Your son or your nephew?
My son.
Your dad asked me to put his photo next to his bed.
He's a pretty boy.
Remember Virag was here?
He said you'd want to correct your diary.
I know.
Intubation is painful.
It hurts the larynx.
But you can breathe better now.
After the doctor calls,
I'll remove the pipe, later.
Dad...
Let go.
Stop it...
He's hurting me!
Monsieur! Please...
Who goes where?
Mademoiselle, no, I'm sorry.
I have to ease off girls for a while.
All right.
I'm too skinny?
What?
I'm too skinny to turn you on.
Tits, cheeks... You prefer shapelier women.
You're fine like that.
You prefer them big.
Yeah...
Good night.
Louis...
You got up on your own?
Can't you sleep?
Finishing your book?
I'm correcting it.
You should try to rest.
I have to send your sister some money.
Yes, I know.
I spoke to Chloe. She's coming.
Is Elias in Paris?
I've asked Ismaël to adopt him.
I've taught you not to show your feelings.
Yes!
I'm scared of the pain.
You'll get better.
"I was an adolescent then
By 16, I had forgotten my childhood
I was 16,000 leagues from my birthplace
I was in Moscow...
...For my adolescence was so fiery and wild
That my heart, like the Temple of Ephesus,
burned in the setting sun...
...My eyes illuminated old tracks
And I was such a bad poet
That I never reached the end."
What's up?
I'm going to bed.
Won't you stay? I know you're here.
You're a bastard.
Fine, see you.
No!
I won't let you in.
You forgot your keys.
It's three in the morning.
You desert me for your friends.
You're totally irresponsible.
You're not a man!
You're a narcissistic child.
Yes, I'm a child.
And you're a child too.
You're angry. You have been for months.
I'm sorry I've come back so late.
I'm pregnant, you had no right to leave me.
This is absurd.
Listen, if you don't open the door,
I'll break it down.
I forbid you to.
So, open up.
I'll use the window.
The bedroom window's open.
Open up or I'll climb over the balcony.
All right?
You'll fall...
Here I go.
No, I forbid you to!
You're in hell, Pierre.
I'm your nightmare.
You're a corpse and you're in hell.
I'm your nightmare.
You're crazy! Get lost!
What were you dreaming?
Stop torturing me!
It's good that you're pregnant, fuck it!
It's not a disease.
You're pregnant, not ill.
You're expecting a baby!
What do you expect me to do?
I work 14 hours a day, I take care of everything.
But every night, you wake me, you piss me off
with this sick shit!
You pour your poison in my ears!
My God...
We met barely six months ago.
You were so beautiful.
We had it off
and you got pregnant.
That's good.
Fine.
We'll do as you want.
But get off my back!
The neighbours...
Fuck the neighbours!
All this
leaks out of you. I won't be your undersheet.
Shut up.
You're crazy.
I accept it because you're crazy.
You're heedless.
You act like a coward, with me and your work.
You ignore me
in my own apartment.
Shut up.
You kill me! Shut your mouth!
Just shut it!
No, I won't shut it.
I want to sleep.
Shut your fucking mouth!
What is this?
I'm going mad here.
What are you doing?
Stop it!
Watch!
Watch this!
I want to sleep.
I'll shoot myself.
You wouldn't dare.
Shut up, just shut up!
You'd never dare.
Watch me.
Help me...
My friend's dying.
Call an ambulance.
My friend's dying.
Help me...
Help me!
You can sleep now.
It's half past five.
See you later.
- Nora? - Yes, Dad.
Did you know Pierre had a gun?
No, I didn't know.
You didn't hear him go to get it?
I was asleep.
He came in late.
How did he get in without waking you? He didn't have the key.
I don't know.
Maybe I didn't hear him.
There are two rooms.
It's less than 20 feet from the door to your bed.
I didn't let him in because I was on edge.
And then?
I can't remember.
He went to his desk.
Perhaps I went back to sleep.
It was the shot that woke me.
And you didn't know he had a gun hidden in a drawer?
It was an accident.
