"APRIL FISH" "Mr. Dutreille, how are you?" "Fine, but this one's not." "What's wrong with it?" "When I accelerate, it bucks." "On the road, it sucks." "And up hill it coughs." "Other than that, it works fine." "That's the distributor." "We'll fix it." "Léon." "It'll be ready this evening." "Can I trust you on that?" "Promise, this evening." "Put it in the alley." "Start on it after you finish that limo." "Mr Émile, I need your help." "Yes, I'm coming." "That's six." "No, it's not my turn to play." "That makes 6-2." "Mr Pro's car." "I can't find the problem." "It's the ignition." "How do you know?" "They always say that when they don't know." "Now what?" "Give it a try, of course." "I've been trying for three hours." "I cleaned the carburettor, the pump." "How old are you?" "22." "Do you think you'll become a good mechanic, messing around like this?" "You have to replace the battery, the coil and the entire circuit." "You're not very bright." "Blowing in a carburettor for 3 hours." "The customer will be happy." "Stupid kid." "The car of Mr Pro..." "Émile says it's the ignition." "Yes." "Replace the coil, the battery..." "And the entire circuit." "You'll be a good mechanic one day." "Here, coil, condenser two spark plugs, three spark plugs." "Is it a four cylinder?" "Yes, a limo." "Four spark plugs." "No more wiring?" "Are we eating it here?" "Émile will buy some." "This eternal yelling." "What's wrong?" "What's wrong?" "We're out of wiring." "Go and buy some." "Émile, I calculated your pay." "Lots of hours this week." "Enough for a washing machine." "Your wife will be happy." "She never stops talking about that washing machine." "What's wrong with it now?" "Must be the ignition." "The ignition." "Very funny." "Why does he go all the way to the department store?" "Why not next door?" "Because next door is close and the department store is far away." "And remove that ladder." "You'd like a washing machine?" "Yes, uhm..." "This is the newest model." "I'll be back tomorrow." "Bye, sir." "Since you seem interested in this article, I'll give you a demonstration." "Hold the rod tight." "Hold the bottom of the reel between your index finger and your middle finger." "Open the guide, hold the line against your finger and cast starting from your right wrist." "Or your left wrist if you're left handed." "That makes no difference because this rod is well balanced." "Understood, sir?" "That this rod is well balanced?" "Yes, but they moved the wiring department." "No, this is the spot." "No." "Is this wire or not?" "Yes." "Wel then." "But..." "I'm here to help you, sir." "What kind of wire do you need?" "Because there are so many types of wire." "0,16, 0,18 or 0,12." "Special nylon." "For an alternator?" "For a limo." "I'm a mechanic." "Not a bad job." "As a mechanic, I want..." "Is fixing cars incompatible with angling?" "No." "Sir, I like you." "I'll take you to the right department." "But let me show you this first." "What do you think?" "I'm not an angler." "Exactly, you're not an angler yet." "To err is human." "I was like you before I saw the Pacifique." "Its qualities are obvious." "Its price..." "more expensive than the others." "And you think..." "Of course." "Never save on a fishing rod." "You'll make money that way." "Look at the quality." "Weight, length, balance the distribution of its flexibility." "The Pacifique 54 is unequalled." "Yes, but I'm not an angler." "I'm sorry, but..." "Americans make so-called unbreakable rods these days." "A joke, sir." "Nonsense." "Bamboo bends, it doesn't break." "Like in the fable by..." "Anyway, that fable." "And casting... the way the sinker flies against the wind..." "The English make so-called soft rods." "A joke." "Nonsense, sir." "But the Pacifique 54, bought by this gentleman without hesitation..." "What a rod, don't you think?" "With a fast reel, a water tight case, the lures and a foldable hand net." "And guess how much it cost?" "That's quite some equipment." "Not half as much as the washing machine that Charlotte wanted." "Will she understand?" "She will when I bring her 10 pound trouts." "You haven't got them yet." "Do you know how many that salesman caught?" "Fourteen in two hours." "With this." "Go have a look." "A customer." "Did the salesman look honest?" "He looked like a professional." "So do we." "What's that supposed to mean?" "Hello, sir." "Annette." "Hello, cousin." "This is my cousin." "What brings you here?" "The nice weather." "And a few problems." "What's that?" "Are you an angler?" "Not yet, but I will be." "You're serious about it." "Oh, it's Sunday tomorrow." "Know what you should do?" "Come to Lagny." "There's a great fishing spot near my home." "Lagny?" "Don't you live in Auteuil anymore?" "I had to move." "I'll explain later." "But now I have a problem with my car." "And all those mechanics." "They're all gangsters." "Like everywhere." "Since when do you drive a car?" "Since Gaston." "Didn't I say things have changed?" "I don't see Léopold anymore, because of his wife." "I've got Gaston now." "He just turned 50." "Sweet, charming." "Birthday gift from Gaston." "Beats a lighter, doesn't it?" "Not bad." "How are the fish in Lagny?" "I've got gear for some big ones." "They're enormous." "You can see them from the train." "Believe me." "On Sunday, not a bad idea." "I'll have to discuss it..." "With my dear cousin?" "She's not just your dear cousin, but also my wife." "Can't you just say you're going fishing?" "Sure, I'll tell her the washing machine money was spent on other things." "I can hear her already." "Did you come from Lagny like this?" "Is there something wrong with the car?" "Yes, there must be." "40 kilometres on the hand brake." "Didn't Gaston tell you to take it off the brake?" "I wasn't paying attention." "I was too happy." "And