"I'm Marie-Carmen." "I'm from Toledo," "Spain." "I'm Amparito, from Salamanca." "I'm Marie-IsabeI from Segovia." "I like doing housework, ironing..." "I can clean silverware, but I don't enjoy it." "Sure I knowhowto work," "I adore kids." "I love them!" "Little kids, little girls, little everythings..." "I make great paella, potato and mushroom tortillas." "And croquettes, salmondigas and Spanish omelets, gazpacho..." "French cuisine," "I don't like." "The Women on the 6th Floor" "Hello." "What's going on?" "I'm in a rush, got work to do!" "It's all stopped up." "Thanks." "Germaine, I said boiled eggs take 31/2 minutes!" "Not 10, or 5, or4..." "Don't bore me with your egg!" "What's it now?" "." "It's Madame..." "She wants to move Madame's room!" "You realize?" "My mother died 6 months ago, the mourning's over." "Not for me." "For me, Madame's still here." "Madame Suzanne hated your mother." "She was very fond of her." "The day aftershe died she said..." "Shall I tell you?" "Please, don't." "Let me listen to the news." "Hi, Mrs Triboulet." "MrJoubert, it can't go on." " What is it?" " The Spaniards!" "They partied all night again!" "They shouted and sang!" "I didn't sleep a wink." " Tell the building manager!" " I will, Mrs. Triboulet." " Bye, Madame Triboulet." " Bye, MrJoubert." "Hi, Maria!" "Auntie!" "At last!" "Such a beauty!" "Great to see you!" "Look, hand it to me..." "The brown one." "Yourbag weighs a ton." "Auntie, this is Pilar." " Hi." " Delighted." "We traveled together." "My pal lost a fortune in Algerian oil." "You're mistaken, Mr Pelletier." "You have Aquitaine oil and you're up 100,000 francs." "Old francs?" "No, 100,000 newfrancs." "I've lost my glasses..." "Mr Pelletier, be right with you." "We'll go to my office." "The stock market baffles me." "Howit moves..." "My dad said: it's just a market." "But it sells stocks, not veggies." "Come along." "It's a fine house." "Where you offto?" "Hi, Madame Triboulet..." "My niece, Maria." "Just got here." "The elevator's not foryou!" "Mrs Triboulet, we have heavy bags." "Elevator's forthe owners." "Use the backstairs." "OK." "Let's go, kid." ""Use the backstairs!"" "We'll see about that!" "These hatboxes take up all the room!" " They were forMadame's hats!" " She's in the graveyard!" "You're just in time!" " What is it?" " Germaine!" "She won't empty your mom's room." "Yourmom bullied me, I couldn't change a curtain, ora napkin ring!" "You repapered ourbedroom." "Nowit's my home!" "Germaine must understand!" " I'll talk to her." " Yes, do." "Germaine..." "What's going on?" "Such ingratitude!" "To do that to a motherwho adored you." "She neverliked anyone, you knowthat." "Madame Suzanne's meanness killed her!" "You're insane!" "She murdered her!" "You hearher?" "You don't mean that." "Yes, I do!" "Then get out!" "Really, Suzanne!" "What's with you both?" "You're paid to obey!" "I do!" "I wasted mylife forthankless people." "Thankless..." "You're a bad mother." "I raised yourkids!" "You sent them to boarding-schooI!" "Don't overdo it, Germaine!" "I slaved years foryou Jouberts." "Madame dies, and you fire me!" "No, I'll quit on you!" "So long, folks!" "Maybe it's too old," "I can't make it shine." "I know a trick." "Use toothpaste, spread it well, and rub." "Toothpaste!" "Yes." "I had no idea..." "It's perfect." "Auntie!" "The Frenchwoman's crying." "Let's go see." "What's wrong with her?" "." "What's going on?" "They kicked me out! "Scram!"" "Don't be sad." "We forget bosses fast." "You'll find a newfamily." "I don't want one!" "Back in Brittany..." "I have no one there now!" "Maids get hired and fired." "Try this, it's Malaga wine, warms you up." "Who are you?" "She's Maria, my niece." "I got here today." "And know French?" "From the nun's school in Burgos." "We maids must get unionized." "We must unite against the bosses." "Don't listen, she's a Communist!" "Yourpraying won't help us!" "Shut up!" "I won't." "Religious nuts like you prevent change." "So go to Russia!" "Enough, you two!" "Another shot?" "It's not bad..." "To Spain!" "Hi there!" "It's Germaine Le Bronnec." "I'm going home!" "Be of good cheer!" "Germaine Le Bronnec!" "Darling, I've no shirts left." "They're all dirty!" "How'II I go to the office?" "Weara sweater!" "A sweater?" "." "Jean-Louis is going crazy." "We're like castaways!" "Still no news from Brittany." "Brittanymaids are over." "They're out!" "We have Spanish maids now." "Right, Colette?" "My Dolores is a pearl." "You even forget she's Spanish." "She's so clean, even works on Sundays." "No French maid gives up herSunday!" "Not a chance!" "My Dolores insists on one thing... going to Mass... at 6AM." "If that's all..." "A Spanish maid, why not?" "It's simple, theirHQ is nearby at the Spanish church." "Go there and pick one." "Some speak no French, others get by." "Many learnt French in convents." "If I were you, I'd avoid city girls..." "Hello, miss." "I'm MrJoubert, Madame's husband." "My wife spoke ofyou, Maria, fresh from Spain and here on a try-out?" "If you want to stay here," "I'm a sticklerforone thing:" "boiled eggs." "I'm fussy about that, got it from my dad." "An egg that's too soft ortoo hard ruins my day." "You understand?" "I think you don't get what I'm saying." "If