"Tiny." "Tiny?" "You mean..." "It's tiny." "I wouldn't say so otherwise." "Yes..." "The brochure mentioned three rooms." "They're here." "Two, not three." "How do you mean?" "A large one here..." "The main room, say." "And here... a second one... which was big too before being partitioned for some strange reason." "Basically, we have one big room" "and two halves of another big room." "Is that right?" "You think the second room was..." "Look at the ceiling." "It's been cut in two." "You're right..." "As for the window..." "It's obvious." "It's been partitioned too." "You should have specified two big half bedrooms, two half windows... and one ceiling cut in two." "To tell the truth, this is a recent property and..." "Tell me..." "Two people sleep, one in each of these half bedrooms." "The first one has the window open." "The second has the window closed." "What do you think happens?" "The brochure was..." "It's simple." "Either they freeze together or they both stifle." "It's the most desirable area in Paris..." "Yes, I'm sure it is." "It's very pleasant." "The Seine..." "The National Library, the pavement cafés..." "A stone's throw from cinemas, shops, stations..." "I know, but the bedrooms are a drawback!" "My fiancé and I want a large bedroom with a bathroom, a guest room, smaller but not this cramped, and a third, comfortable room for my fiancé to use as a study." "Can you imagine a study with a half window?" "Of course not." "A study wouldn't work here." "You think it would work in that box room?" "Right." "Point taken." "If your fiancé needs a study for his work..." "Not necessarily for work." "He just wants a study." "If it makes him happy, why not?" "What is he in, if I may ask?" "Limbo." "He's looking for work." "He's between jobs." "I see..." "What direction is he looking in?" "All directions?" "I hope so." "He said he'd be here." "Why is he never on time?" "Perhaps he was held up." "I can wait for him." "I haven't had a bite to eat." "Run and eat." "Lunch is important." "It certainly is for me." "Do you work far away?" "Just round the corner, on Rue de Tolbiac." "Rue de Tolbiac?" "Imagine if you lived here." "I don't plan to work there forever." "Sorry, this place just won't do." "There are plenty more." "I'll keep looking, never fear." "I'll find the place." "After you." "Thank you." "Very quiet, isn't it," "Lionel?" "Very quiet, sir." "Why is that?" "Do you know?" "No idea, sir." "Perhaps because it's Tuesday." "That's right." "The hotel always slumbers on Tuesdays." "There must be a reason." "Not as far as I know, sir." "People should be living again by Tuesday." "Mondays, okay..." "True." "Monday comes after Sunday." "After Saturday night, parties..." "You see what I mean." "You understand Mondays being quiet." "But Tuesdays..." "Now that's a mystery." "You did say it was Tuesday?" "Yes, sir." "Tuesday all day." "Shit!" "Something wrong, sir?" "No, I was supposed to be somewhere." "Never mind, it's too late now." "What's the time?" "Half past two, sir." "Far from here?" "Forget it." "Time for the men's room." "Same again, Lionel." "Same again, sir." "You look as if you're frozen, Thierry." "It's a little nippy." "Anything new here?" "No, apart from Mr Lafarge who called for you." "That's right, Mr Lafarge..." " I said you'd call him back." " Wonderful." " When you had a minute." " I'll do that." "You ought to call him now, Thierry." "It's wiser." "You're right, Charlotte." "You do owe him a call." "That's true." "I owe him that." "You're upset." "Am I wrong?" "No." "Did she like it?" "She found it too small." "It seemed huge in the brochure." "It is." "The bedrooms are the problem." "Too poky, are they?" "Poky?" "I'd say she finds them..." "too compact." "That can be good." "Depends on what you do." "I meant for heating." "They're easier to heat." "That's what I meant too." "Thierry!" "I must get back to work." "So must I." "I'll call Mr Lafarge." "Well done." "You have a lovely laugh." "I do?" "When you laugh..." "You should laugh more often." "If you say so." "Thierry..." "I have a tape for you." "A programme I recorded on Sunday." "Really?" "Songs That Changed My Life." "I told you about it." "Yes, of course!" "Still, if you'd rather not..." "No, I'd love to see it." "You're sure?" "I'd hate to..." "I hope it's recorded right." "I never know where I am with my machine." "Why do they make them so complicated?" "I wonder too." "I wanted a basic one." "But those shop assistants are such smooth talkers..." "I know." "I'll get this back to you." "It sounds fascinating." "There's no hurry." "If you like it, it's on every Sunday." "I always miss it." "I try to catch it but my sister GaëIle and I tend to play ludo on a Sunday." "Ludo?" "Quite a tradition." "Occasionally, we try dominoes or canasta but rarely." "We're addicted to ludo." "We used to play mah-jong with the neighbours but they moved." "I'll watch it tonight." "I hope you'll like it." "It made me love life again." "Just what I need." "We all do." "A shot ofjoy won't do any harm." "There's so little on TV these days." "I mean nothing that..." "Makes you love life?" "That's for sure." "See you later." "So, where were you?" "Me?" "I was mooching about." "Drinking?" "I wouldn't call it drinking." "Aren't you looking for work?" "Calm down, Nicole, there's no rush." "Got any interviews?" "On Tuesday, I think." "In a micro-brewery." "Don't miss that one." "They need an accountant." "Dull stuff." "Dan, I can't take any more." "Find any job you can and work." "You'll work with people and meet other people who work." "Work is the way to get into the working world." "If you spend your days in bars or in bed, you'll never find work." "True." "One point for you." "Don't worry, I'll make it." "What was it like?" "What?" "The flat." "The one you saw today." "Hopeless." "You'd have hated it." "Rooms fit for toddlers." "You couldn't have got a bed in your study." "Let alone a desk." "No way, then." "Dan..." "Why exactly do you need a study?" "I want a study, that's all." " What about me?" " What?" "Why can't I have a study too?" "I'm not stopping you." "What?" "We'd need a four-room flat." "It's ridiculous." "Besides, I don't need a study." "Well, I need one." "Just because your father has one?" "For instance." "Can you tell me what you plan to do in your study?" "Sit there from time to time." "Have a think." "Write a few letters." "To whom?" "You never write letters." "I write all the letters." "You've never written one in your life." "Well... not recently." "You used to write