"Villa Amalia." " That house really interests you." " Yes." " For a burglary?" " Exactly." "Don't you recognize me?" "I recognize you." "Eliane." "Eliane Hidelstein." "True." " What?" " "True," that was my name before." "And you?" "I'm Georges." "Georges Roelh." "You were just a kid then." "Remember?" "In Brittany." "Are you okay?" "I drew a blank." " I've changed more than you." " "No," that's not it." "Maybe just a little bit." "You couldn't recognize me." "You were busy spying." ""True," I was spying." "On the man I live "with," Thomas." "Let's change the subject." "As you like." "A drink?" "Tea." "You're no longer." "Eliane Hidelstein?" "No." "Your new name?" "Ann Hidden." "Ann." "Double "n," no e." "My music name." "Still playing piano?" "It's my profession." "Do you compose?" "In a way." "I'm glad I found you again." "I feel like bread." "Sure." "With what?" "Just bread." "With butter and jam." "I have bread." "Butter from Brittany." "Ma doesn't like salted butter." "You live with your mother?" "Remember her?" ""Yes," of course." "She was like a fairy." "She died." "Eleven days ago." "I'm sorry." "It's not your fault." "It hasn't sunk in yet." "I came to put things in order." "I'm selling this house." "I don't like this town." "Isn't it miraculous?" "Meeting here in Choisy-Le-Roi like two ghosts." "Isn't Ma's tea is good?" "Delicious." "Was she still a great cook?" "Always." ""Remarried," then a widow again." "But she "cooked," even for herself." "It was crazy." "All "day," every day." "Ma was something." "Must you call me tu?" "I always called you tu." "It seems strange." "It'd be stranger if I stopped." "You're not "serious," Eliane." ""Ann-Eliane," I've known you forever." "True." "Do you miss your mother's cooking?" "Not really." "It was oppressive." "Now I can lose weight." "It's nearby." "You should come." "Great restaurants." "Eating alone is awful." "You can't imagine." "I've always enjoyed it." "Really?" "I hate it." "You eat so fast..." "Not me." "People stare." "True." "You often say true." ""Yes," true." "I dislike eating alone." "Will you join me?" "Good night." "I was worried sick." "I left you ten messages." "Concerned about me?" "Where were you?" "Shut up." "I'm leaving." "It's over." "What?" "We are going to break up." " Why?" " Think." "Why would we break up?" "There are no whys." "You're leaving." "Now." "It's late." "True..." "Look at me." "I don't see much anymore." " You love someone else?" " Do you?" "Are you asleep?" "Ann?" " I love you." " Get out!" "You can'tjust leave." "It's been 15 years." " We need to talk." " No point!" "You can'tjust start over!" "Am I waking you?" "Yes." "I'll call you back." "I'm abrupt." "Don't be upset." "I'm not." ""Georges," I wanted to tell you..." "I'm glad we met up again." "So am "I," Ann-Eliane." "You know?" "Georges..." "I'd like to "talk," for real." "Let's "talk," for real." "You do the talking." "I'm going to Brittany." "Next weekend." "To spend the Twelth Night with Mother." "I couldn't care less!" "Talk about yourself." "What's going on?" "I know you." "What's going on?" "Lmagine a front yard in Choisy." "A yard with a rose bush." "Further "on," a woman is waiting." "She gives you her lips." "You kiss her." "So that's it?" "It's nothing..." "What's there to do?" "Nothing." "Move out." "You have to leave." "It's my "apartment," my life." "Our life." "I love you." "Not that word..." "Or I'll go!" "You can't stop me from saying it." "I want to sell my apartment." "We'll fill out the paperwork." "...in your name." "Mrs?" "Georges..." "Mrs. Georges." " I quit." " Quit "what," Ann?" "Concerts." "Everything." "How can you?" "There's "Germany," England..." "The album too." "It's over." ""Hello," Mrs. Georges." "You're hard to find." "Your name's nowhere." "True..." "Come in." "Recent paintjob." "A year ago." "Good." "The insulation is up to par?" "Repainted and reinsulated last year." "I want it sold as fast as possible." "Selling fast is good." "...but you mustn't undersell." ""No," but fast." "Sales are down this time of year." "Can I sell the furniture as well?" "It's harder." "Better to sell separately." "Especially for the pianos." "I know that." "I want you to sell the rest." "How are you?" "No kisses." "I'm sick." "I will anyway." "Do you ride it?" "It was my friend's." "He died." "I'm sorry." "It's not your fault either." "When did it happen?" "Two years ago." "Did you really love him?" "I loved "him," period." "I loved him." "Can I use it?" "If you like." "This way." "Want to go out?" "The idea of eating with you." "...brought tears to my eyes." ""Silly," isn't it?" "I wasn't crying but I had tears." "You're very sentimental." "You think so?" "If it means I don't like eating "alone,"" "I guess I am." "Notjust Thomas." "I'm leaving everything." "I want a clean break." "Except from you." "I need you." " Why leave everything?" " I don't