with nary a penny left over for appropriate treatments:
opiates to quell his temper,
restraints to chasten him when he misbehaves.
Perhaps, if you could buttress your entreaties with the means to oblige them--
I'm not a wealthy woman.
You have a pension, haven'tyou ?
- From the sale of his books ? - It's tainted money, Doctor.
- What a beautiful thought. - What thought is that ?
That the ill-gotten funds born of his degeneracy...
might now affect his salvation.
It's beyond perversity...
that honour should carry a price tag.
Imagine...
old friends deigning to kiss your hand again.
"Why, Marquise, enchanted to see you again.
Welcome back from your long, dark descent into the abyss of infamy."
Don't toy with me, Doctor.
Now is the time to secure your epitaph:
"The benevolent Marquise,
Charenton's most revered philanthropist"...
or "Satan's bride."
Rest assured, Marquise,
your generosity will speed your husband ever faster towards a cure.
The Peruvian marble, without question.
- I'm eternally in your debt. - And I in yours, Marquise.
Doctor, can I impart to you his cruellest trick ?
Of course.
Once, long ago...
in the folly of youth...
he made me love him.
[ Spits ]
[Knocking, Window Slides Open]
[ Whispers ] Madeleine, my sweet, can you smuggle me a quill and some ink ?
[ Whispers ] I don't dare.
The doctor's got his eye on you sharper than ever now.
[ Humming ]
[Continues]
[ Thinking ] Dr. Montalivet was, politely put, diminutive.
[Marquis Continues] When flaccid, his member was little more than bobbin.
And when inflamed, it towered mere four inches.
To compensate, hest rove to impress his lady love with a host of other endowments.'
fine wine, freshgame and a house as large as his ot her fortunes were small.
We've ceiling beams en route from Provence.
And next week, a muralist from Paris arrives...
to paint a tromp I'oeil in the ballroom.
- Doesn't that please you ? - Very much.
I would prefer brandy in the salon...
where we can sit side by side before the fire.
I'd rather read, thankyou.
You prefer a book to your husband's company ?
Well, no wonder. I'm only flesh and blood.
That's no match, is it, for the printed page, hmm ?
Good evening then. Enjoy your solitude.
[Madeleine ln Distance] Your linens, please.
[Madeleine Knocking] Your linens.
Now or never.
Voila !
Well, if you won't read it to your own mother,
perhaps you ought not to be reading it at all.
It's not your cup oftea, Mother.
Oh, go on, darling, give it a read.
[ Clearing Throat ]
" Monsieur Bouloir was a man whose erotic appetites...
"might discreetly be described as... post-mortem.
- [ Chuckling ] - "A habitue of cemeteries,
"his proudest conquest was a maid...
six decades his senior, deceased a dozen years."
- [ Chuckles ] - [Mother] That's terrible.
Oh, that's too, too terrible.
Well, go on.
"The vigor with which he made love...
Mm-hmm.
"caused her bones to dislodge.
- [ Giggling ] - "Still...
"he granted her the highest compliment he accorded any woman.
- [ Snickers ] - Yes ?
Well worth the dig." [ Laughing ]
- [ Growls ] - [Madeleine] You asked my name once.
It's Madeleine.
Sweet then, like the pastry.
Haven't you a name yourself?
Ride away with me someday. Perhaps I'll tell you.
[ Women Singing, French ]
[ Women Stop Singing ]
[Doctor] Your mother may be blind, but you have a keen pair of eyes.
My mother is blind on account of the lye in the laundry kettles.
Soaking sheets for lunatics has cost this woman her sight.
- This could cost her far more. - You'll get more from her with kindness than--
What could cause a tincture like this ?
- I'm only a laundress, not a detective. - Now is not the time--
Perhaps your kettles are stained with rust.
Or maybe the lye is rancid.
Or may be, just maybe...
these sheets once belonged to our friend the marquis.
We've over 200 beds. They could have been anybody's.
With such a fine thread count, decorated in his very own script ?
She's lying. It shows in her face.
- We're clearing everything out. - [ Grunting ]
- Almost done, sir. - Remember, anything he could fashion as a quill.
His entire room stripped bare.
So the doctor cracks his whip and you dance!
My bed, gone. Am I to freeze to death ?
Go on, take his rug.
- [Man] Take it. - That's a Turkish weave, you idiot.
It costs more than you'll earn in a lifetime.
- [Abbe] His chair. - Fine. Take it. Take it all.
