"SO AMBITIOUS" " Hi, Sylvie." " Hi, Julien." "The next round's on you." "You in?" " Yes." " I'm in." " You bought your ruins?" " Yes, I need a contractor." " How much?" " 200,000 euros." " Too steep!" " The place is rotting." " You're being had." " My father's paying." "What does he do?" " He runs a publishing house." " Which one?" "Séchard Publishing." "Been ours for generations." "Then you've got it made!" "My name is Julien Demarsay." "I've always lived in this town." "I know its every nook and cranny, and I feel supremely confident here." "Six months ago, I made a new friend." "A Parisian who's new in town." "We share a passion for literature and chess." "You seem preoccupied." "Mathieu..." "I need you to do me a favor." "But if you can't, I'll understand." "What is it?" "Well..." "I'd like you to read what I've written." "I didn't know you wrote." "Actually, I wrote a novel." " It's hidden in a drawer." " Marie didn't read it?" " Yes." " She liked it?" "Yes, but I'm not sure she's totally impartial." "I need your opinion." "You know literature well." "Not any better than you do." "I love books, that's all." "But I'd be happy to read it." "Really?" ""An Ordinary Little Town." Sounds exciting." "Sorry, I'm kidding." "I'm sure Mathieu's avoiding me." "He's had my manuscript for two weeks!" " He hasn't read it yet." " That's what's so upsetting." "He must've thrown it anywhere." "Or left it in some bar..." "Or shown it to everyone for a laugh." "Don't get paranoid." "You forced me to approach him." "Big mistake!" "You're blaming me?" "You want to be published!" "I suggested it, that's all." "You shouldn't have!" ""Mathieu, I erred." ""I apologize." "I forced you to read my novel." ""I didn't do it out of self-interest." ""I don't want you to think that." ""Forget the novel exists." ""Simply give it back to me." "Let's never discuss it again."" "What's with the letter?" "I'm sorry, my mistake." "I don't want you to read it." "Too late." " Really?" " Isn't that what you wanted?" "Don't feel obliged to be nice." "I don't pretend to be someone I'm not." "Calm down, listen to me." "I disagree with you." "To tell you the truth, it's really good." " Seriously?" " The story line isn't original, but the characters are believable." " My father could look at it." " Certainly not." "That wasn't my goal." "I don't care, it's no big deal." "I'll send it, then we'll wait and see." "I feel like I'm taking advantage of you." "Fine, I won't send it." "OK, send it." "You never know..." "Séchard Publishing called." "I'm meeting with Judith Zahn next week." "Wow!" " Isn't that good?" " Yes, it's perfect." "She's a publishing agent." "What's she like?" "Intimidating." " Has she left yet?" " No, she's still here." "I want nothing to do with her!" " Who is she?" " A harassing bitch!" "Kick her out, call the cops, whatever..." " I'll be at the hairdresser's." " You went yesterday." "Where the hell else can I go?" "Call me when she's gone." " Hello, ma'am." " Hello." "I wanna change my hair color again." " Why didn't you call me?" " She's still here." " She hasn't budged." " What's she doing?" "Looks like she fell asleep." "Miss Zahn?" "This came for you." "Judith Zahn?" "Are you Judith?" " Yes, why?" " Finally!" "I recognize you." "You're Lucien's daughter." "It took me months to find you." "I couldn't leave France without hugging my little girl one last time." "Excuse me, but who are you?" "But..." "Judith, I'm Martha." "Your father's last wife." "You don't know me?" "Just follow me." "Judith!" "I'm your father's great love." "We left for Guatemala together." " How does that concern me?" " It wasn't just for love..." "Your father left for very pressing reasons." "There was the revolution." "We wanted to change the world, so we fought." "Your father died a hero." "I heard he ended up in a psychiatric institution." "Who told you that?" "Those are lies!" "He was an extraordinary man." "What's that?" "His final days." "Documents, letters, photos..." "It took me years to collect all this." "Now it's yours." "Give it to his real family." "He hated them." "He said this was for you." "He never legally recognized me." "Not true!" "Take it." " I don't want it." " Take it!" "My father always shunned