lovely letters." "Perhaps if I had a study," "I'd write to you again." "I hope you'll be livelier once we're married." "Calm down, Nicole, please." "Calm like you, is that it?" "Six months without moving!" "It's time you stirred yourself!" "Especially..." "Especially what?" "Well, if I was..." "You see?" "How do you mean?" "We have to think about that, Dan." "That's all I'm saying." "Yes, we have to think about that." "There you are." "I was afraid I'd miss you." "Metro trouble?" "The usual." "You know how it is." "Off out again?" "For an hour or two, yes." "Every night's a party." "You think so?" "Always with the girls?" "From time to time." "How do you work after living it up all night?" "Don't exaggerate." "Is it a new fad?" "I've read about drunken girl gangs." "You know I don't drink." "Did you get a frozen dinner?" "There's some cold meat left." "It's alright, I got a ready meal." "There's meat too." "From Sunday." "We need to eat it soon." "It'll keep another day." "We'll eat it tomorrow." "If you're not out partying." "Stop it!" "What are you doing tonight?" "I'll try to eat this thing first and then watch some television." "There's nothing on." "I have a tape Charlotte lent to me." " Who?" " Charlotte from work, remember?" "Is she the uptight one?" "Uptight?" "I suppose she is a bit." "I hardly know her." "Fairly reserved though." "She's not talkative, true." "What is it?" "A movie?" "No, a programme she recorded for me." "She was so enthusiastic, I said I'd like to see it." "To be polite." "So she recorded it." "It's one of those religious music programmes." "She's very religious." " Is she in love with you?" " Please..." "Are you keen on her?" " Am I what?" " You blushed!" "That's enough, GaëIle!" "Stop it now." "Out with you." "Off you go!" "Great, I'll be on time for once." "Enjoy your evening." "You too." "And enjoy your tape." "It's hard to imagine life with a sister." " This way." " Thank you." "Sorry, you're in the kitchen." "The living room's his bedroom now." " With my father being..." " Quite." " And with the stairs..." " Of course." "Who's there, Lionel?" "Who've you brought back?" "It's okay, Dad, don't worry." "My father." "Another of your bloody women?" "Lionel, I'm talking to you!" " He's a bit..." " It's alright." "I hope she has a decent arse." "Not like the last one!" "Try to ignore him." "I'm used to all this." "The elderly get aggressive." "My father certainly does." "We get through so many carers, you've no idea." "The toughest one lasted only two hours." "You can't blame them, can you?" "I don't blame them at all." "I say carers are angels in disguise." "I meant old people." "You can't blame them." "Most of them are scared of being alone, scared of being abandoned, scared of the darkness." "Now you mention it, we leave a light on all night." "It's costly but never mind..." "No, I meant the Darkness, with a capital "D"." "The black hole if you like." "Darkness with a capital "D"." "Yes, I see." "What are her tits like?" "I hope she has decent tits!" "I'm sorry, really I am." "It's alright, don't worry." "I'll introduce you?" "Then you go." "I can manage." "I've done this before." "Really?" "I nursed my own mother for years." "Same as me." "For years too." "Was yours very ill?" "She had... an accident." " A road accident?" " No." "Here's the list." "I always leave it here." "His usual tablets are by his bed." "Keep them out of reach or he'll throw them at you." "My mobile's here for emergencies." "I work at the Globe, near the National Library..." "I hope she's a decent looker!" "Or have you got another old bat?" "Shall we?" "After you." " Mrs?" "Miss..." " Call me Charlotte, please." "My father's Arthur." "He likes to be called Arthur." "This way." "Here we are, Dad." "Charlotte's looking after you tonight." "Good evening, Arthur." "I'm very pleased to meet you." "Bloody hell, she's the worst one yet!" "It's seven o'clock and time for Géraldine Castellani, as every Sunday, with Songs That Changed My Life." "Her guest this week is the famous architect and journalist," "Jean Lamarche." "Songs That Changed My Life" "Good evening." "The architect is better known than thejournalist who finds time to actively support numerous charitable organizations and who has recently been preaching on a daily basis to defend the homeless and the underprivileged." "Welcome, Jean Lamarche." "Your days seem to have more hours than ours do." "You said it." "When you're doing what you have to do and you enjoy doing it too," "God gives you the time to do it." "It's that simple." "You just have to stay focused." "Take things one day at a time..." "Where are you?" "Answer me, you slag!" "Where have you got to?" "I'm coming, Arthur." "I was just heating your soup up." "Three months to heat cat's piss?" "Here we are, Arthur." "Lovely soup." "Tomato and basil." "The perfect soup." "Doesn't it look good?" "Shall I put it down here?" "It's too late, I don't want it." "Take the bog water away." "You've won, you scrubber!" "Clean up the bloody mess and sod off!" "I told you." "I don't want soup." "I want a sandwich!" "I'll make you a sandwich, then." "About bloody time, you blithering idiot!" "It'll just take a minute." "That's better out than in." " Same again, sir?" " Please, Lionel." "Stick it on my tab." "Thanks very much." "As I was saying before my bladder rudely interrupted, it isn't easy." "It isn't easy at all." "I'm sure it isn't, sir." "I'm talking about my fiancée, Nicole." "You remember Nicole?" "She goes on at me day and night to stir myself, to start moving and even do both at once." "And I tell her," ""I just got out of the army and I take the firstjob along?"" "Six months ago, I was a carefree career soldier, moving up steadily through the ranks, heading for a bright future..." "Next bloody minute, no fault of my own, I'm out on my ear." "I see..." " You see what?" " I mean..." " Excuse me..." " Yes, sir." "Gin and tonic and an orange juice?" "I mean, what they did..." "What my chaps did was wrong." "Very wrong." "I'm not disputing that." "But the fact is, I didn't know about it." "If I had known, I'd have stopped it, of course." "Alright, I was the senior officer." "I was the only officer present, yes." "For the army, that makes me the can carrier." "The buck stopper." "But I didn't know it was happening so how could I have stopped it?" "I mean, how could I?" "Quite." "There ain't no justice." "There ain't no justice, old chum, is there?" "Certainly isn't." "Same again, sir?" "Same again." "Then I'll be getting home