the egg is perfect, my day is made." "In Spain, we have superstitions, too." "No, it's not a superstition." "It's more like..." "How can I put it..." "It's not a superstition." "Not at all!" "31/2 minutes." "Hello." "Got the Figaro?" "In the kitchen closet, we store tablecloths, napkins..." "On top, the linen, as it's delicate." "Undersheets aren't mattress covers!" "This is the Limoges china..." "Don't confuse the plain glasses, with the Baccarats!" "Answerthe phone, write down the caller's name and number." "Yes, Mrs Joubert." "Call me "Madame"!" "My husband is "Sir"." "And the kids," "Master Bertrand and MasterOIivier." "They'll be home in a fewweeks." "Get cracking!" "Let's sum up:" "we've dealt with laundry and otherchores." "The ironing is urgent:" "we're way behind." "I left you a full list, right?" "Yes, Madame." "Easy on the bleach!" "Or it'll stink like a hospital!" "Got that?" " Yes, Madame." " Fine, Maria." "See you later, thanks!" "Auntie!" "Open up!" "Help me!" "This house is a mess!" "No, I've got too much work." "It's my first day, I can't goof." "OK, but let me enlist some others..." "Dolores!" "What?" "Maria needs help!" "Carmen!" "Let's go down to Maria's floor, she needs help." " OK!" " Teresa!" " What?" " Come help Maria." " Now?" " We're coming, don't worry." "You about through?" "Cut out the noise!" "Yes, Mrs Triboulet." "Thanks, everyone!" "Go down the corridor." "Help me with the dishes." "Auntie, the laundry!" "She was afraid to come out ofthe locker" "She was as nervous as she could be" "She was afraid to come out ofthe locker" "She was afraid that someone would see..." "Two, three, four..." "Tell the people what she wore!" "It was an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie," "Yellowpolka dot bikini" "That she wore forthe first time today" "Good evening, Madame." "You're a whiz at housework!" "You're hired." "Thanks, Madame." "Monsieurdecides yoursalary." "I had an ex-haus-ting day!" "Run me a bath, Maria?" "Of course, Madame." "Any calls orvisits?" "No, Madame." "Who sent me those flowers?" " Hello, Maria." " Hello, sir." "Madame wants to hire you." "All work deserves a salary..." "Germaine got 250 francs... 400 francs!" "400?" "You're mad!" "250 is generous forsomeone without references." "400 francs." "You realize howmuch it is?" "400 francs." "You're stubborn." "I'm known as a tough negotiator." "Go to the kitchen, I'll think it over." "OK, Maria, you'll get 400 francs." "Officially, I'll pay you 250." "The rest, not a word to Madame." "See, where there's will there's a way." " See you later, Maria." " Yes." "Maria, when I say that, answer "See you later, sir. "" "If you want." "No, it's not what I want, it's what's done." "Very well." "See you later, sir." ""See you later, sir. "" "You got 400 francs!" "400." " Just like that." "Hearthat, Carmen?" "Herboss is paying her400 francs." "Pretty good!" "You're clever." "I asked, and he said yes, that's all." "Howlong has the red mullet been here?" " Came today!" " No, I don't like its eyes!" "I'll have some sardines." "5 kilos of potatoes!" "What?" "Thanks." "No touching!" "Sorry." "Potatoes!" "My God, it's the big day!" "I'm so excited!" "Very honored." "My office manager, Mr Piquer." "We'll be handling Madame de Brossolette's estate." "Delighted." "Please followme to my office." "I feel I knowyou." "Hubert spoke often ofyou." "Hubert left us too soon..." "Indeed." "We'll create a portfolio of stocks and bonds." "What do you mean bonds?" "I despise anything binding!" "A bond's the reverse of a stock." "A stock is a fragment of..." "Afriend tripled her portfolio in a year!" "Stop!" "Ifyou want to speculate, you're in the wnong place." "That's short term: buy today, sell tomorrow." "I'm interested in the long term." "Me, too." "I like things that last." "The linen stays here." "I'll deal with the screen." "There." "We'll manage." "You're moving the Chinese screen?" " It's no use in an office." " An office?" "This will be one." "I've got an office." "It's forme, not you." "Foryou?" "Yes, for my correspondence, my thoughts." "I want to jot down all my ideas." "Help Maria take all this to the 6th, I'm bushed!" "Here's the key, won't take a minute." "Come with me, Maria." "It's been years since I was up there." "I knowthis building well:" "I was bom here." "Like my parents and grandparents." "The brokerage firm was founded by my grandfather in 1912." "I'm like a farmerwho's attached to his village steeple." "My fatherwent to England once." "The crossing made him seasick, coming back, it was worse." "In my family, we nevertraveI far." "Summers we're at ourbeach house." "Winters, the kids go skiing in the Alps with their mom," "I stay in Paris." "I've spent my whole life in this building." "I left my village when I was 16." "To go off and study?" "No, to the city to work fora family." "Then to work in a factoryin Burgos." "Afactory?" "Atobacco factory." "We worked 15 hours a day, slept there in a dormitory, with noisy machines running all night." "Here at least, I have a room to myself." "May I see yourroom?" "No, it's untidy." "Please showit to me." "Where's the wash basin?" "There is none!" "How do you wash?" "We fill a bowl with water and take it to the room." "Cold