me." " It's too late." " You can't refuse." " Here!" " Give it to historians!" " Now get out!" " Listen to me!" "After me, there'll be nothing." "You must learn your father's story." " Keep his memory alive." " Out!" "Judith?" " You OK?" " No, I'm suffocating." " The drug store..." " Yes, but..." "Julien Demarsay is here." " Who?" " Mathieu Séchard's friend." "He wrote An Ordinary Little Town." " You meet with him." " That's impossible." "You promised Séchard you'd personally talk to him." "The hell with Séchard." "I can't do it." "Pretend you're me." "I don't even know what his novel's about." "Neither do I, I didn't read it." "We can't treat people like that." "You're pissing me off!" "Sorry." " Hello." " Hello." " Judith Zahn." " Julien Demarsay." "Let's get acquainted." "Tell me about your passion for writing." "It started in high school." "We had to write a play, and mine was selected." "It was staged." "Everyone loved it." "It was a defining moment for me." "I haven't stopped writing since." "I wrote short stories, searching for my style." "Then I started writing about myself." "My adolescence." "It took 10 years, but I finished it." " The novel I sent you." " Yes, of course." "OK." "Listen..." "I heartily endorsed your book, but it was out of my hands." "You decide, no?" "No, unfortunately." "The editorial committee's decision is final." "That's the way it is." "I'm sorry." "That's it?" "You didn't talk about my novel." "Sorry, I can't do more." "But we'll read your next manuscript with great attention." "Have a safe journey back, Mr. Demarsay." "Mom, it's me." "Call me back right away." "That woman, Martha, dropped in to see me." "She told me horrible things." "Call me as soon as you can, at the office or on my cell." "Take care." "Shit!" "I'm such an idiot!" "I'm trapped!" "No way!" "Lucille!" "Some dummy's locked in the john." " Call Cyril." " But..." "Pipe down!" "Didn't you see the sign?" "I don't work here." "Sorry!" "Calm down!" "Enough's enough." " I'm claustrophobic." " Help is on the way." "I deserve a bonus." "I'm not Ben-Hur!" "Move away from the door, please!" " OK?" " Yes." "Here we go..." " Why wasn't it fixed?" " They're swamped." " I told you to move away." " I'm sorry." "Miss Zahn, this is the last time." "Next time, call a locksmith." "I can't keep doing this." " Miss Zahn?" " Taxi!" " Miss!" " Yes?" "Julien Demarsay." "We had an appointment." "So it's you?" " I'm waiting." " For what?" "An explanation or an apology." ""An apology"?" "Now that's rich!" "Someone may have referred you, but it's talent that counts." "I traveled 400 km and you didn't even meet with me." "I was talking to some secretary!" "Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" "Taxi!" "Look..." "I'm sorry." "I made a mistake." "I had a horrendous day." "But now I'm running very late." "I can't even stop to have a drink." " Your car?" " Yes." "We can talk while you drive." " Fine." " Great." "To the Comédie-Française." " Can you give me directions?" " Sure, turn left." "Left!" " Good reflexes." " How about talent?" " You have that too." " Right!" "No, I mean it." "You have a style that's all your own." "And you're very observant." " You think so?" " Yes." "You know what you're talking about." " I talk about myself." " Yes, and that's the problem." "There's too much autofiction." "Young authors need a worldly vision." "I won't publish a book unless I'm moved, or at least a little shaken." "Know what drives you." "Make it your subject matter." "My emotions." "I try to be sincere." "Sincerity is a given, but it doesn't make you an artist." "You have to have something to say." "What are you obsessed with?" " Writing." " Yes, but what else?" "Many things interest me." "What exactly?" "Fear of solitude, class struggles, sexual tyranny..." "I could've written a novel..." "A libertine tale of adventures, told by my penis." "Its periods of doubt, excitement, abstinence..." " I can't see it." " Why not?" " It's not your style." " What is my style?" "More down-to-earth, less intellectual." "You think I'm a fool." "No, of course not." "Don't get upset over nothing!" "Listen..." "You'll find your subject matter." "Hang in there, the world doesn't revolve around you." "Next time, I'll