"GIRLS IN DISTRESS" "After the separation, who was granted custody of the child?" "A surprising decision:" "Monsieur Tarrant." "How did he repay this trust?" "What did he do with his beloved daughter?" "The very same day he put the girl in boarding school." "I advised my client to do so." "He had to work fulltime, because Madame Tarrant had squandered all his money." "It's not Madame Tarrant's fault that her husband was unlucky in business." "Little Denise was torn from her mother's arms!" "A mother who loved her." "I have not the slightest doubt." "To take care of her daughter, she only asked for 10,000 francs per month." "You have no right to separate a mother from her daughter!" "It was Madame Tarrant who left her daughter." "If Monsieur Tarrant had not been there who would have provided a roof for this child?" "And above all, get my check to me as soon as possible this month." "I need money." "Mama!" "I haven't seen you for 3 weeks!" "Denise!" "I didn't know you were here." "It's too bad, but I have to go at once." "I'll see you soon, dear." "You're divorced?" "Yes." "Come on, let's go home." "No, I can't take you back home - there's no one to take care of you." "I don't need anyone - I'll take care of you!" "I learned to cook at school, I can cook for us" "Papa, don't leave me alone!" "What nonsense, Denise!" "At school you have cooks helping you." "You'll burn the supper, and your poor papa will die of hunger." "Come now, you'll go quietly back to school." "I hate him!" "Hate him!" "I'll come see you tomorrow." "I prefer criminal cases;" "they're more fun." "Pretty divorcées have their charms." " You have something for me?" " You remember the dinner this evening?" " What dinner?" " The Law Society." "Oh, I completely forgot!" "I must call my wife." ""O noble Cretans, I am unworthy to command you!" ""The oracle we have heard states that the race of Minos will cease to rule..."" "Miss Jacqueline - it's your father, asking for Madame." "Thank you, Ernestine." "Hello?" "No, it's me, Papa." "Mama just called to say she wouldn't be home for dinner." "You can't either?" "Oh, big surprise!" "Oh, nothing, Papa." "I'm doing my Fenelon homework." "Yes." "Now you have to be here." "Don't forget, it's my birthday." " Should I set the table?" " Not in the dining room." "The Princess will dine alone in her dungeon." "That's a bit of luck!" "Georges is free and has his boss's car too." "We'll go out." " You're going out on the town?" " Yes, to the Big Bad Wolf." " What's that?" " A really cool nightclub." " But not for young ladies like you." " Why?" "Come with us...you'll see." "What a great idea!" "But what will my parents say?" "Not a thing - they're never here." "Yes, but they will be - it's my birthday." "All three of us are going out together." "Do you believe in Santa Claus too?" "...but the diaphragm nearly gave way." "It's always the same story." "The director's handwriting." "Morelle, you'll know why in a moment." " The iron lung!" " What about it?" ""I am in favor of obtaining the necessary funds."" "We're going to get it, Morelle!" "Thanks to you." " What about my dress?" " It's here." "Fantastic!" ""From Papa"" "It's beautiful!" "Yes, very pretty." "It's just that Papa's forgotten that he gave me one just like it last year." "What do you think?" "It reminds me of Awards Day at school." "When I think that Mama ordered it" "Yes, but over the phone." "I'm sick of dressing like a little girl!" "I'm sixteen!" "The girls on the 4th floor are the same age as you, and they wear silk dresses!" "I'll say no more." "If we lowered the neckline a little?" "No!" "I don't want to get involved." "I got in trouble with Madame for adding a feather to your hat." "Fine, I'll do it myself." " Is Madame at home?" " No, sir." "But Miss Jacqueline is waiting for you." "What's this nonsense?" " How do you like my dress?" " Marvellous!" "Save it for the living room;" "a better setting for these outbursts." "Hold on!" "Hurrah for Jacquot's 15th year!" "Oh, Papa" " I'm 16!" " You're sure?" " Absolutely." "Let me weigh you." " Yes, you weigh 16 years." " Is that heavy?" "Very light for you, but very heavy for a father." "It's true, you are 16!" "I didn't notice." "At 15 you were still a little girl." "Now you're a young lady piling up the compliments." " Hello, Jacques." " Hello, Marthe." "Oh, Jacqueline, I was thinking about you all day." "What happened to your dress?" "It's hideous." "You couldn't go to the dressmaker, so..." "Never mind, dear, I'll take care of it at once." "Unfortunately I can't go with you to the theater." "I have to go back to the hospital." "How tiresome, I was counting on you." "I have to see the Minister." "So this is just going to be a regular day?" "But you promised!" "I'm sorry, but it's the Justice Minister." "I don't care about your Justice Minister and you can tell him I said so!" "It's unforgivable not to be here on her birthday." "But they're waiting for me, and it's an emergency." "You see the Minister all the time, you should be able to get off." "I don't go for my own amusement!" "Well, I have to do my job, even if Jacqueline isn't happy about it." "Come on now." "Oh, don't look like that!" "You can't be that unhappy." "You don't love me, either of you!" "I'm nothing" " I don't count!" "Jacqueline, you're a big girl now." "You must understand I can't abandon a baby about to be born." "But why does that baby have to be born the same day as me?" "And your Minister, Papa." "He was born a long time ago - he doesn't need you." "You can't understand." "I understand I'm not a little girl to be put to bed at 8:00 and left alone." "I was really stupid not to go to The Big Bad Wolf." " The Big Bad Wolf?" " What's that?" "Yes, with Ernestine and Georges." " Who's Georges?" " Her boyfriend." "I want to talk to you." "When will they talk to me?" "O noble Cretans, I'm back." "I absolutely want to fire Ernestine." "And hire someone else to replace her?" "Do you know what Jacqueline needs?" " No, what?" " Us." " She has us." " Oh, like your clients and my patients!" "Yes, but unfortunately your patients can't do with you and I can't do without my clients." " I see only one solution." " What?" "Send Jacqueline to boarding school." "Can they go directly from childhood bedroom into the heart of