"LIFE AS A COUPLE" "Are you saying you know happy people?" "I do: 5, 7, 9." "Why only odd numbers?" "Because they're rarely happy together." "Let them in." "Now you're worried." "You wonder who will come in." "Allow me to introduce..." "No, let me." "And don't help me." "My friends, I present to you..." "Mr Pommier and Mr Santis, heir hunters." "Let me introduce my friends to you." "Sauvage." "My editor." "If he'll become my heir... he'll realise... he's been ripping himself off." "Vattier, theatre director." "My best friend." "Or so he thinks." "Pierre." "Don't get angry... yet." "Lecomte is my secretary." "So much for the introductions." "Now, have a seat." "To make sure we do this officially..." "I've asked you to keep quiet." "Will you finally tell us?" "I've written, played and published... more than 130 plays." "I've always looked for happiness, but I've never found it." "When I did find it, it was someone else's happiness." "That's why I wrote what may be my favourite creation." "My book "Life As A Couple"." "It's our bestselling book." "I know." "Maybe that's because my characters are alive... have been alive and are maybe still alive." "You know about my health." "I've been feeling rather sick." "I've started working on my will." "When I wanted to choose my heirs... my pen stopped." "Yes." "I didn't have a name to start this page with." "I've found out... that there's nothing sadder than an empty page you can't fill." "That's why I'm going to tell you about my second last will." "If this is a joke, it's not funny." "Unless you're telling us what... your next play will be about." "No, I'm serious." "These are the rules of the game." "I don't have any relatives." "Today, I'll choose my heirs." "No, it's not you." "At least, not yet." "I want to leave my fortune to those who've become my characters." "They were chosen because they were happy." "They still have to be." "If their emotional life changes... they stop being my characters." "And they stop being my heirs." "But I haven't forgotten you." "If these couples have changed." "you'll become... the heirs of my fortune." "Listen, Pierre." "Don't say a word." "Mr Stéphane knows what I mean." "I'll leave you." "Without me around, you'll speak more freely." "Goodbye, my friends." "And good luck." "Let me know soon who my heirs are." "And don't forget..." "They have to be happy." "Very happy." "Let's go over this again." "We have to." "There." "Mr Carreau has written a book called "Life As A Couple"." "It's a book about four loving couples." "Our friend wants to leave them his fortune... on the condition that they've remained as happy... as when the book was written." "That's final." "We have to find three couples." "You just said four." "Yes." "But 3 are still in competition." "Why?" "Because the 4th, or rather the 1st, will serve us as an example." "They are André Le Lorrain and his wife Germaine." "I used to know them." "They were very much in love." "They're still very much in love." "But did you also know their mother-in-law?" "Oh, Mrs Fourneau." "She was charming." "So charming that she contributed to the happy... marriage." "Indeed." "When I went to Nice with Mr Carreau... we happened to see them." "The festival was in full swing." "We witnessed the harmony between them." "What's the meaning of this escapade?" "Answer my question first." "This morning, when I said:" ""Come to the carnival with me..." ""and don't tell anyone." "I have a surprise."" "What did you think when I said that?" "Nothing." "Nothing, honestly." "You mentioned the word surprise." "If I had guessed it..." "I would have ruined your fun." "So I did as you said." "Now, explain to me." "Well..." "I wanted a quiet day, alone with you." "I chose this carnival day so that we could relive a bit... the days of our youth, when we got married." "I asked you if you'd like to live together." "You hugged me!" "For weeks..." "We were very happy." "That's true." "It's just that, after a while, many things changed." "In the past 3 years, we haven't gone out together 5 times." "We haven't talked for 18 days." "Not at all." ""Hello", "Goodnight", that's not talking." "Raising two children takes a lot." "I don't blame you for that." "That's not the problem." "You're not telling me everything." "Well, think." "You're too smart to not understand." "Here's Mimi's surprise!" "Mummy!" "Daddy!" "Get out of the way." "That's quite a surprise." "This is not a good moment, but it's what you wanted." "I was just telling Germaine that something bad may happen to us... because there's someone in your life." "You're crazy!" "Who is this man?" "It's not a man." "And it won't end with a duel." "So it's not a man." "Nor a woman." "It's ridiculous." "No, it's clear." "The enemy... is you, Madam." "It's she who, for the past 10 years, has been trying to keep you away from me." "When you get your cards read... or see a clairvoyant, you keep their predictions to yourself." "You're the cause of all problems and of everything that stops me from sleeping." "Your husband hates me!" "Yes, and I'm telling you to your face!" "In the name of all those whose lives are ruined by their mothers-in-law." "Because you ruin the life of the husbands of your daughters." "If I took a mistress tomorrow, it would be to p... you off." "You're always everywhere." "There's one place in the house where you can no longer go... without walking into you." "And always whistling "Jeannette's Wedding"." "Unbelievable." "Don't worry, mummy." "You know how men are..." "That's a line of your mother's." "You recognise my lines?" "They all want their daughter back." "I just want a quiet life... without constantly seeing in front of me what you'll be like... in 20 years." "The other night, around 2 am, I quietly got into Germaine's bed." "Look at the face your mother's pulling!" "Does it disgust you that I sleep with your daughter?" "You're jealous." "You're terrible!" "Not as terrible as you think." "That night, I could not hide my enjoyment from Germaine... and I did so out loud." "Do you know what Germaine said to me?" ""Hush!" "Mummy sleeps next door."" "So I can't make love in my own home and now you're ruining my carnival!" "He doesn't mean everything he says." "When I think of how much I liked him." "I wish you'd be sick one day." "I knew you'd wish something like that." "I would take such good care of you." "You'd ruin my illness as well." "I was so sure of that... that I've written it down." "Read." ""That cow will end up telling me that she wants me..." ""to get very sick one day so she can prove how much she cares."" "It's final." "That's why we're only interested in the 3 other couples." "How can we know if they're happy?" "How can we prove it?" "How will we even find them?" "You won't be charged with this task." "What?" "No, this will be up to..." "Mr Pommier and Mr Santis." "The love of the husband for his wife and vice versa must be... as deep as the author described in his book." "It has to be a deep love." "Very deep." "And who says love, says loyalty, says happiness." "So no lovers." "No mistresses." "That's final." "But that's hard to check." "Pierre Carreau specifies:" "happy in the present." "Let's forget about the past and the future." "It's impossible." "For you." "His last will sure is original." "Isn't Pierre Carreau an original author?" "Gentlemen..." "Excuse me." "He wants me to tell you... that when you check on the couples... you should never forget, first of all, that women... have an advantage over us." "They can fake