I told the police we'd do the paperwork tomorrow.
Sleep well, my baby.
Perhaps the neighbours heard you.
You'd better tell the police you didn't want to open the door.
He climbed in...
you argued and then you went back to sleep.
And you didn't know he had a gun.
Dad...
My fingerprints could be on the gun or the drawer.
We'd play with it sometimes.
No, I went to the flat this morning.
I wiped everything clean, there won't be any fingerprints.
You didn't know.
It was suicide.
Madame?
Leave me...
Leave me!
Go away!
Come on, my dear...
My sweet.
Leave me...
My little darling.
Come on, my child.
Don't touch me. I hate being comforted.
You didn't know. You saw me as a poor little widow.
Like everyone who's pitied me all these years.
I couldn't say I was guilty.
It's a thousand times worse,
having to lie for seven years.
Of course...
Up you come.
I hate your parents' looks.
And I can't ask you to pity me 'cause I killed him.
That's not true.
You don't scare me. And I wouldn't care if you had.
If I had, my heart would have bled.
No, I hold your heart in my hand,
like a little bird.
It was too good to miss. Just think, a murderess!
"She's killed but I'll survive!"
Credulity! What a presumptuous jerk I was!
In other words, as soon as a woman
represents a threat, you fall in love with her.
She needed help.
You have trouble thinking a woman might be wrong,
don't you?
Would you have found Nora's confession as charming
if she'd been less pretty?
Yes, I think so.
I'll put it differently.
Whom would you find it easier to forgive?
An ugly girl or a pretty girl?
It wouldn't matter.
I'd be wrong to criticize the ugly one
if they'd done the same thing.
Why couldn't you confront Nora?
We did have a few fights, you know.
I don't care about where I live!
'Cause you've no kids!
You haven't made a home here!
I haven't had time.
Too busy banging cellists!
Just one cellist!
I don't care, I have to protect my son!
Look, your son, he loves me. You love me. Period!
Yes, it breaks my heart but my son...
You're breaking my heart! Stay!
I can't! It's over!
You didn't get Elias by shagging some holy dove!
A bird didn't fly up your ass!
Stop playing the saint with me,
using your son as a rampart. You ain't no fucking nun!
Sorry...
But you always ended up apologizing.
Yes. My life is a failure.
Why?
Come on, doctor! The hospital...
I come here in pyjamas,
I owe 700,000 francs in tax,
I have to get my father to sign a guardianship order...
It's pathetic...
All right. See you on Thursday.
Nora has asked me to adopt her son.
It's out of the question that you should adopt Elias.
Chloe...
Believe me, he's melting away. It's horrible.
He's lost 25 pounds in three days.
He's melting away before my eyes.
You have to come...
He's in pain.
He keeps taking
stronger and stronger doses.
- Had a good night? - Yes, great.
How are you today?
Hi, Arielle. You okay?
Arielle, some tea?
Actually, it's not for me.
I'd like a tray for Mr Vuillard. Coffee, croissants...
Have this as well.
Your lawyer is a very enthusiastic man.
He's very devoted.
Yes, he's a charming man, full of energy.
I'm very fond of him.
Well...
Do you have any plans for outside?
I have to get back to my quartet and start recording.
I'd hate to abandon you.
Here.
You know what it is?
Yes! I co-signed it.
What's in it?
I can't tell you that.
Opening it is part of treatment.
In that case, I'd rather open it outside, later.
I used to be like you. I'd take a wicked delight in ignoring
official papers, rules, money matters...
But I had to adapt.
It's not that difficult.
You should open the envelope.
Can I leave?
Yes, you're free.
What? Straightaway?
Yes, straightaway.
Go and clear your room. Get that done.
Do you know you're very beautiful?
Yes, I have been told. Thank you.
I'll get my things.
Your lawyer should be waiting for you.
That's wonderful.
Good luck, Mr Vuillard.
Well?
Well, I'm free.
I'm taking my impedimenta.
That's great.
I'll love you better than the others.
Perhaps you should be wary of me.
Oh, you're not very complicated.