society?" "No, no." "There is a transition." "There's a time when girls can no longer cling to their mother's skirts." "Especially if they're silk skirts." "Or a doctor's uniform." "As for our scholarly precepts, I can hardly boast of them to a doctor!" "Not at all, Madame." "My decision to enroll Jacqueline, is because in the course of my visits I've appreciated the rare merits of your establishment." "You are very kind, Doctor." "You'll see, you'll be very happy here." "You'll have very nice friends." "Yes, but I won't have you or papa." "At home, at least I'd see you from time to time." "It didn't seem like much, but now it'll seem like luxury." "But you're not leaving - we'll see each other often." "At first it'll be hard, perhaps more for us than you." "My dear, Mademoiselle Jeanne will take you to your room." "You'll share it with one of our most charming girls, Marguerite Montbleu." "Please take Jacqueline to her room, and help her to settle in." "Yes, Madame." "Goodbye, Jacquot." "The second Thursday of each month is Visitors Day." "Here is your room." "Simple, neat and graceful, just as you should be my dear." "Make yourself at home." "I'll go see if your uniform is ready." " Are you hurt?" " No, it's nothing." " I never have any luck!" " I'd say I'm the unlucky one!" "I so wanted to make a good impression." "Well, it looks like you did!" " Are you Margot?" " Yes." " Mademoiselle Jeanne brought you?" " Yes." "Here is our room, simple neat and graceful, as you should be yourselves, my dears." " Your parents?" " Yes." "They're nice." "What does your father do?" "Don't tell me, let me guess." " He's a doctor." " No, that's mama." " What's mama?" " A doctor." "You're mother's a doctor?" "That's a hoot!" "Why?" "Your mother doesn't work?" "Yes...no..." "I mean, if she had a choice it would be quite different.." "How funny to set them up like that!" " Aren't they divorced?" " No!" "Most of the parents here are divorced." " Yours too?" " I never knew my father." "There's a new girl in the upper class." " How do you know?" " I've seen her too." " Is she nice?" " Not bad." "Her name's Jacqueline Presle." "Presle?" "I know a man named Presle;" "a nasty piece of work." "Ladies!" "Yvette, stand up straight." "What is the meaning of this hairdo?" "It's the latest style of the Divine One, Madame." " The Divine One?" " Greta Garbo!" "You will kindly change that hairdo at once." "Use your teacher's hair as a model." "Ah, Jacqueline." "Here you are in the midst of your new classmates." "Mademoiselle Jeanne, please see to it that her belt is straight." "Posture, my dear, posture!" "Remember:" "In trouble, deportment." "In happiness, deportment." "What happened to your nose, Sonia?" "Did you scratch it?" "I fell down, Madame." "One must never fall down!" "It's Presle?" "You're sure?" "It's not the sort of thing I'd make up." "If it's Presle the lawyer, he's the one who divorced my parents." "Mine too." "Yes, but we have to be sure it's the right one." "There must be hundreds of Presles." "We'll look in the Paris phonebook for the address of "Presle-lawyer"." "Then we'll ask Jacqueline where she lives, and if it's the same" "Right!" "Fantastic!" "You play very well." "I've had practice." "Where do you live in Paris?" " Boulevard St. Germain." " What number?" " 42." "Why?" " Is your father's name Jacques?" "Yes." "Do you know him?" "By reputation." "Come on." "Don't talk to her." "Why?" "She's nice." "My father is a riding instructor." "Not as rich as yours but at least he's in an honest job." "My father too - he's a lawyer." "There are lawyers and then there are lawyers." " What do you mean?" " I'll tell you some time." "Right now." "You've started this, now finish it." "What do you have against her?" "That's enough, girls, it's bedtime." "Why get yourself worked up because of that nonsense?" "I don't understand it." "When you see their parents you'll understand." "What's odd about them?" "You'll see!" "And why are they insulting Papa?" "Don't hold it against her." "She's unhappy." "I won't." "Goodnight, Mama." "Goodnight, Papa." " Goodnight, Jacqueline." " Goodnight, Margot." " Hey, Jacqueline." " What?" "Tomorrow morning we'll be best friends, OK?" "Sure!" "You may study until noon, girls." ""Down with Jacqueline Presle!"" "Stop!" "Can't you do anything but hurl insults?" "We have nothing else to say to you." "You owe me an explanation." "Don't you know what sort of law your father specializes in?" " No." " Well we do." "Your father handled my parents' divorce." " And mine!" " And mine!" "And lots of others." "You're completely ridiculous!" "It's his job." "That's it?" "Is it my father who made your parents get a divorce?" "He didn't do anything to prevent it." " What about you?" " As if anyone would listen to us." "So you didn't do anything." "And you think it's surprising a stranger would fail when you didn't even try." "All you do is throw stones at the judges and lawyers and their families." "You have a funny idea of justice." "Well, I won't bother you anymore." "I'm going to my room." "That's not very cool." "Denise, she's right." "You're wonderful, Jacqueline!" "I've never had a friend like you!" " I can't wait for Mama to meet you." " Me too." "We have to wait until Thursday." "Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; 5 days!" "Quick!" "They've started." "Hurry, I want to see everything." "A perfect spot to watch." "That's Thérèse's father." " He comes every Thursday." " And her mother?" "She comes at the end to avoid him." " What a pretty donkey!" " It's not a donkey, it's a zebra!" " A zebra!" " Yes, it's much rarer." "Look, it's Bluebeard." "I won!" "Paulette's father." "He brings a new girl every time." "We have a bet going whether she'll be brunette, blonde or a redhead." "May I introduce my fiancée?" "My goodness!" "It's our little Vivianne!" "My dear, you've forgotten your old teachers." "How could I forget the school?" "It's where I met my fiancé!" "I'm absolutely delighted!" "Come on!" "There's your father." "Leave me alone!" "Why does he have to bring them all along?" "We going to be married next week." "Here's the wedding notice - you can look at it." "Elmar has a lot of titles, all Norwegian." "I wonder if we should include them all." "What do you think?" "I don't