"THE WITNESSES" " You attended the birth?" " Yes, Sarah asked me to." "I'm the father." "I should have been there, don't you think?" "I'm a doctor, remember." "I didn't want to upset you." "I'm not upset." "Just disappointed, that's all." "Mehdi, it's here." " Did it go OK?" " It was fine." " They said I could hold him." " Sure, pick him up." "Happy days (summer 1984)" "Queen." "You win four francs." "Put two back in the pot." "My turn." "Shit, a nine!" " What are you doing here?" " No kiss?" "Come on..." "You're pale." "Do you ever see the sun?" " I work." "I told you not to come." " I don't need permission." "Manu, if you're looking for work, it's not easy in Paris." "Or anyplace else." " Can we finish our game?" " Coming." "Six francs in the pot." "Queen." "You win four francs." "I'll give you room 201." "It's bigger." "180 francs, including breakfast." "I didn't plan on this." "I'll have to think." "Your turn." "One or an ace?" " Ace." " You win." "I'll leave you to it." "We'll finish the game later." "Wait, Julie!" "I'm just asking you to be patient." "Until I find somewhere bigger." "This'll be a nightmare." "Why should it?" "I worked the season at Val d'Isère." "I saved some cash." "A problem shared is a problem halved, no?" " I'm fine with this place." " I'm not." "Why?" "Being broke is no disgrace." "I tried to rent an apartment, but I get paid in cash." "Nobody'll rent to me." "No worries, we'll be fine here." "We just need to get organised." "You got a boyfriend?" "Are you nuts?" "I'm way too busy for that." " How do I look, since Christmas?" " No change." " Meaning?" " As narcissistic as ever." "I'm Adrien." "Come here often?" "It's my first time." "I'm new to Paris." " Where are you from?" " Deep south." "Ariège." " Mountain man, then?" " Sure, the Pyrenees." "But I studied in Lyon." " You're legal?" " And had my jabs." "You a cop?" "Wanna see my ID?" " Do I look like a cop?" " A bit." "Why all the questions?" "I'm just interested." "How old are you?" "As the song goes, I'm two times 18." "Don't you mean three times?" "I'm sick of cracks like that." "That's real segregation for you!" "Fags accept all classes, races or religions." "A great melting pot!" "The only taboo is age." "We have a long way to go." "See ya, mountain man!" " Be right back." " Wait..." "Adrien!" "You remember my name?" "Can you hold this?" "I don't want it to get stolen." "Maybe I'll steal it." "I'd be very surprised." "You don't mind?" " I guess..." " Thanks." "After that night, Manu and Adrien met up often." "Adrien took some time off." "Manu lived off his savings." "Adrien showed him round Paris." "It was a beautiful summer." "Manu made Adrien happy." "They had a spring in their step." "Adrien asked nothing more and Manu liked him for that." "You leave your notes all over the place." "What a fusspot!" "I don't believe it." "You get any work done?" "I tried, but it was a grind." "Why dump the kid at the crèche, then?" "At least it was nice and quiet." "Listen to yourself, Sarah." "How can you talk like that?" "Mehdi, he drives me crazy." "You can see that, can't you?" "What's weird is you make it sound so dramatic." "That's not like you." "Yeah, well, I've changed." "Nine months as fat as a whale and two months without sleep..." "I'm not cut out to be a mother." "I couldn't know before I became one." "My folks will be pleased to look after him a few days." "They know what it's like." " Are you serious?" " Yes." "I don't like leaving you alone with him." "Don't you think you're overreacting?" "You're the one who's overreacting." "It's just a space problem." "I don't have a room for myself." "If I want a smoke, I have to go outside." "Can't we go to Salamandre like last year?" "I'm on duty all summer." "I can't take vacation." "If you wanted, I'm sure you could." "Weekends maybe, but no more than that." "We're short of personnel in July and August." "A great summer in prospect." "You want us to live within our means, then you think, "I'm rich." "Mum has a beach-house. "" "I'm sick of your moods." "I can't give you another life." "I'm sorry." "Come on..." " Not too tired?" " No, just thirsty." "This is Manu." " Hi, Adrien told me all about you." " What did he say?" ""That kid's a spell woven by Eros, a gift from Athena. "" " What the heck?" " I thought you could keep a secret!" "Secrets are made to be repeated." " Travelling light?" " We're only staying a day." " So Manu can see the house." " Here it is." "Is your mum here?" "No, she wanted to give us some space." "This way." "Great music for dancing." "Be my guest." "Let's take the boat out." "Mum hired it out to the neighbours." "She wasn't expecting us this year." "Mehdi was pretty sad about it too." "Sarah, I promised Manu." "Do something." "There's nothing I can do." "Surely you can borrow it." "We'll bring it back tonight." "You can't ask me to do that." "Yes, I can." "You can ask anything of your friends." "This is important for me." "I'll talk to them, but I'm not promising it'll work." "You'll find the words." "The kid's changed, huh?" " Haven't you got a name for him?" " We haven't decided yet." "I'm going to explore." "I'm crazy about him!" "You always say that." "This time, it's different." "Feeling better?" "What's wrong, still hungry?" "Is it hard to drive?" "Not once we get out of the port." "Want a try?" "Sure." "See the compass?" "The needle has to stay in the same position." "Due south." "That's our course." "You enjoy your weekend?" "It was great." "Nice people, loaded but very sweet." "The woman writes kiddies' books." "Here, it'll give you something to read." "I'll introduce you." "Do you like boats?" "I know you love making new friends but keep them to yourself." "Why'd you say that?" "I don't want us getting too close." "We live together already." " Can I take a shower?" " At this time?" "It's midnight." "You have to shower in the daytime." "The owner insists on it." "I'll ask him." "He likes me." "No, Manu..." "Do like everybody else and shower tomorrow." "I stink!" "If you don't like me being naked, just say." "You're always flaunting yourself." "I don't have much choice." "How about a partition?" "That's not the problem." "I'm not looking." "What I don't like is you gawking at me in the morning." "I can't help it." "I don't see many naked women." "You never slept with a girl?" "No, why?" "Why?" "You could