when you got your driving licence?" "I don't have it yet." "And you're driving?" "And on the hand brake too." "You wouldn't be driving any better with a driving licence." "But the law requires it." "If they catch you, they'll take your car." "A new car?" "You could even go to jail." "Gaston knows the prefect." "Then you'll get a fine." "Now what?" "Take the train." "I'll bring your car tomorrow, when I go fishing." "So you're coming?" "Yes." "What will Charlotte say?" "I'll have to see about that." "Alright, till tomorrow then." "Oh yes, my address." "I've had cards printed." "Villa la Pêcherie in Lagny." "The first on the left when you arrive." "500 meters over a beautiful little road." "I'll follow the smell of fish." "How far can you cast it?" "20 meters if you're strong." "No, it's about casting technique." "Sorry, they're biting." "The English call it 'overhead cast'." "You only use your wrist." "The salesman told me to practice with a little saucer." "Pass me one." "This is how I'll catch fish." "Just kidding." "I'll continue:" "elbow against my side." "What's the use of that?" "It's about the style." "What do the fish care?" "You fish for yourself." "Before you master the fish, you've got to master yourself." "How much did that rod cost?" "You forget the price, not the quality." "And what does your wife say?" "She says nothing." "And you say nothing." "Just leave your things here." "No, leave my wife and my things to me." "What do I owe you?" "A white wine and eight saucers." "250 francs." "Eight plates?" "I've got a lot to learn." "Is that you." "Émile?" "No." "Uhm, yes..." "Hello, son." "How are you?" "Are you doing well at school?" "Don't light up." "We're having dinner." "How good are you at arithmetic?" "27th." "I copy from Thibault." "He's not good." "Neither are you. 27th." "Pick someone who..." "You shouldn't copy anyway." "That's what you get." "Why are you hiding your fishing rod?" "My fishing rod?" "Shut up." "Hello, darling." "What are you doing with Jonah?" "Nothing." "I was checking whether he'd eat out of my hand." "My table cloth." "The water isn't dirty." "Or else it needs to be changed." "As if I'm not doing anything here." "I didn't say that." "Yes, you said I didn't change the water." "In other words:" "I don't do anything." "I've been working since 8 o'clock." "So eat your soup and shut up." "Come, I'll put your napkin on." "Good." "Sorrel soup again." "Followed by pasta, I bet." "So what?" "Always pasta." "Why don't we ever eat fish for instance?" "Do you want to eat Jonah?" "No, he's part of the family." "Real fish." "Fish that you catch." "Fish contains everything we need." "Just like bread." "Eat more bread then." "Do you know what's in fish?" "Yes, bones." "Phosphor, madam." "That's very good for the brain." "Your brains?" "Why would you eat fish with your job?" "Thank you." "If you knew what an alternator was, or even a condenser or a just a coil I'd reply to that." "But it would be a waste of time." "If you're against fish because of the price..." "But what if I caught them?" "Stop it." "Are you going to fish for cod?" "Forget it." "It starts with fishing, then hunting, then playing pool..." "What are you talking about?" "Out of the house every Sunday." "And why did you get married?" "No, on Sunday you go to the movies with your wife." "Or you go for a walk with your wife." "With your wife?" "So what?" "No, you're absolutely right." "Your soup is delicious." "But you can't always do what you want." "Tomorrow, I have to repair a car out of town." "Where?" "Out of town." "That could be anywhere." "Where?" "Lagny." "Gautier's car." "A good customer." "He made a special request." "You think brains aren't important, but not everybody agrees." "Mr Gautier said to the boss:" "I don't care how long it takes." "I want Émile." "I'm leaving at 7 with the car." "It'll take all day." "Gautier always destroys everything." "I'll make you lunch." "That's sweet." "Well, if you have to work on Sunday." "That's life." "Eat your soup and don't laugh like that." "Think of your daddy for a change." "Oh yes, the man of the washing machine was here." "We have to make a down payment of 25,000 francs." "From your salary." "Can't I pay cash?" "The boss is a bit tight." "He asked me to wait a week." "It's always the same ones who have to be patient." "Yes, it's not fair." "The boy wants to come along." "What?" "I thought you'd like that." "Why would I like that?" "Is there any reason to like him?" "27th in arithmetic." "Really something to be proud of." "Do you want to reward him for being lazy?" "What's wrong with you?" "Fresh air will do him well." "Yes, but..." "But what?" "If you think that fresh air..." "Go get your cap, darling." "Shall I get him a sweater?" "I don't care." "Jacky, you get dad's old sweater." "It's nice and warm." "What are you looking for?" "Nothing." "A 10 franc coin." "I'll find it." "What are you looking for now?" "My scarf." "Where's my scarf?" "Around your neck." "That's a good one." "Where's my toolbox?" "Has the kid been playing with it again?" "It's in front of you." "Where's that boy?" "Holding your hand." "What a rascal." "What's wrong with me?" "I was wondering the same thing." "Don't come home too late." "Your watch is in your left pocket." "Did I forget anything?" "See you later." "Daddy." "Leave me alone." "What?" "Did you..." "Make sure the boy doesn't hurt himself with your tools." "And make him wash his hands before dinner." "Are your men going on a trip?" "A repair." "The boy's going along." "Push." "Not too hard." "Where are you going?" "No, there." "You can't drive." "Stop it." "You can't drive." "Sit down." "Hurry, the fish won't wait." "Have a good catch." "They're mistaken." "Quite a bit, yes." "That must be it." "Wipe your feet, take off your cap, say