" Are you free?" " Can't you see?" "Where to?" "You're the boss." "11, Rue des Sycamores, Neuilly-sur-Seine." "Just "Neuilly" would have done." "Get in." " How much?" " 620." " Thanks." " Goodbye." "Looking for someone?" " Sorry?" " Where are you going?" "I'm looking for Mr Paul Thomas." "Just as I thought." "Let the procession begin!" " You're Mr Paul's cousin?" " Yes." "Your father and his father are brothers?" "Exactly." " And Mr Henri is another brother?" " You know everything!" "I do the cleaning up there on the 7th floor." "Mr Paul's very nice." "Thank you, madam." " I bet you're Charles." " Yes." "Come on in." "Paul!" "It's Charles." "Carolus!" "Carolus!" "My Charles!" "Pray come closer!" "You're most welcome, make yourself at home, and drink!" " Was it a pleasant journey?" " Excellent." " Is one happy?" " Very happy." "What do you think of your sumptuous surroundings?" "All these trophies, all these weapons!" "Ah, here's a real friend." "His name is Jean, I believe." "But we call him Clovis." "For he has the political ambitions of that bivalve mollusc, the glory of Arcachon Bay, whom our barbarous ancestors, the Rhine-dwelling Franks..." " I've lost my thread!" " Ne'er cross my path!" "Stop acting the berk!" "You're impressing no one." "The provinces are dead." "Listen, drink, eat, but leave us alone, OK?" " Oui, monsieur." " Sorry?" "Die Kuche!" "Or, translated: the kitchen!" "Where we can throw together a meal." " Silence!" " What?" "Come, let me show you around." "Up there, the loggia." "With my bed." "Further along, more of Uncle Henri's trophies and horns." "Where is he right now?" "Somewhere in an aeroplane between New York and Miami." " With a floozy?" " Two floozies!" "Bugger!" "Shut up!" "Eat and leave us in peace." "There is nothing to fear." "A short corridor leading to a copper-plated door, behind which is a small but well-lit and clean bedroom." "It's very nice." "Uncle Henri!" "He has a great time, you know." "A flat in every capital city." "Mum said his business is a bit on the shady side." "Your mother?" "Do you know what I think?" "People think of your dad and mine as a pair of idiots." " Tell me, Paul..." " Yes?" "What is it?" " Who is that fellow?" " In the other room?" "Why, he's Clovis!" " He's at least thirty." " Older." "He's a sterling chap." " What does he do?" " He has fun." "Yes, but for a living." "You'll see..." "He does a bit of this, a bit of that." "But he's very nice." "I never thought your mother would let you go." "It's only because I've come here." "Otherwise, she'd never have agreed." "Anyway, you're enrolled at the university." "That's all done." "Perfect." "You sleep here." "I'll get my case." "I'll get it." "Yes, it's Clovis." "All right, I'll call him." "Paul!" " Who is it?" " It's Genevieve." "But I couldn't care less!" "Sort it out yourself." "What?" "Charles is here..." "My cousin." "Yes." "Oh, all right." "Yes, yes, Clovis is here." "Right." "See you in a bit." "Yes." "She's on her way." " She's on her way and then..." " Look..." "Excuse me, little cousin, but I can be brutal." "This is annoying..." "There's a girl coming and..." "She was my bird last winter." "She's in trouble." "Bloody fool!" "Sorry, I'm tired." "I'm going to bed." " Right." " What tact!" "I love that." " What do you think about his tact?" " Very commendable." "He's tired." "What about you?" "Me?" "Absolutely not." "I'm going to have a great time." "Goodnight." " Know what that means?" " I studied English." "It means goodnight." "You ought to do German instead of law." " Well, goodnight." " Goodnight." "Dear Mama," "The journey went without a hitch." "I had the compartment to myself, so I stretched out on the bench-seat." "Don't worry, I took my shoes off." "But I put them back on to go to the restaurant car." "The food wasn't bad." "Not a patch on Marie's cooking, of course, but I did eat a very pleasant escalope." "For you, I believe." "Well?" "Paul, there's no doubt about it." " I don't know what to do." " Calm down." "How do you expect me to?" "I saw the doctor this morning." "It's certain." " Do your parents know?" " I told them." "Very clever!" "Paul, I didn't tell them it was you, but..." "Daddy insisted on being told." "I thought you were a liberated woman." " Don't mock her, please." " I'm not mocking." "So, what did Daddy say?" "He and Mummy went to the coast, saying, "Sort it out yourself!"" "Magnificent!" "I'll sort it out." "It'll be over in no time." "I don't want to." "What else can you do?" "It's for the best, you know." "Paris is a marvellous place, and Paul seems right at home here." "All my love, Charles." "Up you get!" "What's that?" "One of the jewels of the arsenal." "What is it?" "A deadly weapon when it's loaded." " It doesn't look like it is." " Don't go by appearances." "Up you get, you sloth!" "Come on, shake a leg!" "I'm going to show you around town." "Oh, Mama." "In the Latin Quarter, Paul took me to a sort of club called L'Association." "I've got to go to work." " Are you going?" " To the Elysee Palace." "It's