"WILD GRASS" "Her feet weren't ordinary." "Because of them, she went where ordinary feet would never have taken her." "Unable to buy shoes just anywhere, from just anyone, she had to go to a shoemaker in Paris, located..." "I forget the name now." "It's on a street near some pillars." "The incident occurred as she left the shop." "What incident?" "Nothing significant, nothing important." "A perfectly mundane incident, something commonplace." "But the commonplace and mundane can lead to..." "To what?" "That's what we'll see." "It was a beautiful day." "The sky was blue." "A winter sun." "And she was in Paris to buy shoes." "She hoped to see the girl she liked, whose touch gave her a vague feeling of pleasure." "Choosing, trying..." "That took time." "A matter of color, model, size that never match." "If you want all those things to match up, you have to accept, however reluctantly, to renounce, yield" "and compromise." "In the end, she chose a pair close to what she wanted, of a similar color, and which, above all, fit like a glove." "Goodbye." "She nearly cried out." "How about that!" "What did she nearly cry?" ""Stop thief!" "Stop him!"" "She thought of it, you know." "One does in such cases." "If you drown, you cry out, "Help!" "I'm drowning!" "Save me!"" "It's ridiculous, but do we have much choice?" "We don't even have time to find words of love ridiculous." "We cry out, "Help!" "Help me!" "I'm being murdered!" "Murder!"" "In fact, the words get stuck." "We don't dare to." "We die too scared to call out." "True terror is silent, mouth agape." "In short, she didn't dare." "She needed money, but she had none left." "She had her shoes and decided to return them." "She went back to the shop." "She explained what had occurred." "They understood." "It happens." "She asked for a refund." "She also said she'd come back for the shoes." "Then she thanked them, said goodbye, returned home, and ran herself an ice-cold bath." "It was too cold." "She added hot water, thinking, telling herself..." "The police station can wait." "There are hundreds of thefts every day." "Besides, did I really need shoes?" "No, not really." "Well, yes, I did." "No, I didn't need shoes." "It's my fault, it was just a whim, like that." "A treat, the way people buy CD's, just to..." "Come on, calm down." "You must declare the theft of your papers, your checkbook, your credit cards..." "I have to call the bank." "I'll do all that tomorrow." "It's bound to stop in the end, it's worn out." "Just like me." "Why don't we stop?" "I need a new battery." "Certainly." "I'm used to it." "Let me." "Thank you." "She'll mess up the date indicator." " What do I owe you?" " 15 euros." "That's how it began." "It might not have begun." "He first picked up the wallet." "Name, Muir." "First name, Marguerite." "Distinguishing features, none." "Address, 8, rue des Ecoles, Sceaux, Hauts-de-Seine." "A serious-looking face, a little despondent, sad, even." "You could say sad, a hint of sadness." "But it was only a photo..." "So, sad at that moment." "PILOT'S LICENSE" " PRIVATE PLANE" "So different!" "It can't be the same woman." "It is, though." "It's the same name." "The same address." "In this photo, she's smiling." "A headband..." "Goggles on her forehead, as a joke, no doubt." "So she likes to joke." "All right." "She's a woman, sad more often than not, with an odd name, who flies a plane for fun." "What can I do with this?" "We can see her black panties." "What terrible taste!" "Everything is excusable." "Not everything, not bad taste." "Suddenly, he wanted to touch her." "Then, with a surge of emotion, he felt like strangling her, to set her straight, then and there." "The other one, too." "Bump both of them off..." "Bump them off?" "Yes, rid them of that liking, the foul liking for provoking me." "Just a second." "What on earth are you thinking?" "Thinking about that again?" "Stop it right now!" "Stop thinking about it, please!" "There, calm down, Georges, pal." "You know what it has cost you in the past." "So calm down, all right?" "What will I do with her?" "I have her name, address, and so her number, if she has a phone." "Of course she has one." "Everybody