hello to aunt Annette and don't talk." "And if they give me something?" "Then you refuse." "Be nice or else you can't come along anymore." "Is it here?" "Who is it?" "Oh, our car." "Are you the cousin?" "That way." "Can you wait in the living room?" "Your cap." "I'll call the lady." "Pretty, isn't it?" "Quiet." "Look, how beautiful." "Don't touch anything." "Hello, Émile?" "How are you?" "Did you bring your son?" "I had to." "He won't say a thing." "Hello, Jacky." "Hello, aunt Annette." "Give me a kiss." "He's shy." "You live like a queen." "It's comfortable." "Have a seat." "I was looking at that statue." "Very affordable." "Art's about taste." "Some rich people have horrible things." "But that..." "You don't see that every day." "What do you want to drink?" "I just had breakfast." "Jacky, do you want chocolate milk?" "No, thank you, aunt Annette." "Brandy with water?" "No..." "A calvados then?" "A drop." "Why are you wearing that?" "Are you going fishing?" "No, I'm gardening." "Is that him." "That's him." "So he's better than the other one?" "In everything." "If I told you..." "Remember the child." "You really don't want chocolate milk?" "I do..." "You know you always have to say no." "Another drop?" "I won't say no." "We have to go." "The fish are waiting." "Gaston's fishing spot." "When you're outside, take a right." "Follow the stream until the sign that says No Public Fishing." "Or ask somebody." "I'll find it." "It can't go wrong with my Pacifique 54." "This must be it." "Looks like an excellent spot." "Come along." "Excellent." "Lots of water plants and that means big fish." "Assemble the net." "They won't catch us by surprise." "It starts off well." "Oh, he throws my boot in the water." "You're chasing the fish away." "A fish." "Where?" "In the water." "No." "If only I had been ready." "Come here." "Be quiet." "The fish can hear us." "Come, hurry up a bit." "Give me a lure." "No, that's a short one." "Yes, that one." "You don't know much about it." "It fell." "Where did it go?" "I got stabbed." "Those hooks..." "I should have been here earlier to prepare." "That's good." "Alright, let's go." "It gets stuck everywhere." "You also got my boot wet." "Give me my rod." "And now be quiet or the fish will go away." "You're stuck." "Too many sinkers." "Yes, too many sinkers." "I make up for it with my wrist." "It's all in the wrist." "We'll go a bit further." "There are no trees there." "Pay attention." "Did you see that?" "Look, there it goes." "There could be a fish there." "No, not this time." "That's not very good." "Nothing again." "We'll get them." "We shouldn't talk so much." "We're scaring them." "Quiet..." "There's somebody behind you." "I don't care." "Are they biting?" "I just got here." "And you didn't catch anything?" "Patience." "Don't stir the water like that." "What are you fishing for?" "For pike mainly." "If I may, try over there." "That's where the pikes tend to be." "You think?" "Give it a go." "There?" "Yes." "Attention." "You're in my way, Jacky." "A bit of patience." "Is there one there?" "No." "If I can give you some advice, under that ash tree." "Why didn't you say so?" "Attention." "Easy." "You're an expert." "Are you a pro?" "Not exactly." "I've got one." "Give it some space." "It's a small one." "I think it's rather big." "Oh, you want to measure it." "Afraid it won't fit in the pan?" "34 centimetres." "A good one." "I'm lucky with the first one." "One moment." "Are you joking?" "Don't you know the decree of August 1939?" "It specifies the legal size of fresh water fish." "A pike should measure at least 35 centimetres from head to tail." "Didn't you know?" "No." "Never too old to learn, right?" "Did you also not know you can't fish in private water without permission?" "But I have permission." "May I ask from whom?" "My cousin." "Annette Coindet, Avenue du Général de Gaulle." "I don't know who that is." "Général de Gaulle." "Military, tall, talks a bit funny." "You don't respect uniforms, do you?" "I don't know your cousin." "And even if I knew her, this fishing water belongs to Gaston Prévost." "Mr Gaston Prévost is almost my brother-in-law." "Aha, your brother-in-law." "Almost, I said." "Pay attention." "I'm giving you a fine anyway." "So you're a repeat offender." "I'm fining you and I'm calling Paris to verify this." "Don't think I'm new." "I've been in the business for 10 years." "It's faster to ask Annette." "So that's Miss Annette Coindet, Avenue..." "Général de Gaulle." "Excuse me." "I'll check it." "10 years in the business." "And now your name, first name, and address." "Dupuy, Émile, 14 Rue Carnot in Levallois." "Can I see your fishing licence?" "Fishing licence?" "I don't have one." "So you don't know the decree of August 1939 or the law of 1941." "Fishing in private water without permission." "And without a fishing licence." "I'm going to do something about this." "You watch." "Jacky, the net." "Quick, quick." "Sir, help us." "Sir." "A shame Mr Prévost is not in." "It's about a family matter." "I'll give you the facts, madam." "I caught a strange character near your stream." "He says he doesn't know the law of '41 and that he's almost the brother-in-law of the gentleman." "Gaston never had a brother-in-law or an almost brother-in-law." "I see." "A certain Annette Coindet who'd live here." "I don't know that name." "Maybe I forgot." "Could you ask her discreetly and call me back?" "And should I fine him or not?" "Always fine." "I'll fine, enquire and call you back." "I'm here about a character called Émile Dupuy whom I caught red-handed and to whom..." "That's the lady's cousin." "It's Sunday and I want to finish my work." "Are you coming?" "Nice place." "Have you heard any talk about..." "Boss." "Why are we paying a forester if that angler doesn't bother