I'd lay her badly but I'd lay her gladly!
Alphonse will be a great writer.
You know what? I'm going to teach Alphonse myself.
He will never go to school. That way he'll only learn important things.
We'll see about that later. Come, my little Ghislain.
What a pretty little bottom this baby has.
Like his mother!
Watch your daddy.
He's on his way to the bathroom.
He'll take enough gear for an arctic expedition.
A flashlight...
a book...
Oh, the pages aren't cut yet.
A knife... and now what's he looking for?
The newspaper.
- Didn't you do the shopping? - What shopping?
- I left a list on the table. - I didn't see any list.
There's nothing to eat.
- Nothing to eat? - No, it was all on the list.
Ask Mrs. Martin to come up and we'll go out to eat.
- She's not home. - What do we have in the fridge?
Alphonse's baby food.
Good. We'll have that.
You think so? What if he wakes up?
You know he never wakes up once he falls asleep.
We'll buy some more tomorrow. Come on, let's eat.
Tonight, direct from Marienbad...
Antoine, look. It's our neighbor - the strangler!
- Did you know he was an actor? - No. Is he a singer?
No, he does impressions.
You kept an old picture of me.
He's not bad!
He's great!
Perhaps it was in Karlsbad, or Marienbad.
Once again I walk through the drawing rooms,
the long corridors, luxurious, lugubrious.
But I'm not an apparition.
I am a woman,
which is just the opposite.
You say I'm exceptional.
You're right. I am.
We saw you on TV last night!
You were great!
You little sneak!
You never told us you were an actor. - I recognized him right away!
Hello, Doinel. I see you're doing fine.
THE NEXT MORNING
Remember me? I work at the hydraulics company.
- I brought you something. - Come in.
You saw me lose this?
Yes, I saw it fall in the water.
I was very surprised you didn't say a word.
The American gentleman told me the model was very fragile.
I was sorry to lose my bracelet, but I didn't want to bother you.
- I thought you'd like to have it back. - Thank you very much.
Come in.
Miss Maki, my friend and roommate.
Won't you sit down?
Thanks, but I really should be going.
- We were just having some tea. - I'm afraid I must be going.
I'm sorry.
- Well... - I'll show you out.
Good-bye.
Hello, Antoine.
We don't see much of you since you changed jobs.
Working for the Americans now, eh? Do they pay you in dollars?
Yes, but the best thing is I have time to think.
- 'Cause I'm writing a novel. - No kidding!
Don't tell my wife. I write at night while she's asleep.
So you're a novelist like Baudelaire.
Did you know he started out in flowers too?
- Baudelaire wasn't a novelist. - What about Les Fleurs du Mal?
- That's poetry. - Listen, I know more about him than you.
I just read an article about him. Did you know he was a priest's son?
His father was an ordained priest,
and later worked for the Choiseul-Praslin family
as a tutor for the children.
So what's your novel about?
Oh, you know: Life in general, my youth,
moving from the personal to the universal.
I trust I'll get an autographed copy.
Of course. "For Césarin."
- What's the title? - I haven't found one yet.
Oh, that's not hard.
Any singing in your novel? - No.
- Any dancing? - No.
Then call it "No Song and Dance"!
Not bad, huh?
Well, see you later.
What do you want? We're closed.
What are you looking for?
A fight!
Okay, listen.
Behave yourself. You're among friends, okay?
Nothing here but old folks and kids.
You wouldn't pick a fight with them, would you?
Go out here and take the first right.
You'll find what you're looking for.
What are you reading?
Japanese Women? - It's for work.
Let me see.
Those glasses look great on you. - I don't like them.
No, they look great.
I'm done.
I know why you say that. She wore glasses.
- Who? - The girl from the Youth Concerts.
- She didn't wear glasses. - I thought she did.
She made you suffer, huh?
She really put me through the wringer.
What a nightmare!
But one night I just fell out of love with her.
One moment I was in love. An hour later I couldn't stand her.
I was over her. - It must be something she said.
Exactly.
I can't even remember what. But it was a relief.
If I asked you a favor, would you do it?
Depends.
Dodging, eh? Will you do it?
That depends. Just ask!