has a phone." "No, not the poor." "There are a lot of them." "She isn't poor." "Flying costs a lot." "She'll need to be in the phone book." "I hope she is." "I can call her and say..." "Let's see..." "Say to her..." "My name is Georges Palet." "Have you lost something?" "You have." "What?" "A wallet." "And?" "No, not that." "Say..." "I know..." "My name is Georges Palet." "Have you lost something?" "You have?" "Hello, I'd like to..." "Or may I, or could I..." "Or could I possibly..." "No, rather..." "Could I speak to Marguerite Muir?" "No, to Miss Muir." "To Miss Marguerite Muir." "Then say to her..." "I know..." "No, I don't know." "I'd like to speak to Marguerite Muir." "Speaking?" "Well, hello, Miss." "Madame?" "That's what I feared." "What?" "Nothing." ""Who are you?"" "Well, my name is..." "No, spare her the name." "Just tell her..." "I'm calling you because..." "Because what?" "Who is this?" "Georges had come home to call." "He no longer had the right to leave." "He had no rights." "He couldn't even vote, but he didn't mind that." "What he did mind..." "No, nothing." "He didn't mind at all." "Well, yes, what he did mind..." "No, let's not even think about it, if possible." "If only he could have forgotten it." "He wished he could." "He'd waited his whole life to stop thinking at last, about anything." "That's what he wanted from her." "Thinking of her was like thinking of nothing." "It's her, my God, it's her!" "You're dreaming, pal." "It can't be her." "You fool, she doesn't even know you." "For her, you don't even exist." "I've been trying to reach you for an hour now!" "I doubt it, I'm just starting." "Starting what?" "Go on." "Starting what?" "Calling." "Calling whom?" " The woman with the wallet." " What woman?" "What wallet?" "What is this?" "I don't know yet." "Why did you call?" "Something wrong?" "Don't you feel well?" "Want me to come?" "I'm busy, but if you aren't well..." "If something's wrong, I'll come." "There's no need." "Why did you call?" " Tell me first." " No, you first." "No, you." "What woman?" "What wallet?" "I'll explain." "No, explain now." "You sound odd." " Me, odd?" " Yes." " What's happening?" " Nothing." "I went to change my watch battery and found a wallet." "I'm trying to call the girl." "She must be worried." "It's needling me, see." "I'd like to reassure her." "But it hasn't been an hour yet." "So, why did you call?" "About the lawn." "What about the lawn?" "The children are coming on Sunday." "I didn't know." "I'd like you to mow the lawn." "CENTRAL POLICE STATION" "Anybody here?" "Anybody here?" "What are you doing?" "I called out." "Go back to the other side, please." "Back around the desk." "What's it about?" "Could you close the door?" "We can't hear each other." "Are you injured?" "Were you mugged?" "To steal my wallet?" "For example." "So, were you mugged?" "No, I dislocated my shoulder trying to get my mower started." "Electric, electric, that's the best." "A wire, a plug..." "No nasty smells, no noise." "But people get electrocuted." "They run over the wire, and boom, or so I've heard." "Perhaps, but I was only saying." "Yes." "Yes." "Anyhow, why are you here?" "Bernard, are you coming or not, damn it?" "A celebration?" "A promotion." "I'll be going." "No, stay!" "What were you here for?" "Yes, I was here for..." "Could you close the door?" "Just a minute!" "So?" "You were here for?" "What's going on?" "Why did you leave like that?" "You turn up, you leave..." "What's going on?" "Come on, now." "Come with me." "Look at me." "You were here for a reason?" "Yes." "So tell me all about it." "Something to drink?" "No, thank you." "All right." "I'm listening." "Well, I found a wallet." "You have it here?" "Of course, but you know..." "What?" "Nothing." "Here it is." "Where did you find it?" "Where?" "In the shopping center car park." " Any money in it?" " No." "I know, that photo isn't..." "But look at the other." "There's that, too?" "Look." "I guess." "She looks like Hélène Boucher." "Who?" "An aviatrix from the thirties..." "Paris-Saigon solo, seven world records, an acrobatic ace, fatally injured during a training flight." "You know your stuff." "I read