finish my doctorate." "Met Luc, we got married and got my job." "Such is life!" "Here's our palace!" "There': the kitchen, over there': the living room." "Luc's desk is in the corner." "Don't mind the mess." "That's just how he is." "You'll get to know him." "And my desk is in the living room." "Upstairs are the bedrooms." "Shall show you yours?" "Will it be okay?" "You have your own bathroom." "Have to pick up the girls." "Won't be long." "Can leave you on your own?" "Be right back." "I'm glad you're here." "Have a look around the house if you like." "Sorry." "Didn't know..." "I'm Juliette." "Sorry." "P'tit Lys, open the gate for me." "You can see I'm carrying Emelia." "Will Aunt Juliette stay here?" "Just for a while." "Be nice to her, honey." "She's tired, so don't annoy her." "Hello, Auntie." "Here are my princesses." "This is Clelis." "We call her P'tit Lys." "And this is Miss Emelia." "Give Juliette a smile." " Come no my room." " Don't ?" "irt." "Go in the kitchen." "Take your sister with you." " Had a look around?" " Yes." "There was an old man in the study." "Forgot to tell you." "He's Luc's dad." "Grandpa's lost his mind and his tongue!" "P'tit Lys!" "He had a bad stroke three years ago and can't speak any more." "So, he reads all the time, but he's adorable." "Ever been to Lorraine?" "No, never." "People think it's freezing." "It does freeze." " Not always." " Eat up." "Were you born here?" "Yes, but Dad mo from Poland after the war." "Luc's mother is Russian." "He married a Franco-Brit, we have two Viets." "A real Benetton family!" "Auntie has more of an accent than you." "She spent longer in England." "Where's the water jug?" "Katrina broke it." "I'll get another." "She's the cleaning lady." "Hide your belongings." "She breaks everything." "We called her Katrina after that hurricane." "Lea said you do research work." "Tell her all about it." "Dad's a lexicographer." ""Lexicographer," honey." "We work on an interactive dictionary." "You're not very active!" "After seven years, you're up to letter C!" "Stop it or you'll go to bed now!" "Don't exaggerate." "Why didn't we know you before?" "Because was away on a long trip." "Some more?" " No, thanks." " Don't like it?" "Do, but..." " Where did you go?" " Enough!" "Shut up and eat." "How long will she stay?" "Don't know." "As long as it takes." "A few weeks, a few months." "Do you mind?" "To be honest, do." " She may be your ulnar, but..." " But what?" "You heard P'tit Lys." "So?" "That trip story won't last long." "Well, we'll see." ""We'll see, we'll see!" Don't make me laugh." "Whatsit you tell them?" "The truth?" "Have no idea." "No idea at all." "Leave me alone." "It's our first evening together again." "Do you realize what that means to me?" " We're together." " You hardly know her." "Just because you went to see her recently..." "You were still a teenager..." "Shut up!" "I'll shut up." "But spare a thought for us." "Eat up." " Hurry up or we'll be late." " A: usual." "Excuse me." "What have you done?" "I'll have to change your clothes now, Emelia." "Hurry up, P'tit Lys, or we'll be late." "Bye, Grandpa." "Don't you eat breakfast?" " It depends." " I'm never hungry." "Ever since was little." "It makes Mom mad." "Did you know me then?" " Sure." " When they got mo In Vietnam?" "Yes." "Don't believe you." "Your nose is growing!" "Daddy!" "Morning." "Sleep well?" "Very well, thanks." "Not coming?" "Bye, Auntie." "You have tickets for the canteen." "Know." "Your gym clothes are in your bag." "Try not to lose anything today." " Mom?" " What?" "Isn't Auntie a bit strange?" "Why do you say that?" "Well, she hardly says a word." "You have to give her time to settle in." "Bye, sugar." "Off you go." "Ask if they've found your pink beret." "Okay." "Bye, Mom." "You okay?" " Sure?" " Yes." "The police station ls very nor the university" "We can meet up afterward." "There's a nice cafe opposite." "Okay." "What do the police want?" "Have to report there once every two weeks." "Did anyone go see you over there?" "Mean, didn't people come by?" "Some visitors at the start." "Are you mad at me?" "What for?" "For not coming." " Wrote to you at the ?" "irt." " Really?" "Never received anything." "Then, one evening, Dad saw me." "They both yelled at me." "They told me to stop." "They said you no longer existed." "Was still a kid, you know." " Wanted to tell you..." " What?" "Social Services wanted to contact you, not mo." "Didn't ask for any of this." "Well, it was a good idea." "A very good idea." "You have a nice name. hate mine." ""Fontaine" sounds beautiful." "Love water, fountains, rivers..." "The Orinoco!" "Do you know the Orinoco?" "They get rid of fountains nowadays." "Even in the villages." "Notice that?" "No." "Sorry." "They're transformed..." "They put soil in them." "They plant flowers." "Crappy geraniums!" "Don't people like water?" "Look, won't keep you long." "The law says you have to sign In." "So, sign In." "Got a job?" "Not yet." "I'll look for one." " A place?" " I'm at my sister's." "That's important." "Family's important." "You're lucky." "Solitude isn't good." "Man isn't made to be alone." "Won't