"I had known Betty for a week." "We screwed every night." "The forecast was for storms." "Saved!" "Right, time for a nice little shower." "First time we've met in daylight." "You're much too early." "So what?" "How do I look?" "What do you think?" "Do you like it?" "Eating all that chilli by yourself?" "In this heat?" "You're mad." "I'll eat chilli no matter how hot it is, Betty." "Me too, I'm starving." "Glad to see me?" "They're all bastards." "Who?" "Forget it." "Kiss me." "All bastards!" "No wonder a girl ends up splitting." "Wait, explain, I don't get you." "Why don't you ever listen to me?" "I do listen. I'm listening." "I don't just want a guy to screw me." "To think I spent a year in that dump wiping tables and dodging drunks just to get felt up one morning by the boss." "I've got to start all over again now." "I'm dead." "Anyway, I left." "Can't even buy a train ticket." "She was like a flower with translucent antennae and a mauve plastic heart." "Not many girls could dress as casually as she did." "I saw that girl again yesterday." "It's not right, in this fucking heat." "I think she was looking for you." "Was it you, Zorg?" "A girl in a little apron, with black hair." "A girl something like that?" "Jesus-fucking-Christ!" "Yes, old George, she was looking for me." "I've changed my mind, I'm coming too." "You've torn a page out of Playboy." "What do you think?" "She's a bit common." "That reassures me." "Hold on." "Hold on a second!" "Down in one." "Down in one...." "l don't think I'll be able to get up." "I'm drunk." "I need to take a piss." "Don't press on my bladder." "I'm happy being with you." "I'd like to stay with you if I can." "Well, I think you can." "I've got no wife, no kids." "We've got a nice pad." "I have an okay job. I do repairs." "I'm confident." "We're still young." "I didn't want explanations." "I only wanted to kiss her and caress her ass as long as her bladder held out." "Who's that?" "Wake up!" "Who is he?" "Make yourself at home!" "Wait, I'll be right back." "How are you?" "Excuse me, you're sitting on my trousers." "I don't wear underwear either." "It's uncomfortable." "I'll get you some coffee." "I have to make it first." "I'll do it." "You get dressed." "is it because of that girl that you're still in the sack at 1 0 a.m.?" "1 0:00 already?" "Funny guy. lt's 1 1 :00." "She mustn't make you forget, see?" "She mustn't make you forget why you're here, why I house you and why I pay you." "I'll boil some water." "Shit!" "This isn't her fault at all, honestly." "Coffee keeps its flavour better in the fridge." "Yes, you're right." "Want a shot?" "No, thanks very much." "Always moisten the grounds first." "All I have to do is to run an ad to get loads of guys for your job, but I want to be fair." "I've had you a long time and nobody's ever complained about you." "But I don't think you can keep that girl here and do your job right." "Know what I mean?" "See how it swells up?" "George told you about her?" "You didn't exactly hide her." "He could've told you how much she does here." "The housework, shopping, everything!" "That counts a lot." "I'm sure." "Saves me lots of time." "What's more she does it for free." "So you want me to just forget it." "I did oversleep today, but I'll make up for it." "Especially after coffee." "Let me serve it." "Say when." "All these shacks need another lick of paint." "They look like hell!" "They sure would look better." "There may be a way." "Can you and your girl do it?" "Are you kidding?" "It'd take a whole company." "We'd still be at it in the year 2000." "When you're in love, what's time?" "And you two already make a company." "Okay, but how will you pay her?" "Funny." "You just asked me to forget I saw her." "How can I make ends meet if I pay her?" "Just do it at your own pace." "I'll leave you to it." "I'll order the paint from old George." "Don't worry, just plug away." "And don't forget to moisten the grounds." "Who was that fat slob?" "The owner." "What did he want?" "Nothing, he just wants us to do a little paint job." "Terrific. I love to paint." "500 bungalows. 