"Bad Company" "Paris" "Mr. Robinson's Place" "Hey!" "What's up." "You realize the amount of money I lose when I wait for you?" "You should be like me." "When I play, I win." "I win every time and it saves me money." "Beer please." "Shall we sit?" "Let's have a game for two." "Holy cow!" "You're really losing your hair." "Yeah!" "How did you get here?" "I have my car over there by the square." "If you want we can change neighborhoods." "No, it's the same everywhere." "It's awful here." "I don't know why you always want to stay here." "We never have a good night here." "Go to Staint-Michel, you'll see..." "It's as hard to hookup over there." "No less than anywhere else." "If you hookup you have less chance to end with a dumb girl." "Yeah, but they don't f***." "Don't be stupid." "It's the f*** district." "Besides, just think of here in Sait-Lazare, in Montparnasse," "There are prostitutes." "In Saint-Michel there's none." "This means that ****************." "With the amount of students there you could at least get a prostitute determined to make a quick fortune." "Well, Ok." "We'll go there... one day." "Think of how they will greet us in Sait-Michel when they see us arrive:" "The looters of Pigalle." "The looters my ass." "We've never looted anything but bars." "Let's go to a different church." "Everyone's gay here." "By the way, did I give you back the bag?" "The bag?" "What bag?" "The 1,000 bucks." " Oh!" "The bag." "You owe me two." " Two?" "Of course!" "You remember, the negress that I came to pick up." "Oh yes, it's true, you should've let her know." "I'll give you back one, because I only have two." "How much do you have?" "Me, I have a 5." "No keep it." "So, where are we going?" "Make up your mind!" "You're the one who wants to stay in this area." "Let's go to the theater." "Go up that thing?" "Oh shit, we'll get bored." "If there's nothing we'll go down to the garden." "We can flirt in the garden." "Come on." "During this season?" "It's always the same with you." "You're annoying me." ""The piece is full with dignity - it touches."" " Le Figaro" "So we're going?" "Oh, it won't work." "How do you know?" "And it's dumb to hookup with no money." "Where do you want to bring her?" "You see what you've become after always pretending you have money." "What are you thinking?" "I bet if we tell her we're broke she won't dump us." "We're not the only ones you know." "Well then go!" " Going to the dance?" " Yes." "Which one?" "Excuse me?" "Which dance are you going to?" "At la Cremaillere." "You know where that is?" "Yes it's at Place du Theatre." "Why are you going to a ball you don't know?" "To see new people?" "I'm meeting someone." "I go to the Cremaillere every once in a while." "We were just going with my friend." "Shall we bring you there?" "Seems like it was meant to be." "Is it a man you are meeting with?" "No with a girl friend." "Jackson, mademoiselle is looking for the Cremaillere, shall we walk her there?" "Oh what a coincidence!" "We're going there too." "Let me introduce myself, Jackson." "Nice to meet you." "What kind of place is la Cremaillere." "Oh, like everywhere else." "Young folks, and then..." "It will be closed now, but during the summer there are arbors outside, it's discreet." "How is the crowd?" "Well, lots of young folks, and also the regulars, guys who are there every night." "How is she, your friend?" "You'll see if she's there." "She might not be there?" "Well no I shouldn't wait for her if she's not there." "And what are you going to do then?" " I don't know..." " Well, I have an idea." "What?" "You can stay with us, since you've found us on your way." "We're not the type to bother you with inappropriate propositions." " Are you married?" " Yes." "I saw that." "I know." "How do you know?" "I can see it right away." "And your husband?" "I am separated." "So why the ring?" "To keep from being chatted up by strangers?" "Ah." "I was looking for you." "So, what are we doing?" "What do you think?" "What do you want to do?" "I'd like to go dancing at least, I don't like it here." "Then let's go!" "Come see this." "Very beautiful." "I really like ceramics." "Look at this one over there." "Yeah, that one." "This summer in Vallauris I saw Picasso." "There were two guys on the street