meet with you personally." "You have my word." "See you soon." "Thanks." "It's a minute to." " I'm never late." " Hurry." "It's about to start." "That color suits you." "Really?" "I hate it." "I'll change it tomorrow." "Careful, you'll go bald." "I'll tell you later." "Don't wait up for me." "Yes." "Take care." "I love you." "Damn!" "What's wrong?" "I talked to a guy for 30 minutes about his book, and I didn't even read it." "And you're boasting?" "Very original." "It's not in the play." "You're uneducated." " She's a friend..." " It's too late." "She's in attendance." "I have to go." "Sorry, I really can't take it." " Shit!" " Sorry." "Let me perform!" "I'm an actor!" "How horrible!" "Ladies and gentlemen, please exit the theater." "The play will resume momentarily." "I've never seen anything like this before." "My case!" " I had a case with me." " What?" " A metal case." " It doesn't ring a bell." "Have you seen a big metal case?" "Sorry, I can't stay." "I'm returning to the office." "See you later." " The restaurant reservation...?" " I'll meet you there." "Mr. Saint-Clair, can I have your autograph?" "What's his name?" "Fabien..." "Sébastien..." " Yes?" " Julien?" " Julien Demarsay?" " Yes." "Judith Zahn here." "Did I forget something in your car?" "I'm at the bar next to the theater." "I was there a few minutes ago." "I'll be right there." "Thanks." "This case is cursed." "It ruined my day." "Sorry to keep you waiting." "Can I buy you a drink?" "No, I really must go." "Some other time, then." "Thanks again." "On second thought, I accept." "A few minutes more..." "Fine." "Excuse me." "What's in this cursed case?" "My father's remains." " "Remains"?" " In a way." "Documents, letters..." "I inherited it today." " It upset me to the point..." " I'm sorry." "Don't be, he died 35 years ago." "You didn't know him?" "He vanished when I was two." "He started a revolution in South America." "He must've led a fascinating life." "Surely, but it didn't include me." "Sorry about earlier." "I was ironic and curt." "I'm not like that." "Not at all." "On the contrary." "You forced me to face reality." "Everything you said about my novel was bang on." " What's so funny?" " Nothing." "You." "I'm starting to think you're very sly." "Shit, dinner!" "What shall we drink?" "I could use a drink." "Hello, what can I get you?" " Champagne." " Two glasses." "I love it here!" "So much to see and do..." "I don't feel like going home." "Then kiss me." "Let's go to my place." "No, I can't." "I should be setting off." " Sorry." " Party pooper!" "You're boring." "You lack a taste for adventure, madness, whimsy..." "Taxi!" "Marie?" "Hi, it's me." "I'm too tired, I'll stop at a hotel." "I'm sorry I woke you up." "Go back to bed." "I'm sorry!" "Take care." " So what are you doing?" " Meaning?" "Leaving?" "Staying?" " I'm staying." " As you wish." "I need to sleep, I'm tired." "Good night." "Good night." "Excuse me..." " Do me a favor?" " Yes." "I can't sleep with you here." "Mind using the sofa?" " "The sofa"?" " In the living room." ""Lucien Weinberg." ""Saturday the 27th." "We've been hiding for two weeks." ""We have to abduct HHG before the 31st," ""or we risk being spotted." ""We need fake IDs." ""M found someone who'll do the passports." ""We almost fought over water." ""Every problem becomes serious:" "food, blankets, sheets..." ""They want me to carry a gun." "I feel like a hostage."" "Julien?" ""M's still not back." "I try to hide my fears." ""The military routinely rounds up citizens." ""I can accept her death, but if she's tortured..." " "Midnight." "M's not back."" " Are you sleeping?" ""Saturday the 3rd." "The abduction is set for today." ""I woke up at 5 a.m. I can't sleep."" "Julien?" "What are you doing?" "Julien?" "Can I sleep with you?" "Do you have other works by Lucien Weinberg?" "Yes, probably." "I'll go check." " I have his political essays." " And a biography..." "I'm calling about the studio that's for rent." "Boulevard..." "Yes?" "Could I drop by next week?" "No, I'm not in Paris." "I'm going back to Paris tomorrow." "Séchard Publishing again." "I'll be back tomorrow night." "Why didn't you tell me?" "I was going to." "To settle a little matter." "Want me to come with you?" "No, there's