about her as a boy." "Leave me your phone number and address." "Just in case." "There may be a reward." "A reward?" "What reward?" "For the..." "Are you going to let her know?" "This evening?" "Right away?" "It's a little late now." "What's your name?" "Palet, Georges Palet." "P-A-L-E-T." "Palet." "Georges." "Your address?" "He's recognized me, I can see he has." "It'll come back to him." "What do I do?" "Kill him?" "And what's your phone number?" "Thanks for doing the lawn." "If that's all it takes to make you happy." "Something wrong?" "That wallet..." "Did you take it in?" "Yes, but I'm worried." "I wanted to reassure her myself." "Wouldn't you worry if you lost all your papers?" "You bet." "But what can you do?" "You took it to the police." "Did it go well?" "Why?" "No reason." "They'll let her know." "Don't worry." "Yes, but after how long?" "How long will it take?" "I'd have let her know right away, see?" "Yes." "One point in my favor." "It's ridiculous to wait." "So try again." "Calling someone?" "Yes, that woman." "This late?" "How do I look?" "Very nice." "Sure?" "Not too much makeup?" "No, you look lovely." "Put the meat on!" "They'll be here soon." "It has to get going." "Put it on anyway." "Fine, but it won't cook." "Seen the ash tree?" "It's started sprouting." "I've seen." " Pass me the meat." " I'll see to it." "You can set the table." "Do you think Elodie is happy?" "Yes, she's happy." "They have two children." "She isn't unhappy with him." "Then again, with her, you never can tell." "I find Elodie's husband very kind." "A decent guy." "Where are they?" "They're here!" "I've seen." "Sweetheart..." " Are you well?" " Yes, and happy to see you." " You look beautiful." " Thank you." " How's my little girl?" "Happy?" " Of course." "Look." " He chose it." " Really?" "How's boxing?" "Training for the championship." "Something to drink?" "We could use "tu" now." "I'd rather not, if you don't mind." "Do you mind?" "No, I was just asking." "Use "tu" to say what?" "We're fine like this, aren't we?" "Come on, have a drink." "Ready for seconds?" "Thank you." "Wasn't Marcelin coming?" "We're expecting him." "We won't wait." "He'll be here soon." "With him, you never know." "Come down to the club to see a fight." "I don't know." "Maybe." "With Marcelin!" "You know me and boxing..." "I'm training for the championship." "What were you talking about?" "I'd like to use "tu" with your father." "But he doesn't want to." "My father's like that." "Right, Dad?" "Wasn't Marcelin coming?" "With him, you never know." "A garden's great." "Hi, everybody." "I'll get it." "May I speak to Georges Palet?" "Dad, it's for you!" " Who is it?" " Some lady." " She didn't give her name?" " No." "What did she say?" "She asked for Mr. Palet." "Georges Palet." "Is that you?" "Yes, you fool." "You're Marcelin Palet because I'm Georges Palet!" "Nothing to be proud of." " Hello." " Yes?" "I'm listening." "Actually..." "I'm calling because..." "Because what?" "To thank you." "What for?" "Just a second." "Didn't you find my wallet?" " I did." " All right." "Well, I wanted to thank you." " Is that all?" " What else?" " I don't know." "You could..." " What?" "I don't know..." "Feel like meeting me." "What for?" "I don't see any need to." " I'm not surprised." " What?" "I'm not surprised!" " Listen..." " No, I won't listen." "You disappoint me." "What's wrong with Dad?" "He's..." "I don't know." "What could be wrong with him?" "He should take up a sport." "Near the tennis courts," "Georges realized he was perhaps doing something stupid, something not quite right." "Come down to the club one day." "To see a fight." "If you're interested." "My father's like that." "Right, Dad?" "I'm so ashamed of that phone call, of the way I reacted." "Let's see where she lives." "I'm so ashamed of that phone call, of the way I reacted." "So ashamed I fell ill on a Sunday." "Suzanne had to send for a Sunday doctor at the Sunday rate." "I can't tell her that." "It's not possible." "She mustn't read it!" "I don't want her to read it!" "What on earth are you doing?" "You'll break it, my boy!" "Who are you anyway?" "I don't know you." "I've never been here