THE DEVILS
"A painting is always quite moral
"when it is tragic and it gives the horror
of the things it depicts." Barbey d'Aurevilly.
"Delassalle Boarding School"
-Monsieur Delassalle... -Yes.
-It's about time you blew your horn. -It's okay...
I'll get the things out of the car.
-Your salads are rotten! -You aren't paying for them.
Line up, please. And be quiet.
Oh, what a pain.
-Lovely kids! -Can't wait for the escape.
Get out!
Do your eyes hurt, dear colleague?
I hurt myself getting up.
You're up early. Last night, I was doing my rounds...
about 4 A. M., and I heard screams coming out of your room.
The chaste woman loves to contemplate dawn, doesn't she?
You spent too much time with the Jesuits, M. Drain.
Everyone can't be thrown out of the school system.
Brute!
-"Tiene, Senora." -Thank you, darling.
Oh, it's so nice!
We all need a vacation.
Our body needs to eliminate its toxins.
Tomorrow, mademoiselle, I'll be all naked, and you...
how did you plan this long weekend?
I'll be home, in Niort. Deux Sevres. Heard of it?
Sous-Prefecture Maine, Bressuire and Partenay.
Getting some fresh air?
It warms up my heart, M. Drain.
It still has the smell of the country.
A graceful instrument, but with all the rains...
I prefer my old umbrella.
In my country, instead of your ugly black umbrella...
you'd wear a sombrero and...
spend your breaks in a hammock.
It's such a frivolous thing to give an educator.
Does your teacher really look that way, Jose?
Yes, sir. And he used to come to school on a horse.
I'll never get used to it.
I told him it was a horse to please him.
-It was only a mule. -Go play, Joselito.
-What's the matter? -Look.
-Miguel. -Of course, Michel. Who else?
-Did you have another fight? -He came back at 3 A. M.
How have you stood him for so long?
He wasn't always that way.
At the beginning, he really made me happy.
It was for your money.
Why are you trying to be nasty? Don't you think...
life is hard enough for us?
I may be reactionary...
but this is absolutely astounding.
The legal wife consoling the mistress. No, no and no.
-What the hell are you both doing here? -Nothing.
Nothing. Like kids. Nothing.
Come on and kiss me!
-Did you look at me? -Are you still angry?
What about you, Cricri, aren't you kissing your husband?
Let's see...
aren't you supposed to be on break today?
I told her to stay.
-Don't you see how she looks? -Exactly. She needs air.
And her shoes. Did you see the soles?
I've always told her to buy heavy shoes, the real things.
A sick person shouldn't worry about her appearance.
-I'm not sick. -She's delicate, you know it
Delicate? Yes, when she came from Caracas.
Today, she's a cute little ruin.
She doesn't risk anything. Ruins are indestructible
She'll bury us all. Won't you, my little ruin?
That's enough. Go out and play both of you.
Yes, a black little bottle.
She smelled it like that, and it wasn't perfume.
I can tell you, they drink.
That's why they're always together.
-What was in the bottle? -Whiskey, idiot!
Please, I don't want to hear about that anymore.
Patard, if you want to spend your vacation here...
you'll have all the time to draw.
M. Patard, you heard.
You won't go on vacation.
Miguel, what's the matter?
-I didn't want to punish him. -So don't threaten him.
Patard did very well on his English quiz.
That's not a reason to disgrace himself.
I won't have any regrets.
No. I can't. I can't.
I wasn't even able to get a divorce. So!
-Do you still love him? -Of course not.
-You can't understand. -Am I stupid?
-Divorce is a deadly sin. -Really!
And what about the knife you carried around for a month...
-Wasn't that a deadly sin? -I was jealous. I was mad.
But to concoct this thing...No.
As you wish. But think about it.
We'll never find a better opportunity.
And we have just three days.
Everyone knows I am leaving for Niort. You'll come and rest.
-Don't you believe in hell? -Not since I was seven.
I do.
-Fish again. -Not fish again.
It's the same fish as last night.