500 fronts." "1,500 sides." "Thousands of shutters." "Just a little paint job!" "Are you two going to repaint all these shacks?" "Should repaint the people too." "Just shut your mouth, George." "Hell, are you mad at me?" "How did you guess?" "Don't talk about it in front of Betty." "Go play your sax." "I just told these nice folks we're painting their house." "What shall I paint?" "The shutters." "And I'll do the rest." "What's bugging you?" "Nothing." "The winner helps the other." "Ready!" "l hope she doesn't fall." "She won't." "She's young." "I win!" "Shall I start on the wall?" "Sure." "What a drag." "Shit!" "You goofed!" "What's wrong?" "My fault. I forgot to tell you not to go past the corner." "The brush is too big." "Now it looks as if that side is started." "But who cares?" "Who cares?" "You're not going to paint just one side, are you?" "You want to do the whole shack for them?" "Yeah, of course." "Of course?" "You're a champion house painter." "What do you expect?" "Go on, I'll hold the bucket." "Fallen asleep again?" "Sleepy warm slug." "Ready?" "Smile!" "Hold the roller higher." "Let me see!" "It's terrific!" "l look awful." "Why'd you pull that face?" "We're fed up with painting." "Just one more." "Stop, we've already got 50, Betty." "Let's have a beer." "That fat slob again." "You sure are working hard." "What do you expect?" "You're fantastic." "We'll see if you can keep up the pace." "What did he just say?" "He didn't say anything!" "What do you mean, "the pace"?" "Don't worry, my dear young lady I'm not asking you to do it nonstop, I'm not a monster." "Just keep fanning yourself." "Suits you nicely." "To do what nonstop?" "All the bungalows." "He's kidding, right?" "Do I look like I am?" "I'll think it over." "Betty!" "Stop!" "You're insane!" "l don't mind painting your crate!" "Makes it look more sporty!" "But I won't paint your shacks!" "She's insane!" "One wipe and it'll be like new!" "She's having her period, and this wind's enough to drive you crazy." "I'm sure she's sorry." "I'll even paint the lampposts for you!" "The electricity company does that, you jerk!" "Hi. lt's me." "What did you tell that asshole?" "Look, he wouldn't let you stay unless you worked." "It's murder to paint all those shacks." "In a way, yes." "In a way?" "Shit, they're all bastards!" "We should cut all their throats!" "How would that help?" "Have you no pride?" "I'll paint the whole town pink just to stay with you, kitten!" "You're nuts!" "Look what shit we're in with that asshole!" "You let him screw you, and for what?" "Tell me!" "We're all in the same boat!" "Stop talking bullshit!" "How can I love you if I can't admire you?" "We're only learning how to die here!" "See the wind outside, blowing bits of newspapers by?" "Papers from the North one day, from the South the next always the same bullshit, and we're in between!" "Now, look, we've got a nice pad to screw in so it's you who's nuts!" "You coward!" "Something's always wrong with you guys!" "Shit!" "And you're a stupid bitch!" "Always something wrong with a guy!" "It's dark in here, your house stinks!" "I'm fed up!" "I can't breathe in here!" "I'm going to fix your house up good so I can breathe!" "Sort your shit out a bit!" "I'll fucking show you!" "Not that one, Betty!" "Why is it so special?" "Sentimental attachment." "What's all this?" "Hitler's memoirs." "Give me that box." "Please!" "Did you write all this?" "Yeah." "Ages ago." "You filled all these notebooks?" "Yeah, but it's nothing, just crap!" "About what?" "Just stuff I'd almost forgotten." "No one forgets stuff like that!" "Won't you come to bed now?" "No." "Leave it!" "You can't start reading that now!" "Why not?" "The numbers on the covers show the order?" "That's right." "Betty was the first one to have read it." "Quiet had returned." "At 30, you begin to know what life's about, and you enjoy a break." "Want some coffee?" "One lump or two?" "Two lumps, then." "Right, well, I'm off." "Do you like it?" "Oh, it's you." "What are you doing there?" "Painting the Sistine Chapel." "Working for once." "Will you do the insides afterwards?" "Yeah, cover up your furniture." "I'll start now." "Come and see my girls afterwards." "is that you making all that racket?" "Just squashing a mosquito." "Quit fooling around, it's too early for mosquitoes." "Look, you can see it squirming in a puddle of blood." "Looks like the sun has got to you." "I felt tired earlier but now I'm on form." "Look at my little girl. lsn't she cute?" "That's your little girl?" "She's no spring chicken." "What do you expect?" "What's this?" "is it my birthday?" "No, baby, just dinner for two." "What is it?" "Mussels." "Sit down. I'll dish up in a while." "Looks great." "I'm dreaming." "Drink!" "Like