tell you my life story." " See you soon." " Do have to sign?" "Yes." "There." "Thank you." "Not him again!" "One of your many lovers?" "Yeah, sure." "It's Bamakale." "Prosper Napoleon Bamakale." "Son of a crown prince." "Doing his first year for the third time." "He's starting to annoy me." "He won't take no for an answer." " Know. had him all last year." " Really?" " Going?" " Yes, I've finished." " Can walk with you?" " Okay." " Finished grading your exam papers?" " Nearly." "Lucky you. haven't even started." "The pile on my desk is soul-destroying." "You better hurry up." "The grades are due on the 18th." "Well, to hell with that!" "Made up your mind about that symposium?" "Don't know yet." "I'll see." "Why are you here?" "We were mooting at the cafe." "It didn't take long." "Michel, Juliette, my sister." "Juliette, Michel, a colleague." "You kept your very pretty sister from me!" "Don't listen to him." "He's a specialist on love letters." "It rubs off on him a little!" "What are you doing on the 26th?" " Why?" " Dinner with Samlr and Kaisha." " Should be okay." "I'll lot you know." " All right." "Get on with your grading." "Let's go shopping." "Is it good?" "Remember Bouchard's in Rouen?" "No." "This place looks similar." "Used to take you after your dance lessons." "Old Ma Stabush." "Yes, fat old Stabush!" "She couldn't even stand on tiptoes." "Remember her mustache." "We were all scared of her, weren't we?" "After classes, we girls would eat cake at Bouchard's." "You always had a cream puff." "Don't remember." "You were eight." "There were old ladies all around us." "Don't know why don't remember." "Why can't remember?" "Please, stop it." "You were only little." "Yes, but it's absurd not to remember." "No, this is my room!" "Show her yours if you like." "Baby sisters aren't always easy!" "Did Mom annoy you, too?" "No, she was okay." "You're lucky!" "Is Mom your real sister?" "Of course." "You're Grandma Lizbeth's daughter?" "This is the dolls' cemetery." "Don't like dolls, so when get given one, bury it." "This is my computer." "Watch DVDs and type homework on it." "Made that for Mother's Day." "Katrina said she didn't break It, but she's a liar." "This is my secret diary." "It': not vary secret, house leave It lying around." "Can read one of my poems?" " No." " Please, Auntie!" "No!" "said no!" "You're lucky." "You have your sister, the family, home" "Most people have nothing when they get out." "They're pariahs, with nowhere to go." "The partner almost always files for divorce." "It was already done." "Saw that in your file." "You did well to take courses in prison." "People always need secretaries." "You up-to-date in computing?" "Yes, think so." "It should be okay, then." "Got you a first appointment with this firm." "Ask for Mr. Dupuis." "He knows." "We'll meet regularly." "If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call." " All right." " All right now?" "I'll be going." "You're not alone and I'm a busy woman." "Nice place your sister has." "Goodbye." " Wu that the welfare of ?" "oor?" " Yes." " Is she nice?" " Yes." "Those snoopers always seem nice." "That's true." "Luc and had that with the adoption." "Endless visits from social workers and psychologist" "One doctor oven made Luc walk In his briefs, his arms outstretched." "Luc nearly attacked him!" "He found all those questions and inquisitions hard-going." " Want some tea?" " Yes." "It took about two years for P'tit Lys, a bit loss for Emelia." "We ?" "ayed In Vietnam for three months the first time." "We fell in love with the place." "We wanted to stay there." "We were lucky to have P'tit Lys in the hotel." "Then, the formalities dragged on a bit." " Ilium?" " Yes, Marie-Paule?" "Shall do the ironing?" "No." "Do the closet doors." "Thanks." "How old was P'tit Lys?" "Two, but she looked half that old." "Did you meet her mother?" "Have her details if she wants to see her." "That's important to us." "We want her to have the choice In the future." "But for Emelia, it wasn't possible." "She'll never know." "Not always a bad thing." "Who couldn't have children?" "Neither of us." "We can both have children." "Didn't want to give birth." "That's because of me." "Because of what did." "Didn't try to understand." "I'm going for a smoke." "That': not my problem." "We pay you to deliver, you deliver!" "Yeah, goodbye!" "Okay, now us." "Won't beat about the bush." "I'm not a charity. need good workers." "The rest isn't my problem." "What's her name again?" "Mrs. Balboukian, right?" "She said you're perfectly at ease with Excel, DTP, etc." "Yes, have a decent level." "And you're half-English?" "Yes." "And speak Spanish." "I'm not interested, but we do s lot of business with the UK." " Raymond': waiting, sir." " Later!" " How long were you In prison?" " Fifteen." "Fifteen years." "Fifteen years?" "That's not what..." "You must've done something real bad." "What did you do?" "Did you kill someone?" "Who did you kill?" "Your husband?" "A lover?" "Another woman?" "Who?" "Said, "Who did you kill?"" "My son." "My six-year-old son." "Get out!" "You hear me?" "Get out of here!" "That's pretty." "Suits