water?" "Why's he here?" "To store some things." "Good evening." "Good evening, sir." "I'm Dolores, Dolores CarvaillaI." "I work forMrs Bergeret, a friend ofyourwife's." "Sure!" "My wife plays bridge with her." "I'm Concepcion Garcia, Maria's aunt." "We're delighted with her." "Keep an eye on her!" "Teresa Lopez, ofthe 5th floor." "Good evening, Miss." "Yourname, dearMadame?" "No." "I'm not yourdear Madame." "You don't care about us." "You came to snoop around, then return to yourfine apartment." "Don't listen to her!" "Let me talk." "You accept it all, I don't!" "Come, sir, I'll show you something." "I see." "We get used to it." "It's no big deal!" "When I need to, I go below, to the toilets in the yard." "Me, too." "Even at night." "Well, I'm so glad we met." "I'm sorry." "Jean-Louis!" "Evening, ma'am." "I came foryourtoilets." "Plugged up, I hear." "That's news to me." "A cesspool, yourhusband said." "Please come in." "Good evening, Mr Boulard." "Thanks for coming so fast." "What's with ourtoilets?" "I'll explain." "Please come with me." "Where to?" "Don't worry, come along." "This way, Mr Boulard." "Hello, sir." "Don't dump things in 'em!" "No, they're just fordumping shit!" "I'm too busy forthis!" "I said on the phone, I'd pay you double." "Do your job." "Go on." "Glory be to God!" "Hello, Mr Joubert." "Hello, ladies." "He fixed ourtoilets." "Hello, Mr Joubert!" "Hello." "And have a good day!" "I don't knowwhy, I'm exhausted!" "I run around all day." "Soon we're off on vacation!" "But sometimes that's worse." "Dear Maria, I really appreciate you." "And you're amazingly clean." "Thanks, Madame." "My husband says you can't wash up there." "We do, Madame." "You can shower in the boys' bathroom." "Thanks, Madame." "You're welcome." "I say!" "Antoine de Montgolfier's getting married!" "What time is it?" "10 AM, Madame." "I'm horriblyIate formy dressmaker." "Dear Maria, do you have a fiance?" "You can tell me." "I once did love a man..." "And you nevertold him!" "Men don't knowwhat they want." "By the time they ask, you're an old maid." "Monsieurdidn't want marriage!" "He hesitated, wasn't sure..." "I was a country girl," "I held out and he married me!" "Once you've got a man, neverlet go ofhim." "If a man doesn't want me, that's his loss." "Really..." "The strike is over, and the Dunkerque plant's output is up 20%." "Time to buy UsinorSteeI." "Usinor, yes." "Mr Piquer, where do you go on holiday?" "To Spain." "I thought so." "Where exactly?" "The Costa Brava." "But what village?" " Palafrugell." " Palafrugell..." "You've mixed with Spaniards?" "A bit, but we French stick together." "Of course." "Is Palafrugell on the coast?" "It's inland, the sea's in the distance." "It's gorgeous." "Little streets with fountains." "Chatillon goes to Deauville." "Bettina takes him to the Casino, he loses it all at the tables." "Still, he bought heran apartment in Cannes." "Who?" "Bettina de Brossolette!" "You don't knowher?" "." "Men are mad for her, she's the newheartthrob." "I said there's no mail foryou!" " 3 weeks, no news from my sister!" " Who cares?" "If I everfind those letters you're in trouble!" "What's going on here?" "She says I swipe hermaiI!" "My sister just had a baby." "Mrs Triboulet doesn't give us our letters, so I don't know how is the baby!" "My sister said she'd write every week." "She swore it." "Knowwhat she did to Maxime de MontbriaI?" "She grabbed his Degas, and dumped him overnight!" "Thanks, Maria." "Come, Dolores." "We'll call her." "Miss, put me through to Spain, please." "Name ofyourvillage?" " Ponte Vedra." " Ponte Vedra, yes." "562712." "Thanks a lot." "You can speaknow." "Hi, Jose, it's Dolores." "How's my sister?" "She had a girl." "A girl!" "Howis she doing?" "Howheavy?" "4 kilos!" "Big kiss, and tell herto write." "I'll send her a gift." "Tell her I love her." "Bye!" "Thanks, MrJoubert." "Thanks so much." "You're a saint." "I'm so happy!" "Thanks, MrJean-Louis." "God bless you." "Hi, Carmen." "For urgent phone calls you can come here." "A phone call?" "Like, to yourfamily." "My whole family is dead." "I'm so sorry." "Heard of the Spanish civil war?" "Sure, who hasn't?" "My father and my motherwere murdered." "Franco's men slit theirthroats in front ofme." "Then, they dragged the bodies through the streets." "That was the Spanish civil war." "Good night, sir." "Good night." "They live in tiny rooms, no heating orrunning water." "It was their choice." "They're up at 6 AM, work all day, get back at 11 PM, dead-tired and don't complain, they're happy." "You neverworry about anybody, suddenly you care about Spanish maids!" "They live above us, and we knownothing about them." "You care forthose Spanish women, but not about what I did!" "Is today Wednesday?" "At 11AM you had yourfeet done, then to the dressmaker's, lunch with Marie-France, at 4PM to Carette's to buy cakes, then offto play bridge with Colette and Nicole." "Bastard!" "I'll tell yourfather!" "Who are you?" "I'm Maria." "The newmaid." "What's all this?" "Where's Germaine?" "You could sayhello, kids!" "Germaine left us." "Sure!" "I bet you fired her!" "That's vile!" "You exploited herfor20 years, then kick her out." "First, we didn't "exploit" her, and she decided to leave." "And