before and..." "And what?" "And I've never done this before, but I have to get my letter back." "Can you help?" "My dear fellow, even if I wanted to, I can't." "Is it that serious?" "Serious?" "No, what is serious?" "No, it's not serious." "But I'd prefer her not to read it." "So it is serious." "Do you know her?" "By sight." "What's she like?" "I mean..." "In real life?" "Don't you talk?" "Hello now and then." "If you see her, could you tell her..." "You have a letter, from a gentleman." " What gentleman?" " He didn't say his name." "Really?" "No, he just said that he forbade you to read it." "Fancy, and why?" "No idea." "Give it to me." "Are you joking?" "I have to tear it up!" "It's mine." "She didn't add, "Now." But she thought it." "She read it." "She didn't die of it." "One doesn't die of that." "Reading never killed anyone." "It helps you live." "She replied." "She replied very kindly." "A couple of words, three lines, a quarter page..." "I consider the matter closed." "Everyone makes mistakes." "It's part of our lot, to get ideas." "It took more than that to discourage old Georges." "He kept writing about what he believed his life to be." "He ended up believing it." "No, he believed it." "He wrote it, so he believed it." "One has to believe to write." "And it's so real one ends up believing." "I don't know if I've already told you..." "Yes, I have already told you." "I've already spoken about my old passion for flying." "I shared that with my father." "He dreamt of being a pilot, but ended up a motorcycle mechanic." "Motorcycles don't fly." "We buried my father a week ago." "I wonder what I can talk about." "My mother is threatening suicide." "I don't dare..." "She read his words but didn't reply." "Two messages." "First message." "It's Josépha." "The prosthodontist called." "He won't be ready by tomorrow." "He's sorry." "Take care." "Second message." "It's me again." "You're never home." "I wanted to talk to you about everything and nothing." "But not about nothing." "As if we were having a drink." "Georges called every evening." "Her answering machine always answered." "Answering machines do that." "I heard my father saying, "Your mother tried to commit suicide."" "I went to the hospital where I was born." "When I came over, she said," ""Spare me that look." "You'd never have the guts. "" "I call that a desire for murder." "Don't you?" "Well, I must dash." "I have to put the ravioli on." "No more messages." "One evening, he caught her without her machine on." "She was there, in person, for once." "It's you?" "I'm very glad to speak to you." " Because..." " Because what?" "I'm asking you, begging you, not to write to me anymore, please." "Leave me in peace." "No, that's impossible." "Am I at peace?" "Not since I got to know you!" "Why refuse to see me?" "I won't kill..." "Eat you!" "I wanted to make you stay." "To delay you, talk to you." "I couldn't find a better way." "You know, I'm not an evil man." "When I realized what I'd done, I panicked." "I'm running away." "But first," "I want you to know that I'm the one who slashed you." "No, who did this to you." "That was it." "She was going to the police." "This is Marguerite Muir." "Do you remember me?" "I remember." "I came about..." "I remember very well." "You have a good memory." "We have it here for you, from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 2:00 to 5:00." "I'm so pleased." "I'm on my way." "I'm the person." "You called." "I'm here for my wallet." "Perhaps it wasn't you I spoke to." "Yes, it was." "It was me." "This way." "You have it, then?" "Where did you lose it?" "I didn't lose it, it was stolen." "My bag was snatched." "Do you have my bag, too?" "I'm afraid not." "Where did you find it?" "The thief emptied out your bag." "He found nothing." "He got rid of the bag." "He took the bus." "Why the bus?" "He emptied the wallet." "He found the money." "Was there money in it?" "Three fifty-euro notes." "He dumped the wallet in the car park." "Which car park?" "The shopping center one." " Which shopping center?" " In L'Haÿ- les-Roses." "Yes, I know where that is." "That's so far from where I live!" "He probably spent it all on