it, we can't." "Secondly..., that a man who has had a women in his arms, can end up with her on his back." "And for some women, infidelity is all that ties them to their husband." "Right." "Gentlemen." "Bye." "He wrote Life As A Couple in Nice, which is where the couples live." "In Nice." "That's it." "Here are your tickets." "Your train leaves at 8 pm." "Bye." "I disagree." "Nobody is better qualified... to perform this investigation than Vattier and me." "I know his work very well." "Not as well as me." "I disagree!" "It's irrelevant." "You can't be judges and involved parties at the same time." "Because if none of the couples turn out to be happy anymore... it's you... and Lecomte who'll become heirs of our friend." "Did Carreau understand you're the only one who can look after his interests?" "He made it clear to me." "Once I'll be there, without Vattier... and the others, I'll beat those genealogists." "What time does your plane leave?" "In 1 hour." "It's not a good idea to leave now." "You'll travel through the night." "Those genealogists can't look after Pierre's interests." "All this money can't go to just anybody." "Don't you think?" "Hello, Mr Vattier." "Hello." "Do you have a room?" "No, are there any left?" "For you, always." "Thanks." "Are Mr Pommier and Santis... here already?" "They arrived this morning." "Here, Albert, for you." "I'm counting on your cooperation." "If anybody else asks about these gentlemen... let me know." "Certainly." "One gentleman asked if they had arrived." "Already?" "Who is it?" "Mr Sauvage." "Would you believe it!" "He's in the restaurant." "Thanks I'm counting on your discretion." "What a surprise!" "I'm here on business." "The same business as me, no doubt." "Yes." "That hurts!" "Vattier!" "What?" "He's there with Sauvage." "But we left them behind in Paris." "They've come to spy." "We'd better avoid them." "Not at all." "Come." "Stop it!" "Are you here already?" "What a surprise." "The surprise is all ours." "We weren't expecting you." "We have important business here." "We wanted you to know you have our deepest sympathy." "I'll be at your service." "Thank you." "Which couple will you start with?" "Mr Stéphane will call us... to tell us." "I have the address of Montignac." "The minister?" "Yes, do you want it?" "Yes!" "Write it down." "Are you ready?" "Write down..." "Claude Montignac..." "Saint-Martin-Vésubie." "That's 80 kilometres from here." "80 kilometres?" "That's..." "My driver's at your service." "Let's go." "Good luck." "Why did you send them to Saint-Martin?" "Montignac doesn't live there." "Look!" "The cars!" "Is that Montignac's lady friend?" "Here, 5 pm!" "5 pm, yes!" "Nice to see you." "LIFE AS A COUPLE" "Madam." "Dear Minister, let me introduce my friend Roland Sauvage, the editor." "Madam." "Miss De Starenberg, Mr Montignac." "Lovely to meet you." "Let's have a drink." "There?" "No, there." "She's charming." "Are you Carreau's editor?" "Amongst others." "I hope you won't charge me... for having used his title on my car." "Don't tease him." ""Life As A Couple", that's more or less us." "Mr Carreau was sort of inspired by us." "Will you be staying long?" "For ten days." "I'm working on a legal project that will have to be... finished when I return." "That's very interesting." "I recommend the abolition of all taxes." "Finally." "It will cause some upheaval." "Oh, yes!" "I'll finally have him to myself." "I wanted to talk to you about a project." "Yes, but not right now." "Odette's in a hurry." "She has an important meeting." "He's always making fun of me." "They're sending me a new valet." "They're hard to find." "Not as hard as prime ministers." "That's just another type of valet." "Bravo!" "Excuse me." "No harm done." "Where will you have dinner?" "We have no idea." "Join us at the Flower Festival." "That's too much honour." "It will be a pleasure to witness... the comeback of Odette." "She'll be discrete." "Her profession... doesn't go well with my position." "He doesn't like to see others... in the limelight." "Professional jealousy." "Careful, I'll pull your ears." "Tonight, 9 pm sharp." "Bye." "Bye, Minister." "If she hadn't promised to get a valet, I wouldn't have gone... to Nice." "I don't accept it and I said so." "What did you say?" "I said to Madam that her villa is much bigger than her house." "That's true." "We can't work like this." "A good cook can't do other things as well." "You're smart." "As long as that valet shows up." "Miss Odette De Starenberg?" "Yes, this is her place." "I'm the valet." "Come in, sir." "It's the valet." "What, am I late?" "Not at all." "On the contrary." "You're right on time." "We were expecting you." "I'll tell Madam that you're here." "Yes." "Did you make that sound?" "Yes." "How many are we?" "Servants?" "There's me, the chambermaid... you and the driver." "And with how many are they?" "One, and sometimes a gentleman." "A different one?" "No, always the same." "Ah." "Does that suit you?" "Maybe." "Good." "Well, I'll go." "Have a seat." "Thank you." "Don't you have a position?" "No, not since 9 days." "Why?" "It's urgent." "I see." "Do you like it here?" "A lot." "Does your lady demand references?" "Don't you have any?" "Yes, I've got all I need." "Madam's waiting." "I'm coming." "I'll leave my hat here." "Look after it, please." "When I told them, they were happy." "So ask 5000 francs extra." "I caught you out." "That's what you think." "Why are you brushing your hair?" "You'd better go and listen." "They're in the salon." "You can't hear anything." "He's coming back." "Already?" "And?" "It went alright." "Is it a deal?" "I think so." "She told me to wait here for 5 minutes." "They want to talk about it." "Probably." "Or maybe she'll call your previous employer." "Mind if I write a letter at your table?" "Of course not." "Come." "Thanks." "I'll get your room ready." "I have some errands to run." "I'll be back." "They're dining out." "Sorry to bother you." ""Dear mother..." ""I'm happy to say I've found another position fast."" "It's a very delicate situation." "Please try to understand." "An act?" ""Hugs." ""Your loving son, Désiré."" "You've understood." "I won't say another word." "Keep it to yourself, please." "I promise." "It's such a serious situation." "Indeed." "Bye, Madam." "Where's the bell board?" "Where's the chambermaid?" "Madeleine!" "Madeleine!" "That's the lady's voice." "Madeleine!" "I could go but what if she isn't dressed?" "Madeleine!" "I have to answer." "Where are you, Madeleine?" "She's not here." "She's getting my room ready." "Ah, your room." "But..." "What is it?" "I just got a call from a friend who was looking for... a valet for me and she found one." "So I'm in a difficult predicament." "You can just tell me, Madam." "Madam can tell me the truth." "What?" "But..." "My previous employer must not have... recommended me." "That's not it at all." "Oh, Madam." "Allow me to say that Madam's not a good liar." "It would help me... if you told me the truth." "If this lady continues to speak badly of me..." "I should no longer use her as a reference." "I understand that employers help each other." "But they can't stop a man from finding work." "She's done it twice to me, this week." "It's enough." "Did she tell Madam why I left?" "She didn't so much tell me, but she made me understand." "And it scares you." "Well, yes." "I won't insist then." "Allow me to take my leave." "I'm very sorry." "Goodbye." "Goodbye." "Odette, where's my book?" "I haven't touched it, darling." "I must have left