no point." " Something's fishy." " Why would you say that?" "Come on, strip!" "Show me your tits!" "What's with you?" "Did you take Viagra or what?" " What are you doing here?" " I wanted to see you." " Why didn't you call?" " I don't have your number." "This is a bad time." "Come back in an hour." " I'll be on the train then." " OK, come in." "Ready to drink?" "I feel dizzy..." "It's low blood pressure." " Let's meet tomorrow instead." " I've just about had enough." " Putting it off again?" " It's not you, it's me." "I'm exhausted." "I'm at my wits' end." "I keep giving, but all for naught." "I don't know what you give." "I'll be off." "I'm gonna get me a whore." "I'll be better off." "I'm so happy to see you!" "He looks like that TV personality..." "It is." " And you know him?" " Yes." " What did he want?" " Nothing, he's a friend." "Enjoy it while you can." "She's into it at first, then it's downhill all the way." "What's that supposed to mean?" "I have no idea." " You sleep with him?" " Of course not, he's old." "I'm visiting apartments." " I'm moving to Paris." " Really?" "You just decided that?" "Yes, it's the only thing to do." " Thanks to you." " What'd I do?" "You opened my eyes and instilled desire and courage." " What "courage"?" " The courage to write." ""To write"?" "What'll you live off of?" " My writing." " You're off your rocker!" "It could take years to make it." "How will you manage?" "I don't know, I have some money saved up." "I'll land a few contracts." "I can ask you to proofread, but that's about it." " I don't expect anything." " Good." "To your new life." " You don't mind?" " My father put up the money." "He's thrilled I'll be running a bookshop!" "Sure this is what you want?" "No regrets." "I want to write full-time." "I just need a little boost." "Bye." " How's Marie taking the news?" " Remarkably well." "It's better this way." "We were going nowhere." "You have your eyes set on someone." "Yes, but it's too early to..." "Not Judith Zahn, I hope?" "No, of course not!" "Take care." "Get up, it's time." "I have to go." "You tired me out." "You're insatiable!" "Come on, get up." "Can't I sleep a little longer?" "No, I don't want you alone here." " What are you doing?" " Nothing." ""We were at the eatery at 9 a.m. We hid in the Toyota." ""The others are behind." "We await the signal." ""We know there's no driver." "This isn't going to be easy." ""The gun I'm carrying weighs a ton." ""I pray I won't have to use it."" "The Ultimate Battle" " Yes?" " It's Judith." " Do you like gallery openings?" " I'm working." "You need to get a life." "Can't you work days?" " Call me when it's over." " Unless I meet someone. 'Bye." "Bye." "Yes?" "Are you upset?" "Should I come?" "No, I was kidding." "Focus on your work, that's what counts." " Yes?" " It wasn't worth it." "You didn't miss anything." "Where shall we eat?" "This is a key passage." "I can't stop now." "OK, but you don't know what you're missing." " Address number?" " Nineteen, why?" "I'm outside." "Just making sure you weren't taking me for a ride." "This is sweet." "It's cheery and neat." "Great pad." "I'll see you out." "I need more supplies." "It's like all we did was screw." "Isn't that why you came?" " Watch out!" " I didn't even touch you!" "Simon?" "Don't you recognize me?" "Julien Demarsay." "We went to high school together." " Good to see you again." " Same here." "It's a small world." "Remember the time we came to see you perform in Limoges?" " Are you still an actor?" " "Actor"?" "Shakespeare, Goethe, Schiller, Chekhov, Hugo..." "I did 'em all." "One after the other." "I almost didn't recognize you." "The beard..." "I'll be playing Raskolnikov." "Crime and Punishment." "It becomes you." "I live and breathe my character." "It's the only way." "I'm even wearing his suit." "The stench of hardship." "Heady, huh?" "If I could just stick my knife in someone's gut...!" "We don't want any trouble here!" "Idiot!" "That's Dostoyevsky." " Moron!" " Enough." " Gimme a beer." "Shut up." " You shut up!" "What's your problem?" "Don't push your luck." "I look like a jerk." "And I'm broke." "Lend me 10 euros?" "I'll buy you a drink next time." "Ten euros, OK?" "Got any change?" " Do you believe in