it?" "l know that smell." "That's not all." "Turkey with chestnuts." "Do you like that?" "Love it." "Especially at this time of year." "What's the occasion?" "Wait, let me look at you." "When I think you wrote that." "I've never read anything like it." "You don't realise." "Now I see why you came to this hole." "To write that." "To think you paint shacks drives me crazy." "This world wasn't exactly made for me." "We'll see about that." "Kiss me." "I hadn't come to that hole to write." "It was later that I started writing." "So I could feel alive." "Mornings you start at 1 1 and now afternoons at 4!" "It's too hot!" "But I work till dark, lots of hours!" "That's the end of that!" "Don't talk to him like that!" "l'm not talking to you!" "Know who you're talking to?" "An employee!" "The greatest writer alive, fat ass!" "Doesn't show on his face!" "And she hasn't even got panties on!" "Take a good look, fucker!" "Shut up, you!" "Go on, have a stare!" "She's a real hellcat!" "Not hurt, are you?" "You asshole!" "Now, get rid of that girl!" "She's hysterical." "I don't ever want to see her again!" "She's a public menace!" "You should be ashamed!" "Bitch!" "I think I'll get to work." "Hey, Betty, I'm going to work." "She's in a real frenzy." "She loves housework." "There goes the saucepan." "The ironing board." "The record player." "My Gershwin record." "Really." "I wouldn't want a housekeeper like her." "l don't blame you." "l mean, really." "She's almost through." "Your pad will look very Zen now." "Okay." "Are you coming?" "You're insane!" "Shall we go?" "What?" "I can't hear!" "I love you!" "I love you!" "Once more!" "l love you!" "I love you!" "I love him!" "We could've taken the train." "But this is an adventure." "Whose house are we staying at?" "My best friend's." "She's a widow." "What if she's not home?" "We'll visit Montmartre!" "Isn't it great?" "The Marne." "All the rooms have a river view with the barges and the ducks." "Rusty!" "Hey, the tap's leaking." "Everything's going to pot since Frank died." "Honestly." "Hey, you've chosen number 1 3." "It's no 5-star hotel, no doubt about that." "The room's been free a week and the rest of the place 6 months." "I live just downstairs." "Well, how does it grab you?" "Can we rent it?" "Rent it?" "Of course you can." "I'd rather have tenants like you." "Number 1 3." "Just think, our luck's in." "There's a double bed too." "A double bed!" "Great!" "The base needs changing." "It's good to see you together." "I feel lonely at times." "Don't worry." "Come on, we'll look after you." "Me?" "There?" "With you?" "All three of us?" "With you?" "Now?" "Want a cuddle?" "A little cuddle." "Watch out." "Oh, kisses." "Me too. I want one too!" "We'll get out of your hair soon." "You can stay as long as you like." "I'm glad you're around, you know." "You know that." "Tell me, haven't you got a man right now?" "Some days I do, some days I don't." "Like everybody, nothing serious." "I've got my dog." "Wait." "Look." "There." "Fetch!" "You should find someone anyway." "I'd love to." "But you know men." "With my looks, it's not that easy." "Hey, Rusty!" "Look!" "The one who gets through my door will have to be a real wonder." "Well, have you got your bearings?" "And the rent?" "You can do odd jobs in exchange." "Sure. I'm a plumber." "A plumber?" "Great." "My toilet's broken." "l'll buy the stuff." "l'll swipe it from a building site." "What are you doing?" "Not even a masterpiece gets read unless it's typed." "Can you type?" "Of course." "You plan to type all that?" "Good luck, sweetie." "Give that to me." "How far are you?" "On page 1 ." "Go away, you'll make me screw up." "A bit of cold water." "Shit, the tap's leaking." "Lisa's out again tonight." "Still like it as much?" "Don't you worry." "l may never get published, Betty." "Are you kidding?" "It's a strange world, baby." "Won't you eat now?" "I've boiled some eggs for you." "I don't have time." "Why are you staring at me?" "l think you're beautiful." "Then come and kiss me." "What are you doing?" "Repairing the tap. it leaks." "Aren't you cold?" "No. I'm not very warm." "Betty still typing?" "She's getting on okay." "And you?" "Your eyes are shining." "Oh, Zorg. I just fucked." "Really fucked." "Nothing to laugh about." "Who is he?" "You'll meet him." "l'm going to bed." "Me too, in a minute." "Smell anything burning?" "No, why?" "Rusty, come on." "Zorg, come and