true!" "Well?" "Everything's arranged for Genevieve." " Clovis, you're a real brother!" " No." "Yes, yes..." "I'll have to pay you." "Let's go down." "I'm showing my cousin around this dive." "Well, darling, isn't Gilbert here?" "OK?" "Watch and marvel!" "Into the bowels of hell!" "Jacqueline, I'm blotto." "But I'll forget about that after the next glass." " How stupid." " How stupid, but pour!" "My word, Philippe!" "You're drunk." "Stop him drinking." "I meant that as praise, my dear." "That looks very like Francoise." "The room spinning, old pal?" "Is it over between you and Francoise, then?" "As you can see." "Never mind." "I've a dozen proverbs to help you through it." "I know your proverbs." "In your drunken state you'll soon forget." "Listen..." "Hello, kids." "We didn't know each other." "Now we do." "You can help a friend of mine who's suffering." " But..." " Don't have us on!" "You!" "Bugger off!" "I'd better warn you..." "You're going to love me, Ernestine." "I doubt it, and my name's Martine." "Martine?" "But that's delightful!" "It sounds like bells pealing." "Sonnez les martines!" "Well." "I believe I told you a friend of mine is suffering." "A girl as ravishing as you has left him for another." "But your smile will cure him." "Come." "Oh, Yvonne!" "Philippe, my friend, this is Martine." "Don't get all upset about a bloke." "Especially not him." "There's more to life than blokes." "Music, literature..." "Dance." "And the fact I need a light!" " May I?" " Thanks." "My name's Charles." "I'm Paul's cousin." "My name is Vonvon." "I'll finish off the banners." "I see he's keeping busy." "A real young girl, for once." "Don't break her!" "Am I bothering you?" "No." " Are you his cousin?" " Whose?" " Paul's, of course." " Yes." "I hear you're a dab-hand at bridge." "I've had enough." "You can take my place." "The rest are mine." "Bloody hell!" "Here..." "You're buggered." "You shouldn't have finessed." "What?" "He clearly had the king." "I'm the king, my children!" "Help me." "Do something!" "Mademoiselle says she wants to go to her lessons." " She's crazy." " I must go." "You're right." "Come on." "Do you hear this little bugger?" "Does he think you belong to him, Martine?" "Are you forgetting you love me?" "I'll come back later." "Promise?" "Good luck, old chap!" "Ah, women!" " Wasn't she meant for Philippe?" " Philippe's like a part of me." "Between us, I believe Philippe is sulking." " So?" " Nothing!" "It's understandable." "I like consoling Philippe." "Don't put yourselves out." " Here, take my place." " Thanks." "I'm going to play pinball." " How are things, sweetheart?" " Fine." "You don't look like Paul." "We're cousins, not twins." "You each look right for what you do." " What do you mean?" " You know..." "Do you play canape?" "If you like." "And the Blackwood convention for a four-trump bid?" "And what's your positioning on questioning?" "Sharp, eh?" "It's just a question of practice." "Cut, then." "Let's see..." "Pass." "One spade." " Pass." " Two hearts." " Three clubs." " Three spades." " I'm fine." " Four spades." " Pass." " Pass." "OK." "Your lead." "Sorry." "Hello, Florence." "I say, Paul..." "What?" "Have you stopped playing?" "Something's afoot!" "Who's that?" "Who?" "Florence?" "That's Florence." "I don't like her name, but she's got something." " I'll introduce you." " Please, Paul..." "This is a new role for me." "There's a Cupid awakening in me, dear cousin." "See you later." "Did you call?" "Yes, to introduce you to my cousin." "Charles, Florence." "Florence, Charles." " So you're the famous cousin." " No!" "Cousin, perhaps, but I'm the famous one." "Thanks." "Now I've got to go." "Sorry." "I just popped in to ask Vonvon something." "Shall we see you soon?" "Of course." "My heart bleeds for you." "Bleeds?" "But why?" "I'm going." "Hello." "What can I do for you?" "Nothing." "I'm just looking." "First editions?" "New editions?" "I'm not a collector." " Crime?" " No, I don't really like them." "Delighted to hear it." "What would you like, then?" "I could be tempted by a Balzac." " From the provinces, eh?" " Is it obvious?" "Not really, but reading Balzac at your age is a clue." "Balzac..." "Sorry." "What do others read?" "Those next door only buy crime novels." "I tried to give one Le Pere Goriot." "He nearly punched me!" "Crime... and pornography." "They say they need to relax." " You despair of them, it seems." " With good cause." "There's so much to read that one life isn't enough." "And seeing them wasting their time..." "You're right." "I've just spent ten years reading, and loved every minute." "I say, "Read Dostoyevsky!" "All your troubles are in there."" "They say they have no troubles." " You seem bitter." " And with good cause, sir." "When only provincials buy Balzac!" "But when I say "buy"..." "I'm going to give you your Balzac." "Go on, choose." "That's very nice, but I can pay." "Why?" "I'll make it up on those other suckers." "My profit on Balzac is so tiny and my wish to please you so great that it's a bargain to me." "No, I..." "Les