You don't scare me.
Until I'm totally lost, I'm not really in love.
Thanks for everything.
Bye.
Evening.
Arielle!
I'll call you every day with news of the real world.
And I'll release you.
Free!
Recognize them?
Don't start pissing me off with this crap!
No, I don't!
The IRS inspectors.
The bastards!
He's fat.
They eat all the time.
I think I've screwed up a bit.
Good news and bad.
You lost your apartment. Seizure!
And the good news?
I forget now.
I saved a few belongings.
From the psychiatrist.
This is it!
What the hell do you mean?
We have the document.
You're totally nuts,
kosher for all of 1995,
signed by the Beth Din of Paris psychiatry.
The IRS is trapped.
As for your apartment,
I'll get it back from the courts.
So I'm mad?
Yes. Well, no, you were mad. In 1995.
We aren't liable for your expenses that year.
Really?
And what now?
Meaning?
I'm still a mental patient.
We'll need a retraction from your sister.
My sister?
The mad one.
Elizabeth!
Not him! Not today!
Why're you here?
Well, I'm out of hospital.
Hi, Nico.
You needn't worry.
Babeth, we're in a bit of a hurry.
You know they locked me up for 10 days?
Freezing, isn't it?
I've brought you a retraction.
You're ruining the family name.
- Christian from the quartet told me. - Christian?
Apparently, you were doing crazy things.
You went out in disguise. In the rain, with your Amati viola.
Christian asked me to sign.
Come on, honey.
But why would he ask you that?
I don't want to talk about it.
I'm going.
He was writing all night. He's finished it.
He asked me to pass it on to Mr Virag.
I know. How is he?
He's starting to desaturate again.
I've had to put him back on oxygen.
Your father has taken a lot of morphine.
Too much.
If he increases his doses now, it will kill him.
We need to wean him off it.
We'll stop the morphine for a couple of days
until he "kicks the habit" a little.
After that, we'll be able
to start again with lighter doses.
I don't want him to suffer.
In any case, he's doomed.
You can't say he's "doomed".
He's ill but he's still alive, isn't he?
You can't save him.
He's in pain all the time.
And he's so frightened of dying.
Yes, it's very frightening.
What can I do?
You can be his daughter. And hope for a miracle.
What?
There are miracles with bowel cancer?
Not many...
But you can pray very hard
for a miracle this time.
I have to pray?
You don't have to. But what else can you do?
What about you, do you pray?
Not really.
Me too, I hope with all my might
that something impossible, something magical will happen.
And, that way, during all the time
your father fights the illness, you pray very hard.
I can't bear to see him suffer needlessly.
Christian!
- There you are... - Good evening.
Still here this late?
Well, yes.
Sorry about the camp bed.
The IRS has taken my apartment.
Sorry about last week. Did it go okay?
We had to replace you.
Fine...
I have to thank you for worrying about me.
It was you who called my sister.
She had me committed!
You know Elizabeth, she tends to overdo it!
Actually, the hospital was my idea.
I'm touched.
You were worried!
True, I've had a rough patch recently.
But I'm over it now.
I must have been a burden.
I'm going to get back to work...
I'm not that worried about you.
You're not?
I'm just sick of you. I have been for ages now.
- How long? - About 10 years.
After your absurd divorce,
I decided to throw you out of my quartet.
Because I've had to put up with your arrogance, scorn,
negligence,
acting like a genius,
the brilliant violist,
so precocious...
Genius my ass!
All your moods...
All that for so many years.
But I didn't let it show.
I was the lead violin but self-effacing.
Your loyal partner.
Your devoted, admiring cousin.
After you broke up, I often called Nora.
Hold on... You called Nora?
She was blooming after years
of being stifled by you
and I felt I was just as good as she was.
I too deserved to win.
In short,
I decided I wanted you out of my life for good.
Why did you say "my quartet"?
Your presumption is remarkable.
Well, I suppose I'll be going then.
Maybe I'll take my viola with me.
Your viola?
The Gubelkian Foundation lent it to you.
Excuse me a second.
