"THE TRUTH ABOUT BABY DONGE" ""What's established without being tested is as if it never existed." "In truth I tell you that it's a birth to begin again, all for nothing." --Jankelevitch" "Doctor, I think he's coming to." "The worst is over." " He's opening his eyes." " Ah, this time..." "What do you know, old man." "You've given us such a fright." "You've returned from a long journey." "He's comatose." "He only understands half of what we say." "He said, "You've returned from a long journey."" "Ten years." "He has no idea how right he is." "It's his intestines." "They'll bring him back to life." "No, it isn't the intestines." "It's the heart." "Francois?" "Where is she?" " At La Chataignerie, with Jeanne." "Go get her." " Is he out of danger?" " For the most part." "He wants to see Baby." "What should I do?" "That's for you to decide." "It's best if he sees no one, medically speaking." "It isn't about his health." "It's about everything else." "He's right, Jalabert." "We must do as he asks." "Baby's place is here." "Oh, my guts, good God!" "What have you done to me?" "Did you cut me open?" "He's still bleeding, Doctor." "Alas, no." "We haven't cut you open." "It's because of the washings." "There's a lot of mucus." "Morphine." "No, no!" "Not morphine." "When my wife arrives..." " I'm going to get her." "First of all, you must look like you'll live." "At the moment, that's what's important." "Go on." "Jalabert, in the name of God!" "Couldn't you do it yourself?" "My dignity, old man!" "We empty the intestines by every means we know." "Unfortunately there are only two:" "Above and below." "Therefore your dignity, Francois Donge..." "Left buttock." "Turn over." "Well?" "It's going as well as can be expected in such a case." "His mind's still working." "It's admirable, he thinks of everything." "He wants to see her." " He wants to?" " Yes." "He's right." "Where is she?" "She's locked herself in her room." "...pile of sheets that are in the cupboard on the left." "7." "Don't forget the child's fletase 8." "Every 21st day, serve him porridge instead of chocolate." "9." "Very important:" "Never put on his daim slippers after September." "TO OPEN AFTER..." "Baby, open up!" "It's me, Jeanne." "Baby, open the door." "It's not locked, Jeanne." "Just turn the knob." "Come on in." "I heard the car come up." "I'm ready." "Baby, he's alive." "It's Georges!" "Georges?" "Yes." "What does Georges want?" "Three drops in orange juice every 30 minutes." "Yes, Doctor." "He's sleeping?" "Hello?" "Yes, I'll put him on." "Doctor..." "Yes?" "You can give him the text I dictated to you." "Yes." "Read it back to me, will you?" "That's correct." "Yes." "No!" "I said, "Simple food poisoning"." "Georges!" "She's here?" " Yes." "Yes, Mr. Ducreux." ""Simple food poisoning."" "Was it oysters?" "I don't know, Mr. Ducreux." "Goodbye, Mr. Ducreux." "Listen to me, Jalabert." "You can perform all the crap you want on me later on, but for now, leave me alone." "He said, "You've returned from a long journey."" "Ten years." "He doesn't know how well he spoke!" "Francoise at 11pm" "She's a cold fish, that one!" "These virgins think that everyone's after their virtue." " What were you after, then?" " Get in." "Come on, let's get going." "Did you see her bag of Turkish delight?" "She took it all." " What did you ask her?" " A pound of Turkish delight." "I told her it was for Georges." " Georges?" " That's my brother." " Didn't she understand?" " I'd have to say no." "What are you waiting for?" " The address." "Oh yes." "Gare de Lyon." "I get the impression that the young lady understood very well." " How much?" " 220." " And Francoise de P.?" " What about Francoise de P.?" "Are they also for your brother, these dates every night?" "Keep the change, and take Madame to the Champs Elysees." "What's the matter?" "I hate guessing games." "So it's better if we part amicably." "As for Francoise de P., that means..." "Francoise de Petroleum." "You can't understand that." "Five days in a row." "Things work out from the beginning or they don't." "Porter!" "Peasant!" "How did it go at the Ministry?" "As well as could be expected, for a solicitation." "I think it's off to a good start." "Thanks to you, by the way." "When will I see you again, you provincial?" "At least not for another month." "Even if I asked you?" "I've got a factory to open, and my brother's getting married." "Georges is getting married?" "You said nothing about it." "Well, he probably will." "Why are you smiling?" "You say, "Georges is getting married", and I thought that one day" "Georges would say, "Say, Francois is getting married!"" "That makes you laugh?" "Until I'm crying." "You'd make a horrible husband." "Really?" "Raise your veil." " But I..." "You're going to make me miss my train." " Not in front of everyone, Francois!" " You're pissing me off." "You're a liar." "A frightful provincial." " Yes..." "Call at Rue St. Dominique." "It's about 100,000 pairs of shoes." "Then wire me." "If it's worthwhile, I'll come back." "Goodbye." "You were in Paris?" "I would have looked you up." "How are you?" "This is my new partner, Mr. Courtrai." "Hello, sir." "Mr. Donge, future head of the Federation of Leather and Fur." "Oh, really!" "After your report to the Assembly, you've the choice of a letter of resignation or the presidency." "The letter was sent yesterday." " Aren't you ambitious?" " I've got lots of work to do." "Speaking of which..." " Yes?" " Cigar?" " Thank you." " How's it going?" " And you?" " Very well." " Have a good trip?" "Yes." "A deal with the Army!" "When I think of the old man's workshop..." "With his three partners." "Did you see?" "La Chataignerie (Chestnut Grove) is for sale." "Aside from that, have you seen Miss d'Onneville?" "I've seen both of the Misses d'Onneville." "Has her baby sister arrived?" ""Arrived", would be an exaggeration." "She arrived one night and was gone again the next day." "Someone came to tell them their furniture had arrived." "What's she like, your future sister-in-law?" "Sweetness itself." "But she doesn't have her sister's glamour." "Have you thought about Miss d'Onneville's Turkish delight?" "I thought of it, but I couldn't find any." " You didn't get any?" " I didn't get any." " Francois." " What?" "Do you realize what this could mean?" "Yes, you'll have to offer her some hard candy or truffles instead." "Careful, or you'll fall." "What is it?" "Madame d'Ortemont is here." " In the parlor?" " Yes." " Go get the luggage." " Yes, Mr. Georges." "Have a good trip?" "Excellent." "I was just coming to see you." "I would hope so." "You don't look well." " Me?" "Oh, yes." "It's affairs, I know." "If you buried the bachelor's life like your brother, you'd still have this face, and not another." "Oh well, I suppose someone has to be in charge." " Aren't we jumping