CD's and tapes." "Yes, that's possible." "Well, anyway, sign here." "And in the future..." "I'd like to know who found my wallet." "I'd like to thank them." "Mr. Palet, Georges." "What's he like?" "As a man?" "Just being curious." "Is he young or old?" "Just being curious." "Please, it's only natural." "An individual aged around fifty, average height, slim, almost white hair, with eyes, let me see..." "Light-colored, yes, very light, kind eyes, but odd." "A lined face." "Something must have wasted him, perhaps an illness or a big problem, a very big problem." "In short, an odd fellow indeed." "I didn't understand all he said." "But, the main thing is..." "You said it." "You have a good memory." "What's the problem?" "Have you been attacked again?" "Not exactly." "Well, yes." "That's why I wanted to see you." "What's wrong?" "Nothing too serious but it's taking on such proportions..." "I thought that maybe I could stop by to see you." "Of course, but tell me what's wrong." "Well, this fellow, this man, this gentleman..." "The gentleman who found my wallet..." "Yes, what about him?" "This is so awkward." "Is he demanding a reward?" "In a way, yes." "How do you mean, in a way?" "Is he propositioning you?" "Threatening you?" "No, well yes, well no." "Oh, you're getting on my nerves." "Pardon me?" " He's demanding to see me." " And?" " He wants to know me." " That's all?" "He keeps writing to me." "He'll calm down." "He won't." "Yesterday morning..." "What happened?" "He came to my street." "He slashed the tires on my car." "Now that changes everything." "That's much more serious." "You must come in to see us." "That's what I want to do, but not to press charges." "You have to make a statement." "I don't want any trouble." "He's probably a decent man." "I'd just like you to talk to him." "Is that possible?" "Can you do that?" "And repaint the attic door, too." "You know, the dormer window." "Understand?" "You see what I mean?" "Forgive me, that's not what I meant." "I'm late, I had a bad night." "You'll do it, then?" "I can count on you?" "Yes." "See that plane?" "That's a Cessna Skylane." "230 horsepower, 270 kilometers per hour at top speed." "1,700 kilometers on a full tank." "And put some newspaper down." "For the drops of paint." "Come in, it's not locked!" "Is it my wife?" "No, no, don't worry." "We just want a word." "I'll come down." " Do you recognize me?" " Of course." "I didn't from above, with the cap." "But now I do, seen face on." "Repainting the house?" "My wife wants to change the gate and the door." "The rest has to match." "Put something new in something old..." "In an old house, I mean, and you have to replace everything." "It's true." "You have no choice." "The previous stuff, the old stuff, soon becomes unbearable." "You should just grow old and let it grow old with you." "That's what I would have liked, but my wife..." " You're married?" " For 30 years now." "I even have grandchildren." "I see this is going to take a while." "We'd better sit down." "Coming?" "Lead the way." "Come in." "Let me tidy up." "Something to drink?" "No, thank you." "You neither?" "No." "All right." "But, if you don't mind," "I'll have a quick one." "Have a seat." "Living with a wife and kids in an apartment..." "A house is better, but the upkeep..." "It's good to sit down." "Being up a ladder wears your legs out, keeping yourself steady." "I'm not afraid of dying, but of falling." "Of surviving." "My right foot really aches." "I must have hurt myself." "I was steadying myself with it." "Let me take a look." "See that?" "Do you remember the wallet?" "You bet I remember it!" "And Miss Muir, you remember her?" "Yes, her, too." "Have you met?" "No, she called me one Sunday to thank me." "For what, God knows." "I couldn't talk." "My daughter was here." "With her husband." "My son, too." "He doesn't have children." "He has decided not to." "I understand that." "To reproduce what?" "We couldn't talk much." "I mean, her and me." "She thanked me, and that was that." "I see." "Have you heard from her since?" "Why would I?" " You could have." " Yes, you could have." " Yes, you could have." " It happens." " You get acquainted." " You