- Here. - There you go.
And this-- Careful, it's slippery.
You've no idea where it's been.
Let's not forget Mary, sweet Mary,
the Jewish whore, God's little harlot.
Virgin birth ? An entire religion built on an oxymoron.
His wine.
From now on, nothing but water at every meal.
- Water ? - And your meat shall be deboned.
- Why this sudden torture ? - Because your writing continues unchecked.
- I didn't create this world of ours. I only record it. - Its horrors, perhaps.
Its darkest nightmares. And to what end ?
- Nothing but your own morbid gratification. - No, I write what I see:
the endless procession to the guillotine.
We're all lined up, waiting for the crunch of the blade.
The rivers of blood are flowing beneath our feet, Abbe.
I've been to hell, young man.
You've only read about it.
I'm sorry, Marquis, truly.
These chastity vows of yours-- How strict are they ?
- Suppose you only put it in her mouth ? - [ Yells ]
Pious little worm.
In conditions of adversity, the artist flourishes.
[Bell Ringing, Crowd Chattering]
Curious, aren't you ?
I fuckin' pleasure myself. I can pleasure you too.
You don't know what you're missing, darling.
I'm in search of a book. Perhaps you know it.
I've only got one copy left.
Rescued it myself from the bonfire.
Please hurry. My husband locks the door at dusk.
Sweet little thing like you...
shouldn't be reading such fi lth anyway.
I grew up in a convent, sir.
Everything I know in the world, I owe to books.
[Marquis] To the young maidens of the world,
wrest yourselves free from the tyranny of virtue...
and taste without shame the pleasures of the flesh.
Male power lies in the clench of a fist,
but a woman's power lies elsewhere.'
in the velvet cavity betwixther thighs.
It's late, Simone, darling.
Put your poems aside.
[ Humming ]
- [Continues] - [ Talking, lndistinct ]
[ Softly] Breakfast.
Madeleine, I beg you--
[ Softly] What have they done to you now ?
Tortures so ugly, so medieval...
even I haven't the words to describe them.
- Go on. - If you have an ounce of pity in your heart,
throw caution aside...
and unlock my door.
[ Softly] God help me.
- I don't dare. - Don't be a dunce, child. I have a surprise for you.
Now open the friggin' door.
[Door Unlocking]
My newest book.
It starts at my left cuff...
and continues right across my back.
The longest sentence, you'll notice,
runs the entire length ofmy inseam.
And it all completes itself...
at the base of my right shoe.
[ Laughs ]
- [ Laughing ] - [ Laughing ]
- Oh, my. " Pikestaff' ? - Yes.
[ Chuckling ]
- Yes. - [ Laughing ]
- " Naked on a plate" ? - Yes.
[ Gasps ] "One hundred unhurried tongues" ?
Yes.
- You're a genius ! - Yes !
Shh !
Go quickly...
so you won't be blamed for my misbehavior.
Maddie, you traffic with the devil, you'll pay the devil's price.
- [ Marquis ] Sorry. - Guards !
- [ Laughing ] Yes !
- Shh ! - You'll pay ! Guards !
[ Patients Cheering ]
Look what I've brought you, my darlings.
- There's something written. - Two chapters, one for each cheek.
[ Laughing ]
My writing lives ! [ Laughing ]
[ All Cheering ]
Take this beast back to his cage !
Don't tell me. You've come to read my trousers.
Don't keep me in suspense. What will it be, 50lashes ? A night on the rack ?
I won't sully my hands with him.
Nor should you. That's the first rule of politics, isn't it ?
The man who orders the execution never drops the blade !
[ All Yelling ]
[ Abbe ] You're fortunate they've forced me to punish you.
If it were up to the doctor, you'd be flayed alive.
Well, the doctor is a man after my own heart.
What in God's name am I to do with you ?
T-The more I forbid, the more you're provoked.
[ Chuckles ]
Strip.
Your britches as well.
You started this little game...
you finish it.
Or haven't you the courage ?
I thought not.
It's a potent aphrodisiac,
isn't it, dumpling ?
Having power over another man.
Your wig.
You'll no longer spread your insidious gospel.
From now on,
you will not even write your own ignominious name.
Are your convictions so fragile,
they cannot stand in opposition to mine ?
Is your God so flimsy, so weak ? For shame !
Don't flatter yourself, Marquis.
You're not the Antichrist.
You're nothing but a malcontent who knows how to spell.
