To Madeleine
THE LITTLE ESCAPES
Pipe!
Look around the back!
Are you there, Pipe?
- Haven't you seen Pipe? - No.
Where the deuce is he?
Have you found him?
No. He isn't there.
Have a look in his room!
Is he there?
No. His overalls are on the bed...
...and his Sunday clothes aren't there.
He's gone...
Where do you suppose he's gone?
Grandma, Pipe is here!
What's that?
This is my bike.
Quite a solid affair!
Has Pipe got a bike?
Isn't Pipe coming to eat?
I don't know, he's brooding outside.
And his bike?
Well, still in his room.
Does he sleep with it?
No more apples?
In the room. Did you bring Stephane's
things down? I'm washing.
Damn it! I'll fetch them.
I'll bring them down.
- Aren't you eating? - No time.
Alright, old man?
Look, he's working for a change!
Where are you going?
I'm just dropping this off. See you later.
Your dough is in the kitchen!
Your old age pension has arrived. Don't leave it lying on the buffet.
You could have given it to me.
Hey, kitty cat. What are you at?
And to pay?
It'll be done, don't worry...
To pay...
Do you think it's a good idea to leave it in your room?
- Will it not make everything dirty? - Of course not.
It's clean.
Ok, it's clean.
But what do you want to do with this bike?
It won't come in useful. At least, I don't think so.
It's none of my business, after all.
I'm leaving your tea here.
Good prospects tonight!
The vast anticyclone centered over Western Europe
is moving slowly eastwards, maintaining dry and warm weather in our country.
Our forecast until tomorrow evening: After morning fogs have cleared,
sunny weather throughout. In Cairo, televised speech...
Switch it off.
Don't you want to hear the news?
Not for her ears...
Has anybody come round for the TV?
Yes... they sent a young man.
He said it was the same problem as with the first channel.
Somebody must have fiddled with it, he said.
Who tampered with it on Friday?
I haven't touched it!
- The boy's always there, what's more. - That's right, blame the boy.
The gentleman from the service department phoned today.
He said that Thursday suited him.
- In the morning? - Towards 9 a. m., he said.
What's he coming poking around?
Well, the farm.
- Will he eat here? - Yes, I think so. I don't know.
Go and play elsewhere!
- It's cheerful around here! - It's Saturday! May I not sing?
I couldn't care less, you know.
- May I have a spin with? - The moped?
Why don't you take his?
Hey, Guapetto! Granddad will squirt water at you!
Guapetto yourself! Stop insulting my kid!
He'll beat the hell out of you once he's grown.
Mamma mia! I'm scared!
Have you brought your bike out? - No.
- Have you asked Luigi? - No.
I'm in the shit! I can't get out.
Stop trying to show off!
What a stupid guy.
No need to show me. It isn't difficult.
Wipe your hands first.
Well! Can I put the car away?
I'm letting it dry. It'll soon be ready.
Yes, but I've had enough now.
I'm getting worked up
- Have you finished with the courtyard? - No, there's a bit to be done still.
Goddamn it, I'll show you what's what!
Do you think I'm stupid or what?
You look after your kid now, Josiane.
I don't want to see you hanging around!
You know what I've told you!
You'll see where all that bike stuff will get you!
What an asshole! Who does he think he is?
Don't make it roar like that.
See my hand?
Yes, but shut it off now.
- How's that work? - What?
Shutting off.
Don't know, put on the brakes.
It's not moving,
no need to put on the brakes.
I tell you, I don't know.
Close the valve,
shut it off, for heaven's sake!
Watch this.
Did you see, I pressed on here.
What's that?
That's the lever to shut off, isn't it?
I can see that. I'm not stupid.
But in there, why does it shut off?
You want to know it all.
It's my bike after all.
OK then, the petrol goes through here
into there.
It's very hot in there.
Then the plug causes a...
Yes, like a knife on a whetstone.
Like a lighter.
A spark.
Spark... okay.
Well, the plug causes a spark
and "bang" makes the petrol explode.
My God, that's why it makes that noise?
Yes... it bursts...
the piston goes off like a gun.
- Where does it go? - It's easy.
