"The #125 Gant-Lille-Roubaix-Tourcoing fast train is arriving on platform 2." "Please move back from the platform edge." "BODY OF MY ENEMY" "Cournai... 10-minute stop." "PAPER DISPOSAL" "Rene, look." "Keep calm." "A packet of Marlboros." "We will kill bastard murderers!" "What do I owe you?" "Ten francs seventy." "He didn't recognise you." "Does the Trade Hall on Moncey Street still exist?" "Sure does!" "To Moncey Street then." "Mine one or yours?" "Funniest one yet." "What if I told you about this family..." "Sorry?" "A few gags..." "My brother living in Paris rings any number when he's bored." "Asks for 'Your handsome' and inevitably gets the reply, 'Yes, your handsome'." "'So sit yourself down' he says." "What do you predict for Munich?" "I say it won't be a walk in the park." "Look out!" "On their turf, the Germans shouldn't be underestimated." "Sometimes even on ours." "A. Beaumont Liegard Hospital" "Is that new?" "New?" "Been a long time since you were here?" "Seven years." "I regret that the banning order wasn't removed from your sentence." "Understand that I'm saying this for your benefit." "Your return there isn't desirable." "Nor desired." "OK, so the Trade Hall's got two schools." "We either cut across town or take the ring road so you see what's new." "So which way then?" "Whichever way you like." "I'm getting off here." "Take my suitcase to the hotel and book me a room." "That's enough?" "..."Says the whale, hiding in the water."" "It's a good one, huh?" ""That's enough says the whale, hiding in the water."" "Even too much." "That's fine." "Keep the rest." "Which name do I book your room for?" "Leclercq!" "Wow!" "If only I was expecting this!" "I'm not disturbing you?" "No, not at all." "So come in." "This is amazing!" "I was talking about you to my wife a few days ago." "Yes, I got married." "We all do." "You know what it's like..." "No..." "Have a seat." "Have you had breakfast?" "The last tin dish." "Oh, of course!" "When did you get out?" "Right after the last tin dish." "You see, you rarely stay on." "Oh, of course..." "My wife's still asleep." "I'll wake her up..." "She'll be delighted." "Asleep..." "It is early..." "She has trouble falling asleep." "She's forced to take tablets." "She's highly-strung." "So inevitably, in the morning..." "I'm going to make two good coffees." "Nah, don't worry about it." "It won't take me long." "Was this idiot at my trial?" "All rise!" "Proceedings may begin." "Francois Leclercq, identity check." "Please confirm your birth on 18 November 1933 at Cournai." "You shaved your mustache, huh?" "Yeah, what do you think?" "What's my mustache to him?" "He hasn't changed." "...Better than before." "...Necessarily, or there's a mistake." "Not even a friend, a classmate." "Same class, different group." "On Sundays, we laughed at him in 'Miss Remington's arms." "That's what we called the typist his father took as second wife." "Son and step-mother embracing like fiances... in the majestic shadow of the Legal Department's Second-in-Command at the Deposit and Consignment Office." "He must be here to thump me, but why me?" "We weren't really friends." "I'll get through this with..." "Shit, 25 will do it." "It's ready, try it." "I buy it at the Coffee House." "They roast it themselves." "Francois..." "I wouldn't want you to be awkward with an old classmate." "Something to ask me?" "Yes." "Are you sleeping with her?" "Did you come just to ask me that?" "Oh yes!" "Here we go again!" "Well no, would you believe." "I wasn't dim." "Walking with her, I could tell you made fun of me." "Of course not!" "For the old days, she was very pretty, a little faded..." "I mean, pastel." "What can I say?" "I felt it was silly..." "But she wanted it that way." "To show she wasn't a farce." "That the son agreed." "That we were..." "That you were happy." "That's it." "Not that after Dad's death..." "both in the same room Doors closed..." "You can't always control your thoughts." "Right." "But don't think that..." "No nothing at all." "Then..." "She grew old..." "Slowly." "Always cared for her appearance." "Then one morning, while watering her plants Bam!" "Everything's changed now." "'Expansion', we're living at the American pace." "Life's changed, and people have too." "You won't recognise anything..." "Me neither." "Six months outside a neighbourhood, and you don't recognise it." "Expanding every day." "Would you believe the population has nearly doubled?" "Two times more idiots?" "..." "Seems impossible." "Anyway, that doesn't change anything since nothing ever does in this city which isn't a city but the temple to the textile industry's prosperity and grandeur." "In other places it's sugar, spinach, nougat, cars..." "Here it's textiles." "No one escapes it." "Living from and for the textile industry... until death." "A life sentence of textiles." "Textiles and soccer..." "Factory above, soccer below..." "The factory for money, the stadium for honor." "Young people wave banners, but not signs." "COJAC!" "COJAC!" "Hungarian soccer star Serge Cojac, at the nationals 16 times, transferred to local team for 500 mill. fr..." "Less than a strike costs." "We're not poor like Uruguay or Zaire, we know a penalty's worth in the polls, so we pay Cojac." "We can't be bastards because we're French champions." "'Is the accused guilty of Karine Lechard's murder?" " Yes." "Is the accused guilty of Serge Cojac s murder?" " Yes." "'Were Lechard and Cojac's murders committed with the aggravating circumstance of premeditation?" "No." "'Should the accused benefit from attenuating circumstances?" " Yes." "The court thus sentences you to ten years imprisonment." "The region's buggered off..." "Commerce Street's become an enormous window display, over flowing, eating up the street..." "The town's become wild..." "A gadgets trade fair with gaping mirror, steel, plexiglas doors and commanding slogans." "'Bargain', 'Clearance', 'Our prices will shatter'." "A way to sell off, chuck out, or get rid of things that serve no purpose, except being bought again." "GOAL, always cheapest!" "Thousands o tems available!" "GOAL, vehicle, hour free with 1200 franc purchase." "CHEAP" "A fragment of a lost world, I remember the stores you went into to make a purchase." "Bookshop" " Stationery" "Hello sir." "What are you after lad?" "I'd like a 500 draft book please" "I'd like three hard backs, one drawing book and coloring pencils." "Certainly miss." "And a pencil sharpener." "Very well miss." "I'll charge miss' account?" "Please." "Goodbye miss." "Sorry about that sonny, it was the Liegards' daughter." "That's when I started to hate, I think." "'Sonny'!" "Because of her priority, his casual... way of speaking to me." "To her, 'yes miss', 'certainly miss'..." "Later, much