who's that one?" ""That one" is Maria." "She's Spanish." "No kidding?" "You hired a Spaniard?" "Absolutely." "And be nice to her!" "For breakfast, we want pate, salami." " And pancakes." " Right, pancakes." "For oursnack, champagne and cakes." "Iron the washing by tomorrow." "Got that?" "She didn't." "Pourme milk, girl." "Pourit yourself!" "I know about rich brats, they don't scare me." "Don't call me girl, and say please." "Tomorrow's Sunday, we sleep late." "Sunday, I go to Mass." "You go to Mass?" "In a way, Germaine was ourMom." "We'll even miss herlousy soups!" "She neversaid goodbye!" "Gone for good!" "And I never sawher bare-assed!" "Let us pray." "Nowwe'll pray in silence." "Buy The Daily Worker!" "The paperthat fights exploiters!" "It's a disgrace for Spain and all Spaniards!" "I won't force you to become a stockbroker." "I'd ratherdie!" "Won't follow Dad?" "My French teachersays only manual laboris worthy." "Yet he doesn't work with his hands!" "To him, you're profiteers who milk the system." "Yourdad's no profiteer!" "Who's this French teacher?" "I'll tell Father Basile!" "He says De Gaulle's a degenerate, who betrayed France, lost Algeria..." "Absolutely!" "A dictator, a tyrant!" "If De Gaulle's a tyrant, what's Franco?" "Screw Franco!" "What about the 100,000 executed during the Spanish civil war?" "I can't follow you anymore." "The point is, Bertrand must take overthe business." "I'll be a gynecologist." "A gynecologist?" "That's disgusting!" "Sticking yourhead between women's legs all day?" "Buenos dias, Maria." "Buenos dias, senor." "You want to learn Spanish?" "I like ham..." "Me gusta el jamon." "No..." ""jamon"." "With a hard "j"." " Jamon." " With a hard "j"." "With a hard "j"." "No..." "La jota..." "Comes from here." "Saywith me..." "Juego." "Eljuego." "Eljoven." "No." "Eljardin..." "Eljueves." "Eljamon!" "Eljamon." "Very good." "Very good, MrJoubert." "Are you happy in this house?" "You care, sir?" "Sure." "I must knowifyou're happy." "Then, yes." "The most important thing between us is trust." "Germaine stayed in this house 25 years, she confided in me." "She was almost family." "Really?" "Where she is now?" "I don't know." "And you say she was family!" "Afternoons, she hangs out with boys in the street, but tells her husband she visited the poor." "Hi, Maria." " Who were you talking about?" " The bosses." "My boss comes out of the bathroom with his robe open," "I mean really open." "So anyone can see his privates!" "He might jump on you!" "Very interesting." "Talk to you later." "Hello?" "Mrs Joubert's out!" "Can I take a message?" "Who is this?" "general De Gaulle?" "Maria, it's not general De Gaulle." "Don't believe all you're told on the phone." "You scared me!" "What are you doing, Maria?" "The silverware." "The silverware." "That's real fun." "What product do you use?" ""Gleamo. "" ""Gleamo"..." "Anymessage?" "Tell Madame I'll meet herat home." "See you later, Maria!" "Goodbye, sir." "To be on time we must leave now." "The theater is close by." "Howlong is the play?" " Only 2 hours." " Very long!" "Is this Ionesco so funny?" "A genius, they say." "Madame de Brossolette dropped by the office unannounced." "I said you weren't in to get rid ofher." "Bettina de Brossolette?" "In person!" "A huge portfolio, several million francs!" "You neversaid she gave you her portfolio." "I didn't thinkit'd interest you." "She's a man-eater, fleeces married men, ruins them." "She leaves me cold." "What's Maria up to?" "I'll go get her." "What's going on?" "We're due at the theater." "Sorry, sir." "Be right there." "What happened to you?" "Herhusband beats her, takes hermoney." "Let's call the police." "No, not the police." "Don't do anything, sir." "You're kind!" "Thanks." "Tonight, I'll take her in my room." "We'll manage." "Don't go back to yourhusband, OK?" "They need me!" "Sorry, sir." "We're offto the theater." "Enjoy, sir." "You too, Maria." "...losses have been made up by gains, so in spite of the downturn, we're showing a positive balance." "I'II let Mr Joubert conclude..." "Mr Blamond, are you the owner of some buildings on rue Raynouard?" "Yes, on the corner of rue Colignon." "Could you help a friend with a big problem?" "With pleasure!" "I heard of a vacant janitor's apartment." "My friend Pilar'd love to get it." "Yourfriend Pilar?" "Yes, Pilar Gonzales." "She must leave our building:" "her husband beats her." "She needs somewhere to go." "Concepcion says a janitor's place..." "Concepcion is Maria's aunt." "They came by bus from Burgos..." "You're rarely home so early." "Who's in the boys' bathroom?" "Maria." "I let hertake a shower." " You don't mind?" " No..." "Not now." "I'm checking Tuesday's guest list." "What's on next Tuesday?" "Really!" "We're giving a party!" "I'm inviting yourpartners, important customers..." "See if anyone's missing." "What do you mean?" "Listen, Jean-Louis." "What's got into you?" " Rememberthat hotel in Italy?" " Yes." "On Lake Como." " The Vincenzo." " Yes, the Vincenzo." "It was our honeymoon." "That never should've ended..." "Come along!" " Morning, Maria." " Morning, Madame." "My husband is bedridden this morning." "Slept like a baby, but woke up with an upset stomach." "You called a doctor?" "No