it in the salon." "Which one is it?" ""The Heart Has Its Reasons."" "I'll have a look." "Excuse me, Madam." "Could you tell me exactly what the lady said about me?" "I promised her not to talk to you about it." "I swear on my mother's head that it will stay between us." "You can trust me." "Apparently, you've committed an act." "An act?" "A serious one." "So serious that she had no choice but to fire you." "That's all?" "Yes." "She didn't specify which act?" "No." "So what does Madam think I did?" "My God, I..." "Madam must think I've committed a theft." "Well..." "That's it." "I can't let you think that." "If the lady acts like this... then bad luck for her." "The act I committed isn't what Madam thinks." "This is what happened." "One evening, we were alone, the two of us." "At her place." "And then... my God... hopla." "There." "That's the act I committed.." "Oh no, now I've told you." "But I don't understand." "Madam doesn't understand?" "No." "Well, the countess and I were alone." "And?" "Think of what a man and a woman can do when they're alone." "Now Madam understands." "We did what Madam thinks." "Yes, Madam, "Oh"." "She'll say it wasn't her fault." "But Madam knows... that these things don't happen if either person refuses." "Is it appropriate to call your valet... to your room at midnight, when you're only wearing a nightgown... because the curtain's not working properly?" "Come on." "I know they say a valet's not a man." "Well, she knows better now." "I don't know if she regrets it." "But me..." "I have learnt a lesson." "I have to be more careful." "I have to avoid special situations." "If I may say so, Madam is less at risk with me... than with a man who hasn't had this experience." "If you don't trust me, I won't insist." "I'll take my leave." "Goodbye." "Goodbye." "Well, have you got it?" "Did this lady... say that I was a good servant?" "Yes, she did." "I have nothing to fear then." "Honest, clean, impeccable, as they say." "Yes, she told me." "Look at me, Madam." "I'm not a monster." "I'm just a 35 year old man." "If one wants me to know my place, one should leave me there." "I know myself, Madam." "I swear you can trust me." "Don't you want to take me on trial?" "Try me... well..." "Please understand me." "I mean, try me out." "My God, I..." "I hope Madam isn't afraid of me." "Afraid?" "No, of course not." "Ah!" "If Madam will allow me..." "I could tell Madam one thing that might make her hire me." "Really?" "Really." "And what's that?" "May I?" "Well, I'll tell Madam straight." "Madam has nothing to fear from me... because Madam's not my type." "I understand." "Madam doesn't do it for me at all." "I prefer that." "So will Madam keep me?" "Because the way Madam talks... it sounds as if you've already decided to hire me." "I can see it in Madam's eyes." "Well... alright!" "That's very friendly, Madam." "I swear Madam won't regret it." "Thank you, Madame." "Thank you with all my heart." "So tomorrow...?" "Désiré, Madam." "See you tomorrow, Désiré." "Oh, Madam's scarf..." "It fell." "Here it is." "Do you think?" "Everything points to it." " No..." "It's written above the door." "It's strange that a minister would live here." "I know a prime minister who was a butcher." "Montignac could be a blacksmith." "Let's go then." "Yes." "I hate waiting." "Me too, but he's a minister." "That's no reason." "45 minutes late, that's a lot." "Mr Minister." "Excuse me for being late." "We just got here ourselves." "So how about the valet?" "We hired him." "He made a good impression." "Yes, very good." "I'm very nervous." "That was wonderful." "Extraordinary!" "You should sing more often." "Don't give her bad advice, please." "Thank you, Odette De Staremberg." "And now, ladies and gentlemen... the board of Negresco is proud to present... an exclusive performance by the great illusionist, Teddy Brooks!" "May I, sir?" "This is a deck of 52 cards." "I'll shuffle them so you'll know I'm not cheating." "There's no trickery." "Now I'll choose someone from among you... who can pick a random card for me." "You." "You, Madam." "Thank you, Madam." "Madam, do you remember which card you have in front of you?" "And you, Madam, do you remember which card you put on the table?" "Yes." "I'll ask you to tell us, without turning the card around... which card it is." "The ace of clubs." "The 10 of diamonds." "I'm going to show you that you're mistaken." "Please turn your card around." "The ace of clubs!" "The 10 of diamonds!" "This Teddy Brooks is remarkable." "We should invite him to the house." "He could play some tricks on our friends." "It's his profession." "He's not an amateur, like you." "We could ask him to give a demonstration at the house." "Yes!" "Let's ask him." "Again!" "Come in." "Sorry for bothering you." "My wife wants to organise a soirée... where you perform your act." "I'm leaving Nice tomorrow." "We have no luck." "I'm all the more sorry because I loved your song." "Thank you, sir." "But if Mr Brooks is leaving tomorrow... let's organise a surprise party for tonight." "It's late." "It would be lovely and unplanned." "I'd love it." "What the woman wants..." "What are your conditions?" "You were ridiculous!" "To err is human." "The face he pulled when you called him Mr Minister!" "Please, stop laughing." "Driver, to Nice." "Very well, sir." "Does this door open?" "Yes, sir." "Here we go again." "What?" "It's the electric system." "I can't even open the hood anymore." "I'll have a look." "That's all we needed." "Thank you for this evening, Mr Minister." "Come to my place to see Teddy Brooks' act." "No, thank you, I'm rather tired." "I won't say no myself." "Your car doesn't seem to fit your lifestyle." "I don't want to give my voters the wrong idea." "And it would be wrong!" "I'll go." "You never know." "And our genealogists?" "I'm a bit annoyed." "Our Minister's a bit much." "Peek-a-boo, it's me!" "Lecomte!" "What are you doing here?" "The same thing as you, gentlemen." "I'm here on business." "Me too." "Let's work together." "What do we have?" "Everything's going well." "I'm tired." "I'll leave you." "Good evening." "Lecomte will keep you company." "See you tomorrow." "Do you know Montignac?" "Yes, he's part of.." "I know." "He's organising a soirée." "Come with me." "With pleasure." "Is it going to take long?" "We need a mechanic." "Everything's closed." "I can't help it." "Hey!" "Excuse me, sir." "We're early." "I've brought Lecomte, Pierre Carreau's secretary." "We'll never understand women." "I almost sacrificed everything for her." "I'm glad I used my brain in time." "What's happening?" "While we were organising the soirée... she protested against inviting certain people and... cancelled the illusionist." "Saying that she had enough of always seeing the same faces." "Ah, women!" "Kicking me out of the house!" "Maybe it was a passing mood." "If I can help, I'm at your service." "Thank you." "Please get in, I'll go with you." "I'll let Lecomte accompany you." "I have a headache." "Sorry about that." "Does Madam want me to undress her?" "No, don't worry." "I heard Madam on the phone to Mr Teddy Brooks." "So?" "The phone wasn't connected." "I know what I'm doing." "Yes." "Goodnight, Madeleine." "I won't need you anymore." "Good evening, sir." "Good evening, Madam." "Come in." "I'm a bit early.." "No, sir." "You're just in time." "Your hat... and your coat." "Will the soirée be held in the salon?" "Yes, sir." "Will there be many people?" "No, just me." "Well, perfect." "Perfect." "Did the program change?" "Which