have done." "By chance or curiosity, if for no other reason." "You think I ought to?" "You're a pain." "I refuse to talk sex with you." "You started it." "Yes, and it was a mistake." "We can go dancing, if you want." "No, thanks." "I don't feel like going out." "You never let your hair down." "Why?" "It'd do you good." "You have to enjoy life." "You enjoy it enough for two." "Hi, sweety." "How you doing?" "Hot, ain't it?" "Thaw people's hearts." " I can't take it, I'm parched." " Buy a fridge." "I told your sis." "A small one that makes ice." "They're cool." " Hi, honey." " Hi, Sandra." "Seen my new wig?" "I preferred the green one." "Can't get stuck in a rut!" "The girls don't mind you singing." "Just not too early." "Thanks for that." "No, use your hands." " I'm useless." " You never made a pie?" "I never baked any kind of cake." " It's not hard." "Press it down." " Right..." "You do the chocolate." "It just needs stirring." "I'll open my own restaurant one day." "It's good to have an aim in life, huh?" "Do you have any training?" "Two years at catering school." "You should move up to Paris." "I can't afford to live here yet." "I'll hire you as my cook." "Your own room and I'd give..." "Stop it!" "I don't want to live with you." "I'm not asking you to marry me." " Good, don't get any ideas." " Any ideas?" "Yeah, I like you but I want my freedom, see?" "Do what you want with who you want." "I don't mean that." "I don't want to disappoint you." "You don't." "On the contrary." "I admire you more and more." " Don't overdo it." " I promise you, it's true." "Police!" "Let's see some ID!" "They can't get away with this!" "We're not breaking the law!" "See you back at base!" "Move it!" "Circumcision is an identity issue." "Aren't you an atheist?" "Sarah, I can't advise you on this." "I'm not his dad." "Talk to Mehdi." "I can't, not about that." "Muslims circumcise too." "What's the problem?" "Yes, but not at the same age." "And it's a different ceremony." "I'd like you to be his godfather." "A gay godfather?" "Isn't that a bit rebellious?" "Nobody gives a damn you're gay." "It's sweet of you, but to be honest, religion, family, the hetero kick, it's not my thing." "That's so condescending for people who love you." "Isn't it?" "Mister I-don't-need-anybody!" "That's not true." "I need Manu." " What about that one?" " Where?" " There." " The pink one?" "It's huge." "It could smother him in his sleep." "You'll smother him, thinking like that." "There's a guy talking to Sandra." "So what?" "He's a john." "No, he's from the hotel." "She waved him over." " Hi, Sandra." " Hi, Mehdi." "What are you doing here?" "Cooling off, like everyone else." "Right." "You cool off in a steamy neighbourhood?" "I'm at the Hotel Beauséjour." "I thought you lived with Adrien." " No, I don't want to." " Why don't you want to?" "Sorry, that's none of your business." "You prefer the Beauséjour?" "You have strange taste." " What's it got to do with you?" " Just doing my job." "What's your job?" "I don't get it." "Chief Detective with the Vice Squad." "I don't know anything about cops and I don't care." "See you." "Excuse me." "What's your game?" "Your hotel is a brothel, in case you didn't notice." "Maybe." "It's none of my business." "Maybe it suits you." "Living with hookers doesn't make me one." "I didn't say that." "But you thought it." "I think you're Adrien's toy boy and this is hustlers' territory." "That's all." "I'm not his toy boy." "Adrien is my only friend here." "That doesn't mean I sleep with him or take his cash." "I don't care what you do with Adrien." "I don't know you." "You live opposite." "You know Sandra." "I'm just warning you." "You're nuts!" "I've done nothing wrong!" "Don't get excited." "My buddy'll be round soon." "Don't let him find you here." "Go cool off someplace else." "Just friendly advice." "It's delicious." "Manu's got skilled hands." "Very subtle." "I'll camp it up if I want." "Go on, camp it up!" " Are there any gay cops?" " Not as far as I know." "There must be." "Give me a break!" "You don't know cops." "What you got against them?" "Pass the cherries." "Intolerance." "Paranoia." " You eat like a horse." " If I like it, I can't stop." "They're very tolerant." "They even accept me growing my sideburns." "Honey, I'm going for a swim." "You'll keep an eye on the kid?" "And you behave yourself." "Be right back." "That's Mehdi for you." "Always ducks out of it!" "He's proud of his work." "And sensitive about it." "When we met, he said he was a student, but not at cop school." "He waited till I was hooked to fess up." "You know, I read your books." "I loved the one about grandpa eating little girls' ears." "I'm kind of blocked right now." "I started a novel for adults, but I'm not getting anywhere." "Except for the title. "Eros"." "What do you think?" "Eros..." "I dunno, I don't know much about it." "Can I go for a swim?" "Of course you can." " Mind if I curl up next to you?" " Of course not." "Something wrong?" "I'm not a strong swimmer." "It's too deep for me." "On top of that, it's cold and I'm exhausted." " Can I stick close to you?" " No problem." "It's easier underwater." "Less tiring." " I don't think I can do that." " Go for it!" "One, two, three..." "OK?" "Game of cards?" "Not tonight, I'm wiped out." "I'm going to bed." "It's OK." "Just a nightmare." "You scared me." "I dreamed I was drowning." "Go back to sleep." " Buy you a drink?" " Peppermint cordial." "Tell me, sweety..." "I saw you talking to Mehdi." "How do you know him?" "I know a friend of his wife's." "Some weekends, we go out on their boat." "Very swanky!" "Your sis know him too?" "No, she keeps to herself." "Why'd you mention him?" "Mehdi's a star." "He writes the rules of the game." "The rules of what game?" "It's pretty simple." "If we rat on the guys who watch out for us, he leaves us alone." "If we don't, he rounds us up for pimping and soliciting." "Get it?" "The guy's dangerous." "He's on a mission." "Since he arrived, it's been madness." "Cleaning up the streets, my arse!" "Look, it's dead." "I like my work." "I won't let a cop stomp on me." "What about the other girls?" "They stay home." "They're scared." "I love this song." "Somebody to see you." "Manu." "Want him to come up?" "No, I'll go out." "The Clignancourt case?" "Another headline grabber, huh?" "Surveillance was a washout." "Change