you?" "He doesn't spoil my appetite." "Don't those oysters have a strange colour?" "An oyster colour." "Oh yes, he mentioned the name of a lady friend of yours, called Annette." "Annette, you said?" "That's a common name." "We know at least ten people by that name." "Do they all have your picture on their pianos?" "My picture?" "My photograph?" "My portrait?" "My face?" "On a piano?" "I don't understand at all." "Germain, your oysters aren't fresh." "When you buy oysters, tickle one with your knife." "If it reacts, it's fresh." "Did you do that?" "No, of course." "You buy, you pay and you leave." "You could catch typhoid fever." "Next time I'll tickle them." "Put it there, Germain." "Let's forget about this Annette for now." "Annette?" "Oh, yes." "But we don't know Émile Dupuy." "He gave the forester the address..." "Émile?" "Did you say Émile?" "Chatellerault, June 1940, fifth Zouave regiment." "So what?" "Like I said, June 1940, my Zouaves." "The Panzers, the Luftwaffe, my leg injury." "Émile, my good sergeant, protected me with his body." "If I'm eating not so fresh oysters now, it's thanks to him." "That darn Émile..." "Still, it's strange." "What, darling?" "You never told me that this man saved your life." "Well, war is men's business." "The brotherhood... we're discreet." "And Annette?" "She as well." "If I had known you were talking about her, I would have told you right away." "What?" "That's she's Émile's fiancée." "He knows her from the resistance." "And now?" "Still." "The resistance?" "No, their engagement." "Émile wants to find a job before they marry. that's hard these days." "You could help him." "He's too proud." "I had something for him, but he refused." "He wouldn't say no to a dinner?" "No, of course not." "Invite him for this week." "Tomorrow for instance." "Chatellerault, June 1940." "That darn Émile." "What did you say, darling?" "That you can invite him for tomorrow." "Yes, why not." "And his fiancée as well." "Of course." "But he might not be available tomorrow." "People like him never eat out." "What is it?" "I feel a bit feverish." "Maybe typhoid fever." "Slowly let go off the brake." "Sweetheart." "The hand brake." "Excuse me, Mr Examiner." "My sweetheart." "Come on, the driver." "Examiner." "Come, I have to talk to you." "But my driving licence." "It's urgent." "So is this." "My cousin Émile says..." "Is he your cousin?" "Bravo." "Why?" "Do you know him?" "By name." "Did he send you?" "I'm here because of him." "Sir, miss, there are only driving exams once every two weeks." "That driving licence can wait." "Or we can buy one." "Sir, I have a certificate." "And I have problems." "I say goodbye." "He's never like this." "I'm sorry." "Bad sweetheart." "You didn't even kiss me." "Who loves me very very much?" "Your sweetheart." "I changed your flowers." "Thank you." "Where's your cousin Émile?" "In Paris." "Do you need to talk to him?" "Very urgently." "Tonight, we're having dinner at our place." "The four of us." "In your house?" "Exactly." "Is your wife away?" "No, that's why we'll be four." "Does she know then?" "What?" "That I exist?" "Yes, since last night." "How did she take it?" "Not too badly, so far." "Does she understand we love each other?" "She doesn't understand anything." "She only knows you exist." "I prefer it this way." "I don't." "To make everything sound innocent I told her you're engaged to your cousin." "Sounds plausible, no?" "No, Émile's married." "You can't see that by looking at him." "He wears a wedding ring." "He can take it off." "No, his fingers are swollen." "Just a bit of sawing." "You want to cut off his finger?" "No, his ring." "Listen." "We're in a situation that I would call tragic." "When I came home yesterday..." "You can't refuse." "It's a matter of courtesy." "He told his wife that you saved his life during the war." "Which one?" "The real one." "Are there fake ones then?" "The one from '39 of course." "See?" "He's not old." "And intelligent." "He was a captain." "What were you?" "Sergeant 1st class, but with the Engineering Corps." "That's different." "We didn't even know the Zouaves existed." "Try to know tomorrow." "Because of his wife." "Pass me the pliers." "Well, what will it be?" "You're not refusing, are you?" "I don't know." "You didn't tell me Gaston was married." "That's bad." "Léopold was married too." "I didn't like that either." "Or his beard." "Really?" "I liked his beard." "Pass me that big thing." "A beard hides something." "The proof?" "Léopold." "A double life." "Gaston also leads a double life, but he does shave." "And what's wrong with married men?" "They're not more stupid than single men." "Yes, they are." "You can't refuse." "We have to have dinner with them." "It's about my future and Gaston's honour." "What does his honour mean to you?" "Less than my peace and quiet." "Pass me that monkey wrench." "That one there." "Your peace and quiet." "You should have thought of that earlier." "Didn't you pretend to be a family member of Gaston's?" "So why can't you have saved his life." "You actually will be doing that." "Why do I have to save a man I don't know?" "Leave me alone already." "What's wrong with you?" "Do you want me to tell Charlotte you went fishing?" "If it had been a lunch..." "I never go out at night." "What should I tell Charlotte?" "Car repairs out of town." "Would you rather make Gaston's wife unhappy?" "You're selfish." "Give me a break." "What if she finds out the truth because of you?" "What would she do?" "She'd want a divorce and you could marry Gaston." "Me?" "Marry?" "It's about time." "He doesn't want to." "Émile Dupuy." "Émile, a gentleman for you." "He's over there." "Sir?" "Gaston Prévost." "So you're Émile Dupuy, the cousin?" "Not only do you fish in my stream, you also plunder my house." "What kind