I'm recording this, just in case.
You don't lend a four-million-franc viola to a madman.
The quartet is keeping it.
Your replacement will show it respect and care.
I nearly forgot.
Your poncho's at the dry-cleaner's.
Hello, Mum? Yes, it's Ismaël.
Yes, I'm out now, they were very kind.
I was wondering: Do you still have my music school viola there?
Well, I'll be needing it, actually.
I may be coming to see you. Lots of love.
Fuck!
"My star-spangled lute bears the black sun of melancholy."
How do I turn it off?
The top button.
Give Rachel my love.
What was the exact time of death?
3:46 AM.
Cause of death?
A seizure and respiratory failure.
Mr Jenssens was in the terminal phase.
Morphine?
No. Diprivan and Hypnovel.
Did you help him?
I couldn't.
She did it.
She's sleeping in the living room.
The poor girl hadn't slept for three days!
They're taking the body away.
"From the dead..."
"The waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth
and I swear that I shall not be wroth with thee
or rebuke thee.
For the mountains shall depart
and the hills be removed,
but my kindness shall not depart from thee,
neither shall the covenant of my peace
be removed, saith the Lord
that hath mercy on thee."
You pulled the plug on your own. You're a monster.
You weren't here.
You knew I was on my way!
I'd spent three days here, with him dying.
That gave you rights?
It's easy for you.
You act crazy, you flee responsibility.
You didn't talk to the doctors.
I have to do the dirty things.
Dad couldn't stay here alone and I was lost.
You...
You didn't see how he was suffering.
I thought it was for the best.
He weighed 80 pounds,
he was all yellow...
I didn't want him to suffer.
He was like a child. I wanted to protect him.
Remember this?
Oh, how embarrassing!
Have you done Dad's room?
I'll do it now.
My beloved little daughter,
Your egoism has been monstrous...
I think it's partly my fault
that you have turned out this way.
I wish I didn't love you
but, of the two daughters your mother and I had,
you were the prettiest.
And you needed to seduce me
and I needed to be seduced.
I was very lonely,
your mother was often in hospital
and that made it easy for you.
I've loved you madly
all these years.
Your sister has cut herself off
while you have blossomed.
More aggressive each day,
more insolent, caustic, cold,
superficial...
Even so, I couldn't help but cherish you.
Now, I feel a rage towards you
that I cannot put out,
even with my body in tatters.
I burn with anger
in the face of your evil rebellion.
I'm guilty because it was me who urged
my little girl to be proud.
And I was so fond of your pride.
Like curdled milk, your pride has turned into sour vanity.
Your pride has become a stupid
affectation.
Today, you're bursting with bitterness,
my child, just like me.
You're my daughter all right.
You think your dry laugh conceals
your delight?
You're delighted because pride makes you weak
but your bitterness gives you formidable power.
You were so submissive.
Until I discovered your submission hid
an iron will and an envy
that struck terror into my heart.
I fear you.
I hate you,
my little girl.
I'm dying.
And I find it unfair I should die while you live.
What's wrong?
Your face is all red.
I'm all right.
If only you had my cancer and were in pain.
If only I had the time...
to forgive you,
after you die.
- When do the removal men come? - Tomorrow.
So I die with rage in my heart.
I cannot stand the idea of you surviving me.
I wish you would die instead of me...
and that's not possible.
And Jean-Jacques?
He's coming back tomorrow...
to get everything.
You'll come with us?
Hey, you came!
You look like Elmer Fudd!
Too classy for you.
A convict's cap.
Hi, Simon!
You seem to be in good health.
Why do you work so late at your age?
You know, the way things are going,
if we didn't stay open late, we'd have to close down for good.
Where's Mum?
She's at home.
She opens up in the morning.
Luckily, your cousin Simon helps us out
superbly.
It's Chernobyl!
Max, check this out!
There's no beer?
No, lads, no alcohol. But there's soda.
What kind of crap store is this?
Soda, he said!
Here, Dad... You have to sign here.
Sure about this adoption?
Young Elias...
I'm sure.