time, I have an appointment." "You're not staying with him?" "I'm due at a charity sale." "I can't cancel, I'd look silly." "You pamperhim, Maria." " See you later." " See you later, Madame." "Come in." "Morning, sir." "Morning, Maria." "I feel a bit queasy." "Madame and I had oysters at a brasserie." "An oystercan be fatal." "Here." "You have no fever." "I knowwhat you need." "You sick, MrJean-Louis?" "A stomach ache?" "His liver's swollen." "No, it's gas." "Look!" "It's his liver, he's yellow." "I tell you it's gas." "No, it's his liver." "My grandpa had gas." "Yourgrandpa was a drunk!" "We'll cure you." "Maria, the cure!" " Open yourmouth!" " No, you're kind." "Open your mouth." "Feeling better?" "." "Yes." "Much better." "The cure worked very well." "Get back into bed." "What are you doing?" "Nothing." "You want to help me?" "Of course!" " He's a gift from heaven." " Maria hit the jackpot!" "Look, Teresa!" "Hey, Brigitte Bardot, take down the trash!" "Dyed yourhair blonde foryoursoldierboy?" "Think he'll marry you?" "With no wig she was cuter." "You're jealous!" "Thanks." "Here, it's foryou." "How old is he?" " I don't know." " I mean him." "Yourson." "How old is he?" "Hasn't that been done?" "Put the rug in my mother-in-law's room." "Fine." "Get going!" "Answerthe door." "Tell me who it is." "I'm busy." "Who is it, Maria?" "Come in." "Hello." "Thanks." "The flowers!" "Get a vase..." "Thanks." "Wait, don't move, don't leave." "There." "Thanks a lot." " Madame Joubert?" " Who are you?" "Rodolphe sent me." "I'm Gerard." "Rodolphe can't come?" "Countess de Morlaix needs him." "He said to replace him here." "He could have wamed me!" "Don't worry, I knowmy job." "It's a disaster, I'm waybehind." "Go to the pantry, take over." "Hi, I'm Gerard." "Yourfirst names?" "I'm Maria." "I'm Dolores." "Spanish?" "Good, I love Spain!" "Wanna watch me bullfight?" "Excuse me." "Goimard!" " How are you?" " Just fine." "My respects." "Champagne, Maria?" "Whisky?" "When did we meet?" "A long time ago." "Too long." "Met him again at the club, 15 years ago." "Same guy!" "Like you." "I made him my brokerin a jiffy!" "Best to get stung by a pal!" "You're rough." "Knowmy friend Goimard?" "Yourboarding-schooI pal." "Absolutely." "How's Marie-Francoise?" "Pleased with Maria?" "Definitely, Nicole." "My maid's touchy, everything miffs her!" "Spaniards aren't touchy, they're proud, that's different." "Proud, fearless..." "Fearless?" "What's fearless about using a floor-mop?" "Try it, Nicole!" "Madame de Brossolette, delighted..." "Stop calling me Madame, it's such a bore." "I'm nuts about Spain." "Chorizo, paella, taboule." " Taboule isn't Spanish!" " What?" "Taboule isn't Spanish!" " Taboule's not Spanish?" " No." "But Flamenco is!" "Who's that talking to Jean-Louis?" "Bettina de Brossolette." "That's her?" "Sure is." "Here she is..." "Madame de Brossolette, Suzanne, my wife." "Delighted." "Jean-Louis invests brilliantly forme." "He explained it all, but now I've forgotten!" "Stocks, bonds..." "I'm like you, I find it all very complex." "I trust him implicitly." "Whatever happens, he'll protect me." "Yes, he's very protective." " Right?" " Very." "I live far, in the burbs." "And you?" "In the building." "On the 6th with the others?" "Yes." "What room number?" "My room's... number4." "4!" "My lucky number!" "Maria, cut it out." "Don't listen to her, 4 is my room." "Very cute, gave me her girlfriend's room!" "Aren't you bored?" "Alone in yourlittle bed?" "You about through?" "Just kidding." "You know all men need a mommy!" "But I don't want to generalize," "I've onlybeen married 3 times!" "Excuse me." "Listen, Maria, it's foryourown good." "I mean no harm." "You're needed in the drawing-room, Gerard." "Certainly, sir." "What do you think of steel today?" "Usinor's going up." "Time to buy?" " Where's that guy?" " Dumping the trash." "Madame wants you." "You can leave now." "I've cleaning to do." "Scram!" "You get it?" "I got it." "She's offlimits!" "Hello, sir." "You got here so late." "Madame said I could this morning." "The apartment's a mess." "Because ofthe party." "Don't mention the party!" "My work wasn't good?" "You know what I mean!" "Think you'll get away with it, because I..." "I warn you, next time you're out!" "What did I do?" "What did you do?" "You're lucky Madame's so fond ofyou." " Orelse..." " In fact, you're just a boss like the others." "Worse than they are!" "Go away." "Get out of my sight!" "He's for Napoleon, she's a royalist." "She's Protestant, he's Catholic..." "He flaunted Bettina in yourhouse!" "For all Paris to see!" "Suzanne, you don't deserve that!" "Think so?" "But Bettina's one ofhis customers." "He handles her portfolio." "He could've warned you!" "The least he could do, considering her reputation!" "For Jean-Louis, I'm still a country girl." "What he likes are... dazzling Parisian beauties." "Don't say that, you're so delightful." "Anyway..." "Have you seen my cigarettes?" "No." "I left them here." "Hello, Mr Jean-Louis." " You OK?" " Fine." "We're partying at Pilar's place." "Really..." " Join us?" " Yes, do!" "No, thanks." "Don't argue!" "Come along!" "What fun, have a drink!" "MrJean-Louis!" "Thanks forthis place." "It's so nice." "Come