talk, call back." " Or write." " Yes, or write." "Yes, or write." "Did you write to her?" "You get acquainted." "You talk, call back." " Or write." " Yes..." " Or write." " Yes, or write." "Did you write to her?" "You get acquainted." "Talk, call back." " Or write." " Yes, or write." " Yes, or write." " Did you write to her?" "Listen." "We're here to help you." "To stop you from doing anything stupid." "Something stupid?" "Do I look as if I would?" "Look at me!" "Look at the state I'm in!" "If I could, do you know what I'd do?" "The same thing my old neighbor did!" "On the dole at 50." "Married, two kids." "He blew his brains out!" "Boom!" "Bang!" "His wife's remarried." "They're redoing the house!" "See what that means?" "It means..." "Oh, damn it." "Listen, all that's very sad." "But Miss Muir came to see us." "She told us everything." "That's not possible." "She didn't do that." "Not her." "She did." "The bitch." "I mean it, what a bitch!" "I didn't mean her any harm." "Neither did she." "She didn't even file a complaint." "She isn't even asking you to refund her costs." "She just wants to be left alone." "She has requested us to ask you that." "So I'm asking you." "Will you?" "Shit, shit, I'm sick of this bloody life." "Well, is the answer yes?" "Will you?" "Yes." " You promise?" " Yes." "Can we count on you?" "No worries, then?" "I said yes." "That's a fine paint job." "A beautiful color, isn't it, Bernard?" "Don't you like it?" "Doing everything in blue?" "It's nearly over now." "Go ahead." "You're hurting me!" "It's over." "You can rinse." "I never promised you'd get your milk teeth back." "Look how handsome you are." "Like at the barber's." " I was going to say something silly." " What?" "I was going to say..." " No, it's too silly." " Say it anyway." "I was going to say I can smile at you now." "I was even going to say next time, too." "But there won't be a next time." "But you'll be back, won't you?" "No more visions of you bending down over me to fill my teeth..." "How sweet." "Off you go now." "It's late." "Meet Josépha Belotch." "Doctors Muir and Belotch." "Two old friends." "Inseparable." "Pastimes, Josépha, the theatre." "Marguerite, aviation." "A world, a gaping chasm." "And their view of men." "Why the smile?" "It's old Schwer." "Another last-minute decider." "It changes nothing, but it gets on my nerves." "He made a very pretty declaration before he left." "By the way, any news of your..." "Your brutish suitor?" "No." "No more news." "You sound as if..." "Yes, that's how it is." "I'm sorry I acted the way I did." "I'm worried he'll get into trouble." "All right, I'm coming." "I'm disturbing you." "It's very late." "I hope I didn't wake you." "Is this Miss Muir?" "Yes." "But how on earth did you know?" "The voice..." "The voice." "I still don't understand." "Georges talks to me a lot about it." "He describes it, and, believe me, Georges can be very precise." "And..." "And I was really hoping..." "I can tell you, since you're there." "It's just the two of us, two women." "I was hoping you'd call." "Why?" "Why were you hoping that?" "May I talk to him?" "Probably, but not now." "He isn't here." " Where is he?" " At the cinema." "An old war film near the Place d'Italie." "About a US Navy pilot during the Korean War." "The Bridges at Toko-Ri." "The pilot, shot down, has to be brought back at any cost." "His pal comes for him by helicopter." "The Koreans wait for it to land." "The two men reunite." "No shelter." "Gunfire." "The Koreans kill them both." "I'll call back." "The film ends in half an hour or so." ""It's not far from here," thought Muir." ""What if I waited for him?"" "Marguerite had half an hour or so." "She didn't have any doubts." "She knew she'd recognize Georges." "Without ever having seen him?" "Yes." "Your coffee." "Thank you." "A double espresso this late..." "After the cinema, nothing surprises you." "Anything can happen." "It doesn't surprise you." "Anything can happen as naturally as possible." "You love me, then?" "No, no." "It's just..." "What?" "Don't look like that..." "What?" "Nothing." "I was saying, it's just..." "I was worried about you." "That's right." "Deep