later, came justice when I slept with her." "I can remember the swans, the sloping lawn, the Willow's moist shadow, everything." "...Except myself." "I certainly didn't have this face because it was 12 years ago." "With a cluttered memory, when you try to see your old face, you see it with today's." "Am I at Miss Liegard's?" "Is she here?" "What's it about?" "I rather incidentally learn the house was for sale..." "If it's possible..." "What is it?" "It's about the house miss." "If you're from an agency, I'll tell you right now..." "Not at all." "Some friends are looking at property in the area..." "Since I heard you were selling..." "Maybe..." "I get the idea every year, in the wrong season." "But it disappears by Spring generally." "I'll show you around, it'll entertain me." "Would you prefer to start upstairs or downstairs?" "From the stairs." "Who pointed out that the house was for sale?" "A Dutch homosexual friend." "I don't know any." "Any Dutch...?" "This is your room...don't deny it, it resembles you." "Stand by the window, wrap yourself in curtains, it wouldn't change anything..." "This story of friends?" "I don't have any." "Well then?" "I came to see you." "There you have it, you've seen me." "It's useless continuing the tour." "...On the contrary, it's essential." "Can you imagine the servants' reaction?" "'Who was it'?" "'A crazy man'?" "'What did he want'?" "'To see me'." "'A satire'?" "'Maybe'." "'You must ring the police, and you do." "Then the local paper will describe you as a militant virgin." "Very well, we'll continue the tour..." "That's it, we pretend..." "Isn't pretending age-old?" "Me too... 'You and I do the same good when we wear our hearts on our sleeves!" "Don't remember?" "Charitable works..." "The work's called 'Hearts on our sleeves'." "It's about pretending to give to charity." "The manager should always be a textile industry son." "He's not learning to do good, he's learning to be boss." "Never give money, we're warned, because when you give the poor money They drink it." "So you do remember." "We'd give them vouchers." "For textiles." "I don't think you'd care to see the kitchen?" "Of course I would!" "If I bought it, I'd live here." "I'm sure this coal-powered stove dates back your grandmother." "Yes." "She made jam in large cooking pots." "And you'd stick labels on the jars - 'Anne-Claude', 'Currant'." "...Yes." "I'll be in front of this door at 11 o'clock tonight." "'And I'll be behind it waiting'." "Don't bet on it. 'Absolutely pleased to meet you'." "May I?" "Lucky I think of everything..." "If I'd been 3 minutes late, you would've worried." "Stubborn... as a mule." "Even funnier - you think I've come to let you in." "What do you want?" "A cup of tea?" "If there's nothing else." "Stubborn and bad-mannered!" "None at all." "But conscious, always where I should be." "I took the servants' stairs." "Yes, but you're in the wrong room..." "'Yes miss', 'We'll charge miss' account'." "Excuse me?" "We'll charge miss' account?" "Please." "I just had to sleep with her." "With that little girl come back from far away." "With that stuck-up woman, with miss." "You have to go." "Hey, do you hear me?" "You have to go." "It's 5am, the gardener will wake up soon." "He's crazy..." "There's a way out through the back." "If it's not too humiliating, walk by the pond..." "I'm always discreet...'The ghost between alcoves'." "Where do you live?" "Because tomorrow night..." "There won't be a tomorrow." "Right..." "Well, I don't understand." "Nothing to understand." "We slept together, it's 5am, the gardener's waking up, I'm going, that's it." "Oh dear!" "You're getting all worked up because of the gardener?" "Because of the whole thing." "It would be in Miss Liegard's free time that" "Mr Leclercq would be allowed to screw her." "Unfortunately, he has other commitments, as on other days." "Francois, your day, your time, I'll be there." "Surprised?" "Sure am." "You just don't know me that well yet." "I'm not at all proud." "I live at 25 Republic Street, fourth floor on the left." "It'll be a big change from here." "...Like it's one at my parents' place near Drapers Square" " Louis 13th on every floor..." "Except that your father is more like Louis 14th on his good days." "Dad, meet Francois Leclercq." "Welcome." "I'm always happy to meet my daughter's friends." "Pleased to meet you sir." "I'll leave him with you." "Senior manager Keifer..." "Prosecuting counsel Dorion..." "Our friend Gerard requested for, and obtained, 3 heads this year." "'It's not necessary to succeed to persevere'." "Mrs Keifer." "Mrs Dorion." "Mrs Verbruck." "And Victor Verbruck, who you surely know." "Let me introduce you to my old friend La Roche-Bernard outgoing MP, who's preparing us a marshal's re-election." "Upheld hands expressing that he's relying on your support." "Surprise support should the lad know who to go for." "Divergent opinions aside, I knew your father well, a fighter I hold in high regard." "Tell him so sometime." "I certainly will." "Do you play golf?" "No." "You should." "Certainly." "It trains in discipline, concentration and self-control." "Three qualities Gilberte had at birth." "Certainly." "I'm sure I'll convert you one day." "I've become obsessed." "I play 9 holes on the course every morning and a whole round in my living room in the evening." "I had this machine imported from the United States." "Only two in Europe I believe." "You'll see, it's captivating." "Depending on the drive, and the on-screen impact, the distance and approach to the hole are reproduced." "If humidifier and wind tunnel are included in the next model there won't be any point going to Deauville's course." "Yes!" "Here comes the Queen Mother." "Which one?" "Milan cup or feathered snake?" "Guess..." "Mr Francois Leclercq..." "Mrs La Roche-Bernard..." "Mum." "Gilberte told me so much that I recognised you as you came in." "Hilarious!" "Dinner is sewed, Madam." "You're hilarious!" "You didn't tell me your friend was so funny!" "Did I say something funny?" "You said you liked Brittany more than central France." "Funny?" "Don't worry, when Mum says something's hilarious, it means she didn't listen." "She knows, you'll see." "Space ships breakthrough time..." "That's why seasons don't exist." "why'd you say that?" "Yes Francois, why?" "Because it's an appealing topic." "But I have others..." "What do you think of pollution?" "Or whale culling in the Antarctic?" "Ladies and gentlemen, the whales will vanish!" "I can assure you that France has always scrupulously followed the Oslo Conventions." "When will the Norwegians?" "And the Soviets... with their factory ships?" "See?" "Well done." "Who's that?" "Who?" "Whale man." "Louis Dilolo, count of St-Prix