of an Attila are you?" "Your cousin appealed to your conscience, to your heart basically to your humanity." "In vain." "You're made of steel, of stone in short, revolting." "Oh, come on..." "I have let a lot of things go, because I'm a good person." "Yes, a good person." "I raise my son, look after my old uncle although I won't inherit from him." "I made my way up myself." "I make my wife happy." "And your cousin, you know how good I am to her." "And vice versa." "You're immoral, I was warned about that." "And you're inflexible, so I'll be too." "Your wife doesn't know about your fishing activities." "Your angling." "I'll have to tell her." "I'm sorry, but I will." "Because you're a good person." "That doesn't mean I'm not honest." "I'll tell her everything." "She's entitled to that." "And your own wife isn't?" "Impossible." "My wife's a saint." "And the factory I run, belongs to her." "But your wife..." "She owns nothing." "And I made my way up myself, because I'm working." "And you've stopped me from doing that for five minutes already." "Good evening." "Come on, Mr Dupuy." "Let's stay calm and reasonable." "You're a good man." "I see it in your eyes." "Can't we help each other?" "Each other." "Sure." "In the meantime, pass me that wrench." "Here you go, dear friend." "Thank you." "Fascinating what you do." "Real manual work." "The intelligence of the fingers, the poetry of mechanics." "A lot can be said about it." "And a lot can be done." "Pass me that thing." "Dirty, isn't it?" "Excuse me..." "Hello." "Say hello." "Is Émile there or there?" "There." "How are you doing at school?" "Not well." "As long as you're in good health." "If you need me, I'll be there." "I admire your skill." "Émile, the boy only has an hour to lunch." "My wife..." "This gentleman's helping me a bit." "An old friend." "From the regiment." "But we're not on a first name basis, are we, Gaston?" "My son, Jacky." "Didn't I show you his picture?" "I recognise him." "And I saw you on the piano." "Piano?" "He's funny." "Pretty smart kid." "You have to wonder where he gets it." "Maybe that school isn't good for him." "Quickly finish with the gentleman." "I'll wait for you." "Tomorrow, dinner at my place or I'll talk to your wife." "You choose." "Why so formal suddenly?" "You choose." "Annette picks you up at 8." "She knows where it is." "And here's my card." "Oh, I've only got business cards left." "Wait a moment." "Charlotte, Gaston works with washing machines." "LEATHER AND HIDES" "He can give us a discount." "Can't you?" "You're lucky." "Living amongst washing machines." "My dream." "Thanks for the discount." "It's the least I could do." "Goodbye." "A nice man, isn't he?" "Very nice." "And so helpful." "The regiment creates a bond." "And loyalty." "You bet." "Aren't you hungry?" "Not really." "But it's fish." "That's why..." "I can't eat it." "Are you ill?" "No, but I don't feel well." "It happens." "Gautier called, all upset." "He has car problems." "You fixed it yesterday." "Yes, that one's working well." "But Gautier has another one." "It's not working." "Can't he take the other car?" "Yes, but he insists." "Nothing more whimsical than people with cars." "He called this morning and wants me to come tonight." "And I don't like it." "Ruining my evening like that." "And I wanted to have an early night." "Why don't you send Léon?" "Léon?" "He doesn't have the skill." "What a job." "If I had known when I was still in school." "What would you have done?" "Something else." "I could have." "Take it easy." "Eat your dinner." "Going out late at night." "That's fun at night." "What is?" "Fishing." "Why fishing?" "Shut up." "Don't forget the washing machine when you see your friend." "No, I won't." "Pasta, that has been a long time." "I waited for half an hour." "Lucky the driver was easy going." "Remember your ring." "It wasn't easy to smuggle my blue suit out." "Dear Charlotte." "She made me a sandwich, gave me my sweater." "And I didn't forget my shoes." "Ask the driver to stop at a big café." "Where they have a bathroom." "Do you want to wash?" "My suit." "I can't change in front of Gaston's door." "Why not in the car?" "Can I?" "When you're in a cab at night..." "They get dressed, they get undressed, they eat peanuts." "As long as they don't drop any ash and shells, I don't mind." "Good, you won't peek?" "I don't like that." "Could you turn around?" "Come on." "It's alright." "I don't want it to be stolen." "Can I take your coat?" "Would you follow me?" "Good evening." "Excuse me, darling." "Émile, old pal." "Make yourself at home." "Thanks, this place looks nice." "Miss, nice to meet you." "Miss Coindet, my wife." "Sir, let me look at the person who's responsible for my happiness." "Oh yes, without you I'd be a widow." "Without a doubt." "You have saved the best of all husbands." "Excuse me." "Germain, put the table here." "I'll pour myself." "Not a bad place." "Well..." "Yes, compared to my house." "Bigger, but less intimate." "That's true." "I'll make you a cocktail I invented myself." "You live in Lagny, I hear?" "My husband often goes there to fish." "The fresh air's good for him." "Before, he used to go to Isle-Adam, in the Oise." "But he doesn't like Isle-Adam anymore." "He goes to Lagny now." "What'll it be tomorrow?" "I'm very sorry." "It's alright." "Sit down." "I don't plan on leaving Lagny." "I enjoy it so much." "And at your age, it's not easy to change." "I'm confused." "He used to rave about Isle-Adam." "But they always want something new." "But let's not criticise angling." "Without what happened on Sunday, I wouldn't have met you." "One person's good luck is another person's bad luck, isn't it?" "The things coincidence can do..." "Come what may." "And were you there with your fiancée?" "No, with my son." "Oh, you have