Forget it, bro.
Yeah, too right.
It's Charlie Ingalls!
Got no beer?
Call this dump a store?
Anyhow, there's no beer.
Not even a "Despy"?
You've got nothing?
No beer, nothing.
C'mon, empty the cash register!
Give it to me!
Come on, shithead!
Sit your ass back down!
Look at me and you won't see again.
- Lower your eyes! - I am!
I want your money now!
Stop smiling like that, bastard!
- Calm down. - Back off! Don't fuck with me!
Cut it out!
Watch this!
Dad, stop, they have pistols!
I'm gonna waste you!
Pull that trigger, you lose your balls.
Do yourself a favour.
All right.
Okay, Marcello?
Yeah, I'm okay.
Mister, I think my leg's a bit broken.
Hey, son!
Your pal here is wounded.
Fucking get out!
The other guy's left.
We have two guns, you're alone.
Get the fuck out!
Move!
You've had it.
Slide your gun over and I'll let you go.
Does that suit you?
You'll need to take your pal, he can't walk too well.
There, no harm done.
He fucked my knee. Bye, mister.
It's over.
You have to close this fucking store!
You know, you mustn't worry.
I mustn't?
Your sister has always been a bit uptight.
I tell ya What I'm into...
Here they come!
Your mother and I wanted to talk
to all our children.
Your cousin Simon has lived here for 20 years.
I was proud to see how you welcomed him
when he came here
after his mum died.
Simon is stubborn and still doesn't get on with his dad.
He's disinheriting him!
His dad doesn't own much anyway.
Your mum and I are getting on
and we feel we should sort things out
before I die.
Abel...
Anyhow, I'm thinking of legally adopting Simon.
Isn't being Gilles' guardian enough?
But, sweetheart, Gilles is totally different.
This would be a simple adoption.
Simon has a father.
We often tell him that.
It won't be a full adoption.
So why adopt him?
Simon and his father have never got along.
We'd like to leave Simon a little something
and we thought of dividing things into five,
if you all agree.
Delphine?
Fidèle?
Loathing your father isn't grounds for adoption. We all loathe our fathers!
Simon isn't just anyone to you!
So think about us!
This is our inheritance.
Why not consider our needs instead
of throwing our money away?
That's right.
Why is Dad adopting him? It's Simon's mum who's dead.
Sorry, but aren't you overreacting?
It's just Dad's way of thanking him.
Simon is like our brother.
You what?
Are you a brother for me and the twins?
He came here at 14.
He has financial problems, we all know that.
I must be dreaming.
You've never done a thing for this family and now you lecture to us...
Why not adopt that guy from school Mum adored,
Teddy, while you're at it?
Teddy's different, he isn't our cousin.
Teddy is a marvellous boy. He's fighting to get ahead.
He's the biggest pusher in Roubaix! You didn't know?
Teddy has to get ahead somehow.
We've all sought comfort in drugs sometimes.
Coffee...
Chocolate...
What's that? A burn?
I don't know.
Does it hurt?
I don't feel any pain.
Has it been there long?
I never saw it before.
It's nothing.
It's over.
Just a quick stay. I go back tonight.
- Where? - Back to Paris.
The viola!
And who are you?
I'm Monique, your grandson's mother.
She's your mother?
She's Monique.
And how did you have him?
How do you mean?
Well, how did you have him?
Through delivery or through...
- Adoption. - Through adoption?
Through delivery.
That's good.
And you're my son?
Of course, Mum.
How did I have you?
Through adoption.
Yes, that's right.
That's good too.
Give me that and go and kiss him.
Thanks.
Thank you.
Prospero! You were here?
I heard you were recording, so I called in.
It's beautiful!
Yes, it's not bad, it's Viennese.
Everything okay at the hospital?
Yes, everything's fine there.
We've had a few problems with Arielle, our China girl.
She's had EST, electroshock therapy, under anaesthetic.
She had another little go at suicide.
She's at the outpatients' clinic now.
But her parents want to lock her up.
Maybe you could call her.
Arielle? It's Ismaël.