an ambassador's son." "He's been offering his name, love and fortune at my feet for three years." "Should I be worried?" "No more than I should be about the young woman eating you up with her eyes." "Ask which one and I'll kick your shins." "I'm not asking." "Because you know." "Yes." "She said "I'm Gilberte's best Friend"." "It's encouraging..." "As long as it's true." "Marie-Adelaide DE Chantelou." "Her ancestor told the English to fire first at the Battle of Frontenoy." "Two ancestors guillotined, another in the colonial army, a marquise grandmother." "In short, what dreams are made of..." "Only dreams." "So you don't waste your time..." "I know my limits." "You two are irritating me, what can you possibly be telling each other?" "There are flowery words here, madam." "Quite right." "Frankly, if your Cojac wasn't Hungarian," "I'd involve him in my electoral campaign." "Gilbert, buy French next time." "With due respect, that Gypsy's goals carry more weight in the polls than your best speeches." "Leclercq, objectively..." "Coco, he's tricked you." "Soccer only interests politicians, children and ball manufacturers!" "She's hilarious!" "Do you think they know you come to my place every afternoon?" "Yes." "And so?" "So what?" "They don't care?" "Not at all!" "Lerclercq, a game of golf at 8am suit you?" "The day after sir, if you can." "I'm going to Paris tomorrow." "Wow, this is quite hilarious!" "I'm going there too... by train or by car?" "By train, madam." "In that case dear Francois, we'll travel together." "Unless it bothers you?" "Oh madam!" "And don't worry about your ticket." "Pierre, make two bookings instead of one for the 9.26 train." "Very well madam." "Where should I send your ticket to sir?" "I'll pick it." "What do you think you're doing?" "I forbid you!" "Let's not make a fuss over 3 francs!" "Not just 3 francs." "But if it's not 3 million, it's probably not considered here." "Or the bitch is setting me up..." "Asking yourself how you'll pay back the ticket, right?" "Right." "Send her two dozen roses." "Which is around four times the ticket's cost." "So I'll fill her hands with them." "You know, I'd love my hands filled with roses too." "Then you'll carry them to her." "Leclercq..." "Come better acquaint yourself with us, these women are itching to talk to you." "So tell me, do you ride horses?" "Francois bearing roses became the young ladies' Francois then blessed by the sea then tea cups porter." "Oh no!" "No!" "Leave us alone!" "Sometimes the textile industry gathers here, sometimes it recruits." "Without princely blood, I'd become the straight-thinking, integrated young man..." "The likely son-in-law." "Our friend here was wondering whether you're trying to woo my wife or daughter?" "You sir." "It's obvious." "That's what I'd call tact." "I've an idea for you." "Come see me at the factory when you're free during the week." "Tomorrow, late morning, between 11am and midday, 11:45am?" "There you are Leclercq mate, well and truly in the game." "We'd let him in the game, we'd adopted him." "But it wasn't long before he used his 'privilege', 'right' even, to open an establishment which has disgraced our city." "From then on, Francois Leclercq's decline was inevitable." "Licentious shows, pimping, prostitution... leading straight to the crime." "Leclerc discovers Serge Cojac in bed with his mistress Karine Lechard." "Are you going to maintain... that Miss Lechard wasn't your mistress?" "In moments like this that I measure how far I am from all that..." "The many doors, prison bars and platforms Knowing I'm in another world." "Francois Leclercq, you were asked a question." "Was Karine Lechard your mistress, yes or no?" "My mistress?" "We'd slept together a few times of course..." "But there's a world between that and 'mistress'..." "Jury please note that Francois Leclercq doesn't reply to this question." "Mr Leclercq." "Leclercq..." "Mr Leclercq, room 6, first floor." "We've taken your suitcase up." "Room 6's key isn't on the board." "Room service must've left it on the door again." "We have Portuguese staff at the moment, sometimes Cypriot, assuredly worse." "It's no big deal." "Leclercq." "Mr Leclercq." "Thanks for correcting me." "The right moment is always best." "What's more, I've a rather pleasant mission." "20,000 francs..." "At the start of the month at the address that you'll supply me with." "For six months." "What's the condition?" "You leave the city." "There's a great train for Paris at 2.30pm." "The ticket costs far less..." "Who should I thank?" "You're exaggerating a little..." "In more common terms, don't insist?" "Exactly." "Well I'm glad this is running smoothly." "I was worried you'd refuse the money." "You never know, nostalgia for the old days." "A head butt isn't a solution..." "No." "But it's a good idea!" "There's a young man in the lift, the 'nice' kind." "He must have fainted." "Very well sir, I'll deal with it." "Probably best to take him out through the basement." "Through the basement, very well sir." "Having lunch sir?" "No." "Bring me a sandwich." "Francois, share my sandwiches." "You haven't already eaten I hope." "Have a seat." "I worked out that work lunches took up 600 hours last year, nearly a month of my life." "Not any longer, now I eat sandwiches for lunch." "In a sandwich, chicken wings are best I say." "The pickles." "Help yourself..." "Well, what do you know?" "Your father's running in the elections." "It's absurd, right?" "Why?" "He'll never get in." "Why not?" "Listen mate, you're not going to ask 'why' to everything I ask you?" "Why not?" "You think my father hasn't much chance of winning - perfect." "There's no point going on about it." "It's because La Roche-Bernard is very worried." "He knows about our connections..." "our sentimental connections." "And that electoral campaigns become ferocious, especially in our times." "You know these people, well-to-do even, won't hesitate to drag each other in the mud." "And dragging your father in the mud would bother him." "My father won't be put out." "We know." "We've already had the opportunity to assess examples of his style." "'Endless independence'." "We're talking nonsense." "Isn't that the charm in independence?" "Listen Francois, your father has character like the rest of us." "La Roche-Bernard doesn't have any." "Another reason why I'm counting on you to dissuade your father." "No..." "This election means a lot to him." "I won't tell him anything." "We're all counting on you, Francois." "Then don't count any longer sir." "Leclercq!" "Leclercq!" "Leclercq!" "I'm no one's candidate." "My hands aren't tied to any party or promise." "I was simply born in this city and know it well." "A wise man once said; "The dual threats to society