Illusions Perdues." "Have you read that?" "Then steal it!" "Go on, I'm not looking." " Quick about it." " You're a strange bookseller." " You'll end up on the street." " No danger of that." "You really do love books." "Your eyes are full of the wonders you've read." "And you're now going to live in a very odd world." "Perhaps, but it is the world." "Yes, but it can be hard to take." "What are you doing here?" "Just talking about books." "They're furious." "They can't play any more." "Is he your brother?" " No, my cousin." " Same thing." "Come again." "Goodbye..." "And thank you." "I will." "Goodbye." "Dear Mama, It's very practical," "I don't need to go to lectures." "Each week I buy X eroxed copies of the notes, and learn them at home." "I find it easier to work like that." "I'm having a rest tomorrow, though." "Paul has invited some friends round for a little get-together." "Coming?" "Just a second." " That way." " Booze!" " Is this Charles?" " Yes, it is." "Shit!" "Are we the first?" "Damn, I said shit!" "Shit, I said damn!" " Hello, darling." " For you." "You're the one I love." "My cousin Charles." "A pal..." " You're pinching, you thug!" " My sweetheart!" "I'm thirsty!" "Where's the bar?" "For you." "We'll get a whisky." "Well, daddy?" "Drink!" "Hello, everyone." "A surprise." "Here's Philippe come to cry on our shoulders." " How's things?" " No better." "She's left Andre, and she'll be dumping Auguste next." "Hell..." " Hello." " Hello, Charles." " All right?" " Yes." "Well, I'll leave you." "Come and sit down." "They disgust me." " Not me." " You'll soon change your mind." " Why are you so bitter?" " I don't know." "All these girls..." "The trouble is, I love Francoise." "Yes, of course, but Paul says..." "She's a slut, I know." " Do you want some music?" " Yes!" "Shall we dance?" "No!" " Music, not Wagner." " The morons I must put up with!" "Out of the way." "Mozart!" "Here's Francoise." "I don't want to see her." "Who's the chap with her?" "I know him by sight." "Rameau's his name." "Hello." " Hello, Philippe." " Hello, Francoise." "Rameau." " Are you Paul's cousin?" " Yes, I'm Paul's cousin." "Rameau, old bean!" "Get yourself a drink." "Hello, you." " Don't I get a kiss?" " With Rameau's permission." "Rameau couldn't care less!" "Nice, friendly cousin!" "His heart's in the right place." "A country boy." "Salt of the earth." "Rameau, the drinks are over there." "Well, children." " What's got into you?" " I just don't like him." " That's no reason." " Yes, it is." "I'm not very cultured." "Hello, Paul." "Hello, Charles." " I've been expecting you." " Paul told me." "I've been expecting you since..." "For a long time." "May I?" "Be my guest." "Glasses..." "I like sitting on the stairs." "Don't you?" "I love it!" "You know, when I said I'd been expecting you... well, it was true." "What joy, my little ones!" "What joy!" "May I introduce the Count Arcangelo Minerva, from Florence." "He wanted to come to our little party." "Please forgive the intrusion." "You're very welcome here." " What are you doing there?" " Leave me alone!" "I told you to keep out of my way!" "It's not good at your age to be here." "Clear off!" "Go and learn to read." "Go on!" "What's got into you?" "With this bottle, we forgive your intrusion." "Just a little bottle!" "It's clear you're a man of gallantry." "And willing to prove it, my child." "The count can be a big naughty, you know." "But very generous." " At his age he can afford it." " At my age I can afford to do all sorts of things, my sweet." "I'm off." "An Italian friend of mine," "Count Arcangelo Minerva..." "I'm very happy to meet you." "Welcome to our party." "Not bad, eh?" "Delicious!" "Delicious!" "Ah, Paris!" "Who is that chap?" "Well, you know..." "Times are hard." "Come on, out with it." "What?" "He's an Italian friend." "He's here for business but in need of distraction." "Business keeps him busy until dinner time, and then..." "The distractions are my job." "Mademoiselle, age bows down before beauty!" "And what's your percentage?" "I can't live off the sandwiches you feed me." "My dear Augustine!" "Here's Genevieve." "Hello, Paul." "I'm not intruding, I hope." "I'm very fond of you." "I'm feeling great." "It was a false alert." "Just in time!" "You were both so sweet." "Real pals!" "You can be proud of yourselves." "A drink?" "Has anyone ever asked you when Correggio painted you?" " Who's Correggio?" " A friend of mine." "She's a pretty little frog." "Do you have a light?" "Of course, signorina." "Excuse me." "Mozart... finished." "Now..." "Wagner." "Silence!" "Oh, Mother!" "Where are you?" "I'm a soldier, I'm alone..." "All alone." "Without friends, without comrades." "Where are they?" "They're all dead." "All dead." "I'm sad." "I weep." "I shout, "Help me!" ""Mother!"" "But no one hears me." "I'm all alone." "One day, the war is over." "And spring returns." "The birds sing once more, the sun shines..." "And we can hear music... and we find love..." "Love." "Bastard!" "What's going on?" "Don't play the white knights