down, you can worry without loving." "Can't you?" "Yes, why not?" "But can one love without worrying?" "Yes, that, too." "How did you know I was here?" "Your wife." "Ah, yes, my wife." "A kind woman, isn't she?" "She's more than that." "Yes, well." "What do you want exactly?" "To have coffee with you." "It feels odd to be walking together." "You've barely met." "You've spoken on the phone." "Let's call it speaking." "You'd given up hope of meeting." "Now you're walking together, not very straight." "You could almost take each other's arm." "How was the film?" "Is that all?" "I was a boy when I first saw it." "Really?" "And?" "Nothing, it did nothing for me." "Not even the two friends' death." "War is like that..." "Don't you think?" "How about you?" "The planes?" "I don't have much time at the moment, but I hope to fly again soon." "Perhaps not next Sunday, but soon." "You should come." "With your wife." " With my wife?" " Yes." "I'm sure she'd like that." "With my wife." " I see." " You see what?" "Isn't Doctor Muir here?" "No, she's been held up." "Please come in." " Thank you." " You're welcome." "Because of Georges, that conversation..." "You sweep aside the important reasons." "You focus on details." "For instance, instead of thinking," ""What on earth did I go there for?"" "You think, "My hair didn't look good."" ""Maybe he didn't like my nose."" "He had looked at it as if he'd never see it again." ""I hope he didn't see my teeth."" "Things like that." ""Did he notice my feet?"" "What's going on?" " Nothing." " Are you ill?" "No." "Well, I don't think so." "A patient asked if you were ill." "It surprised me." "It's astounding." "Seriously." "What's going on?" " Nothing." " How do you mean?" "Nothing, okay?" "What about your patients?" " I couldn't care less." " Really?" "You couldn't care less?" "Honey, without patients, no money." "Without money, no plane." "Thought of that?" "Let's think about it." "She had bought an old Spit." "A Spitfire." "Dating from the war." "A beauty." "In need of renovation but magnificent." "With Mickey and a few others." "Five, with Mickey." "All crazy about engines." "They needed 60,000 euros, peanuts, and a pilot." "Muir volunteered." "The boys applauded." "Not only for the money." "They knew how Marguerite flew." "They had seen her at work." "Me, too." "I'll pick you up at 1:00." "Why don't you use your knife?" "What's wrong?" "Is that him?" "Is that him?" "Yes." "I see." "I'll talk to him, you'll see." "No, no, don't." "Stay right here." "Oh, Lord, I'm tipsy." "Leave her alone." "Who?" "Come on, we're leaving." "So seductive." "He has so much talent." "And genius?" "Please return to your seats." "What?" "Were you talking to me?" "If Georges had been here..." "Don't start that again!" "I want to see him, you hear?" "I have to." " What do you mean, "have to"?" " Don't worry about it." " I'll call him." " Call him tomorrow." "No, not tomorrow!" "I want to see him now." "At this time of night?" "Are you out of your mind?" "Could I speak to Georges?" " Is that Miss Muir?" " Yes." "It's very late, but could I talk to him?" "He's out." " At the cinema again?" " No." " I have to talk to you." " To me?" "Now?" "But..." "Please." "It won't take long." "Well, if you really think so." "Why not?" "This is absurd." "What'll you say to her?" "Don't worry." "Wait here." "You're exactly the way I imagined you." "Let's have a cup of tea, shall we?" "Couldn't you park better than that?" "I'd like to get through to my house." "So it's you?" "What are you doing?" "Waiting for me?" " No, for Marguerite." " Really?" "Your car, honestly..." "You, on the other hand..." "Let me release you." "Bringing them home now?" "Of course not." "She's Marguerite's friend." "What's your name again?" "Josépha." "Forgive me, but I'm parched." "Could I have a glass of water?" "Of course." "Come with me to the kitchen." "Thank you." "What are you doing in my home?" "Oh, no." "Don't shout, because if you do, I'll start shouting, too." "And we can't start shouting." "By the way, how was it?" "Not bad." "Futile but not bad." "I could see her coming." "I knew she'd try to have me one of these days." "I made the