know, Mama." "Oh, here's your father!" "What luck!" "We were in the neighbourhood, and Barbara wouldn't miss it." "She's always thinking of you." "We're going to the chateau I want to buy." "Marvellous, Amélie." "Everything old, just the way I like it." "Would you like to have an antique bedroom?" " Yes, ma'am." " Call me Mama!" "Oh, do you mind?" " We do everything in a modern style." " I can't stand old stuff." "Makes me sick." "Amélie, your room is built to look like a ship's cabin." "Isn't it amusing?" "When you come, it'll be like being on a cruise." "As long as you don't get seasick." "Well, Amélie, what a crowd!" "Two mothers, two fathers." "Yes." "And one daughter alone in the middle." " It was the only one in the whole store." " Mama!" "Hello, dear." "For once, we agree on something." "You absolutely never check with me." "I hope I never see you again." "Well, you will tomorrow." "Oh, please." "Don't be stupid, I'm not meeting with you." "But you insisted on it." "It's the arbitration." "Is that tomorrow?" "Well, it'll be good to get it over with." "It shouldn't take long." "Just time enough to say Yes or No." "That's true." "It's faster to say No." "Oh, yes!" "A policeman came by the house looking for you." "I think they want to conscript you." "Not much fun for you, eh?" "Hello darling!" " Aren't you going to say hello?" " Of course." "How are you?" " Oh, you've grown!" "Hasn't she?" " Oh, yes, yes." " That's Yvette's mother." " And that's her brother?" " No, it's her father." " What?" "The new one, of course." "There's Mrs. Brissage." "I'm going to say hello." "You stay here." "Yes..." "It's true...you've grown." "No doubt about it...you've grown." "Shall we have a nice chat?" "Well...are your studies going well?" "I remember mine." " And that little jade green tunic?" " Gorgeous - the hit of the season!" "I'm dying to get one - what do you think?" "It's not that new;" "Countess Glikov wore it at Toquet." "Countess Glikov?" "That one with the tiny little nose?" " It isn't hers." " What?" "She had it done by Dr. Pilaine." "Her own nose was huge!" "You didn't know?" "Everyone in Paris knows." " Well, he botched it." " It's minuscule." "She wanted to kill herself after." "Don't you think it was because of Dorenne?" " Just what are you insinuating?" " Nothing, my dear." "You know I was seeing Dorenne." "Really?" "I didn't know." "But my compliments - he's charming." " Robert is also charming." " Yes." "Did your mother tell you about the weekend?" " Do you like racing?" " I love it!" "Dancing?" "The sea?" "Tennis?" "Fishing?" "Golf?" "Riding?" "What's got into him?" "He never asks questions." "Thanks to her mother, Yvette always gets the best flowers." "These reunions are genuinely touching." "Don't you think we're a little low on sandwiches?" "Oh, Mademoiselle Jeanne - sandwiches!" "Jacques?" "Yes, I'm leaving now." "Don't be impatient." "You bought the flowers for Jacquot?" "Just a moment." "What is it?" " Number 7 is hemorrhaging." " Prepare a transfusion, I'm coming." "I can't come, one of my patients is seriously ill." "Give her a kiss from me." "You remember little Mich." "Give him a kiss - he's your brother now." "He's not my brother!" "He's Michel Mortier." "Yes, but he's also your brother now." "It's true" " Papa told me too." "That's funny." "I didn't know you could get a brother like that." "I remember Yvette one time." "Her mother introduced her to her uncle, who's 16!" "Madame, it seems to me you should come to see Alice more often." "I put her in boarding school because I don't have time to look after her." "Don't the children have everything they need here?" "We do all we can for them, Madame." "We even try to make them forget the absence of their parents." " At Alice's age" " Excuse me, I see Madame Vuilliard." "I have to ask her advice about a boys' school." "Well, did your Mama bring you something?" "Yes - a little brother." "Mama!" "And tomorrow don't do anything stupid!" "I want to get on with my life!" " Your parents haven't come?" " Not yet." "What about yours?" "Oh, I'm not expecting anyone." "My mother has remarried and lives abroad, and my father can't come Thursdays." "It's his busiest day." " Poor Antoinette!" " Oh, I'm not the only one." "Little Sonia" " Thursdays are a sad day for her." "Look." "She keeps watching." " You're not wiping them away?" " What?" "Your tears." "I like them." "They taste like the sea." "At my age I don't cry anymore." "You're sure your mama will come?" "I'm always sure." "And I wait all afternoon." "As soon as the door opens, I think it's her." "And tomorrow I'll get a card." " Do you know what I have, Mama?" " What?" ""A Triumph for Pola D'Ivry"" ""Never has Pola D'Ivry sung with such grace..."" "How did you get those articles?" "With cunning, daring and scissors." "But you won't show that to anyone?" "No." "Though it costs me a lot." "There are times when I want to shout to everyone "Mama is a great artist!" "Mama is famous!"" "That's excellent publicity for you, but not for me." " You're so young, Mama." " Yes, but you're too old." "My dear sir, what a pleasant surprise!" " Such a pleasure to have you here!" " The pleasure is all mine." "How nice of you to say so." "Papa!" "Finally!" "Excuse me." " Where's Mama?" " As we were leaving she was called away." "She's sorry and said to give you a kiss from her." "It's funny" " I know a lot of people here." " Oh, Papa, it's terrible!" " What?" " These visits." " Oh, thanks very much!" "I don't mean you - fortunately it's not the same." "I must tell you something:" "I'm the only one who's happy to see you." "Are you saying that all your young friends are little monsters?" "It would better if they were monsters;" "they wouldn't suffer." "Suffer from what?" "Tell me, Jacqueline." "Most of your classmates have well-off parents - they must have everything." "I know their parents are rich, but there are never two." "For children, parents are one person with two faces." "It's just the way things are." "You have a father and mother, just as you have 2 eyes, 2 arms." "And you find that a lot are one-armed and with a glass eye." "Yes, Papa." "Your friend is having a long discussion." "Oh, it's not long for her." "You should see how terrific she is, Mama." " Would you like to meet her?" " I'd love