before my baby locks me out." "Oh, no!" "Next week, Géraldine Castellani will play the songs that changed theologian Roger Monnier's life." "Now, let's join the whole gang of The Big Parade on a visit to a very strange farm where the ponies have a few tricks in store." "I don't believe it..." "I just don't believe it." "I just don't..." "Bugger off, you stupid cow!" "Bugger off, will you?" "You scrubber!" "You ugly fart!" "Where d'you hide your tits?" "You haven't got any, have you?" "Just a slab of cement!" "Get back to your kennel, you bitch!" "I don't want you." "Go on, get out of here!" "Leave me alone." "We're closing, sir." "Time to go home now." "Lionel, old chum, I would appreciate just one more drink." " Sorry, sir." " Just the one..." "We're closed." "Try the lounge downstairs." "They'll probably serve you even if you're not a hotel guest." "I don't want to." "I hate going downstairs!" "I can't miss my metro." "Good night, sir." "Lionel, good old Lionel, my chum, my old mate, my good mate..." "Good night, sir." "Red, red..." "What a bloody dump." "I'm never drinking here again." "Never again, you hear me!" "This is the last time." "Positively the last time!" "It's over!" "Sorry, I was miles away." " Everything alright?" " Fine." "I checked." "He's fast asleep." "That's good news!" "Let's not wake him." "Maybe I'll get some sleep myself." " He wasn't too..." " Not at all." "We had a few breakages." "Nothing too serious." "Just a couple of plates." "Just a couple?" "You've done very well." "We hardly have a matching cup and saucer left anyway." "I noticed when I was washing up." "I took the liberty." "That's kind." "You shouldn't have." "There was such a pile, I thought..." "Yes, a towering pile." "With my job, I find it hard..." "Things pile up." "I don't mean to interfere at all but... don't you feel your father might be better off..." "How can I put it..." "With professional care?" "You mean, in a home?" "With proper medical care." "Oh, no..." "No, I promised him I'd never put him in such a place." "There are marvellous ones with the proper treatment and correct medication..." "No, thank you." "He belongs here." "No place like home." "But surely there comes a time..." "I swore I'd keep him." "Let's not exaggerate." "As his doctor says, his case is far from desperate." "Over-excitement is bad for his heart but otherwise..." "I get the feeling he's over-excited fairly often." "That's nothing." "You should see him get really over-excited." "His leg's not getting better but the doctor says I can keep him at home unless, of course, the situation... worsens mentally." "Well, it's your decision, and yours alone." "In any case, he's lucky to have you." "You're truly a good man." "I'm not so sure of that." "But thank you for saying so, Charlotte." "Does that help?" "My bible?" "Let's say it's a comfort." "I need it in moments of stress." "It's good to have something to cling to." "Yes, that's right." "Well, I'd best be going." " I'll see to that." " Don't bother." "I know where to get a cab." " Thanks, but I have Alice." " Alice?" "Alice is my little car." "Old but reliable." "She'll see me home safely." " You're sure?" " Yes." "Alice and I go everywhere." "She's never a problem." "Do you need petrol money?" "The only thing I need, sir, is my coat." "Here we are." "I'm parked just round the corner." "I'll see you tomorrow, then." "You're coming back tomorrow." "That's good news." "Actually, I think I'm here for the week at least." "Until your usual carer gets back." "Wonderful." "I thought you'd pack it in like the others." "I'd understand." "No, sir, I don't run, I face a challenge." "Life is full of trials that paralyse you." "But if you don't overcome them, that makes him too happy." " Who?" "God?" " No, the devil." "The devil loves you to give in." "God expects you to take up the challenge and resist." "That's why he sends you these trials." "Well..." "Good night." "See you tomorrow." "Good night, Charlotte." "I'll see you to your car." "I'll feel better." "Nicole..." "Nicolette..." "Alright, don't answer." "Go ahead, don't say a word." "I couldn't care less." "Nicole, I've broken my leg." "It's me." "What are you watching?" "I'm watching..." "I'm watching football." "Football?" "You hate football." "That's what I was thinking too." "Alright?" "Excellent." "Had a good evening?" "Terrific." " How were the girls?" " Great." "Had a good time?" "The usual." "You didn't watch the game?" "Of course not." " You haven't eaten?" " It was inedible." "I knew it." "Shall I cut you some cold meat?" "No, I'm alright." "I can whip up a salad too." "No, I'm fine, GaëIle." "You can't go to bed on an empty stomach." "I'm not hungry." "I don't like this." "Are you running a temperature?" "No." "Cup of tea?" "Coffee?" "Sandwich?" "I'll make a sandwich." "No." "Nothing?" "You'll be restless." "I'm glad I don't sleep with you." " I'll clear this away." " Thank you." " You're sure you're okay?" " I'm sure." "Just a bit tired, that's all." "You look like a metro ran over you." "Did you watch your tape?" "My what?" "The one whatsit gave you at work..." "Charlotte." "Yes, I watched it." "Any good?" "Boring." " Even for me?" " Especially for you." "Not your style at all." "I'll have a shower and go to bed." "Switch everything off." "Good night." "See you in the morning." "I'm sure you're sickening for something." "No, I'm fine." "Sleep well." "It's tiny." "Not that tiny." "It's minute." " It's not bad." " I'm not living here." "What's going on?" "We wanted three bedrooms." "Why do they show us flats with two?" "I said we'd consider two." "What?" "I asked to see two-room places." "I don't believe it..." "Three-room flats are thin on the ground, he says." " What does he know?" " He's an estate agent!" "Sure." "He's a joker without a thing in his books more like." "The bloke's a clown." "Tell him that from me." "He's a joker." "He'd prefer to hear it from you." "Wait for him." "He'll be here soon." "I see loads of ads for three rooms." "There are too many to fit in the papers." " Really?" " Haven't you ever read a newspaper?" "Why didn't you call?" "Call who?" "One of the three million places to rent!" "You could have done something instead of leaving it all to me." "Calm down, Nicole, please." "I'm sick of it, Dan." "Frankly, I'm totally brassed off." "You're a lovely little thing." "Cut it out." "You don't like it?" "I keep saying it:" "Two rooms aren't enough." "I need a study." "It's simple enough." "I'll leave you the living room, the master bedroom, the