here." "It's dangerous." " Get him out." " He's a guest." "Not again!" "What's got into you?" "Let's leave." "Really?" " Slut!" " Stop it!" "Philippe, you're causing a scene, and I hate that." "I'm free to do what I want." " You disgust me!" " And you annoy me!" "You annoy me, too." "All of you do!" "Do you hear me?" "Why are you looking at me like that?" "I hate you!" "I'd like to see you all die like dogs!" "Sod off!" "It's crazy." "Philippe!" "A lot of unhappiness and very little character." "He's not equipped to handle it." "What's so funny?" "Nothing." "I was thinking about what you said about Philippe." "And?" "Because I don't think, Florence, that I..." "What?" "I think that I, too, may be unequal to my ambitions." "There's the proof." "I'm talking as if I were in a seminar." "Not at all." "What do you think of me?" "That I'm a good student?" "I've never been in class with you." "A good thing, too!" "I'd never have done any work." "No, Florence, I know what I am." "A mummy's boy." "Pampered and cosseted." " It leaves its mark." " So?" "So what?" "As you're not marked by drink, like Clovis." "But Clovis faces life with a force I haven't got." "Not that I feel weak, but..." "Oh, Florence!" "Am I a fool?" "Am I silly?" "Look at me..." "Is my face, my expression, that of a fool?" "When I speak, do I say silly things, in a silly way?" "It's yes, isn't it." "Admit it." "You have the most beautiful voice in the world." "I love it." " You're not laughing at me?" " No." "But Paul's voice is much more beautiful." "I said the most beautiful voice in the world." "Speak, Florence, so I may say the same thing to you." "No, you." "Say anything at all." "I don't know what to say." "It's always like that." "Say whatever comes to mind." "Recite your lectures to me." "Do you know what I'm dying to say to you?" "But I'd cut off my tongue rather than say it." "No, I daren't even tell you." "Come, Charles!" "No." "Because by doing so, I would certainly exceed even my own stupidity." "I want to know." "My dear Charles, that is what every woman desires." "Go on, recite it to me." "Never!" "Are you really so silly, then?" "On this point, a real idiot, Florence." "I can already hear Paul saying," ""So you're a poet, are you?" "Writing verse in secret!"" "Paul's not here." "Recite your poem to me." "I'll think it for you, but I won't say it." "Was it beautiful?" "Very beautiful, Charles." "They were my complete works." "A little provincial in inspiration, but there you go." "In love or not, I come from Saint-Jean-du-Gard." " Charles?" " Yes?" "Have you often been in love?" "Yes, two or three times." "And you?" "Very often." "Have you been in love with Rameau?" "What a thought!" "Why Rameau?" "He's just a pal." "I don't believe in pals." "I love you, Florence." "Yes..." "That Rameau gives me the creeps." " Do you love me?" " Yes." "It's sudden." "I know..." "I know, but that's what I'm like." "The worst thing is, it happens quickly and stays with me." "My mother knows me well." "It made her suspicious." "She didn't want me coming to Paris." "It took all Paul's cunning to persuade her." "She used to say," ""The first girl you meet will get her clutches into you."" "She's jealous, so she mistrusts all women." "She said I had no defences." "She used to spy on me." "She'd be jealous of you, too." "She was jealous enough when I left." "Shall we go for a car ride?" "Yes." "Wait here." "I'll go and get the keys." " Can you drive?" " Mother taught me." "It's the cousin." "Come on in." "Paul!" "It's your cousin." "Paul!" "Paul!" "Just a second." "Can I have your car keys?" "You're all young girls!" "I want a woman!" "And I'll have one!" "He's round the bend." "I will have what I want!" "You, woman, come here!" "Come now!" "Come on!" "Go to hell, you old monster!" "You lied to me." "You promised me girls." "I want girls." "Give me one, by God!" "You know how it is, Arcangelo." "When a girl doesn't want to..." "He's completely round the bend." "You want women, I want money." "Broken glass is lucky!" "You and all your money!" "You'll be first against the wall!" "Paul, give me the keys to the car." " What?" " The car keys." "That's a very good idea!" "Listen to me, you cretins!" "We're going for a car ride." "Come on, up you get!" "Stop it, you barbarian." "Arcangelo!" "Arcangelo, you're finished!" "Listen to me, you cretins!" "We're going for a car ride." " To the woods!" " Wait!" "The Italian's got a Nash." "We'll pinch his keys." "I love picking pockets!" "I'm not surprised." "Move it!" "I have to freshen up." " It's night." " Shut up, gran!" "Come with me, Flo." "Come on, Charles, in the nice big Nash." "Stop sulking!" "Have you been abandoned, my sweet?" "Come with me." "I'll drive like the devil's own chauffeur!" "I'll get her up to 70, 80, even 120, if I'm feeling in good shape." "Look, my head's sticking out!" "Where are we going?" "The motorway, thickhead!" "Via the woods." "OK." "Where's first gear." " Sod that!" " Language!" " Can you drive?" " Arse!" "What moron left all the lights on?" "He's