program?" "Will there be artists before or after me?" "No, no." "So if I understand correctly, it's just you and me?" "Yes." "Very well." "I'll start in about..." "Immediately!" "I'll start now." "This deck of cards, ladies and gentlemen, consists of 52 regular cards." "I'll shuffle them so you'll know I'm not cheating." "There's no trickery." "Now I'll choose... someone to pick a random card for me." "You, Madam." "You're arousing me." "Take a card." "Take a card." "No." "Take the 3rd." "No." "Your eyes..." "Take a card." "You're arousing me." "Kiss me." "Oh, that's fantastic." "That's fantastic." "That's... that's fantastic." "There's no soirée?" "No, there's no soirée." "Did you think of this wonderful plan?" "It only took seconds." "And you executed..." "That only took minutes." "That's fantastic." "You can't believe it." "Yes, yes, I can." "I believe what I always say." "Women are admirable beings." "Compared to them we're mere children." "But I'm not the woman you think I am." "Your self-confidence is offensive." "Whisky?" "Please." "Only one thing's offensive to a woman." "To not be desired." "Excuse me?" "Desired." "What desired?" "It's offensive to a woman to not be desired by a man." "Ah!" "And for a man?" "For a man as well." "It's one of the most offensive..." "Are you sure I desire you?" "Well..." "Actually..." "No, Madam." "But 5 minutes ago..." "Yes." "If only we could do it again." "Shall we start all over?" "You desire me and I show you cards." "Continue." "I won't insist." "The 10 of diamonds!" "That's it, travel." "Such a beautiful word, "travel"." "But it's not so beautiful when one travels alone." "Let's leave tomorrow." "The two of us." "Where to?" "Doesn't matter." "Just to make love." "And then?" "Then London, Scotland." "Do you like skirts?" "Yes." "And in March, Norway." "In March?" "One can only be cold in a warm country." "But what you're offering..." "Is to take up your old life... and join mine." "That wonderful travelling lifestyle." "That lifestyle that you and I adore." "And that I'm prepared to share for the first time." "Do you want half of everything?" "Be careful." "I might say yes tonight." "What do I have to do to convince you?" "Turn off the light." "There." "There, next to you." "And then?" "And then you take me in your arms." "And you order me gently to follow you all over the world." "Your arms are letting go." "Have I accepted too quickly?" "Not at all." "No, close your eyes." "The journey starts." "I see us everywhere." "In Stockholm, Amsterdam..." "Vienna, Constantinople, Athens." "Both our names on the billboards... and in big letters on the theatres." "I wish I was there." "And in Cairo, after the show, I see us in the moonlight... riding white donkeys." "They're so small." "We'll visit the tombs of the caliphs." "Beautiful!" "That could be the most beautiful memory." "It depends on the moonshine." "What?" "The tombs." "And when the moon shines on them?" "Their huge shadows extend into the desert." "And we feel very small on our white donkeys." "Let's go." "Then we'll come back via Italy." "Naples, Rome, Florence." "Venice." "We'll spend some time there." "Hello, the Negresco?" "I'd like to speak to Mr Vattier." "Telephone." "Hello?" "Vattier?" "Wake up, old chap." "We have to warn Pommier and Sentis." "No, everything has changed." "Odette's in the arms of Teddy Brooks!" "Well, bravo!" "Why bravo?" "They have to witness it." "I insist, we have to find the genealogists." "They must be in Saint-Martin-Vésubie." "What a stupid idea to send them there." "How could I know?" "I'll call right away." "I'll wait for you." "Right away, yes." "Hello, exchange?" "Miss, I need all the hotels in Saint-Martin-Vésubie." "What?" "I have no preference." "What is it?" "Breakfast, Madam." "I'm tired, Madeleine." "Don't disturb me before 11 am." "Yes, Madam." "Did she leave?" "Telephone." "That must be my friend." "Answer it." "Leave it to me." "Ah, sir!" "No, Mr Minister, Madam's not feeling well." "Nothing serious." "Madam asked not to be disturbed before 11 am." "Yes, Mr Minister." "Right." "Bye, Mr Minister." "He didn't seem very happy." "Oh là là." "Let's hurry." "Hello?" "Is that you, Brebant?" "I have 8 free days." "Find me something." "I'll come over at 4 pm." "See you then." "Were you on the phone?" "Yes, to my agent." "To tell him I need a big room everywhere I go." "And that I'll introduce someone to him." "Actually, when will we be leaving?" "Umm..." "What time will we leave?" "Well, you can decide for yourself." "You can even choose the country." "I have no preference and you're so good at planning your travels." "Have you ever been married" "No, never." "You say that as if I was talking about forced labour." "For her." "Imagine travelling from town to town." "Think about the life I live." "It's terrible." "For instance... next week I have to be in London." "At the end of the month, in Scotland." "And guess where I'll be in March." "In Norway." "During polar winter." "You said we'd be warm there." "Yes, but..." "And then Germany, Turkey, Greece." "Egypt." "That hasn't been signed yet." "And then I'll come running back, via Italy, as always." "Without being able to stop in Naples, Florence or Venice." "I've understood, you know." "What?" "You don't want me anymore." "Yes, I do." "Say it." "Let's leave together." "You don't sound the same anymore." "It's not the same time of day." "But the words are the same." "Ah, the words." "They don't always have the same meaning." "Last night they meant "I want you"." "This morning, they mean "let's leave together"." "It's not good to leave when you don't feel like it." "Why did you suggest it to me then?" "Why did you awaken in me... memories that I was trying to forget?" "You should just have said you wanted me." "You didn't have to promise me a trip around the world." "It's the only act that worked last night." "Why go through all that effort for one single night?" "If I hadn't let you ride a little white donkey..." "I would not have succumbed." "It wasn't that stupid." "I made you appear and disappear in my life." "It will be an everlasting memory." "Another one!" "Well, yes, another one." "I have my memories." "They're nice." "Now I'm part of the collection." "No." "You won't meet anyone else." "I have one in each city in the world." "Nice was still missing." "Where else could this adventure happen?" "You live in that city." "Don't be sad." "That must be my friend." "Take your hat." "I'm sad because I love you." "Don't believe that." "What?" "You?" "Say hello first." "Hello." "Mr Brooks has to leave Nice." "And since I asked him to postpone the soirée yesterday... he came to apologise." "I'm glad you met him." "Good evening, sir." "I'm sorry that you have to leave." "That's the job." "Bye, sir." "Bye, sir." "Bye, Madam." "Goodbye, sir." "You're crying!" "What's wrong?" "Are you really crying?" "Is it because of what happened last night?" "I forgive you, darling." "See?" "I came back." "Will it be finished soon?" "We can take the bus." "Another 10 minutes." "Sending them to Saint-Martin-Vésubie hasn't helped." "I couldn't know that." "We just have to inform them." "When they'll be back." "I told the driver not to drag the repair out beyond 12 pm." "It's 1 pm." "I'm inviting you to lunch." "No." "Yes, come on." "3.30 pm!" "What are they doing?" "There they are." "Finally, I was afraid something had happened to you." "The car broke down." "By the way, Montignac doesn't live in Saint-Martin-Vésubie... but in Villa Vésubie!" "What