know." "To put an end to my former life." " You're a bit deranged." " "Yes," that's it." "I don't know how I'll go about it." "Be my only "friend," okay?" "Why?" "There are no whys!" "Keep the secret for me." "I love secrets." "Not secrets." "The secret." "Pain in the ass!" ""Yes," I'll keep the secret." " You okay?" " Yes!" "I made risotto." "I've eaten." "Excuse "me," I'm tired." "Come to England." "I'm going to London." "Back next Sunday." "You come back the 8th?" ""Yes," the 8th." "Come on Friday." " The 6th?" " "Yes," the 6th." "A short holiday." " No." " Why?" " I don't want to." " That's no answer." "And I can't." "Why can't you?" "I have too much to do." "Just for a weekend." "This may be the busiest week of my life." "Just a weekend!" "No." "You always say no." "True." "Is it because of... what I did?" "Not even." "From now "on," I'm saying no." ""Coffee," please." "Thanks." ""Ann," are you there?" "I said I quit everything." "Just cancel." "We'll work out the details." "I'll cover your losses." "Philippe?" "I'm sorry." "It's exactly what they're looking for." "They want to come visit." "Is tomorrow morning okay?" "No." "It has to be before the end of the week." "Tomorrow but not before 11 I sleep." "Perfect." "See you tomorrow." "Any restaurants nearby?" "No idea." "I'm hungry." "I'm very hungry." "You're not hungry?" "No." "I'm hungry." "I wish things could be like before." "I love "you," you know." " Look over there." " Look at me instead." "I feel "awful," you know." "I feel really awful." "Let's just go there." "Come "on," you can eat." "If they want "it," when can we close?" "The sales agreement?" "At the beginning of the month." "The 7th?" "The "7th," if you like." "We can discuss this with them." "They'll be here any minute." "Put them in my mailbox." "Here they are." "Mr. And Mrs. Dermal!" "Excuse me!" "It's not so easy." "That's not how it works." "How does it work?" "Large sums require notice." "Shall I close my account?" "They're "rules," madam." "Mademoiselle." "Two days notice on sums over 8000 euros." "Someone's waiting." "Five minutes." "Here's what we'll do." "I'll take 7000 now." "I'll leave enough for "taxes,"" "...advance "payments," direct debit..." "We'll do the math." "Right now?" "Isn't this a bank?" "For the rest I want a check." "I want to sell it." "Not driving well?" "It "is," but I want to sell it." "As fast as possible." "Why?" "Is it really your business?" "I found a job in the USA." "Lucky you!" "I don't know if I'm lucky." " Ajoint P.O. Box." " Will you pick up your mail?" "No." "Will your husband or spouse?" "No." "You have to fill out this form." "I have some questions." "Don't be uncomfortable." "Okay?" "Why uncomfortable?" "Can I put money in your bank account?" "I'd dislike that." "Not to help "you," but to hide." "An invisible account." "Okay." "Forget it." "I want to buy the small house from you." "To write my music." "I need a shack." "A hut." "A hut?" "You want it?" "Take it." "No need to buy it." "We'll see." "I'll redo it." "I'll fix it up." "I'll do it in the blink of an eye." "Go "on," be my guest." "This is all good news." "You never said." "You like it here?" ""No," not very much." "I have a secret." "Another?" "The same." "Promise you'll keep it." "Look into my eyes." "I'm selling my apartment." "You're not acting rashly?" "Because of what you saw?" "I couldn't care less." "I saw nothing... "Yes," you." "We're closing in a week." "And your guy..." "Does Thomas know?" ""No," he can't know." "No one can." "Just you." "No one knows you exist." "Not even my mother." "You'll leave me too..." "Yes." "I'll come back." "You're not nice." " True..." " "Yes," it is." "And your brand new hut?" "I'll come back." "You're crazy." "I'll have money but I want no address." "I need your account for my name to disappear." "I set up a joint P.O. Box in our names." "I used your name for my apartment." "I felt better." "You can have my name as well." "It's hard to vanish nowadays." "I wanted to go to New "York,"" "...but European airlines give Washington passenger lists." "Did you know?" "No." "With cell phones they can locate you." "So no cell." "No email address." "No credit cards." "Where will you go?" "Into space?" "Tangiers is a good place to vanish." "Then into the desert." "Lot of money." "I overpaid for the Steingraeber." "Really?" "Why?" "I admire your work." "We'll take all three on the 5th?" "I'd prefer right now." "You won't play anymore?" "I will." "Without your piano?" "With "others," or without." "Are you tired?" "This goes here." "I remembered." "Eliane?" "I'm here." "What's wrong?" "Are you not well?" "We're all meeting up tonight." " I'll say hi." " She's asleep." "She wasn't the queen." "Are you "okay," Mother?" "What are you doing?" "You want some coffee?" "I'm going." "I'll call you." ""Goodbye," Mother." "Here." "I'll go deposit it." "I'll need