a son?" "He's seven." "Bravo, bravo." "Yes." "Excuse me?" "Bravo, bravo." "Dinner's been served." "Please follow me to the dining room." "Please, sir." "Engaged and a seven year old child?" "The war." "But she was in the resistance." "You don't spend 24 hours a day on that." "Sit down, miss." "Do you mind if our hero sits next to me?" "I'm so clumsy." "What's wrong with me today?" "It's alright." "Can I eat with my hands?" "Like during the war." "Remember, Gaston?" "In Chatellerault." "Tell us." "Later, this isn't the moment." "I wish I had my tools with me." "I'm used to them." "So you're a technical man?" "Yes, he runs a big garage." "Well, it's not that big." "And 'run'..." "Now that everybody has a car, mechanics are the future." "That reminds me of the tanks." "Remember, in Chatellerault?" "Yes, later." "During dessert." "Everything in due time." "Germain, serve the Alaska bomb." "Doesn't that remind you of something?" "Of what?" "The bomb." "The bomb?" "Boom, the bomb." "You're a bit slow..." "But the war..." "Yes, you seem not to understand in purpose." "You don't tell that story at the table." "Get up then." "Germain can serve in the living room." "Alright." "I'll try to tell it as well as I can." "June '40, Chatellerault." "My Zouaves occupied the left bank." "The right..." "No, the left bank." "Imagine a bridge." "But what a bridge..." "A bridge with two arcs." "Give me a hand, Émile." "Didn't you want to tell the story?" "He doesn't remember." "We had occupied the left bank." "My Zouaves and I." "Civilians fleeing in all directions." "Imagine the situation." "I looked at my Zouaves and within one second... you know me, Clémentine I had taken a decision." "I called some men and talked... to him." "And I said:" "Sergeant..." "Sergeant 1st class." "Sorry, chap." "No problem." "I'll help him, like I did back then." "Continue." "Where was I?" "Oh yes, I said:" "Sergeant 1st class, see that bridge there?" "We're going to defend that bridge." "He replied with his simple logic:" "captain, we're out of ammo." "We were rather tight." "We've got no ammunition, I said, but we do have tradition." "These barbarians are no match for our tradition." "The battle of Alma..." "In short I raised my men's morale." "We built a barricade with everything we could find." "What are you doing?" "The barricade." "And then, what did I see on the right bank?" "Émile, what did we see?" "Let me think..." "The Panzers." "But my decision had been made." "I said:" "Sergeant 1st class, we stand strong." "Zouaves don't give up." "And what did we suddenly see in the air?" "The Panzers." "The Luftwaffe." "Oh yes, stupid of me." "The Stukas were firing away." "The bullets were dancing on our helmets." "What's wrong?" "Then that bullet got me in the leg." "Oh alright." "Serve in the living room." "Where was I?" "The Luftwaffe." "Yes, the Luftwaffe shot me in the leg." "I was hit, defeated, beaten." "I looked around me, but all the Zouaves were gone." "Except for one." "One had stayed." "This one." "He's as simple as he's heroic." "He reminds me of Rostand's Flambaud." "Yes, alright." "And then enemy tanks roared over the bridge." "Was I going to be squashed?" "No." "In spite of the shower of bullets, good Émile threw himself on me and protected me with his body." "The first tank went just past us." "The caterpillar track was so close we had to shrink away." "Terrible." "And then?" "The tank stopped." "The commander looked at us and this fellow here looks the kraut straight in the eye and said..." "What did you say to the commander?" "I said: you won't get Alsace-Lorraine, because we'll always..." "Unbelievable, fantastic..." "I'm speechless with emotion." "I assure you..." "In the heat of the battle, you save who you can." "Why are you crying, my child?" "I thought you were dead." "Cheer up." "We went through hell, that's true but we got out." "It's only a bad memory now." "Better than the cheap plonk in the trenches, isn't it?" "To Sergeant 1st class Émile Dupuy." "Cap...captain." "What a battle, right?" "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." "And to think I didn't know you." "Come over again on Monday." "Oh well..." "Yes, I insist." "You have to tell us your adventures in the resistance." "I'd like to, but there's Charlotte." "Charlotte?" "That was my name in the resistance." "Fascinating." "And you don't even know everything." "What a funny man." "Do you know who he reminds me of?" "Hugo's Gavroche." "But more mature." "Yes, he certainly is." "Shouldn't we be leaving?" "Leaving?" "You're crazy, Annette." "Do you hear that, Gaston?" "A Zouave never leaves." "I'll have Germain call a cab." "A cab from the Marne or nothing at all." "Sit down, miss." "I'll serve you some ice cream." "You want to leave too, don't you?" "Émile, what are you doing?" "I'm getting changed." "Isn't our captain getting rid of us a bit fast?" "You're drunk." "Here, take this." "That's no reason to kick us out." "You won't get Alsace-Lorraine." "I want you." "You're coming home." "Now what are you doing?" "Leave that." "Hey, I'm an adult." "Émile, what's that?" "Is that milk?" "No this." "What did you think?" "My blue suit." "What was it doing on the floor?" "Who?" "Your suit." "Don't act like you're crazy." "My blue suit on the floor?" "Don't repeat what I say." "Answer." "I don't understand." "You came home drunk." "Yes, drunk." "But sweetheart." "You were tossing and turning all night." "And talking about Zouaves and Germans." "You were singing 'You won't get Alsace- Lorraine'." "I didn't get any sleep." "I dreamt about the war." "The war." "You never fought." "But can't I dream about it?" "And your blue suit on the floor?" "That's no dream." "I already know." "What?" "I walk in my sleep." "Runs in the family." "My father did it too." "That's