Would you put your glasses back on?
- Am I early? - Not at all. Come in.
- How are you? - Fine. Yourself?
- What shall we do tonight? - I thought we might go to a movie.
I've got a program, but I haven't had time to look yet.
I thought we might have dinner here.
That would be nice.
- We could go to a movie later. - Fine.
You take a look. I'll be right back.
My friend says she's sorry, but her mother is very ill
and she can't join us for dinner.
I hope it's nothing serious.
Oh, yes, she's very sick.
She has to leave this instant.
DO NOT DISTURB
You're just getting home?
I had to work late.
- You know what time it is? - I had to eat!
He sneaks in, thinking I'm asleep.
It was 3:00 a.m.! I demand an explanation.
You know what he says? "I had to eat!"
Kyoko loves Antoine.
Come when you can, but can soon.
She says good night and thinks of Antoine.
- The porter gave me these. - For whom?
- He didn't say. - Must be for you.
No one would send me flowers here.
They must be for Nicole. - I don't know.
Oh, I know now-- - Are you crazy? Keep dreaming!
They just might be for me. Let's see.
There's a name here in small print.
They're for Doinel!
Congratulations!
- What floor? - First.
Hello, Christine.
- How are you? - Fine.
Was someone with you? - No.
Hi, Christophe. What's that?
- May I see Alphonse? - Of course. He's in there.
See what Christophe brought? - I know what those are.
I brought them for you. I must have dropped them on the stairs.
Besides, I was afraid you'd think it was silly.
Not at all. They're lovely.
Aren't you going to change? We're going out tonight, remember?
I didn't forget, but I can't tonight.
I have to go back to work.
- How do you say that? - Nose?
You said mashi mashi on the phone. What does that mean?
Not mashi mashi. Moshi moshi.
It means hello.
Hello?
If you say "hello, hello," is it moshi moshi, moshi moshi?
No, just moshi moshi.
This is nice, isn't it?
If I commit suicide with someone,
I'd like it to be you.
Her name is Kyoko, and she loves you.
I'm coming!
If she were just another woman, I'd understand you being jealous.
But Kyoko is another world.
You understand? She's another world.
- What's that? - I'm giving a lesson.
At this hour?
Where's the violin?
I'm staying at a hotel. I'll come for Alphonse tomorrow.
Listen, you sleep in the bed, I'll sleep in the chair. It'll be fine.
I won't sleep in the same room as you!
Fine! Then we won't sleep in the same room!
Evening.
It's like a smokestack in here!
You snuck out bright and early this morning.
At least let me give Alphonse a kiss.
We were supposed to have a talk.
Remember? - We've all the time in the world to talk.
Besides, I can't be late to work.
Your parents are coming to dinner. They want to see Alphonse.
They'll be here any minute. - My parents?
- Didn't you tell them no? - What was I supposed to say?
You're crazy! I haven't even told my mother what's going on.
Call and tell them they can't come.
It's no use. They've left by now.
Besides, they'll figure out what's going on when they see this.
You're revolting!
My mother will have a heart attack! Help me put this back.
It's the only way. Give me a hand. - You go on that side.
Careful with my manuscript!
A lot you care!
Did Antoine tell you we were coming? Here, we brought dinner.
I'm going to see Alphonse.
- What's that? - A little duck for Alphonse.
You're looking strange. - I'm fine.
- No, you really look strange. - I'm fine.
Listen, the duck's for Alphonse, not for you.
I say that 'cause I just read an interesting novel
called The Mischievous Duck.
It's about this bourgeois judge
who goes crazy for a little duck someone bought for his son.
Very strange.
No chance of that happening to Antoine. He doesn't like things.
He prefers people, though he's very partial to yellow.
- Look at this little sweetie. - He's so cute.
He's grown, huh?
See the little duck Lucien brought you?
Want to go to Mommy?
- Watch. He's almost walking. - Christine, he's too young!
He doesn't like that at all.
I'll call you.
Good. We'll go see Colette at the hospital.
Good-bye, Lucien.
Please forgive us. I was very tired tonight.
Don't worry. We were all a little off our game tonight.
Go on, now. You'll catch cold.