it for my trip." "Is Silvy doing okay?" "Why not go to Brittany?" "Out of the question." "Never." "What are you doing?" "What got into you?" "That was stupid of me." "You'll come back?" "Of course." "Forget that." "I want to cancel my service." "One new message." "Ann?" "You shut off the phones." "It's sunny in London." "I hate this city." "We'll never speak again." "I'm talking to myself." "You want me "dead," so I'm dead." "I've been stupid recently." "I was always stupid with you." "You unsettle me." "I don't know you." "I never "entered," I know." "You put on a lock." "The lock may be for you too." "I hope not." "Love you." "I'd offer you coffee but no machine." "No electricity either." "True." ""Here," it's not damaged." "So keep it." "You're leaving?" "Yes." "Where to?" "Just leaving." "Good for you." "Good "luck," ma'am." "Are you okay?" "I'm in "Tangiers," Georges." " Nice weather?" " Beautiful!" "I'm thinking of "you," Ann-Eliane." "Last station, please get off the bus." " Thanks." " Thanks." ""Passport," please." "Where are you going?" "Italy." "Thanks." " To you." " Thanks." " Thanks bye." " Bye Thanks." "How do you do." "It was my father's." "Now he's dead." "Why are you sad for my "father,"" "...signora?" "He lived his life." "He's my "father," not yours." "Cry for your own." "That's enough." " Are you French?" " Yes." "It's obvious." "That house..." "It's no longer a house." "Does it belong to you?" "It belongs to the mountain." "Get going now." "I have things to do!" "Aunty." "Aunty." "Go "away," signorina!" "Leave me in peace!" "Why are you speaking like this?" "Why scream?" "My father built the villa for his "sister," Amalia." "He really loved her." "But Amalia died." "He decided to live in it himself." "He lived with his grief until his death." "I didn't know." "I'm sorry." "You're not to blame for the death of my relatives." "You must feel lonely." ""Yes," very lonely." "Sometimes it scares me." "I want to cry." "But deep "down," I like it." "I think I'm happy." ""No," not you!" "When people are "happy," it scares me." "I found a house I want to rent." "I didn't know I could love a place so wholly." "And your hut?" "Later." "Come back "fast," Ann-Eliane." "We miss you." "Why don't you come?" "To Tangiers?" "No!" "To my island." "Are you okay?" ""Yes," so far so good." "Why don't you live here?" "It's a beautiful place." "Legs are for "bodies,"" "...and "memories," for hearts." "What's your "name," signorina?" "Ann." "My name is Amalia." "Like your mother?" "Like my "aunt," not my mother." "So you call me Amalia." "I'll call you Anna." "I have to ask my brother Filosseno." "...if he has the key." ""No," he'll have thrown it away." "I'm sure my father." "would have liked you a lot." "That's nice to hear." "You can't imagine." "Why?" "My father didn't love me." "Is your father dead?" "He left." "When I was little." "You have children?" "My God." "You'll understand." "...if I don't come visit you often." "So you agree?" "Carlo!" "Look!" "A woman!" "Do you need help?" "Signora!" "She's not moving?" "Signora!" "Signora!" "I have a cramp." "Carlo!" "She has a cramp." "Thank you." "I'm embarrassed." "It's absurd." "What got into me to swim out so far?" "What's your name?" "Giulia." "And yours?" "Carlo... "Charles," as you say." "It's funny but you both saved my life." "Who is it that owes us her life?" "Ann." "Anna." "You should rest up a bit." "Wine for everyone." "Where did you get that face?" "It comes from another world." "I'm cold." "Can we go inside?" "My father played in an orchestra in Romania." "He was my teacher until he left." "From the age of 4 to "6," we did 2 to 3 hours of piano a day." "My brother cried at the door so I'd come with him." "He hated music." "And then?" "I don't know." "I can't remember." "I sulked for a year after he left." "Don't speak French." "I understand nothing." "It's too strange a language." "And then?" "Nicolas died." " Nicolas?" " My little brother." "And then life life went "on," as before." "My mother saw that..." "I was composing constantly." "Always jotting down "melodies,"" ""music," hymns..." "She encouraged me." "Why am I telling you this?" "We saved your "life," right?" "True!" "On vacation with your family?" "No." "Not on vacation?" "No." "And no family." "It's not bad not having one." "It's ideal." "Have you been together long?" "We're no longer together." "I don't love him anymore." "And we don't sleep together." "It's too intimate to be seen "asleep," isn't it?" "Yes." "I found a place." "A place of my own." "Want to see?" "Ok!" "Are you coming?" "Dead to the world." "Eliane?" "This really isn't Tangiers." "Hard to find?" "I could have used a sherpa." "What is this place?" "Whatever you want." "There's a girl..." ""Yes," Guilia." "Can I get settled?" "Go on." "Make yourself at home." "What are you up to?" "Come out of hiding." " Bye" " Bye."