asleep." "Nothing else for it..." "Just watch this." "What are you going to do?" "Scare him to death." "Wake up, it's the Gestapo!" "What's the matter?" "Nightmares?" "I was sleeping." "Admit that I shook you up." "Where did you go?" "All over the place, with the girls." "They caused a scene in a nightclub." "Really?" "Did you go to La Goulee?" "Yes, La Goulee." "Bloody hell!" "I had a skinful." "I'm off." "Is the metro moving?" "You missed the first, but you might get the second." "Goodbye." " Goodbye, Marc." " Goodbye." "See you, Marc!" "See you later." "Paul..." "You scared me." "What was wrong with him?" "I don't understand." "What don't you understand?" "You really seemed to scare him." "Marc's a Jew." "So it had quite an effect." "That's clever!" "He must have been terrified." "You think so?" "No, it just sobered him up." "It'll take more than that to wake him." "Look." "The idiot could have hurt someone." "Luckily, we've no bullets." "Is that what you think?" "Look..." "What about this?" "I will-a kill you all!" "Lady, take off-a your dress!" "Or you will-a make Arcangelo very, very angry!" "Right..." " Paul..." " Yes?" "You don't have Florence's phone number, do you?" "What?" "I forgot to ask her for her phone number." "Don't you know it?" "I don't even know if she has a phone." "Why should she have?" "She's never at home." "Sorry, but..." "We should turn in." "Try and get a couple of hours' sleep." "Good morning." " My dear friend." " You must be feeling rough." "That's the best cure." "I'm your servant." "I am most terribly embarrassed." "Oh, yes." "Don't say there's no need." "I behaved quite deplorably." "I was as drunk as a lord and I beg your forgiveness." "You were a little tipsy, perhaps..." "But you were the life and soul of the party." "This is all my doing, I know too well." " How can I ever apologise?" " Don't bother." "All these beautiful things, broken." "Could I trouble you for the address of my friend Delbecque?" "Delbecque?" "Clovis?" "I'd like to thank him for the pleasant time I had." "Clovis moves around a lot." "I don't have his new address." "It's of no importance." "I'll find him." "There's this bar..." " Craving your pardon once more..." " No, really." " Oh, yes." "Goodbye." " Any time." "Excuse me." "Goodness me!" "You made a racket last night!" " The 5th floor wasn't happy." " I'm not surprised." "Please excuse us." "Your lovely capital is to blame." " Goodbye." " Sorry." "Goodbye." " Goodbye, madam." " Sir." "A very pleasant gentleman." "A foreigner?" "Yes, an Italian." "But not as pleasant as you think." "Good Lord, look at this!" "Were you fighting?" "It's Babylon, madam!" "Good Lord!" "And your Italian gentleman had a hand in it." "Look at all this work!" "Where am I to begin?" "People were complaining." "They were all cordially invited." "Good Lord!" "And the telephone's off the hook." "The telephone was off the hook?" "All right?" "Did you sleep well?" " The phone was off the hook?" " That's the least of it!" "Don't look like that." "Well..." "Someone might have been trying to call." "If someone called, they'll call back." "Were you involved in this orgy, Mr Charles?" "Oh, yes, he got his feet wet." " Feeling all right?" " Yes." "Some Alka Seltzer or something?" "I'm feeling fine." "Be a good chap and boil some water for coffee." "I'm not a good chap." "That's it, stand up for yourself!" "That's enough from you!" "Aren't you ashamed, coming between cousins like that?" "I'm hungry." "Don't just stand there, boil some water." "Paul, get stuffed, will you!" "Oh, isn't he in a nasty mood this morning!" "I'm not in a very good mood." "Hello, Florence?" "Yes, it's me." "It's Charles." "I was really worried." "I didn't know..." "Yes." "Thanks for phoning, though." "It proves you have a telephone." "Florence, can we get together some time?" "Whenever you like." "I've got a class this afternoon." "Yes." "No, Florence." "No, I have to go to it." "Yes, I have to show my face from time to time." "Yes." "Good." "Let's do that, then." "We'll walk back from the university together." "Fine." "What time is your class?" "What time?" "Three o'clock." "Three o'clock." "I'll come out at about five." "Is that OK?" "All right." "Goodbye." "Florence..." "Thanks for calling." "The amazing thing about you is, you never need any sleep." " Who did you call?" " Charles." " The kid...?" " Yes." "I'm meeting him at three." "Incredible." "It's wonderful!" "I'm meeting Florence at five." "He's not here, Flo." " He went to his class." " What?" "At the university." "We arranged to meet at three." "You got it wrong." "He said five." "Have a drink." "Well..." "I haven't got much time." "You've got two hours!" "What is all this business with Charles?" "What are you playing at?" "Just playing." "At least you're honest." "And what are you getting out of it?" "A sort of dreaminess." "With Charles?" "lmpossible!" "I love, Charles, I really do." "He's my cousin." "But still..." "Still what?" "I can't explain." "You know him." "Yes." "And...?" "Don't you get it?" "No." "I