you." "Can see you tonight?" " No, I'm tired." " Come on." "No, I'm too tired." "You sure?" "Excuse me." "Go ahead." "Do you want my photo?" "Have we met before?" "Don't think so." "What do you want?" "Wasn't looking at you." "Yeah, sure!" "You were eying me up!" "Want a guy?" "So?" "Was it good?" "No, not at all." "But it doesn't matter." "Sugar, do you want a cake?" "Sit down." "Give her dragon a drink." "You okay, Juliette?" "Auntie, look." "Sometimes the monkeys spit at people." "They shouldn't be locked up for no reason." "Prisons are for bad people, not animals." " Lot': go." " What did do?" "Run along, it's time to go." "Don't be ridiculous." "Do you think was asleep all this time until the good fairy Lea woke me up?" "You'd rather look straight ahead." "Auxerre 3, Sochaux 2." "Lens and Lille drew 2 all." "Monaco 2, Bordeaux 1." "St. Etienne 3, Marseille 0." "PSG lost at home to Nancy 3-1." "Up your ass, PSG!" "Up your ass, PSG!" "What are you doing?" "Can't you see?" "Peeling potatoes." "Very funny." "Michel must be so mad!" "3-1!" "Are the girls asleep?" "Yes, they were exhausted from running around all day." "And your sister?" "What about her?" "Is she asleep?" "No, but..." "Did you..." "Did you talk?" "Sure, we talk." " Did you ask her?" " What?" "Why..." "Why she did it." "Are you out of your mind?" "What do you say, then?" "We have sisterly conversations." "None of your business." " Are you messing with me?" " No." " What do you say?" " What am to say?" "What am to say?" "It takes time, it isn't easy." "My pronto killed my sister In my mind Do you understand?" "She walks back into my life." "Suddenly, all that went before... don't want to talk about it!" "Your father fully agrees with me." "Don't you, Paul?" "No way!" "He's A.." "Nancy Lorraine's biggest fan!" "Tell them these are the last." "Mind the plate. glued it." " Katrina?" " Yes." "Off to bed!" "He's so dishonest!" "Last ones." "Michel, it's scandalous." "You've lived in Lorraine for years and your team's 75% Brazilian!" " 15$?" " 15!" "There are only two Brazilians in PSG!" "Keep your glass." "Juliette's bored." "No, love soccer." "Even played between 15 and 18." " Really?" " Don't you remember?" "The perfect woman." "Pretty, intelligent and into soccer!" "But I'm not into the fans!" "Take that!" "Please, Samlr" "You're an Iraqi surgeon paid by Al-Qaeda to massacre patients in French hospitals!" "The Iraqi says..." "That's enough." " Are you playing on Sunday?" " can't." "No, Sir said he has papers to grade." "You haven't come for three weeks." "I've had 200 papers welting on my desk for three weeks." "Come on, it's ready." "You always play together?" "We try to." "Sometimes there':" "10 of us, sometime: 40." "Imagine that!" " Come and watch us." " Why not?" " Do you like Nana]?" " Yes." "Lea said you lived down south for years." "Yes, did." " Whereabouts?" " Carcassonne." "Pretty, isn't it?" "The Black Mountain, Toulouse nearby..." "Are you from Paris?" "Yes, but got sick of Parisians." "Try to avoid the place." "Like it here." "There are Neanderthals like them, but it's okay all the same." "The guys at work made this T-shirt." "Not bad." "It's nice, but it makes me itch." " It does." " Don't be silly." "It's too small, it makes me itch." "Feel obliged to wear it." "Can stay a while?" "In prison, I'd put books by my pillow." "Their presence reassured me." "A sort of rampart against the world." "A world without me." "It got along fine without me." "Sylvie!" "read that so often." "In the week, open cans." "Things like sausage in lentils or beef stew." "Don't care about cooking." "Eat TV dinners." "At weekends, eat fresh vegetables." "My doctor told me to." "Do you agree?" "He': right, you can't out canned food every day." "If you say so." " Am allowed eggs?" " Yes." "But not every day." "Good, because only eat eggs on Sundays." "It reminds me of childhood." "Fried or boiled, in front of the TV." "Sugar?" "Yes, one, please." "Do you watch TV?" "It doesn't interest me." "Thought all inmates watched it." "Don't believe all you hear." "Can have a spoon?" "Force myself." "It's become a sort of punishment." "Punishment?" "Everything they show is so ugly." "A pile of trash they serve up every night." "Every night, the pile gets a bit bigger." "Take that!" "How have you been?" "Look, Mr. Bamakale, we'll check it out." "Computers don't make mistakes." "It happened twice last year." "Both times to me." "The server's down now, so be patient." "Stop writing to me every other day!" "I'm keeping this lady waiting." "You saved my life!" "Weren't you going straight home?" "Wanted to talk to you." "Okay, let's go." "The tests showed he was riddled with cancer." "He died two months later." "When exactly?" "March 4, 1999." "When we found out, wanted to let you know, but Mom and had a huge fight." "She told him and he made me swear wouldn't tell you." "He was crying." "He had tubes everywhere." "He only weighed 92 pounds." "And promised." "I'm sorry." " Did you think of us Inside?" " 'lnside'?" "You have to ?" "op saying that." "It': called prison" "Know what a prison is?" ", your sister, was in