a shame you didn't realise that yesterday." "I made a mistake." "You should have been more careful." "No damage has been done." "I was here." "I saw what happened last night." "What happened?" "Odette cheated on Montignac in his own house." "Actually, in his own bed." "No!" "Yes!" "Oh!" "Terrible!" "That's one couple down." "No, we have to witness it ourselves." "Negresco Hotel?" "Negresco Hotel?" "I'd like to speak to Mr Pommier, please." "Stay on the line, Miss." "Stay on the line while I'm talking." "Pommier Hotel?" "I'd like to speak to Mr Negresco." "No, the other way around, of course." "Hello, Pommier?" "Yes, Sentis speaking." "Is that Pommier or Sentis?" "Pommier." "Umm, no, I'm Sentis... excuse me." "It's not your fault." "The Lebeaut couple will be in Nice the day after tomorrow." "Ah, perfect." "Perfect." "I'll get some information about the Caboufigue couple... and I'll let you know." "Where?" "What?" "Where?" "Where what?" "What?" "I'll let you know... at a later date!" "I have big news for you." "The government has fallen." "I've known for an hour." "But I hate giving people bad news." "So will you go back to Paris?" "Not before Monday." "That's big news." "They lost their majority because they wanted to reduce... parliamentary immunity by 50%." "The Members of Parliament didn't trust it." "A matter of confidence." "Yes." "Wrap it up with Montignac.." "before he comes back to Paris." "Bye, Pommier." "Sentis, sir, Sentis." "That's it." "I'd like to ask you a question." "Ask away." "It's a small thing." "I wanted to ask if you... remember your dreams during the day." "If I remember my..." "Yes." "Sometimes, yes." "Well, you won't be bored then." "Why do you say that?" "Because you kept me awake last night." "You were yelling and saying things." "It was quite clear what it was about... and who you were thinking of." "I'm only saying it... because you may not want everybody to know." "Not so loud." "Architects don't think of this when they design houses." "Do you mind that I talk about this?" "I mind that you heard me." "Imagine that those 2 would hear me... call her Odette." "No, you called her "Madam"." "In the third person?" "Yes." "That's almost as bad." "I won't sleep in my bed tonight." "Finally." "I've been wanting to talk to you since this morning." "We haven't been alone for a second." "Tell me, do you remember your dreams?" "No, never." "I don't even know if I dream." "Do you remember last night's dream?" "Last night's?" "No." "Well, you dreamt that Désiré and you..." "What?" "Yes, that's what you dreamt." "You were yelling and it woke me up." "You yelled:" ""No, Désiré, I don't want it"." "Hush!" "That's terrible!" "We're not responsible for our dreams." "First, you didn't want it." "I would think so!" "Then you gave in." "What?" "And you were happy." "Please, be quiet." "Oh, my God!" "What?" "His room's above ours." "Do you think he heard me?" "Well..." "I won't sleep there tonight." "Where will you go?" "To a hotel... or here." "He can't hear me from here." "I didn't mean to get you all worried." "We don't always dream the same thing." "I have to go." "Do you think she'll let her illusionist come back after Montignac leaves?" "You never know." "We have to make sure." "I'm tired." "It was a tiring Sunday." "Don't you want to go alone?" "No, we can't get separated under any condition." "Let's go then." "She's definitely alone." "I'll go back to the hotel then." "No, come." "Hush." "Close the door." "Hush." "Hush." "It's not good to enter a house like this." "We have no choice." "They may think we're burglars." "Désiré..." "Désiré..." "Désiré..." "Oh, God!" "Oh!" "Are you going to play all afternoon?" "This way, we can observe Lebeaut without being noticed." "They're playing cards." "But there's something wrong." "They're with 3." "3 is never a good sign." "Have you never travelled with 3 people?" "No." "130 and the last 10." "That was close." "Pst!" "Pst!" "Look at that!" "I thought you had the jack." "There." "Are you crazy?" "What did I do?" "It's a miracle that my husband didn't hear anything." "You had to come." "You can't order me around." "Why did you come to me then?" "To stop it." "That's why I called you." "You're behaving badly." "What?" "You have this longing look on your face and you keep laughing for no reason." "You have no right to judge me." "You're not my lover." "I regret that." "I don't." "Luckily, it's about to end." "I hope so." "I could be your lover." "You could?" "It's more than likely." "I'd be very surprised." "A woman who allows a man to love her... will eventually give in." "You have a way with words." "I wanted to make myself understood." "But I have never allowed you... to love me." "You've been accepting my presence for 3 months." "Your flattery." "That is repeated on a daily basis." "You've actually done everything to encourage me." "You're such a hypocrite." "What about when you shook my hand?" "You were shaking it very hard." "At the table, your foot stayed close to mine." "Even if I put both feet under my chair... you still approach." "And without a shoe!" "So I don't hurt you." "So you can get to my ankle." "I make the most of it." "We can't sit there kicking each other during dinner." "So to end it, I give up." "Don't think I enjoy your touches." "And our kisses?" "I defended myself." "At first." "It's like with the feet." "I won't fight." "I won't be torn to pieces." "I remember a recent kiss that you were involved in." "The one in the car?" "Yes, I remember." "I wanted to see how far you'd go." "You went all the way to the Elysée." "The kiss started in the Rue Royale and ended at the Elysée." "What was your conclusion?" "That you have good lung capacity." "You must not have found it unpleasant." "I admit that." "Say it!" "To whom?" "To me." "I'm telling you." "But why aren't you my mistress?" "You've never asked me." "What?" "Tonight's the first time." "You haven't asked me." "You've threatened me with it... as if it's an accident about to happen." "But jealousy gave you courage." "Experiment succeeded." "Experiment?" "I wanted to make you jealous tonight." "But that's terrible!" "And wonderful at the same time." "I didn't dare ask you to become mine." "I didn't dare offer." "This could have taken very long." "I should have done it without telling you." "That would have been better than talking about it without doing it." "I blame myself." "I've been stupid." "Such a waste of time." "Better now than never." "So tomorrow, 5 pm at my place?" "No, it's too late." "What do you mean, too late?" "I've been waiting for 3 months." "Now it's too late." "It's not too late for me." "Do it without me." "What?" "With someone else." "That's terrible!" "Tell me you'll come tomorrow." "I've been talking to you like this because it's out of the question." "You won't be there, tomorrow at 5 pm?" "No, I won't." "Don't say it again." "I won't be at your place, tomorrow at 5 pm." "You're driving me mad." "So?" "I'm losing my head." "So?" "I don't know what I'm doing." "What do you do when you don't know what you're doing?" "Generally, I slap." "I'd like to see that." "Really?" "Excuse me." "Alright." "What's this again?" "What do you mean, "again"?" "I already had a problem this afternoon." "So, what happened?" "Well..." "I thought as much." "Did Raval not show you any respect?" "Exactly." "Why not?" "I knew it." "Always the same reason." "That's the problem with beautiful women." "You don't marry them because you want peace." "Was it bad?" "Not too bad?" "What