"Sorry..." "Be right there!" "Hi, I'm Gildas, Gaelle's boyfriend." "I thought you were her." "Sorry, I figured she was gone." "I should have rung." "She stayed because of me." "I thought you knew." "Sure." "I came to drop off some stuff." "I won't be long." "It's your apartment." "She finish her course?" "Yes, she leaves Sunday." "Since I'm at a nearby army post..." "I understand." "Jeanne!" "Gaelle!" "I'm glad to see you!" "How are you?" "I'm fine." "I tried all day to reach you." "May I stay here 2 more days, until Monday morning, because?" "I see..." "It's OK with me." "How'd the course go?" "Fine, thanks." "At least I think so." "You once thought you'd flunk." "It's better than I thought, even if I don't make the top 10." "The top 10?" "They go on to an advanced course." "But I never counted on that." "When can I come and see you?" "You're seeing me now." "To thank you." "Tomorrow, or Sunday?" "I'll be away." "Anyway, don't bother." "To thank you for your help." "We're cousins, after all." "I just came to switch clothes." "It's spring." "Today really feels like it." "Jeanne, it's for you." "Hello, Corinne." "How'd you know I was here?" "A gamble?" "It paid off:" "I only stopped by." "I've been here 5 minutes, and I'm off now." "Congratulations." "Sorry, I can't tonight." "I'd planned..." "I understand." "In fact, I had nothing planned, but..." "OK, I'll come." "You're in the suburbs?" "I know where... 5 Clemenceau Avenue, 4th floor." "No, I'll remember it." "Is there a door code?" "Alright. 'Bye." "See you later." "Want something else?" "My name's Natasha." "I'm Jeanne." "I'm a friend of Corinne's." "Corinne?" "Don't know her." "This is her apartment." "I don't know anyone here." "Neither do I, except Corinne." "She went out to fetch some people." "You come alone?" "From Paris?" "Leaving soon?" "As late as possible." "You want to go?" "My date had to leave suddenly." "I can get a ride home with someone." "Maybe not right away." "Then I'll wait." "I can drive you back now if you want." "You said you wanted to stay late." "I can take you home now and... come back." "See Corinne later?" "Or not at all." "I don't care if I see her." "Tonight she'll be very taken up." "She'll forgive me." "We were schoolmates, but we'd sort of lost touch." "A courtesy invitation..." "I don't know why I came." "Yes I do..." "Well, no I don't." "Understand?" "Absolutely." "In fact..." "What?" "You might've had lots of reasons:" "To meet someone besides Corinne, a guy who's not here yet, but may arrive very late." "Possible, but that's not it." "This isn't that romantic." "Or maybe it is, since it's so absurd." "Anyone with Gyges's ring..." "Whose ring?" "Gyges's." "It's a story Plato told..." "A ring that made you invisible." "If anyone had secretly witnessed today all I've said and done, he'd have no idea of the situation's meaning... assuming it has one." "The one I see is childish." "What is it?" "Doesn't matter." "Tell me." "It's really unimportant." "Let's just say I'm never bored." "Even if I'm idle, thinking keeps me busy." "But tonight I feel childishly impatient, and I can't concentrate." "You waiting for something?" "Nothing." "And no one." "Not even Corinne." "I'm waiting for time to pass, for the sunrise." "You insomniac?" "Not in the least." "Before meeting you, I was dying to sleep." "So sleep." "Here?" "At home, in Paris." "Are you homeless?" "That's right." "Yet I've the keys to 2 apartments." "I lent someone the place I prefer, but I can't throw her out:" "Her boyfriend's with her." "And the 2nd?" "It's empty." "I don't like it because it's empty." "I'll probably go there anyway." "You scared of being alone?" "Not at all." "I live with its occupant, but he's away for a few days." "If I'm alone I go to my own place." "It's an old whim of mine." "How about a place that's neither yours nor his?" "I'm in one:" "I'm here." "You can't sleep here." "I know a place." "Where?" "My home in Paris." "Dad's never there." "His room's free." "Don't bother, it's..." "I was silly to tell you all this." "It's no bother." "Dad gave me the place, so I can invite who I wish." "I don't want to stay here another second!" "Neither do you." "You said so." "Come on." "I don't like coaxing people." "Since Mom left us 6 years ago, Dad's disliked the place." "He keeps it because of me." "Mom's in another city." "I seldom see her, for lots of reasons." "The most decent is that I'm studying piano at the Conservatory." "Really?" "In Paris, Dad stays at his girlfriend's." "He's 40, but acts like he was 20." "So you needn't worry." "Was that him with you before?" "Before?" "Mind if we go via the kitchen?" "I'm thirsty." "No, that was a friend..." "My boyfriend." "He's almost my father's age, and Dad's girl isn't much older than I. You shocked?" "It's a matter of taste." "Is your boyfriend your age?" "Within a few months." "I'm the older." "Where'd your friend go?" "William?" "He had to work." "He's a journalist." "Want some?" "I'd love it." "He was due to go tomorrow, but he phoned the paper, and they'd laid on a special plane for tonight." "He hadn't time to take me home." "What do you do?" "Teach in high school." "Teach what?" "Philosophy." "I figured as much." "Really?" "Most people don't." "Because of your looks..." "They assume teachers are ugly." "No, it's the way you talk." "I sound pedantic?" "Not at all." "Then how do I talk?" "Very simply, but easily, especially in talking about thought." "You sound as if what grabs you most is thinking." "Among other things." "Maybe I think too much about my thoughts." "But it's not because I teach philosophy." "Dad's like that, though he's no philosopher." "His Culture Ministry job's half artistic, half bureaucratic." "He theorizes, generalizes." "You don't." "I hide it." "And you?" "I mostly daydream." "I don't like generalities." "But I got an A in my philosophy finals." "That's wonderful!" "Hand me your bag." "Drink?" "Love one." "What are these gizmos?" "Gizmos!" "Perfect word!" "I curse them!" "They started the row between Mom and Dad..." "I'm exaggerating, but not much." "A young architect Mom admired... more than admired, maybe, but it's not my business..." "He persuaded her to re-do the kitchen, which