first move." "That way it's settled." "Go now." "I never want to see you again." "You understand?" "Never mind, we'll have loved each other well." "You're hurting me." "You're hurting me." "Same time Thursday." "You hurt me all the same." "See you Thursday." "You're hurting me." "You're hurting me." "You're hurting me." "You're hurting me." "You're hurting me." "Stop!" "You're hurting me!" "Close your mouth now." "Someone will take care of you." "There's a patient in my office." "Could you finish up?" "I'm leaving." "I'll be in touch." "Where are you going?" "Where are you going?" "For God's sake, tell me!" "Miss Muir." "Is that you?" "Is it really you?" "Just fancy..." "How long has it been?" "I've come to see it." "Can you let me in?" "Three, four..." "Margot, greet the moon" "Greet the sun and the stars for me" "Take off, the aircraft flies away" "Above the hangars and the rooftops" "Margot, greet the moon" "Greet the sun and the stars for me" "It's us!" "Oh, Lord, they're so silly..." "You can be so silly." "Oh, you're top-notch mechanics, but you're four fools." "Four idiots." "But I'm fond of you, really very fond." "Give me a kiss." "What about me?" "No way." "What do you say, boys?" "Shall we let her drink her coffee?" "Hello, Josépha?" "No need to ring like that, I'm right here." " Hadn't you seen me?" " I had." "Well no." "I shouldn't have?" "Will it wear the bell out?" "You're thinking of the bill?" "Do you want me to chip in?" "Seriously, do you want me to?" " Carry on, you interest me." " There's a start to everything." "Are you gardening?" "What do you want?" "I've come to fetch you." "Me?" "What for?" "To go where?" "Not just you, I wouldn't have come otherwise." "I'll ask again." "What for?" "To go where?" "There." "Where?" "Where?" "You're making me repeat all my questions?" "I'll ask again." "Where?" "Where Marguerite is." "Who?" "Cut the crap, she sent me here." "To do what?" "To drive you there." "Where?" "To the field." "What for?" "She's flying and wants you..." "Well, Suzanne and you..." "Ah, it's you." "I wondered who you were talking to." "To her." "Miss Muir would like to take us flying." "What do you think?" "That's an excellent idea." "No sooner said than done." "Sit in the sun and we'll be all yours in five minutes." "Miss Muir is flying." "She's taken someone up for a first flight." "No, a discovery flight." "We don't say first flight." "It's a discovery flight these days." "We'll wait for her on the field." "We'll see you later." "Don't forget, I'm expecting you all for lunch." "No later than 1:00." "My veal stew won't wait." "You too, of course." "Don't be too long." "Have you seen?" "A Spitfire." "Just think!" "It's a Spit." " Lf you say so." " I'll take a look." "Stay here or I'm going, I'm cold enough as it is!" "Alright, calm down." "There she is." "She's beginning her turn." "You see her?" "I need to take a leak." "Where do I go?" "Over there, in the offices." "I'm going for a leak." "Delighted to hear it!" " Well?" "Was that fun?" " Yeah, it was." "Thank you." "Did you like it, Zambo dear?" "Isn't Georges here?" "Hello." "I'll give you a kiss." " Your husband hasn't come?" " He's in the little boy's room." "I see." "I have to call in at the office." "I'll be right back." "With the demonstration, I was scared you wouldn't come." "We have to go, don't we?" "Don't you agree?" "Yes." " Want to sit in the front?" " No, you." " Sit in the front." " No, I said." " You're not coming?" " Certainly not!" "Go without me." "Line up on runway." "Takeoff, 90 kilometers per hour." "Ascent, 130 kilometers per hour to 300 feet." "Enter flaps." "Cut pump." "Engine speed, 2,600 rpm max." "Ascent, 140 kilometers per hour without flaps." "Speed, 2,450 rpm." "Do you want to take over?" "Oh, no, please." "I'm here, there's no danger." "I'll be watching him." "Well, do you fancy trying?" "Acrobatics, you don't do them here." "They're not allowed." "There are special places for that." "And this plane, a Gardan, registration F-BN YJ, wasn't designed for it." "For acrobatics, you're wiser using a CAP 231 Mudry, for example." "Mummy?" "Yes?" "When I'm a cat, will I be able to eat cat munchies?"