It goes down... pushes this here
which pushes the wheel...
and that makes the wheels
of the bike turn.
And where does the piston go?
It stays here, comes back and goes...
goes like this.
Like a puffer.
Yes, like this, understand?
Where did you learn that?
From my brother, he makes Motoguzzis.
What's that?
Italian motorbikes.
He repairs them, he's a mechanic.
Josiane, are you coming? We're leaving.
Go without me.
Aren't you coming? It'd do you good.
With Stephane...
You could look after him for once!
Leave him here.
She has to come, and that's it.
Don't interfere.
Listen, Josiane,
this isn't very nice of you.
You could at least answer.
But I've got work to do, Mum.
I don't feel like it.
- A pity for you. - Yes, a pity.
Up!
Yes, and then?
Here, the choc.
"Choke", not choc... and then?
The pedal.
You see... you've forgotten it all.
That's all.
Is it running? I can't hear.
Press down the pedal?
Sure, what are you waiting for?
But the motor, will it start up?
Why not? Have a go.
Go ahead!
Release the accelerator.
What're you afraid of?
I'm not afraid.
It's easy, isn't it?
That's it, but you're letting her rip,
then the bike runs at top speed.
It doesn't matter.
Did you hear the noise it made?
That doesn't matter, once again...
but accelerate only slightly.
You sure?
It's easy...
Ready?
Go ahead, accelerate, for God's sake!
Shall I go?
I'll let go now.
Accelerate, accelerate, that's it!
Turn, turn!
Turn, for God's sake!
Pipe, you OK?
Not OK?
No, I'm not.
Where does it hurt?
Not hurt.
Did you see? Good heavens!
Don't you touch that bike again!
- Why? - It's your fault.
- You're crazy. - You said I was to turn.
Yes, that's right, you have to
when the road makes a bend.
You didn't show me how. Now get lost!
Turning isn't difficult.
It wasn't I who was on it.
You're not lying under it either.
Go away.
I no longer need you if it's easy.
Talk Italian, I don't care.
Bastard, go!
I'll show you... savages!
Are you breaking the shed?
I was only playing with that thing...
it fell on the roof.
I was watching.
What're you doing here?
Well, I'm watching you.
And Pipe?
He's crazy. He fell off his bike.
Is he hurt?
He said it was my fault.
I didn't show him how to turn.
He rode down the road like mad.
And then?
Then he shouted at me.
Wants to do it himself.
What're you doing now?
Don't know.
You bored?
No work today.
You never bored on a Sunday?
No. Didn't you go out in the car?
You can see.
Why not?
Don't know.
They get on my nerves.
Shall we go for a walk?
Yes, OK.
Can you turn?
It's easy.
What's your father think of it?
Not that thrilled.
- Have you taken over yet? - Not yet.
Have you got the figures?
The booklet, yes.
As for the bank, he has to decide on that.
Yes, but we need a project,
it's too vague like this.
Sure, it's too early yet,
but it's not going to be easy.
He'll have to do
something about it one day.
But right now he doesn't agree.
Otherwise he'd be here.
Excuse me, I have to fetch my scissors.
My mother... Mr. Piguet,
the adviser from the association.
Don't let me disturb you.
Well, I'll be going.
Let's have a look at the booklet.
You cleaning them inside, too?
Blasted hose!
And now, what will you do?
Have you come to make fun of old folk?
Shall I turn it off?
I'm old enough!
Here's your boot, Mr. Pipe.
Otherwise, all's well?
You come to see your sweetheart?
- How do you know? - A little bird.
Your sweety's in the kitchen
turning the world upside-down. - How?
The one with this car...
Must be the adviser.
No sick people in hospital?
No, my day off.
How's it going with your bike?
- What bike? - Stop playing around,
it was in the paper.
Not true.
- Will you show it to me? - It's put away.
- In my room. - Then show it to me there.
Not now.
I'd like to see it.
- Now? - Yes.
It's nice, isn't it?
- Of course. - Can you ride it?
I've learnt to...
You've got a nice room.
I've never been here. The Matterhorn?
As you can see.
Why did you hang it up here?
It's nice there.