had been badly designed." "He had this ridiculous idea, as architects often do, of marking out a space to make people go around it, thus setting off the dining area." "Get it?" "Dad fell for the idea, too." "But Mom was the most disappointed at the result." "She had a row with the architect, and left us." "That's how I saw it, anyway." "I was 12." "In fact, the marriage had already gone sour." "Dad, who can be contradictory, liked these gizmos at first..." "If they made trouble, why not remove them?" "You can't." "That's the awful part!" "They're on steel rods set in concrete." "Using a pile-driver would destroy the ceiling downstairs." "I'm used to them now, anyway." "I'm not totally against them." "They're a bit absurd, and I don't like being hemmed in." "But they might have other uses." "Like leaning on them while you talk?" "Exactly." "I'll show you your room." "I'm glad they kept the old doors." "Pretty, huh?" "Here you are." "It's your Dad's room, he might want it." "I told you, he's never here." "I'll get your linens." "You can make the bed later." "Want to see my room?" "Put your things here." "I'll make space." "It's always been my room." "My toys are still here." "My brother's room's on the other side." "It's a junk room now." "I like it better with Dad." "I haven't the slightest desire to leave here." "I'll have to someday." "But there are things I'll never part with." "This is empty now, but..." "it was one of my first gifts." "That you?" "Too old." "Your mother?" "No again." "Your grandma..." "My grandfather." "There, too:" "Grandpa, but a bit older." "There's grandma." "Exactly what does your dad do?" "Exactly?" "It's a mouthful:" "He heads the committee that subsidizes young artists." "Interesting." "Yes and no." "Too much red tape for his taste." "He wasn't cut out to be a bureaucrat." "He dreams of being an art critic." "He could do both." "Sure he could." "He always says he's writing a book." "But... he keeps changing the subject, and gets nowhere." "Women have had a bad influence on him." "Women?" "His wife, to start with:" "My mother." "Didn't she like art?" "Sure she did... in her own way." "She wanted him to be an artist." "But he's not creative." "Too critical of himself, too indulgent of others." "Does he paint?" "Not at all." "But she wanted him to be a painter, or architect, or musician." "Or a writer, since that's his skill." "He writes very well, but it's slow going." "Mom hated seeing him rewrite, and that discouraged him." "And the others?" "The other women?" "Now it's Eve, his girlfriend." "She's different." "She's part vampire." "Swipes his ideas, then writes articles for literary magazines." "She has talent, great facility, anyway." "But her work's impersonal, journalistic." "Make your Dad feel competitive?" "You don't know him." "It turns him off cold." "So he hasn't touched his manuscript for ages." "It's sad." "Besides, she's bad for him in every way." "I only hope it won't last." "He's kidding himself that he's in love." "Does she love him?" "Her?" "I'd say no." "She likes him, he's the right age, but he brings her more than she does him." "What she brings is strictly negative." "She's so hard to get along with." "I've tried, but we're always poles apart." "She seems jealous of me, over Dad." "It's ridiculous." "Do you play the piano?" "Not at all." "I'm not good with my hands." ""Songs of the Dawn"." "Marvelous!" "You know it?" "For me, it's Schumann's loveliest work." "Shall I play them?" "It may be a bit late..." "It's nocturnal music, despite the title." "And don't worry about the neighbors." "The pianist upstairs won't mind." "Below us are offices." "Working tomorrow?" "No, not on Saturday." "I usually do." "I get up at 8 A.M." "I'll try not to wake you." "Sleep late, I'll be back at noon." "I wake up early." "Forgive my mistakes." "I've just begun studying it." "Natasha!" "Natasha, it's me!" "She's out." "I'm a friend." "Sorry." "Can I go into the bedroom?" "One moment, please." "I'll get my things." "I'm really sorry." "Excuse me." "Why stand outside?" "Take your time." "Come in, you're not in my way." "Anyway, I'm through." "I'm going on a trip and needed some things." "You know I'm Natasha's father." "She didn't warn you I'd come!" "She forgot." "I am truly sorry." "Neither of us owes any apologies." "It's Natasha's fault, but she forgot." "She runs this place." "She's in school, eh?" "Be back at noon." "Will you be here?" "Give her a message?" "Tell her I'm off to Rome until Wednesday." "I'll drop the bag off Thursday at 7 A.M." "Don't get up." "Flowers!" "How sweet!" "They're great!" "The flowers are lovely at this season." "Thanks for putting some in my room." "I'm touched." "No one's bought me any in ages." "Sleep well?" "I didn't wake you?" "I slept until 9 A.M." "Is that all?" "Luckily." "Your Dad came by." "To get his suits..." "I forgot to tell you." "Were you up?" "I was showering." "So you didn't see him." "I did, because I had the weird idea of running to the bedroom for my clothes." "Naked?" "Nearly." "Wrapped in a towel." "What must he have thought?" "But at that point we didn't look at each other." "You really didn't see each other." "Yes we did, when he left." "I was dressed." "He gave me a message for you:" "He's off to Rome, and he'll bring back the bag Thursday at 7 A.M." "I suppose he was very friendly." "Unbelievably." "Kept apologizing, which made me more contrite." "I was embarrassed." "I felt like an intruder." "But you're my guest!" "That's what he said, but I was barring him from his own room." "He doesn't live here!" "Maybe, but it's still his room." "It looks lived in, exactly as if he did use it." "I'm aware of others' order, since I'm a nut for order myself." "I sat down here to correct my students' papers so as not to disturb the things on his desk by an iota." "It's best not to touch his things, but don't mind anything else." "I insist, stay as long as you like." "Through tomorrow." "My place'll be free Monday." "You're not bothering me." "I'd love you to stay." "It'd make this really feel like home." "You don't get that, but I'll explain." "What's on for today?" "Errands, but there's no hurry." "If you don't mind, I'll stay here and