in." "MrJean-Louis!" "You're a saint, you'll go to heaven." "You're invited to our party!" "I can't stay." "My wife is waiting forme." "She can come too!" "Madame Joubert is so elegant." "Can I go, Madame?" "Yes, Maria." "Have a nice time." "Good night, Madame." "See you tonight, Bettina" "See, she even got giant gambas!" "He got the place for Pilar." "It's a great place." "Just what I need." "Ask Mr Jean-Louis to help." "Encarnacion paid 1,000 francs to the former janitorforhers." "1,000 francs!" "But it had a shower." "In my house in Spain, I'll have several tubs!" "We've heard that before!" "Does that house even exist?" "Stop it." "Here's proof." "Isn't it?" "Look, Mr Jean-Louis." "It's my husband Fernando." "He's building me a marble bathroom with golden faucets." "I sawthem in a store here." "I don't trust tubs, they're dangerous." "In what way?" "Josephina took a bath in her boss's tub, and she got pregnant." "I'd say..." "Josephina... did more than take a bath!" "When I get back to Spain everybodywill envy me formy house." "And we'll be bosses." "Sure..." "I'll never go back to Spain." "While that murdererrules, I'll stay here." "Franco won't last forever." "Maria, one day you should make paella at home." "If you wish, sir." "Paella forme." "Good evening!" "This is MrArmand." "Delighted." "I'm honored, ladies!" "I own the beauty shop nearhere." "The ritzy one, where the bosses go?" "That very one!" "Stop by, I'll be delighted to do your hair, forhalf price!" "My head's spinning!" "Good night, MrJean-Louis." "I was wrong." "You're not just a boss." "Not in bed?" "No, I waited up foryou." " You had dinner?" "." " Yes, thanks." "You could've warned me." "I'm sorry," "I thought ofit, but it went by so fast!" "Sure..." "Where were you?" "You won't believe it." "Go ahead." "You know Pilar, who works forthe Dubreuils, on rue Collignon." "No..." "I don't know Pilar." "Doesn't matter." "I got hera place, a stall..." "A stall... at the opera?" "No, for a janitor." "They celebrated it with a little party." "Can't you tell the truth?" "It's true!" "We ate a paella!" "Teresa sang a copia." "Was Bettina there too?" "Bettina?" "Don't deny it, she was there too!" "You're so wrong!" "What's with this Bettina?" "You went to that gallery opening?" "What opening?" "Where were you?" "I dined with the Spanish maids." "Don't talk nonsense!" "Stop it!" "Forweeks you've had a smug smile on yourface, you strut around!" "I knowwhen something's going on!" "Were you with Bettina?" "Yes orno?" "Yes..." "I was with Bettina." "The humiliation..." "Let's go to bed, I'm exhausted." "No, we're not going to bed." "You must leave this house." "I neverwant to see you again, get out!" "Go away!" "Hello, ladies." "The hazards of existence force me to leave ourfamily home forwhat should be a short period." "Fate is capricious, and the female character unpredictable." "I hope to be a discreet and quiet neighbor." "I wish you a good day." "Sorry." "Have a nice day." "It's a nightmare." " You knewit." " No way." "Hi, Mrs Triboulet!" "Please bring up the mail to the 6th floor, room 3." "Slip it underthe door." "Good day, Mrs Triboulet!" "Good day." "Don't make my tea, I'm going out." "Listen, Monsieur has left home." "I don't knowwhere he is, and I don't care!" "Take care of his linen." "When the kids are back, he can take them out." "He's unwelcome here." "Very well, Madame." "We don't distrust men enough." "Neverforget that." "I have it, Genevieve." "I have it." "Well?" "Isn't this better?" "Hi, Carmen." "Evening." "Hi, Concepcion." "Evening." " How long'll he stay here?" " Don't ask me." "What do you care?" "I don't like having a man up here." "He won't sneak into your room!" "Don't be so sure!" " Hi, Carmen." " Mr Jean-Louis, you're the owner, do as you please." "But we stay in ourown corner." "But this is my home." "No, bosses belong with bosses." "Don't mingle with the servants." "Sorry, Carmen." "I'm staying here." "Why?" "It's my first room of my own." "First came boarding school, then the army, then marriage." "I reallyfeeI free now." " The 20 I owed you." " Thanks." "Dolores, where's it from?" "Savings I earned with the sweat ofmy brow." "And you keep it here?" "Yes." "Concepcion, what do you do with your money?" "I send it to my husband forthe house." "And the money you don't send?" "I keep it in a shoe-box." "Invest it!" " "Invest it"?" " Well-invested, it earns more!" "What does that mean?" "In the stock market!" "It's simple, I'll explain." "Don't listen." "Capitalists are bandits." "Let him explain." "In the market there are stocks and bonds." "What are stocks?" "Like when you stock up on something?" "In the stock market, it's different." "Let's say, all 5 ofyou want to buy a restaurant." "Where we serve paella?" "No paella!" "French cuisine!" "You'll need capital, let's say a million francs." "You don't have it, so you issue 10,000 shares." "It's the capital people invest in your restaurant." "Handle it well, Mr Piquer!" "Aquitaine oil's up 21/2 points." "I don't trust Aquitaine oil..." "Look, Usinor's up." "That's the one I like." "Hi, Mrs Triboulet." "Thanks forthe mail." "Concepcion Ramirez." "Dolores CarvaillaI." "Carmen..." "Hi, Mrs Triboulet!" "AnymaiI for me?" "Yes, sir." " Thanks a