bathroom..." "Like I said, you leave everything to me." "When it comes to the study, I'm standing my ground." "Why do you need one?" "What?" " What?" " Stop saying "what"!" "Just like your father!" "What?" "What?" "What?" "Every time you speak to him!" "What?" "What did you just say?" "It doesn't matter." "Please forgive me." "The curse of our times." "Vital, but such a nuisance." "So, what do you think of it?" "Well..." "We both rather feel it's a bit small for our requirements." "I said it might be, didn't I, Nicole?" "We wanted three real rooms for..." "A happy event?" " What?" " No." "So Dan can have an afternoon nap." "Like his father." "I think that covers it all..." "Shall we be going?" "Yes, I'm late for work." "After you, Nicole." "Thank you." "If you please, Dan." "Hello." "Hello, Thierry." " Any luck?" " It's not what they wanted." "I knew but they insisted on seeing it." "It's a lovely location." "It's perfect." "With a wonderful view." "Anything new here?" " Not a lot." " Alright." "By the way, I must return that video you lent me." "There's no hurry." "Did you enjoy it?" "Yes, very much." "Good programme." "I love it!" "I adore hearing what people chose." "The differences are fascinating." "Classical for some, hymns or oratorios for others." "Some even choose rap music." "It takes all sorts." "Thanks for introducing me to it." "I'll watch it from now on." "Unless your sister objects..." "Sorry?" "It could mess up her ludo evening." "Ah, her evening..." "Video is a blessing of modern life." "Before, you'd stay stuck to your TV or you'd miss the best programmes." "That's true." "But now, you pop in a tape, set the timer, press "record"" "and you're all set to go out." "Right." "And the amazing thing is, you keep using the tape." "Once you've seen it, you rewind it and record again." "You could get by with one tape." "Or two, say." "You start again." "No matter what was there before." "Press the button and you're off." "It comes and goes." "It'll last forever." "Brilliant." "You have a lovely smile, Charlotte." "When you smile..." "You should smile more often." "I'll try to remember." "Would you care to see another?" "Another..." "Another episode." "I can lend you one if you like." "Yes, I would." "I'll get you one from my car later." " Grand." " Bring the other back." "Of course." "I may want to record over it." "I'll bring it in tomorrow." "I'll get going." "I'll try to hunt out a three-room flat." "Always on the alert." "You can say that again." "See you later." "Good luck." "That's better!" "You know, the thing about women, not that I have anything against them, is they don't recognize our need for solitude." "You can't deny it." "Man is a solitary animal, from time to time." "Is that absurd?" "Not at all, sir." "Males need to be alone." "Females, never." "That's why so few go into space or drive cabs." "Or keep lighthouses." "Whereas men are ideal lighthouse keepers." "Still, no man is an island." "That's true too." "But I don't think Nicole and I can go on like this." "When I speak, she snaps." "She never listens." "We don't communicate." "It's tough." "Very tough." "I don't know what to do." "The harder I try, the worse it gets." "What would you do?" "Me?" "How can I possibly answer that, sir?" "You can." "You're at the hub of the universe here." "Take a break." "Step back." "It'll do you both good." "You think so?" "No harm in trying." "True, her flat is tiny." "There's no room to breathe." "There you have it." "But..." "Do you know how a chap steps back?" "By seeing someone else for a change." "Someone else?" "Just temporarily." "Like I did a few years ago." "We weren't going anywhere so we agreed to part for a while." "We soon saw we were a good match, so we got back together for good." "And lived happily ever after." "Happily, yes, but not for long." "She dumped you?" "No, she died." "I'm sorry." "That's a terribly sad story." "It was a long time ago." "Terribly sad." "Anyhow, sorry to get back to me," "but if I see someone..." "Just temporarily." "How do I find someone?" "I don't meet anyone these days." "Put an ad in a paper or a magazine." "What?" "Or try a dating agency." "Or even the Internet." "No, forget that." "I couldn't do that." "You'd be surprised." "It works." "Those girls seem dodgy." "And a dodgy girl won't be much help to me." "She can be more trouble than she's worth." "Depends how dodgy you are." "Same again, sir?" "Yes, same again." "I need the gents again." "It's only me." "I'm home." "Hi!" "Just a minute." "Alright?" "Hi, Lélette." " Everything okay?" " Fine." "Good." "Off out again?" "Notjust yet." "A cup of tea?" "I'd love one." "Here or in the kitchen?" "Let's live dangerously and go to the kitchen!" "The kettle's boiling." "Lovely." "Don't give me piss-weak tea, you ape!" "Can't I get a hot woman for once instead of a rotten old trout?" "Where are you?" "You're not only ugly, you're idle too!" "But..." "At last." "You're still up?" "I thought you'd be asleep." "You couldn't sleep?" "No, I couldn't sleep, Dan." "What?" "Listen to me." "Are you listening?" "Are you totally drunk?" "Not totally." "A little but not totally." "Like me." "I've had most of a bottle." "God, what's happening to us?" "Dan..." "I decided something..." " I came to a decision tonight." " So did I." "Well, I'll go first." "I want us to separate." "Go away, for a while." "I need to be alone." "Alone?" "For a while, yes." "Go tonight." "We need to be apart." "Just for a while." "That's what I'd decided too." "Really?" "That's good." "At least we agree on something." "We both need to step back, Nicole." "Yes." "Indeed we do." "You realize I could meet someone?" "That's a risk we take." "I could meet someone too." "You?" "Why not?" "I'm still fairly presentable." "You're fabulous." "You're radiant, a real stunner..." "I don't need this now." "You have the face of a goddess!" "Stop, please." "No, I don't want to stop." "Let me finish." "I'm not listening." "And your body, my darling, your body..." "Dan!" "Your body is like that of another fucking goddess..." "Shut the hell up now!" "And get out of here." "Alright." "If that's what you want." "Sorry, I can't cope." "Your things are ready in the hall." "They are?" "See you." "Well..." "I'll be off, then." "I'm off." "But..." " I don't know where." " Your parents' place?" "My father's there at the moment." "He wouldn't let me in." "Don't worry." "I'll find somewhere." "Right..." "Ciao." "Ciao." "All things must end, Roger Monnier, and it's now time to choose your last