read." "Want to go to the country?" "I can drive you out." "We have a house 35 miles away where we seldom go, for various reasons, all stupid." "I'd like to enjoy it before it's sold." "The cherry trees must be in bloom now." "They're lovely." "Turn left at the river." "Wait for me!" "Then hurry up!" "How handsome!" "It doesn't look so abandoned." "Dad did a lot to it last year." "He may not bother this year." "I hate stepping on flowers." "You'll get wet feet." "I'll lend you some boots." "Ignore the wallpaper." "Mom put it up." "I hate it, but haven't changed it yet." "It's not bad." "I like the colors." "This is your room." "Nice stone walls." "Ensure privacy, too." "Come see my room." "I thought cowslips came later." "It's now, but the violets are gone." "It's nice now:" "The grass is short." "If we don't cut it, by June it's a jungle." "The arbor needs repainting, it's rusting." "This is the part of the garden I like best." "Mom didn't." "She wanted the trees cut down." "What's so funny?" "You almost never mention your mother, except to criticize her." "The way she criticized me." "She was never satisfied." "Now we're far apart, she's less concerned with me." "Think I'm mean?" "Basically, I respect her." "She criticized me because she had too exalted an idea of me." "I had to live up to it." "But you do in a way." "Yes, since I got into the Conservatory." "Distance helps." "You still criticize her!" "It's a habit." "But it's wrong." "When you catch me bad-mouthing her, punish me." "How?" "You decide." "Really?" "You do see her sometimes?" "Seldom, but regularly." "A week or two down south with her in summer." "I love the sea, I must see it at least once a year." "Know the Pyla dunes?" "I've never been there." "A beautiful site, with the ocean on one side, woods on the other." "There's a fine view of the forest near here, too." "We can see it tomorrow, even if it rains." "This is some workout!" "We're there." "Oh, no!" "My view of the Amazon is all fogged in!" "Stop shaking the blossoms." "They'll fall!" "Move or I'll get insecticide on you." "That's enough for today." "We'll paint the arbor next time." "You free next Sunday?" "Yes, Mathieu won't be back." "If he is, he can come too." "Ask him some other time." "He's quite a handyman." "Serves Dad right." "He'll see we can manage without him." "Sure he's not coming?" "He travels so much, he runs straight back to his sweetheart!" "He could bring her!" "No way!" "First, she doesn't want to." "She's bored here." "And I don't want her." "Why stick around?" "Her being here, with or without me, appalls me." "It's sacrilege." "Aren't you going overboard?" "Her walking where I walked as a child, smelling the same flowers, sitting in the chairs where I sat on my mother's knees..." "I hope you're kidding." "It makes no sense, but at times I miss my mother." "You hate your father's girlfriends, yet you say you love him." "Some women I wouldn't mind." "You, for instance." "I'd be delighted." "Too bad it won't happen." "So, what did you think of him?" "I told you:" "He's so polite it embarrassed me." "And physically?" "I guess he didn't appeal to you." "More than you think." "I can see why young girls like him." "He's no spring chicken, but he's very youthful." "And he has nice eyes." "Too bad I inherited my mother's eyes!" "A penalty!" "Tell me what I have to do." "Nothing, I was kidding." "I'm not." "You choose it." "All right." "I'll tell you a story." "A fairy tale?" "No..." "Yet if we'd had that ring..." "Gyges's ring." "...we could've solved the mystery." "It's a detective story?" "In a way." "Call it: "The Mystery of the Necklace"." "A true story." "I'm telling you because I want it out in the open." "There are no cops or murder, but there is a theft." "A stolen necklace?" "Whose?" "Mine." "Who do you think did it?" "Eve?" "Yes." "What does your father think?" "He doesn't really believe it." "That's the problem." "It means he backs her, right or wrong." "You have proof?" "Here's the story." "Tell me if I'm way off." "My father inherited a necklace from his mother that he planned to give me for my 18th birthday." "He hadn't told me, it was to be a surprise, but he had let Eve in on it." "The night before my birthday, the necklace disappeared." "Some time earlier, he'd gone to a party with Eve, and let her wear it." "Unbeknownst to me." "She didn't return it at once, and even wore it." "One day, through carelessness or provocation, she let me see her wearing it." "Thinking Dad gave it to her, I was furious." "Not personally:" "I didn't know it was intended for me." "But it was a family heirloom." "And, for me, Eve would never be family." "The eve of my birthday, Dad asked casually if I'd seen the necklace." "Yes, I'd seen it on Eve's neck..." ""I thought you'd given it to her."" "He said: "I'd never do that." ""I just lent it to her, it's going to be a gift for you." ""She gave it back, I put it in my pocket to bring it home." ""It was still there coming in, then I go blank."" "Apparently, he had put it in his pants pocket, with his keys." "He felt it when he took them out to open the door, and planned to put it in its case immediately." "But the phone rang, he answered, forgot the necklace, changed clothes..." "It could've fallen out of his pants pocket." "Obviously." "But it wasn't on the closet floor." "It wasn't in the closet, the room, or anywhere." "Sure your Dad's telling the truth?" "Nothing's ever sure." "But why concoct such a story, say it was for me, if he wanted to give it to her?" "There's a better explanation:" "A few days earlier I got home to find Eve making my father try on his old suits." "She gets him to throw things out, her only positive trait." "Poking around the closet, she could've... found the necklace on the floor, or in a pocket, and taken it." "I'll show you the place later." "He wore this kind of pants." "Patch pockets:" "You lose things easily." "Let's try with my necklace." "He folded them on a hanger..." "It'd make noise falling..." "I forgot to say:" "I was there." "Where?" "When?" "I was playing the piano:" "That could've covered the noise." "I answered the phone as Dad came in:" "Eve calling to remind him of something." "He spoke briefly to