the gun?" " But that's exactly the question." "Are you serious about Jeanne d'Onneville or not?" " Of course he is." " I was talking to Georges, not you." "Did you get the Turkish delight?" " No." "Sometimes I wonder why I bother." "If it wasn't for the memory of your poor mother..." "All right." "Georges..." "Tuesday, that's my day for bridge." "A little gathering at my house." "It's the perfect opportunity to present your fiancee to people around here." "You'll make a marvelous couple!" " Really, I..." "Jeanne's a pretty girl." "And you must recognize that the diplomatic career of the late Mr. d'Onneville gives her a kind of..." " Class." "That's very important." "Polish." "Let's not exaggerate." "A polish that her mother, born Chatrier, could never have given her." "You are two frightful old bachelors, on your way to making a fortune." "As for you, I wash my hands." "For the moment, at least." "Why, am I not presentable?" "You're the best catch in the region, and you know it." " I've got nothing against marriage." " Oh really?" "Against that of your brother, anyway." "It's obvious that you can't be content with mistresses." "Especially after a certain number of affairs." "Georges and Jeanne, it's the perfect solution." "But you're not ready yet." "That's the truth." "That means I lose nothing by waiting." "You don't know how well you've spoken." "Come on, tell me her name!" "And don't see me out." "That would be asking too much." "Perhaps one of the du Tour girls?" "There's one who's big as this." "And the other's cross-eyed." "It couldn't be..." "Go on." "You're talking about Mlle de Villefosse, aren't you?" "I dined with her guardian a month ago." "She'll have 100 million in annuities from government bonds and railroad bonds." "As for you, you've got the factories, the stores, such expenses are the price of the cost of living..." "I won't go on." "50% of fixed revenue, 50% of variable revenue:" "There's the ideal couple!" " As for income," "I wanted to ask you..." "Wait, wait." "Mlle De Villefosse..." " We'll talk about her later." "That was her at the Prefect's party last year." "I have to see how she's built." " It's like I said." "You still think about how women are built?" "Then you're not ready for marriage." " Have you spoken to Mrs. d'Onneville?" " I wrote to her lawyer." "Her lecher of a father left her everything." "She's luckier than her sister." "The poor thing." "I wonder how she'll ever marry." "Don't forget:" "Tuesday 4:00, my house." "What should I do about the Turkish delight?" "I don't know." "Bring hard candy..." "or truffles!" "I told you." ""Love match", that's only words." "You've paid twice to find that out, haven't you?" " At Istanbul, I thought..." " Istanbul!" "It's the Bievre that runs by here, not the Bosphorus." "When you open the windows, it's tanin you smell." "Not a garden full of roses." " You're right." "Your daughters are right:" "You wear too much makeup." "As for Jeanne, who says she wouldn't be happy?" "There, look at them." " Do you smoke?" " No." "You're right." "It ruins your teeth." "There's an American toothpaste that removes nicotine stains." "Oh, really?" " And you?" "Do you smoke?" " Madame d'Ortemont doesn't like it." "She says cigarette smoke ruins the curtains." "She confuses cigarettes with locomotives." "Jeanne!" "I can imagine Baby saying that, but you?" "And on such a day." "About your sister, I'd like to introduce her to my brother." "Is she hiding?" " Not at all." "She's in her room taking her time, as always." "You again!" "You're very single-minded, aren't you?" "The young girl with the Turkish delight." "How you talk." "Like a picture in a gallery:" ""The young girl with the Turkish delight."" "You're Jeanne's sister?" "Why didn't you answer me on La Place de la Madeleine?" "Evidently you don't talk to strangers." "Not with my mouth full." "Then what are you doing now?" "You're not a stranger." "You must be the big man in the family:" "Francois Donge." "I've been hearing about nothing else for the past week." "How can you bring that up?" "That Turkish delight makes me sick at heart." "That must prove she has one." "You know each other?" "Has someone..." "Not really." "We're..." "Ah." "Fine." "I'm sorry, your ears must be burning." "I mean that I've heard flattering things about you for the past year." "And are you also sorry about Madame d'Ortemont?" "You don't like her much." "I get the feeling that she can't stand me." "Turkish delight makes me thirsty." " Then let's have a drink." "It looks like they're hitting it off!" "Two no-trumps, with three hearts." "I don't know what's come over him." " They're made for each other!" "Where's he gone now?" "It's amusing like everything." "In Paris the other day..." "But I shouldn't brag." "It was really the Turkish delight you wanted." " Yes, it was the Turkish delight." " We're waiting for you." "Yes, I'm coming." "Excuse me." "They're made for each other!" "Bravo." "You'd have a hard time finding a fourth as patient as me." " You've been appointed in Paris?" " For the next important case." "There are never any important cases here." "Everyone knows it." "This time, it seems..." "With war, all the lieutenant-colonels, even the stupidest ones, can count on their final stripe." "But for magistrates, it's not the same thing." "Only criminal initiative can arrive at the same result." "And that obviously takes longer." "A no-trump." " Two hearts." " Three no-trumps." "Bravo." "There are officers, Colonel, who gain their stripes honestly." "You for example, your alibi is certain." "You've come through two world wars without leaving your office." "As a result, you win." " Let's play, shall we?" " I have played." "Three no-trumps." " I double." " I double." "What's going on?" "Nothing." "It's too hot in here." "I'm going to get some air." "When I leave, Madame Laffitte will tell you I've said my fill." "Your brother has said his fill." "He couldn't tell someone the truth, so he took it out on the Magistrate and the Colonel." "Look, the Canon has come." "I'm very honored, Canon, that you've accepted my invitation today." "Francois?" "You think a young girl is a drag, don't you?" "You've got a way of putting people at their ease, don't you?" "Because I called you Francois, or because I called myself a young girl?" "Both." "You'll soon be in the family, where everyone calls me Baby." "I prefer to call you Elizabeth." "It's a pretty name." " No one ever calls me Elizabeth." " We'll see." "It would take a miracle." "In that case, I prefer to call you Baby like everyone else." " Don't you believe in miracles?" " That's a big word." "You need big words for big things." "For example, the happiness of two people, that's a great thing." "Don't you think it's always a little miraculous?" "Sure...but it's an idea that's a little