have a look." "Guess what I'm typing." ""T-H-E E-N-D"" "No, really?" "You've got me all wrong." "You're a writer, not a plumber!" "What did I type?" "A novel!" "Don't be so dumb!" "Play the races if you like I don't care, but stop being a plumber, okay?" "See this list?" "All the publishers in this dumb town!" "All of them?" "I think I'll go buy a racing mag." "What'll it be?" "Tequila." "We don't have that." "Pernod, then." "Make it a triple." "Hey, are we on the banks of the Marne here?" "How many rooms?" "1 3?" "1 3 rooms on the banks of the Marne can bring in cash." "Honestly." "Just bend down to pick it up." "That's why I'm a hunchback." "Here." "You're no hunchback." "l am." "You're no hunchback, you're handsome." "Come on, drink up, it's Chianti." "And there's Parma ham, mortadella and homemade pate." "And Smyrna olives." "Smyrna olives." "ls this a turbo?" "No, it's a UFO." "ls it yours?" "No." "Costs a lot!" "Too right." "lt's got ABS." "What's that?" "Great brakes." "And it can do 1 50 mph." "My dad has one." "Your dad has an old crate, and it's green!" "There's Zorg!" "And the racing mag?" "Sold out." "Lovejoy, Baby Shark and Eat-Your-Soup in the lead!" "Lovejoy out." "You're Zorg?" "Eddy Sayolle." "is he your wonder boy?" "is that your UFO outside?" "You bet." "Beautiful, isn't she?" "Some kids are taking her apart." "Better just give them the keys." "You're kidding." "How about a ride on the motorway?" "1 50!" "No, we have to mail the manuscripts." "The ass she's got." "Be good!" "I've got a better idea." "Tequila rapido!" "Tequila rapido!" "You take a towel and a glass and tequila and Schweppes." "Say a prayer!" "Will it work?" "Sure." "Kiss." "Off it goes!" "So you write books?" "Do you make any bread doing that?" "Sometimes!" "You've got it made." "A soft job behind a desk." "You write, then go get the cash!" "And what is your branch?" "Historical novels!" "is that joint yours?" "Yes, Pizza Stromboli!" "Eddy's Pizza Parlour!" "I forget what kind of books you write." "Science fiction!" "Shit!" "What's wrong?" "Nothing but rubbish in the post." "It's only been four days." "Four days is nothing." "Let's have a cuddle." "Yeah, let's have a cuddle." "Where?" "Down here?" "Upstairs." "Behind the bar." "Upstairs." "lt's depressing up there." "It's always the same each time." "Do you at least trust me?" "Betty, come and see!" "What's going on?" "We're sinking into debauchery!" "Fantastic!" "Don't mess up my stuff." "He's moving in." "Are you okay with that?" "Let's celebrate." "Don't touch!" "Do they make them for men too?" "Try one on." "It's the only thing I feel good in." "1 00% silk." "There's a red one too." "Feels sexy." "Are we going to drink or what?" "There's no mail on Sunday." "Oh, yeah, that's right." "Come and have a coffee." "Croissant." "That's the way things go, huh?" "l've got a job for you two." "Like what?" "Like what?" "A job." "Where's my Milanese?" "Don't forget those aperitifs on the terrace!" "Hurry up, honey!" "Did you get number 3?" "This is yours." "ls it always like this?" "And 9?" "Where is 9?" "Between 8 and 1 0 usually." "Good night!" "Those drinks!" "Doing okay?" "Did you get 9?" "Where is 9?" "The fat lady." "May we order?" "Really!" "Where are the toilets?" "Give me a Neapolitan, no anchovies." "No, hold on." "I don't know what to choose." "Have the most expensive one." "It must be the best." "A Margherita. I'll have a Margherita." "Are there anchovies in the Margherita?" "Sorry?" "No!" "There are no anchovies!" "A Margherita with anchovies then." "Can I have ham too?" "There's ham in it." "Where does it say that?" "It's not written in the stars." "Honestly, it's really small print." "Get yourself some glasses." "Excuse me?" "She's totally crazy!" "She almost tore my head off." "Calm down." "Have you considered my offer yet, Marie?" "Come on, smile." "I've had it." "That bitch at number 5." "I'll hit her pretty soon." "I'll handle her." "is there some problem?" "is that girl an idiot or what?" "I said pizza with anchovies, not ham!" "Try some pimento sauce on it." "No." "Now, give me what I ordered." "I'll see what I can do." "Mine is great." "No problem." "What do you need?" "Do you know nouvelle cuisine?" "That's just crap." "Wait till you see my "repel cuisine." Watch." "You pick out the worst garbage you can find stinky junk, bits of sweaty sausage a little tomato, nice, fresh spaghetti an old cheese rind, lettuce