fate?" " Well..." "This isn't just a chance encounter." " Where do you live?" " In the area." " Is it a big place?" " No, it's tiny." "Smells great." "I found these." "Where are my clothes?" "I'll throw them out." "What?" "They're for my role!" "I didn't throw them out, OK?" "Eat while it's hot." "This place is gloomy, like a monastery." "Why don't you put up some posters?" "No, I want to stay focused." " What do you do?" " I write." "You wrote in high school too." "Rimbaud..." "Right!" "That play you wrote..." "What a joke!" "We got you good." "You didn't quit, that's good." "You hung in there." "Keep at it, don't be like me." " Or you'll be down-and-out." " "Down-and-out"?" "Yeah." "Still don't get it?" "Think I sleep at the Ritz, like Brad Pitt?" "I don't get it..." "What happened to you?" "Don't worry, it's just a role." "Nothing but words." "I rarely sleep here, so..." "You can spend the nights here." "Really?" "Thank you." " It reads well?" " It's great." "And so well-written!" "It's incredible." "What's it about?" "It's the story of an apartment representative." "What's so great about it?" "I don't know." "It's funny." "It works, it's marvelous." "What's the subject matter?" "Nothing special." "An apartment representative." "It's seemingly innocuous, but it grabs you by the lapels." "You told me you need a subject matter and a worldly vision." "Don't take me literally!" " Where are you going?" " Out for a walk." " Wait for me." " No, I wanna walk alone." " See you tonight." " I'm leaving tonight." "Where are you going?" "For a week in Bordeaux." "A book fair." "Would you like to come?" "You could write at the hotel." "No, I have to stay focused." "I'm almost done." "Can't you focus in a hotel?" "I have many documents." "I can't bring them all." "What "documents"?" "Is it a recipe book?" "No, but..." "What are the documents for?" "I'm investigating." ""Investigating"?" "It's a novel, no?" "Yes." "Why, then?" "I'm worried." "What is it about?" "Let me read it." "Steer clear of trouble." "I'll ask you to read it soon." "Come on, get up." "Get up." " She dumped you on a Sunday?" " What's that?" "Pretty, isn't she?" "Please remove that at once." "What'd you do?" " Read my book?" " Sure, why not?" "Who gave you permission?" "I shouldn't have, but I couldn't stop." " I was hooked." " Really?" "The scene where the ambassador gets abducted..." "Then the guy finally leaves the restaurant..." "They follow him, full of fear." "The embassy looms..." "They have to execute." "They corner him and the others arrive." "You figure the guy's toast." "But he manages to escape!" "Lucien sees him." "He runs after him." "His buddy says, "Shoot!"" "He doesn't have the guts, right?" "He pulls the trigger!" "It's brilliant." "Brilliant." "I added a few suggestions." "But you don't have to go along with them." "Fine, but I need to get back to work now." "Does Lucien make it or not?" "I have to write the ending." "You'll see." " Just one more thing..." " What?" "I could be Lucien Weinberg, no?" "The revolution!" "The people's revolution against the bourgeoisie." "You OK?" "What's wrong?" "It's sad to end your life this way." "Wanna know something?" "Nice guys always finish last." " I hope she likes it." " She'd better." "OK..." "Pep me up." "If she hates it, I'll slay her." "I'll be off." "Judith, it's me." "How are you?" "I'm fine." "Still wanna see me?" "Come." "We've been sleeping together every night for six months." "I've never been in a long-term relationship." "I fled before it started." "Before what started?" "The attachment, the feelings..." "Get dressed, we're going to a very good restaurant." "How do I look?" " Perfect." "Very pretty." " "Perfect" or "very pretty"?" "Both, actually." " Judith, can we talk?" " Yes." "What's wrong?" "What are you hiding?" "Your novel?" "It's finished?" "It's just the first draft, it needs to be polished up, but..." " Tell me what you think." " OK, I'll read it right now." " Aren't we going out?" " Later." "The Ultimate Battle." "Great title." "But there's something you need to know." "Yes?" "I wrote it for you." "You can't bribe the jurors!" "Good luck." "I'll be at the bar." " One more." " Yes, sir." "Thanks." " Please call Room 111." " Right away, sir." "Thanks." "To