How are you?
Oh, you know, I'm fine. I'm in great shape!
That's good.
I had to go to the provinces,
I went to see my family, travelling, everything's worked out
and I have a new job.
I'll tell you about it.
I almost came to see you and I didn't.
I've often thought of you.
How are you keeping?
I'm okay.
I'm glad to hear it.
I'm bored.
It's a bad line. I can't hear you very well.
I hear you.
I'll call you back. Okay?
We're going to be cut off.
Sorry to disturb you today of all days.
Don't worry. It's a happy occasion.
- Come in. - Heavens, no!
I've just come for the typescript.
Of course.
Here you are.
Some pages have been torn out.
Where can they be?
He must have thrown them away.
I know the nurses took care of everything back there.
Well, thank you.
My very best wishes.
Who was that?
My father's publisher.
I'll get some wine from the cellar.
Where were you? I was getting worried.
I went to the cellar to get some wine.
You seem concerned.
Shall I ask them to go?
No, I'm fine.
You're sure?
All right.
Nora, a toast!
To Jean-Jacques and Nora!
And to Elias!
Bye.
Hello, sir.
Could I see your registration, please?
I'm sorry, I get the impression you've been drinking.
Yes, but I'm parked.
And this is my crate.
All right.
Cigar lighter!
Same again?
Tu quoque!
There you go.
I'm looking for Arielle Phénix.
I'd like to talk to Arielle Phénix.
How come you're here?
The hospital told me you were out.
It's my house-cooling.
Fuck, are there this many of you in Sinology?
Just 12. I guess people like parties.
I'm celebrating my departure.
I'm going back to Besançon, I'm gonna be hospitalized there.
I'm here to make some solemn declarations.
I need to talk to you in private.
That'll be tough.
That way.
I've come here to apologize.
I've hardly called you,
I've never written,
I haven't been to see you once in hospital.
I don't want an apology.
I don't regret anything, you know.
If I've hurt you, I'm sorry. That's the best I can do.
My love...
Do I scare you?
Why would you?
I must scare you. You're young and beautiful.
So? Is that a crime?
Let me get down on my knees!
You're trembling.
Because I'm about to open up my heart to you.
I was wild before I met you!
You can call my analyst for the details.
You'll do it after we marry.
She'll confirm that I'm mad.
Sorry, but I can't remember her number.
I'm tired, Ismaël.
And I haven't even brought you a present.
Take my watch.
- I don't want it! - It's a good one!
And you need it.
You see, there are moments when I feel incredibly self-confident.
But, mostly,
I know I'm just a worn-out old bull.
Ismaël, shut up.
I want you to share my life.
Maybe I'll ask them to go, then.
Well...
I've missed you, my little boy.
It's been a long time.
Your mother has asked me to adopt you.
- Do you know about that? - Yes.
I've thought about it
and I've decided
that it's not a good idea.
I came here to tell you that.
You're not speaking?
I'm thinking of ideas.
You see, your mum and I
were so much in love,
that I ended up meeting you
as well.
How old were you? Three? Four?
I forget.
Since it was true love
and you were tiny,
I simply adored you and got along with you.
As I told you once,
one thing that I'm very proud of in my life
is knowing you.
- Is that true? - Yes, it's true.
That's how you and I became almost like a family.
I didn't know your dad but I think he was a great guy.
Really?
He gave you a load of things:
Your name, your face...
So you already have a father.
Okay, he's dead.
That's sad.
But it was before you were born and it's not easy to mourn a stranger.
There's a German poem
about a boy whose mother is dead.
That means,
"Your mother's soul lashes out at the sharks before you."
That poem always reminds me of you
'cause I think your dad's soul protects you from sharks.
So it wouldn't be a good idea
for me to pretend to be your father now.
Your mother used to say you and I should be friends.
But a grown-up and a child shouldn't be friends.
I know that when I was little,
I didn't like those grown-ups who'd try to charm me
or try to establish complicity with me.
What's complicity?
Complicity is being pals, it's sharing secrets.
When I was little, I stole from stores a lot.