lot." " Mr Joubert again." "Yes, Mr Joubert." " There." " That's all." "Have a nice day!" "I'll take the peonies..." "Fine." "and the roses." "In fact, a mixed bouquet." "Very good." "There." "Hello, Mrs Triboulet!" "Hello, Senora Joubert." "Why "Senora"?" "It's because ofMr Joubert." "What about him?" "You don't know?" "." "He's living up on the 6th, with the Spaniards!" "On the 6th?" "It's common knowledge!" "It's gone on for 2 weeks!" "Have a nice day, Mrs Joubert." "Spanish Without Tears" "Here, Mr Jean-Louis, it's holy water from the Virgin of Lourdes." "You were in Lourdes?" "I went in the grotto, where St Bemadette sawthe Virgin." "I closed my eyes, felt her hand on my head." "And she whispered into my ear." "What did she say?" ""In 10 years, you'll have a baby boy." ""He'll be called Javier. "" "You can't give birth at 60, Dolores!" "The Virgin Mary performs miracles." "Maybe in the Middle Ages, but not now." "Listen." "Teresa has something to tell you." "The finest day ofmy life!" "MrArmand asked me." "What did he askyou?" "To marry him!" "I'm getting married!" "A miracle!" "You'll move out?" "Anyway, I'm through being a maid!" "To work in the beauty shop?" "She'll do shampoos?" "No, handle the cash register!" "At first, I'll stay home and wash the blouses, then I'll iron them, and in the morning I'll mop the floorand tidy up." "I'll buy yourwedding gown." "Made ofwhite silk and lace?" "Whateveryou want!" "This one's the best!" "My dad said:" ""They're forspeciaI occasions. "" "I almost opened one the day he died." "That's not nice." "Just kidding." "But Teresa's marriage is one." "And now I knowyou all..." "You think you knowme, but you don't." "I have a son." "He's 8 years old." "I never married." "So nowyou can fire me:" "I made a child in sin." "Not at all." "You have a child, that's wonderful!" "He was adopted by a family." "My mom was so ashamed of me, I had to abandon him." "The father, was a man like you." "A big owner." "I'm not a big owner." "I live on the 6th floor." "You'll always be an owner." "MrJean-Louis, thanks!" "It's good stuff, it's Bordeaux." "Sit down." "Nowwe'll sing." "You sing along." " I don't knowhow!" " Give it a try." "He's on the 6th floor!" "Living in an attic room?" "That's howit is, my little chickies!" "Yourfatheris infatuated with those Spaniards." " It's outrageous!" " A scandal!" "He's unworthy!" "It's hilarious." "I never saw it coming and I threwhim out!" "My darlings, yourmother's an idiot!" "We'll talk to him at once." "Remind him of his duty." "And ofhonor." "That's good ofyou, kids." "Ourhouse is almost finished..." "Who are they?" "Where's our dad's room?" "You're MrJean-Louis' kids?" "Exactly!" "Little blond Frenchies!" "I'll showyou." "Come along." "What a nice surprise!" "Come in!" "Thanks, Concepcion." "Have a nice day." "So kids, you're visiting my little palace." "Some chorizo?" "A drop of Malaga?" " Dad, we came to ask you..." " Solemnly." "To come back down." " Why?" " Because." "This can't go on." "Dad, we're very worried." "About your inheritance?" "Don't make jokes!" "It's no place foryou." "Forthe first time I feel in my place." "Here I discovered... a family." " Afamily?" " Yes." "But they're servants." "No, they're not." "They're fine women." "I hope you find some like them to love." "Go, sit down." "Sit down." "Things OK, ladies?" "Yes, thanks." "Everything fine?" "Very well, thanks." "Today's the day!" "Aren't you ready?" "Hurry!" "We'll miss the train!" "It's at 9AM." " Where's the train?" " St Lazare Station!" "I'm ready." " Not coming?" " No, I have a date with MrArmand." "Where are you all going?" "To Lisieux." "Once a year, we pray on St Teresa's grave." "More and more prayers!" "St Teresa's day is holy." " How do you go?" " By train." "I'll drive you." " In a car?" " I'll drive you." "He'll take us by car!" "Like great ladies!" "Ladies, yourcarriage to Lisieux is ready!" "Wait for me!" "But you're not devout!" "I love the countryside." "Don't argue." "Come long, Madame." "On the 6th floor?" "With the Spanish maids?" "How do you cope with it?" "It's an outrage!" "Don't let him offthe hook." "Get Attorney Simon foryour divorce, he's tough." "He did the Montalemberts'." "He'll make Jean-Louis pay up!" "Bleed him to death." "But maybe Jean-Louis is right." "He put some joy in his life." "Those women up there are alive." "Down here we're dead." "We need a 6th floor, too." "The boss says:" ""Get the gato in the kitchen!"" "I bring back the gato, and she screams!" "Really?" "Instead ofthe cake, you got the cat!" ""Gateau" is cake in French, everybodyknows that." "So you put the cat in the fridge!" "No!" "The gato, I ate it!" "You ate the cat?" " Pilar." " Sir!" " You fell asleep?" " Yes." "I'll help you." " Maria!" " Yes?" "Yourson..." "I knowwhere he is." "You know where MigueI is?" "His new family put him in a school," "San Salvador College in Santander." "In Santander?" "." "You've known long?" "A long time." "And you didn't tell me?" "I swore it to your mother." "Why did you tell me now?" "MrJean-Louis loves you." "What do you care?" "What Don Pedro did wasn't enough?" "It's not the same." "As you wish." "But if you go to Santander you can meet yourson." "Thanks, MrJean-Louis fora