your tactics." "You promised the boss." "He's busting my balls." "Sorry about this." "I arrived an hour ago." "I thought you'd break for lunch." " The guy asked me what I wanted." " It's a good question." "Can I buy you a coffee?" "No, I have stuff to finish up." "I only go in cafés for my work." "Did Adrien say how to find me?" "No, I found you." "He doesn't know I'm here." "This is for you." " What is it?" " Sunglasses." "You need a pair." "I can't accept." "Why'd you buy me a present?" "To thank you for saving my life." "Saving your life?" "Don't exaggerate." "You did." "I keep thinking about it." "You recovered fast." "You look well." "I thought I was dying." "It's different for you." "Death's part of your routine." "What?" "Death never becomes routine." "How did you get me back to the beach?" "I wasn't sure I'd make it." "How much do you weigh?" "70 kilos." "How'd you do it?" "You put your arms round me?" "I didn't have much choice." "Anyway, thanks again." "Even if you don't want the gift." "I owe you my life, seriously." "You don't owe me anything at all." "What's that?" "Police?" "A flying club." "Sarah's dad runs it." "He signed me up." "It comes in handy sometimes." " I like flying." " I've never been in a plane." "Would you like to?" "At least I'd have no chance of drowning." "The next week, Mehdi got up early before work." "He took Manu out flying in the morning sunshine." "What are you doing?" "I'm sorry." "I'm not a fish." "I'm not a bird." "I like being on firm ground." "That's my element." " You didn't enjoy your first flight?" " Sure, thanks." "I don't see why you keep thanking me." "You're right, it's dumb." "And stop talking like you're inferior." "I don't scare you, do I?" " No, but..." " But what?" "When I touched your leg earlier..." "It's not very sensible when I'm driving." "It's better here, huh?" "Come here." "This reminds us of the cost of liberty." "The military parade is now ready." "The weather could be better for the 14th of july." "You're not coming in?" "It feels great." "No, the heat doesn't bother me." "What are you staring at?" "Do you have many lovers?" "What's up?" "We never talk about that." "Yeah, I know." "But today, I want to know." "I mean, I won't force you... if you don't want to tell me." "This is new." "You usually hate talking about sex." "All action, no words." "That's your motto." "I thought we'd see where we're at." "I see my editor now and then." "Not very original..." "You still see that moron?" "Yeah, it does me good." "Physically, he's pretty ordinary." "Physically?" "How would you know?" "Can't you put that damn bear someplace else!" "We tried everywhere else." "Maybe we could decide to be faithful?" "Like a regular couple, huh?" "No, I love you too much for that." "I need affairs." "I'm happy that way." "Or else I feel imprisoned." "Specially with a womaniser like you." "And my affairs?" "You don't care?" "I know you play the field." "It doesn't bother me." "In fact, it turns me on." "Really?" "Seriously?" " It turns you on?" " I never feel jealous." "Maybe because I'm an only child." "A spoiled brat, as you put it..." "I believe in myself." "I don't feel threatened." "Maybe it's pretentious but I'm sure you won't improve on me." "Mehdi and Manu met now and then." "Flying was a pretext." "They had no other way or place to hook up." "They embraced in the woods, impatiently, clumsily." "They were confused and didn't talk." "These furtive moments did them both good." "They'd learned to fly under the radar." "Have I been asleep long?" "Why didn't you wake me?" "I think we ought to forget all about this." "You can do what you want, but no way will I ever forget this." " Sure you don't want some food?" " No, I came to talk." "You never call me." "I left heaps of messages." "I'm cranky right now, so I keep to myself." "You know how I hate people whining." "And broken hearts are a pain in the arse." "We're talking Manu here?" "I let the kid get to me." "It's no big deal." " As usual." " No, not as usual!" "I am capable of learning from experience." "This time, I didn't even try to bed him." "For the same end result!" "He's gone, like the goat in the story." "I never read that one." "You recommend it?" "Please, I'm being serious." "I'm trying to cheer you up." "I don't need cheering up." "Where's Manu gone?" "Saint-Chéron. 42km from Paris." "Can you imagine?" "What's he doing there?" "A campsite in the middle of nowhere." "Four stars." "They pay him peanuts." "42km is nothing." "But he works crazy hours." "It's exploitation!" "He's a zombie." "We never see each other." "You'll make up for it this winter." "It's a good test." " What?" " To see if you really love him." "I know the answer already." "You haven't lost your appetite, though." "What do you do at night?" "Go out?" "I try to do like him." "Work like an idiot all day and crash out at night." "We're not together but we live the same life." "Mehdi had found Manu a live-in job." "He accepted it gladly." "In fact, the job was intended for a recruit, strengthening links between the police and the campsite." "Why are you following me?" "Security." "Where you going?" " Trailer 230." " Manu's busy." "It doesn't matter, I'll wait." "In the playground, then." "Out of the way of the families." "Isn't that your sister?" "How's it going?" " You been here long?" " My fault." "I should have called." "I'm happy to see you." "This is Mehdi." "He recognised you without knowing you." "It's simple." "Your photo in the trailer." "Typical cop!" "You live at the Beauséjour?" "Yes, why?" " I suggest you relocate." " I like it there." "You'll sleep easier elsewhere." "That's all I can say." "I gotta get back to work." "I'm late." "Home sweet home!" "I hate that photo." "I look like I'm blind." "You always look scared on photos." "For a rising opera star, that's not good." "Come over here." "That feels good." "Want a swim?" "Sounds good." "When do you start work?" "There's time." "You win." "But you're a singer, you have better lungs." "Can you give me a hand?" "What did you think of Mehdi?" "I can't imagine you with a cop." "Me neither." "I felt pretty out of place." "I never see any of your friends." "He's different." "I'm glad you met him." "I hardly "met" him." "It was just fine." "I kept you some pizza." "Want me to heat it?" "That's sweet, but I'm running late." "I was scared