who were calling him Pablo so he turns around for them." "You know, idiots who like to pretend they know Picasso." "You guys live in this neighborhood?" " No." "I live in Montreuil." " And you." "Oh, in the suburbs." "It's quite boring." "Yeah, I agree." "When I was a kid, my parents lived in Meudon." "Close by our place, there was a crazy doctor" "Who would always say that soon we'd see the Chinese arrive on the coasts of Meudon." "Tell me," " What is your social purpose?" " What?" "I mean, what kind of work do you do?" "Oh, I worked at a printing press." "Why the past tense?" "What do you do now?" "I gave it up ten days ago." "Because you were no longer interested, or was it something else?" "Do you know a lot about printing?" "Oh well, it's hard to explain." "I left because the shop was near my husband's." "At first it seemed practical, but now that I'm separated..." "So you gonna hang around doing nothing for much longer?" "Oh, it's only been a week since we decided." "So, did he leave you or did you leave him?" "What do you mean?" "Did you leave your husband, or was it the other way around?" "It was me." "So you didn't love him anymore." "He was a bastard." "He would beat me." "No way." "I didn't know there were husbands like that left." "I wonder why people even get married." "If you do it just to beat your wife, well then..." "So why didn't you leave him the first time he hit you?" "Oh, you stay out of habit, I guess." "And it's hard to leave." "Yeah especially when you have to go to work." "Ah, shit!" "SIGN:" "Closed for re-modeling" "Let's grab a drink across the street." "It's my treat." "Hey, I'm gonna buy cigarettes, get me a beer." " What?" " A beer!" "And you?" "Hot chocolate" "So a chocolate and two beers" "Hey Jackson!" "What are you doing here?" " Oh, Hey." "I'm with a friend." " You always are." "Always." "You guys are with that mouse over there?" "So where do you live now, with your parents?" "Oh no, I'd never go back there." "I'm staying at a hotel." "By the month?" "No, I'm renting day to day." "I hope they'll give me the monthly rate though, I've been there 20 days." "The other rooms are usually empty after 15." "It must be strange to bum around like a teenager after having been married, after having lived a "normal" life, to finding yourself all alone." "Must be a thrill though." "Luckily you don't have kids!" "Well, I do." "Two of them." " Really?" " Yes, two little boys." "And they're with their father now?" "No, with me." "I mean with a sitter." "Now you see why I need to find a job." "Of course." "You don't have any contacts in the printing industry, do you?" "I'd have to ask around." "I can't think of any off the top of my head." "I mean, I don't know anyone in the printing business." "I mean, I could look into it." "So that's why today you've decided to go out and have fun." "One last day of freedom." "You shouldn't waste it." "Soon it'll be back to the usual life, working everyday..." "Did you ever cheat on your husband?" "You don't want to tell me." "Anyways now, you wouldn't be cheating." "I'm sure you have lots of opportunities." "Only disgusting ones." "The other night a bunch of North Africans offered to take me home." "I wasn't suspicious." "One guy by himself, I would have said no." "A group of friends seems safe." "They had a car." "You wouldn't believe what they tried!" "And did they manage to..." "No." "No." "Luckily it wasn't too late at night and when I screamed people heard and they let me out." "I mean that's just no way to pick up a woman." "Of course not..." "And you should always beware of groups." "Hey, check out that guy!" "He just met a friend." "He really knows everyone." "He's a real hustler." "He doesn't look that dangerous." "Well, I'm just kidding." "He's my pal, real friendly." "We've known each other for six years." "Ah, he's finally coming back over." "I bet he'll tease us." "So you lovebirds, is it working out?" "Hey, you saw that?" "Strange, huh?" "Who was that guy you were with?" "That guy's nuts." "He's only been in Paris 3 months, see, came here with out a dime," "Now he tells me he bought a sports car." "Oh look, your new girlfriend's coming back." "Oh man, what a circus..." "I mean, look at her..." "What is she playing at?" "We're not