that's good and rotten one olive and there you are!" "Now add a little sunshine." "I forgot the best part." "Oh, shit." "You said it." "How's your pizza?" "Hot." "You're the hot one." "You're turning me on." "Look out for your blouse." "Doesn't matter." "What's wrong?" "l'm tired." "I'm okay, just tired." "Goodbye and thank you." "What a night." "What kind of books do you write?" "Detective novels." "Any answer yet?" "Not yet." "Shut up!" "You're insane!" "Call the manager!" "What's wrong?" "The service was rotten all evening!" "And now this little fool won't get my coat!" "l'll pay their bill." "Go back to your dishes!" "You're crazy!" "You should have her locked up!" "Throw them out, Eddy!" "Calm down!" "Enough!" "What's the matter?" "Nothing, she'll be okay." "Shit, tell me what happened!" "Leave me alone with her." "Put water on her face." "l'll get some." "Beat it, Eddy!" "Shit!" "I'm here now, sweetheart." "It's over now." "is she sleeping?" "Of course she's sleeping." "What was it?" "is she sick?" "Look, don't you ever get mad?" "Mad, yes, but that scared me." "lt's nothing." "Don't say it was nothing." "She almost killed that woman." "Bullshit." "With your royalties...." "Shit, stop bugging me about my books!" "I've only written one in all my life." "And I doubt I could write another one." "As for royalties...." "l thought" "You thought what?" "She told you that?" "She found a manuscript and thinks I'm a genius." "Keeps waiting for publishers to reply." "That drives her nuts." "She may be right." "About what?" "That you're a genius." "You bet." "Read this, toots." "United Books." ""Sorry, no." "Amusing, but your style is unbearable." "You deliberately wrote a non-book."" "Who is this queer?" "Hide that, quick." "How are you, boys?" "What's wrong with him?" "Something he can't swallow." "I see." "Well, I feel great." "Any mail yet?" "l didn't look." "Betty was a wild horse that had cut her hamstrings jumping over a wall and was trying to get up." "What she thought was a meadow was a gloomy pen." "She couldn't bear immobility." "She was not made for that." ""l've read a lot of books, but nothing quite like the manuscript you had the poor taste to send us." "Your writing shows all the signs of aids." "I return this nauseating flower you call a novel." "Rely on me for publicity." "Leave that thing where it belongs in the quagmire of your brain." "Sincerely yours, Thomas Colas."" "That's just part of the game." "We're bound to run into morons." "It won't kill us." "It's not important, my love." "Okay, it's not important." "l'm going to a doctor." "Anything wrong?" "No, just to see if my lud is okay." "Coming with me?" "I'll put some makeup on first." "I love to look at old magazines, it's reassuring." "I look silly, give me my jacket." "But I look good in it." "is this it?" "There's no plaque." "Stop it, he's not deaf!" "Yes?" "What can I do for you?" "l don't know, my wife" "Did you write this?" "That?" "You recognise this, don't you?" "Who signed this?" "Shitty asshole publisher!" "Yes, I'm mad as hell!" "l'll clean it all up." "Leave it, you fucker!" "Tell him what you think!" "I don't give a damn about his letter!" "In your writing as well as your speech you show no notion of good taste!" "And you think you do?" "Get out!" "This is my home!" "Don't touch me!" "You're crazy!" "Very queer." "Quick, Betty." "Hurry up." "You're totally nuts!" "Why do you always give in?" "Forget assholes like him." "Jesus, nothing ever touches you." "That's not true." "Well, prove it!" "Pharistopoli has the world's best olives." "The best you'll find anywhere on the market." "No, thank you, I don't drink." "lt's only cactus juice." "Just for you." "My wife doesn't like me drinking." "Where's that from?" "Wrinkled olives are the best." "There are two kinds:" "The big wrinkled one is a Syrian olive." "Good for pizzas." "No, for pizzas, you're better off with that one." "It's stuffed with pepper, so maybe it's not the best choice." "The green one is pitted." "That's interesting." "Pitted ones don't interest me." "That one does." "That one's for you, Eddy." "Try the Rose of Cairo." "One more for Mr. Pharistopholi." "Pharistopoli, not Pharistopholi." "Pharistopoli." "Here you go." "Bottoms up." "Come on!" "Not bad." "Goes well served with olives." "How much?" "Normally, they're 350 a kilo." "What?" "350 a kilo?" "Yes, it's a fair price." "Take one, Zorg." "Another