about taking you." "I wasn't sure you'd want it." "That was the first time." "Did you like it?" " I did it for you." " That's what they all say." "Tomorrow's a holiday." "Don't worry if you can't come." "I can't go a day without you." "Can't you see?" "I'd prefer you to say it without laughing." "Has she left you on your own?" "Come here..." "That's better." "You scared me!" "You too!" "A loving mother does not wear earplugs." "As his godfather, I say no." "As a doctor also." "I can't work without them." "I need some space." "What does he do when he's hungry?" "Emit signals?" "He's crying." "It's nice of you to come see me." "You're looking better." "I'm on the road to recovery." "I can't play the spurned lover over a guy who isn't my lover." "Masochism has its limits." "I'm not sure what you mean." "Down with melancholy!" "That's what I say." "It's time to party." "You only live once, right?" "You seem really hyper, that's for sure." "I've decided to buck up." "Your dad's Jaguar, do you still have the keys?" "That old tank?" "What do you want it for?" "To leave my monastery in style." "Buy you a drink?" "Sure." "I combine business with pleasure." "I see." "Earn some extra cash, you know?" "Yes, I know." "How much is it for..." "Name a price." "I'll think about it." "OK." "Adrien realised he couldn't forget Manu." "He headed straight for Saint-Chéron." "You could call, at least." "I work." "You can see that." "I never finish before one in the morning." "This place is a nightmare!" "I had to pay for a pass." "I got checked three times." "Cameras everywhere..." "There are 4,000 campers." "They need to feel safe." " We're going to your caravan?" " Not a caravan, a mobile home." "Don't you want a night out in Paris?" "Break out of here?" "Hi, Sheriff." "No cameras, that's one thing." "Actually, there's one over there." "Nobody sneaks in here." "Adrien, I have something to tell you." "I can't lie." "I have too much respect for you." "The thing is, I'm seeing Mehdi." "I see him every day." "I'm sorry." "What do you mean, seeing him?" "You want me to spell it out?" "You're sleeping together?" "Yes, but it doesn't mean I don't care about you." "Get off him!" "Stay out of this!" "It's none of your business!" "Back off!" "Help!" "He's wacko." "Come on, let's go." "Thanks." "You're strong as an ox!" "I'm capable of killing." "Yeah, I noticed." "Your wine's revolting." "And so are you." "You bopped me on the nose." "You got your revenge." "What more do you want?" "I haven't forgiven you, kid, OK?" "Cut it out." "I'm not your "kid"." "I'm as big as you are." "Stop trying to belittle me." "Actually, you are small and low." "So small you don't exist." "Mehdi's taken." "He has a wife and son." "Shut up!" "Me and Mehdi isn't your concern." "Don't give me that crap!" "This is totally pathetic." "We're floundering in ridicule." "What do I care?" "I'm happy." "I feel no remorse." "Even if it hurts you." "You hold all the cards." "Everybody wants you." "You can think what you like." "If it means losing your friendship, fine." "Did Mehdi give you this shit?" "I nabbed it from the restaurant." "Lucky I brought my Scotch." "Stop, I'll drive you." "There's no need." "You can't drive in your state." "What do you care?" "You've killed me." "If I crash, it'll be a relief." "Stop it, Adrien." "Sleep!" "Sleep in peace!" "While I watch the stars" "The soft summer night" "And all I see is the storm" "Evil fate that won't let me go" "O, betrayal!" "It is not the devil, but the angel who stabs..." "Shut the fuck up!" "The guards'll be back." "Beautiful night!" "Soft, soft..." "Cut it out!" "You can't stay there!" "I'm just fine." "Get up, Adrien." "What's that on your chest?" "Have you had that long?" "It's just the sun." "I'm peeling." "Let me see." "Open your mouth." "What's up?" "I haven't got the plague." "A few days later, Manu took a test." "He couldn't grasp a disease shrouded in such mystery." "Then came the pain, fever and more marks on his body." "Manu decided to end it with Mehdi and retreated into his trailer." "Adrien insisted Manu move in but Manu rejected his compassion." "For the first time, he dreamed of being invisible." "War (winter 1984-5)" " It's Manu, open up." " It's open!" "What's that shit on your face?" "It's my eczema cream." "With all the rain..." "Stuff like that's a pain." "It's like the blondes here, the sun fucks up their skin." " Want a beer?" " Sure." "The lieutenant called again." "I'm out of excuses." "He knows we're through now." " Here." " Thanks." " Can I sit down?" " Hold on, it's leather." "I don't want you ruining it." "Haven't you got a coat?" "I only have my summer gear." "Summer's gone." "You look awful." "Cool, you got a TV." "You want to watch?" "Yitzhak Shamir and Shimon Peres will now take turns running the country..." "Remember what I asked you." "You got it?" "I'm thinking it over." "I don't want trouble." "Nobody'll know, trust me." "It's not a question of trust." "Here." "I'll give you an extra 2 grand." "More foreign news from our correspondent in Washington." "A mysterious disease has appeared in the West, causing panic across the United States." "The virus destroys the body's immune system and is fatal in three cases out of four." "One of Cleveland's biggest blood transfusion centres has taken drastic measures to prevent the disease spreading." "In California, first-aid programmes have been stopped in schools." "In New York, undertakers are refusing to touch corpses." "The homosexual community is mobilising to demand aid from the Health Department." "Other high-risk groups include drug users, haemophiliacs and, for unknown reasons, Haitians." "Don't you know me any more?" "It's been a long time." "What's up?" "No news from 230, so I thought I'd drop by." "Manu told me, no visitors." "So you said on the phone, but I wanted to see for myself." "Straight up, I told him, "Call the lieutenant"." " He forgot, I guess." " I don't know about that." "I'm asking you nicely to raise that fucking barrier." "You don't have to open your door to people." "Here, it's the same." "Just do what I say, please." "I don't understand." "You got a warrant?" "A warrant?" "Sheriff, this isn't America." "You think you own the place?" "If you're gonna be like that..." "Is that you, Sheriff?" " No, it's me." " Get lost, Mehdi." "Don't you think it's time we had a talk?" "I've