do you want me to do?" "I'm not going to slap him in turn." "We can't both start hitting him." "I see you take the situation lightly." "I don't take it lightly." "I take it like a man." "Disgruntled, but fairly content." "With what?" "That a man was rude to your wife?" "That you're an honest woman." "Otherwise he wouldn't have slapped you." "I'm happy to know he's not your lover." "I admit I had my doubts for the past two weeks." "Didn't you wonder why I don't ask you... to play cards with us anymore?" "I stopped asking after you were caressing my foot... under the table with your right foot." "Yes." "So I was expecting the worst." "But now I got my proof... that you're not his mistress, because you slapped him." "If he had been your lover, he would have slapped you." "We'd now be killing each other." "That's why I'm saying we should be grateful." "Let's get back to what happened." "Was he insolent?" "Yes." "Good." "How "good"?" "That means I acknowledge it." "Not that I condone it, of course." "His insolence towards you proves, a bit too well maybe... that he likes you." "Well, we agree about that." "Who?" "The three of us." "Agree about what?" "I find you beautiful and so does he." "Don't you think you're beautiful too?" "Yes." "See?" "The three of us agree." "Have a seat." "When you agree about an important point... you almost see eye to eye." "Let's discuss the slap." "He was slapped." "Did he deserve it?" "Wait for his answer." "No." "See?" "Let the poor recipient of the slap explain." "Alright?" "I'm listening." "I complimented the lady on her grace, her beauty, her elegance... and I came closer to her." "He admits it." "Madam thought I wanted to steal a kiss." "As was proven by her instinctive reaction." "It was instinctive." "May I ask you a question?" "A man wouldn't risk starting such an undertaking... when the husband's only 10 metres away." "Besides, one only approaches a woman who has granted certain favours." "Have you granted me certain favours?" "I'd like you to consider the possibility that I've been the victim... of an error or an injustice." "One couldn't explain any better." "Is this presentation of the facts contrary to the truth?" "No." "Do you regret slapping him?" "Yes." "Don't hesitate, tell him... you regret it." "No!" "Now you're asking too much." "A man declares something to me and you, my husband... ask me to apologise?" "No, a woman can't apologise to a man." "Don't even discuss it." "This can't be fixed." "How so?" "I don't accept the slap Madam gave me." "And her regretting it, doesn't make it go away." "The slap has to be returned." "Returned?" "To whom?" "To one of you." "That changes the story." "Do you realise what situation you've put me in?" "Now we have to duel over something stupid." "I said I have to return it but I have no preference." "And even..." "If we want to be logical about it..." "Ah, yes!" "Because she gave you the slap... so she deserves it." "Absolutely." "You must both be joking, aren't you?" "Ah, I thought you were joking." "Alright, if you're not joking, I accept." "What do you accept?" "The slap." "Are you kidding?" "It's the best way to solve this." "I would have suggested it myself." "Let's end this, please." "Softly!" "Oh, come on." "Well, I'm waiting." "I'm coming." "Hurry up." "I prefer this side." "Hey!" "That's pretty hard." "It sounded louder than it felt." "It's perfect." "If you're happy, that's fantastic." "But don't stand there staring each other down." "Say something nice to each other, so that this problem... is solved forever." "Tomorrow, at your place at 5 pm." "I love you." "Is it done?" "It's done." "Are you both happy?" "Let's all go for a walk." "But if you do that with your foot to me again..." "I'll hit you on the head." "Unbelievable." "They can be divine and diabolical at the same time." "They think all men are the same." "Your turn, darling." "Spades." "I don't see anything." "I have a 50." "Again?" "Your turn, hurry." "Hello, gentlemen." "Don't get up." "We weren't expecting you." "Is it bad timing?" "Well, gentlemen?" "Catastrophe!" "Women are diabolical." "Their instinct is to cheat." "To what do we owe your visit?" "No special reason." "Have you written your report?" "That's not possible." "There's one couple missing." "No, need, they're a clear case." "I got the information." "Are they happy?" "Maybe, but no longer in the same way." "No, listen..." "Marcel Caboufigue was getting ready to leave for Spain that day." "Why that outfit?" "Why not?" "But why?" "I'm taking the train." "But we agreed..." "That I'm leaving today." "Except I haven't told you." "Why?" "I thought it would be better to tell you at the last moment." "You thought I was leaving tomorrow, right?" "I noticed that every time I leave you for 2 or 3 days... the last 24 hours are always difficult." "For you, and therefore for me." "This time we're not passing those 24 hours together." "That's why I'm leaving 24 hours earlier." "Why are you going to Spain?" "Why am I going to Spain?" "You've asked me that 40 times." "I'm going to Spain..." "For car business." "Exactly, that's the only reason." "Can you explain to me what that car business is?" "With pleasure, darling." "You know there are people who buy cars?" "And others who sell cars?" "When these people meet... they conduct what one calls car business." "It's 9.30 pm." "One second." "I don't want you to go." "I see." "I'm not stupid." "My word of honour." "Take me with you." "That's just great." "Do I want to have a woman in my way?" "Oh no." "I didn't know I was in your way." "I'm going, that's all." "Marcel!" "If you go, I'll do something bad." "Do it." "That threat won't change my mind." "Life will be unbearable." "You have one minute to come to your senses... and give me a kiss." "I'm getting my overcoat." "What are you two doing there?" "25 seconds have already passed." "What are you counting?" "What's wrong with them?" "They're trying to break a record." "Attention!" "7, 6... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1." "Goodbye, goodbye and goodbye." "Marguerite Caboufigue had recently been bombarded by love letters... from a Norwegian dancer." "The moment her husband left, she went and looked... for the bad thing she had threatened him with." "She went to see her admirer." "That's unbelievable." "A bit later, Marcel came back from his trip... and everything went back to normal." "There was between them that certain tenderness that follows this type of... event." "Not much later she announced she was pregnant." "It seemed natural." "But 9 months later..." "Don't be so nervous." "I'm not nervous." "The doctor's not coming." "There he is." "Hello, Doctor!" "Doctor?" "There you are, finally." "Very well, and you?" "I'm alright." "Is it happening?" "I think so, yes." "Doctor Leclerc!" "It's Doctor Leclerc." "Let me introduce Mrs Peggy..." "Georges..." "Her husband." "Understood, tomorrow, 2 pm, at my place." "Come." "You have to excuse him." "It's 3 am." "This is going to take long." "She has her husband, her doctor... we're of no use to her." "We have to wait for the end." "We'll leave when it'll be over." "When I'll have seen the child and Marguerite will have been calmed down." "Calmed down?" "Yes, she's afraid." "Of what?" "Of something." "Did I tell you she did something stupid?" "It was more stupid than she thought." "She cheated on Marcel in the dark... and afterwards she saw it wasn't who she thought it was." "She's been terribly afraid." "Of what?" "Of nothing." "It's started." "What?" "It's