to!" "Come on!" "Mama wants to meet you!" " This is Mama!" " Hello, my dear." "Jacqueline's father." "If Madame Vuillard could hear your introductions!" "Madame, allow me to introduce the glory of the legal profession, Jacques Presle." "It's hard to teach them good manners." "Don't worry." "It isn't just manners that are good." "Why did you interrupt?" "I wanted Mama to meet you." "I had so much to say to Papa." "I'm afraid I'm taking you away from your daughter." "Not at all." "We'd just finished sharing all our news." "Time flies, and unfortunately I have an appointment in Paris with a client." "Goodbye." "You know, some of my friends know you." "Yes?" "The daughters of some of my clients." "Papa, you must know." "They're very angry with you." "They say it's because of you that their parents got divorced." "Me?" "That's hilarious!" "It's not my fault." "They say you're the one who explains to the judge why they can't live together." "There's nothing to explain" " I act in my clients' interest, that's all." " Are they always right, Papa?" " They pay me to prove it." "So they might be wrong, then!" "There are laws" " I didn't write them." "I'm just there to interpret them." "Well, if they can be interpreted in different ways, they can't be very good." "Listen, Jacqueline." "I spend my days arguing about the law." "Sometimes it's not much fun." "You'll have lots of time to think about that." "Be a happy, pleasant girl like the others." "If later on you find a way to change the Civil Code be sure to send me a copy." "Goodbye." " I was so worried you wouldn't come!" " Calm down, calm down!" " Can I go home with you?" " No, it's not possible." "I need you to be brave." "What will you do when I can't come on Thursdays?" " You're not coming anymore?" " I have to leave Paris." " For a long time?" " No, but..." " But your office?" " I had to give it up." "Now I'm in a job where I have to travel." " Papa, you're very unhappy, aren't you?" " No, no." "Starting over doesn't scare me." "It's isn't dragging a suitcase all over France that's hard." "It's dragging memories." "You understand?" "Yes." "You're afraid that you'll miss Mama." "Papa, I want to go with you!" " It's impossible." " You'd think less about Mama." "I'd think even more about her." "I don't want you to go away unhappy." "Please, please take me with you!" "Her father didn't say anything." "He didn't have the courage." "That's not a good reason to throw Denise out." "If no one pays for her - her father is ruined." " What about her mother?" " She's not around." "Some distant relatives will take her." "Poor thing, she'll have a rough life." "Is that all you can say?" "We have to do something!" " There's nothing to be done." " No?" "You'll see." "Come in." "What is the meaning of this?" "Leave at once." "Please listen to me, Headmistress." "It's about Denise." "I think I've found a way for her to stay." "If I took more riding lessons, then with the extra money" "Is Denise your best friend?" "No, Madame." "Margot Montbleu is my best friend." "Then I don't understand." "As long as you agree." "Denise must earn her own living." "If I keep her here, the struggle that awaits her will be even worse." "I thought we prepared for the struggle here." "The struggle with polite society." "Oh, Madame, let me make amends!" " For what?" " It's Papa who caused all the harm." "I want to do something." "Please let Denise stay." "You're sending her away, then?" "For her own good." " That's what they always say." " You may go now." "I'll do it!" "I will!" " Shall I send the lady in?" " Just a minute." " Has she been waiting long?" " Not really." "Her face seems familiar, but I can't place it." "Have her come in." " I hope I'm not disturbing you." " Yes, you're disturbing everything." "Fortunately, I enjoy having my life disturbed." "Let me know when my time is up." "Please take your time." "Please sit down." " Cigarette?" " Thank you." "After this cigarette I'll leave." "Well, then I won't let you smoke!" "You see, I have a certain matter to discuss." "I'm very sure of it." "The situation's very" "Involved." "Yes." "A lot of people are against me." " A whole family." " Yes, my husband's." "I lost my husband before Margot was born." " His family has used that to" " Not acknowledge her." "I've never seen anything like it;" "I haven't even finished and you understand!" "That's the way I am; sometimes I even understand before people start!" "As you say, I really am quite incredible!" "Excuse me." "Oh, it's you!" "You're held up?" "Oh, but our dinner!" "But I said I would!" "Oh, I'll make up an excuse." "Alright - goodbye." " Can you give me some advice?" " Of course." "From now on, you're my valued client, and I am your devoted lawyer." "Now I would like some advice from you." "Go right ahead." "My evening is free." "I don't want to waste it going just anywhere." "They say that the show at the Follies is really good." "They say so many things." "You're right." "I'll go and see for myself." "What did my aunt say to Mme Vuilliard?" "Can I continue my studies?" "I don't know, Denise." "Madame Vuilliard didn't speak to me." "My aunt isn't rich;" "that probably says it all." "I want to work!" "I want to earn my living!" "Now, Denise, you still have your father." "Yes, but it seems to me he'd love me more if I didn't need him." " What sort of idea is that?" " I have lots of silly ideas." "Listen, Denise - you'll write to me." " Really?" " Yes." "Tell me how things are going." "If your aunt is nice, if things work out with your father." "And I'll try to give you some advice." "Would you like that?" "Oh, you're great!" "I was in your situation once." "Except I didn't even have an aunt." " She's not listening!" " Or pretending not to" "She's not listening because it makes it hurt more." "So you couldn't keep her from leaving school after all." "Yes, but not for want of trying." "I swear that we won't let it happen again!" "How?" "I failed because I was alone." "But if we united" "United against whom?" "You don't have to join if you don't want to, Suzanne." "But the rest of you" "If we could find a way to prevent this injustice, could I count on you?" "Yes!" " You're going out?" " Yes, to the Follies." "I have 2 tickets." "Do you want to come with me?" "Get dressed at this