going to stick around here, are we?" "What do we do next?" "You're the one that knows all the dance halls around here." "You wanna go to the Mikado?" "I've never been but I've heard you can only find old ladies there." "It'll be boring." "I know the place." "I won't go in there if it's only for old ladies." "But for you..." "We're not gonna stay here all day, are we?" "Too late to change neighborhoods anyways." "We're gonna have to stay around here." "There is a roof garden at the Mikado." "You'll like it." "We don't have much of a choice," "And I still want to go dancing." "You coming?" "Man, that was a serious bouncer." "One time I came without a tie on and that fucker wouldn't let me in." "I'm gonna see if I can find a table." "You gonna check your coat?" "Should I hold your wallet for you?" "No thanks." "Hey, come this way we'll be set." "Let's dance." "I'm no good at this dance." "Jackson is a great dancer though." "You should ask him." "Did you order?" "Go dance..." "Go on!" "Go cha cha..." "No." "It's too early for me." "I like to look around first." "24 francs." "It's on me." "Would you like to dance?" "I can't believe I wouldn't go out there!" "What an idiot!" "She's going to get away." "Are you into her?" "I don't know." "She's weird." "She said she has two kids." "That's good." "You've had time to make a move on her earlier, right?" "You ruined it when you got here." "No way." "Just the opposite..." "What did you tell her?" "I looked her in the eyes and I said, "Why don't you cheat on your husband?"" "You said that!" "What did she say?" "She said, "With who?"" "And I said, "You and me."" "She said, "You'd leave your friend all alone?"" "She said that?" "I don't believe you." "Yes!" "I swear!" "You have the upper hand." "You think so?" "You're an idiot if you don't see it" "Get her to dance with you!" "No." "I don't feel like dancing." "I'll put on a big show for her." "No." "She's not that type of girl." "You have to be straight with her." "Ask her, "Do you want to have dinner at my place tonight?" or..." "Let me do it my way." "You'll see." "You'll ruin everything again with your show." "It's easier than that," "I'm telling you." "You'll scare her away with your stupid plans." "What an asshole." "Did he try to seduce you?" "Yeah, with his hands." "You see, the thing with me is..." "You're thinking, "Here's a guy who's just looking for a one night stand."" "But you're wrong." "I'm not like that." "Do you know what I did this morning?" "I'd rather not tell you." "It would scare you." "What is he talking about?" "Come on." "You don't have to tell everyone about that." "I trust you." "I know you can never trust women" "But I don't care, I'm like that." "You seem trustworthy." "Would you like to dance?" "Thanks a lot for your help!" "Shit!" "I told you not to hit on her like that." "Don't you see she thinks you're an idiot?" "We've been with her all day and who is she dancing with now?" "She's not even listening to you." "Just be straight, for once." "You do the same thing with every mouse and it never works." "Let me get into it; you'll see." "Yeah." "I'll see her walk away with that idiot." "Go dance with her, then!" "I'm going to look around." "You coming?" "Nobody wants to dance with me." "You're the only one left." "I'm tired." "Do you know what I'll do when I get out of here?" "Speaking of which, how did you get here?" "On my scooter." "We parked it on Place Vischy." "As I was saying..." "Do you understand?" "Not at all." "It's always the same." "Girls never understand." "It's tragic." "See?" "I told you." "She's not into us now." "I'm busting my ass to build her up" "And you ruin everything." "Move over." "Why?" "Her wallet is in her purse." "I feel like taking it." "She might not have much cash but it will teach her to not fuck with us." "You got it?" "Yeah." "Let's go." "Let's pretend to flirt." "Look at her." "She's nodding at us, the bitch." "Let's go." "The song is almost over." "Let's pretend we're just getting some air." "Don't turn around." "That way!" "No!" "That way!" "Let's slow down or someone will spot us..." "Let's look." "How much is there?" "Nothing." "Shit." "Just papers..." "Oh yeah... 1, 2, 3..." "Five five-hundred francs." "That covers the drinks we bought..." "She