prison." "Is she still in Beaufans?" "Mom?" "No." "Had to put her in a home." "Brought her here, in fact." "Four years after Dad died, she started to lose her memory." "Just little things." "But now she doesn't recognize anybody." "When visit, she thinks I'm a nurse or a neighbor sometimes." "Do you ever mention me?" "What did they tell people?" "Old friends knew not to mention you." "And new friends thought was an only child." "They thought or were told?" "They were told." "Parents!" "And you?" "They totally brainwashed me." "Slept with a guy last week." "What?" "Slept with a guy last week." "Who?" "Where?" "Some guy met in a bar." "We went to a hotel." " Just like that?" " Yes, just like that!" "It's hard, Auntie." "Yes, but you have to learn." "Learning is hard." "Come on." "Yes, good." " I'll never got It." " Yes, you will." "Often played with your mom." " My mom?" " Yes." "My mom played piano?" "No way." "She was very good." "We really liked that song." " 'Cause of the fountain?" " Yes." "I've never seen her play." "She want: mo to play the ?" "ute, not the piano." "She'll tell us off." "No, don't worry." "She':" "In the garden." "Lot': ?" "irt again." "Very good." "Play on your own now." "I'm sure you'd make a good secretary." "But in a case like this, it's not up to me." "The hospital director will decide." "See yourself in the job?" "That's a funny question." "If he agrees, nobody mun ever know you were a doctor and certainly not that you..." "You understand." "Don't thank me, it's not for you." "What did you want to do?" "I'd never have studied medicine like you." "Know they dreaded the idea, but there was no chance." "Was more tempted by literature and languages." "They were so relieved when chose that field." "You wanted to be a dancer-veterinarian." "It was hard telling you it wouldn't be easy." "Hello, Mrs. Lea." " You okay, Mr. Lucien?" " Fine." "Who's this?" "My sister, Juliette." "Mr. Lucien, a regular." " Your ulnar?" " Yes." "Hello." "Don't touch!" "No, won't. promise." "He hits on all the women here, young or old." " Does It work?" " You'd be surprised." "You're the rascal!" "When will Mom be back?" "She just went to pick up your sister." "And Auntie?" ""Majestic refereeing!" What a Parisian rag!" "Are they together?" "Eat up." "Doesn't Auntie have a job?" " Why do you ask?" " don't know." "She must have one, house she': not that young" "So, what's her job?" "You're annoying me!" "Can't you see I'm working?" "Working?" "Yeah, sure!" "Give me a kiss." "No kiss!" "Said, no kiss!" "Well, think that':" "It." "I'll no you next weak, okay?" "And I'll call the hospital back." "That job would be ideal for you." "I'll keep you posted." "Read your file." "The records, the minutes of the trial..." "You said nothing during the investigation." "Or in court." "Not even in front of the expert witnesses." "The reports just say," ""Virtually silent,"" "'fragile psyche due to divorce, son': murder..." "Do you think I'm going to open up to you now?" "Leave me alone!" "You haven'!" "come to pick mo up from the club In ages." " Do you miss It?" " Yes, like It." "Put Michel through hell!" "He was exhausted." "Let's see a movie, then eat out." "Okay." " Want to no anything spacial?" " Yes, you!" "Stop it!" "There's a Kurosawa on at the Cameo." "No, those Japanese movies put me to sleep!" "Shop Around the Corner is still on." "We haven't seen that in years." "Won't it be a bit late, especially if we eat out?" "No, it's okay." "Katrina was prepared to stay so late?" "Katrina?" "Who's looking after the girls?" "Asked Juliette." "Her?" "You asked her to look after our girls?" "She killed her kid and you asked her!" "You've gone completely crazy!" "It's called "Pain."" "You scared me." "Hello." "Impressive, huh?" "It's a different world." " Who painted it?" " Emile Friant." "Well-known in his lifetime, now forgotten." "He died in the '30s." "I'll show you another by him, my favorite." "The first time, nearly fell over." "It look:" "like e girl loved when we: 20." "It we: unrequited." "Now get my revenge." "Revenge?" "She's imprisoned in her frame." "Can see her whenever like." "She can't do anything." "Lea's brilliant." "She's one of the best in France, but she's not a killer." "If you don't walk on people, you don't get ahead." "Are you a killer?" "Do look like one?" "Don't know." "We're not close." "No, it's not my thing any more." "Was it?" "What changed?" "Nothing." "Everything." "Life." "Life changes us, don't you think?" "Life..." " So, you're looking for a job?" " Yes." "Applied to be a medical secretary." " You always done that?" " Yes." "Well, no." "It's complicated." "If it's complicated..." "I'll be quiet and ask no questions." "How about a drink?" "We could drink to your health." " Or to the girl In the museum?" " Not hurl" "Honey, you've finished, so, go up to bed and don't wake your sister." "When will Mom be back?" "After her meeting." " Late?" " think so." "If you're good, I'll come give you a kiss." "Come with me, Grandpa." "Have they given you a bank account?" "Yes, but not a checkbook." "They won't until get a job." "Any news from the hospital?" "Nothing." "Don't