all we needed, sleepwalking." "We'll discuss it later." "Half past eight." "You're late." "You said Saturday night." "Then Monday, then Tuesday and now this." "We thought it was just the distributor." "But the brake linings had to be replaced as well." "So we checked the valves to be safe." "And?" "Worn, gone, nothing left." "Damn." "That's what I said." "And now what?" "Come back tomorrow." "Émile, can you check my car?" "I'm very busy." "Can I count on you?" "I'll do my best." "Ah, there you are." "Hello." "You're just in time." "Come along to the pub." "What a night last night." "Charlotte found my blue suit on the floor." "And then Gaston and his drinks." "That's what I wanted to talk about." "He's nice, isn't he?" "I don't care." "After what he said about you?" "What was so special about that?" "Well..." "Chatellerault." "Your courage." "That you saved him." "I would have saved anybody." "You don't let people be run over by a tank." "You don't hold it against me, do you?" "Do you believe it yourself?" "That's what you get from lying." "But it's over now." "Tell Gaston that." "He can forget about Monday." "I have no memories of the resistance." "And if you think hard?" "Then even less." "Louis, two white wines." "No, lemon water for me." "You weren't always home during the occupation, were you?" "You took the subway and the bus." "You met Germans." "Of course." "Add a fight to the story." "No." "I'll get that fight at home." "Charlotte already thinks I sleepwalk and drink." "She'll think I'm lying." "I want to avoid that." "Look who's here." "Excuse me, miss." "You have to get that wiring for Belmont's car." "I'll pay for the two." "Three." "A white wine for me." "I'm coming." "I have to do some shopping." "Get in." "I'll get my jacket." "So it's a deal?" "On Monday we go to the library and Lise can recite her piece called 'Tentacle loves'." "Lise never could write." "Exactly." "And those hats she wears." "And then dinner at our place." "Gaston will be thrilled." "Give him a kiss from me." "Of course." "See you soon, darling." "Annie." "I forgot we're having a friend of Gaston's over on Monday." "A war hero." "I'll drive past to tell him." "Alright, we'll call." "What does the little lady want?" "The little lady wants to see the boss." "Is it about a job?" "Is it personal then?" "Exactly." "Come with me." "He's in the other building." "That pub there." "In my job, you can never leave the bar." "Neither can I." "Gentlemen, I'd like to talk to the owner of the garage." "That's me." "No." "I assure you." "Do you know a certain Émile Dupuy?" "Of course." "Wait a moment." "He's gone to buy wiring." "I'll go to his house." "Do you know his address?" "Number 14, I'll walk you there." "Please." "Hello, sir." "Excuse me." "I'm looking for Mr Dupuy." "Across the hall, madam." "Madam?" "Could you announce me?" "Announce you?" "To whom?" "To your boss." "My boss?" "Doesn't Mr Dupuy live here?" "There's also a Mr Dupuy on the third floor." "The one I mean is not very tall, blond and his face is rather..." "That one's mine." "What?" "He's engaged." "Mine's married." "To me." "You're his wife?" "Now I understand." "We're involved in something ugly." "I'm rather embarrassed..." "Please come in." "This gentleman isn't an assistant, but a hard worker a customer like you'll soon be." "Do you remember buying a Pacifique 54?" "Speak freely, sir." "Are you happy with it?" "Any complaints?" "Whether I'm happy?" "Damn." "When I see you, I think of the atomic bomb, the guillotine." "I'd feed your tongue to the fish." "And that fishing rod..." "In short, it was a pleasure." "...but you could also, as the gentleman said..." "What a guy." "Don't you understand?" "Your husband and that woman..." "That's impossible." "Annette lives it up and Émile's an honest man." "The proof: he's not rich." "There are so many liars." "Where did he say he was yesterday?" "Fixing a car." "Right, but he was at my place." "Champagne and war stories." "He never fought." "Gaston did." "He wasn't afraid of anything." "He learnt to fish to cheat on me." "How?" "Fishing is the best alibi." "When they want to escape from us, those monsters go fishing." "Émile doesn't." "Wait until he comes home with fish." "I've been eating fish on Monday for 20 years." "Yesterday, I had pike." "Then he's not as stupid as he looks." "Mine came home from Isle-Adam with a sea bream." "And I bought it." "I'll be going now, madam." "No, don't thank me." "Us women have to stand together." "And remember, fish is a give-away." "As a manner of speaking." "Here, enjoy." "I was already thinking you bought a new fishing rod." "Very funny." "I'm fed up with fishing." "I'm going to tell the truth." "To whom?" "To my wife." "No, Émile." "Listen." "Watch your feet." "Not without a warning." "Listen to me, Émile." "Charlotte, I didn't tell you the full truth about that repair job." "That's not working." "Charlotte, about that repair, I slightly twisted the truth." "That's it." "Slightly twisted." "That sounds good." "What do I owe you?" "50 francs." "Are you leaving?" "Yes, I've got it." "Bye, boss." "I've got it." "Slightly twisted." "Charlotte, I slightly twisted the truth." "Charlotte, I slightly twisted the truth." "We'll see." "Charlotte, I slightly truthed the twist." "I have to talk to you." "You know, I didn't fix a car last Sunday." "But I did go to Lagny." "When you hear why, you'll have a laugh." "Because you never guess why I went to Lagny." "Never." "To fish." "Just to fish, darling." "Don't touch me." "I don't want you to touch me." "Bastard." "Keep your dirty hands off me." "Fish." "With your friend Gaston, I bet." "Indeed." "Disgusting." "Private fishing water." "Yes, private for your dirty deeds, your shamelessness." "But darling..." "No." "Darling." "Now I know