-Make me two fried eggs. -You're not gonna start, are you?
I put in a liter of vinegar and a kilo of onions.
I'm not saying it's bad. But, you can smell that it's fish.
It stinks.
Yes, yes, later, later.
No, thank you.
-Help yourself. -I'm not hungry.
You must set an example. My liver doesn't allow me fat.
M. Delassalle, may I ask for a glass of wine?
-You already had two. -Only one. Only one.
Well.
"Bonum vinum laetificat coro mini."
-What is it? A bone? -I told you I wasn't hungry.
I'm asking you to eat.
-Swallow! -I can't help it. I just can't.
Swallow.
-Delicious fish, M. Raymond? -Perfect. Perfect.
It seems extremely nutritious.
What these gentlemen need, is a little hard time.
Be quiet or I'll keep you all here this weekend. Swallow.
Everyone is looking at you. Swallow.
-It's disgusting. -Sorry?
Some things are hard to swallow.
I'm not talking about the fish.
M. Drain, throw these hooligans out of here.
What is this supposed to be?
You're going to eat your fish and shut up.
-I told you to throw them out. -Yes, sir.
-M. Raymond, go help your colleague. -Yes, sir.
Get out, everybody. What is this?
Get out and be careful.
What kind of a supper is it for these growing boys?
A slice of sausage and two spoons of mashed potatoes?
They should've eaten what they were served.
-In the army... -You're not an adjutant
-But a soup merchant. -I can't buy coalfish for 3000 francs.
You'd rather make them sick.
As a kid, we used to buy whiting.
Coalfish was too expensive.
They need expensive fish. I buy it but...
at a price that I can afford.
It's a mistake to buy on sale.
The fishmonger is not as stupid as we are. He knows.
It's not his money. It's mine.
I'm paying for everything here.
I'm paying for the doorkeeper. And M. Drain.
I even paid Germaine, Sabine, Therese.
I'm paying you too, Nicole. I accept it.
But when the kids are involved, it upsets me. I...
I can't stand it.
Calm down. It's not good for you.
I'd like to die, and not see him anymore.
Die darling. Die, and do it quickly.
We'll have a nice funeral for you, and we'll get rid of you.
The school won't suffer...
and I'll feel much better.
Well, children, have fun.
I have to wake up early. I'll go and pack.
Well, so... I'm leaving at 7 A. M.
Have a nice vacation, darling. Take care. See you, the other one.
Have a nice vacation!
A three day honeymoon.
Oh no. Oh no.
Nicole!
-Nicole! -I'm up here. I'm coming down.
What are you doing?
Be careful. Move back.
Those riding the bus, raise your hands.
Will your sister still be in the bathroom?
If we get there before ten. You'll see, I made a hole.
-Give me the pack back! -You'll see my sister naked.
-It's worth a pack a cigarettes. -No! Give them back to me!
Soudieu, aren't you part of our group?
No. We'll share a cab, the four of us.
Money is pouring out of your pockets.
Don't you have a suitcase, de Gasquet?
The chauffeur will take it. He's being paid for that.
Our personal chauffeurs don't do their job right, dear friend.
Have a nice vacation, sir.
-You too -Thank you.
Plantiveau, did madame come down?
I was ringing the bell when they drove through the gate.
-I opened it. -Both of them?
Madame Delassalle and Mademoiselle Horner.
I thought you knew.
Of course, I knew. I just forgot.
Except that it's a problem.
Especially for these gentlemen.
One of you must stay to watch those on detention.
-You'll feel funny about coming back to Niort. -Why?
-That's where you had troubles in high school. -Troubles...
I resigned, that's all.
-Do you still have your parents? -No.
I've got a couple of teachers living on the first floor.
-What? There are people in the house? -I thought about it.
I thought about everything. We are not risking a thing.
You're tired. Do you want me to drive?
You can't drive.
I could never afford a car.
-This way, I cannot think. -Good. So keep driving.
Keep your nerves for tomorrow.
We'll never have the courage.