are order and disorder."" "I won't be either's candidate!" "I'd simply like to talk today about what I call 'unacceptable' and 'intolerable'." "Unacceptable, intolerable is that here, your bosses now own you!" "Literally." "Thieves to be forgiven!" "They built you cheap housing towers..." "for your well being?" "Not only yours!" "Through La Roche-Bernard's intervention, textile-owned Agruma cleared its lands selling them to another subsidiary, the real estate company Renova." "Everyone knows that the credit company Sofalex is the textile industry's mouthpiece." "Your mod cons have become your prison!" "On which names we know well can be read." "The Lepeur, Milavotte, Velolienne groups" " States within the State." "They're just the Liegard group's subsidiaries!" "I maintain that these groups serve Mr Liegard!" "...He's their boss!" "Now Mr La Roche-Bernard doesn't just disappear." "There's the Northern Joint Commission chairmanship he abandoned..." "A chairmanship here, a chairmanship there..." "Don't forget that while sewing textile interests, he only took on their club's leadership." "The way out I offer you, rather than demagogy or personal ambition..." "Traitor!" "Bastard!" "My dear opponent doesn't have to cow tow to the" "Liegard group since he's part of the family!" "Or soon will be." "His son's already at the lord's side." "...Earning a very nice salary!" "This is his pay slip!" "Agreeing with his father, Mr Leclercq got to know hard work his father's quite well paid after all..." " Let it go Francois." " Well done!" "Leave it be, Francois!" "Reckless!" "I answer to Gilberte!" "I see Mr Son-in-Law is fist fighting up there." "Preparing for the next strike, Right hand-to-be?" "Come in." "How do you feel Dad?" "I'm cold." "Surprisingly, the Queen Mother asked about you." "The Count of St-Prix was in the hot seat." "Yes, St-Prix..." "Remember Lolo?" "I must've met him at your parents'." "That's right." "We talked about him, and..." "various plans." "Mum said "By the way, how's Francois?"" "Just fine." "Why "by the way"?" "You were talking about Lolo and your mother said "By the way, how's Francois?"." "What've I got to do with Lolo?" "Look in my bag, there's a telegram." "It'd be nice of you to post it for me." "I won't post anything." "I'll phone it through." "I'd like you to read it first." "Mr St-Prix, French Embassy attache in Bonn." "The answer is yes, Gilberte."" "Yes to what?" "He asked me to marry him, so I'm replying." "It's the least I can do don't you think?" "I asked you to post this telegram..." "But it's also a way of saying don't post it." "You decide." "'To be or not to be Lolo." "Or return to Liegard  Sons." "Telegrams please miss." "Yes, that's right." "By the way, as you say here, how's your father?" "Mine's started to die..." "Slowly." "Hello miss, a telegram, yes." "To Mr St-Prix at the Bonn French Embassy." "Federal Republic of Germany, correct." "The answer is yes, signed Gilberte..." "Tell me, not that I really care..." "But I'd really like to know." "Did I matter to you for even one minute?" "Hello miss, another telegram." "To Miss Gilberte Liegard, Drapers Square." "Yes, in our fine city." "The text, "The answer is no," signed Francois." "The number you dialled is currently disconnected." "TRADE HALL" "A light, Mr Francois?" "What are you doing here?" "You've gone up the ranks?" "You could say that..." "And quite happy after everything that happened." "What's Oscar up to?" "Oscar, that's another story." "Did they cut off his phone, there's no answer?" "He lives in the classy area now, Victoria Tower." "But be warned, you're in for a shock." "That's expansion for you old chap." "Not really if you ask me." "VICTORIA TOWER duplexes  studios for rent" "What is it?" "Open LIP" "Can't you read the sign?" "Come back later." "For starters, I'm not dressed." "Who's there?" "The Commander." "What?" "Commander, it's you, bloody hell!" "Excuse the emotions Commander come in." "I think about you often." "You can't imagine how much you were missed!" "What a life!" "600 nights of partying." "Then..." "Then the day after, dear Oscar." "7 years, 2635 days after." "Looks like you're really into frills." "Well..." "No, no, I like it." "It's cost." "Yeah..." "It took a while." "Choosing each object and making the finishing touches." "Colour co-ordinating." "Especially when we're talking rosy colours." "But good job, she has taste." "Who?" "Your girlfriend." "But I don't have one." "And this?" "You're taking the mickey." "Is it true?" "Yes." "Don't worry Commander, my mindset hasn't shifted, I swear." "Drag queen!" "With those hands and feet!" "But Commander, this isn't my job." "I mostly see dominatrixes." "My clients are married men, executives, normal people..." "What is it?" "!" "Janine, it's me." "Janine..." "Didn't you see the sign - "Do not disturb"!" "They can be so dumb." "Or don't know English." "Well you have to remember Commander..." "After that affair, I had to reinvent myself, and quickly." "Into what?" "Bouncers aren't qualified." "You know, my first thought was to return home." "To the Charentes region." "So I went to see one of our old customers." "Little Marcel... at the travel agency." "I went to see him... because I thought he'd get me a cheaper ticket." "I swear!" "A beautiful love..." "Intense passion..." "He got me set up here." "It wasn't really Bolivia..." "Peru?" "What?" "Peru." "If you say so." "A Martini Jean like the good old days, Commander?" "Why not." "That's how it all started..." "Gradually, I changed my name, sex and even address." "You're not the only one." "What do you mean by that Commander?" "This strange craze for moving house..." "Di Massa has moved too." "Well..." "You seem to know what's going on..." "I didn't even know where he lived before, so..." "Well..." "I don't mean to kick you out Commander, but I have to get dressed." "I'm expecting a client at 2pm." "We're meant to watch the match on TV." "Eh!" "Which dress would you wear if you were me?" "Well, I'd wear the turquoise blue one." "With a white wide-brimmed hat." "Active colours." "Now you're back, Commander." "Terrific!" "Wit and good taste, everything!" "If only I could help you with Di Massa..." "Where would I fish that out?" "We barely ever spoke." "When he came to 'Number One' he didn't even look at me." "For him, I was just a bodyguard..." "You were his associate." "2000 square meters floor space, 20 million franc sound system, velvet everywhere, and I'm not even talking about equipment..." "No Parisian establishment, and I mean it, would be comparable." "Clients will come from Belgium, Germany, Holland." "Ours prices will be steep, but keep in mind that..." "When your club's called 'Number One', everything has to be Number