leave a voice mail message..." "Have a nice day." " Whisky, please." " Yes, sir." "Judith?" "You OK, Judith?" "How could you do this to me?" "Do you realize what you've done?" "You stole from me." "How repugnant!" "And you did it behind my back!" "The novel doesn't belong to you." "You must be kidding!" " Your father's a public figure." " Yes, but it's my story." "I'll never publish it!" " No one else must read it." " Your father deserves it." " Shut up." " You owe it to him." "Shut up!" "You disgust me!" "You monster!" "Your depravity knows no bounds." "You sure managed to find your subject matter!" "You have no talent, no imagination." " It's a novel." " "A novel"?" "Crap, more like!" "Crap that'll beget more crap!" "You're no novelist!" "You have nothing to say!" "No story to tell." "I never wanna see you again!" "Crap generator!" "You don't get it." "You're pathetic." "Julien!" "Come back here, you coward!" "Coward!" "Come back, Julien!" "Pick up your crap!" ""I should've known." "From the first time we met," ""your goal was to humiliate me." ""You never believed in my talent." ""Did you read even one line" ""of my first novel?"" "Bitch!" ""You never wanted me to be a successful writer." ""You wanted to control me." ""You can't accept the notion that a man can be" ""by your side."" ""You're a dull bourgeoise." "You take no chances." ""You know nothing about the pain of writing." ""Yet you're judgmental." "You ruin lives, you're jealous." ""You would've written the book, if only you could've."" "All your emails reek of frustration..." ""You feel sorry for yourself." ""You've chosen to ignore your father's story." ""You have no sense of commitment." ""He'd be ashamed of what you've become." ""Your bourgeois lifestyle, your spacious dwelling." ""You'll croak alone amid your books and knickknacks."" ""Julien, This is my first and last message." ""Don't bother writing me anymore." ""Your emails are going directly to the Recycle Bin." ""I want nothing more to do with you." ""Disappear from my life." ""Judith."" "Thank you." "Good-bye." " Hello, Lucille." " Hello." " Your mail's on your desk." " OK." "Daphné, I'm back." "Please step in here." "Two new messages." "Wednesday, 7 p.m." "Miss Zahn, it's Charles." "My son Mathieu sent me Julien Demarsay's manuscript, which is titled The Last Battle, or The Ultimate Battle." "You read it too, no?" "The book is clever, historically accurate and well-written too." "It deserves a wide readership." "I hope you'll publish it." "I'm counting on you." "No, I don't want to publish it." "I won't publish it!" "Julien Demarsay will be here this afternoon." "I won't publish it!" " Hello." " Hello, sir." "Don't try to pretend you're Judith Zahn." "She's expecting you." "Come in." "Julien Demarsay." "Hello." "Have a seat." "Séchard is forcing me to publish your novel." "Your contracts." " Fine." " Read them carefully." "Initial each page and sign." " It's gibberish to me." " You can consult a lawyer." "From now on you'll deal directly with Daphné." "It'll be published as is?" "No, just change the names." "No, if we don't identify your father, it's fraud." "If word gets out it's based on actual events, and the family didn't consent, it'll never be published." "So just shut up." "Fine." "You must know what you're doing." "Isn't this what you wanted?" "You've only been in Paris six months and you're successful." "You're right to put yourself first." "You're a genius." "Don't forget me, OK?" "We screwed that slut real good!" "You outwitted her." " I'm a genius." " You are." "The journalists love it." "They say it's highly original." "I'm very happy for you." "Now stop worrying." "But I have yet to read a review..." "I'm taking you out to dinner." "What's gotten into you?" "I get first dibs." "Soon you'll be in demand everywhere." "We'll grow farther apart." "Handsome cover, no?" "Excuse me." "Is Saint-Clair in?" " Yes." "Your name?" " Thanks." " You have an appointment?" " Yes." "You can't go in, miss." "Yes?" "Judith Zahn." "What a surprise!" " We had an appointment?" " No." "But since you never answered my calls, I came to see you." " I postpone appointments?" " No." "That's all for today." "Listen up." "Don't take no for an answer." "I