hour?" "No thanks." "I got a call that one of my patients isn't doing well." " No letter from Jacqueline?" " No." "It's a long time since the last one." "She's enjoying herself there more and more; don't complain about it, dear." "You never told me how your visit went." "You're asking that now!" "No, I'm going." "We'll talk about it tomorrow." "It's the regular goodnight visit." "Sorry, but I hate to arrive after the curtain rises." " You're sure you don't want to come?" " Go on." "Have fun." "What are you doing there?" "Go back to sleep, Margot." "You should do the same." "Something bothering you?" "I'm thinking." "That doesn't make any noise." "Is it your math homework that's bothering you?" "Margot, when you're alone, you can't win." "One person alone will fail, time after time." "But if we band together, no one can beat us." "And you think this will work for us?" "There's only one way to conquer our troubles." "Deportment" " I know." "Children have to unite, and then parents can't do whatever they want." "And we'll send THEM to school." "Maybe." "United we're strong!" "I don't know if I'm just sleepy, but it seems we've already tried this." "But we've never gone far enough." "Well, I'm going to sleep now." "Come in." " You're alone?" " Yes." "I'm in luck." "I was afraid there'd be a big crowd." " Did you like the show?" " Very much!" "There's still another act." "I wish there could be a hundred." "If the authors could hear you, they'd be delighted." "I didn't understand that much of the plot but I'd love to be in the place of the young leading man." "He's very bad." "You'd be much better." "But I wouldn't be acting." "May I see you after the show?" "Come any time." "It's too bad there's still another act." "You just said you wished there were 100!" "I don't know what you want." "What do you think?" "Quiet!" "Listen to Jacqueline!" "I've thought a lot about Denise." "Everything that happened was because her parents got divorced." "You had to think that figure that out?" "We've known it for ages." "Divorce is the enemy!" "Yes, but what have you done?" "What do you want us to do?" "Think of the others." "If you don't do something knowing the damage of divorce, who will?" " She's right." " Hurrah, Jacqueline!" "You think that anyone will ask our opinion?" " We'll give it anyway." " It's not easy." "You have to know how to talk." "I don't wish to be mean, but they hire lawyers to get a divorce." "What can we do against lawyers?" "Together, we're a match for any lawyer." "Even Papa." "You want to form a club?" "Parents can only join after their golden anniversary!" "Don't laugh - this is serious!" " Not a club, a league." " The League of the Rights of Children." "The League to Combat the Divorce of Parents." "Too long!" "Abbreviate it:" "Li" " Co" " Di" " Pa" "LICODIPA!" "All in favor of forming Licodipa, raise your hands." "All in favor of Jacqueline for President, dive in!" "Aren't you going to dive in for me?" "I want you to be president, but I don't want to dive." "I've got too many ideas - we'll never finish." "If this keeps up, our studies will amount to the Laws of Licodipa." "Read that." ""A special tax will be levied upon all divorcés"" " Not bad, eh?" " Very good." "The government would be sure to support that!" " It worked!" " You found it?" " What?" " The rings for our badges." "Here's your change: 60 rings at 85 francs per dozen." "As long as they're not made of platinum." "That won't do at all;" "they're much too big." "But you're the one who had me model it on the curtain rings!" "Yes but I didn't know how big the hoops would be." "You've just been all over the place recently." "Antoinette is right, Margot." "I don't recognize you these days." "It's because of Mama." "She's never gone so long without coming to see me." "You think she might be sick?" " She's not sick, because every night" " What?" "Every night she visits my grandmother." "We're missing one final rule." "I'll get it." "Hello." "Madame Montbleu?" "This is Jacqueline." "Jacqueline Presle, you remember?" "Oh, I'm fine." "It's Margot who's not doing too well." "Oh, don't worry, she's not sick." "She's just a bit blue." "It's because she hasn't seen you for a long time, that's all." "What?" "Oh, that's fabulous!" "Goodbye, Madame." "No, I won't tell her." "I was so proud to have a famous father who's in all the papers." "I have to sneak around and cut out all his photos." " It's not much fun." " I know." " Hello, darling!" " Mama!" "Hello, Jacqueline." "What are you cutting out?" "It's Papa." "They don't like him very much here." "Look, this is him." "But of course you know him." "And this is her mother." " She's beautiful." " Isn't she?" "When she's all dressed up, she's stunning." "She often wears silk gowns?" "I've only seen it twice." "She's so busy at the hospital." "That's why I was sent to school." "Since Papa's hardly ever home either." "It's not their fault, of course." "This is for my little girl." " What is it?" " Close your eyes." "It's so beautiful!" "Mama, do you know that Jacqueline hasn't a single piece of jewellery?" "It doesn't matter." "So much the better;" "I can be the first to give you one." " Oh, I can't!" " You must, Jacqueline!" " Isn't it pretty?" " Oh, yes!" "But I can't." " It looks very good on your finger." " Oh, keep it, since Mama gave it to you." "If you won't accept this little ring, you'll hurt my feelings." "Don't you like to wear it?" "And it gives me so much pleasure to give it to you." "Don't complicate such simple things." "You're very good, Madame." "That's why everything seems so simple." "You even escaped to come and see me." "You must be with your child when she needs you." " Sorry." " It's you." "Excuse me, I thought you'd already gone." "I'll leave you to work." "No, stay." "I wasn't working, I was thinking about a letter from my daughter." "We don't talk enough with our children." "Letters just don't give a true picture of them." "It's true." "Some things you have to say in person." "It's difficult." "Sometimes a stranger can do better than we can." "That's what's happened with Jacqueline." "She's completely carried away about the mother of one of her friends." "At least boys are less impulsive." "Don't say that - I was at school for 8 years." "My sister and I adored