One..." "The restaurant, the attractions the girls..." "The manager." "Especially the manager." "You understand you've got access to people that won't ever open the door to me even if it was a charity appeal?" "At the Number One, people will feel looked after by you." "They'll have fun, but in their own milieu." "Naturally, hostesses are handpicked..." "bilingual and everything." "Hostesses?" "You spoke about attractions, not hostesses." "Oh.. it's inevitable Mr Leclercq." "Absolutely inevitable." "Rather tell me where it ends." "You can't stop a client falling for an attractive woman." "It's inevitable." "Furthermore, you can't prevent this man from inquiring about her services..." "It's..." "It's inevitable." "Mr Di Massa, you call her a 'hostess', why not just say 'prostitute'?" "This is interesting..." "I was sure you'd say no." "I told them so." "Well you were wrong." "It's yes." "I'd even say that you couldn't have come at a better time." "This 'fine' city will finally be some fun." "We'll serve them vice off the menu!" "Come in gentlemen, leave your Sunday Mass clothes over there." "Santa, disgraced sons, cashed-up uncles, everyone in!" "I can see this shitty city bogged in the mud!" "Done, now I'm on war's construction site." "War's path." "If you say so." "All the same Commander, if you didn't know me, what'd be your reaction?" "I think I'd marry you." "Friday 2pm, 'Guest Soap'." "Who's this?" "A Somme region beetroot farmer." "'Thing'. 'Thing 2'. 'Little Thing'?" "The Hamelin Street chemist." "Eugene?" "Yes." "I hear you knew his wife before." "Sort of..." "Well sometime she comes along too." "Don't waste your time." "Your only help will be White Rabbit." "Which will be soon, as I'm expecting him tomorrow at 11.30am." "Tomorrow?" "So, drag nights start pretty early then." "At night, they're with their families." "The most sought-after time is 3pm, but 11.30am is a favourite." "Do I know White Rabbit?" "Not to drive you out Commander, but time's up." "Do I know him?" "Come around 11am tomorrow Commander." "I'm asking you if I know him." "You do." "I won't promise not to ruffle him up." "Ah I know you Commander, you ruffle up." "That's why I should be here, to tend the wounds." "If you fight, I'll be the one who cops it." "...Prodigious scorer." "The Germans are favorites, but the young Frenchmen haven't given up yet..." "With two minutes remaining, the Munich" "Bayeritsch and Cournai clubs are still at nil passes it to Richter, dodges Levet, shoots through on the right, GOAL!" "1- for the Munich Bayeritsch as Cournai's still in the lead..." "Italian referee Velozzi accords the" "French a shot 20 meters from the posts..." "..F.l. P.A.T. Luxury apartments, studios" "...And here's the equaliser!" "1-1!" "Who's this for?" "Mr Blum." "Change it." "Cojac!" "Cojac!" "Cojac!" "Cojac will win." "Crush them Cojac." "Say something that will calm them down." "Number One proudly presents in her French debut, international star Frida of Dusseldorf." "What do you think?" "Good things." "Well, I think it's mutual." "Francois, you're a magician!" "Where did you discover this Frida from Dusseldorf?" "You won't believe me." "In Dusseldorf." "What a wonder!" "A real fairy." "Out-of-reach unfortunately..." "A pure artist..." "Commander, the guy who's about to pop, he's asking for some Mexican thing..." "Mescla?" "Mescal." "If you say so." "Take him to the bridge for some air." "Teach him about Mexico's coasts." "Mr Leclercq, can a glass of champagne be offered to this beautiful artist?" "Certainly." "She'll join us in a moment." "Let Frida know Mr Blum is joining her:." "short, bad mannered and strong smelling." "I know!" "Should I also tell her about...?" "No, no." "Don't encourage him." "Professor!" "Good evening Francois." "The city's rife with rumor." "Apparently you handpicked a Westphalian gem?" "Even better, a treasure." "Cojac!" "Cojac!" "Hey, don't you think the crowd's enthusiasm is dragging on?" "What're they waiting for?" "For the god Cojac to come back to Earth." "He's in Karine's dressing room." "I might go shake them up." "No one shakes up Cojac." "No, but we can shake up Karine." "I'll go." "Mr Lombreux's been asking for you for a while." "My friend, I need advice, I've got some worries." "You're here to forget them Mr Lombreux." "Precisely the opposite." "Tomorrow's dear Arlette's birthday and I have no idea what to get her." "Roses." "They always go down well with a few poetry lines." "I hear you write quite well." "Two lines by Berlito..." "Besides, a dozen roses isn't easy..." "Just one." "You'll manage the poetry." "The rose that became Arlette's bonus." "And was passed from Airletter to Clarisse, then" "Tamara, Corizande, Lady Nan and finally Daisy." "He bought three roses in the morning, and if he could, we would've sold him 1500." "These socially and professionally important men, leading lights, were children in the end." "The children own the night." "Haggling, discussing in the daytime, dreaming in the night." "My empire of the night was a dream kingdom, inhabited by dream girls." "Then one night, the dream was shattered into pieces." "Yes?" "Come quickly, it's horrible." "...Five minutes into the second half..." "What are you doing there?" "As you can see, nothing." "Didn't you see the sign?" "But it's such a big one. 'No entry', it's clear." "Unless you're one of the engineers?" "Or prospective owners?" "No, the former owner." "Ah!" "So it was your supermarket?" "No, before the supermarket." "But before the supermarket, it was a..." "Well, I ran the..." "Ah, it was you!" "You knew my establishment?" "As if I had the means..." "But I didn't see you there..." "Bastard!" "Dirty animal!" "Bastard!" "We were good at yelling!" "You have to recognise what you did was bad especially just before the championships." "It was bad." "People weren't happy." "Mind you, soccer doesn't stir me up much." "I was more there to work." "'Scum'!" "'Bastard'!" "'Die'!" "Huh, they got their money's worth." "Who's they?" "Those guys, every week giving out 100 franc notes." "10,000 francs in the old currency, so we'd come scream and shout." "You must've taken them for vile words." "At the time, they didn't please much." "You would've laughed as I'm not used to protests." "Mind you, I'm with the union." "But politics, for me..." "I thought they gave out money for marching." "So the next month I showed up, and left with my pockets filled..." "Ah, one goal!" "It's probably the Krauts." "...Scoring his second goal this evening..." "You don't want to come listen?" "No thanks." "Speaking of soccer, I wanted to ask you a question." "You gunned down Cojac on the eve of the match against the Spanish." "Why?" "I'd bet on the Spanish." "I don't like losing." "...You'll