beginning." "Why do you look like that?" "She doesn't want me in there." "She's right." "You don't want to see that." "Tell me, have you ever witnessed a birth?" "Yes, mine." "But I was too young to remember." "I wouldn't have thought it was so emotional." "She wanted me to go to the hotel." "You should." "The father's place is here." "Aren't you thirsty?" "Yes... no, I'm not thirsty." "Do you want to play dominoes?" "No, I'll read my cards." "If you want." "You said you didn't want a drink?" "Me, yes." "No." "Doesn't matter." "What are you asking?" "If it'll be a boy." "What are you doing?" "The jack!" "Yes, that's true." "And the 10!" "Where is your mind?" "In there!" "Georges!" "Not you, Georges." "I want to talk to you." "Is it serious?" "No." "I'm coming." "Oh, my God!" "Only you can tell him." "Bloody hell, bloody hell!" "I'll leave you two alone." "What is it?" "Nothing at all." "How nothing?" "Just something small." "I bet." "Is Marguerite not doing well?" "No, I swear." "And the child?" "No, he's very much alive." "I swear on Peggy's head." "So all's fine." "You scared me." "Besides, a boy or a girl doesn't matter." "The main thing is to have a child." "Yes?" "Yes." "I'll tell you something I haven't told anyone." "This child was necessary." "Without it, we would have separated." "Let me go there." "Not yet!" "Wait." "Wait for what?" "Wait until they come and get you." "You're scaring me." "Really." "Something's wrong." "Yes." "Finally." "What is it?" "It's very delicate." "From one man to another, tell me." "Is it a monster?" "Not at all." "It's very ugly." "What are you on about?" "Peggy told me he's perfect." "So he's been born?" "Yes." "So we know whether it's a boy or a girl." "It's a boy." "Why didn't you tell me?" "I don't know." "I'm embarrassed." "Terribly embarrassed." "Calm down." "Is it a mental or a physical matter... that's bothering you?" "Mental." "He doesn't look like me." "No, not much." "Does he look like someone?" "That is to say..." "Does he look a lot like someone we know?" "No, no." "Does he look like one of my friends?" "One of your friends?" "No." "Let's see." "Be reasonable, Georges, and look me in the eyes." "And tell me." "Can I take this child in my arms?" "Marcel, you can always take a child in your arms." "Whether he looks like me or not, the child is mine." "Yes, he's mine." "I can feel it." "Let them bring me my son!" "But, old chap..." "Bring him!" "Listen, go have a look!" "No, I want them to bring him." "Marie!" "Marie!" "Bring me my child right away." "But, sir..." "Bring me my son right away." "Your son?" "Yes." "I can see him, can't I?" "I want to see him." "My son." "Damn!" "Yes, it wasn't a Norwegian baby." "Unbelievable!" "He made use of the fact that his wife was still anaesthetised... and exchanged the black baby for a white one." "A friend helped him and he left with a white baby." "By doing so, he kept up appearances... and made sure his wife didn't get a shock that might be the end of her." "When he'd tell her the truth, she'd have the choice to get the black baby back." "He promised himself to wait a month before telling her... and then reveal everything." "He could hardly wait." "They say that having a child makes you younger or older." "I'd like to know." "It made you younger." "Let me kiss you for saying that." "Come, quickly!" "It's nice when your husband tells you that you look younger." "Don't say another word." "I'm perfectly happy now." "I'm emotional, darling." "I'm overwhelmed by the happiness you just spoke of." "But you and I need to have... a rather difficult conversation." "I'm hesitant to... ask you this question." "Don't continue, Marcel." "I've understood." "You've understood?" "Yes." "It's just that..." "Yes." "I would have preferred to wait until you had completely recovered." "I know." "I'll be strong." "I'm sure you've been postponing it." "Yes, definitely." "Thank you." "You're leaving tonight, aren't you?" "Yes." "Where to?" "England." "London?" "I don't like to see you go the day I'm able to get out of bed." "I know, work comes first." "Will you be here next week?" "Please, I want to organise a big dinner." "A big party to celebrate my recovery." "I don't want to wait and make everybody think I was really ill." "And that I couldn't handle what you've done to me." "Because you're the one who did it." "This unexpected love." "Don't smile, Marcel, sit down." "And don't make fun of me." "You can't imagine what that child means to me." "Yes." "No, you can't." "I wasn't expecting it anymore." "And I suffered because I was watching our love die." "Don't you hate me anymore?" "Because you did hate me." "Yes, you hated me and for good reason." "I was not a woman." "But I'm happy again, more energetic, more stable." "Do you know when that started?" "No." "The moment they let me kiss our child." "I can't explain what happened when I saw him." "When I saw that he was..." "What?" "That he was so pink and so beautiful..." "I thought I was going mad." "You can't understand what I felt." "I understand completely." "A man can't understand." "The simple certainty that he was yours." "I had to see him to be sure." "I understand very well." "I've seen him." "I've looked into his eyes!" "It feels like revenge." "On whom?" "On a destiny that didn't want our love to last." "You've seen how blond he is." "Isn't it wonderful?" "You can go anywhere you want now." "Because you'll be leaving something from you behind." "You'll leave me the best part of yourself, won't you?" "Yes." "What's wrong, darling?" "You look worried." "Not at all." "Is something bothering you?" "No, nothing at all." "Come to me." "There." "What should our son become?" "Our son?" "We'll try to make him a good man." "What kind of man?" "A very good man." "That's not a profession." "No, but it comes in handy." "And we'll try to teach him about life." "Do you understand life?" "I'm beginning to." "And every day, I understand a bit more." "Can we come in?" "Of course." "Hello, Marcel." "We've been invited to lunch." "But tonight, we're inviting you." "Impossible, Marcel's leaving for London later." "I'll send a telegraph and I won't go." "Thanks!" "Have a drink." "You're looking very good." "What do you think of all this?" "I was certain of it." "Well..." "The proof!" "She's so very happy that..." "I couldn't destroy that." "Don't apologise." "And there's the little one, right?" "It's unbelievable, but the other one was so clearly someone else's... that it feels as if this one is a bit mine." "Maybe he is yours." "Mine?" "You never know." "Maybe a Spanish woman dropped him off at the authorities." "That would be too good." "But tell me..." "If it was found out what happened..." "what I did... what would people say of me?" "That you're a good man." "And that's not so bad." "You can't say that about everybody." "So none of these couples will inherit?" "None, and that's final." "According to Pierre Carreau, it's us." "Yes, but I have not yet received instructions about that." "Mr Stéphane?" "That's me." "For you, sir." "Thank you." "Allow me?" "Excuse me." ""Pierre Carreau." "Bad condition." "Come back to Paris." "Urgent."" "Did he suffer?" "They gave him a second shot of morphine." "I prepared the ampoules." "Who's there?" "Hush." "Nobody." "Hasn't the professor come back?" "No, not yet." "Sister, admit that you were praying for me." "I wasn't trying to hide it." "What if I had been Jewish or Protestant?" "That wouldn't have stopped me from praying for you." "What if I didn't