All she wanted was...
Never mind.
He moved back in and here we are today.
Why did he leave?
Why?
Sorry, it's personal.
I'm sorry. Of course.
I say he left us but actually my mother...
She was a very strong woman in her prime.
She was a remarkable woman, in fact.
I admired her in so many ways.
And then, with her illness...
The poor woman was in so much pain, despite the drugs.
I'm well aware she was someone...
quite extraordinary.
I think she felt, rightly or wrongly, that my father...
was a bad influence.
A bad influence?
On me.
She was convinced of it.
My father wanted... How can I put it?
...to interfere with my upbringing and she didn't agree.
I think you're probably right.
My father is disappointed.
Disappointed by the way I've turned out.
But I am what I am.
What can we be apart from what we are?
I often tell myself that.
Anyway, she asked him to leave.
She threw him out of the house and out of our lives.
It's very late. I'm making you do overtime.
See you tomorrow?
See you tomorrow.
Same time?
Same time.
I did say it wasn't right for you.
No...
Your fiancé will find it cramped.
It's more for a single person.
There's no room for a study.
Right.
I need to think about it.
Don't take too long. This one will be snapped up quite fast.
We've had other enquiries and this is a desirable area.
Morning, Lionel.
You're bright and early today, sir. The usual?
No, just passing through. My morning constitutional.
A constitutional? Really?
A quick walk to get a breath of fresh air.
I'm starting a new life today.
Glad to hear it, sir.
But why take a constitutional in a hotel?
I'm living here now. I'm a hotel guest.
Not for long, though.
My attic broom cupboard here costs a bomb.
You're paying for the name.
And nothing else. I don't even get shampoo.
No?
Not even a tiny sample, in a four-star hotel...
And just one slipper.
- One... - Slipper. You heard.
Must be the Long John Silver Suite.
Slipper or not, I'm turning a new leaf, Lionel.
Just like we said. I settled it with Nicole last night.
We're stepping back and taking stock.
It upset her but,
frankly, I feel a thousand times better already.
That's good, sir.
Another thing... I took your advice.
For the ad. I've placed one.
What did you put exactly?
Tall, good-Iooking, single man,
ex-army, fighting fit...
GSOH. They all put that. What does it mean?
Good Sense Of Humour, sir.
I thought it was sexual. Good-Sized Old Henry.
Anyhow, it worked. I've already had a bite.
- No! - Yes, meeting up tonight.
Congratulations, sir. Whereabouts?
A bar on Rue Oberkampf.
- Oberkampf? - Do you know it?
- Not really, sir. - Me neither. She chose it.
I'll see you later. Around lunch time probably.
See you later, sir. Be careful on Rue Oberkampf.
Don't worry. A new leaf, Lionel.
I'm living again.
Living again!
Charlotte?
Sorry, I was in the...
I do beg your pardon.
You needed something?
No, I just wanted...
to return your videos.
There's no hurry.
So, did you...
Wonderful, better than the last one.
I'm so glad you liked it.
A superb programme.
Really? You preferred the second one?
By far.
I can't find the words but...
We've worked together for a while yet I don't really know you.
I mean, who you are really,
apart from a wonderful colleague and a friend too, I hope.
But that's as far as it goes.
But we've never really talked about who we are deep down inside.
Perhaps that's only natural.
It can be hard to express that kind of thing in words.
I mean, words can conceal your true personality.
Whereas a laugh or a smile at times...
Don't you feel that too? Does that make any sense?
Yes, I think so.
You're a beautiful woman. You should know that.
What you've shown me of yourself, your face, your body, your...
It's all very beautiful. I wanted you to know that.
Thank you.
And I... It...
It's so powerful... I'm overwhelmed, truly...
Completely...
What's the matter with you? Are you mad?
I'm sorry.
Please, I beg you, forgive me.
- Are you out of your mind? - I thought I...
Please forgive me.
Mr Lafarge, yes... Not at all.
Yes, alright.
I spoke to the owner actually...
Hi, Mum. Did you get my message?
Everything's fine, yes.
I promise you, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?
He's fine too.
No, he's fine.
We're both fine, Mum. Everything's fine.
Stop it!
I can't talk to you now.
There are two people waiting. I have to go.
Yes.
I'm absolutely fine.
Absolutely fine.
It's a bit warmer.
Yes, it's milder out.
Sorry, I'm a little late.
Lionel!
- He's in a foul mood tonight. - I can take it.