worry, Luc." "Won't bother you long." "I'll find a solution." "No, but didn't mean..." "Well, ... want a story." "Coming, honey!" "She wants you to read it." ""The old man in front of him smiled."" ""At times, Bajii thought that his host's face"" "'was becoming that of a boy his age or of a girl" ""or an infant."" ""The silvery studded stars were dancing"" ""and the moon was rising, as full as a woman's womb."" "Hello." "Mind meeting here?" "I'm sick of the office." "Not at all." "Like cafes." "It's what missed most in prison." "The atmosphere, the noise, the smoke..." "The conversations." "Is it raining?" "No, was at the pool." "You like swimming?" "Me, too, but not in pools." "Mentioned the Orinoco?" "Yes." "The first time." "It's enormous." "1,500 miles long." "It's never-ending." "It's so powerful." "Lots of rapids and waterfalls." "Sometimes it spreads out in the plains." "Have you been?" "Not yet." "I'm planning to." "We'll see." "What's stopping you?" "It's not easy. have a daughter." "She lives with her mother." "They're both a long way away." "The river's a mystery, you know?" "Expeditions have tried to find its source." "Well, nobody ever really found it." "Sure, they found trickles, but never the real source." "I'm boring you?" "No, not at all." "We think we know everything nowadays, but we don't know the source of a river." "A lot still escapes us." "Put "highly recommended" on your report." "You know, the hospital job." "They asked for my opinion." " Thank you." "Don't mention It" "Whatsit you have?" "Coffee, please." "So, one coffee and another for me." " Can we go now?" " Patience, Your Highness" "Got a sweater?" "It gets cold there." "Be right back." "Miller, you're sleeping" "Your mill is spinning too quick" "Miller, you're sleeping Your mill is spinning too quick" "Will you be okay?" "Got all you need?" "Back tomorrow." "Everyone on the ball!" "Nice!" "It's lovely over there." "We're gonna win!" "Holy cow!" "Jerks!" "Can't you look after them?" "Think we have enough?" "A few more?" "Natalie, can have a sharp knife?" "Want me to cut the cucumber?" "Kids, bedtime!" "You spurn homegrown filmmakers and prefer some jokers from afar." "Who do you think you are?" "You want to impose your taste on others?" "The herd needs enlightened spirits." "Recognize a genius when see one." "And Rohmer is a genius." "Don't like Rohmer." "That's my right, isn't it?" "How can you teach literature and not understand Rohmer?" "That's not what Lea said." "She said she didn't like his films." "I've never heard such nonsense!" "How can you teach Racine?" "What has Racine got to do with it?" "Rohmer is the new Racine." "You're just too dumb to see that." "That'll relax you." "You'll tell us Stallone is Shakespeare!" "Yeah, all you like is soccer!" "Well, Juliette?" "What do you think?" "Juliette says nothing." "Juliette observes us, judges us." "Just who is Juliette?" "Mysterious Juliette." "Ethereal Juliette." "Enough, you're being a pain." "Get some fresh air." "Silence, please!" "May have your attention?" "Propose a game." "Okay, the winner will receive my utter respect." "Who cares?" "And a kiss from Juliette." "You can be such a pain!" "Lat': find out why Le hid her ravishing sister from us so long" "Where was Juliette?" "What was Juliette up to?" "Cut the crap, will you?" "Was she far away?" "Mad at Lea?" " Enough!" " In a Swiss convent?" "You're a boor!" "A bear handler in a circus?" "A Mossad secret agent?" "Amnesiac?" "Tell us, Juliette." "Shut up, Gerard!" "Lat her speak." "For once have rel literary heroine want to hear her." "You go too far." "Want the truth." "Juliette disappears, reappears!" " Go to bod!" " Not till know when she was." "Beautiful Juliette!" "Was in prison for 15 years, for murder." "There you go, Gerard, that's the killer line!" "Bravo, Juliette!" "Serves him right for taunting you." "He's speechless!" "Yeah, she's too good. give up." "I'm sorry." "When he's sober, he's a nice guy." "They all think you were joking." "As for me," "I'm sure you weren't." "Spent 10 years teaching in prison." "Never mention it." "Went there three times a week." "And got out three times a week." "Nothing was the same after." "Saw everything differently." "Other people, the sky," "the passing of time... realized that people in prison were like me." "They could've been me or, them." "It's such a fine line sometimes." " Will you be okay?" " Yes." "Thanks for the lift." "Please don't." "I'm not there yet." "That's only true of Raskolnikov." "You can't extend the notion of redemptive guilt to mankind, and say that every murder contains its own redemption." "But, ma'am." "The novelist always seeks to reconstruct the world." "Dostoyevsky was no different." "This novel's narration is impersonal and incomplete, as he refused to give one world view." "He knows it's multiple, that intentions are multiple as are truths." "It was in the first person." "So?" "Maybe his initial aim was to present a soul to give n intimate yet universal portrait of the murderer" "Nonsense!" "Nonsense!" "What do you know anyway?" "What do you know about murderers?" "What did