nothing to say." "How can you live in this mess?" "Let's tidy up." "Diarrhoea." "I spend all day on the can." "See that?" "It's a new disease." "Like leprosy or the plague." "I never knew it existed." "You heard of it?" "Kind of." "A hooker in Vincennes." "She was a junkie." "She dead?" "You can tell me." "I know what to expect." "See?" "I'm ready." "Right now, I'm fine, but if it gets too much..." "It reassures me, having this." "That way, I decide." "Did you tell your sister?" "No way!" "Adrien's the only one who knows." "Didn't he tell you to warn me?" "Doesn't this concern me?" "Why didn't you say?" "I called you every day." "I thought you'd met someone else." "I didn't want you to see me like this." "Look..." "I'm your friend, aren't I?" "What's that supposed to mean?" "What can we do together now?" "You want me?" "Go ahead!" "I'll put your laundry in the machine." "It's caked with shit." "Doesn't scare me." "Look at this..." "I'll buy you some food." "Don't bother." "I'll ask Sheriff." "But you could leave me some cash." "Don't come back." "Honestly." "It hurts too much." "You don't work out of the hospital?" "I prefer to see certain patients here." "It's more comfortable." "Safer." "People like opulence when they're sick." "It reassures them." "Everybody lives a lie." "You should know that." "Great start." "You're calling me a liar." "You lie to everybody." "Maybe you don't even realise." "Too cowardly." " So, now I'm a coward." " A brave man would tell Sarah." "Keep your nose out of it." "Unless it would make you feel better to tell her yourself." "Turn me in!" "What's your problem?" "That I slept with Manu?" "What you did is beyond words." "I succeeded where you failed." "That's life." "That's your life." "A shitty life spent climbing the ladder." "Where does it get you in the end?" "Fucking everybody?" "You have no respect." "You married Sarah for her money." "You sleep with guys and despise fags." "That's your life." "Deceiving wife and friends..." "I enforce the law but I don't lecture people." "You have no right to judge me." "You stole Manu from me." "I didn't steal anything from you." "You're sick." "Manu isn't yours." "You don't own him." "You're a predator." "A nobody with a chip on his shoulder." "A liar, a predator..." " Typical of my race, huh?" " Bullshit!" "I wasn't born with flowers up my arse..." "Please!" "You're breaking my heart." "So why did you have to see me so urgently?" "Can't you guess?" "Dr Ethical doesn't inform his patients' lovers?" "It's not up to me." "The patient's file is confidential." "I can't force him to tell anyone." " Is that so?" " I abide by the law too, see?" "I want to take a blood test." "I don't trust hospitals and laboratories." "What do you mean?" "It's anonymous." "You've nothing to fear." "I know." "But I want you to do it." "Sit down." "Roll up your sleeve." "I hate needles." "People don't know it, but we're at war." "We're organising our resistance." "We set up a group of biologists, clinicians and epidemiologists." "And an information centre to host conferences." "It's better if you look the other way." " You wanted to see me?" " Yes, hello." "I'm sorry to bother you." "Manu said I'd find you here." " Not too loud." " Sorry." "Manu's in the hospital." "For a few days." "He'd like to see you." "What's wrong?" "Did he have an accident?" "No, he's in for observation." "We spoke on the phone two days ago." "He was in great form." "He lied." "He didn't want to worry you." "Nobody knows." "I'm his doctor." "What's wrong with him?" "It's not the right time or place to explain." "Can we have dinner later?" "It'll be easier to talk." " When do you finish?" " Not before midnight." "That's late for you." "It's no problem." "When did you last see Manu?" "Three months ago." "I didn't like imposing on him but we talked often." "He's changed a lot." "I want to see him." "Tomorrow." "After they change his dressings. 10:00am." "No, right now." "This late at night, visitors aren't allowed in." "Miss, you're keeping everybody waiting!" "The most credible theory points to a retrovirus, revealed by antibodies that react to its arrival in the bloodstream through a cut or an orifice." "The antibodies are powerless against the virus." "Why?" "We don't know." "The body becomes highly vulnerable to bacterial infections that it can usually defend itself against." "Is it serious?" "Very serious." "In Manu's case, the virus infiltrated the brain through the meningeal barrier." "How do you treat it?" "We don't know." "Read this." "It's an article about it." "You're here." "I nodded off." "You been here long?" "I just arrived." "I give Adrien so much shit." "The nurses too." "I'm a pain in the arse." "If they were naked men, I'd know if I can still get hard." "It's good that you're thinking about it." "What about you?" "You're a diva now." "You're joking!" "Barbarina's a tiny role in Figaro." "A servant." "I'm amazed I got the part." "You'll be a huge hit." "Can you come to the opening night next month?" "No way!" "I can't even stand up." "When you get out, Adrien said you'd convalesce at his place." "Convalesce, my arse!" "Adrien is not Dr Miraculous." "You remember the song?" "Dr Miraculous drives off in his car" "Dr Miraculous has his rounds to do" "For lumbago or the flu, the doctor has the cure..." "Hold on." " What?" " Hold on..." "I can't." "Condoms are a real turn-off." "Why'd you put it on?" "We need to be careful." "That's new." "Yes, it is new." "You're getting paranoid." "I took a test." "We're better not screwing until I get the result." "You took a test?" " Any particular reason?" " Sure." "I met someone who's caught the virus." "It freaks me out." "I need some air." "I didn't sleep all night." "What about the kid?" "You can take him to the crèche for once." "I need to get out or I'll go crazy." "I'm sorry." "I'd like to see Professor Dulac." " Do you have an appointment?" " No, but it's urgent." "The professor's in a meeting." " I'll wait." " He could be some time." "It doesn't matter." "The first half of 1984 shows a rise in new cases after levelling off in 1983." "That's right, we had 180 cases on July 15th, with a third coming in the first six months of 1984." "The last three months have seen three to four new cases a week, or even one new case a day." "Make a fist." "Here comes the jab." " What are you doing?" " Don't