want Florian to do the show." "Barbara, my new assistant." "What do you think?" " Sure she can read?" " She's a philosophy major." "I'm not here for that." " A pity." " I need your help." "You want a glowing critique of a middling book?" "No, nothing like that." "It's quite personal." ""Personal"?" "You've piqued my curiosity." "Swear you'll do it!" "I have to save my honor." "It's vital." "You'll have to convince me." " Your cards." " Thanks." "Follow me." "Mr. Saint-Clair?" "This is Julien Demarsay." " Hello!" " How are you?" "Welcome." "I don't like your book, but Judith asked me interview you." "We'll get you set up." "Right here." " Marceline Foueck." " Julien Demarsay." "Five minutes!" " You're perspiring!" " Louis Valenti." "How do you do?" "OK, here we go." "Five, four, three, two, one..." "Credits!" " Yes!" " Finally!" " Just in time." " He's on the right." "Book Talk with Saint-Clair..." "Good evening." "Tonight on the show, three novels." "Great suit!" "He looks classy." "I don't recognize him." "He looks different." "Your books have always featured hard-hitting texts, but this one is mostly autobiographical, isn't it?" "Society doesn't accept lesbians, which is ridiculous." "I was touched by that young woman." "When she states that homosexual sensuality..." "Yeah, keep yakking..." "You're not through, are you?" "I've heard enough." "Shut up!" "Penis size is irrelevant!" "I urge all women executives to reveal their true sexual nature." "Thank you." "Have you read The Ultimate Battle?" "It was written by our next guest," " Julien Demarsay." " Good evening." "Critics have heaped praise upon your novel." "You're a major new literary talent." "Shut up!" "Your book is brilliant." "We're very impressed." "Highly recommended." "It's more than a simple reconstruction." "Those were very turbulent times, and you vividly bring them to life." "Thank you." "Indeed, that's precisely what I endeavored to do." "How did the idea for the book come about?" "I met a wonderful publisher who guided me in the right direction." "It's not about me." "My novel bridges two eras." "It's not true that our generation is apolitical, selfish and uncommitted." "Writing must be a political act." "Damn, he expresses himself well." "Who inspired the characters?" "Good." "They're fictional." "Yes, but it's a well-researched book." "You refer to actual events." "I read up on them." "The protagonists aren't real." " What?" " They didn't exist." "I'm very surprised to hear that." "Kudos for your hyper-realistic depiction of events." "Thank you." "I set out to bring them back to life." "Why do you stubbornly deny the truth?" "Yes!" "Pardon me?" "What do you mean?" "I know for a fact that your book draws its inspiration from Lucien Weinberg." "For those who don't know him, he was a very influential intellectual in the '70s." "His death was..." " What's going on?" " I don't know." "I knew him well." "He died crazy." "Not at all, and it's a fascinating subject." "Why didn't you say so?" "Who are you talking about?" "Hold on..." "You did your research, the man stands out." "Those who have read Weinberg know his views on armed struggles, and the role played by intellectuals back then." "Why not speak the truth?" "It's ridiculous." "Admit it!" "It's ridiculous." "Admit it." "Admit it!" "I can't, I don't have the family's authorization." "You admitted it!" "You're very naive." "The nerve!" " What the hell is this?" " It's horrible." " It's deceitful." " That jerk!" " What are you doing?" " Running away." "How brave!" "Very brave." "With guys like you, there are no revolutions!" " Yes?" " It's me." "You watch the show?" "No." "Shit!" "I fell asleep." "She set me up, Simon." "I'm ashamed of myself, Simon." "She set me up." "My writing career is shot." " The party...?" " Forget it." "I'd rather be dead." " You gotta go." " I can't!" "Bravo for having him bolt the studio." "Great publicity." "Will Demarsay show up?" "He's not returning my calls." "He's not home." "Where could he be?" " I don't know." " Shall I wait for him here?" " No, go back to his place." " I'm worried about him." "Who's the creepy guy?" "Never seen him before." "Don't leave me alone." " So?" " You startled me!" "I await your congratulations." "And