- Aren't you eating? - Not hungry.
Well then, Alain?
What?
What did the adviser say?
A lot.
What did you do in the kitchen?
Operational budget.
What's that?
So we know where we're going.
Can't you explain it to us a bit better?
There's nothing to explain.
You wouldn't understand, only figures.
- We're not stupid! - It's true, Alain.
Go and play, you can take a biscuit.
Explain now!
You do it so you can work out
the profit per sector, the total value.
We don't need all this.
Yes, we have to know where we stand.
We can plant potatoes without them.
- That doesn't pay. - Is it my fault?
I never said so.
That doesn't change anything.
What now?
- That's clear enough. - Not for us.
Invest where it's profitable
and give up the rest.
Simple enough, just invest!
Your Piguet wants to invest!
What is one to invest in?
In cattle.
And give up all the rest?
Not all, but produce only for the cattle.
Where'd you put it? The shed's full.
That's why we must find something else.
What do they suggest?
They don't suggest anything,
they don't care at all.
But you must have an idea. Stalling?
Pull all down and let it for parking.
A possibility with what we can invest.
And the debts? Think we're made of it?
Included in the figures. Don't think
we're stupid, they know their job.
Stalling...
a fixed idea.
How much would that mean investing?
He worked it out...
you'd need about 140,000.
But where do we take it from?
From the bank! In 20 years all would
be paid back including earlier debts.
Without a profit?
No, with a normal salary,
not outstanding, just right.
But isn't this crazy?
You can wait a long time for that!
See, there's no point in it...
we can't discuss it seriously.
You're as stubborn as the others.
I'm talking now!
I don't want to vegetate here for ever!
Remember! This project is going to be
completed in any case. Then decide!
Either we do it or I go.
Don't complain afterwards.
I'm fed up, I won't lose anymore time.
Don't take it to heart like that.
Sit down and stop thinking about it.
It's silly to cry like this,
but it helps.
Sometimes things happen
as if all was going wrong.
I had a strange dream last night.
All the tiles fell off the roof.
Not the slightest wind
and yet they kept falling down.
I didn't dare go outside.
The people of the village came to see.
I ran through the whole house
looking for the others.
Silly, isn't it?
I was so afraid.
What will you do if Alain leaves?
I don't know.
The experiment station may take him.
In Lausanne? Does he really think so?
Not really. It's just a possibility.
And you?
Would you prefer to stay in Lausanne?
I'd rather stay here. So would Alain.
Shall we make some coffee?
I'm exhausted.
We'll wash the dishes afterwards.
I'm coming.
Where's the fire?
In a hurry?
What do you want?
For the bike here. Petrol please.
At how much?
I don't know.
- How much is it? - Is it your bike?
Of course!
What percentage? I've no idea.
2, 4 or 5? You should know.
2 liters.
Percentage? Doesn't it say on the cap?
Here, look here! 2 percent.
Come here.
I need to know. Without sufficient oil
your bike's had it.
2 liters, you said?
It's the first time.
- Look at this! - Oh, my God!
The tank was half full.
What am I to do with the rest?
Sorry, but I have to charge you for it.
2 francs 15.
Doesn't use much.
Where're you going like that?
Home.
Is the boss here?
Hello! In the barn.
Did you see me yesterday?
The whole village noticed you.
0.8... you know what that means?
I wasn't drunk, I was just in a hurry.
Who is it?
It's Pierrot.
Which one?
The policeman...
he's going to tell you lies.
I'm itching here.
You'll soon know what's itching you!
Your bike will ruin you.
Hi, Francine, it's Josiane Duperreux.
How goes? Getting on?
From home. I want to ask you something.
Who do I tell if I don't come to work?
Well, it's not pneumonia, you see...
Can you tell them? I'm not coming in.
Stebler. But can't you tell him?
I can't stand him, let alone on the phone.
OK, pass him to me.
Ready...
He'll pull a face when he sees this.
Be mad, you mean.
Nothing to be mad about.
He ought to congratulate us.
And give us a rise in pay.
Hey, you up there!
What's up?
If one single sack bursts,
I'll kick you in the ass.
They won't burst.