peculiar." " I'd like to know yours." " We'll talk about it later." "Excuse me." "I've called a 3 no-trump that was a little daring, and I wouldn't want Madame Laffitte..." " Go on, I'll wait here." "Francois, could you offer me a cigarette?" " So what do you think of her?" " Oh, she's a kid." ""A kid"?" "For what I want, I like her fine." " Francois, I meant Jeanne." " Ah, Jeanne!" "She's wrapped it up." "There's no problem." "Perfect." "So, how did you like him?" "Oh...he's clever." "But I'm afraid he's a liar." "Sometimes he manages the truth, like everyone." "That doesn't necessarily make him a liar." "You don't manage the truth." "Either you lie or you don't." "If you don't tell the truth, you're a liar." "In the end, perhaps he isn't so clever after all." "What are you talking about?" "It's Georges who's on the hot seat today... not Francois." "I'm sure that your big sister will be very happy." "That's all that matters, after all." "And love?" "Love?" "Supposing it exists, it isn't certain until later on." "To say that you love before you are loved, is to put the cart before the horse." "Jeanne won't be the first girl I've made happy, and I hope she won't be the last." "I think that no one will affect my happiness." "No one." "I'm so happy." "They like each other." "Of course they do." "Why shouldn't they?" "It's your turn!" "Will you allow me to arrange my cards?" "Do you play bridge?" "I'd make a bad fourth." "I'm hardly worth it." "But I'll learn." "Very quickly." " A spade." " Two hearts." " Two spades." " Three hearts." " I pass." " Pass." " Four spades." " I double." "Me too." "Oh, Francois!" "Four spades?" "He's left again." "Baby, you're disconcerting." "I leave you with big words, philosophy, and I find you doing turns on the piano stool." "I'd like to ask you two questions, Francois." "Could I?" "Of course." "First question:" "Is Madame d'Ortemont a professional?" ""A professional"?" "Because she threatened you?" "Yes." "She's a matchmaker." "Second question:" "For what plate of lentils did Georges sell you his birthright?" "I'd rather you dropped the plate of lentils and talked about miracles again." "Of course we'll talk about it." "You promised to tell me why you don't believe in them." " Me?" " Yes." "And you haven't told me what you would replace them with." "Listen, I've called four spades." "Excuse me." "To answer the second question:" "There was no plate of lentils." "I've robbed my brother for nothing, just because..." "To score points, for the pleasure of it." "Don't get angry." "It's not worth it." "But I've kept the privilege of the youngest to live as I please, and to sleep with whoever I want." "You didn't need to tell me that, Francois." "Too late, it's done." "As for miracles..." "I saw you on Place de la Madeleine and also at the train station." "I must acknowledge that she was very beautiful." "As for miracles..." "I do very well without them, that's the truth." "Miracles are everything can be done with this and with that!" "The miracle is that everything depends on you." " Then it's a theory." " Oh, no." "It's experience." "The experience of every day." "I have no theories." "Don't laugh at me, Francois, it's too easy." "I want to say..." " What?" "What is it you want to say?" "If you go to the heart of things, your theory, that is, your explanation," "does it also work for things of the heart?" ""Things of the heart"?" "Does it take all your life to learn you love each other, or is love like a dazzlement?" ""Love"?" "Love is like everything else, it's made." "Then how do you explain our meeting?" "I don't explain it, I just know it happened." "It's a coincidence, nothing more." "I don't agree." "Everything depends on how deeply things strike in us." "Come on..."The heart of things", "things of the heart", "the depth of..."" "What are you talking about?" "On the surface, everything is smooth." "It's at bottom that it happens." "At bottom." " You've got such words..." " Don't you like words?" "Only one: "Live"." "The others get in the way." "You can't see what's behind them." "You talk too much." "Francois, what's behind them is so simple." "But if I'd said nothing, you'd surely have believed I was a whore." "And you wouldn't have kissed me." "The Lord be with you" "Do you believe in God?" "In principle yes, but I haven't really had the time." "Do you really believe what you told me about love?" "You told me it was made, that you have to work at it." "Do you believe you'll have the time?" "Do you believe this is the right moment to ask?" "Yes." "Afterwards, it will be too late." "I'd like to think like you, but then I'd seem to love you less than I do." "Then you'd have to forgive me." "In such a circumstance, you'd have to show me the way." "Even then, I believed she was putting on airs." "But she only wanted to give completely of herself." "You put on your black suit?" "As you can see." "Does it hurt?" " So bad I drool, you know." " I feel nothing anymore." " You're very lucky." "No, Francois." "Baby..." "Save him, Jalabert, and I'll take care of the rest." "If there are no complications..." "As for complications, I'm sorry, it's an unhappy coincidence, your brother owed me a payment on the 15th." "And the 15th is tomorrow." "It certainly doesn't help that my contractor shouts from the rooftops." "How much?" "1.2 million francs." " What's the date today?" " Monday the 14th." "As for Olga, have you done anything?" " I telephoned her in Vichy." " And told her what?" " That she continue her cure." "Excuse me, Jalabert." "No problem." "Yes, what is it?" "All right, I'm coming up." " Is something wrong?" " He's vomiting again." "In the future, don't eat oysters in any month without an R." "He won't give you any trouble, he's got no strength left." " Open the window." " Really, and then what?" "You're not going for a walk, are you?" "Yes, I can't breathe..." " There you go." "Stay calm." "The more you fuss, the hotter you'll be." " What's your name?" " Marthe." "That's a pretty name." "Like a kind of fur:" "Marten." "You like oysters?" " Yes." "I don't." "I hate oysters." "You understand me?" "Yes." "Only I didn't eat oysters at that lunch." "I drank some muck." "That was in my coffee." "I was poisoned by my wife." "You understand now?" "What does it matter to you?" "It's not your business, is it?" "Then leave me alone!" "Where's my coat?" "In the closet." "Get it." "Get me my wallet." "You have to admit that Jalabert has been perfect." "There's something that everyone forgot, except for Francois:" "It's indispensable that you... act as if nothing has happened." "You'll go to the clinic every day." "You always drive slower when you talk." "It's not difficult to have Nicolet come from the factory." "What's that?" "20,000 francs." "M. Donge forced me to take it from his wallet after having told me