Come help me move the mattress.
- Is that really necessary? - Yes, it is.
The world won't stop turning if we sleep in the same bed, you know.
I'm not like you.
I don't like things fuzzy and vague and ambiguous.
I like things to be clear.
Listen, Christine--
Don't come near me. There's nothing between us.
- Then what the hell am I doing here? - Good question!
Fine!
I'm splitting!
TUESDAY
THURSDAY
SATURDAY
I don't know what I'm going to do.
- You're living alone for now? - More or less.
Isn't that hard?
Oh, I don't mind being alone.
I get scared when I'm alone at night.
I'd marry a streetlamp if it could carry on a conversation.
Oh, it's you, Silvana.
Antoine stopped by yesterday, so I thought--
- Listen, I know life. He'll be back. - I don't think so.
I handled it very badly.
When things started to go wrong, instead of fixing them,
I got scared and made them worse.
You have to be patient! All men are children.
- I thought you loved your wife very much. - Yes, very much.
When we met, I was astonished at her good manners.
She was so polite I had to laugh. It was very touching.
Then it got on my nerves.
"Thank you, sir. Thank you, ma'am.
Thank you for coming. Thank you for the wonderful meal.
Thank you for calling."
At first I called her "Peggy Proper."
"Peggy" for her reserved, British side.
And "Proper" because that's how she is.
Know what I mean?
I was a virgin when I met him, and don't think I'm proud of it.
My parents let me date all I wanted,
but I was afraid of guys and believed certain things.
A virgin at 20 - can you imagine? A walking fossil! A real idiot!
I had some crazy ideas about life too.
Still, it's very exciting.
No, now I know the truth, and I realize life is disgusting.
You should see her smoke.
She doesn't know how.
She holds it clumsily between her fingers,
like a little girl pretending to be a woman.
He's really funny.
And despite everything he's done, he never bores me.
Ever notice how he always has a cold?
That used to bug me so much when we first got married.
I felt like saying, "Would it kill you to use a handkerchief?"
Now if he's not sniffling, I think he's sick.
See there?
That must be my husband.
Good-bye. - Good-bye, Silvana.
Was Alphonse good?
He was great. He smiles and blows kisses.
- You noticed too? - Yes.
One of his lower teeth came in yesterday.
He's got a little tooth!
I packed your summer clothes for you.
I'll pick those up another day.
Could you zip me up? I'm very late.
He's playing with a program. Can he have it?
No, he'll tear it up. I went to the ballet the other night.
- What's this written here? - Nureyev's autograph.
We went backstage to see him afterwards.
Frankly, I find that very provincial,
bothering some guy backstage who's just danced for two hours.
Don't start, okay?
I've come to look after Alphonse.
Am I early? I'll come back in a bit.
- Not at all. - Evening, Mrs. Martin.
Come in. Go say hi to Alphonse.
What's Mrs. Martin doing here?
- Yes. What's she doing here? - She's going to watch Alphonse.
I'd like a cab at 17 Rue Descazes.
Six minutes? Thank you.
- Are you going out? - Yes.
Stay a while with Alphonse if you like. Mrs. Martin will make dinner.
No, I'll walk you down.
Good-bye, my little man. Be good.
- You know how to turn on the TV? - Yes.
- Take good care of Alphonse. - I certainly will.
- Take this picture. - No, I gave it to you. It's yours.
- Please take it. - It's yours. You keep it.
All right.
Remember when we'd go out and you'd say,
"I'm taking my keys too in case we get into a fight"?
I'm glad to see you in a good mood.
Surprised? I know when you come here you must think,
"She's going to yell at me again!" Admit it!
I admit nothing of the kind.
- Don't kiss me. - I just thought--
- Let me go. - I was trying to help you.
I don't need help.
You can be so unpleasant!
And you're insensitive! Always what you want!
Kiss you when you want, leave you alone when you want.
I'm not at your beck and call. At least not anymore.
All right!
I'm sorry. Forgive me.
I understand-- - No, I know that trick too.
"I understand. I'm rotten. You're too good for me."
- I'd never pull that. - You've pulled that a hundred times.
You can put it all in your book.