snap at me." "You know I pick him up at night." "How could I be sure after you bolted earlier?" "I said I was sorry." "I'll say it again, if you want." "Come on, let's go." "My folks will look after him for a few days." "We need to talk." "I can't." "You know me." "I'm not sure I do." "Adrien told me everything." "I wish you had." "I wish I had too, but you saw this morning, I couldn't do it." " At least now it's done." " It's done?" "Until the results come through, I'll crash at my folks' or friends'." "I'll find somewhere." "I'll let you walk, it's not far." "I won't impose my presence after all the shit I caused." "I wasn't about to start blaming you." "Shit, I'm so ashamed." "Did you bring me your manuscript?" "My manuscript no longer exists." "Don't worry, I'll pay back the advance." "Don't give up." "All writers hit a wall." "It's no big deal." "I'm not cut out for this." "What do you expect me to say?" "Go back to your children's books." "You churn those out." "I'm sick of them." "Anyway, I don't like kids." "Having one has made me realise that." "What was it about, the stuff you trashed?" "That's just it." "A woman who can't love her child." "There were no men in the story." "Just her and her baby." "She had no money, was scraping a living." "She never spoke, wasn't French and couldn't speak it." "How does it all end?" "She left him on a deserted beach in winter." "He screams but the waves drown out his voice." "And the mother runs away." "That's criminal." "Maybe so." "You look much better today." "I'm writing my will." "What the hell for?" "Just kidding." "There'll be no will." "I've nothing to leave." "How about I tell my life story?" "All I ever did." "Maybe there's no time." "And I need strength to write." "I can hardly hold a pen." "I get so tired." "If I had a tape recorder..." "That's no problem, I'll find you one." "Still getting headaches?" "Sometimes I can only see out of one eye." "Your operation was a waste of time." "Look." "Let's see." "A wart." "They're growing back." "It must be spring." "I wasn't made to die like this." "I never got ill." "Even after fights at school, the bruises just vanished." "Once, I got a real beating." "I just waved people away." "Eat up, then we'll go see the optician." "What's this?" "Provençal stew." "Fresh from the deli." "Bullshit!" "That's not Provençal stew." "Let me tell you..." "The secret is the vinegar." "You marinade small chunks of boar in red wine vinegar and onions." "You flambé it in wine, add orange twists, garlic, thyme, and let it simmer for two hours." "It's nothing like this gunk." "Anyway, I'm not hungry." "I need another dump." " Let me..." " Forget it." "Stop treating me like a baby." "You'll wanna wipe my arse next." "Adrien had no time to see me, but we spoke every day." "He worked non-stop." "Funding, research, treatment." "He was present on every front." "The battlefield reminded him of a blighted city," "Sodom, where the righteous no longer existed." "In Djibouti, HIV-positive hookers get done in." "Here, you have the police to protect you." "Where have you been, honey?" "All they want is to catch our men." "You should get out more." "Didn't Manu tell you?" " He told me about you." " So, you called me in?" "To save your skins." "This is life or death." "You don't seem to realise." "Read this, it's hot off the press." "Nobody else has seen it." "What does pro-phy-lax-is mean?" "The measures we can take to prevent the spread of the disease." "Can I rely on you to hand them out?" " If it'll help." " That's the point." "It's for people like you, in the world's oldest profession." "Oldest and best." "You're part of public life." "You have rights." "Nobody talks about us like that." "Who's the hunk in the sentry box?" "Pure beef." "The repressive look is in." "Let's go." "You didn't make a scene?" "I said, "Bring me Mehdi, it's blow-job time!"" "Stop it." "What are you doing here?" "I have your results." "Negative." "You have nothing to worry about." "Are you sure?" "We'll check you in three months, but you slipped through the net." "The best day of my life!" "I told Sarah." "She asked me to drop by." "I did it for her sake." "Right, I have more pressing matters." "And Manu?" "How is he?" "Don't expect me to give you news of Manu." "You know there's a new police unit to clear out gay cruising areas?" "That's old news." "Sure, but now the police are threatening bars." "They want to shut down the backrooms." "It'll blow over." "Thanks, I feel much better." "Give the hunk my number." "You never know." "Did you forget your keys?" "No, but..." " I didn't want to barge in." " This is your home." "Is this a bad time?" "No, I was asleep." "Did you finish your book?" "My book..." "I took the day off." "How about we go out for lunch?" "All our problems are over." "I'll talk about whatever you want." "You took the phone off." "I'm exhausted." "I sleep all the time since you left." "I came to ask you if... if you still want me around." "I still want you." "I'm amazed you took him back." "You're a masochist." "Maybe, but we've been through so much." "We're just enjoying being alive." "How do you mean?" "We screw the whole time." "It's a classical reaction, hardly very original." "Don't you mind him sleeping with guys?" "We've never been exactly faithful." "A guy or a girl..." "I don't really care, as long as I win." "Never let me hear his name." " You raised the subject, not me." " I was wrong." "You've taken sides." "Perhaps we can't remain friends." " What's got into you?" " It's true, Sarah." "We're worlds apart." "You're in love." "I'm at war." "Is that so?" "You'll see how far apart we are." "I was scared I'd caught it too." "You fill in the name." "I don't know what to put." " Put "AIDES Association"." " AIDES?" "Plural." "It's new." "We founded it on December 4th." "We have to rely on donations and volunteers." "How's Manu doing?" "Retinal toxoplasmosis." "He records his life story on my tape machine." "And he's become aggressive." "Cruel even." "It's a good sign." "Hold on..." "I have a mini dictaphone." "It'll be more practical than your old thing." "Here..." "For his last Christmas, I'm going to invite his sister." "Come round, if you like, and give it to him in person." "They turn people away every night." "We're sold out till January." "What do you do all day?" "I give lessons, but my