You stole from stores?
Or we'd attack the girls at school.
But I didn't want to attack girls
or steal from stores with a grown-up.
So, pretending to be your friend would be another lie.
You shouldn't have to decide whether you like me or not.
I don't care. I'm the grown-up.
When I looked after you, at times I'd annoy you
but at others you'd adore me.
I carry you in my heart now,
even if you turn into a total bastard
or I don't see you for 1279 years.
I have to think about you
because I enjoy doing it.
As a child, you don't have to think about grown-ups or about me.
Unless you need to.
Nora has a new life, like a new house.
So, if we meet too often, I'll be in the way.
Your mum says you don't get on too well with Jean-Jacques?
You won't smoke, will you?
Yes, I'll be like you!
No, you'll be better than me.
Maybe you don't give a damn what I think
but he doesn't seem so bad to me.
I can't replace your granddad.
Granddad is dead too.
I know.
You see, the past isn't what has vanished.
No, it's what belongs to us.
I don't understand.
What belongs to us now are the memories we both have.
It's weird, isn't it?
Because there's no name for what we share.
I looked after you for seven years.
A long time.
But it's over.
I'll tell you what bothers me.
Firstly, you're an introverted little boy. Secretive, say.
But that's not a failing, it's a quality.
As a boy, I couldn't manage to speak
so I used to stammer.
- Is that true? - Yes, it is.
As for you, you're just a little reserved.
In return, life has given you a rich soul.
That way, when you feel lonely,
you can retreat to your inner garden
to chat with your imagination.
I remember your poems in primary school and you're a true poet.
But I can imagine it's not always pleasant for you.
A secret treasure is a good thing but it mustn't become a burden.
If it does, I see you locked up in your thoughts,
that hurts me and I want to free you.
And I wonder what fear or anger makes you flee the world.
...In my own way, I'm fairly introverted too.
And, being introverted, I thought
that I could give you some advice for school.
Really? What?
Well, solitude is a big problem.
And there's no easy way around a problem like that.
Many characters are introverted.
There's Batman. You often remind me of him.
The same grim look and love of secrecy,
the same fear that turns into great bravery.
There's Peter Pan, playing with the Lost Boys.
There's the Baron in the Trees, a great book.
I love the Baron because he reminds me of my tree in Roubaix.
- Do you remember? - Yes, the tree in Roubaix!
There are other introverted characters in books or real life
but that's proof enough that you and I
aren't the only two on the wary side.
And I'd like you to see that doctor you got on well with.
A child shouldn't talk only to his mother.
A mother is great to look after you,
to love you, for you to love, etc.
But she's not enough to make you grow up.
You need an extra adult to help you to grow
so you're not shut up in the love
between parents... and children.
Maybe that scares Nora. And not you.
Nora probably thinks,
"My God, am I a good mother for Elias?
Let's see the doctor."
And you think,
"Nora's the one who needs the doctor, not me!"
That's smart. You can separate what she wants
from what you want.
In a way, you're right but...
This is the only advice I have for now:
Of course, we're always right.
But it's always possible that we could be a bit wrong too.
Being a bit wrong is very good news!
It means you don't have the whole answer.
That life will be more exciting
and full of surprises than you thought.
I watch Elias and Ismaël approaching
and think life is strange.
I've loved four men,
I've killed two
and that doesn't mean anything. I feel no remorse.
My other two men walk towards me,
I know they'll survive me. That's all I need to be happy.
The cycle of woes is over.
Did it go well?
I don't know.
Goodbye.
Bye, kiddo.
I remember this poem Ismaël used to recite to me
when we were living together and I fell asleep in his arms.
Put your treasures in here.
Water, is taught by thirst
Land - by the Oceans passed
Transport - by throe -
Peace - by its battles told
Love, by Memorial Mold.
I'm no longer thirsty.
I have both feet on the ground.
I've found peace at last.
What are you doing?
This is Simon but I don't have his photo.
This is Nora.
She's Pierre Cotterelle's lover.
This is Louis Jenssens.
He's my grandfather...