see there, if spirits stay high..." "Mauve Peumey" "The Cournai striker's not letting us down." "We can still hope for an equaliser." "On the offensive against the Germans..." "They're playing intelligently." "It'll be in the bag if the morale remains high." "Extended time is obtained..." "The French are really pushing themselves, admirable Cournai players..." "No we don't stock that item sir, I'm sorry." "Leave I beg you." "It'll be dreadful if he sees you." "He hasn't forgiven." "Above all, don't go see her." "She's married, happy.." "She lives at 24 Felix Fort St 'Mrs Duquai'." "A German extricating the ball..." "Dear God!" "He throws it to the right..." "Francois!" "'Francois, come quickly, it's horrible'." "Mr Leclercq had been in his office for a long time..." "Before I came in to tell him I'd found Cojac and Karine's bodies." "How long had Mr Leclerq been in his office?" "I have no idea." "I don't know, half an hour..." "20 minutes." "Maybe 10, maybe 5?" "Maybe not at all?" "Jury members, assess the vagueness of this testimony, which seems inadmissible in any case." "Helene Mauve was the accused's mistress!" "Of course, another one!" "That's not true, absolutely not true!" "I was never his mistress." "Excuse me indeed." "The exact term would be undermistress." "How long have you known Francois Leclercq?" "...Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi..." "Well, come in." "I'm so happy to see you." "If only you knew..." "Since when...?" "This morning." "Why didn't you come straight away?" "I was worried I'd bother you." "You, bother me?" "How old's your fine little lady?" "She's two and a half." "Your mother told me about your marriage." "She was horrified, completely horrified." "She was still able to tell me you were happy." "It's true I hope?" "Yes." "He went to school with you." "Andre Ducquenne." "Doesn't ring a bell?" "He's a good guy, you know, really." "Surely." "Remember when I testified at your trial, when" "I said between you and I there wasn't ever..." "Anyway..." "That made them laugh a bit." "Well, Andre was the only one to believe to believe the unbelievable." "Yes." "Well, it was nice to see you again." "I'm going now." "You're leaving already?" "I'm only here for a little while." "One or two things to sort out." "Well, you..." "You don't need anything?" "No." "I just came to give you a kiss." "More like to forget..." "Reflect, my brothers, on these men who risk their eternal salvation for an animal pleasure... which apparently only lasts between thirty and forty seconds." "We had a good laugh about it." "Maybe just a few seconds, but a few seconds less of despair." "A few seconds meaning we finally counted for something." "It's thanks to these few seconds that had a new lease on life." "I don't know who you are young man, but since you're here, help me." "My pleasure, dear lady." "I was a friend of Marie-Adelaide." "I often came to see her." "Your voice seems familiar." "But from long ago." "Seven years." "Ah, it's you..." "Marie-Adelaide died three years ago." "A horse-riding accident." "You really don't want to get married?" "I'm too old." "I mean, too old for you." "Oh." "What if you teach me how to make love?" "Apparently older is better?" "First, we swim." "We'll see." "Francois, don't let go, I'm sinking." "Are you still seeing Gilberte?" "Then you're available?" "Watch your back hand, concentrate on how you're playing." "Francois, kiss me." "She always said, "when Francois comes, we'll go to town and I'll kiss him in front of everyone..."" ""...to annoy them."" "...These words still embarrass me even at my age." "At your age, and with your name madam, vulgar words become quotes." "Would you like to stay for lunch?" "I'd gladly accept madam, but sadly I can't." "I really can't." "What was that perfume called again?" "Aspodelle." "Ah yes, Aspodelle..." "In a pretty box from the Mauve Perfumery." "You see, I remember." "You liked this house didn't you?" "Yes." "I liked it a lot." "Are you looking for someone miss?" "Do this belong to you?" "If it did, I'd ask you what you're doing here." "I'm wandering." "What else can you do in this city?" "A month of wandering about..." "Cathedral, city library, palm grove, pottery exhibition, so..." "Now I'm seeing the gardens." "Are you wandering around too?" "As it were." "You could call it that." "Are you planning on wandering much longer?" "No." "Lucky." "I'm in the region for a six-week work placement." "I'm counting each day go by, like in jail." "You wouldn't know what it's like." "No, I don't." "Well, I can imagine." "What's your name?" "Samantha..." "I've got a silly name..." "Charlotte." "It's soft, what is it?" "Cashmere." "You're doing well then." "That would cost at least..." "But when I bought it, it wasn't that expensive." "Some buy gold, I buy cashmere." "I put it aside and wait for it to gain value." "Obviously, every now and then, you have to air them." "So every seven years, I bring them out." "It must be fun living with you." "We're going to leave Charlotte." "I've got time, I start at 3pm." "No, no, I mean really leave." "Leave this city." "I'll take you." "Ha!" "You're over the top!" "You don't waste time!" "I've already wasted a lot." "Two or three things to sort out, then I'll ring you." "2,0,8,2, 1,0." "Pick up your toys right now or you'll be sorry." "I swear, Janine..." "What?" "Janine in the..." "What's that?" "Could we imagine a better-suited couple?" "Having paid homage to your family my dear child, what more?" "Than to celebrate the striking merits of yours, Mr Count of St-Prix." "A father who well represents France in the world's capitals..." "A grandfather active in the Allied Victory..." "Your family tree bears famous names on its branches..." "Great Frenchmen, kind-hearted men, or great soldiers..." "I'm speaking on the entire city's behalf when I express my joy and pride before this union, which rejoices all fellow citizens." "What are you doing here?" "What are you waiting for?" "Untie me, bitch!" "Sure my Rabbit..." "Well don't mind us, huh!" "But I put the sign up, "Do not disturb"." "But not the lock." "Why didn't you?" "Rabbit dear, when you're here, I can't think straight." "We'll speak about that!" "You sure will, fat lizard!" "In the meantime, we'll talk about something else and you'll really cop it!" "If I may Commander, it's not by beating him up that..." "Are we talking to you?" "You won't have shattered dreams Mr Mayor." "Between your fantasies and legal risks, commemorative medals are at stake with this!" "If they turn out well, keep twelve aside for me." "You've been away a long time, my friend." "You missed May 68." "Things aren't the same any more." "You think you can shock the City Council with that