left us hanging, the bitch." "That'll teach her." "We were nice to her." "Sure, we were really nice." "There was no reason for her to go off with that old schmuck." "Oh!" "I was surprised when you said that we got there by scooter." "I thought you'd say that we drove there." "Waiter, two scotches!" "Same here; two scotches!" "What do you want exactly?" "Two scotches." "Yeah, two scotches." "A scotch is 250 francs." "So what?" "Well, the other day, young people came by and when it was time to pay..." "I'm just warning you." "Forewarned is forearmed." "Two double scotches." "Very well." "Ah!" "I like you!" "Two halves!" "Me too!" "Two Halves!" "What's left?" "Five hundred bucks." "Keep two-thousand and five;" "Give me the rest..." "What else is in her wallet?" "Photos!" "Check out this guy's face!" "And that one." "Which one is her husband, which one is her lover?" "..." "Oh, here are her children..." "We've been awful." " Yeah..." "Yeah..." "Hey, here's her coat check ticket." "How will she get her coat back?" "She'll have to wait until everyone leaves." "She's probably noticed by now." "She must be furious." "Actually, maybe we could have nailed her." "You think so?" "I don't know." "Maybe not both of us." "Well..." "Addresses." "That must be hers... and that one?" "The man." "Oh, look!" "Bottle caps." "A lottery ticket." "Mice carry the weirdest shit in their purses." "And we're busting our asses to get them to like us..." "Bitches..." "We could send the wallet back to her." "No." "You always get nailed that way." "Just wipe it down." "They barely bother to wipe off fingerprints for a real crime so imagine for a little wallet..." "Anyways..." "Do what you want." "You could just throw it away." "Another loser day." "You can say that again." " You want me to take you home?" " Yeah." "What is it?" "Open the door." "Police!" "What?" "You're kidding me..." "Just a minute!" "On my way." "What is this about?" "Mister Bardamu..." "How's it going?" "Damn idiot." "You scared me." "What's that?" "Give me that." "It was on the floor." "Are you stupid?" "If my father was here, he'd be really pissed off." "He's not here?" "Oh, he didn't come home last night." "Does he do that often?" "You know my old man." "He gets more action than we do." " If he knew what losers we are." " Yeah..." "What is it?" "It's Joe." "What an idiot." "In his last letter, he said" "That he had met a girl and that he was sending her poems." "So I replied, "It's always the same with you." "You pretend to be tough and then," "You fall in love with the first mouse that comes around, and start sending her poems."" "So he writes back, "I'm not sending her poems because I'm in love with her." "I just want her to see what I can do."" "The mouse will think he's an idiot if he sends her poems." "Maybe if he just copied them from a book." "Then he could tell her, "Look, I was just kidding."" "But I bet he writes them himself." "Have you seen our lady friend again?" "No." "No news from her?" "Shut up." "I hope we don't hear from her again." "My father put those up." "Got any coffee?" "Hang out." "I'll make me one too." "Got any croissants?" "Oh, right." "That's..." "You're giving it back?" "Let me see..." "Who did you put down as the sender?" "You know him." "It's the guy's name that we found in her wallet." "Her lover." "She'll cry when she gets it." "She'll be mad, yeah." "Did you wipe off the fingerprints?" "Sure." "Really well." "So, no traces?" "No traces." "See." "I was right." "We had to send it back." "She has her papers" "And her knick-knacks in there." "It's the thing to do." "Yeah, it's the thing to do." "Did you see that?" "It's weird." "Have you seen my face?" "No." "What's going on?" "It's funny." "When I'm at your place, I seem to look better." "Don't you think so?" "I look good." "I don't understand why mice don't realize it." "Really, I don't understand." "Of course." "It's the lighting." "See, me too." "You think so?" "I'm sure." "Too bad." "I was just thinking that being bad-looking one day..." "And good-looking the next..." "it's not natural." "It seems that..." "If we want mice to notice that we're good-looking, we'll have to bring them here." "Translation by Caroline Pham, Claudia Eve Beauchesne, and Jake Wiener for Spectacle."