Dostoyevsky know?" "What did Dostoyevsky know about murder?" "Nothing!" "Nothing at all!" "Masterpieces are just hypotheses!" "Simplistic constructions." "Nothing compared to real life!" "Stop treating books as bibles." "It'll stop you spouting such crap!" "Sorry, don't know what came over me." "Excuse me." " Wanted to no you..." " Not today!" "Mrs. Cuvelle." "Mrs. Gonzalo." "Mrs. Fontaine ls replacing Mrs. Soriani." "See you later." "That's your desk." "You'll transcribe medical reports." "Sometimes you'll relieve your colleagues." "Three weeks' trial." "Then the director will see." "I'll be off." "You'll get a badge later." "Not too fast." "Go on." "So long I've been..." "Mom!" "Come and play!" "Come on!" "Auntie said you were good." "Come on!" "I'll do the right hand, like before." " Lot': go." " Walt a minute." "At the clear fountain" "While was strolling by found the water so nice" "That went in to bathe" "So long I've been loving you will never forget you" "Lousy!" "Bravo, Mom!" "Bravo, Auntie!" "Used to play it lower." "Not bad, huh?" "It's not easy to meet someone." "And don't like to go out." "A cop scares women away." "Might as well be at the social security." "work In an office!" "This is where met my wife." "The setting has changed slightly, but not much." "Where did you meet your husband?" "At college." "A doctor, too?" "Well, after two years' studies, he gave it up." "What did he do after that?" "Do we have to talk about him?" "The last time you saw him was at the trial?" "Yes." "He testified against me." "He didn't look at me once." "With my wife, too, it was at the divorce." "Never since." "She sends the kid by train or by plane." "With a label around her neck, like a parcel." "How's work?" "It feels weird." "To be in a hospital?" "No, it's not that." "It's... was In a lab, amongst ton tube: and microscopes." "No, it's starting again, something starting again." "Don't know, find it hard to explain." "No, you explain it very well." "Don't the others bug you?" "No, they're okay." "Wanted to tell you... think I'm gonna do It." "Remember my project, the Orinoco?" "After all this time, It's beginning to take shape in my mind." "In fact, nothing holds me back." "Nothing." "That's great." "I'm happy for you." "Yeah." " There." " That':" "It." "Why that there?" "That's an X. There, very good." "Why that?" "Find that." "It': a T. Whore will we find It?" "There?" "No." "There?" " You jerk!" " Please ?" "op It." "Told you not to." "You're hopeless!" "It hurts." "Dad, what's going on?" " Where does It hurt?" " My shoulder." "It's a dislocated shoulder." "I'll put it back in place." "It'll hurt a lot, but not long." "That's it." "It's over." "All right?" "Yeah, I'm all right." "But that's incredible!" "You learned that?" " At the Scouts." " Scouts?" "What are they?" "Want to be a Scout, too!" "With the two girls, my research has dwindled." "Go to fewer symposiums, write less." "But love the atmosphere at college." "Get on well with my colleagues." "Michel, for example, he': someone you n count on." "He never got married?" "Yes, but she died In a car accident, think." "About 10 years ago." "We didn't know each other, then." "He's never mentioned it to me." "Found out by chance, from a secretary." "He's rather secretive, in fact." "Look who Mr. Lucien is with." "Amazing!" "When you're a guy, there's always hope!" "You'd forgotten about me." "What's that?" "Said you'd forgotten about mo all those years." "Go on, take one at random." "Open it at any page..." "The first thing did every morning was to write your name and how many days you'd been away." "You might say it only took a few seconds, that it was just letters and numbers." "But thought so much of you in those moments every day." "Like being reunited." "Morning, sir." "No, I'll come right away." "It's a department, you see, a team." "Even though you each have your own work, we expect some form of unity to build up harmony." "We're not machines." "Several colleagues complained about your coldness, your standof?" "ishness, your silence." "It's awkward, very awkward." "So, am fired?" "No. never said that." "But don't forget." "You're on trial." "Make an effort." "That's it, make an effort." "Don't be so withdrawn." "Open up a little." "Of course, understand that it mustn't be..." "Well, understand, but..." "What do you understand?" " Time to sloop now." " No!" " Come on." " Leave It on, please." "Not for long." "I'll turn it off later." " Have question" " What?" "'When you were little, were you with Auntie ll the time?" "Yes, a lot, of course." "But Auntie is bigger than you." "So she protected you?" "Yes, from everything." "Why did she stop one day?" "Because wan'!" "a kid any more." "Go to sloop now." "But we all need protection, even grown-ups, don't we?" "That's what your silly dad is there for!" "Come on, you sleep now." "You know, really like Auntie." "Me, too, sweetheart." "It's a shame she didn't have kids." "Why do you say that?" "'Cause then I'd have cousins." "Right." "Go to sleep." "Do you want to go home?" " It': still warm." "Lat': walk" " If you like." "For two years, paced a small courtyard." "A