You understand, Pipe, if one bursts,
you'll know, I promise you.
I've just about had enough of this gang.
Did you see?
He didn't dare shout at us.
Where're you going?
Wait.
What're you doing?
Coming or what?
What did you do?
It's nothing.
What music is that?
It's Josiane... with the child.
Oh? But the lad is back there.
Don't know... without the child then.
What's up?
But I told you it's nothing, come on!
She's pretty, Josiane, isn't she?
Yes, she's pretty. You coming or not?
Yes, she's very pretty.
Oh, there you are!
What're you doing?!
No, it can't be, that's my blouse.
Come here!
I'll teach you, tearing my clothes!
To bed with you, you brat!
I've had enough.
Call your grandma, it's no use.
What's going on up there?
If you call that "looking after him"...
And what if it had been your blouse?
It's wrong to talk of it in front of him.
Do you realize the trouble it causes?
One's always in the wrong with you.
Don't you care a damn what you do?
How you talk to your mother...
Is that the thanks she gets?
You can't even work properly!
That's my business.
Stop it, this isn't the right time.
You'd better look at this.
What cake is this?
Today's someone's birthday.
But whose?
Mr. Luigi. Happy birthday.
Mine?
You haven't forgotten, have you?
No, but...
Is it the 14th today?
Goodness... thank you.
Open it!
Here, take the knife.
Would you prefer to keep the string?
How old are you?
I'm old... 32.
Want to blow out the candles?
Blow them out!
I'll turn it or it won't work.
We want to see how good you are.
Ready?
Will you open it now?
What is it?
A shirt.
Mine was blue.
I like it... thanks.
Won't you give her a kiss?
It's a Christmas cake
because you're never here.
Go ahead, a kiss for the boss.
Not worth bothering, it's not much.
It's not from me, good luck all the same.
When you've finished the courtyard,
we'll have a match.
Will you fetch Stephane?
Hey, she didn't give it to you.
Mind your own business.
Happy Christmas, long live Italy!
Shall we go?
Where the hell is he?
My key!
Here he is, Mr. Pipe.
Who locked my room?
John has the key...
Go and have a word with him.
My key.
Here it is.
What now?
I don't know...
Anything to tell me?
I no longer understand you.
It's quite clear.
I don't know. Are you ill
or is something wrong in your head?
I don't know.
You've been here for 30 years.
You can be relied upon.
Then suddenly... it's finished.
Three times in two weeks... gone.
No Pipe.
Are you aware of the consequences?
Where will you go?
What'll you do if you have to leave?
Have you thought about that?
I'm warning you for the last time.
Go for a run on Sundays,
not during working hours.
If I catch you again,
I'll cut your pay.
Your bike... finished.
It's my bike!
Get changed.
I've no more to say.
Want some?
Have you finished?
No dessert today?
See for yourself,
there are oranges.
You haven't got anything, Pipe?
Just a minute, I'll have a look.
This'll go well with the coffee.
Chocolates?
Where're they from?
I was given them in the factory.
Is that all you could think of?
You can be proud of yourself.
Why did he leave like that?
It's from Josiane's factory, he was there.
Well I never... you...
Really, you've gone too far.
You're a bit stupid, Josiane.
You too.
Did you see that?
He told me off when I got back.
My room was locked.
But what did you want there?
Look around.
Look around...
What is there to it?
Come on, we won't let it get us down.
A chocolate, gentlemen?
Take two, there are plenty.
Give your trump nine, my little Pipe.
Don't worry, he'll win it all anyway.
Dirty game... I have none left.
None left already?
He's got them all.
It's logical.
After all, I brought them on my bike.
Yes, but I made them.
You just have to learn to play.
I was on the manure heap all day.
What now? Shall we give him another 10?
Yes, but I'll give them to him myself,
or you'll start cheating.
I'd like to know who's cheating here.
Well, take them.
I don't know, my heart's aching.
You've had too many...
Cheat!
Aren't your "spades"
or "clubs" hurting?
I can't help it, my heart hurts.
Fibber!
You can't make a fool of me.
You play hearts
and I'll put down my cards.
What am I to play? I've nothing else.