[Door Opens, Closes, Locks]
I saw her with my own eyes.
She put the key in the latch just as proud as she pleased.
[Whipping]
[Whipping Continues]
Free her now !
Leave her duly strung.
Maddie.
If only blood will appease you,
then shed mine !
- Abbe, no. - Go on.
Now !
That won't be necessary.
If you're going to martyr yourself, Abbe,
do it for God, not a chambermaid.
[Crowd Chuckling]
Now put your clothes back on.
[Crowd Laughing]
Had I known your taste in novels,
I never would have taught you to read.
[ Madeleine ] Don't say that.
Reading's my salvation.
But why must you indulge in his pornography ?
It's a hard day's wages, slaving away for madmen.
What l've seen in life,
it takes a lot to hold my interest.
[ Gasps ]
I put myself in his stories.
I play the parts.
- Each strumpet, each murderess. - Oh, Maddie--
If l wasn't such a bad woman on the page,
I'll hazard I couldn't be such a good woman in life.
[ Groans ]
This is no place for a child like you.
I'm sending you away from here.
[Doctor] It would take the whole den if you stop there.
Now this is not good enough. You understand ?
I refuse to pay--
We could line the walls with Chinese silks.
Or, if you prefer, a Florentine tapestry.
- Are you a literary man ? - Excuse me ?
I do so admire men with an appetite for...
books.
Madame, how could you ?
Have you actually read this volume ?
I've memorized it.
There comes a time in a young lady's life...
when she must cast books aside...
and learn from experience.
That, monsieur...
requires a teacher.
[ Sighs ]
[ Talking, lndistinct ]
Oh, yes, come on. We'll have some fun.
- Maddie, what are you-- - [ Closes, Locks Door]
Is something wrong ?
Abbe, don't send me away, I beg you.
I shouldn't refuse your kindness...
but my heart's held fast here.
By whom ? The marquis ?
[ Sighs ]
Mother's not half so blind as you.
Oh, Madeleine.
There are certain feelings... we must not voice.
Why not ?
They incite--
They incite us to act...
in ways...
we should not.
No.
[ Crying ] What have I done ?
Go. Go back to your room quickly.
You'll hate me now, won't you ?
No. I love you, Madeleine...
as a child of God.
- [ Sobs ] - Forgive me.
[ Crying ]
[ Whispers ] Madeleine.
[Door Closes]
- [ Gasps ] - Maddie.
You don't fear the marquis' sway on me.
You fear your own.
If you'd grant me a final favor, I'd like to explain myself.
[ Sighs ]
Don't come any closer, Abbe. God's watching.
Maddie--
"Most esteemed Dr. Royer-Collard,
"At long last your chateau is complete.
"You will find everything in its assigned place:
"the chintz draperies, the English bell pulls,
"even the ivory doorstops.
"Only one detail is missing-- [ Gasping ]
[ Panting ]
Your wife."
Tell him I'm no fool.
A prison is still a prison,
even with Chinese silks and chandeliers.
" By the time you read this, we'll be long gone.
Bound for England or points beyond."
Tell him if he discovers our where abouts,
you'll slit your wrist with a razor and I'll plunge a hat pin through my heart.
You'd do that... rather than forsake our love ?
No... but tell him I would.
Sign it... quickly.
Then you can ravish me again on linens for which he so dearly paid.
And then, I beg you,
on the bearskin rug in his study.
And finally, as a crowning gesture,
we'll leave puddles of love on the Peruvian marble.
Simone !
Simone ! Simone ?
Simone ?
Stop ! [ Gurgling ]
Stop ! I beg you !
I'll write dainty stories, odes to virtue.
Children's verse. I promise !
[Water Splashing, Gurgling]
It excites you, doesn't it, to hurt me thus ?
Look, you're solid as bone, straining your trousers.
[Water Splashing, Gurgling]
[ Gasping ] Don't you see, you self-righteous fuck ?
The longer you continue your vexations,
the deeper you root my principles in my heart !
[ Gurgling ]
Haven't you seen...
a man naked before ?
The abbe's sending me away.
Yes.
Of course he is.
Marquis...
tell me one little story.
How do you propose I do that ?
With dust upon the air ?
Whisper it to me now.
Child, that's far too dangerous.
I may never see you again.
Let me transcribe it for you, something to remember you by.
This is neither the time nor the place.
We've lost.
I never thought I'd see you defeated.
There are thousands of stories...