song." "I'm going to pick the hymn Onward Christian Soldiers." "Any special reason?" "To be honest, wherever I am in the world and whatever mischief I'm up to, if I feel a bit down, a few bars of this song immediately cheer me up again." "Roger Monnier, soldier, poet, novelist and landscape gardener, thank you for being my guest." "Thank you." "Thank you all." "...and a rather unusual criminal." "I shall say no more." "That's her." "It has to be her." "It's Charlotte." "I'm sure it is." "What on earth are you watching?" "You're back already?" "Where did you get that?" "It was on TV." "I skipped channels and..." "How can they show such rubbish?" "What channel was it?" "Actually..." "What?" "It wasn't the TV." "A tape?" "You were watching a tape?" "It was from a chap at work." "He played a trick on me!" "You were sitting here alone watching a porn video?" "That's too pathetic for words." "It's so sad, so incredibly sad..." "It was nothing, Lélette, nothing at all." "What's happening to us?" "God, what's happening to us?" "Lélette..." "Thank heavens..." "Good evening." " Everything alright?" " Yes, he's asleep." "I just checked." " You're gifted." " Thank you." "It's been a long day." "Would you like a hot drink?" "Tea or coffee?" "Thank you but don't worry about me." "Get off home." "Your day must have been long too." "It certainly has." "Well, if you really don't need anything..." " I'll see you to your car." " Don't move." "I prefer to." "This area..." "Round the corner, are you?" "Just a bit further." "It's serious stuff." "Some of it's pretty uncompromising." "I'd forgotten." "Uncompromising?" "Unforgiving, say..." "Forgiveness comes later." "It does?" "When?" "In the New Testament." "I see." "In the end, we're all judged and forgiven." "Alright, I see." "As your father will forgive you one day." "My father?" "Why should he..." "He's still angry with you, Lionel, you can't deny that." "No." "I don't know why but he holds something against you." "Perhaps he had other hopes for you." "That's often why our parents..." "Did your mother pass away long ago?" "She died three years ago." "My father left us when I was fifteen." "She lived here until she died." "I came back to look after her." "My relationship had just ended." "She was so..." "She had..." "Well, it wasn't easy." "It was..." "I'm sorry." "It's hard to talk about." "After she died, my father fell ill." "I saw very little of him." "But when I heard he was ill, I offered to look after him." "The woman he was living with at the time wasn't..." "How can I put it?" "All she wanted was..." "Never mind." "He moved back in and here we are today." "Why did he leave?" "Why?" "Sorry, it's personal." "I'm sorry." "Of course." "I say he left us but actually my mother..." "She was a very strong woman in her prime." "She was a remarkable woman, in fact." "I admired her in so many ways." "And then, with her illness..." "The poor woman was in so much pain, despite the drugs." "I'm well aware she was someone... quite extraordinary." "I think she felt, rightly or wrongly, that my father... was a bad influence." "A bad influence?" "On me." "She was convinced of it." "My father wanted..." "How can I put it?" "...to interfere with my upbringing and she didn't agree." "I think you're probably right." "My father is disappointed." "Disappointed by the way I've turned out." "But I am what I am." "What can we be apart from what we are?" "I often tell myself that." "Anyway, she asked him to leave." "She threw him out of the house and out of our lives." "It's very late." "I'm making you do overtime." "See you tomorrow?" "See you tomorrow." "Same time?" "Same time." "I did say it wasn't right for you." "No..." "Your fiancé will find it cramped." "It's more for a single person." "There's no room for a study." "Right." "I need to think about it." "Don't take too long." "This one will be snapped up quite fast." "We've had other enquiries and this is a desirable area." "Morning, Lionel." "You're bright and early today, sir." "The usual?" "No, just passing through." "My morning constitutional." "A constitutional?" "Really?" "A quick walk to get a breath of fresh air." "I'm starting a new life today." "Glad to hear it, sir." "But why take a constitutional in a hotel?" "I'm living here now." "I'm a hotel guest." "Not for long, though." "My attic broom cupboard here costs a bomb." "You're paying for the name." "And nothing else." "I don't even get shampoo." "No?" "Not even a tiny sample, in a four-star hotel..." "And just one slipper." " One..." " Slipper." "You heard." "Must be the Long John Silver Suite." "Slipper or not, I'm turning a new leaf, Lionel." "Just like we said." "I settled it with Nicole last night." "We're stepping back and taking stock." "It upset her but, frankly, I feel a thousand times better already." "That's good, sir." "Another thing..." "I took your advice." "For the ad." "I've placed one." "What did you put exactly?" "Tall, good-Iooking, single man, ex-army, fighting fit..." "GSOH." "They all put that." "What does it mean?" "Good Sense Of Humour, sir." "I thought it was sexual." "Good-Sized Old Henry." "Anyhow, it worked." "I've already had a bite." " No!" " Yes, meeting up tonight." "Congratulations, sir." "Whereabouts?" "A bar on Rue Oberkampf." " Oberkampf?" " Do you know it?" " Not really, sir." " Me neither." "She chose it." "I'll see you later." "Around lunch time probably." "See you later, sir." "Be careful on Rue Oberkampf." "Don't worry." "A new leaf, Lionel." "I'm living again." "Living again!" "Charlotte?" "Sorry, I was in the..." "I do beg your pardon." "You needed something?" "No, I just wanted... to return your videos." "There's no hurry." "So, did you..." "Wonderful, better than the last one." "I'm so glad you liked it." "A superb programme." "Really?" "You preferred the second one?" "By far." "I can't find the words but..." "We've worked together for a while yet I don't really know you." "I mean, who you are really, apart from a wonderful colleague and a friend too, I hope." "But that's as far as it goes." "But we've never really talked about who we are deep down inside." "Perhaps that's only natural." "It can be hard to express that kind of thing in words." "I mean, words can conceal your true personality." "Whereas a laugh or a smile at times..." "Don't you feel that too?" "Does that make any sense?" "Yes, I think so." "You're a beautiful woman." "You should know that." "What you've shown me of yourself, your face, your body, your..." "It's all very beautiful." "I wanted