You cheats!
I'm no fool.
Bigger than mine.
Village... village... village...
then there.
And you?
Where're you going?
Only the bread's missing.
Watch out!
Ladies and gentlemen, how much?
290 kilos... 400 kilos... 112...
149... 152 kilos.
Let's be serious, this isn't
a scooter nor is it a tank.
Whoever can guess the exact weight
of this fully equipped DOC 750 machine
including helmet, boots, gloves,
suit and our charming hostess,
wins this splendid
instant camera!
720 kilos...
Three hundred kilos!
What did you say?
300 kilos, three hundred, I said!
Come closer, that's fantastic!
Extraordinary. Correct!
Applaud please. Applaud!
Sir, you have won this completely
automatic instant camera!
Look at this here! Look!
I won this garland,
and then they gave me this camera.
Where?
There... Motorbike competition.
You had to guess its weight.
It comes out in color, he said.
Just press here, pull there.
Shall we try?
Yes, I'd say so. Hold it.
Shall I press?
Yes, I'm ready.
Your cup!
Hurry up, the dickybird's coming.
Ready!
Hurry up!
My garland, quick! Oh, shit!
Get out of the way with your garland,
you're covering the "ground staff'.
Quiet, or it won't work.
Didn't call me... on the sideboard...
It's me who signs... nobody else!
It's my money, and that's it.
You're drunk. What're you on about?
None of your business.
Tell me, how much beer have you had?
Want to pay me one?
Yes, a syrup.
You shouldn't drink anymore.
Go for a walk.
And what if I want to stay here?
I don't care if you stay till tomorrow.
Tell me,
the Matterhorn, were you ever there?
What?
- You know the Matterhorn? - Yes, why?
Have you ever seen it?
In photos. What did it do to you?
- On top, were you ever there? - No.
Too pointed. You can't go up.
And where is it? Near Zermatt.
Why do you ask if you know.
Which of you was on the Matterhorn?
You, have you ever been?
What?
Matterhorn? Were you ever there?
Yes, it sends you its regards.
Liar! You never went up it.
Are you an alpinist?
You can't go up,
there's no road.
Get up and go.
And step on cow dung,
that brings good luck.
You have to get up early
if you want to climb it.
Here's a bride!
Tell me, where's the bridegroom?
Is it you?
Where did you put the toffees?
Which toffees?
You stuffed yourself with them, egoist!
Shut up, one can't hear a word here.
Who wants toffees?
Here's a wedding.
Stop this nonsense!
Who wants toffees?
Long live the bride!
Leave the sandwiches.
You crazy or what?
I want to hand them out.
Put on another record and be quiet,
you get on our nerves.
Here's mustard for the toffees.
That's enough!
Aren't you quite...
He's crazy, he's completely drunk.
Did you squirt the mustard?
- Yes, I'm fine and you? - Come with me.
Stop discussing, explain it to them.
This won't do! Look what you've done!
Are you sick or what?
Just a bit soiled, I'll pay for it.
Here... and keep the rest.
That should teach you.
He's drunk.
We don't want it. Get lost!
I give it to you, I don't care.
Get out! You lout!
You show a friend a trick and then...
Did the sergeant call you?
Yes, you may leave it here.
Any insurance papers to fill in?
- No, they'll come to you. - Is it bad?
Car body damage.
The other one touched the wall.
But worst of all is
the alcohol in his blood.
He'll have to walk, the artist.
The inspector will be writing.
I saw it coming.
Would you like a drink?
No, thanks a lot. We must get back.
He's not to touch that bike again.
It should be locked up.
We'll see to it.
There's this here, too.
He says he won it at a festival.
What other places has he been to?
He'll explain to you.
Put the bike in the shed, Luigi.
- I'm not touching it. - Did you hear me?
Are you satisfied now?
Shut up! Is it our fault?
You bastards!
Come!
Come along!
Get undressed!
Don't you want to take a hot bath?
Your pension has arrived.
It's not our fault, you know.
You, too, you ought to see the doctor.
Come, pussy, come.
See you tomorrow, around 4 o'clock.
I have to go to the bank.
She's right here, bye.