tiny triangular courtyard with high walls." "Used to count my steps, every one of them." "And later, counted more ?" "ops at the penitentiary." "The guards called me the Walker and the girls the Absent One." "They said never seemed to be there." " Hey, wait!" " Not so fast!" "One of Giono's novels has a beautiful character shut away in silence, called the Absent One." "The main character is in love with her." "You always no the world through books, don't you?" "They've helped me a lot." "Sometimes, they help more than people." "Morning." "It's my bread!" "Yes, but I'm very late." "I've got a meeting tonight." "What?" "won't be around, either." "End-of-year deliberations. told you." "What about us?" "Katrina will look after you." "Tough luck!" "She's at her mother-in-law's." "Grandpa will do it!" "Maybe..." "Maybe what?" "Maybe... don't know, maybe Juliette could." "Unless she has other plans." "No, haven't." "I'll be pleased to do it." "Great, Auntie!" "Thank you." "So long, everybody." "Taskon, Laurent: 11." "Taskon, Frederic: 6." "Tremelle, Cecile: 18." "Unbelievable!" "Did she bribe you?" "It's my new grading scheme." "Female: + 3." "Bare belly: + 2." "G-string: + 5." "No bra: + 4." "Navel piercing: + 1..." "Nonsense!" "Julliette was startling to think highly of you." "I'll warn her." " Does she talk about me?" " Sort of." "Seriously, did she say things?" "Love it!" "It's like you're 15 all over again." " Trousseau, Frederic: 8." " Tell me!" " Trussi, Ludivine: 5." " What do you talk about?" "Work!" "I'll tell you later." "Trousseau, Frederic: 8." "Trussi, Ludivine: 5." "May?" "Are they sleeping?" " Like logs." " will be soon, too." "And Luc?" "He's not back yet." "Are you still on for tomorrow?" "Hi, Mom." "Said didn't need anything." "It's me, Mom." "Who?" "don't know you." "Go away or I'll call for help." "Mom, it's Lea, your daughter." "It's me." "Yes, recognize you now." "But don't need anything." "Look, brought you flowers." "You won't win me over with flowers!" "A colleague of yours?" " Mom, It's..." " Stop calling me Mom!" "It's getting on my nerves." "Go fetch a vase." "Go on." "Okay?" "Get everything stolen here." "What a strange job you do." "Why do you come and pester us in here?" "Why are you clinging to me?" "You've got some nerve!" "Clear off, both of you!" "Get out!" "Out!" "Michel?" "Hello, it's Juliette." "Hello." "How are you?" "Yes." "I'm in town. thought we might meet up." "Sorry, have a meeting in a half hour." "Never mind." "After your meeting, perhaps." "In go for a walk." "It could be long." "And later, I've arranged to lee colleague." "Some other time?" "Yeah, okay." " Excuse me." " Bye, Juliette." "Evening!" "Anyone home?" "Happy birthday!" "Happy birthday!" "Open it." "Thank you." "The most difficult time was the end." "The last few weeks, after they told mo was coming out." "Kept having the same nightmare." "With my suitcase, walked out and was in the middle of nowhere." "There was nobody." "Just emptiness." "One day, they came and told me that there was a visit for me." "Thought it was a mistake because it was the first time had a visit." "There was a young woman sitting there." "She smiled at me." "Recognized her." "Lea." "Listened to her. didn't say a word." "She said she'd return." "decided not to see her." "The life she belonged to was dead to me." "But that evening, before fell asleep, remembered her as a child." "Little Lala with her missing teeth, her smile," "her hand in mine." "It's for that little girl that decided to come back." "Luc want: to go to the mountain:" "for a boon to get fit for his damn soccer!" "So wanted to look like you when was little." "And now?" "Last night, was thinking of the Green House in Hossegor." "When was the last time we went?" "Was it the year broke my wrist?" "I've been back since." "Thought it had been demolished." "Fifteen years ago it was still standing." "Went back with Pierre." "You're beautiful, Auntie!" "Do you think so?" "So, with or without?" "With!" "After dinner, where are you going dancing?" "That's a secret, Little Miss Nosey!" "Ready?" " Can you dance, Auntie?" " Like e queen!" "I'd love to go with you." "Really?" "You'll have to Walt a few more years, pot." "First, I'm not your pet." "Second, I'm eight!" "Eight whole years!" "Be good for your dad, he already looks exhausted." "Don't make too much noise." "Emelia's asleep." "And don't come home too late." "Yeah, sure!" "In your dreams!" " Goodbye." " Bye, Mom." "Bye, Auntie." "Bye." "Leave me alone." "You can tell me everything." "You can talk to me." "I'm not other people." "I'm not other people." "Fontaine, Juliette?" "Let's go." "I'm Lieutenant Segral." "You report to me from now on." "I'm replacing Captain Faure." "Sign there, at the bottom." "So, he's gone to the Orinoco?" "If that': what you ll shooting yourself through the mouth..." "Ten days ago, exactly." "Come with us." "Kaisha has just given birth." "No, I'd rather stay here." " You're not wall?" " am." "The director wants to see you." "Not like that. said two spoonfuls." "Darling, what have you done?" "You've got It all over!" " Like this, Auntie?" " Very