Been shopping?
It's nothing special.
Look at the time. I'm late.
Off you go. Leave him to me.
See you later.
Shit, fish-face is back!
Good evening, Arthur.
...the situation isn't worsening but may not improve
since 6 new rescue teams...
Of course. But, frankly...
Let's try to make things clear.
We can't treat every prostate around.
Where's fish-face gone? Back to the sea?
Just a minute, Arthur.
Sophia?
Yes.
Martin.
Hi.
May I sit down?
Yes, please do.
Thanks.
Lively place.
Very.
Makes you want to move your body.
You have a sense of humour. Wonderful!
I hope so.
Believe me, you have one. I'm an expert.
Really?
Something wrong?
- No, but... - But?
You're exactly like your description.
And?
Well, the description rarely matches...
Someone who puts 26 is usually 46,
someone tall is this high,
wavy hair usually means bald. That's why I'm surprised.
You're...
tall, you're good-Iooking...
- Just like it said. - Thank you.
I was hard to recognize.
Not at all.
I just looked for the prettiest girl
and here I am!
The flower helped a bit but not that much.
Coffee?
No, no coffee.
So...
you're used to this kind of thing...
Not really. I tried it once or twice a long time ago.
Personally,
I'm not at all familiar with the rules.
I'm not sure where we go from here.
That's up to us.
It's good to meet in a place with plenty of people around.
It's safer, if you see what I mean. For the woman.
Of course. No one wants to get murdered.
I was silly enough to meet someone in quite a deserted place once
and, before I knew it, I got molested.
Really?
What on earth had you done?
Molested!
I'm sorry, I thought you said you got arrested.
Molested...
I'm sorry, that's terrible. How did you get away?
I bit him.
Sorry, I can't hear you with this noise.
We don't have to stay. We can go somewhere quieter.
That's not a bad idea.
We could have a real conversation.
If I've passed the first round of tests.
I mean...
If you're convinced I'm not a professional rapist.
I'll try my luck.
No chance of it. I hate being bitten.
I promise I won't.
Jolly good.
Where shall we go, then?
You choose.
Shall we get a drink? Just the one.
And maybe something to eat. My treat, of course.
No, not on a first meeting...
Why not? I imagine some things are out on a first date
but where's the harm in drinking and eating?
No, I meant you paying for me. We should go Dutch.
Sorry, you've found a hard-line macho.
The chap pays, not the girl.
Alright.
But I'll pay next time.
Supposing there is a next time, of course.
There'd better be. I want a return on my investment.
Let's go.
I knowjust the place.
Get back in here right now, fish-face,
or I'm wetting this bed!
I'll soak the sheets. That'll teach you, you tart!
Alright...
here I come, you horrible little man.
Now then, Arthur dear...
Oh, my God...
It's beautiful.
I like it. I come here now and then.
It's very handy. It's close to...
most things.
Shall we sit at the bar and look at the menu?
Why not?
Lionel...
They're busy tonight.
This is Sophia. My friend Sophia.
Meet the admirable Lionel.
Good evening, madam.
What can I get you?
Sophia?
What I'd really like is a Devil's Tail.
A what?
A Devil's Tail. Certainly. Haven't made one in a long time.
A Devil's Tale? Got that in stock?
Ice, rum, vodka, lime juice, grenadine
and a dash of apricot brandy?
- Delicious. - Coming right up.
I'll have my usual, Lionel.
You look just like a Sophia.
When did you start drinking those?
When I was working down in Nice.
With the other girls. Get the idea?
More or less, yes.
We'd have these wild nights out all the time.
It's different now. I work in a smaller company here.
So you were in the army?
Yes.
I got out three weeks ago.
And now?
I'm looking for a job I like. It isn't easy.
I mean, choosing isn't easy.
I had a good commission, a promising career
and suddenly I have to start from scratch.
- It takes time to adjust. - It must do.
Why did you leave the army?
Why?
It's complicated.
Let's say I had no choice.
Why? Were you wounded?
Were you wounded?
Actually, I was invalided out.
Really? Was it serious?
I'd rather not talk about it.
Of course. I'm sorry.
Everything's fine, though.
Don't get that idea.
I'm in full working order.
I'm sure you are.
You look in working order too.
I think I am.
Splendid!
One Devil's Tail...
- And one large scotch. - Wow!
That'll stick you to the ceiling.
I hope not, I hate heights.
Thank you very much.