I would dearly love to tell.
Then tell me one.
[Distant Voices]
[ Chuckles ]
Perhaps I can.
Tonight, place yourself in the linen pantry...
with a bottle of ink and a quill.
And then you shall have a story...
that will make the angels weep...
and the saints all gasp for air.
[Thunderclap]
[ Softly] Psst, she's here.
Dauphin. Dauphin.
Dauphin.
- [Dauphin] Cleante. Cleante. - [Thunder Rumbling]
[ Softly] Psst, Cleante, are you ready ?
- [ Louder] Are you ready ? - [ Softly] Marquis, is that you ?
For fuck's sake, who else would it be ? Have you alerted the others ?
[ Softly] I'm no longer a man.
I awoke to discover I turned into a sparrow.
- [ Chirping ] - [Marquis] ls that so ?
[ Softly] Well, I awoke to discover I'd turned into a cat !
If you don't do as l say, I'll sink my little fangs into your drumsticks...
and suck the marrow straight out of your bones !
- Have you got that, little bird ? - [ Whimpering ]
[ Softly] At your service, Count.
[ Softly] To my beloved reader,
prepare yourself for the most impure tale...
ever to spring from the mind ofman.
Off your hump.
Dauphin. To my beloved reader,
prepare yourself for the most...
impure tale ever told.
To my beloved reader,
prepare yourself for an impure tale.
- Psst, Bouchon. - Huh ?
To my beloved reader, prepare yourself.
I have an impure tale to tell.
[Bouchon Moving Rocks] Prepare yourself.
- [Rocks Continue Moving] - [ Softly] Bouchon ?
What did you say ?
[Bouchon] Prepare yourself. I've a tale, an impure tale.
Our story concerns the prostitute, Fauchau,
whom nature had equipped...
with a tight and tiny fissure between her thighs...
and the most finely cleft ass ever molded...
by the hand of God.
- [Thunderclap] - [ Chuckling ]
Fauchau was a prostitute...
with a tight and downy fissure...
between her thighs and--
The most finely cleft ass !
The most finely cleft ass.
- [Continues] - My glorious prose filtered through the minds of the insane.
Who knows, they might improve it.
It's about a harlot named Fauchau.
It's about a harlot...
named Fauchau with a downy fissure.
One day, Fauchau's fiirstclient was a surgeon.
He ran his fingers across her naked skin,
pulling apart folds off lesh.
[Cleante] He ran his fingers across her naked skin,
pulling apart folds off lesh.
[Dauphin] Pulling at her folds and--
[Frannal] He ran his fingers over her naked skin,
- [ Laughs ] - pulling at her folds.
[Bouchon] Feeling over her naked skin.
Her naked skin.
- Naked-- - Yes, I've got that bit.
"What shall I make ready ?" asked Fauchau.
" My mouth, my ass...
or my succulent oyster ?"
What shall I make ready ?
My ass or my succulent oyster ?
" None !" cried the surgeon, brandishing his scalpel.
- Yes ? - Which hole ?
My mouth, my ass or my succulent--
succulent oyster.
" For I'll carve new orifices where there were none before."
- None-- - Cried the surgeon.
I'll carve new--new-new orifices where there were none before.
With that, Fauchau expelled a scream so extravagantly pitched...
that the surgeon was obliged to tear out her tongue.
- [ Laughing ] - Fauchau expelled a scream of such extravagant pitch--
With that, the extravagant bitch--
- screamed so loud-- - She screamed...
so long and so loud--
[Bouchon] She screamed, so he felt hes hould-- He ought--
-[Marquis] To seal the wound, he took a poker from the fire. - A poker !
- To tear out her tongue. - [Thunderclap]
-He took a poker from the fire. -From the fire. From the fire !
He took a poker from the fire.
From the fire. From the fire.
He took a poker from the fire.
From the fire.
- Dauphin. - [ Softly] From the fire.
- What's the next bit ? - [Madeleine] Bouchon, the words ?
- Tell me the words. - Fire.
[ Gasps ]
- Dauphin ? - [Dauphin Gasping]
- [ Gasping ] - Dauphin ?
- [Dauphin] Fire ! - What's the next bit ?
- Fire ! Fire. - What's the next bit ?
- [Dauphin] Fire ! Fire ! - Tell me the next bit !
- You must tell me the words. - [Dauphin Screams]
- [Bell Ringing] - Fire !
Open all the doors ! Let the patients out!