our mother but we were against my father, who made her unhappy." "And one day he sent us off to school." "We went." "Mama didn't want to oppose him, and she visited us very seldom." "For 8 years we hardly saw her." "When she died, I was 20." "But it was as if I'd lost her at 12." " Can you replace me tomorrow?" " Of course." "I want to see Jacqueline." "Mama!" "I'm so happy to see you!" "You had nothing to do today?" "I had a lot to do, but I managed it." "You left to come see me?" "Just like that?" "Yes, my dear." "I got your letter." " It troubled me a little." " Why?" " You get too carried away, Jacqueline." " I don't understand." " You can't understand." " Oh, yes I can." "I'm not a child anymore." "You have to explain everything to me." "If you don't..." "My goodness, how you've changed!" "I haven't changed." "I'm sure I haven't." "You wouldn't have spoke in this way before." "I don't want there to be a gap between us." "You're young and impressionable." "You're impressed by a woman you hardly know." "But Madame Montbleu is so charming and entertaining." "Not at all like a grownup - she's practically a friend." "I don't trust this Madame Montbleu." "I'm concerned that you'd accept this ring and wear it." "I couldn't refuse." "She put it on for fun." "I wanted to take it off but I couldn't." "Try now." "You will please send it back to her at once." "That's impossible!" "I can't, it would be an insult." "Margot would be so hurt." " Margot?" "Who is Margot?" " Margot Montbleu, my best friend." "Papa knows her and likes her a lot." "Didn't he tell you about her?" "Let's not bring your father into this." "Men don't know much about such things, and I never talk about them." " You used to think" " Jacqueline!" "I don't this is an appropriate conversation for a girl your age." "Come now, be a good girl and think over what I've said." "Now I'm late and I have to go." "Mme Montbleu always says you have to be there for your child when she needs you." " I'd like to meet this lady." " Oh yes, that would make me so happy!" "If you met her you'd like her too." "Take the ring back to her yourself, then you can." " It means that much to you?" " Yes, mama." "We'll see." "What are you doing there?" "So that's your mother." "She has beautiful eyes." "She was sad to leave." "Maybe she was sad to see me." "What are you talking about?" "Are you crazy?" "Oh, Margot, I was so happy when she came!" " And?" " And...we almost argued." " Why?" " For nothing." "Parents always say "grow up" then if you don't stay a child they get mad." "Was it because of Licodipa?" "No, I didn't even mention it." "Why?" "Don't you think she'd think it's a good idea?" "Yes, I wanted to talk about it, but I didn't have the courage." "When I was still at home, Papa went out on his own, and Mama was never there..." "I complained because I never saw them." "But they didn't see each other either." "And when I think that Papa came by himself to visit .and Mama didn't speak of him at all today" "What are you saying?" "Oh, Margot, I'm scared!" "May I speak to Madame Montbleu?" "She hasn't come home yet." "Would you care to wait in the sitting room?" "I expect Madame at any moment." "Would you care to take a seat?" "You didn't expect to find me here." "I admit, I didn't expect it." "Obviously." "What are you doing here?" "I could ask you the same thing." " You're imagining things." " I have no imagination." "I note, I diagnose." "It's my job." "Please don't make a scene." "You spend all your time at the hospital - you can't understand." "Well, I've made a discovery." " You recognize this ring?" " Yes...no...what?" "Jacqueline was wearing it." " Jacqueline?" " Yes." "Would you kindly return it to Madame Montbleu?" "Listen, Marthe, I'll explain it all calmly back home." "Home?" "Aren't you more at home here?" "Ladies, please copy this text." "The Laws of Licodipa." "1) Twice-divorced persons are not eligible to vote" "2) Divorcés can only remarry with the consent of their children" "Hurry!" "Everything has to be ready for tonight!" "Happiness on earth, Oh, who can state its worth?" "Only by marching together hand in hand, we'll be strong." "Onward is our course, And down with all divorce!" "Strong and united is our song." "Licodipa!" "Keeping watch over mama and papa," "Every married pair will see A golden anniversary" "Thanks to you and to your efforts." "So onward, Licodipa!" "Fighting discord every step of the way." "No division between spouses, Happiness in all our houses" "And it's all because of Licodipa!" "Quiet!" "Margot, the bell." "The meeting is open." "To whom do we send our demands?" "The President of the Republic!" "If you toss him a bouquet he'll do whatever you want!" "A big newspaper!" "Our pictures on the front page!" "I've already thought of what to say." " The radio?" " You're not being serious." "It's not publicity we're after, it's a law." "Our demands should be placed on the desk of the Minister of Justice." "Or in his wastepaper basket!" "Suzanne, you're never serious." "Let's put it to the vote: all in favor?" "Passed unanimously." "I want to do it as soon as possible." "I'll go to the Ministry." "What about the story of the lunatic who learned how to rollerskate?" "I know it." " Who told you?" " You did." "Oh, you know them all." "If you like, I can change shifts." "Excuse me, sir." " The Minister, please." " You have an appointment?" "No, I don't." "But I have a law." "Why didn't you say so?" "Give it to me, the Minister's anxiously waiting for it." "I have to give it to him myself." " Who sent you?" " No one." "Oh, yes..." "The Licodipa." "Alright, enough joking around." "Off you go!" " Hello, Monsieur Duval." " Hello, Mademoiselle." "Your father isn't there." " And Monsieur Legris?" " He's not there either." " He's at the apartment." " I'll go over there." "Thank you." " Monsieur Legris?" " It's you, Mademoiselle Jacqueline!" " I need your help." " Delighted." "I have to ask your advice on an important matter." "Regarding divorce." "Divorce?" "But I don't believe I'm authorized..." "To give me advice?" "I must see the Minister of Justice." " The Minister?" " It's very important." "Ministers are too busy to come up with ideas." "And nobody has the nerve to give them any." "So I'm going to try." "You're still a