that his wife had tried to murder him." "How long have you been a nurse?" "Eight years." "And you work yourself into a state because a patient is delirious?" "What do you want me to do with that?" " And me?" "You've got children." "M. Donge isn't always an easy patient." "Keep it as pay for your overtime." "And in the future don't get so emotional." "That could harm you in your work." "Let's go in the library." "We can talk there more easily." "You've got the papers?" " Everything's here." "Come on then." " Goodnight, Jeanne." " Goodnight, little sister." " Goodnight, Mother." " Why did you do it, Baby?" "Drop it, Mother." "I beg you to drop it." ""The recovery of the patient continues." "However, visits will be forbidden for another two days." "Signed, Dr. Jalabert."" "It makes me look like a Marshall of France, don't you think so?" "This newspaper ploy, it's genius." "At first, people tried to have an opinion about it." "But now it's there in black and white..." "That's what newspapers are for." "You don't want to talk business?" "This deal with the Scandinavian countries..." "It can wait." "I got a call from Stockholm." " It can wait, Georges." "Less than you think." "I know you." "In a week you'll be out of bed." "In two weeks, you'll be running around like a rabbit." "In a month, you'll have forgotten all about it." "And in six months, a year, you'll divorce." "Very simply." "Won't you?" "Are you all right?" " Yes, but..." "I'm a little beat, that's all." " Poor guy." "She can boast she made a good job of it." ""She can boast..."" "As if that were her style." "Tell me, Francois:" "Nothing's been decided about tonight." " What does she say?" " Baby?" "She says her dress won't be ready in time." "So, do we cancel?" " What time is it?" "She'll be here soon." "You won't have to keep her long." "The important thing is that we see her go." ""The important thing..."" "Why didn't you let Drouin come up?" "Because he's the Examining Magistrate?" "It's important that you rest." "So you also know what's important or not?" "Your brother has had his say." "Madame Marthe knows everything." "What's important isn't whether people believe what they read in the papers, it isn't whether Madame Marthe knows, it's not about whether I see Baby in the street, what's important is that I'm alive and this business concerns only me." "Let them get that in their heads, once and for all!" "Leave me alone!" "Georges, the party will go on like every year, whether or not I'm on my feet." "And I will be on my feet." "I've pulled through, so..." "That's the question:" "Have I pulled through?" "If the renal cells haven't been affected, then you've pulled through." "But if the kidneys become blocked, that's another story." "When will you be certain?" "Between the sixth and the tenth day." "I don't believe a word of it." "He says that to look important." "Don't you see the state you're in?" "You'll see Drouin tomorrow." "He comes every day, doesn't he?" "Is it you this time, Baby?" "Yes." "What do you mean, "this time"?" "Because the other days, a woman came, with your face, your clothes, your voice..." "But I wasn't fooled." "And I'm not fooled." "All the same, I've something to say to you, something important." "I've made a decision about the party." "George will explain it to you." " You want me to go?" "Oh no." "I won't throw you out." "Baby, where are you?" "Where are you?" "Baby, I'm calling for you." "Your wife left a long time ago, M. Donge." "Baby?" "Say, where are you?" " It smelled bad." " It's the tunnel." "No, it's your cigar." "Delivery to Norway Wire George SOS!" "What do a shoe and a toothbrush have in common?" "I'm at a loss." "It's not a riddle, I want to know." "Ah yes!" "Well, here it is:" "Shoes are made of leather." "So I'm interested in cows." "And cows as you know, give milk." "And milk produces a by-product called caseine." "You follow me?" "Very easily, Francois." "You're very clear." "So instead of throwing out caseine," "I had the idea of establishing a factory that makes plastic products." "Toothbrushes, among other things." "But does all that interest you?" "Not a lot, Francois." "Up until now in my life, caseine... cows, you understand?" "But now I should be." " What for?" "Because it's your life, Francois." "I want to find my place there, along with caseine and plastic." "And even a little bit ahead of them, if that's possible." "Was it painful to abandon your deals?" " What do you mean?" " Your cigar." "When you light your cigar, it's because you've made some deals." "Francois, you don't think we'll have to turn around, do you?" "Abandon the trip?" "Absolutely not." "Besides, I have to meet Magu in Marseilles." " Who's Magu?" " He makes Holland cheese." "Do you have something else to tell me?" "Yes." "There's a maker of ski boots in Nice that I have to meet," "I haven't seen him in a long time." " And then?" "And then nothing more." "Only you and me, Italy, Naples, a sailboat, and love." "How badly you say that." "Haven't you done so before?" "Excuse me?" "You say a "star", a "six meters", not a sailboat." "Ah, yes." "What is it?" "Nothing." "Is this what you were looking for?" "What's a couple, Francois?" "What's a couple?" "Your tickets, if you please." "We've got all our lives to answer that question." "Excuse me, but I'm getting off at Avignon." "Oh, I'm sorry!" "The tickets, Francois." " Here they are." "Send this telegram immediately, please." "Yes, M. Donge." "Absolutely no danger, Madame." "Those are good-weather clouds." ""Will make immediate... immediate about-turn..." "Love, Francois."" "Read it back." "You and your good-weather clouds!" "Fourth floor." " It's sticking to me all over." " Are you cold?" " Not at all." " We could have some hot food or something else." "I could towel you off." "What can you do in a hotel room in such weather?" "Play riddles:" "What's caseine?" "What's a couple?" " What's desire, Francois?" "It's the shortest way between two people." "The shortest." "The best." "Bring me up a..." "What?" "How's that?" "Oh, damn." "Bring me up a double scotch with a Perrier." "Yes, thanks." "What?" "If you want to be understood, you need to come up for air." "Did I disappoint you?" "I don't have to be disappointed to have a whisky." "If I'm thirsty, I drink." "Meanwhile, I missed Magu." "Come on Baby, please." "I said, Magu, that's the Holland cheese?" "Yes, I told the Holland cheese to call me before we left Marseilles." "You also told the porter not to disturb us under any circumstances?" "Yes, I did." "You don't believe it's necessary to live openly, Francois?" "What do you mean, "openly"?" "Like a book, like a window, with nothing hidden between you and me." "Up until now, I've been very secretive." "Young girls always are." "So it would be harder for me." "But I love things being open." "If