I?" "You'll make them laugh." "Everyone knows." "Before, I'd to go to Paris, now I come here." "Even my wife knows." "It's true that things have really changed." "So as to show that absentees are always mistaken." "Sir, madam Wait a second." "You called?" "So maybe this thing bothers me..." "Just a little." "I'd like to help you, but just a little." "What do you want from me then?" "A name." "Who is Cojac and Karine's murderer?" "I said 'a little'." "And yet, it's my only question." "But I can put it differently." "Why did they kill them?" "My dear man, listen, 'When you're low on the ladder, ...'you don't go rummaging in higher drawers'." "Thanks." "So, Karine..." "How much for 5 cigars?" "50,000 francs, boss." "So cigars aren't boring you, huh?" "Not cigars, or scotch, champagne or everything else." "What's more, no one's here to be bored boss." "Exactly." "Give me a flask." "It's the first time I'll see you smoke a cigar." "Smoke it?" "I'll store it in the safe..." "Now that I know how much it's worth." "Karine, cigarettes." "Coming." "Helene?" "Yes?" "Tell Karine to come see me." "Sure, where?" "In my office." "You asked for me boss?" "What do you want?" "Bloody hell!" "That's enough!" "Explain yourself." "Not to you." "What's gotten into you?" "Into me?" "Into you!" "You've got to be kidding!" "Just a second, you never know who's kidding who." "Don't make believe you didn't know?" "It's been running since the club opened." "Practically the whole business!" "Jeez, like you just landed In the thick of it!" "But Mr Di Massa always said you were associates." "To me too." "Too late to get in on the deal?" "Huh?" "It's a legal expression Mr Blum taught me." "...For when your cut is left out." "What cut?" "I'll never get you to realise..." "Karine, you're so damn stupid!" "Not even stupid, idiotic." "That's probably what saves you, 'cause I should be firing you." "In the meantime, tell Mr. Di Massa the tobacconist has shut for stocktaking." "You surprised me Leclercq." "You too Di Massa." "...Very unpleasantly surprised." "Karine must continue, that's an order." "I don't give a damn about your orders." "She will not continue." "Alright, I'm at fault, I admit I should've let you know." "Will you accept my apology?" "You can't ask more of me?" "!" "Ah, so you want a cut of the earnings, huh?" "I don't give a damn about that." "I just don't want these sachets in my club." "I'm warning you, people won't be happy." "Not happy at all." "Who's 'they'?" "'Them'." "This isn't even for me..." "You wouldn't believe what I earn..." "A pittance." "It's shameful even." "I'm sorry." "If I can help you at all..." "You don't know what you're getting mixed up in.." "The Number One's a cash-making market." "And this market offers everything in this field..." "Then consider that rotting field quarantined." "I was brought up with simple ideas, see." "Well, if you like simple ideas..." "Another simple idea, that goes first to Di Massa's place." "Where is he?" "In the phone book." "If you want my opinion.." "Damn it!" "I knew it'd end up like this." "I'm not after your opinion, just his address." "But I don't know it!" "Do something!" "Yes my Rabbit..." "We can fight, break everything..." "End the night behind bars." "Lucky I think about your reputation." "You're attacking me!" "?" "When only I warned you, tried to save you!" "You've obviously forgotten when I tried to stop you welcoming Cojac." "If you'd followed my orders, nothing would've happened!" "An order?" "Mayor or not, I don't give a damn about your orders!" "Or about your match!" "I'll welcome Cojac myself." "Because it's my job." "And because this is my joint!" "Cojac!" "Cojac!" "Here comes the champion." "Hi." "Did they tell you about the photos?" "Make yourself at home." "Such a handsome creature isn't he?" "And they didn't want me to welcome him!" "He should be worried you'll tire him out." "If it's not me, it'll be his wife..." "'A man who screws his wife never tires." "It's well known." "Viva Dominguez!" "Viva Dominguez!" "Are they going to bother us all night?" "For as long as it takes to photograph their god Cojac..." "You know who's 'brilliant' idea this was?" "Not the Mayor in any case." "Mr Liegard in person!" "You won't wait for me?" "No, I'm heading off..." "You couldn't wish me good night?" "I could if we're quick." "As long as it's good..." "Number One proudly presents in her French debut, international star Frida of Dusseldorf." "Oscar?" "Yes Commander?" "Did you take my revolver?" "What would I do with it Commander?" "I use my strength." "Yes?" "Come quickly, it's horrible." "What is it?" "Just come, please!" "Cojac!" "Cojac!" "When Miss Lechard told me Leclercq forced her to sell drugs, she was all bruised." "I was outraged." "Admittedly I thought of myself..." "As I'd put in a lot of capital, I couldn't stop the drugs without being maligned." "Isn't it strange how the witness is dogged by misfortune each time he tries to yield a profit?" "Haven't you already been 'maligned' in pharmaceuticals scandal in Marseille?" "...Shutdown under my watch." "Please continue." "So then I met with Leclercq." "I have to say, I met with an overexcited, fiendish character." "I'm not sure whether he took drugs or not." "In any case, he always dealt harshly with me." "That's when I decided to contact the authorities." "I'd convinced Karine to testify the next day." "Then the next day..." "Dear God!" "Scumbag!" " Surprised?" " No." "The Prosecuting counsel would call it inevitable." "I refused to get involved in trafficking, so with that information, had to be eliminated..." "But what about Karine?" "So they kill her, with my revolver..." "And Cojac too, because he happens to be there." "It's well-timed!" "Killing the idol on the eve of the championships..." "I'm no longer just murderer, but monster!" "Mr Mayor, where are you in all this..." "between politics and the city?" "Who are you?" "The one who tried to prevent the worst from happening to you." "So you knew!" "No." "But I suspected something I wouldn't like was being planned against you." "That's why I rang you." "To order you not to welcome Cojac." "'Wade through money but not blood." "'They' didn't like that." "'They' were planning something against you." "'They'... 