her, I resumed playing..." "Must you leave tomorrow?" "Why should I stay?" "My cousin is leaving." "Why?" "To please me." "We've spent two lovely days..." "We could meet again next Saturday." "And meanwhile?" "You're free evenings, so am I. Monday I'll take you out to dinner." "Why not a bite at your place?" "Some other time." "When I've tidied up." "OK." "Good night." "Sleep tight." "You too." "Jeanne, is that you?" "Be right there." "No hurry..." "I've been trying to reach you for two days!" "You went away?" "To the country." "You're back, that's what matters." "Guess what?" "I don't know..." "I made the top ten." "Congratulations." "I found out right after you left." "I was sure I'd fail, so I left." "A friend saw my name on the list." "Means I stay an extra week." "You mind?" "Not at all." "I could go to a hotel." "Don't be silly." "I told you:" "I hardly live here." "I just came for some books." "I don't know what to say." "You're so nice..." "Gildas is picking me up Saturday." "Can we take you out to dinner?" "I may be tied up..." "No, I insist..." "I'll phone." "You'll be here?" "You're sure to find me between 6 and 7 p.m." "But don't waste a lot of time:" "I'm rarely in." "Who is it?" "Jeanne." "Know what happened?" "Your cousin didn't leave?" "Correct." "I'm so happy!" "Now you won't escape!" "Her training's extended:" "Now I can please both you and her..." " And yourself, I hope!" " And myself." "I didn't dare tell her I wasn't at Mathieu's." "Or she'd have felt she had to go to a hotel." "And she's someone I can't confide in." "Maybe I'm wrong..." "But as she's perceptive, rather perversely so," "I'm sure she suspects" "I've run away somewhere..." "In a way she's right." "I have." "Really?" "What do you think?" "Is it weird that I won't stay at my boyfriend's?" "I didn't give it much thought." "Isn't he away?" "Yes." "I didn't lie to you." "You said you hated being alone in someone else's place." "Knowing you, that makes sense." "In a place that isn't mine and that I hate." "Sometimes I hate it more than anywhere!" "I'd like to blow it up!" "I feel like an arsonist." "I may seem outwardly calm, but some of my thoughts frighten me." "When I associate Mathieu with his lair," "I find him utterly despicable!" "Isn't that monstrous?" "It is rather serious." "Places mean so much to you..." "Not always." "But a lover needs some private space." "Usually it's the place of work." "Most couples work apart, anyway." "But as we do a lot of our work at home..." "The solution is a bigger apartment." "But we have to wait." "Last year I got my teaching M.A., this year I'm training for my first teaching post." "I applied for the town where he's going." "Mathieu does government research now, next year he'll teach in Grenoble." "Then we can get married!" "Really?" "Sure." "You don't believe me?" "If you say so..." "But you don't sound thrilled" "No, what's starting to bother me is married life without marriage." "It used to be called a "disorderly life"." "That's what it is!" "I'm busy the next two days." "You're a free woman." "Thursday you must dine with us." "Dad will be there." "You can't say no." "Jeanne, my father." "We have met." "Now I know your name." "Jeanne lent her flat to a cousin who seems to have dug in." "That's a funny way to put it!" "Don't worry, I'll be gone by the weekend." "Stay longer." "I told you:" "I'm never here." "Oh yeah?" "I brought back my bag." "No need to explain." "Staying for dinner?" "Can't tonight." "Some other time." "Now that I've got you, I won't let you go." "In that case, I have to phone." "Too bad for her!" "C'mon, stay!" "Alright, I'll go do the shopping." "No, I'll go!" " No, I will!" " No, me!" "We just need bread." "I'll be right back." "A knife." "You'd rather cut the tomatoes or the salami?" "Either one." "You've been friends long?" "We met Friday." "At a party I drifted into." "Natasha was so sweet." "I had nowhere to sleep." "You're nice to lend your place..." "Were you on a trip?" "Not exactly." "I'm kind of living at my boyfriend's..." "I'm definitely living at my girlfriend's." "And I plan to stay there." "So do I..." "But he's away on a trip." "It's hard to explain..." "It's obsessional..." "What do you mean?" "I'm so clumsy." "So am I." "Eve?" "I just got here..." "I'm staying for dinner." "I tried to reach you..." "You said you were busy tonight!" "Come..." "Never mind what she says." "I hope all that's over." "Her nice girlfriend is here..." "You don't know her..." "Wait..." "It's Eve..." "Tell her to come." "She insists you come..." "Want to talk to her?" "She's back in the kitchen." "Come, so you two can make up." "She made the first move." "You must come..." "You don't have to stay in teaching." "Not beyond my 5-year contract." "But I like it." "Wouldn't you prefer a more active life, like mine?" "Organize exhibits, work in the media, audiovisuals, publishing..." "That's not my style." "Maybe it suits your... your temperament, but not mine." "One's always dependent on someone or something, even if you reach the top." "In my class I'm the boss." "If the kids behave." "That's my problem." "They obey you?" "Nice going." "If they don't, it's my own fault." "There's more to it than that." "How well do they listen?" "I know the problem, I'm doing a philosophy M.A." "But I keep my philosophy to myself." "I won't share with people who aren't interested..." "You're wrong." "I thought that at first, but not now." "My students are no intellectuals." "They're working-class." "Yet philosophy sometimes even excites them." "All of them?" "Enough..." "More than in literature or history, I'll bet." "To them it's a matter of pride." "A bad mark in philosophy is always sort of shameful." "It's as if your ability to think were discredited." "You can be bad in math, not in philosophy." "Each thinks his philosophy... is best of all." "So they feel it's the teacher's fault." "You must show that your own philosophy, or the one you're teaching, can broaden theirs, but not replace it." "It's tough, exciting work." "This doesn't mean you can amuse them with the latest fads, the media, psychoanalytical and social-science cliches." "I start right in on real philosophy, and it intrigues them." "You