I've disappointed you..." "If I genuinely disappoint you one day, you must tell me." "You must hide nothing from me, ever." "For example... if some day you had someone in your life..." "If you told me, there would would be no harm done." "Otherwise..." "Listen Baby, you swore to me you'd never again..." "Francois!" "Come on, buddy..." "Afterwards." "Oh, you and your words..." "Hey, buddy, I ordered a scotch with a Perrier." "I don't drink it straight." "Right away, sir." "But don't get worked up." "He was sure I was alone." "Even more so because he saw us go in together." "And because he'll see us go out together." "And in the elevator, he wondered how he could be in my place." "Otherwise, there'd be no hope for you and me, Francois." "Ah, there you go again." "Because I ask myself what's the good of becoming a couple, if it's not better than when you were alone." "If it's only more convenient..." " You're sorry already?" " Francois, do you think I'm stupid?" "No, but you're like all women." "You want to be sure of the future." "It's an obsession with women." "You want to have it all and forever." " You're wrong." "It's not about security, but something else." "It's about not finding yourself alone at 40, with wrinkles." "Only if you get wrinkles, there are beauty salons, but for the rest of it, being lonely, there's nothing to be done." "So you get married." "What's the matter?" " Nothing." "I must make a confession, Francois." " Is it serious?" " Enough." "I've already disappointed you." "I can't make French food, either." "So what?" "We'll eat Turkish instead." " I can't cook at all." " Old Marie will teach you." " I'm not a good housekeeper." " Is that all?" "No." "I don't want to be either." "No doubt you don't want children for another two or three years?" "I think..." "I think I don't want any at all." "Wait." "I only want to love you, Francois." "Only love you." " You expect me to open it with my teeth?" " I'm sorry, sir." "Allow me." "There you go." "Francois..." "What?" "Will you carry me into the old house, on the Quai des Tanneurs?" "Will you be too tired to walk in?" "I think it's the loveliest gesture in the world." "You won't forget, will you?" "Why can't you treat me like an equal, once and for all?" "What do you think I am?" "Now I'd like to ask you a question." " Fire away." "If I don't make a report, how is it anyone else's business?" "If I forgive my wife, how does that concern justice?" "Is it their business, yes or no?" "It's not that simple, Francois." "There's a question of conscience." ""Conscience"?" "Whose conscience?" "Mine." "Hello?" "Star 07-10?" "Is this the answering service?" "Yes, Professor Devillers." "But what time tomorrow?" "No message." "Wait." "Have him call me when he gets in." "Why this comedy, Francois?" "Do you think it's worth it?" "Here we go, she's twisted her foot." "I warned you." "Can you walk?" "No, Francois." " Couldn't you try?" "Try to." " No, Francois!" " You want me to carry you?" " Yes, Francois." "Come on." "What bad luck." "The first day, no less." "It's the cobblestones." "As if they were made that way on purpose." "I didn't know you were so romantic, brother-in-law." " Romantic?" "Georges wouldn't have made this pretty gesture." "It's true that the apartment we've got is on the fourth floor." "Poor Baby..." "I tried to keep Georges from sending that panicky telegram." "But business is business." "All the same, we got as far as Nice." "That's certainly Georges calling from the factory." "Well?" "Tell me everything!" "Come on." "A contract for 38?" "You've caught me off-guard." "Thanks." "Wait." "Wait, wait." "Yes." "Van Hopel." "Wait." "Now I remember." "Van Hopel." "Yes, I follow you." "How you talk!" "That cost us 10,000 florins at the time." "He took me, that shark." "The problem isn't knowing how to manage it." "The problem is knowing whether or not you could do as a couple what you couldn't do all alone." "You could always have children." "I don't think I'm a breeder." "For me, it's...it's like a fruit." " No one's ever said otherwise." " The fruit of love." "Yes, I'm stopping here." "Yes." "Immediately." "I'll be glad to see you again." "Thank you." "Honey, it's finished between us." "Understand?" "Francois..." "Yes?" "I think I'm happy to be your wife." "Madame Francois Donge." "Oh, I know it." "From the first day." "Oh no, it isn't so simple, nor so often." "If I could explain to you..." "For example this room, at first I thought it was ugly and sad." "Now I wonder if I wasn't wrong." "Of course you were wrong." "Anyway, the important thing is that that's how you see it." "All the same, there's your father's portrait." "What do you have against it?" "Nothing." "Yes I do." "He's everywhere." "He always seems to be watching me." "You're getting worked up." "I don't even notice it anymore." "It's a question of getting used to things." " Exactly, Francois." " Exactly what?" "That's exactly what frightens me." "If one day I lived with you without seeing you, that would be..." "But what do you want?" "You see, Francois..." "Madame Flamant..." " What about Madame Flamant?" "Is she a natural redhead or does she dye her hair?" "How would I know?" "I haven't asked her." "But no, I don't think she dyes it." " She's a beautiful woman." " Yes." "She's also an excellent secretary." "Francois!" "We're going to be late." "What's the matter?" "Have you caught colds?" "It's the smell, Georges." "The smell?" "What smell?" "We'll need a specialist right away for the charmers." "DONGE TANNERY" " So that's La Chataignerie?" " Yes." "That's it." "It would solve all our housing problems, both old and new." "So you're going to be causing some new ones?" "Yes." "In exactly eight months." "You don't waste any time, you two." "Anyway, it would be wonderful for entertaining." "Georges tells me you plan to do some entertaining." "In principle, yes..." "But we'll see about that later." "Let's get going." "Someone taught me that you don't kiss a lady's gloved hand." "Who's "someone"?" "My mistresses." "Anyway, those who are women of the world." "You're not jealous, are you?" "The past is the past." "I'll never be jealous, Francois." "Never!" "Bravo." " Francois!" " What?" "There's no dining car, but there are sandwiches in your suitcase!" "She goes for it, my little sister." "She goes for it." "It has four feet, it walks on two," "it has two heads, one heart," "an apartment, taxes to pay," "and a short life." "What is it?" "For how long have you been having these headaches?" "Oh...24, 48 hours." "I don't really know anymore." "You know, time here..." "So you've no answer to my riddle?" "Fine." "It's a couple, Jalabert." "A couple:" "A man and a woman." "What do they mean, these migraines?" "It means you work yourself up." "You really want to see the Magistrate again?" "Yes." "Yes, I