students are hard work." "Beginners lack the discipline you need to make it in the business." "What do you teach them?" "The basics." "The vowels, for example." "Take A E I O U." "Finding the right space in the mouth requires lots of practice." " It's an art." " No, it's not an art." "It's a sport." "The voice is a muscle." "I'm sorry, I have to go." "My make-up call's at eight." "See you tomorrow." "Around noon, OK?" "Merry Christmas, old girl!" "Merry Christmas, everybody!" "Thank you." " I'll give you a lift." " There's no need." "I insist." "Thanks for the dictaphone." "It's weird telling my life story." "I've just started." "It may be really dull." "When I'm done, Adrien'll give you the tapes." "They're all yours." "That way, I'll have left something behind." "Maybe they'll give you an idea for a novel." "Do I scare you?" "No, why?" "I hope you don't hate me." "Come on, if you're not scared." "I'm always cold." "I've become a real sissy." "A blanket?" "You're shivering?" "No, I'm fine." "Just stay close to me." "Kiss me." "I don't know why he asked me, but I kissed him." "Then, I knew I'd write again and finish what I started." " It's Mehdi." "Can I come up?" " No." "I'm coming down." " Why won't you let me see Manu?" " It's his decision." "So, when he was in the hospital, why wasn't I allowed to visit?" "For the same reason." "I can't force him." "I have to go." "You've got what you wanted." "He's in your hands." "Nobody can take him from you." "What?" "I treat him." "I care for him." "You're a spider making out you're a saint." "You're on form." "You use a dying kid to feel good about yourself." "Sarah thinks you're wonderful." "An activist!" "You're becoming a hero!" "Well done!" "You've found a cause at last." "Death turns you on because life scares you." "I remember when it scared you." "Shitting your pants over your test." "I was scared of losing my life." "You don't have one." "So, fucking around is a life?" "That's pathetic." " Maybe, but it'd do you good." " Perhaps." "Manu won't see you because sex is all you had." "Don't look at me like that." "It's true." "It's all you had." "So he prefers you to keep that image of him." " With me, it's not his looks." " No, it's his soul!" " You make me laugh." " Go on, laugh." "Anyway, screw you!" "I just want to see him one last time." "It will upset him." " You said I was here?" " He's asleep." "Let me see him." "I won't say a word." "He'll never know." "Please." "No, he trusts me." "I can't do that." "There's no point hanging around." "A cross between Dracula and Frankenstein." "In daylight, it'd be scary." "Now, it's fine." "I'll only come out at night." "Like a vampire." "Is it normal I can hardly see?" "Yes." "Don't you want to hear your sister sing?" "We'll make it for the 4th act." "Her big aria." "She'd be so happy." "You know opera isn't my thing." "She's your sister!" "You love each other." "Precisely why I don't want to go." "It'd make me cry." "My make-up would start running." "I can see the lights here." "There's nobody here in winter." "They're there." "I can't see them but I hear them." "Careful, there's a fallen branch." "Are you sure about this?" "Yes, I want it." "I brought some condoms but I can't get a hard-on." "So there's no point being here." "Let's go." "Even if there's no point." "I have to do it." "At Manu's request, Adrien gave him a fatal dose of tranquillisers." "He dealt with all the paperwork and paid for the transportation of the body." "He drove back the same day." "Julie had to be in Paris that evening to sing." "Aren't you cold?" "You'd be warmer inside." "No, we're fine." "Eat some cookies, at least." "Are you sure you don't want lunch?" "I can whip up an omelette." "We don't have time, Mum." "Is that his father?" "That was in Algeria." "He was an attorney's clerk, working in Arabic and French." "He was a Muslim?" "He was an educated man." "A law graduate." "He even ran for election." "He was elected senator." "He wanted to change things." "It cost him his life." "There was a war, Mum." "Don't start." "They said he was a traitor." "Don't, Mum!" "I have some honey for you." "I'll go get it." "Keep the professor company." "I don't have any photos of Manu." "I should have taken some when he was alive." "I didn't think." "Which one do you want?" "That one." "It's just him." "Where was it taken?" "In Lyon." "He must have been 17." "The year he started catering school." "Do you mind if I take this photo?" "Of course not." "Everything here is yours now." "You'll have plenty of time to prepare." " I wanted to thank you." " No, it's nothing." "All day, I worried about my voice." "I hardly had a thought for Manu." "Hurry or you'll be late." "You're a pain in the arse!" "You can't lock yourself in every night!" "No way!" "It helps me write to cut myself off from the world." "I got some turkey fillets and peas." "OK?" " Can I help?" " I'll do it." "Here..." "You see the kid today?" "He's fine." "But he can't stay with my parents till he's ten." "I hope I finish before." "It's going well but I can't ease off." "Do you mind if we talk about Manu?" "Why don't you answer?" "Don't go torturing me with that." "It'd be better to forget, don't you think?" "No, I don't think." "What do you want to know?" "I don't know." "Was it love at first sight?" "No way, not at all." "It was when I rescued him at the beach." "It came out of nowhere." "I had to hold him tight against me." "It was so confusing." "At one point, I thought," ""I'll have to let go of him." ""I have to get rid of this boner." ""I'll have to let him drown. "" "Any other questions?" "Why do you hide your notes?" "Usually, you leave them all over." "Are you writing about Manu and me?" " Why do you ask?" " I'm asking, that's all." "It's not the hub." "The hub keeps shifting." "Like in life." "You have no right." "I've changed the names." " Is this your revenge?" " My testimony." "About what?" "His time among us." "What you're doing is rape." "It's not just a misdemeanour, it's a crime!" "You're not at work now." "Fuck it!" "Why are you doing this?" "You're stabbing me in the back!" " What are you doing?" " Leaving you, to write." " Are you serious?" " Sure." "I'll be at my mum's." "What the hell is this?" "I don't want to fight." "I hate fights." "I can see it's what you want." "Usually, I run from discussions." "Now, it's you." " I'm going