you to know that." "Thank you." "And I..." "It..." "It's so powerful..." "I'm overwhelmed, truly..." "Completely..." "What's the matter with you?" "Are you mad?" "I'm sorry." "Please, I beg you, forgive me." " Are you out of your mind?" " I thought I..." "Please forgive me." "Mr Lafarge, yes..." "Not at all." "Yes, alright." "I spoke to the owner actually..." "Hi, Mum." "Did you get my message?" "Everything's fine, yes." "I promise you, I'm fine." "Why wouldn't I be?" "He's fine too." "No, he's fine." "We're both fine, Mum." "Everything's fine." "Stop it!" "I can't talk to you now." "There are two people waiting." "I have to go." "Yes." "I'm absolutely fine." "Absolutely fine." "It's a bit warmer." "Yes, it's milder out." "Sorry, I'm a little late." "Lionel!" " He's in a foul mood tonight." " I can take it." "Been shopping?" "It's nothing special." "Look at the time." "I'm late." "Off you go." "Leave him to me." "See you later." "Shit, fish-face is back!" "Good evening, Arthur." "...the situation isn't worsening but may not improve since 6 new rescue teams..." "Of course." "But, frankly..." "Let's try to make things clear." "We can't treat every prostate around." "Where's fish-face gone?" "Back to the sea?" "Just a minute, Arthur." "Sophia?" "Yes." "Martin." "Hi." "May I sit down?" "Yes, please do." "Thanks." "Lively place." "Very." "Makes you want to move your body." "You have a sense of humour." "Wonderful!" "I hope so." "Believe me, you have one." "I'm an expert." "Really?" "Something wrong?" " No, but..." " But?" "You're exactly like your description." "And?" "Well, the description rarely matches..." "Someone who writes 26 is usually 46, someone tall is this high, wavy hair usually means bald." "That's why I'm surprised." "You're... tall, you're good-Iooking..." " Just like it said." " Thank you." "I was hard to recognize." "Not at all." "I just looked for the prettiest girl and here I am!" "The flower helped a bit but not that much." "Coffee?" "Coffee?" "No, no coffee." "So... you're used to this kind of thing..." "Not really." "I tried it once or twice a long time ago." "Personally," "I'm not at all familiar with the rules." "I'm not sure where we go from here." "That's up to us." "It's good to meet in a place with plenty of people around." "It's safer, if you see what I mean." "For the woman." "Of course." "No one wants to get murdered." "I was silly enough to meet someone in quite a deserted place once and, before I knew it, I got molested." "Really?" "What on earth had you done?" "Molested!" "I'm sorry, I thought you said you got arrested." "Molested..." "I'm sorry, that's terrible." "How did you get away?" "I bit him." "Sorry, I can't hear you with this noise." "We don't have to stay." "We can go somewhere quieter." "That's not a bad idea." "We could have a real conversation." "If I've passed the first round of tests." "I mean..." "If you're convinced I'm not a professional rapist." "I'll try my luck." "No chance of it." "I hate being bitten." "I promise I won't." "Jolly good." "Where shall we go, then?" "You choose." "Shall we get a drink?" "Just the one." "And maybe something to eat." "My treat, of course." "No, not on a first meeting..." "Why not?" "I imagine some things are out on a first date but where's the harm in drinking and eating?" "No, I meant you paying for me." "We should go Dutch." "Sorry, you've found a hard-line macho." "The chap pays, not the girl." "Alright." "But I'll pay next time." "Supposing there is a next time, of course." "There'd better be." "I want a return on my investment." "Let's go." "I knowjust the place." "Get back in here right now, fish-face, or I'm wetting this bed!" "I'll soak the sheets." "That'll teach you, you tart!" "Alright... here I come, you horrible little man." "Now then, Arthur dear..." "Oh, my God..." "It's beautiful." "I like it." "I come here now and then." "It's very handy." "It's close to... most things." "Shall we sit at the bar and look at the menu?" "Why not?" "Lionel..." "They're busy tonight." "This is Sophia." "My friend Sophia." "Meet the admirable Lionel." "Good evening, madam." "What can I get you?" "Sophia?" "What I'd really like is a Devil's Tail." "A what?" "A Devil's Tail." "Certainly." "Haven't made one in a long time." "A Devil's Tale?" "Got that in stock?" "Ice, rum, vodka, lime juice, grenadine and a dash of apricot brandy?" " Delicious." " Coming right up." "I'll have my usual, Lionel." "You look just like a Sophia." "When did you start drinking those?" "When I was working down in Nice." "With the other girls." "Get the idea?" "More or less, yes." "We'd have these wild nights out all the time." "It's different now." "I work in a smaller company here." "So you were in the army?" "Yes." "I got out three weeks ago." "And now?" "I'm looking for a job I like." "It isn't easy." "I mean, choosing isn't easy." "I had a good commission, a promising career and suddenly I have to start from scratch." " It takes time to adjust." " It must do." "Why did you leave the army?" "Why?" "It's complicated." "Let's say I had no choice." "Why?" "Were you wounded?" "Were you wounded?" "Actually, I was invalided out." "Really?" "Was it serious?" "I'd rather not talk about it." "Of course." "I'm sorry." "Everything's fine, though." "Don't get that idea." "I'm in full working order." "I'm sure you are." "You look in working order too." "I think I am." "Splendid!" "One Devil's Tail..." " And one large scotch." " Wow!" "That'll stick you to the ceiling." "I hope not, I hate heights." "Thank you very much." "Bring a ladder to help her down from the chandelier." "Martin, please!" "Can you tell him to stop teasing me?" "Who, madam?" "Martin." "Tell him to stop it." "Stop it, Martin." "Alright, Lionel." "Well, cheers." " Is that good?" " Delicious." "Good as you remember?" "Even better." "Want a sip?" "Let's find a table." "These stools are unsteady." "Would you prefer a table?" "There's one over there." "Lead the way." "GaëIle, is that you?" "GaëIle?" "That'll keep you quiet for a bit, you old pig." "Thanks again!" "I imagined the worst." "I'm so sorry." "I got locked in." "I was scared you'd have left." " Not another?" " You asked for one." "Did I?" "You wanted another mixture." "This one's a Mad Dog." "What's in it?" "He wrote it down." "A Lionel special." "White rum, vodka, coconut cream, blue curaçao, fresh cream and pineapple juice." "Fine." "As long as there's no gin." "Gin makes me drunk." "Cheers!" "It's the last one." "Good idea, I think they've run out." "We'll meet again, won't