believe in God?" "That wouldn't stop me from believing." "Have you always been a nun?" "You talk too much." "And you not enough." "Answer my question, please." "No." "Why not?" "Is it an indiscrete question?" "Yes." "You'd better lie." "Because by not answering... you make me suspect all kinds of things." "I'm already thinking of my new play." "I can't stop you." "Be nice, Sister." "Admit that it was love... that made you a nun." "Do you think a nun is a woman... like any other?" "Of course." "Would you ask a woman you don't know these questions?" "Excuse me." "My glasses." "Don't move, please." "Thank you." "Do you know what I think?" "I think I should be suffering." "Don't you think the doctors gave me a lot of morphine... so they don't have to look after me tonight?" "Oh no." "I think so." "I think morphine is... what doctors give to the sick... so they can sleep in peace." "So you're against women?" "Yes, completely against." "Sweetheart?" "Darling?" "Do you know what day it is?" "An unimportant day except for the fact that... it's the day before our anniversary." "Did you remember?" "I've had my gift for you longer than you've had yours for me." "Did you find it?" "I never look in your closet." "I guess that's where it is, no?" "Yes, and where's mine?" "In my back pocket." "It's in the way." "Is it big?" "Why?" "The smaller it is, the bigger the chance it's jewellery." "It's small." "You can be content." "If we don't hurry, we'll arrive during the interlude." "Let's go tomorrow." "Let's go back to Biarritz, like 2 years ago." "Let's try to get the same room." "That was the 12th of July." "The hotel's closed in February." "We can never do anything!" "Not true." "We just can't redo things." "That's Françoise, the first wife of Pierre Carreau... the playwright." "We grew up together." "And he?" "That's her second husband." "Michel, if you were nice, do you know what we'd do?" "No, tell me." "We'd go home and spend the rest of the evening with just the two of us." "I didn't dare suggest it." "Good evening." "Thank you very much, darling." "You make me very happy." "I wish we could never be separated." "Happy anniversary, darling." "I hear the doorbell." "I thought I heard it." "Mr Michel Sellier?" "Yes, but I don't think..." "Tell him it's important." "He'll understand." "Alright, sir." "Who's that?" "A gentleman who says it's important." "Ask him to wait." "Who is it?" "Pierre's doctor." "Professor Siral?" "Does he want to see you?" "He wants to see me on my own." "Do you mind?" "Not at all." "Deal with him quickly." "See you in a minute." "Come in, please." "Thank you for seeing me, sir." "Have you heard the bad news?" "No, not at all." "Pierre has been sick for months and his condition has suddenly worsened." "He's in my clinic, at the Avenue du Roule." "In spite of all our good care... there's no chance we can save him." "I'm very sorry." "I know you're a friend of his." "Thank you." "Pierre wants me to ask you something very delicate." "Have you guessed?" "He'd like to see Françoise before he dies." "I can answer that without talking to my wife." "If you hadn't said there was no chance to save him... she might have gone, but now..." "It's better if she doesn't go." "If you were my friend, what advice would you have given me?" "To say what you just said." "I wish with all my heart that Pierre won't die." "Thank you." "You could tell him that my wife and I... are travelling." "That's what I was thinking." "Good evening, sir." "Pierre's not doing well." "Did he come to tell you that?" "Yes." "Did he have an accident?" "I wish I knew if it was an accident." "What would it change?" "Call his place and you'll find out." "Why do you talk to me so harshly?" "I'm wondering if you feel you should be by his side." "Not at all." "My place is here." "With you." "He's asking for you." "Go see him." "What's that perfume?" "It's me, Pierre." "How long have you been there?" "For a couple of minutes." "Did you watch me sleep?" "Yes." "You haven't watched me sleep for a long time." "Tell me." "Did he allow you to come or did you come anyway?" "He allowed me." "Ah..." "Would you have preferred..." "Yes." "Anyway, that's how it is." "Besides, he couldn't have said no." "Because it was bad to take you away from me." "But you were bad for leaving." "Anyway, you didn't know." "But he did." "You were living with your characters." "They only mattered to you." "It was almost offensive." "Offensive!" "Even though I was so afraid to lose you." "But..." "When you saw me get Michel to come to the house... like I did... did you understand... that I was trying to build on... his friendship with me?" "Did you understand I was trying to make it stronger... than his feelings for you?" "No." "Now I understand." "Don't cry." "And tell me... did you know what I did for him back then?" "Do you know that he owes his current position to me?" "No." "And each time he gives you a gift, I'm the one giving it." "I wanted to tell you that." "Not out of revenge." "But..." "I still love you, you know." "How much time does Michel allow you to stay with me?" "One hour." "He made a point of that, didn't he?" "Yes." "In a threatening way?" "No." "In a formal way." "It's late." "Yes, Sister, it's late and I should sleep." "Well..." "I'll close my eyes in two minutes." "Give me two more minutes with this lady." "Two more minutes." "Please." "Françoise... bend over towards me a bit." "You're not going to refuse what I'm about to ask." "Do you promise that?" "I promise." "Really." "Really." "You will sit with me all night." "And tomorrow at 8 am... you'll leave, but no sooner." "Sit down." "You promised." "There." "Goodnight, Françoise." "Until tomorrow morning." "And don't fight sleep." "Let it come." "Let's try to sleep next to each other." "For the last time." "Do you know what time it is?" "11.15 am." "What you just did is very serious." "You swore you'd only stay one hour." "Some promises you can't keep." "He asked me to stay with him until 8 am and I did." "Michel, we don't build our happiness on other people's misery." "He told me some things... that make me hate the luxury around us." "Tell me quickly to leave, please." "Do you want to go back to him?" "Yes." "Why did you come back here?" "So that you'll have the memory of sending me away." "Well, goodbye, go back to him." "He'll be waiting for you." "You can tell him..." "No." "Why not?" "Because he died last night at 3 am." "Pierre Carreau sent me... this will." "In accordance with his wishes..." "I'll read it here in your presence." "Can I start?" ""Dear Vattier, dear Sauvage." ""Hope is the most wonderful gift that God has given mankind." ""Therefore, keep hoping."" "Are you sure it's authentic?" "Yes." "It's his handwriting." "Continue, we'll see." ""Allow me, as I close my eyes..." ""to say goodbye to the women I've loved." ""I love women so dearly and have such a talent for loving..." ""that the idea of living as a couple without loving one another horrifies me." ""One must adore them to talk about them like this." ""They have an entire philosophical system..." ""built around men, but it only holds up..." ""while the men are asleep." ""Maybe that is why, as I'm leaving life behind me..." ""I cannot help but tell you..."" "that of my fortune, only my plays and my books still exist." "And the rights to them belong to you, the audience." "Don't forget the author and remember the poet." "You do owe him that." "Because every night, when each play ends... he still thinks of you when the curtain falls."