'them'!" "Bloody hell!" "Who?" "Don't try to find out..." "Remember your father..." "Now you're asking to be punched." "What about my father?" "Because he too took on a big fish." "...One way too big." "The same one maybe." "I saw them, they wanted to kill you!" "...I'm willing to testify." "No big deal." "Dad's fine, I don't see him that much you know." "Mum's the same as usual little dos within her circle." "And me, living like we all do." "...Tomorrow if you like, sure." "I'm sorry, I'll ring you back." "Are you by yourself?" "Yes Francois..." "Come..." "Picking up an old dance can stun you Using yesteryear's forgotten language." "We left each other without saying goodbye..." "After saying goodbye, we find ourselves together." "It's the last chance we'll knowingly give ourselves..." "Things are so much more simpler when love's out of the picture." "Pleasure becomes brief violent, complete." "Should we call it making love or undoing it?" "What about your husband?" "On assignment in Buenos Aires." "I left him 9 days after the marriage." "It took me 9 days to figure him out, everyone else knew already." "You could've..." "Well, your people don't divorce." "They do." "But his don't." "Lolo's useful to us." "Useful for what?" "With his name, title and fortune useful for everything." "We've been had Francois." "I'm not so sure about you." "Especially me." "I was one of them." "They've had enough time..." "When I realised I'd been the tribe's sacrifice, I fell a long way." "Me too." "But it took me 7 years to get back up." "One trap for you, one for me." "Hah!" "During the honeymoon, Lolo explained" "Peruvian art and I thought of you." "I wondered whether I'd have given all the Conquistadors' gold to be with you." "Surrounded by your light, your music, and your girls." "That's so money doesn't leave the family." "Interesting, go on..." "I'm getting warmer huh?" "Yes... go on." "At my 'pad'... there was me and Di Massa above me..." "Go on... elaborate..." "Above Di Massa is the Mayor..." "I know your father's at the top, but I don't want to skip anything..." "Then again, I won't go killing them all..." "Then take out Di Massa." "You'll have to testify to being with me all day." "All night too if you like." "That'll annoy them even more." "You're right, Lolo's useful." "Your testimony would be a top-notch guarantee..." "But one from the Foreign Affairs Ministry!" "Sure, but there's one problem." "Di Massa won't leave his hiding hole." "He will..." "As soon as he hears his master's voice." "Ring your father." "You're out of your mind, you ring at 7pm to invite us for dinner?" "I'll have you know I'm already invited for dinner, and an important one at that!" "What's she saying?" "She's crazy!" "Out of the question!" "What?" "...Oh." "OK." "Change of plans, we're having dinner at Gilberte's." "But..." "Listen, we're just going there first!" "You've got three witnesses now." "You could say thanks." " Jane, Jane..." " Madame." "There'll be four of us at dinner now." "You're telling me this now?" "!" "How do you expect me to manage?" "Hear that?" "Servants no more..." "I was just saying that to the manager yesterday!" "Good soup but no service!" "Between us Francois, tell me why I'm doing this?" "To hassle the maid!" "Glad to see you, son." "Berthe, ring Mrs Despres and tell her we've been held up." "I've been trying to reach her for an hour..." "Can you see the changes?" "Apart from the Japanese room, Gilberte's transformed everything!" "She's got a gift for gardens." "I'm talking about the city and the traffic we've had to get through!" "I'll have you move along faster..." "Is he doing it on purpose?" "Do you want me to rough him up?" "What news Francois?" "So who was right huh?" "I was sure you'd come back, back to the scene of Your childhood." "So here it is..." "First we'll eat, soon at that..." "Then we'll play a friendly game of Monopoly." "Monopoly?" "Or Canasta if you want." "Gilberte!" "You knew tonight's dinner was important but you made me come for a game!" "I'll be out during the game." "Though none of you will notice." "Let's be clear on this, you'll say I stayed with you until, say... 1am." "I'll agree when I know what you're up to." "Our friend is going to see Someone." "Someone I couldn't have seen as I never left your company." "This is all Javanese to me!" "Dad will translate for you." "First explain to me who it is?" "After some thought, we've focused on Di Massa." "Absolutely out of the question." "You have to choose." "Gilberte convinced me to content myself with Di Massa." "For a while in fact, it was leaning towards you." "Why me?" "Because it would be funny." "This is crazy!" "I swear I don't know this man." "What's his name again?" "Di Massa." "Raphael Di Massa." "You'll even tell me where he is." "Frankly Coco, he's seen through the fibbing." "What about a generous compensation, very generous even, accounting for the leap in gold prices?" "No thanks." "It was a nice offer though." "Why do think it's so popular?" "Hello, it's me..." "Where can I find Di Massa?" "Tonight, yes." "Because I need to know." "Thanks." "42 Alsace St, 4th floor..." "You're out of your mind!" "I wasn't expecting you to come to the station with flowers..." "But all the same..." "Why are you hiding like this?" "That's a good question." "Well then, find a good answer." "It's not the country air that brought you back." "By the time you get out, you've learn stupid things..." "Objectively Raphael, what constitutes a stupid thing exactly?" "If you're seeking to gun me down, they'll replace me you know." "If you want my opinion, they already have." "They wouldn't get rid of you if there weren't back-ups." "Who's they?" "Come now, 'them'..." "Don't remember any more?" "Not wondering how I got here?" "Who gave me your address?" "Mr Jean-Baptiste Liegard." "You went that high up?" "Getting interested now?" "Yes..." "I really am!" "In mire." "Why don't you ring too?" "Ring who?" "I don't know..." "The car people following me perhaps?" "You're not low on staff!" "Unbelievable..." "What mire!" "How do I know you won't kill me afterward?" "You'd prefer beforehand?" "It's me." "Me!" "Remember that target I've got you working on?" "Yes, a direct order." "No, no, he'll give us a promoter." "No, no way..." "Tomorrow morning." "Yes...at 8am he'll be on the golf course." "What life do you have?" "Things are different now, everyone has their own buggy." "You know the road by the golf course from the poplars, the green is 10 meters away." "That's it..." "That's it." "Sure is!" "Mum, it's your turn, play." "I've went around for nothing, I've forgotten..." "Hello Samantha, can I speak to Charlotte?" "It's you." "I didn't wake you?" "No, no, I was reading." "Do me a favour?" "Already?" "Use proper words." "OK." "What else?" "Don't have breakfast it's sewed on the train." "The 8.10am Express, platform 2." "Don't bring woolens either, we're going to the sunshine." "What a guy!" "Platform 2, the N125 fast train for Paris is about to depart, doors closing." "What a guy!" "So where are we going for sunshine?" "Guadeloupe or Zanzibar?" "Paris." "Apparently it's very sunny there." "In the morning glade I see My foe outstretched beneath the tree." " William Blake"