tequila rapido." "No, really, I don't drink." "Excuse me." "You have the six varieties here." "Eight varieties in two halves, times two makes 1 6." "Two times eight, 1 6." "Each of the 1 6 varieties for 350 a kilo." "Honestly." "I'll have that one." "You spat on my nose." "I'll try the Purple Rose now." "The black one." "The black one's the best." "You haven't tried this one, the tequila." "No, that's not it." "What am I talking about?" "I can't remember what it is." "lt's an olive." "l know, I'm an olive salesman." "How about it, Zorg?" "Let's take it." "Let's take them all." "You can't have the case." "l'll pay for it." "You put on a real show for that olive seller." "Cut it out!" "It's brand-new." "Those things stain leather!" "Shit, cut it out!" "Great, right in the eye." "Shit!" "Take it easy, Eddy." "There you go, sir." "Just look at my wheels." "Quit messing around." "What's wrong with her?" "I can explain everything." "It's not really her fault." "It's mine, in fact." "In a way" "Don't bother. I've heard it all before." "I noted down the charges and spoke to your friend." "Quite a pretty girl, but a bit uptight." "She's not always like that." "How can I put this?" "She has fits, every month." "It's hard for men to understand." "Don't push it too far." "No, of course not." "So you write novels, do you?" "Yes, or rather I'm trying to get published. lt's not easy." "They're all fucking assholes in those publishing houses." "I should know." "Stay there, I want to show you something." "What do you think this is?" "A manuscript." "Exactly!" "I'm getting to like you." "You won't believe me but I've had 2 7 refusals on this." "Twenty-seven!" "They're first-class assholes." "Twenty-seven refusals." "That's quite a lot." "When I think of all the years that I've put into that book." "All the best cases, the toughest ones are in there." "It's real dynamite." "Believe me, it hurts. lt hurts a lot." "Trust me." "I trust you." "There are some dumb cops whose shitty memoirs sell millions." "So why are the publishers all against me?" "Don't even try to understand them." "Publishers are all fucking assholes." "Feel like a drink, man?" "You bet I do." "To future success!" "Don't let them get you down!" "When I think of those assholes ruining a year's work in five minutes." "I can't say your friend's right but she's not wrong, either." "A good cop story full of sex!" "That's the best kind." "When that asshole called, I thought, "He'll pay for the rest."" "I was glad. I had a drink to celebrate." "She only scratched him." "He's making a mountain of a molehill." "Eight stitches." "I'd have kicked his head in." "Who do they think they are?" "Fancy one for the road?" "Your book's sitting here nice and warm." "Like a plane ready to take off." "Believe you me, it'll be published." "l don't think so." "lt will, I'm sure." "What about Betty?" "Can we drop the whole thing?" "Shit. I could leave this shitty office." "Can I go and get her?" "Shit, you just don't understand." "Can't you see she did all this for guys like you and me?" "I know, but there's the fucking charges." "Come on, you're a policeman." "There must be some way out of it." "It's not easy." "There are records." "Okay, I get it." "No, hold on." "There may be a way." "Go on then, confess." "The guy would have to decide not to press charges." "It's that simple." "Who is it?" "lt's for The Book Show." "Right!" "Fancy a drink, sweetie-pie?" "You're a bit pale." "Martini." "Here." "Nice place you've got here." "I'm not mad about the book." "It's not your fault." "I didn't particularly write it for you." "So we'll just leave it there." "It's one big misunderstanding." "That girl is the only good thing in my life." "Apart from her, there's nothing." "So you're not going to press charges." "Remember just one thing:" "I've nothing to lose, nothing." "Go on." "You got the wrong number." "It's the speaking clock." "There." "Drink up, kiddies." "Drink up." "Give me your glass." "Drink up." "What's the toast to?" "Friday!" "Life is fucking great!" "I don't know why, but I feel great tonight." "It's family." "Honestly, it's family." "You can laugh, but it's a real gut feeling." "Just looking at you here warms my heart." "Look, my quiff's a mess, my heart's so warm." "Big kisses to you all." "Here's a kiss for you." "And you too, sweetheart." "Kiss your hero, he deserves it." "Break!" "Break!" "I've an idea." "Come here, I'm