wonderful day." "Nice of you." "I'll see ifMadame needs me." "Of course." " Good night, Maria." " Good night." "IntemationaI, please." "In Spain, the city of Santander." "Can I speak to the pupil MigueI Sanchez?" "It's his mother!" "They're asleep!" "Sure, it's late." "Maria, what's going on?" "Padre, I have to hang up." "I'll call tomorrow." "Thanks." "Thanks a lot." "Life's hard in Spain..." "more than here." "But I'll be with miguel." "Why leave so soon?" "You have time." "No." "I waited too long." "All these years without seeing my son." "Now I know where he is." "I'll miss you, Maria." "I'll miss you, too." "Will Jean-Louis ever come down?" "Sir." "I wanted to tell you that..." "Yes, Maria." "I must tell you..." "Tell me what, Maria?" "It's a port called Saint-Jean-de-Luz on the Basque coast, on the border between France and Spain." "It's the perfect place for us to go." "And Madame?" "And the kids?" "Who cares?" "I don't." "You're being silly." "Not at all." "It's where King Louis XIV married the Infanta of Spain." " I swear!" "It's a historical fact!" " You're not a king, and I'm no Infanta!" "What'll you do all day?" "Tell me?" "I'II learn a newjob." "Mason, cabinetmaker, dry goods." "You?" "You're no handyman!" "I'll settle my business, next week we leave." "We'll see." "Don't say: "We'll see"!" "Say: "I promise you"." "Right, I promise you." "But you must promise me something, too." "Go back home." "No." "Not that." "You can go down again, since we're both leaving." " Please think it over." " I already have." "Mr Blamond will take overthe firm." "And your boys?" "It's a father-to-son firm." "They're too young, and it's a poisoned gift." "It's too late, I have to leave!" "Going on a trip?" "Yes, a trip." "You're right!" "Atrip that may last quite a long time." "For me?" "Of course." "You know," "I've thought a lot..." "About me, about you, about us." "I've thought too." "It's funny, I don't see life the same way now." "Like me..." "I want to start from scratch." "Awhole newlife." "That's what I was saying, as I came over." " Really?" " Yes!" "What are you doing?" "I want to..." "Now?" "." "Not now." "Yes..." "That's what it's all about." "You're right." "I wanted to tell you..." " Talk to me later." " What's this?" "Mi corazon." "Mi amor." "Really..." "Maria might walking on us!" "Maria has left." "She left?" " ForSpain!" " What?" "She did!" " Where is she?" " On the bus." "She left for Spain." "Where to exactly?" "What place?" "You have her address?" "Herparents' address." "But she won't go there." "Did she say anything forme?" "Did she leave a note?" "She said to forget her." "She won't be back." "She said that?" "Carmen?" "Is she telling the truth?" "Yes." "It's true." "I'm so sorry, sir." "So you knew she was leaving?" "And nevertold me?" "I thought you were my friends." "3 years later" "Please, the Calle de las Canteras?" "Straight ahead." "The leak's not fixed!" "You're a bum!" "My motherwas right!" "I don't believe it!" "MrJean-Louis!" "What are you doing in Spain?" "I was nearby and said I'll go hug my old friend Concepcion!" "So handsome!" "My word!" "So there it is, your house!" "Yes..." "I'll showyou around." "A lot isn't done..." "If my husband worked more and played cards less, it'd be ready now!" "You must be Femando?" "Yes." "Delighted, Mr Jean-Louis." "How are you?" "Just fine." "Don't botherwith him." "Get Pilar, tell her Mr Jean-Louis is here." "Pilar?" "." "Yes." "She lives nearby, left her husband." "6 months ago." "Hurry!" "Move your butt!" "Stingy bum!" "Drives me nuts..." "He's useless!" "When I was in Paris, he cheated on me with Encarnacion, the neighbor." "I should've kicked him out, but I didn't." "So it goes." "In Spain, you can't divorce." "But you need him to finish the house!" "Come, I'll show you around." "Isn't it great?" "Atub fora movie star!" "Sure it is!" "Look!" "Golden faucets!" "I brought them from Paris!" "Just forme!" "When it's done, I'll bathe forhours." "You're here, MrJean-Louis!" "How are your sons?" "One is for France, the otherforrevolution!" "I have tea every day, like the bosses in Paris." "And Madame Suzanne?" "We divorced." "In France, one can do that." "And she met a successful artist." "And Mrs. Triboulet?" "Now she loves Spaniards, but hates the Portuguese." "Poor Portuguese!" "Concepcion, I came to find Maria." "What do you want with her?" "To understand." "She neversaid goodbye." "3 years later, it's to say goodbye?" "I know, it's absurd." "I still think ofher." "I expect nothing from her, but I want to see her." "I'd like to help you, if I knewwhere she is." "I heard she lived nearby." "No!" "She left a long time ago." "Got back herson, left forGalicia." "Then, no more news." "Well, I'll be off." "Good to see you." "Stay for dinner?" "No, I'm rushed." "Next time." "MrJean-Louis!" "I knowwhere Maria lives." "It's not far, 20 kilometers, in a village called Escondido." "Escondido." "Concepcion doesn't understand love." " Thanks a lot." " Good luck." "I'm looking for Maria Gonzales' house." "Hey, miguel!" "You're MigueI?" "Yes." "You're French?" "Yes." "My mom worked in Paris." "I know." "Can you take me to Maria's house?" " Hey, Maria." " How's your daughter?" "." "Better." "I'll stop by later."