child." "I'm afraid the Minister isn't too concerned with the ideas of children." "It's only children who have an accurate view of divorce." "It doesn't concern them - what do you want him to do?" "What?" "I think divorce concerns them." "Listen." "I'm very fond of you, and I'm deeply sorry for you." " Sorry?" "But why?" " Because" "I think it would be better if you saw your mother." "Mama is here at this hour?" "What's wrong, Mama?" "What made you come?" "Nothing" " I just happened to come by." "I hate to see you crying like this." "It's nothing." "When you're alone, you know, it happens." "But you're here now." "It's better." " It's Papa?" "Did you argue?" " No, dear." "It's not...a woman?" "Oh, no, it's impossible!" "You're not sure, are you?" "Don't ask, my dear!" "Papa?" "I don't want you to burden you." "Don't be unjust toward him." "He adores you." "I thought he adored you, too." "It's easier to adore a daughter than a wife." "Who is this woman?" "Darling, don't make me involve a little girl like you." "I'm not a little girl anymore, Mama." "And I've thought a lot about this at school." " About what?" " Parents who don't get along anymore." "If anyone had told me it would be you" "I'm being stupid." "Don't pay any attention, Mama." "It's over." "You'll see if I'm a little girl!" "Mademoiselle Jacqueline, you know now?" "Men are all alike." "And these show business women are just the same!" " She's an actress?" " Didn't you know?" "A music hall singer, Pola D'Ivry." "Pola D'Ivry?" "What's this? "Laws of Licodipa"" "Quiet!" " Where's Jacqueline?" " She's late for her own meeting." " Have you looked in her room?" " Twice." "Well try again." "Finally!" "There you are!" " What's wrong?" " Nothing." "Let's go." " But you've been crying!" " I said let's go." "The Minister wouldn't help us, right?" "That's it." "I'm late." "But it's because of a divorce." " A new one?" " Yes." " If only we could prevent it!" " We have to prevent it!" "If this divorce takes place, there's nothing hope for." "We can dissolve the League." "Already?" " Do they love each other?" " Yes, and for a long time." "I'm sure of it." "But they each work very hard." "There's a conniving woman who took advantage of this." " Are there children?" " Yes." "One daughter." "A daughter who adores them and is very unhappy." " A friend of yours?" " Yes." "And I can't let her lose her parents because of a home-wrecker." "Licodipa to the rescue!" "Do you know the woman?" " No, but she's a famous actress:" "Pola d'Ivry." " What is it?" " I must tell you something." "Take the floor." "I propose we all go and hiss her at the theater." "We'll throw tomatoes at her!" " Please, Jacqueline!" " Go ahead." "What are you waiting for?" "I wanted to say-- before taking action against this person we must be sure that she's guilty." "But I am sure!" "I am against public scandal, but we must intervene." "Wait, Margot." "I couldn't say it in front of the others but the family in question - it's my parents." "Oh, Margot, please." "I was counting on you to give me courage." ""I await you - come my beloved;" "Oh how the night is calm - calm as my soul."" ""I await you - come my beloved;" "Oh how the night is calm - calm as my soul."" "No, no!" "I don't want this dress!" ""How the night is calm!" "Calm as my soul."" "It's useless" " I don't want it!" " Are you nearly done?" " Please let me work!" "I don't have time." "No time." "Just like at home." " What are you doing?" " Go on." "I'll get my coat and catch up." "Come on!" "Yes, ladies?" "We're from Paris Soir." "Madame d'Ivry is expecting us for an interview." "Second corridor on the left." " And you?" " Le Figaro." " L'Aube " " Excelsior" " Le Temps " " Le Populaire" " Le Petit Parisien " " Le Soir" " L'Oeuvre" "They've really cut back the senior staff these days!" "Tell me, what's happened to the older reporters?" "Girls' Weekly!" " You're from the press?" " Yes!" "Wait here." "Madame Divry will be right with you." "Speak up." "No one can hear you." "That's funny." "Madame Vuilliard can always hear us." "I'm glad to see so many fans." "Would you like an autograph?" "No, Madame." "We've come for an intervention." "We are members of Licodipa." "So young and already doing works of charity?" "It's not a charity." "We were hoping to get your autograph." "Go get some programs." " Go on!" " What's this all about?" "Am I the president or what?" " It was you." " What does all this mean, Jacqueline?" "I recognized you at once but I wondered why you came with such an entourage." "They came with me." "I wanted to see you." "And what do you want from Pola D'Ivry?" "What do I want?" "Don't you know?" "What's wrong, Jacqueline?" " Look at me!" " I can't." "Right now, I hate you." "You've found out some things you shouldn't have heard." "It would all be so easy if nobody found out." "It would avoid hurting children like you for nothing." "Because of you I'm going to be like the others: an orphan." "You think it's nothing to take away my parents?" "How can you, when I'm best friends with your daughter?" "Rest assured, no one wants to take your parents away." "I promise I never considered taking away your father." "It was just a passing fancy." " Really?" " Of course." "But your father is also a man - an attractive man." "If some day this happens again - you never know" "Instead of an intervention, use more grownup methods." "Be more charming to your father." "And a passing fancy will remain just that." "Madame, an urgent phone call." "Mademoiselle Margot is ill." " Who called?" " Bosquet Hospital." "That's Mama's hospital!" "Can Madame Montbleu come in now, Doctor?" "You may come in." "Her breathing is becoming regular." " Will she live?" " We hope so." "If you've saved her you will have done" "My job." "Can I stay?" "Yes." "But don't talk to her." "She'll live, right?" "Yes." "We have to wait for her to wake up now." "When she opens her eyes the first person she sees will be her mother." "If you knew how much I admire you!" "Because it involves your friend!" "Well, it's natural." "They're asking for you, Doctor." " Which patient?" " All of them." " It's for the regular goodnight visit." " You know without it they can't sleep." " I'll be along in a moment." " Yes, Doctor." "It's so funny to hear them call you Doctor." "It's