thought you were smarter." "I can imagine you talking about the history of art." "But once in the sack..." "You're the one who doesn't understand." "With him I don't have to think about that." " About what?" " The sack." "You see!" "What good does that do you?" "There's more to life than sex." "My eye!" "Paul..." "I'm trying to love him." "Right." "Let's try to be serious for a moment." "How old are you?" "Twenty." "Twenty!" "Right." "Let's think this out." "You want to love him." "Let's say you manage it." "He worships you." "What will happen?" "You'll move in together." "Your place..." "to get away from me." "Right." "He'll work like mad because that's what he's like." "You'll do the housework for a fortnight." "Or, if you find someone to do it for you, you'll spend two weeks in bed, reading." "And he'll choose your books for you!" "Saturday night, you'll go to the cinema." "Sunday afternoon, I'll invite you out for a drink." "But he'll refuse." "He'll want to work and you'll want to stay with him." "I know you!" "You won't be able to stop yourself becoming a martyr." "And I won't be able to stop myself laughing." "It's true, all of it." "Oh, and I was forgetting his mummy." "What will she say?" "He won't dare write to her." "Charles is incapable of lying." "As kids I used to pinch his marbles, and he'd lecture me." "He's a good boy." "A decent chap." "But really, Florence..." "Let's think clearly here." "Physically he's OK." "More than OK." "Tougher than he looks." "And he's far from stupid." "I'll even pay homage to certain aspects of his wit." "But really..." "You're not made for each other." "You just refuse to accept that." "I'm saying this for your own good." "You'll both be as miserable as sin." "Leave me alone." "And you'll cheat on him." "Shit!" "Look who's here." " My stomach's empty." " Have a drink." "Thanks." "You're a real brother." "What are you doing here?" "She was expecting to find Charles, but he's at university." "What does she want with him?" " She's trying to love him." " Unbelievable!" " Is this true?" " I was just explaining." "Can you really see the two of you together?" "For three days you'd do the housework..." "Obviously!" "I've said that." "Do you understand?" "You don't!" " Here we go again!" " You're being an idiot!" "This is making me ill!" "The poor fool!" "You've slept with everyone." "Now you want a virgin, so you think you'll become one." "From a moral point of view it offends me!" "Be true to yourself." "You're taking this boy for a ride, passing yourself off as something else." "Sleep with him or leave him alone." " You're bastards!" " Us?" "Did you hear that, Paul?" "But we love you." "You're our Florence." "Our own little Florence." "We want to help you." " Don't we?" " Absolutely." "It's true, Florence." "Really." "If you want to sleep with Charles, go ahead." "But don't lead him on." "Don't go promising to marry him." "I want it to be serious." "Exactly." "That's the frightening thing." "No..." "Look at yourself." "Do you look like the sort that can make him happy?" "Just stroke your skin." "I know about these things." " Leave me alone." " I do know about these things." "I've never been wrong." "You have a teaser's skin." "See, you shivered!" "You're all skin, my pussy cat." "You were born to be tickled, not for things of the mind." "Listen to him, Flo." "He's talking sense for once." "She's listening." "She can't not listen to me." "You are listening, aren't you, Florence?" " I've got two hours." " I won't need that long." "I only have one little thing to prove." "Admit that when your skin touches Charles', the contact is something quite monstrous." "Really, what do you think about Charles' skin?" " Leave me alone." " You see!" "You're starting to realise you picked the wrong boy." "Here..." " Stroke me." " No!" "No?" " Stroke Paul, then." " No!" "No, Clovis." "Go on, stroke..." "Where's the harm in it?" "Paul, come here, let her stroke you." " No, Clovis." " Yes." "Come on." "Come on, Florence." "Go on." "Stroke." "Well, my girl?" "What do you think?" "That's the real thing." "That's what I call a real skin." "Paul's skin is something else entirely." "Florence..." "He who will save you from Charles... is Paul." "Love each other, my lambs!" "What are you waiting for?" "Florence." "Have you seen her?" " How's Philippe?" " Not so bad, considering." " What happened to him?" " Haven't you heard?" "He jumped out of a window." " No!" " Broke both legs." "I'm off, lads." " All because of Francoise." " That slut!" "Well, I never!" "He was too good for her." " 5.20!" " It's not late." "Let's play pinball." "I'll hang on a bit longer here." " Will you come later?" " I hope not!" "Here he comes." "Don't worry." "Florence!" "What are you up to?" "I hung about for two hours." "What happened?" "I thought we'd said 3 o'clock." " It doesn't matter." " It does." "I hate standing people up." "I forgive you." "Charles, listen..." "Sit down." "What's going on?" "You're not going to like this." "Why?" "This is embarrassing." "Tell him, Flo." "I