do, truly." "Because..." "Yesterday I asked him a question and he had to consult his conscience." "Why, are you afraid?" " Afraid?" "No, I'm not afraid." "You're absurd." "In my opinion, you'd do better to keep calm." "And to drink." "A lot." "Hello, yes?" "Yes, I'll put him on." "Hello?" "Yes, I'm coming." " So, is he cured?" " Almost." ""Almost" won't do." "Have patience." "In a day or two." "Excuse me, someone's waiting." "The truth vs. the law." "It's a case of the weak vs. the strong." " The whole city knows?" " No one's saying anything." " But that's already an outcome." " A prerequisite." "What does that mean?" "That if nothing reaches the ears of justice, well..." "Notice that..." "If the outcome..." "If the state of your health..." "In short, if it turns out otherwise..." " Yes, if I died, what?" "There at least, the situation would be very clear." "Official action wouldn't require any sort of complaint, from anyone, to be initiated." "In this case, it's very evident that my duty, as painful as it would be, would lead me... to La Chataignerie one night with the Police Captain to arrest my wife." "Look at me, Magistrate." "Do I look like a man who's going to die?" "No, no..." "God be praised!" "It's obvious that we are only speculating." "Treatment of Severe Nephritis." "Hello?" "Hello, Star 07-10?" "Yes?" "No, I'm not giving up." "All the same, if I managed to tell her..." "If only she could believe me." "Everything could still be saved." "If only she could cry." "And will your dress be ready in time?" "With some "ifs"..." "The party's tomorrow." "You don't seem to know that." " Did you do as I said?" " Yes." "Come sit down." "Come." "I telephoned." "They can send a delivery van with a seamstress for the fitting." "But it will be expensive." "I..." "How's Jean-Marc?" " Well." "Did you tell him his father was on a trip?" "Yes." "You did the right thing." "I must go." "I left the car with Jeanne so she could do her shopping." "The party, like every year, is a great deal of trouble." " Try to make it a success." " I will." "But the urea?" "Up until now it hasn't exceeded 1.20 grams." "I would have preferred to consult you." "Gasperl?" "Oh yes." "Garsperl in Toulouse." "Someone was praising his clinical sense, but I don't know him..." "Hello?" "No Miss, we weren't finished." "Oh, it doesn't matter." "How could you do such a thing?" "I had to get out." "There was no other way." "No other way but to eliminate him, my poor child?" "Whoa, Cesar!" "Did you get it from the factory's lab?" "The poison?" "Yes." "Francois was in Paris." "I put it in my compact." " Why in your compact?" "To always have it with me." "I kept it in my desk." "The latest tests from the lab." "4.50 grams." " What did you have against him, exactly?" " Nothing." "He lived his life." "When he looked at me it was as if he didn't see me." "Why didn't you do the same?" "I tried to." "He gave you what you could live on." "You mean money?" "He was very generous." "When did you finally decide?" "And why?" "I knew that I'd decided Sunday morning." "Things must happen in their time." "It was either him or me." "There was Jean-Marc..." "Whoa, whoa, Cesar!" "When you saw him drink his coffee and grimace, what did you do?" "Nothing." "Did you think that you'd be arrested, and that without a defense, you'd be condemned?" "Yes." "Elisabeth..." "Can I call you Elisabeth?" "Yes." "Could I kiss you?" "A muslin dress with flecks of gold." "I thought it was ugly without Baby." "Besides, a dress without a woman in it, doesn't speak to you." "It's lasted half an hour, Doctor." "Don't worry, it's normal." "It's not worth it to disturb him, he should rest." "I'm going to La Chataignerie." "Then I'll go to the factory to work." " Go to work." "I'll be here." " Yes." "All the same..." "What she said..." " The nurse?" "She's mistaken." "He's not delirious, he's acting up." "You know your brother." "That's how he is." "The danger is past." "Everything will return to normal." "Goodbye, my friend." "Until tomorrow." "Hello?" "Yes, speaking." "I only sent a blood sample because the anuria persists." "Yes, that's how it is." "Thank you for calling." "A muslin dress with flecks of gold." "I thought it was ugly without Baby." "A dress without a woman in it, doesn't speak to you." "I wonder if there will be enough tarts." "The portrait is so lifelike..." "It could spoil your appetite." "Jeanne, Francois is going to be upset." " Wouldn't we have time to take it upstairs?" " Oh no, we wouldn't." "You'd have a hard time convincing them." "You'll never have an opportunity like your anniversary to get rid of it." "Baby, once again you've arranged things so you'll be running late." "I don't arrange things so I'll be running late..." "I just am." "Arrange things so you'll be ready on time." "Jeanne, is her dress too daring for people around here?" " The Gutlers have arrived." " Baby isn't ready yet." "There she is!" "There's Baby." "I'm happy to see you again in this house, Madame." "I was sorry to see Francois deprived of a friendship like yours." "My dear child..." "Happiness suits you." "Will you allow me?" "We're relieving Georges and Jeanne." "So what do you think of my dress?" "Perfection." "A little loud, huh?" "You're right." "Well, you're not a young girl anymore." " Did things go well with the Gutlers?" " Yes." "Tell me, Madame Gutler... was she the ex-Mlle. de Villefosse you were going to marry?" "Yes." "Come on, Baby, aren't you tired?" "You're infatiguable." "I'm leaving tomorrow for Sweden." "I know, Madame Flament told me." "How are you going?" "I'll try to catch the plane to Lyon." "So goodnight." "Sweet dreams." "Oh, for that..." "Francois, don't you think the buds are like little lettuces?" "Nothing but little hearts." "You find me silly?" "Oh, it's worse than that." "You're not protected." "You don't act your age." "The day you receive a hard blow, it'll kill you." "Why would you want me to receive a hard blow?" "I didn't say I wanted you to receive a hard blow." "I said, "the day you receive a hard blow"." "Do me a favor and finish packing my suitcase." "I need to see Madame Flament about some files." "And this time don't forget to pack my smoking slippers." "First off, I won't receive a hard blow." "The day I receive one, it will be the two of us." "If you were less stubborn, less sure of yourself..." "If you could help me." "When I get back, all right?" " Where will you be?" " In my smoking slippers." "There's a writer who says, that a woman in love makes every blunder." "You're an enigma, Baby." "I don't understand you." "Suddenly you speak like a real woman." "Like, I don't know what, like..." " Like your wife." "What's the matter now?" "To think that all it takes is a strand of hair..." "From Madame Flament." " Don't be ridiculous." "I could say that it's only a