my reward." "What's wrong?" "I doubt you'll see him again soon." "You can seek solace in my arms." "I don't think so." "I kept my end of the bargain." "I don't care." " Don't play games with me." " You're hurting me." "You're hurting me." " No games." " Leave me alone." "Are you remorseful?" " What a performance!" " Let go!" "Judith Zahn is losing control of the situation." " Stop..." " You're pathetic." "No, it's OK." "It's OK." "Judith?" " Who are you?" "Do I know you?" " I doubt it." "What do you want?" "I like you." "You're plump." "My Sonia." "My Petrushka." "I could just bite you!" "One more step and I'll scream!" "You smell nice." "I love you!" "I love you!" "You're leaving?" " Have you met Barbara?" " Yes." "Daphné?" "The guy's tailing me." "I'm going home." "Call me if you hear anything." "OK." "Judith Zahn!" "No accidents, no suicides." "Are you sure?" "Could you please check again?" "Call me if there are any developments?" "OK." "Julien?" " Julien, is that you?" " Yes." "How'd you know where I live?" "Who gave you my address?" "Who are you?" "Answer me!" "I'm Lucien Weinberg!" "Go away or I'll call the police!" "Calm down!" "What is it you want?" "I haven't touched a woman in three years!" "Give me a kiss." " Stop!" " Don't be afraid." "I'm a prince, a sword..." "Know what I'd like to do?" "Spank you!" "What do you want?" "What'd I do to you?" "Why'd you do that to him?" "He worked his ass off writing that book." "He gave you everything." "You should beg for forgiveness." "But you don't know any better." "You know Julien?" " Are you Simon?" " You're a spoiled brat." "A conceited bitch who's immune to love." "Know what?" "I loathe you so much that I don't wanna screw you." "Judith, what's wrong?" "You left me some incoherent messages during the night." "Pick up!" "Judith?" "Are you home?" "You OK, Judith?" "What's going on?" "What's behind those terrible messages?" "You've been drinking!" "How could you lie to me for so long?" "What are you talking about?" "What'd I do now?" "You said my father wouldn't legally recognize me." " That's right." " Liar!" "I have proof he was ready to recognize me." "He came back to Paris for that very reason." " But you denied him." " That's not true." "It's right there in black and white..." "Take a look." "Go on, take a look!" "I'm not interested." "Why'd you lie to me?" "So what?" "He's dead." "For me, it changes everything." "I grew up thinking my father didn't want me." "That's why I hated him." "He abandoned us for that woman." "I have no regrets." "You're mean." " I don't want to be like you." " Don't judge me." "I loved your father." "Then why didn't you want him to recognize me?" "I would've followed him anywhere." "I was crazy about him." "After I appeared on Saint-Clair's show, the press investigated all the allegations, and people kept hounding me." "I couldn't face anyone." "So I fled to my native city, utterly convinced that" "The Ultimate Battle would be my first and last book." "I was living the life I'd always known." "It was welcome news." " I found this." " Great." "Thanks, Sylvie." "Good-bye, Julien." "You have such passion for books." "Miss?" "Can I help you, miss?" "Judith?" "What are you doing here?" "I was in the area, so I figured..." "Is this your bookshop?" "Yes." "I mean..." "Now it's no longer mine." "I'm just an employee." "Working for Mathieu Séchard." "Sort of like you." "The 100,000th copy." "I bought it for you." "Your book is a smash." " Congratulations." " You deserve some credit." " Without Saint-Clair's show..." " I know." " Life is ironic." " You planned things so that..." "No." "I just wanted to hurt you." "You sure did." "Judith Zahn!" "Outside of the sixth arrondissement?" "No snake sank its fangs into you?" "To what do we owe the honor?" "She'd like to have you back in her clutches." "You think so?" "Of course." "You wrote a best-seller." "You're money in the bank to her." "She's a shrewd businesswoman." "No, that's not it at all." "Train bound for Paris, Platform No. 4." "Julien?" "If only you could forgive me..." "I understand everything you've done for me." "I miss you." "I also wanted to tell you..." "I can't manage to say that I love you." "What?" "I didn't quite catch that."