mean metaphysics?" "Not exactly." "Here again, to the so-called big questions, like God, the universe, freedom, they all have answers... naive, but answers." "I mean transcendentalism." "Transcendentalism?" "Yes, Kant." "You make them read Kant?" "I'm not always specific, at least at first." "I try to get them thinking about the pure act of thinking." "Transcendental in the broad sense." "In Husserl's sense, too..." "Of course." "What do you say?" "What?" "What's transcendental mean?" "What she said." "A philosophy that reaches the summit, that goes beyond, or transcends, all points of view." "That's not it at all." "You're confusing transcendental and transcendent." "As 99% do." "Then it's no dishonor." "It didn't prevent me..." "From getting an A on your finals." "I only got a B." "Don't get sore." "I just want to show that what's learned in class isn't usually precise." "I'm not sore." "I'll get the main dish." "Sorry I used jargon." "I could have said it another way." "The words don't matter." "Your students follow you in all this?" "They even get ahead of me." "Dad, can you help me?" "Ahead of you?" "For example, some students and I got into a maieutic dialogue, as in the Theaetetus?" "Is science sensation?" "Do we see with or through the eyes?" "I didn't want to go too far, but we wound up wondering about a Kantian a priori syntheticjudgment." "You say your students... wondered about an a priori synthetic judgment." "Yes, well..." "Do you know what that is?" "If I ever did, I've forgotten." "An a priori syntheticjudgment is a judgment that, while a priori, is not analytic." "To be more precise..." "forgive the jargon... the predicate is not contained in the subject." "For example?" "Kant said: "All bodies are extended" is an analytic judgment." ""All bodies are weighty" is a synthetic judgment, buta posteriori:" "The idea of weight is not conveyed by the subject, but by experience." "And a priori synthesis?" "That all bodies are..." "What did Kant say?" "In Kant, an example is whatever... illustrates a cause." "You can use math, too." ""A straight line is the shortest distance between 2 points"" "isn't derived from "straight"" "Because space is an a priori form of intuition." "Good!" "You haven't forgotten anything." "You knew that." "No!" "Maybe it was covered, but I was absent, or distracted." "But I got an A on the finals." "Natasha!" "I took Jeanne to the country..." "Marvelous place!" "Yes, a lovely spot." "We gardened." "I couldn't repaint the arbor in the rain," "I sprayed pesticide everywhere." "Maybe that was useless on wet ground." "We'll do it again later." "She mostly sprayed me!" "When are you going?" "Unless I know, I'll call in my friends." "As soon as I can." "Don't bother your friends." "Unless they want to." "Next Saturday?" "Why not?" "OK with you?" "I can't go, I've an article to finish." "Finish it there." "No." "Go without me." "You going, Natasha?" "In fact, I have plans for Saturday, too." "But you can go." "Thanks, but I have plans, too." "A chore, really, but hard to duck:" "My cousin's invited me out." "Seems no one's going." "I'll go alone." "I've done it before." "I won't stop you." "I surely won't." "I've something to show you." "Excuse me, Eve." "What is it?" "I watered the flowers." "I'd have done it." "You're in a hurry." "So are you." "I didn't think philosophers were so fussy..." "Fanatical!" "...about daily chores." "Why not?" "Anyway, I'm a teacher, not a philosopher." "Eve would find it beneath her to do housework, help clear a table or straighten a chair." "This isn't her home, luckily, but even so..." "You saw how she parades her knowledge?" "I started it." "You just answered a question about yourjob." "But she was being pedantic." "Dad noticed." "When we were in my room, we discussed you." "He said you're not schoolmarmish." "The popular idea of a teacher!" "He thought you were great, in every way." "And beautiful, too." "You made quite a hit." "Did he say so?" "No, but I can tell." "From the way he looks at you." "He doesn't look at homely women." "Typical charmer." "And cutie-pants had her eye on him." "I bet she hates you." "You're unfair to her." "She's pretty and intelligent." "She teases you a little, but nicely." "Call that "nicely"?" "You're always smoothing things out." "Fine..." "You're the kind of girl Dad needs." "He needs calm people." "Not hysterics who chase him." "I tell you he likes you." "I'm too old for him." "You seem nearly our age." "And he's too old for me." "You think he's old?" "Also, he's your father." "Suppose he weren't, and you'd met him without me..." "But he is, and I didn't." "I hate that kind of speculation." "Besides, we're both tied up." "He's not so tied to her." "I'll bet it breaks up soon." "My guess is you're not so tied up, either." "What are you talking about?" "Your guess?" "What makes you think?" "You don't sound enthusiastic about your guy." "In that respect I keep my enthusiasm to myself." "I may be wrong, but let's speculate a bit more:" "Admit you're capable of falling madly in love." "As much as anyone is." "I don't know..." "In this case, it would have happened by now." "Let's forget the "if's"." "What're you getting at?" "Nothing." "I'm a dreamer." "That's not my style." "I'm free tomorrow after all." "Shall we go to the country?" "I can go early." "I have no class." "I'm not free." "My cousin asked me to dinner." "You said it was a chore." "Your Dad can take you." "He won't go." "He say so?" "He'll never leave his beloved to go weed the garden." "Yesterday he said he'd go." "I even felt he was making it a point of honor." "It's not something he'd stake his honor on." "All I know is what I heard." "I read between the lines." "He gave a short, flat answer." "Seems clear to me." "We'll see who's right!" "Maybe I could cancel my date." "Maybe it's a chore for my cousin, too." "It's just that your Dad..." "Scared?" "Certainly not." "But I don't want to meddle." "You're not meddling." "At least when Eve's not around." "She won't be there." "Neither will he." "Who cares?" "I feel like going." "What's it to me if he goes?" "Or to you?" "We said we'd go back there in a week." "I'm going to dress." "That's Dad's car." "You were