-You don't know me. -Yes, I know you very well.
You can wish someone's death, but kill...
You must've wished my death, didn't you?
I didn't. But he did. He would say to me...
"Don't worry. With her heart condition, it won't take long.
"After she dies, we'll share the school."
It's horrible! Don't you believe me?
What did you answer?
-Do you want me to be honest? -Can you?
-I didn't know you that well... -Don't talk.
I'd rather not know.
Watch the step.
Mlle. Horner! What a surprise!
Don't bother.
What a huge trunk.
It always upsets M. Herboux when I take...
-more than a suitcase. -Good evening.
Mme. Herboux, M. A. in grammar. Mme. Delassalle, my principal.
-Nice to meet you. -Hello.
Don't forget my rent. By check, please.
Don't torture me. I'm so embarrassed.
I thought of giving it to you tomorrow or the day after.
But we didn't get paid for the examinations in Vausson.
We were counting on that money. But don't worry...
-I'll come tonight. -No need. I'll come up tomorrow.
We're a little tired tonight.
Yes, she looks sick.
Make yourself at home.
Home, sweet home.
Turn off the light. It's a waste.
-Already? -Let's do it now and forget about it.
Hello, operator. I'd like a line to St. Cloud.
The number is Molitor 27.45. Thank you.
I like to have my feet free. When it's cold...
I put on ski socks instead of slippers.
Well, what are you waiting for?
You see, it doesn't bite. And it doesn't slap either.
Hello? Who is it? Answer, for God's sake!
It's you!
From Niort. My compliments!
Do you think I can afford to send you away in the Poitou?
What about the gas? What are you talking about?
I'm telling you that we need to separate.
Yes, I want a divorce.
You are young, you are strong.
You can make a nice living.
The school was part of my dowry, so I'll take it back.
We'll start the proceedings right after the holidays.
-What? -Don't give me that crap. I'm coming.
I'll take a train tomorrow morning.
I'll meet you at Nicole's.
-So? -He's coming tomorrow on the evening train.
Well, Germaine?
You're nuts. You'll catch cold.
I'm not cold. I'm suffocating.
-You've got fever. -No, I'm just hot.
I thought you'd never come back.
That he'd get here before you.
It doesn't always go as you want it to.
That's life. Everything was closed.
Did you buy a tablecloth?
Yes, a nylon, waterproof one.
-It's too big! -It won't be big for him.
Guess how much? 2500 francs.
That's how they make money. Let's open it.
That way it won't look weird.
Well, let's not waste it.
-Here, it will cheer you up. -No.
You should, it's not bad at all. I've never had that before.
-You're supposed to put water in it. -It would be a waste.
Hand me the small bottle.
-Won't he notice anything? -Not a thing.
He'll sleep like a log.
-Will it leave any traces? -None.
It's a sedative. He'll digest it.
I'm sure he won't come.
That's him. That's his train.
Put that over there.
Stop, please, stop.
It's awful.
-We must fill it up. -I can't do it.
I can't do it, not today.
We must do it, and you know it as well as I do.
-It's either today or never. -Then never!
Let's forget about it. I can't handle this.
As you wish. But I must warn you.
If you miss your chance he won't miss his.
Not after your phone call.
I don't know. I just don't know anymore.
Nicole, please, help me.
What for? It's beyond your strength anyway.
I should have never trusted you.
I got involved too, and you abandoned me.
Yes, you're right. I'm not worth anything.
I'm just a ruin, a little ruin.
That's what he said. But...
the little ruin will get her revenge. She'll do it.
Even if she collapses afterward.
My only regret...
is that he'll never know that I killed him.
Come on, before you were giving up, now you're excited.
What you need is to relax.
Relax a lot. You must keep cool.
I will. I swear that I will.
I must go upstairs and see them.
Can't you stay with me?
If the Herbouxes look out the window and...
-see him come in... -You'll come right away, won't you?
As fast as I can, I promise.
Be brave, in half an hour, it will all be over.
I'll find her a husband. I'll redeem myself.