Hello, Marianne. Thanks a lot.
If you knew how this helps us.
Alain thought of it, I...
No, it's OK.
I'm not complaining.
Only for examinations, for about 3 days.
A week? There's no need.
Thank you.
Right, it takes some weight off me.
And take care of Pipe, won't you?
He's in quite a state.
We're all a bit out of sorts, you'll see.
How's your work?
Nobody complained when you stayed away?
No, I never stayed away before.
You like your new job?
Yes, not bad. I'm kept well in check.
I picked those flowers
with Stephane for your mom.
We'll go and see her. You coming, too?
That's not very kind.
You've had enough of the kitchen, eh?
You've got another 50 years ahead of you.
Why do you say that?
I find you quite aggressive.
In a few months you'll see Alain again.
You're in no good shape lately, are you?
I've got a cold,
but otherwise I'm fine. Can't you see?
I wouldn't say so...
I want to escape from here, and you come.
We don't understand each other.
But why don't you leave?
It's not that easy.
It'll come.
You staying because of Luigi?
No, you haven't understood at all.
Because of Stephane?
No, I'll take him along.
Wouldn't you be stuck with him?
Certainly no more than here.
What will you do now?
I don't know.
The doctor said
it may come from worry.
"No more worries and it'll get better. "
Easy to say.
He's right.
If Marianne could stay...
You can't expect that. She's got her job.
And Alain?
What's he say?
I don't see him anymore.
He's chasing his new ideas all day.
Are the plans completed?
I don't know.
He'll be around when they're finished.
Have you thought it over?
How was it?
Are the meals still so good?
Yes, for a hospital
the food is really good.
But... after all...
I wasn't in the mood, you understand?
That's enough now!
You'll eat at table like the others.
You'll help in the kitchen
and look after your kid
and stop pulling a face.
Your mother is sick!
You took a photo of me, old rogue.
You think I didn't notice?
So you've got your camera back.
The other day you didn't want it.
Is this instead of working?
If I feel like it...
If you do your work, I don't mind.
There isn't just work.
The gentleman's come down to earth again.
Oh dear, what a trying old man!
Where are you going?
To buy films. I have hardly any left.
And your work?
Is my work, not only your work.
You'd better rest instead of shouting.
Don't you see you're exhausted?
Alain doesn't care a damn.
And I could be the boss.
If you leave, I'll keep your pay back.
You can keep your money.
You like it?
I want to see it all from close.
OK, we'll go right close.
There's ice.
Nice, isn't it?
Nothing but stones.
Did you think it was sugar?
We're going up to the summit.
It's all flat.
There are many people in the morning,
all picnicking.
Shall we fly another round?
No, I want to go back now.
Another 10 minutes. Make the most of it.
Is this gold?
Yes, it's gold.
But don't you want to see the glacier?
No, not necessary.
I'm not in the mood for it now.
A pity, don't you like it?
Yes, yes, but I want to go back now.
I have work to do down there.
All right.
What're you doing here?
I've come to help.
I don't need you.
Damn it, what am I to do?
Nobody tells me.
See to yourselves. Go to Alain.
Stop shouting,
and why don't you go to my father?
I tried to. He's acting like a madman.
"Go to Alain, do as you like. "
They're all going mad,
nobody tells me a thing.
I'm not cattle. I'm not a dog!
Calm down. Go and chop wood.
No, come and have a drink with me.
Yes, you! I have to tell you something.
Do you have to leave right now?
If he takes over the farm...
"You'll go home at Christmas...
...and won't come back again," he said.
He's bound to take it over.
Does it bother you?
There's nothing else around here.
And in Italy?
In Italy...
...no work in Italy.
I'm leaving, too.
I've just decided.
I'll go back to town with Stephane.
What's the matter?
What's up?
But what's up? Are you sick?
- Is Josiane here, too? - Yes, I'm here.
From today Alain is taking over.
We'll go to the bank tomorrow.
Josiane, you may go whenever you wish.
Pipe, you can do as you like.
You'll have to make do with your pension...
...but you can eat in the kitchen...
...and you may keep your room.
Alain will tell you what has to be done.
You can put the tractor away.