right, he's here." "Damn, she's with him!" "You OK?" "We all said we wouldn't come, and here we are." "I said I'd come." "I can do this alone." "Go help out in the kitchen." "I deliberately didn't go with her." "You and I haven't been together here for ages." "...Thinking I was being original, I did my paper on the "Mona Lisa."" "When we turned in our homework the teacher announced:" ""Everyone's written about the 'Mona Lisa'."" "I was very annoyed." "I can take over." "We're fine." "I love to peel potatoes." "If you want to smoke, do it in the garden." "I love to smoke when I work with my hands." "Not in the kitchen!" "Why not?" "But if the smoke bothers you, I'll stop." "You know it does, but I'm leaving." "Unless Jeanne needs me." "I'm fine." "I've never seen anyone smoke and cook." "I know it's not done, but I'm neat!" "Don't worry, I won't drop ashes into the pots!" "Here..." "Oops!" "Every time I brag about something..." "Sorry." "I hope you're not short of potatoes!" "You're not short of cigarettes!" "You're right." "I've a nearly full pack." "Stop it, Natasha!" "I'll smoke peacefully next door." "I'm tired of peeling." "Not that plate!" "Let me go!" "You'll break it!" "Let go!" "That's an antique plate." "It's maybe our oldest possession." "So?" "It'd be your fault if it broke!" "Don't be brusque!" "Ask for it... politely!" "You held it so loosely!" "It almost fell!" "I've broken less in my time than you have!" "A plate's not an ashtray." "There are no ashtrays." "Then don't smoke!" "What a dictatorship!" "What do your guests do?" "But you have none!" "You should sell this shack!" "Igor's too nice about it..." "Slaving to paint scrap iron to please you." "You're here, so he needn't be." "We're going back to Paris!" "Smartest thing she ever said!" "Good riddance!" "What is it?" "You don't agree?" "You're overdoing it a bit." "They got here first." "They said they were coming, we didn't." "Not her!" "We shouldn't bug them." "Not today, anyway." "You taking their side?" "I'm taking no one's side." "I can't meddle in your quarrels." "To stay on good terms with your Dad, leave them be." "We can walk in the woods." "I know a good restaurant..." "Why should I give in?" "Neither of us said we'd come." "And being on "good terms" with Dad doesn't depend on her." "He takes it for granted I'm against her." "He's hurt, but he blames himself, not me." "What're they doing?" "Shut the door!" "Good-bye." "I'm taking the train." "Your father's staying." "Don't get into this!" "It's my business too." "Did I forget something?" "Natasha and I are leaving." "You can stay." "Thanks, but you needn't defer to me." "I'd said I wouldn't come." "So did I. If you want to help, drive me to the station." "Here he comes again." "You're crazy, there's no train now." "I'm sure there's a 1:30." "If you delay me, I'll miss it." "Let me finish my work, I'll take you back." "You'll be 2 hours." "No, half an hour." "Natasha and I are going!" "Certainly not!" "We came unannounced, you got here first." "You're joking!" "We're not leaving, Jeanne." "You can't decide for me." "I can for myself." "I'll get my bag and go." "Don't be angry!" "Please stay out of this row!" "Somebody has to keep calm." "This looks hopeless." "Good-bye." "Someone has to decide." "We're going to Paris now." "You can finish the work." "The lilac's pretty, eh?" "But we can't reach it to pick it." "The apple blossoms aren't ready yet." "Maybe next week." "It gives apples?" "Loads." "The mice get most of them." "There's Dad." "Oh, good, he's alone." "We found a train." "Don't worry about her." "She has work to do." "She didn't really want to come." "We must discuss all this, but not now." "Had lunch?" "Yes, we didn't expect you." "There's plenty here to eat." "What time is it?" "I must make a phone call." "Sorry!" "Grab the rope." "It's William!" "How are you?" "OK, and you?" "Jeanne, William... a friend." "We're gardening." "Lend a hand?" "It's not my specialty." "Besides, it gets you dirty, and I'm almost done." "Shall we walk in the woods?" "I'll show you my panorama." "Let's go..." "We're going." "We'll be back for dinner." "Alright." "If you want a nap, use my room." "I prefer the garden." "I'll read a bit." "Coffee?" "Natasha?" "We're waiting for you." "I'll put her on." "Jeanne?" "You're not coming back?" "I understand." "Will you stop by tomorrow?" "I'd like to see you before I go." "Have a good time." "They won't be back?" "I knew it." "They're seldom together." "Let them enjoy it." "I don't know why... yes I do:" "I bother them." "I'll be off, then." "What?" "I was waiting for Natasha." "She's not coming, I'll go." "And leave me alone?" "I've been ditched by 3 women today." "Only one counts for you, and you gladly let her go." "She had good reason to go." "You don't." "I do." "I came to be with Natasha." "She's gone, and..." "There's really no reason to stay." "I had a date for tonight." "Maybe I..." "It's too late." "Stay for dinner." "This is a lousy time to drive." "It'll be better later." "Here." "Whatever got into them?" "Had to happen sooner or later." "Too bad you were here." "Separately, they're adorable." "Natasha accuses Eve of dreadful things." "I know:" "The necklace." "It's incredible:" "Eve couldn't wear it, or sell it." "She doesn't need money, and she's no thief." "Nor do I accuse Natasha of... hiding it to frame her." "She's dying to wear it, and she's not devious." "Kleptomaniac, maybe, but she wouldn't rob herself!" "I put it in my pocket..." "or thought I did." "Maybe I lost it in the street." "Let's call it one more mystery in our family's history." "It's not the first." "About this morning's scene:" "What I regret most is that it's not an ordinary hatred, a daughter's conventional hatred for her father's lover." "After my divorce, I was alone for a while." "I soon dropped the woman I was supposed to be divorcing for." "Then I had a string of girlfriends, who didn't upset Natasha." "Eve's lasted longer than the others." "Natasha thinks it's permanent." "She's wrong." "Our passion was heightened... by the idea that it wouldn't last." "I've been expecting her to leave me." "This morning gives her a good out." "Natasha doesn't know there's another