hair..." " But you won't say it, Francois." "As you wish." "I told you what I wanted:" "I don't want lies." "So she's your mistress?" "I've been sleeping with her for a long time." "So she isn't the only one." "No, she isn't the only one." "Excuse me if that's what it takes to prove that in life, it has no importance!" "Then what is important?" "Catching my train." "You want me to fire her?" "What good would it do?" "You already warned me, didn't you?" ""She's also an excellent secretary."" "You'd only take another." "And then you'd have to break her in." "And since I hardly ever come to your office, with its foul stench of tanin, since you like strong odors and Madame Flament smells bad, and she's an excellent secretary, completely at your disposal, then you should keep her." "Is she married?" " Yes." " What does her husband do?" " I don't know." " Does he know?" " I don't know." "What's the point of all these questions?" "Besides..." " Besides what?" " I don't see the problem!" "But I see it clearly." "If you can't make it as a couple, then you should separate, to see if you can't make something else," "before you resort to permanent solutions." "What do you want?" "A divorce?" "When you've got everything you want?" "You're Madame Francois Donge." "You beat your sister in the marriage race." "You won by a breast." "A little too small, for my taste." "That's true as well." "But now you know what my taste is." "So I'm crude." "What of it?" "I know that you're young, but..." "Wake up." "There comes a time when you must face things as they are." "You say that?" "You must be right." "You don't want to divorce now?" "It would be useless." "I'm your wife, that's how it is." "I must stand up and face things." "You'll laugh at me again, but if you remember, during our honeymoon, I asked you to wait." "Wait for what?" "Francois, would it annoy you if we had a child?" "That's how to stand up and face things!" " Being crude changes nothing." " I've got a train to catch." "You don't want to?" "You're still at it?" "Come on then, let's go!" "This doesn't annoy you." "It's just your style." "You only have to think of Madame Flament or the others." "You're used to it." "I really tried everything." "You've got a crazy solution, but I've got another one, that sometimes is more reasonable:" "Look at me." "Look at me." "You don't want to." "You're vile." "Did you really think that was a solution?" "What did you hope for?" " Nothing much, Francois." " Then why bother?" "I never really thought it was an answer." "It's what comes next, that's all." "Everything back to normal, Francois." "It's better this way, believe me." "From all points of view." "We'll leave Jeanne and Baby to furnish La Chataignerie to their taste." "That will keep them busy." "If you don't want to be poisoned by weekend trivia, you only have to telephone." "That's how during the week, at the old house, you'll be left in peace." "Two birds with one stone." "You must accept them as they are, Baby." "That's where happiness lies." "Happiness?" "Georges was right." "As if by magic, everything returned to normal." "And nothing troubled this regularity in the years that followed." "She continued to be the last to come down." "You'd think that was her specialty, and you accepted it." "It became a tradition." "Was it worthwhile to give you a necklace to wear this evening?" "They're truly the loveliest couple." "Old Madame d'Ortemont didn't yield." "It's a fact." "She's beautiful, don't you think so?" "That's no reason not to ask her to dance." "Happiness suits you." "Happiness suits you." "Madame d'Ortemont said that to Baby every year, without ever changing a word." "There was the year of the Villefosses, that uncontestably had a good result for our business." "There was the year of the South American deals." "There was the year of the Legion of Honor." "The year of the presidency of the Cartel, of the bailing out of the Star of the Southeast, when I refused to be the delegate." "And every year, every anniversary, there was Madame d'Ortemont." "Baby seemed bewitched." "Doctor and Madame Jalabert!" "Dr. Henri Bernard!" "M. Magnan!" " He's brought his whole gang." " Who is he?" "A hustler." "I didn't know he was married." "Madame..." "I'm happy to come to your celebration." "I'd like to present my wife, who so wanted to come to your party." "I can understand why." "It's fit for a king." "Henri Bernard, who'll be a great surgeon one day." "Good evening." "My business manager, whom you know already..." "Good evening." " I wouldn't want M. Bernard operating on me." " Why not?" "He looks like a beginner." "I like him well enough..." "But Jalabert's wife...there's something about her that bugs me." "No, thank you." "What is it about Madame Jalabert that bugs you?" "That's not so serious." "You'll make do." "I beg you, Baby, stop playing your games." "What's her husband after?" "He's fixed up an old building." "He wants to establish a clinic there." "And?" "He doesn't have the money to start up." " Is that all?" " 10 million, that's not enough?" "M. and Madame Gutler." "Look..." "Always so ugly." "I'm so glad you could come." "Francois, how can you say that?" "Good evening, my friend." "Nothing in the world could keep me away." "Do you see all this wealth?" "It's grotesque." " 10 million, that's a lot." " 18 million..." "Now I understand that's what's bugging you." "But it's my opinion that you'll do it anyway." "My husband tells me you've a plan to set up a practice here?" "A plan?" "More of an intention, a hope..." "It depends on your husband." "Has he told you?" " Francois has no secrets from me." "Between us, I think you can now call it a plan." " You think so?" " It only depends on you." "What?" "Oh, yes." "Professor Gasperl is here." "There are black doctors in the United States, but not in France." "Not within a century." "I even met a black psychoanalyst in New York." "What do you know!" "Ah..." "But if we talked a little about your patient?" "It's Donge, the industrialist?" " Yes, Francois Donge." " What exactly did he injest?" "50 centigrams of mercury bichloride." " How many days ago?" " Six." " Diuresis?" " None." " For how long?" " 48 hours." "But I had a hard time getting him to drink." " Urea?" " 6 grams." " Does he suspect anything?" " This morning, he was sluggish." "Let's go." "It's a masterpiece." "A real masterpiece." "Yes..." "It's a tour de force." "When you move your hips..." "I don't know if..." "I've made a pleat here so it will fall into place." "But if you take it in a little below the hip..." "Mama, we can't make another dress in 21 hours." "There's Georges." "Georges!" "Tell us what you think." "Leave Georges alone, Mama." "Besides, he knows nothing about it." "With this plus Jean-Marc, I'm going to be late." "I spent part of the night at the factory, and