Bring a ladder to help her down from the chandelier.
Martin, please!
Can you tell him to stop teasing me?
Who, madam?
Martin. Tell him to stop it.
Stop it, Martin.
Alright, Lionel.
Well, cheers.
- Is that good? - Delicious.
Good as you remember?
Even better. Want a sip?
Let's find a table. These stools are unsteady.
Would you prefer a table? There's one over there.
Lead the way.
GaëIle, is that you?
GaëIle?
That'll keep you quiet for a bit, you old pig.
Thanks again!
I imagined the worst.
I'm so sorry. I got locked in.
I was scared you'd have left.
- Not another? - You asked for one.
Did I?
You wanted another mixture. This one's a Mad Dog.
What's in it?
He wrote it down. A Lionel special.
White rum, vodka, coconut cream,
blue curaçao, fresh cream and pineapple juice.
Fine. As long as there's no gin.
Gin makes me drunk. Cheers!
It's the last one.
Good idea, I think they've run out.
We'll meet again, won't we?
Promise me we'll meet again.
- Of course we will. - I mean...
I don't want this to be a one-night stand.
Stand?
That's not likely, the state we're both in.
I'm serious, Martin.
I'm serious.
I promise, Sophia, we'll meet again.
You're so good-Iooking.
I'm a bit tipsy but you're so good-Iooking.
Oh, come on...
It's true, Martin. You're a good-Iooking man.
And I don't deserve you.
Why on earth not?
I'm boring. You've no idea how boring I am.
I'm not buying that.
I know what I'm like. Sometimes, I bore myself to sleep.
Compared to you. A hero, wounded in battle and so on.
What am I with my boring life?
I'm not in the army now.
But you were. And your father was too.
True.
I bet your grandfather was too.
He was in the navy.
They must be so incredibly proud of you.
Proud isn't the word.
You're modest. I'm sure they're proud.
Believe me, they aren't.
My father doesn't even speak to me.
Really? Why?
It's complicated.
Basically, I can't go home when he's there.
When he's away, I go to see my mother.
Or she comes up to Paris. It depends.
That's so sad.
- What happened? - Maybe I'll tell you one day.
Right now, I can't. And I don't want to.
They're turning off the tables... The lights, I mean.
Perhaps we should be going.
- I'll get you a taxi. - No.
- I insist. - I can get a bus.
You're not getting a bus at this time of night.
Alright, in that case we'll share a taxi.
How about that?
Are you going in my direction?
I don't think so.
- Where do you live? - Here.
Here?
In this hotel.
You didn't tell me that.
I didn't tell you.
We'll ask Georges at reception.
Good old Georges. He'll find you one.
Alright?
Yes, but I can't finish my drink, I'm afraid.
Never mind.
Martin...
Thank you.
I've had a lovely evening. Thank you.
I hope we'll meet again soon.
Why not?
What about tomorrow?
Tomorrow?
Well, we've nearly run out of today.
You're right. See you tomorrow.
For lunch?
It'd be torture for me to wait till dinner.
Lunch is fine.
Sophia...
I have to tell you.
My name's not Martin. I lied.
So what's your name?
Daniel.
But they call me Dan.
Dan's much nicer.
I love Dan.
Shall we go, Dan?
After you, Sophia.
Thank you.
My name's not Sophia either.
Thank God for that.
I'm sorry, I...
I was looking for something I dropped.
It's doesn't matter. Nothing important.
Alright?
Fine. I think he's asleep. I'll get my coat.
He's sleeping like a baby. You handle him well.
Are you ready?
- Round the corner? - As usual.
I'll see you to your car.
It's odd, that big smile on his face.
Father hasn't smiled like that for ages.
Where are we? This isn't it.
Who put that there?
GaëIle, what's going on?
Where have you been?
Get off my back!
Are you drunk?
Can't you see I am, stupid?
Stop seeing those girls. They're a bad influence!
What girls?
I was out with a man tonight.
A man?
A man, yes. A real man.
Who?
Martin. No...
Daniel. Dan.
I was with Dan. Not Tintin or Martin.
Dan.
How many of them?
Just one. But a real man.
Not like you, fondling himself in front of the TV.
Let's get you to bed.
Don't touch me!
Don't you dare touch me!
I won't let some sex maniac tell me what to do!
GaëIle!
Hello...
Anyone here?
I'm sorry. Have you been here long?
No, I just walked in.
I'd like to see... Is Thierry here?