She's young, she'll be rich and she'll be happy.
I wasn't expecting you tonight.
Mme. Delassalle is resting and I'm not tired.
-May I come in? -Please, do.
We were listening to the radio. We've finished eating.
The drama is over.
Zapi Max starts in a few seconds.
Dear listeners, you've just heard...
"One Should Never Laugh at Love" by Alfred de Musset.
God!
-Good evening, Michel. -Good evening.
Come in.
So, are you proud of yourself?
Not so loud, the neighbors.
Don't worry. I don't want to be noticed.
A man who runs after his wife is ridiculous enough.
I left the school like a thief.
I had to hide from Plantiveau.
Hiding from my own doorkeeper!
It's humiliating.
I couldn't tell him where I was going.
You have forced me to come, what are you waiting for?
-What? -Pack your bags.
-No! -What?
-I'm staying. -Are you refusing to come?
I thought that was clear.
I'll come back after our divorce.
-Have you decided to get a divorce, you? -Yes.
With your religious beliefs?
I won't get married again, that's all.
But getting a divorce is like getting married...
we must both agree.
-My lawyer doesn't think so. -You have a lawyer?
-Attorney Berthoux, 64 Victor Hugo. -Berthoux?
You can check in the phone book.
I went to see him this morning...
and he assured me that I'd get the legal separation quickly.
He told you that?
Funny lawyer!
-Of course, I told him... -You told him...
all of our secrets... about our private life.
You told everything to a stranger?
An animal who enjoyed every word of it?
You, the former nun!
I'm telling you, it's disgusting!
Didn't you talk about us to your lovers?
Do we still have secrets?
Is there anything that Nicole doesn't know?
Her! If you believe her! Two words, three lies.
There are details that she couldn't have invented.
She can invent anything!
God knows what she told the lawyer!
-I'll go see him, and put things straight. -No!
-You won't stop me. -No, later. Tomorrow.
-Right now, he must be having supper -Well, I didn't eat.
-He won't receive you. -We'll see.
When I tell him that I came all the way from Paris...
Don't. I didn't see a lawyer. I lied to you.
You too. It's contagious.
So, what about the divorce, was that a lie too?
No, I really want the divorce. It's the only way.
For your sake as well, Michel.
-It will be better for both of us. -Come on, Cricri.
You can't be serious. Do you know the price of a divorce?
-And what about the scandal? -What scandal?
I'll have to take a lawyer to defend myself.
And lawyers never stop talking.
Parents won't entrust you with their children.
-They'll take the children away from me? -Of course.
You'll go bankrupt. Not that I care much.
If it were up to me, I would have sold it a long time ago.
With your money and my contacts I'd have gone into business.
We could have lived comfortably.
But you wanted this kid business. I gave in.
-It was security. -Big deal!
We traded in the big car for a small one.
I gave up my training.
I used my old suits.
We are rich and we live like poor people.
Do you know how I paid for my trip?
I sold my dictionary, my big dictionary.
And I did that for you.
Believe me that I don't regret a thing.
But when you throw me out...
it upsets me, Cricri. It upsets me a lot.
But anyway, you made me feel miserable.
We used to fight, like every other couple.
Well, girls, what about this!
Wait. Don't lie. You mustn't lie now.
You made me very unhappy.
You might not have been aware of that, but it's the truth.
-Ask Nicole. -Please, don't talk about...
that bitch. She's setting you up against me.
She exploits the fact that you're sick. She has a good mind.
Yes. She's got knowledge, taste...
-Taste? -Maybe. But she doesn't have a good mind.
That's it. I'm firing her right away...
and we'll replace her with a man. A good, honest, old man.
-Michel! -For God's sake! My Prince of Wales suit!
You idiot! Go get a handkerchief, a towel!
It will stain and I'll stink of alcohol.
Just go!
Here and here.
It doesn't pay to be nice to you.
I will break you, girl.
Well, what are you waiting for?
Bring some hot water.
We're leaving now and we'll be back tomorrow morning.