Just so happens I've almost finished.
It's all I think about. If I'm a little confused, that's why.
I'm sure things will be better between us once it's finished.
Don't bother sending me a copy. I won't read it.
I don't like this business of writing about your childhood,
dragging your parents through the mud.
I don't know much, but one thing I do know:
If you use art to settle accounts, it's no longer art.
I've been thinking the same thing myself recently.
Do what you have to do, but let me be.
I'm not proud and never have been,
so I can tell you: I still love you.
But I'd rather not see you anymore.
Call me when you're coming to see Alphonse so I can step out.
Come on. The taxi's coming.
- Where the hell is it? - They said six minutes.
Anyway, I hope you're happy.
I don't think that way anymore.
It can't work. She and I hardly talk.
- You just have to smile lovingly. - That's exactly what we do!
I have lockjaw from so much smiling.
Restaurants are the worst, waiting between courses.
She smiles and expects me to make small talk.
I can't even eat. It's terrible!
I said I was going away for a few days for some peace and quiet.
I feel sorry for you!
Here we go. Where are you going?
I don't really know.
- Shall I drop you off somewhere? - No, that's all right.
Just a minute.
Shall I cancel my plans and stay with you?
Shall we go to a movie?
No, I'd like to be alone, wander around a bit.
You're sweet.
Kiss me.
You're my little sister, my daughter, my mother.
I'd have liked to be your wife too.
Wait here a moment.
No, wait here. I'll be right back.
Where are you going? Don't you like any of them?
I didn't know it was like this. It's a little awkward.
It's easy. Look and choose.
Come on.
Follow me.
It's slow around here now.
There used to be clients until the 23rd.
Now everyone's broke by the 15th.
Some administration!
When I saw 'em on TV, I knew they'd screw us over.
Are you interested in politics? - A little.
I agree with you. They're all crooks.
Yeah, but some crooks take more than others.
If you don't follow politics, it'll get you in the end.
Especially the end of the month.
The end of the month, the end of the road,
the end of the movie. I hate things that end.
- What's that? - Nothing.
I said you're really pretty, Marie.
Hey, Antoine! Evening.
You look like you're sleep-walking. I'm really glad to see you.
Nothing like a good house to complete a happy home!
Hi. Don't I owe you 100 francs?
No, not me!
- It's me, Antoine. - Where are you?
- In a restaurant. - And?
And nothing.
Nothing special. Just wanted to talk to you.
Is something wrong?
No, it's just that... I'm with someone.
Mademoiselle Butterfly?
Right.
I can't take it. She never says a word.
She just smiles and smiles.
She expects me to be funny, tell her stories.
I'm fed up. I'm not gonna try anymore.
Antoine, you don't have to be mean.
Oh, all right. It's good to talk to you.
Good-bye.
Did you make your call?
You should have started.
- The next course, please. - Would you like some cheese?
Oh, I'm sorry. Kyoko? - Yes.
Cheese for the lady.
Excuse me. I need to make another call.
- Christine, it's me again. - Still at the restaurant?
It's dragging on terribly, just as I expected.
- I hope the food's good. - Guess again! Rump steak!
We haven't spoken a word. I feel like we've been here all day.
Try to make an effort.
I can't! I'm bored stiff. I just want to get out of here!
Now she's ordered cheese!
I've got to go.
But if she orders dessert, I'll kill myself!
Sure you wouldn't like some cheese?
It's very good.
Excuse me. I have to make another call.
- Is that our coffee? - No, sir. I'll bring yours after dessert.
- Bring the check with the coffee. - Very well, sir.
With the coffee.
Christine, it's me again.
This is unbearable!
She just ordered a soufflé. Another 20 minutes!
Are you there? - Yes.
- Why don't you say anything? - I'm listening to you.
- You know, Christine... - Yes?
I can't talk here anymore.
I'd like to kiss you. - Me too.
- Tenderly. - Me too.
- Really? - Yes, really.
Good-bye.
DROP DEAD
EPILOGUE: ONE YEAR LATER
Let's go.
Go back inside now.
I'm coming.
Thanks. I'm really late.
Thank you very much.
See, darling? Now they're really in love.
THE END