man." "Eve's less dangerous than she seems." "It may be a matter of age." "I bet she hates seeing you with a girl nearly her own age." "The guy she's with is nearly my age." "That bothers me more." "You and Eve don't shock me, though I hate age differences in love." "I'm Mathieu's age." "Funny, I see you with someone older." "I must view you as young, since I like contrasts." "Whatever you think, you're not too old for me." "Contrary to what I said, you're not too old for me." "The barrier is that you're Natasha's Dad." "That's fine." "We can talk without thinking of seduction." "So restful." "I certainly find you restful." "All my women are temperamental." "Including Natasha." "I am, too." "You've never seen me angry." "Do you lose your temper?" "I nearly did today." "You curbed it." "Thank Natasha." "If she'd persisted, I'd have walked out too." "I hate to impose." "I don't understand you." "Why be upset by a matter that doesn't concern you?" "When something's important to me, I'm controlled." "There are things I abhor." "My fanaticism steamed me up this morning." "I'm fanatic about other people's freedom." "This can degenerate into tyranny." "And I live with an untidy man." "So, what happens?" "Sparks fly, but they're harmless." "I didn't stay at Mathieu's this week not because I was lonely for him, but because I hate his disorder when he's not there." "Because you love him." "Yes, I must love him a lot." "Are you sure?" "If you love him madly, you let his order supersede yours." "I don't love anyone madly." "I'm not mad, or even temperamental, as you said." "Unfortunately, I've always been loved madly." "I've longed to meet someone like you... who loves me." "Want to know what I really think?" "I shouldn't tell you this, but..." "Aside from your age, you're a lot like Mathieu." "In my foibles?" "Aside from them." "You're very orderly, and he's as messy as a mathematician can be." "He's a caricature..." "A Jules Verne scientist." "I call him Zephirin:" "The messy guy whose room had only a square yard of empty floor that his maid was allowed to sweep." "Where you're alike is maybe in the poetic way you both live." "About you," "I'm guessing." "I see you with Natasha's eyes." "I do know Mathieu:" "A scientist, but a poet in all he does." "That's why I forgive his disorder... even if I sometimes want to kill him." "You're different." "Your poetry, if there is any, doesn't keep you from being precise, meticulous." "I knew you'd come today, because you said you would, though Natasha said you wouldn't." "Yes, I said I'd be here." "I even confirmed it by phone Friday." "But I didn't know if Eve would come." "When I say yes, I mean it." "Me, too." "I always believe people who say yes." "I don't get Natasha's obstinacy." "Obstinacy?" "What'd she tell you?" "Nothing." "Maybe I misunderstood." "May I sit beside you?" "May I hold your hand?" "May I kiss you?" "Jeanne..." "Stay here." "No." "I said yes, wasn't that enough?" "Then stay." "No." "You got what you asked." "Now it's over." "I can't ask anything else?" "I gave you three things." "That's a lot." "Know the tale of the 3 wishes?" "A couple is allowed 3 wishes." "The husband asks for a sausage." "His furious wife wishes it'd hang from his nose." "He has to wish for it to go away." "You chose pretty good wishes." "I could have asked more." "Yes." "Too late now." "You'd have granted it?" "Sure." "I wasn't struck by what you asked, but that you asked at all." "I shocked you." "Surprised me." "I'm easily surprised." "You're very expert at it." "Not usually." "I'm following my instinct." "That's always worked." "Even in serious matters?" "If you were really in love with me would you have taken the same risks?" "Of course." "What proves I'm not really in love with you?" "What you just did." "It doesn't." "It does." "I'm not in love with you, but I could be." "In a way, I'd like to be." "I moved fast to avoid being caught in your strategy." "What strategy?" "Making our relationship trite, aseptic, sexless." "I'm your friend's Dad, I'm taboo, so no thought of seduction." "I don't like that." "It doesn't relax me, it freezes me." "I feel stiff, awkward." "I like to want and be wanted, at least in thought, even if it goes nowhere." "My frenzied love for Eve had subdued that in me." "You revived it." "Not the other day, outside the bathroom, but at table." "You're not listening." "I know what you're thinking." "Yes?" "What?" "Something like: "Let him talk, I know this routine."" "That's not what I'm thinking about." "About what, then?" "My Monday afternoon class." "You're detached from the present." "No, I'm thinking in terms of the present." "I was recalling my thoughts before, when I said yes." "Transcendental?" "Psychological." "And?" "At the current stage of my thinking," "I think I wasn't thinking of anything." "I mean, of the motives that determine people's interaction:" "Attraction, repulsion, love, hate, domination, submission." "Not of you, or Mathieu, or even myself." "You were acting like a robot?" "Not exactly." "I acted by the logic of numbers." "Of the number 3." "Good things come in three's." "Yes, it's a game." "There's the whole tradition of 3:" "Triangles, syllogisms, the Trinity, the Hegelian triad..." "The things that define a finite world, establish finality, and may hold the key to the mystery." "I didn't feel I was being led by an outside force." "My choice was free." "I was honest with my own logic." "I could have said no, but that felt like cheating." "It wasn't fair, as I used to say." "That was partly my reasoning, too." "Partly?" "Not entirely." "There is someone because of whom, or, rather, against whom, I acted." "Know who it is?" "Not you, or me, or your fiance, you said." "Eve?" "No, Natasha." "We'd spoken of her, and I was sore at her." "Hope she forgives me." "It wasn't against her." "She tried to push you into my arms." "She say that?" "No, but I know her." "If only out of hostility to Eve." "By going along with her, I wanted to ridicule it and scuttle your plot." "If there was a plot, it was all Natasha's." "How naive it was!" "I hope you believe me." "Of course." "Let's change the subject." "Put on some music." "Got a request?" "You choose." "This." "Know