good." "Now, add butter." "No, like this." "Will there be enough?" "Yes." "If not, we can add red currants." "There you are." "What are we celebrating?" "All right?" "Will you tell him?" "What?" "I've got a permanent contract." "Now understand!" "That calls for a drink." "At lest, e researcher understands something!" "Hi, all." " Hi, all alone." "I'm not alone. brought all of Iraq!" " Why use the back door?" " Why not?" "Oh, little Zaina!" "I've got my little love with me." "See, honey?" "Come see the baby." " Hang on..." "It': you." " Yep!" "You, as a girl." "With a beard like yours!" " She's gorgeous!" " She's asleep." " She':" "like mo." " Not really." "Eats and sleeps!" "There." "Careful, it's very hot." " Will you be okay?" " Yeah." "They've eaten a lot." "What?" "Thank you." "Juliette!" "It's 8:30 already." "If you want a lift, I'm going." "Yes, coming." "Mom." "You look a lot better, fatty!" "Should've taken you to the nursery." "What's that?" "Where did you get this?" "Where?" "Marie-Paule, please look after Emelia!" "Yes, ma'am." ""A garden in the rain is so sweet" ""and sad like me without you, Mom."" "" Don't want you to die, ever."" ""We'll always be together, my love."" ""Your little Pierre."" "MEDICAL ANALYSIS LABORATORY" "At the clear fountain" "While was strolling by found the water so nice" "I'll leave you to it!" "No, Auntie, stay here!" " You don't look too good." " I'm okay." " Are you sure?" " Yes." "What's this photocopy?" "Where do these results come from?" " Is It for Emelia?" " No." " P'tit Lys?" " Not at all." " Promise?" " It': not the girls." "You don't know him." "It's someone who died a long time ago." " What': going on?" " Nothing." " Are you sure?" " Yes." "Why so mysterious, then?" "And that isn't your writing." "Don't ask questions. can't explain it, but it's important." "Very important to me." "Please!" "Must consult other specialists, but it doesn't look good to me." "Not good at all." "I'll call you as soon as know, okay?" "Okay." "They're always in here, you know." "War is weak, after all." "It can't destroy everything." "Come on." "Will you be all right?" "I'll call you." " Sorry." " That': okay." "The agent gave me the keys." "Well?" "Yes." "Don't you like it?" "What do you think?" "It's not bad." "You don't sound keen." "Yes, it's bright." " Liked having you at home." " Yes, but "home" is your home." "It's time had my own home." " Mrs. Fontaine?" " Yes." "I'll show you something." ""The prince went slowly through the forest."" ""His beautiful horse was silent."" "'Its hooves didn't make a sound on the moss." ""The branches magically spread before him."" "Mom, phone!" "Go ahead, Samir." ""The sky was taking on the color of roses."" ""'Will be in time?" "the prince wondered."" "'He remembered whet the magician had told him." ""Tho night ls your only enemy." "Once It has can" ""'its cloak of darkness over the world," ""'and you can't tell the shadow of a dog" ""'from that of a wolf," ""'you will know it is too late,"" ""'and that your beautiful lady is lost forever."" ""'Hurry if you love her."" "'Tho prince's heart was pounding." "Ho know..." "Okay." "'He we: thinking of his beloved, of the darkness..." "Okay." "Mom, let's go, we'll be late." "Mom, what's going on?" "Nothing." "Don't worry." "Let's go." "Let's go." "We were there." "Didn't we matter?" "Do you think others matter then?" "That one cares what they think or do?" "You were all well and alive!" "You belonged to the kind one comes to hate for the mere fact that they are there." "Why didn't you tell us?" "Why?" "Was there." "We were there." "We could have helped you!" "Helped me in what way?" "What could you have done?" "When he screamed out in pain when his limbs started writhing and..." "When he was choking, when he was choking to death," "what could you have done?" "What would you have done?" "I'm here." "Love you, do you understand?" "Love you." "Tell me." "Tell me!" "Go on." "Tell me." "Say it." "Say it!" "From the beginning, knew." "From the first symptoms." "Did the tests myself, at the lab." "And one night," "Pierre took the paper to write a poem." "He was so proud when he gave it back." "Little fella..." "He looked so handsome, so happy..." "And saw the little corpse he would become." "Felt inside me a pain, like a big hand ripping out my stomach and heart, which kept rummaging inside me." "So, took him with me." "They said kidnapped him, it's true." "Kidnapped him." "Kidnapped my own kid." "One night, we had a big party at the Green House." "By then, he could barely move." "We sang and we laughed." "Read him all his favorite stories." "Then laid him down." "Said loved him and was going to Inject him." "Stayed right up against him till morning." "Nothing mattered any more." "Wanted to go to prison." "Either way, was guilty." "I'd given birth to him and condemned him to die." "And had nothing to say." "Explain..." "Explain what?" "To whom?" "Explaining is looking for excuses." "Death has no excuses." "The worst prison is the death of one's child." "You never get out of it." "Look, it's so beautiful." "It's Michel." "Anyone home?" "I'm here." "I'm here."