what happened to your phosphor." "And this could have continued for a long time." "Low-life." "I'm lucky I was warned." "For what?" "Fishing, everything." "I packed the suitcase." "Are you leaving?" "Me?" "That would be great." "Just kick your wife and kid out." "But you said..." "I packed your suitcase." "We're staying." "I'll be alright." "As cleaning lady, nanny, piano teacher." "Can you play?" "I can learn." "What are you blaming me for?" "The dinner, fishing, all lies." "Ask the boy." "Where is he anyway?" "Leave him out of it, will you?" "He only lies anyway." "When dad hits the town, a child grows up like a feral." "Go away." "Where do you want me to go?" "To one of your mistresses." "Choose one." "I'm going to experience homelessness." "What are you doing there?" "I was asleep." "What a night." "So Charlotte kicked you out." "We had an argument." "I couldn't sleep at home." "You must have told her, without any introduction." "I told you not to." "I'll let the boy start." "You clean up." "We've been betrayed, They know everything." "Clémentine's very upset." "I had to break up over the phone." "She was probably eavesdropping." "Besides, she called us two..." "Guess." "I'm not in the mood for riddles." "Two bastards." "There is some truth in that." "I didn't do anything wrong." "And you should have heard Charlotte." "Bastard, low-life." "You did talk back to her, I hope?" "You're still the man of the house." "You have to help me." "When you asked for help, I didn't hesitate." "I'm not hesitating, but the situation has changed." "When the ship sinks, it's every man for himself." "And I arranged for that washing machine." "As a goodbye gift." "Tell your cousin that." "Gaston." "Mr Prévost." "Captain." "He hung up." "Who was that?" "Nobody." "I called you on the internal line." "I wanted to see you, hear you." "Didn't you hear enough last night?" "Stop it." "I've been thinking." "I'm depressed, you're nervous..." "We're going on a holiday." "Italy, the lakes, Venice." "A second honeymoon." "Hello, Mr Gautier." "Yes, of course." "Hello, son." "Could you get me a packet of cigarettes?" "And check on Charlotte." "I was a bit rude yesterday." "As head of the family, you have to demand obedience." "My anger has subsided and I want to know if Charlotte's still angry." "And whether she's not sad." "I'll have a look, Mr Émile." "Émile, you're going on a trip." "To Lagny and back." "Gautier just called." "Car trouble." "It's the suspension." "You have to go and have a look." "Gautier with car trouble in Lagny." "Are you surprised?" "Not at all." "The hand of God the murderer returns to the crime scene." "It's my fate." "If you're tired, I'll go." "No, I'll go." "It's fate." "Good morning, daddy." "Isn't daddy here?" "No, he's doing a repair." "Go wash." "You're late." "What are you doing, Jacky?" "Nothing, mummy." "What's that?" "Daddy's things." "Has he been fishing?" "Really?" "Yes." "And those pikes?" "We caught them." "Where?" "In Lagny." "We first went to aunt Annette and then we went to the stream." "There was a man there..." "Oh, darling." "Is it you?" "They keep calling my doorbell." "It's for you." "We can't afford a washing machine." "I've got it, my washing machine." "Which washing machine?" "The washing machine." "For you, guys." "I'm going to give Émile a hug." "Put it there, please." "That's impossible." "The distributor the brake linings, the valves, and now the gearbox." "That's what caused the jolting." "Couldn't you see that earlier?" "We're not wizards." "And I'm not a millionaire." "That could cost 50,000 francs." "More, but don't worry." "Now that we've got it apart, I would have everything checked." "Do you think so?" "I think so." "I'd be without a car for days." "Take a cab." "That's cheaper." "Call me, so I don't come over for nothing." "If anybody asks, I'll be across the road." "Hey, boss." "Running from me?" "Why?" "Where is he?" "Who?" "Émile of course." "Hey gramps, did you see Émile?" "Only for a moment." "Where is he then?" "No idea." "Check the repair car." "I put him on the train." "Who?" "Émile." "My God, is he gone?" "He might jump out." "Don't exaggerate." "An intercity?" "No, the slow train to Lagny." "Without his fishing rod?" "Maybe he's got it with him." "No." "Maybe he has." "Listen, he has to fix Mr Gautier's car." "It's working again, but the shock absorbers are gone." "Wasn't it too much trouble to come?" "I'm used to it." "Pass me that wrench." "No, the other one." "No, the big one." "In our trade... yes, that one..." "we get to see the country." "Just like the Zouaves." "One moment you're here, the next you're there." "Today Lagny, tomorrow Pontoise." "And the next day, who knows." "Milan, Madrid, Chandernagor." "Always on the move." "Like the Zouaves." "I'd never have thought." "We don't advertise." "We go where we're needed." "But you do have a home?" "No, we sleep where we can." "Sometimes in a garage, on a bench." "My life's an adventure." "Duty comes before family." "And your wife?" "I trained her." "I said:" "Charlotte..." "Hey Charlotte." "How..." "When you're ready, You might want to go fishing." "Like Sunday." "Aren't you angry anymore?" "Angry?" "Why, darling?" "I already almost forgave you for fishing." "And when there's trust..." "Wouldn't you rather go home?" "No, you're here now anyway." "Today Lagny, tomorrow Chandernagor." "My wife, Mr Gautier." "Nice to meet you, madam." "My husband often mentions you." "In between travels." "Don't you?" "What did he tell you?" "Stories." "And the strangest thing is that they really happen." "We're waiting for you." "Come, Jacky." "What kind of idiot is that?" "You should have used the hand brake." "I'm sorry." "Are they biting?" "Hush, Charlotte." "I can see you know nothing about fishing." "Hush." "The net..."