I'm exhausted, do you understand?" "Under the circumstances, I'd be grateful..." "I'll be half an hour late." "Madame Laffitte made a mistake." "I have to reorder the petite fours." "I'll go to the clinic immediately afterward." "Tell me, do you believe that he'll be long?" "I couldn't say." "They've been upstairs for an hour." "Fine." "I'll be back this evening." "I see no other way." "What's the point in waiting for the complete necrosis of the renal cells?" " Are you sure?" " Sure?" "My dear sir, there comes a time when Medicine becomes a game of chance." "I should have stuck to my plans." "I wanted to go to the pastry shop." "Treatment of Severe Nephritis." "Without a phone at La Chataignerie, it isn't easy to reach you." "Anuria can cause complications that are very..." "I know, I know." "I can't piss anymore." "So, what are the chances?" "With the renal cells being attacked, nephrotomy is the only solution we have." "What are my chances in this lottery?" "One in three, more or less." "More than he needs when a man wants to live." "And I want to live." "I want to live." "Live..." "Live." "In the absence of the surgeon, who do you see doing the operation?" "There's Ravau." "He's the best in France." "21 dozen each." "But of course, I told you." "I've got the list in front of me." "Yes, I'll wait." "We could try to meet him." "We need to operate tonight, no matter with whom." "Tomorrow it will be a week." "Yes..." "Then bring them over immediately." "Thank you." "Professor Gasperl, Madame Francois Donge." "Everything I did I should do over again." "You've seen the doctors?" " Yes." "I've got one chance in three..." "From there, all will be fine." "I can't stay long." "Okay." "Then I'll have to be quick, let's go!" "To the heart of things." "All the rest..." "The most difficult, you see, from the beginning, I was forced to take care of everything." "Come closer, if you want." "My guts had to be emptied, you understand?" "Since my kidneys began to work again," "The famous renal cells, their junk, whatever..." "Come." "From that angle, Jalabert's right." "First off, you have to live." "And then I have to find out the truth and that I'll tell you." "For me, it's a game to be won." "You understand?" "And when I've won everything, we'll work twice as hard, Baby." "You'll see." "You'll see how happy we'll be." "I love you." "Here." "It's our anniversary, Elisabeth." "I couldn't buy you anything..." "If you knew how I love you." "If you can't stop yourself." " Only Death could." " I've passed all that." "For me it's over." "I don't love you anymore." "But if I die Elisabeth, you'll be put on trial." "There are laws and they'll condemn you, they'll destroy you." " I know." " Won't you defend yourself?" " Defend what?" "Yourself and our child." " Remember how he was conceived?" " But he exists." "He'll exist without us." "We've been so little in his life." "So little love." "You want to do everything over, Francois, I know." "But it's impossible." "You men... you like to decide that life is this or that." "And when you realize you're wrong, and that you've wronged us," "you ask us simply to return to zero." "As if that were possible." ""We'll work twice as hard."" "You don't begin your life twice, Francois." "There are words, big words, as you said," "that you made me choke on ten years ago." "Love is miraculous, a dazzlement, grace... birth..." "You can't start love over, Francois." "But you can, I'll find it, you'll see." "What is it you want to find?" "Your eyes are so dry." "If only you could cry." "What about hope?" "All's lost, Francois." "But..." "But listen, Elisabeth, if there's no hope when all's lost, then what is hope?" "Yes, I'm waiting." "If Martin has no more beds, what should we do?" "As for her, is she mad or what?" "This is a crisis." "All that's left is to call the hospital." "The game is on, my dear." "Who exactly is this Henri Bernard?" "Huh?" "We're going to give you an injection of Penthotal here." "Yes, immediately." "Doctor." "Hello." "Yes." "Why?" "There's nothing improper about giving the injection here." "It's to gain some time." "Tell them, yes." "You're afraid I'll talk, eh?" "Go see if the ambulance is here." "If you've got something to say, then go ahead." "Say it." "If I keep quiet, who'll tell you that my wife won't talk in court?" "She could defend herself:" "Jealousy, a crime of passion..." "Everyone will know that your little business of illnesses, of appendicitis, was made possible by your wife's lover." "That's how it is, old man." "You're rotten, Francois Donge." "All the same you've used women in your lifetime?" "Yes, those of other men." "Not my own, old man." "Not my own." "Understand, Jalabert, there won't be a trial, I'll live." "And if there has to be a trial, my wife won't defend herself." "She'll say nothing." "I know her well now." "Leave me, old man." "Leave me." "You can bring in the coffee now, Marie." "Yes, Madame." "She hasn't locked herself in, Georges." "She's in her room." "That's her right." "Is it also her right to poison my brother?" "Because that's what she's done, don't forget." "Your bitch of a sister." "Well?" "It's evident he's already had his injection." "Even without Jalabert." "My child, my little girl!" "Why did you do it?" "Tell me, it will be good for you." "You're like a corpse." "Why?" "I don't know." "I don't know anymore." "I didn't want to be like you, Mother dear." "She's a monster." "Relax." "Count to 20." "1,2... 3..." "Oh, Elisabeth..." "I'm sure that she's wrong." "I must tell her." "She'll understand." "I can start again." "I must do it all over." "A real rebirth." "I'm sure she'll understand." "A real rebirth." " He's stubborn." " Go on, go on!" "Our love, Elisabeth..." "God will decide now." "If you think she's going to change her habits..." " I'm afraid, Georges." " Afraid of what?" "I don't know, I'm afraid." "What do you want to happen?" "People come later and later now." "Baby?" "Elisabeth, open up, I beg you." "It's me." "I'm ready." "I'm coming down." "What are people going to say?" "They'll say nothing, Jeanne." "They aren't coming." "The Marquise d'Ortemont." "I insisted on coming all the same." "I thought you would." "Are you certain now?" "You said, "Love, supposing that it exists, isn't certain until afterward." "Are you certain now?" "Yes." "I think that Francois and you..." "You loved each other." "If that's your opinion, keep it to yourself." "I beg you." "You can count on me." "Misfortune suits you." "Georges, it's my duty, my horrible duty..." "After you, Captain." "I've packed so little." "Would you like a drink?" "Jeanne?" "Go on." "You know the house." "TO BE OPENED AFTER MY ARREST" "You didn't kiss Jean-Marc, Baby." "I know, but he can't go back to sleep after he's awakened." "It's better not to." "Subs by ironhills for KG"