all alone!" "I'm coming, baby!" "It's dy!" "It's na!" "It's mite!" "It's dynamite!" "What a dancer!" "The sauce!" "I would've loved to be a rocker!" "Shit, he's a real rocker!" "Come and help me!" "I'm not making it with cheap wine, but with champagne!" "Pizza Stromboli!" "What's wrong, Eddy?" "My mother's dead." "My mother's dead!" "I feel awful!" "is this your only black tie?" "I have to be there." "She's being buried tomorrow." "You should get a little rest now, darling." "l have to change." "You're fine." "Give me my jacket." "No, sleep, and I'll call you a cab later." "560 miles." "If I leave now, I'll make it." "You're nuts, you'll never make it in one piece." "We won't let you go alone." "You don't realise." "My mother's dead." "Help him." "It's not funny." "Cut it out, it's not funny." "Hold on, it's just there." "There it is." "See the shop over there?" "There." "Drive across the square." "Come on!" "This is it." "Are you...?" "No, she sold pianos." "Did she sell a lot?" "That's not nice." "Well, are we going in?" "It's all right." "What's all this noise?" "It's not Christian!" "Forget it, Uncle." "Your poor mother's upstairs!" "It's Christian enough." "They're my friends." "I didn't know you could play." "I can't." "Just two or three things." "You're a funny girl." "I waited ages for a meaning in life." "You're the best thing that ever happened to me." "You're only saying that because you're tired." "If I'd written that book, I'd have a meaning in life." "It's only bringing us trouble." "It's not because you wrote it." "You are a writer." "Then why can't I write any more now?" "Because you're a damn fool." "That's nice." "You look tired." "I'm okay." "You see all those stars?" "What's wrong?" "Nothing, I'm fine." "You're feverish." "Where are you?" "Stay." "l'm here." "What's wrong?" "I won't leave you." "Do you want a cigarette?" "No, everything's fine, just fine." "Have you seen all those stars out there?" "It's because it's a clear night." "Pass me the Nuoc Man." "The what?" "The sauce, Nuoc Man." "N-U-O-C M-A-N." "None left." "At least it was a nice day." "Sometimes, I wish I were a dog." "A life isn't much." "Just four photos." "Like it here?" "lt's different." "I want to make you and Betty an offer." "Stay here and run the piano store." "See?" "I'm psychic!" "Shall I go ask Betty?" "Tell me, do you like the idea?" "Yes, I do." "Fantastic!" "Just one thing." "Take her flowers now and then." "Who?" "My mother." "He sure gave us a nice present." "No, I just can't do it." "I can't sleep in a dead woman's bed." "I know it's no fun, but just don't think about it." "No, I don't want to." "Shit!" "I don't believe it." "Do you know how late it is?" "We'll just use this foldaway." "Let me, it's a mechanical thing." "Stay there." "Stupid thing!" "You wanted to do it!" "What is this?" "Can't you do it, man?" "Pile of crap." "Calm down." "Use the pedal!" "The pedal is stuck, Betty." "I'll go get the tools, then." "Shit, not at this time of night." "I didn't do it on purpose." "Let's stop, it'll only get worse." "It's safer." "Sleep away the foldaway way." "What are you up to?" "It gives off bad vibes." "You don't feel them, of course." "The bad vibes are gone now!" "I liked that place." "I was sure it'd be a fine day." "And it was, if they'd all had their motors tuned." "I hope I'm not disturbing you." "is that your mattress near the bins?" "Yes." "What's wrong?" "Well, we don't handle stuff like that." "We want nothing to do with it." "What can I do?" "Cut it up and eat a piece every morning?" "l don't know. lt's your mattress." "Yes, it is, in a way." "is he pissing you off?" "Well, is he?" "is the fucking mattress his?" "For pity's sake, Bobby." "Bastard!" "Don't get carried away." "Filth!" "Filth!" "Bastard!" "Bastard!" "One day he threw one like that in the back of the truck." "It took his hand off." "Now, he can't stand mattresses." "All right, Bobby." "It's time we were going." "Will he be okay?" "Have you got a smoke?" "A smoke?" "Sure." "They're homo cigarettes." "Sure." "See you." "Shit, you've been working hard." "l've cleaned the whole house." "lt's looking great." "The old woman died a second time." "What were you up to?" "Looking around town." "It's a pretty big place." "I guess we'll need a car." "Sure, we'll need money too." "Present for you." "Buttered?" "Of course." "And that costs money too." "Breakfast time." "The bar's open."