almost the way we talk at home." "It's just the patients say 'Doctor' the way I say 'Mama'." "It's an utter scandal!" "It could bring down the reputation of the school!" "And so one of my great principles is now cruelly justified:" ""A second of laxness can destroy years of effort."" "Perhaps a young relative will be joining us" "If this letter has any connection with the incident then verily through the camp the rumor hath already spread." " What camp?" " It's a figure of speech." "And a line from Racine." "Margot's better now?" "Yes." "When I was at the hospital Mama said her breathing was becoming regular." "Ladies!" "I have to bring a serious matter to your attention." " What is..." "Licapicole?" " Licodipa!" "Well, well, Mademoiselle Suzanne!" "Are you part of it?" " Yes, Madame." " Me too!" "Everyone!" "A secret society under my roof, and I knew nothing about it." "I had to learn of it from the Minister of Justice." "Ministry of Justice, Office of the Chancellor, Private Secretary" "Ladies:" "I have the honor to inform the members of Licodipa that the Chancellor will receive them on Wednesday the 13th at 12:15." "Sincerely yours, Private Secretary, etc. - illegible." "What does this mean?" "Hurrah for Jacqueline!" "Calm down!" "Tell me once and for all, what is this society?" "It's Wednesday!" "It's today!" "Hurry!" "I forbid you to leave until we've discussed this society!" "But the minister awaits us, Madame!" "Are you undermining the government?" "I will see the Minister!" " You weren't invited!" " You're not a member of Licodipa!" "Get the letter!" "Let me through!" "You're shameless and impudent!" "If you're interested, Licodipa is the League to Combat the Divorce of Parents!" ""In trouble, Deportment"" "The delegation from Licodipa." "I expected a delegation of elderly schoolteachers." "Tell me, children, what can an old gentleman like myself do for you." "Excuse me, Minister, but we didn't prepare what to say to you." "Never mind, go ahead." "You'll say it much better." "We are almost all the children of divorced parents." "Children whose parents one day treated us like furniture." "Because they couldn't agree together due to their selfishness." "Is this just?" "That is the one question you should never put to a Justice Minister." "I'll make an exception and answer it." "It's not just." "Why don't you fight divorce instead of encourage it?" " Encourage?" " Yes!" "The papers all post ads for easy divorce, friendly and quick." "Like the drycleaners, done in 24 hours." "By the same token, why not a program to promote phylloxera?" "Why not push people to burn down their houses?" "I admit I've never viewed the question from that angle." "I can believe it!" "Excuse me, Minister." " And you've brought me some ideas?" " No, laws." "Laws!" "You don't say!" " Would you like to hear?" " Are there a lot?" "About a hundred." "And just as many in reserve." "Two hundred new laws!" "Licodipa are hard workers." "Tell me, children, have you registered your League?" "Registered?" "With whom?" " With the State!" " Good God, do we have to?" " We didn't know." " Well, it's the law." "Sometimes those who want to make new laws don't know about the ones that exist." "You mean there are already laws against divorce?" "Of course!" "Maybe not in the Code." "But aren't there engraved in stone and perhaps a little erased from our memory 10 Commandments that sum up all the laws in the world?" "You see, laws are written above all for those who don't want to follow them." "The people who are really just, who carry the law here inside and not in the lawbooks are not my customers." "Even if it put me out of business, it would be better for everyone to agree." "So you don't believe in the law then?" "I do." "But I don't believe you can force people to love or agree with each other." "For me, there's something better than the law." "Example." "In a few years, you will be getting married." "That's where you can demonstrate your ideas of a staunch Licodipist." "As for the law, it will follow." "It is better for the law to come after experience rather than the reverse." "Do you understand?" "Yes, Minister." "We'll never divorce - we swear!" "Is there a fine for not having registered our League?" "Unless you have an influential patron." "That's a good idea!" "Could you recommend someone?" " If you really want me to." " Oh yes!" "I also recommend a friend." "Monsieur Presle." " What are you doing here?" " What about you?" " The Minister invited me." " Me too, yesterday evening." "And I think it's regarding the same business." " Did you arrange all this?" " No, it was your doing." "You left behind a certain file on Licodipa." "With your League, I'll lose all my clients." " Perhaps you need a lawyer?" " You can count on us." "That's not all." "I have another surprise." "Could I request a few days leave for your President?" "Luckily Madame has no operations today." "I've never seen you so nervous!" "There they are." "You're so beautiful, Mama!" " You like it?" " You're the prettiest woman in the world!" "I've told her that, but she never believed me." "I have the best parents in the world!" "Madame President, I have the honor to request admission as an Associate Member." "Pay your dues." "Thank you, Papa!" " What did I do?" " Don't think of it anymore." "Everything's going to be fine now." "Look - look how happy I am." "I won't go away, will I?" " We won't be apart anymore, dear." " Really?" "I'm going on tour and you're coming with me." "Would you like that?" "That's fantastic!" "You're mad, Margot!" "I've always loved the theater." "I'd like to sing like you." "Will you have time?" "And some day I'll be proud to be the mother of the famous Margot!" "It's Denise!" "Yes, I'm back." "No, not thanks to Madame Vuilliard." "It's thanks to a man I've always hated - don't you know?" "Papa?" "Papa, where are you going?" " I've been taken prisoner." " Oh, come here!" "Dear Listeners, don't hang up - you will hear the Licodipa Chorus." "Licodipa!" "Keeping watch over mama and papa." "Every married pair will see A golden anniversary" "Thanks to you and to your efforts." "So onward, Licodipa!" "Fighting discord every step of the way" "No division between spouses;" "Happiness in all our houses" "And it's all because of Licodipa!"