we?" "Promise me we'll meet again." " Of course we will." " I mean..." "I don't want this to be a one-night stand." "Stand?" "That's not likely, the state we're both in." "I'm serious, Martin." "I'm serious." "I promise, Sophia, we'll meet again." "You're so good-Iooking." "I'm a bit tipsy but you're so good-Iooking." "Oh, come on..." "It's true, Martin." "You're a good-Iooking man." "And I don't deserve you." "Why on earth not?" "I'm boring." "You've no idea how boring I am." "I'm not buying that." "I know what I'm like." "Sometimes, I bore myself to sleep." "Compared to you." "A hero, wounded in battle and so on." "What am I with my boring life?" "I'm not in the army now." "But you were." "And your father was too." "True." "I bet your grandfather was too." "He was in the navy." "They must be so incredibly proud of you." "Proud isn't the word." "You're modest." "I'm sure they're proud." "Believe me, they aren't." "My father doesn't even speak to me." "Really?" "Why?" "It's complicated." "Basically, I can't go home when he's there." "When he's away, I go to see my mother." "Or she comes up to Paris." "It depends." "That's so sad." " What happened?" " Maybe I'll tell you one day." "Right now, I can't." "And I don't want to." "They're turning off the tables..." "The lights, I mean." "Perhaps we should be going." " I'll get you a taxi." " No." " I insist." " I can get a bus." "You're not getting a bus at this time of night." "Alright, in that case we'll share a taxi." "How about that?" "Are you going in my direction?" "I don't think so." " Where do you live?" " Here." "Here?" "In this hotel." "You didn't tell me that." "I didn't tell you." "We'll ask Georges at reception." "Good old Georges." "He'll find you one." "Alright?" "Yes, but I can't finish my drink, I'm afraid." "Never mind." "Martin..." "Thank you." "I've had a lovely evening." "Thank you." "I hope we'll meet again soon." "Why not?" "What about tomorrow?" "Tomorrow?" "Well, we've nearly run out of today." "You're right." "See you tomorrow." "For lunch?" "It'd be torture for me to wait till dinner." "Lunch is fine." "Sophia..." "I have to tell you." "My name's not Martin." "I lied." "So what's your name?" "Daniel." "But they call me Dan." "Dan's much nicer." "I love Dan." "Shall we go, Dan?" "After you, Sophia." "Thank you." "My name's not Sophia either." "Thank God for that." "I'm sorry, I..." "I was looking for something I dropped." "It's doesn't matter." "Nothing important." "Alright?" "Fine." "I think he's asleep." "I'll get my coat." "He's sleeping like a baby." "You handle him well." "Are you ready?" " Round the corner?" " As usual." "I'll see you to your car." "It's odd, that big smile on his face." "Father hasn't smiled like that for ages." "Where are we?" "This isn't it." "Who put that there?" "GaëIle, what's going on?" "Where have you been?" "Get off my back!" "Are you drunk?" "Can't you see I am, stupid?" "Stop seeing those girls." "They're a bad influence!" "What girls?" "I was out with a man tonight." "A man?" "A man, yes." "A real man." "Who?" "Martin." "No..." "Daniel." "Dan." "I was with Dan." "Not Tintin or Martin." "Dan." "How many of them?" "Just one." "But a real man." "Not like you, fondling himself in front of the TV." "Let's get you to bed." "Don't touch me!" "Don't you dare touch me!" "I won't let some sex maniac tell me what to do!" "GaëIle!" "Hello..." "Anyone here?" "Anyone here?" "I'm sorry." "Have you been here long?" "No, I just walked in." "I'd like to see..." "Is Thierry here?" "Just a minute, I'll check." "Of course, you're Mrs..." "Miss..." "Tell him Nicole is here." "That's right." "Your client's here." "I don't know." "Miss..." "Wasn't our meeting set for lunchtime?" "Quite right, it was." "But I was passing by so I thought..." "Good idea." " I'm stopping." " Sorry?" "Our search." "I'm calling it off." "Forget it." "Really?" "Sorry to have put you to so much trouble." "No, these things happen." "All part of the job." "Maybe." "But I'm sorry anyway." "My pleasure." "You haven't changed your mind for anything serious, I hope." "No, we just changed our minds, that's all." "Well, I'll be going." "I have to get to work." "If I change my mind again, I'll come back to see you first." "I'd be delighted." "You'll always be welcome." "Goodbye." "Goodbye, Mrs..." "Miss..." "Goodbye." "There we go." "What did she want?" "They're not looking anymore." "She came to tell me." "That's a pity." "Trouble between them, you think?" "Could be." "Unless they've gone elsewhere." "That's likely too." "That's life." "You win some, you lose some." "Charlotte..." "Yes, Thierry?" "I really need to talk to you." "I'm not making you, I hope?" "No, it's me." "I really need to." "My behaviour yesterday was unacceptable." "It was outright sexual harassment." "You'd be right to complain to head office." "But, believe me, I never meant any disrespect towards you as a colleague and a person." "I have endless admiration for both." "I give you my word that it won't happen again." "I humbly ask you to forgive me." "Should you refuse and decide to pursue the matter further," "I won't hold that against you." "Thank you." "There." "That's said." "Thierry..." "I'm a practising Christian and I do my best to adhere to Christ's teachings." "No, please, let me finish." "Thanks to that religion and to my strong faith in it," "I find it in my heart to forgive you." "Thank you, Charlotte." "Remember, our Lord warned us that temptation is everywhere." "We must be on our guard constantly to resist it." "Of course..." "Right, I'll get back to work." "Thierry?" "Maybe you'd like to watch this." "A little gift, as a sort of peace offering." "Would you?" "Yes, of course." "Sorry, I don't feel very well." "Nothing serious?" "No, I'll be alright, but..." "I think I'll use the cancellation to go home and rest." "Could you hold the fort?" "Of course." "Go on home..." "Will you manage?" "Don't worry," "I'm a big girl." "Thank you, Charlotte." "See you later." "See you tomorrow, Thierry." "And remember..." "Be strong!" "Hello, sir, the usual?" "Notjust yet if you don't mind." "I'm a bit early actually." "I won't start without her." "As you like, sir." "Help yourself to nuts." "Yes, sir?" "A gin and tonic." "Hello, Dan." "Nicole?" "How are you?" "I knew I'd find you here." "Really?" "Why?" "Because." "You're here day and night." "Your mother said you've moved in now." "So it was her." "What are those flowers for?" "I don't know." "I had a sudden urge to buy flowers." "You know, a sort of impulse." "Have