Get some water ! Hurry ! Come on !
Get some water !
- [ Laughing ] -Jesus ! What the hell have you done ?
[Yelling, indistinct]
[ Both Continue Yelling ]
Where's that water ?
Get the beds ! Stomp them out!
- [Panicked Yelling] - Fire ! Fire !
Fire ! Fire !
- Fire ! - [ Whimpering ]
[ Guard ] Where are you going with that ?
Bouchon ?
Remember your manners, Bouchon.
- [ Laughs ] - Don't--
- No ! No ! No ! - Madeleine.
- [ Continues Screaming ] - Madeleine !
- Madeleine !
- [Marquis] Madeleine! - Madeleine !
Madeleine!
- Madeleine! - Madeleine.
[Inmates Yelling] Madeleine! Madeleine!
Madeleine!
Madeleine! Madeleine!
[Panicked Yelling]
- [ Woman Screaming ] - [Abbe] Maddie ?
Madeleine !
[ Woman Screaming, Man Laughing ]
- Maddie ! - It's awful !
The devil's unleashed himself upon us !
It's her fault !
Up the stairs !
[Madeleine] No! No! No!
[Madeleine Screaming]
[Screaming Continues]
No ! No ! No !
- [Marquis] Maddie ! - [Screaming Continues]
- Madeleine ! Madeleine ! - [ Continues Screaming ]
[Doctor] We must save Charenton! Keep the chain going !
We've got to stop it before it gets to those beams !
- [ Band Playing ] - [Doctor Continues Shouting]
- [ Screaming ] - Get him off of me !
Pitou !
[Woman Screaming]
- Madeleine ! - Madeleine !
- [ Woman Screaming ] - [ Inmates Leering ]
- Guards ! Guards ! - [ Whimpering ]
Guards !
Brigitte. Are you all right ?
[Thunderclap]
Madeleine !
- Madeleine ! - [Footsteps Running]
Madeleine !
Go ! Quickly !
Madeleine !
Where are you, Maddie ?
[ Murmuring ]
"She screamed...
- so he felt he ought to tear out her tongue." - [Scissors Hit Floor]
Bouchon, wait !
- [Thunderclap] - [ Gasps ]
I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Abbe. I couldn't help it.
No.
Oh, my God.
- [ Gasping ] - No.
[ Crying ] Oh, no.
[Continues Crying]
[ Whimpers ]
[ Groaning ]
[Rider] Madeleine!
[ Praying, Latin ]
Now, now, don't be shy.
We've a nice surprise just waiting for you.
There's a good boy.
Huh ?
Huh ! There's a good boy.
Huh ?
[ Bouchon ] I'm sorry. Wait.
I promise I won't do it again.
I promise.
Of course, we mustn't blame Bouchon.
He is merely one of nature's experiments gone awry.
No discipline, no conscience, no morality.
In fact, it is our duty...
to provide such things on his behalf.
Is it not ?
As you say, Doctor.
He was so impressed by the marquis' tale...
that he chose to re-enact it, yes ?
Upon a certain chambermaid.
Perhaps you would be so kind as to remind me of her name.
[ Whimpering ] I beg you, Doctor, don't make me say it.
Her name, Abbe.
Madeleine.
Tell me, Abbe,
when you are called before God,
how will you answer for Madeleine's death ?
- Murderer. - [ Rat Squeaking ]
Your words--
Your words drove Bouchon to--
Oh, for fuck's sake, Abbe !
Suppose one of your precious inmates attempted to walk on water and drowned ?
Would you condemn the Bible ? I think not.
An innocent child is dead.
So many authors are denied the gratification...
of a concrete response to their work.
I'm blessed, am I not ?
It's no secret that you loved her.
I wanted to fuck her, that's all.
- And did you ? - It's not your province to ask.
- Why was it you never took her by force ? - Who's to say I did not ?
- Was it impotence ? - Never !
Then... it must have been love.
I fucked her countless times...
and all the while she pleaded for more.
We inspected the body.
She died a virgin.
[ Crying ]
Give her... a proper burial...
in the churchyard...
at my expense.
Do not inter...
her sweet body...
in the same ground...
as the devils who inhabit this accursed place.
Your terrible secret revealed.
You're a man after all.
I've opium to numb the pain.
Our intention is punitive.
If we numb the pain, what's the point ?
Abbe de Coulmier.
I'm here.
Would that I were so easily silenced.