think he's figured it out." "Not at all." "While we were waiting for you..." "This is quite difficult to say." "Florence and I have decided to live together for a while." "How?" "Well... together." "Is this true, Florence?" "Don't be mad at me." "I'm your friend." "Of course I'm not mad." "I'll wait for my turn." "And you'll get it!" "I was worried in case you thought we were laughing at you." "You could have taken it badly." "No." "We're fond of you." "By the way, Florence..." "Have you heard about Philippe?" "No." "I've brought them back." " Why?" "They're yours." " No." "I really couldn't." "You stole them." "They're yours." "So how are things?" "Not too good." "What's the matter?" "I'm miserable." "A girl ditched me." " That's nothing." " Easy for you to say." "In fact, she didn't really ditch me because..." "I hardly knew her." "Well, then." "It hurts." "Youngsters!" "If only all our problems were so small." "Study, old chap!" "You'll soon forget her." " Take it out on your books." " It's not that simple." "Come now." "I've been all through this, too." "But I got things done." "Now I could afford ten girls like the one who ditched you." "Work hard." "She'll come crawling back to you." "Your cousin and his pals will fail their exams, and you'll be laughing with your degree in your pocket." "Shake yourself up, old chap!" "If it doesn't work, come and see me." "You're very kind." "There's not a minute to lose." "Get down to work!" " Thanks." " Ah, heartbreak..." "Go on, not a minute to lose!" "To work, to work!" "Grub's up!" " Grub's up!" " Already?" "What are you on about?" "It's ready." " Grub's up!" " Coming." "I'm hungry." "Hungry, hungry, hungry!" "I burnt myself." " What is it?" " Provencale tomatoes." " Nothing but the best, eh?" " It looks good." "A round of applause for Flo!" "What a cook!" "Life is good!" "Charles, why do you slave away while the tomatoes are ripening in the sunshine?" "I'm following a friend's advice." "Which friend?" "Your neighbour, the bookseller." "Just between us, Paul, he doesn't think you'll pass the exams." "I'm flattered!" "Don't you worry about me." "Anyway, even if I fail I'm not going to worry." "It's your choice." "I think of everything you did for me, dear Mama." "I'll make it up to you a hundredfold." "The next time I kiss you," "I shall be a graduate." "I don't believe it!" "You're killing yourself, Charles." "Studying is all well and good, but still..." "He'll be a great success." "Come and have a drink." "No, thanks." "Florence wants to dance." "And my feet are starting to hurt." " Come and dance, Charles." " No, really." "Not very gentlemanly, eh, Flo?" "Not very." "Anyway, I can't dance." "Florence would love to teach you, eh?" "Yes." "It's now or never." "Come on!" "No, really." "I've got too much work." "What about me?" "It's your choice." "Come on, leave him." "Forget I spoke." "He's not much fun, though." "Don't forget to go to bed!" "It's so hot!" "Good morning." "We never see you!" "I've been working." "Work!" "Work, work!" "Stop fooling about." "You're in the sun!" "Tan in peace, my beauty." " Have you had breakfast?" " No." " I'll make you some coffee." " No, thanks." " Tea?" " No." "Hot chocolate?" " What do you want?" " The same as my Charles." "You're both pains!" "I'll make coffee." "Can I have a cigarette?" "What's the matter, Charles?" "You're all pale." "Why do you work so hard?" "You'll kill yourself." "Can I have a light?" "Sorry." "Well, I'll get back to work." "What about breakfast?" "Tell Paul to bring it to my room." "Stay here a bit." "Will you tell him?" "It's ready." "Don't mind me, Charles, I'm going to have a shower." "Hello, Dad!" "Don't move, I'm going to have a shower." "This'll get wet." "It's scalding!" " It's scalding!" " You big baby!" " I was in the war!" " Liar!" "Add a bit of cold." "A bit of cold, but not too much." " Stupid woman!" " I'm doing what you said." "Add a bit of cold." "I'm being boiled alive!" "I'm as red as a lobster." "No!" " Stupid thing!" " Everyone's stupid but you!" " If you don't like it..." " What?" "You can bugger off." "I will do." "Don't be stupid!" " Let go of me?" " Shut up!" " Charles is working." " Macho pig!" "No scenes, please." " Hey, Paul." " What?" "What does "sycophant" mean?" " What?" " Sycophant." "What the hell are you on about?" "Bastard!" " All right?" " Fine." "Eat up, then." "Here's the hot water." "Watch out!" "Thanks." "Where's Florence?" "She didn't even make breakfast." "Why?" "I have some very sad news to break to you." "We were happy, the three of us." "We didn't need anyone else." "Now it's all over." "Anyway, she's still a good friend." "I like her." "You, too, I suppose." "I'll miss her Provencale tomatoes the most." "They were really good." "I didn't like them." " You loved them!" " No, really." " Come off it!" " No, I just ate them to please her." "It's still sad, though." "What will you do now?" "God knows!" "Study." "That's what you should do." "Then you can afford ten girls like her." "Especially, old chap, as the exam's in