you met someone else already?" "That was quick." "Well done, Dan." "Nothing's final yet, Nicole." "I'm beginning to play the field." "If you have met someone, you can tell me." "It doesn't bother me one way or the other." " Really?" " Not at all." " So why are you here?" " To say goodbye properly." "Eye to eye, calmly, with dignity, like two people who've lived together for ages." "Ages, yes." "I wanted us to part as friends." "The other night was horrible." "You were drunk and I was mad with rage." "We deserve better, right?" "We've come a long way, hand in hand." "I read your letters last night, the very first ones." "Do you remember?" "Like it was yesterday." "You were so innocent then." "I loved the questions you asked about women." "You asked about how we felt." "The way women feel inside." "Only natural to be interested." "And now?" "What?" "Are you interested in how I feel now?" "Not really?" "Not at all even." "You're wrong." "Not as interested as I was, true." "But I'm older now." "We're both older, aren't we?" "Yes." "We're not as interesting now?" "Don't exaggerate." "For instance, I know exactly how you feel right now." "You do?" "Of course." "A piece of cake after so long." "It's easy." "Can I get you anything, madam?" "No, thank you." "Me neither." "Notjust yet." "Could we sit somewhere for a minute?" "Okay, but I'm meeting someone." "I'll go as soon as she turns up." "Please." "I hate sitting at the bar." "Everyone's looking at us." "GaëIle!" "Where were we?" "You were saying how you felt." "That's right." "Not that it matters now." "I'm sorry, madam." "I almost married a man who isn't interested in me." "Calm down, I never said that." "It's alright." "I'm not interested in you either." "On that train coming home from that ghastly boarding school, the mere idea of seeing you for the holidays would make my heart leap." "It used to sing, as the poets say." "But coming here to see you today, my heart... was all crushed and tiny." "Sorry." "That's life, Dan." "I know." "Don't be angry with me." "Neither of us is to blame." "I won't say goodbye." "I'll see you again." "We can't avoid each other." "Goodbye." "Take care of yourself." "I hope you'll be happy with the next one, I really do." "Excuse me, sir..." "Yes?" "The young lady from last night..." "She came in, saw you and left." "I thought you should know." "The other lady..." " Where is she?" " She left." "I'm sure you can explain things to her." "How?" "I don't have her number." "I don't even know her name!" "I don't even know if she lives in Paris." "Shit..." "Shit!" "Dear, dear, dear." "I'm sorry." "I tried calling your mobile to tell you not to come." "I was driving." "I'm very law-abiding." "I heard your message as I got here." "He's in hospital?" "He slept like a baby after you left but then woke around four with chest pains." "He couldn't breathe properly." "I gave him his tablets, thinking it was a little fit." "They calmed him down... but he was still... hyper-active." "I think that's the word." "So when Lily got here..." "She's his morning carer." "A very reliable woman, Lily." "When she got here, I told her to stay with him." "He seemed much calmer, so I went off to work." "Then two hours ago, JoëIle phoned me." "JoëIle does afternoons." "She's not as reliable but, anyhow, she phoned to say he was in a bad way." "I called his doctor who, luckily, was in the neighbourhood." "They took him straight in." "I was just packing a few things." "I don't know for how long." "What a worry for you." "Sorry to bring you all the way here." "I'll pray for him." "I'll pray for both of you." "Would you like some tea?" "There's no rush." "I think they've sedated him." "Thank you, I'm alright." "Sit down for a minute." "If you're sure you don't need to go." "What a crazy day." "It all seems so quiet now." "I'm sure he'll be home soon." "I hope so." "But I'm not so sure." "His mind's taken a turn for the worse." "I know he wasn't always... very rational." "As you know." "But he's having hallucinations." "Hallucinations?" "Last night, I was sitting with him and he started rambling..." "Incredible things." "Very risqué stuff." "It was quite worrying." "What about?" "All manner of things." "Sexual, mainly." "Sexual?" "Mainly." "He mentioned you a lot." "Me?" "Yes." "He..." "I can't." "It's too embarrassing." "He'd seen you dancing at the foot of his bed." "Dancing?" "Naked." "Sorry, I shouldn't have said." "It's embarrassing for you." " Dancing naked?" " And other things too." "No!" "A whole list of them." "I couldn't even begin to repeat them." "What will happen if they keep him?" "What will happen to you?" "I don't know." "Will you cope?" "Probably." "Thank God I have my job." "I could move away but I've been here forever." "This is my home." "It's not much but it's full of memories." "So many things I've loved..." "Is it your brother in the photo?" "No, a friend." "He's dead now." " I'm sorry." " It was years ago." "I wish I had your inner strength." "Your faith." "The comfort it brings you." "But I'm afraid I can't." "God up there somewhere in his heaven..." "And hell-fire waiting for us below..." "No..." "I can't believe all that." "I'd like to." "But I can't." "I suppose we pass through life alone." "If I may say so, Lionel, I think... it's more complex than that." "I'm not a great believer in hell either." "Or in any other form of damnation." "But if hell-fire exists, it's burning within us." "And we feed it with our weakness and failings." "If we don't try to put it out, it consumes us" "and, even worse, consumes others too." "It's within us?" "I'm convinced of it." "Even within you?" "I must go." "I'll call you to see how he is." "If you don't mind, of course." "Please do." "And pop in if you're passing by." "You'll always be welcome." "But why would you pass by?" "You never know." "Thank you, Lionel." "Good luck." "Don't bother," "I can see myself out." "I nearly forgot." "I have this tape." "You have a machine." "Watch it." "You may find it helpful." "I know I did." "There's no harm in trying." "Seven o'clock." "Time for Songs That Changed My Life." "This week's guest is the art critic, Annabelle Normand." "Good evening." "You see her so often on TV that she needs no introduction." "It moves me more than any other tune I know." "Whenever I hear it, my heart soars." "Mine too, Annabelle." "I never tire of hearing it." "...will be the actor and comedian Zambo..." "Will Lionel be in tonight?" "No." "Pity." "Subtitles by lan Burley" "DVD Subtitling:" "CNST, Montreal"