[ Gasping ]
There's a good boy.
[Marquis Screaming]
[Screaming Continues, Gagging]
[Screaming Continues]
[ Grunts ]
My, my.
You have exceeded my expectations.
Have I ? I'm not the first man God has asked to shed blood in His name.
I will not be the last.
And will you sleep soundly tonight ?
No, sir.
Plainly put,
I never expect to sleep again.
[Footsteps Approaching]
[ Sobs ]
[ Crying ]
[ Gasping ]
Don't send me away, Abbe.
Abbe. Abbe.
- Abbe-- - [ Cries Out, Panting ]
[Man] Abbe. Abbe.
[Pounding, Yelling] Abbe! Abbe!
- [ Gasping ] - [Pounding, Yelling Continue]
You best come quick, Abbe !
He's written all over the walls.
[ Coughing ]
Used his own filth.
- Made himself a kind of paint. - Dear God.
- [Gagging] - The stench !
- Free his mouth. - You mustn't do that, sir.
I must grant him his last rites. Give me your dagger.
Leave us.
[Marquis Gasping]
[ Groaning Weakly]
[ Sighing ]
- [ Groans ] - Shh.
I failed to save your soul in life.
I won't fail in death.
Dear Heavenly Father,
prove Your infinite mercy...
and open Your gates to this man,
no less Your child than any other.
There is...
in each of us...
such beauty...
and such abomination.
No man is exempt.
Forgive him.
Forgive us all.
Kiss the cross.
Marquis !
[Gags]
[ Gasps ]
- No ! - [ Screaming ]
[Screaming Continues]
[Doctor] Welcome to Charenton, Abbe.
I'm pleased to have the new post, sir.
Are you ? Thank you.
I'm afraid our endowment has shrivelled to a mere pittance.
We are the laughing stock of all France.
However, on a happier note,
the hospital is now in my sole command.
My policy here is that each man must earn his keep.
The Charenton Press, Abbe.
We produce books for the discriminating collector.
The compulsive inmates set the type.
[ Groaning ]
The listless ones do the binding and prepare the ink.
It's remarkable, Doctor.
The patients are so subdued, so docile.
Yes, they are at peace.
They have the satisfaction that only a hard day's labour can provide.
[Abbe] l don't believe it.
The Marquis de Sade ? You're actually publishing his novels ?
Yes. Ever since his unfortunate death,
there's been a surge of interest in his works.
Of course, I will use the profits to restore Charenton to its former glory.
[Woman] Oh, Doctor.
We have a meeting with Herr Becker at 4:00.
He wants to publish a Swiss edition...
on gilded paper bound in calfskin.
- Thank you, Charlotte. - My pleasure.
Have a look at page 205. I turned the corner down.
[Man] Come on, move. On your left. Come on.
Next one. Go on. Get these books onboard.
Come on! Thoseboxes over there !
Move yourself. Right.
Right, old mate, that's it ! See you next week !
[Doctor] Of course, everything is not quite as harmonious as it seems.
- [ Woman Yelling ] - I hope you have a strong constitution.
My years tending lepers steeled me for life's grisliest offerings.
We still have a few lone incurables...
prone to violence and perversion.
So...
you're my successor, yes ?
"Successor" ?
Oh.
Listen to me... Abbe,
and listen well.
I've stared into the face of evil...
and l've lived to tell the tale.
Now, I beg you, for your sake, let me write it down.
Gibberish, my friend. He rants and he raves.
If you've an ounce of Christian charity,
then you'll bring me parchment, ink and a quill.
You'll do no such thing. This patient poses a grave danger to himself and others.
[ Gasping ]
Are you all right, sir ?
[ Panting ]
Do you not see, Abbe ?
Some men are beyond redemption.
No. Wait. Please.
Please bring my quill. Please ?
Wait. I'm sorry.
Goddamn you, Abbe ! A quill !
[ Panting ]
A quill.
Use it well.
You owe her that.
[ Humming ]
[Marquis] Beloved reader,
I leave you now with a tale penned by the Abbe de Coulmier,
a man who found freedom in the unlike list of places.'
at the bottom of an inkwell,
on the tip of a quill.
[ Humming ]
[Marquis] However, be forewarned,
its plot is blood-soaked,
its characters depraved,
and its themes... unwholesome at best.
But in order to know virtue,
we must acquaint ourselves with vice.
Only then can we know the full measure of man.
So come.
I dare you.
Turn the page.