How long did you have to drive? Ten, twelve hours?
Well, answer!
Can't you talk?
Eh, woman, another glass!
I don't know...I feel dizzy.
You can't measure anymore.
That's enough.
Nice color.
Stop looking at me with your insane eyes.
Who's paying? The princess?
By the way, where is she? Is she scared? Hiding?
She's upstairs visiting the tenants.
Mademoiselle has tenants. She never told me that.
-I'm exhausted. It's the train. -Just lie down.
-Whose bed is this? Hers or yours? -Ours.
That's a scream.
Shoes. Take off my shoes.
What's the matter with me tonight?
I don't want to sleep. I don't want to sleep.
We have to leave.
What are you doing?
-Just sleep. -Why did you turn off the light?
I'm so tired!
-What's the matter? -Nothing. Go to sleep.
-How did you get in? -I came through this door.
-How many drinks did he have? -Three.
He was very good.
He's dreaming.
He's ready. We can take him.
Take off his shoes.
-What the hell is she doing? -She's taking a bath.
At 10 P. M.? Funny habits. Oh, shit!
Tell me, sir, where are the Straits of Mozambique?
Between Madagascar and Africa!
It is precisely located between Madagascar...
and the Coast of Africa. Bravo, sir!
32,000 francs!
I must ask you now: what do you want to do?
-Do you stop or do you carry on? -I will go on.
Of course, I carry on.
I was winning 32,000 francs and I can't hear a thing now!
-Poor baby! -Bitches! Bitches! Daughters of bitches!
I didn't even hear the question!
Midnight baths! The decline of Rome!
It's a problem of enjoyment!
I have the right to send her a registered letter.
And I'm not saying that I won't do it.
The 17th at 10:05, 06 P. M.
-What are you looking for? -His return ticket.
Here it is.
With the restaurant bill.
Burn it.
Let's go. You take the feet. It's lighter.
Together.
The bronze...
The bronze on the mantel
Give it to me.
Now, the tablecloth.
The tablecloth.
It's over.
Did he suffer too much?
He didn't feel anything.
Let's go right away and bring him back tonight.
What about our alibi?
When they find him, we'll have to be able to prove...
that we were here the day he died.
That's why I'm using the idiots upstairs.
She still hasn't emptied the tub.
-So what? -So I can't go to sleep.
When she opens the drain, the noise will start again.
It won't fall on your bed.
I can't sleep under Niagara Falls.
-Are you planning to stay up all night? -I'm sitting down.
I'll give her until midnight.
-Here they are! -They took their time.
When I passed by the cafe, at twelve...
they were already there.
They must know how much it costs them.
-If you were a landlord, and I a school principal... -Sure.
We could also afford good meals.
Well, I'm going to take a nap.
Here we go, the flood!
-What's the matter? -He's so ugly!
I've had it! They must get the hell out of here!
Too bad you're leaving us so soon.
It was so nice to have company...
You know, school is starting tomorrow.
For us as well as for you.
I just came to take my dishes.
It's quite heavy.
Wait a minute. Would you have a piece of string?
A piece of string? No.
Wait. This might help you.
I'll try, yes.
Let me do it. It'll be easier for you.
It won't work. Your trunk is crammed too full.
-Let's take some things out. -No, no.
Yes. I'll bring you the old tin trunk.
It's very strong. It went through the 1940 retreat.
-Start emptying the basket! -No, it'll be fine.
-We're already late, aren't we, Nicole? -That's what I told them.
Anyway, it's fine now. We can load.
Attention! Clear the way!
On my command. One, two!
Now, it'll be easy. A little kick in the ass.
I'll start the engine.
-That's it! -As you say!
M. Herboux, thank you for your help.
-Don't mention it. -All the same...
-Here, this is for the road. -Thank you, madame.
Drive carefully, the roads are dangerous.
They have mobilized 1500 policemen.
You'll find one at every crossroad.
Goodbye, madame. And thank you again.
-Have a good trip. -See you soon!