Just a minute, I'll check.
Of course, you're Mrs... Miss...
Tell him Nicole is here.
That's right.
Your client's here.
I don't know.
Miss...
Wasn't our meeting set for lunchtime?
Quite right, it was.
But I was passing by so I thought...
Good idea.
- I'm stopping. - Sorry?
Our search. I'm calling it off. Forget it.
Really?
Sorry to have put you to so much trouble.
No, these things happen.
All part of the job.
Maybe. But I'm sorry anyway.
My pleasure.
You haven't changed your mind for anything serious, I hope.
No, we just changed our minds, that's all.
Well, I'll be going. I have to get to work.
If I change my mind again, I'll come back to see you first.
I'd be delighted.
You'll always be welcome. Goodbye.
Goodbye, Mrs...
Miss...
Goodbye.
There we go.
What did she want?
They're not looking anymore. She came to tell me.
That's a pity.
Trouble between them, you think?
Could be. Unless they've gone elsewhere.
That's likely too.
That's life.
You win some, you lose some.
Charlotte...
Yes, Thierry?
I really need to talk to you.
I'm not making you, I hope?
No, it's me. I really need to.
My behaviour yesterday was unacceptable.
It was outright sexual harassment.
You'd be right to complain to head office.
But, believe me, I never meant any disrespect
towards you as a colleague and a person.
I have endless admiration for both.
I give you my word that it won't happen again.
I humbly ask you to forgive me.
Should you refuse and decide to pursue the matter further,
I won't hold that against you.
Thank you.
There.
That's said.
Thierry...
I'm a practising Christian and I do my best
to adhere to Christ's teachings.
No, please, let me finish.
Thanks to that religion
and to my strong faith in it,
I find it in my heart to forgive you.
Thank you, Charlotte.
Remember, our Lord warned us that temptation is everywhere.
We must be on our guard constantly to resist it.
Of course...
Right, I'll get back to work.
Thierry?
Maybe you'd like to watch this.
A little gift, as a sort of peace offering.
Would you?
Yes, of course.
Sorry, I don't feel very well.
Nothing serious?
No, I'll be alright, but...
I think I'll use the cancellation to go home and rest.
Could you hold the fort?
Of course. Go on home...
Will you manage?
Don't worry,
I'm a big girl.
Thank you, Charlotte.
See you later.
See you tomorrow, Thierry.
And remember...
Be strong!
Hello, sir, the usual?
Notjust yet if you don't mind.
I'm a bit early actually.
I won't start without her.
As you like, sir. Help yourself to nuts.
Yes, sir?
A gin and tonic.
Hello, Dan.
Nicole?
How are you?
I knew I'd find you here.
Really? Why?
Because.
You're here day and night.
Your mother said you've moved in now.
So it was her.
What are those flowers for?
I don't know.
I had a sudden urge to buy flowers.
You know, a sort of impulse.
Have you met someone else already?
That was quick. Well done, Dan.
Nothing's final yet, Nicole.
I'm beginning to play the field.
If you have met someone, you can tell me.
It doesn't bother me one way or the other.
- Really? - Not at all.
- So why are you here? - To say goodbye properly.
Eye to eye, calmly,
with dignity,
like two people who've lived together for ages.
Ages, yes.
I wanted us to part as friends.
The other night was horrible.
You were drunk and I was mad with rage.
We deserve better, right?
We've come a long way, hand in hand.
I read your letters last night,
the very first ones.
Do you remember?
Like it was yesterday.
You were so innocent then.
I loved the questions you asked about women.
You asked about how we felt.
The way women feel inside.
Only natural to be interested.
And now?
What?
Are you interested in how I feel now?
Not really?
Not at all even.
You're wrong.
Not as interested as I was, true.
But I'm older now.
We're both older, aren't we?
Yes.
We're not as interesting now?
Don't exaggerate.
For instance, I know exactly how you feel right now.
You do?
Of course. A piece of cake after so long.
It's easy.
Can I get you anything, madam?
No, thank you.
Me neither. Notjust yet.
Could we sit somewhere for a minute?
Okay, but I'm meeting someone.
I'll go as soon as she turns up.
Please. I hate sitting at the bar. Everyone's looking at us.
GaëIle!
Where were we?
You were saying how you felt.
That's right.
Not that it matters now.
I'm sorry, madam.
I almost married a man who isn't interested in me.
Calm down, I never said that.
It's alright.
I'm not interested in you either.