it?" "Schumann!" "The "Kreisleriana"." "No, the "Etudes Symphoniques"." "Natasha?" "She plays very well." "This was made 4 years ago." "Her technique was shaky." "Won't you sit on the sofa?" "I'm fine in the chair." "I'll move if you like." "Stay where you are." "Let me listen." "I'm still here." "I'll leave tomorrow morning." "No, not tonight." "They left this afternoon." "No, it's too late..." "I'm too sleepy to drive." "I'm going to bed." "You had me running in circles today." "No, please, Eve..." "Don't be angry!" "Eve!" "You're not leaving?" "It's late." "Just so!" "Use Natasha's room, go home tomorrow." "I've a busy morning:" "Move my stuff, tidy up my place, prepare for class." "Leave early, you'll have time." "Besides... forgive me, but..." "But?" "I don't want to make you lie." "Lie?" "I couldn't help overhearing." "You said I'd left." "Well, I won't be here." "It was too complicated to explain." "I'd have had to distinguish, tell her about William..." "And she's jealous of you." "She wouldn't have slept a wink." "What you said won't help her sleep." "If my man talked that way to me, I wouldn't sleep!" "Why this sudden anger?" "I'm sore at myself for believing Natasha, for coming, and for not leaving earlier." "Alone, you'd have left." "Yes, but it's too late now." "She wants you back." "I'm not her slave." "You'll be free to do as you like, without my presence influencing you." "Good-bye." "I'll be annoyed if you leave!" "Let me go, please!" "Jeanne, listen." "Don't believe Natasha and I hatched some absurd plot..." "Her childish wishes are her business." "But I'm not mixed up in any plot." "I've been completely passive today." "I hope you believe me." "I believe you." "But if you keep saying that, I won't believe anything." "Anything?" "It's a manner of speaking." "You see?" "I'm joking." "You're leaving?" "I have to tidy up my apartment." "Your cousin's really gone?" "I phoned her." "She was catching a train." "We must meet tomorrow." "Mathieu arrives tomorrow." "Pick another day." "I hate having us part on a sour note." "I heard no sour notes." "I simply found yesterday a bit hectic." "When'd you get back?" "Last night." "I dined with your Dad." "He praised you." "He's not sore at you." "We heard your Schumann recording." "Superb!" "You were 14?" "The "Etudes Symphoniques"?" "I've improved since then." "You could've slept over." "I couldn't afford the time." "I hope you're not sore at me for dropping you." "For a lover, you can drop anyone." "William's almost as old as my Dad, so I hate to see them together." "Especially since they're both shy." "His coming threw me off, I didn't expect him." "Really not?" "If I'd known I'd have told you." "You didn't tell me about your Dad." "That's different." "If that's what you blame me for, I was wrong." "I said he wouldn't come alone, and he came with Eve." "He'd never have come alone!" "That's not my impression." "Keep your impressions to yourself!" "I wanted to be alone with you." "I wouldn't have gone if I'd known about the others." "Don't make a big deal out of it." "I made a mistake, that's all." "I took my wishes for reality." "I'd like to believe you," "You'd like to?" "Why not just believe me?" "OK, I believe you." "I see." "Maybe Dad said he'd phoned to confirm he'd come." "I didn't have to believe him." "I needn't believe you, either, but I do." "Now what are you insinuating?" "You think I fixed it so you'd be alone with Dad." "I'm too naive for that." "So am I." "Just accusing me shows you're not naive!" "You accuse Eve about the necklace." "That's different." "Unless you're accusing me of hiding it!" "You're crazy, Natasha!" "You pretend you're my friend, but treat me like an enemy." "You don't look for my real reasons." "I've got problems too." "I wasn't thinking about you and Dad." "You're secretive about your life." "Well, so am I." "I don't talk about it, but it's there." "William came for things concerning him and me..." "Not for some devious plot." "Things are very tense between us." "You think life's simple for me?" "Dad's a paranoiac." "It'd be too much if you are, too." "I say what I think." "I ought to shut up, since no one believes me." "Dad doesn't believe me, you don't..." "I'm sure you really think I hid the necklace!" "Let's not discuss that necklace." "Even if you did try to pair me with your Dad, it's OK." "I think it's charming." "I didn't try." "How twisted you all are!" "Why take it like that?" "Nobody can say a word..." "Natasha!" "I found the necklace!" "The necklace!" "What?" "Look, is this it?" "That's it!" "Where was it?" "In a shoe." "In a shoe?" "Come, I'll show you." "You see?" "I turned a shoe over, and it fell out." "Where was the box?" "Up on the shelf." "When I tried to get my slacks I knocked it down." "Good thing I'm so clumsy." "But who put it in the box?" "You think I did." "I didn't." "I don't think anything." "Maybe Eve put it there to bug you." "Or your Dad hid it there and forgot it." "He's not amnesiac." "Maybe it wasn't any of us." "Then who did?" "No one." "It didn't get there by itself." "It did." "That's the key to the puzzle!" "It's so simple." "Dad's first theory was that the necklace fell out when he hung up his pants." "Later he searched the shoes on the floor, but not the ones in boxes on the shelf." "Get it?" "He put the shoes in the box after hanging up his pants but before missing the necklace?" "Yes, they're old shoes he seldom wears." "That must be it!" "Great!" "I hate accusing people, whatever you think." "And I'm glad to have my necklace." "Isn't it beautiful?" "What's wrong?" "You're crying!" "It's nothing." "Sorry about before." "I was a fool!" "Sometimes my imagination runs away with me." "So does mine." "At least my presence here won't be all bad." "I felt like an intruder." "You're not!" "I was good for something, anyway." "Think they'll believe us?" "I don't know, about Eve." "Your Dad surely will." "If he's still with her, I doubt it." "But they'll break up soon." "See him when he got back yesterday?" "Life's wonderful!" ""Some flowers for your kindness." ""I left them wrapped so you can carry them..." "Love, Gaelle."" "Subtitles:" "A. Whitelaw  W. Byron" "Subtitling:" "LVT" " Paris"