so I can work." " Without me around." "It helps me write." "I'll be back when I'm done." "And if I don't agree?" "I don't want you to write this story." "Save your breath." "You're planting in winter?" "For shrubs, it's the best season." "Some brooms will be nice." "I thought of planting mimosas, but they're so fragile." "If you want to be alone," "I can stay with friends." "It's as you wish." "Maybe it's better for my writing If I'm alone." "You decide." "Tell me about my birth." "Did you want a baby?" "Did you love me right away?" "The delivery was awful." "I was exhausted by the heat wave." "Then, you came down with a fever and diarrhoea." "You were a bag of bones with a bright red nose." "For some reason, you simply refused to open your eyes." "Very soon, my milk dried up." "Your father was worried." "The doctor too." "I thought I'd go insane." "And now, you see, you're here." "It's a miracle, being alive." "I learned that from you." "The hardest thing being gay is the risks you run for love." "Any moron can tell a man from a woman." "When you're gay, you find a guy you like and panic that maybe he'll spit in your face or tell everyone you're a fag." "Hardly surprising that gays give up." "If it's just for sex, they can go cruising." "I spent all my life in bushes, saunas and bars because I didn't want to mess up." "You go where everybody's like you." "Mehdi was the exception." "That's why I loved him more." "But did he ever love me?" "I don't know." "Summer returns" " Get him!" " Freeze!" "202, OK." "Police!" "Open up!" "Go on!" "209, OK." "Pack your bags, the hotel's closed!" " We're taking you in!" " Got a warrant?" "Don't need one." "Get dressed!" "Back off!" "Let go!" " First name?" " Minotier." "M" " I-N-O..." "André Voisin?" "Everybody knows he's a pimp." "You rented a room to a pimp from the 17th to the 24th." "The owner's been a target for ages." "We have enough on him to take the whole gang down." "Why didn't you warn me?" "I tried when we met at the campsite, but I couldn't risk it." "How could I be sure you wouldn't blab?" "You could be friends with these scum." "Manu knew Sandra." "Maybe you'd think you were helping them." "I'll find you another hotel." "You won't be on the street." "I'm not staying in Paris." "I've been thinking..." "I want to go to Munich." "There's work for French singers." "Here, I keep thinking about Manu." "And seeing him." "And in Munich you won't?" "Of course." "But it'll be a fresh start." " Don't act on impulse." " It's not on impulse." "I want to try my luck abroad." "Now Manu's not here," "I'll try to live for two." "You're not leaving right away?" "You have nothing here?" "Nothing." "No family, no relationships." "That's not for me." "I just need to write to Adrien, my brother's friend." "I wonder what you think of him." "I like elegant, lonely men." "I find him very attractive." "Don't feel obliged to keep me company." "I've nothing else to do." "I'm on duty again at noon." "I usually go home and doze, but I'm not sleepy." "Since the days of his meetings with Manu, Mehdi hadn't flown a plane." "Living free as a bird seemed possible once more." "Julie's presence gave him wings." "He wanted to go up and down, and through the clouds." "Julie's laugh was infectious." "Nobody down below saw them becoming angels." "She kept saying, "I love the sky. "" "Hi." "I'm Steve." "Yank names sound so dumb, I'm sorry." "I come from New York, sir." "I'm Adrien." "I didn't catch your accent." "I had a French boyfriend who gave me lessons, but I prefer to speak English or Italian." "This is where it's at." "We reject that because you can't reduce the history of AIDS to that of an exotic virus hitting the Western world." "In the US, Haitians are the scapegoats." "Poor, black, illegal immigrants." "Homosexuals and drug users are being ostracised." "Boat people are interned in camps or special prisons." "Tomorrow, we'll discuss the blood issue - which products are problematic and the haemophiliac question." "You have time for a coffee?" "No, I'm meeting the prison doctor at Fresnes." "We need a protocol for addicts released from jail." " I'll walk you to your car." " If you want." "I brought my manuscript." "I'd like you to read it." " I don't have time." " I'll wait." " You don't need my opinion." " I do." "It's my first draft." "There are mistakes." "You knew Manu best." "Write what you want." " Your husband read it?" " It wasn't easy." "You always get your own way." "Not with you, I don't." "Since Manu died, I've lost a friend." "You don't call, you avoid me." " Is that a reproach?" " No, but I miss you." "Maybe straights and gays just can't get along." "You're crazy." "I'm not crazy, the world is." "Your godson's nearly one." "I know." "June 21st." "I haven't lost my memory." "I hope you'll come for his birthday." " We'll see." "Don't force me." " I'm not forcing you." "I can't give you a ride, I'm not alone." "I'll go, then." "You forgot to give me the manuscript." "The Newcomer" "I wasn't too long?" "I have plenty of time." "Adrien didn't want to read my book and have Manu resurface." "The time wasn't right." "He was basking in the glow of a new relationship." "Human beings have no fixed age." "In a few seconds, they can become many years younger." "Adrien was floating in a river that rose and sank, oscillating between one period and another." "You're all knotted up." "It's like granite." "How many languages do you speak?" "If I lived abroad for too long, I wouldn't feel at home anywhere." "This is Steve." "I'm not as agile as you." "Are you American?" "My mother is." "My father's Canadian." "I was born in Australia." "Steve's a globetrotter." "Here goes!" "Help me with the candle." "The wind's too strong." " What's his name?" " Justin." "I told you." "I'm no expert." "Let me put this glass down." " Can you help with the champagne?" " Coming." "Here, you do this." "Give that to Steve." "For the boat, this is the last summer." "Mum's selling it." "Happy first birthday!" "To Justin!" "Happy birthday!" " Are you staying long in France?" " A week." "And then?" "Does Adrien know you're leaving?" "You know Sandra's positive?" "I know." "Don't let her die in jail." "She needs care." " We're taking care of it." " I bet!" "You know it's out of my hands." "Don't you think we should make peace?" "I'm not sure that's possible." "We could try."