On that train coming home from that ghastly boarding school,
the mere idea of seeing you for the holidays
would make my heart leap.
It used to sing, as the poets say.
But coming here to see you today, my heart...
was all crushed and tiny.
Sorry. That's life, Dan.
I know.
Don't be angry with me. Neither of us is to blame.
I won't say goodbye. I'll see you again.
We can't avoid each other.
Goodbye. Take care of yourself.
I hope you'll be happy with the next one, I really do.
Excuse me, sir...
Yes?
The young lady from last night...
She came in, saw you and left.
I thought you should know. The other lady...
- Where is she? - She left.
I'm sure you can explain things to her.
How? I don't have her number.
I don't even know her name!
I don't even know if she lives in Paris.
Shit...
Shit!
Dear, dear, dear.
I'm sorry.
I tried calling your mobile to tell you not to come.
I was driving. I'm very law-abiding.
I heard your message as I got here. He's in hospital?
He slept like a baby after you left
but then woke around four
with chest pains. He couldn't breathe properly.
I gave him his tablets, thinking it was a little fit.
They calmed him down...
but he was still...
hyper-active.
I think that's the word.
So when Lily got here... She's his morning carer.
A very reliable woman, Lily.
When she got here, I told her to stay with him.
He seemed much calmer, so I went off to work.
Then two hours ago, JoëIle phoned me.
JoëIle does afternoons. She's not as reliable
but, anyhow,
she phoned to say he was in a bad way.
I called his doctor who, luckily, was in the neighbourhood.
They took him straight in.
I was just packing a few things.
I don't know for how long.
What a worry for you.
Sorry to bring you all the way here.
I'll pray for him. I'll pray for both of you.
Would you like some tea?
There's no rush. I think they've sedated him.
Thank you, I'm alright.
Sit down for a minute.
If you're sure you don't need to go.
What a crazy day.
It all seems so quiet now.
I'm sure he'll be home soon.
I hope so.
But I'm not so sure.
His mind's taken a turn for the worse.
I know he wasn't always...
very rational. As you know.
But he's having hallucinations.
Hallucinations?
Last night, I was sitting with him
and he started rambling... Incredible things.
Very risqué stuff.
It was quite worrying.
What about?
All manner of things.
Sexual, mainly.
Sexual?
Mainly.
He mentioned you a lot.
Me?
Yes.
He...
I can't. It's too embarrassing.
He'd seen you dancing at the foot of his bed.
Dancing?
Naked.
Sorry, I shouldn't have said. It's embarrassing for you.
- Dancing naked? - And other things too.
No!
A whole list of them.
I couldn't even begin to repeat them.
What will happen if they keep him?
What will happen to you?
I don't know.
Will you cope?
Probably.
Thank God I have my job.
I could move away but I've been here forever.
This is my home.
It's not much but it's full of memories.
So many things I've loved...
Is it your brother in the photo?
No, a friend.
He's dead now.
- I'm sorry. - It was years ago.
I wish I had your inner strength.
Your faith.
The comfort it brings you.
But I'm afraid I can't.
God up there somewhere in his heaven...
And hell-fire waiting for us below...
No...
I can't believe all that.
I'd like to.
But I can't.
I suppose we pass through life alone.
If I may say so, Lionel, I think...
it's more complex than that.
I'm not a great believer in hell either.
Or in any other form of damnation.
But if hell-fire exists, it's burning within us.
And we feed it with our weakness and failings.
If we don't try to put it out,
it consumes us
and, even worse, consumes others too.
It's within us?
I'm convinced of it.
Even within you?
I must go.
I'll call you to see how he is.
If you don't mind, of course.
Please do.
And pop in if you're passing by. You'll always be welcome.
But why would you pass by?
You never know.
Thank you, Lionel.
Good luck.
Don't bother,
I can see myself out.
I nearly forgot. I have this tape.
You have a machine.
Watch it.
You may find it helpful. I know I did.
There's no harm in trying.
Seven o'clock. Time for Songs That Changed My Life.
This week's guest is the art critic, Annabelle Normand.
Good evening.
You see her so often on TV that she needs no introduction.
It moves me more than any other tune I know.
Whenever I hear it,
my heart soars.
Mine too, Annabelle. I never tire of hearing it.
...will be the actor and comedian Zambo...
Will Lionel be in tonight?
No.
Pity.
Subtitles by lan Burley
DVD Subtitling: CNST, Montreal