four days." "You haven't done any work." "Do you feel you've revised enough?" "Come on, Paul." "Get down to work!" "No, old chap, no!" "It's not my first exam, nor will it be my last." "It's all relative, and I feel detached from it all." "I would bet that my talent for taking exams will make up for my lack of revision." "I may not be a bridge champion, but this is one rubber I'm going to take." "Watch out!" "Four days." "Three days!" "My exam is the day before yours." "I'll show you the way." "Well?" "It's incredible!" "Let's go!" "Bluebell!" "Corky!" "With me!" "Let's have some fun!" "Charles!" " What's going on?" " Look at me." "What do I look like?" "Do you notice anything different?" "Well..." "I passed!" "Come into my arms, Carolus!" "Well done." "Oh, how I fooled them!" "Hello, Charles." "Isn't it wonderful about Paul?" "Eat, drink and be merry!" "Smash the place up!" "I failed, you know." "But knowing Paul's passed makes up for that." "When's yours?" "Tomorrow." "Come on, lads, drink!" "Look at them!" "20 years old and no blood in their veins!" "Drink to my triumph!" "It's a miracle." "I'm proud of you." "So am I!" "Where are you going?" "Sorry, I've got to study." "No!" "You must be joking, surely." "Aren't I living proof that studying is a waste of time?" "Relax a bit." "No." "I'll be free to do that after tomorrow." "I'm not a natural, like you." "I'm more of the plodding sort." "Fine, fine..." "Gentlemen!" "Silence!" "I have to admit that I'm very moved." "Oh, yes." "Very moved." "Friends..." "Some things in life happen but once, and must be celebrated appropriately." "Your success today, Paul, is one such thing." "This is why, with my customary munificence," "I have brought you a surprise." "Oh, no!" "Not the Italian again!" "Ladies and gentlemen, the Great Matton!" "This is different!" "His shorts are made of Uncle Henri's skin!" "Here, put this on, you'll catch cold." "Ladies and gentlemen, good evening!" "I shall first of all break these chains" "To prove to you that nothing" "Can restrain me!" "This is how the Sultan of Turkey" "Would enchain his prisoners" "Before throwing them" "Into the Bosphorus!" " He'll never do it." " Shut up!" "A little Wagner..." "Don't pull the rope." "We need it." "It's you." "Are you working?" "Yes." "Not very polite of you." "Lots to do." " Charles?" " What?" "Nothing." "I wanted to say hello." "What are you writing." "Law." "Yes, but what exactly?" "Look..." "Is it interesting?" "It's work." "You don't seem very happy." "Me?" "I'm fine." "As happy as a sandboy." " Charles?" " What?" "Do you really enjoy studying so much?" "I've got no choice." "You could have a bit of fun." "No." " Charles!" " What?" "They all get on my nerves." "Stay here, then." "Sit over there." " No, next to you." " I have to study." " Stop for a minute." " No!" "I'll never be ready!" "My exam's tomorrow, and I have to revise everything." "I don't believe you!" "Look, get out of here!" "You make me sick." "I'm not Paul, I have to work." "I promised my mother I'd pass." "It sounds silly but I care about her." "She'll be really hurt if I fail." "You don't understand about that." "All you think about is sex." "Sorry." "Go on, get out of my sight." "You're stopping me working." "Go on." "Whoever else can do the same trick..." "But nothing can restrain me!" "Nothing!" "Charles!" "Charles!" "What is it?" "What happened?" "Paul said you studied really hard." " I'm just tired." "Leave me alone." " It's OK." "Poor old man!" "What a long face!" "I've got good reason." "Women again?" "In a way." "The same one, eh?" "Yes, but that's not all." "I failed." "Now that is a surprise!" "Did you study?" "Oh, yes, I studied." "It's not the end of the world." "They can be hard sometimes." "But you can take it again." "You'll do fine next time." "Don't get discouraged." "Get stuck in again." "And no women, all right?" "Florence..." "I haven't see you around for days." "A new lover?" "Florence, my princess!" "Deep down, you know," "I'm the one you love." "He mustn't wake up." "He mustn't wake up." "I've got a one-in-six chance." "You've got a five-in-six chance." "You've got a five-in-six chance." "Morning!" "What a skinful!" "Good God!" "You took advantage and didn't come home." "Were you out celebrating your triumph?" "No, Paul." "I failed." "I don't believe it!" "The swines!" "What happened." "I don't know." "I got all mixed up." "And there were traps." "I was in a very odd mood last night." "Don't worry." "I know you, you'll bounce back." "You're just learning to live." "You shouldn't blame yourself." "Really?" "Charles, I envy all the happy times ahead of you." "I've messed up everything." "Not at all, you numbskull!" "A few months wasted, that's all." "A girl and an exam aren't the end of the world." "It's not just that." "Oh, I see." " Your mother." " No, it's not my mother." "But we had a good time." " With the Great Matton!" " I was studying." "The things Clovis comes up with!" "That Italian!" "Signor Arcangelo what's-his-name!" "Remember him?" "Don't shoot, Paul!"