THE AVIATOR'S WIFE
or One can't think of nothing
Francois, I've found someone for that plumbing job
Give me the address
Anne Coudriere...
56 rue Reineken...
near Boulevard Pereire
- When's he coming? - Tomorrow
Couldn't it be later?
He'll be busy;
Saturday's his only free day, anyway
She'll be out
Take it or leave it
Let me know by two o'clock
It won't be easy, letting her know
She's not on the phone and I shouldn't call her at the office
I'll leave a note at her place saying I'll be in touch later
Have you any paper? I've nothing to write on
I'll see you at a quarter to two at the station buffet
near the rue de Verdun exit...
Don't be later than two
Call me at the Hotel Rodin,
3616595. Christian
Hold on, I'll let you in
Come in. What's the matter?
I didn't mean to wake you
I won't be in Paris again
for at least a month
I meant to write to you, but it's difficult
I'd betterjust tell you
I'll be back, but I won't be seeing you
Even if I could, neither of us would want it
My wife's moving to Paris and...
She's expecting a baby,
so I'm going back to her
We love each other
Congratulations
I'm sorry to tell you so...
It's all right
I'll get dressed. Close the window if you're cold
Just sit down
It's cold
It'll warm up
Did you do these?
No, my little niece
I thought maybe you did them as a child
Mine disappeared long ago
Sit down
I must go. Can we meet at lunchtime?
I have a hairdresser's appointment
Just stay
Walk with me to the office, if you have time
Is it cold out?
It's going to be a nice day,
apart from some rain later
Are you sure?
I won't swear to the rain
Have you had breakfast?
No. I'll make coffee
No, I'll do it
This tap!
You need a plumber
The pipe needs renewing
I know. You're in the way, standing there
Anne,
can I talk to you?
I'd better go
No, stay
I'd like one last kiss
What's the point?
I can't leave you like this
You've already left me
Are you angry with me?
Yes
No. You're entitled to love whom you like
No obligation to come and tell me
You'd rather I'd written?
Walked out without a word?
Maybe I walked out on you. I really enjoyed my holiday
Who were you with?
No one you know;
very good-looking and he loves me
I'm glad for you, truly
It's very sweet of you to pay a friendly call at seven a.m.
I'd left you a note
I'm always glad to see friends
You're trembling
Are you cold?
Yes, you left the window open
Yes, it's my fault
Oh, come off it; stop that
I still love you, you know
Love me from afar, then
I intend to
I can love like that, too, you know;
I needn't always be with someone
Here, if you want to help...
I like your place,
but it's a pity there's no kitchen
Who needs one? I have lunch near the office. Evenings I go out,
or settle for a snack
Don't fuss, Anne. It'll turn up
If I don't find it now, I never will
Try again, be systematic
I already have
What was it? 717? Sonnomateg?
It's for you
Who is it?
Who's calling?
Francois
Hang up, say I'm at a meeting
I'm afraid she's at a meeting
How long?
Hang up on him
I marked it "pink file"
and this is the only pink file there is
Every time I come back from holiday I find the same mess
She didn't even put it in my tray
It's Francois again
Hang up, I don't want to talk to him
He'll only call back
It's crowded
I must go in half an hour
I give up; you try
It's a waste of time
Time has flown today
You seem on edge
Do I look tired?
Rather refreshed, I'd say
Strange how that happens when you sleep badly
But that's not it
Guess who came to see me
When?
A Gruyere cheese sandwich, please
Welsh rarebit and a salad for me
The platter is good
No, Welsh rarebit
Can you bring the sandwich now? Don't wait for the Welsh rarebit
Don't say that
She'll take no notice
Still, you needn't have said it
Never mind, at least it calms me down
Come on, guess who came to see me at seven this morning
Who?
A ghost from the past
Christian?
Were you expecting him?
No, he was trying to leave a note and he woke me, that's all
Is he here for long?
He's leaving this afternoon
He comes back in a month
He's moving to Paris for good
You must be pleased
See how wrong you were to worry?
His wife's coming, too
She'll keep an eye on him
I'm afraid so
He wants her here
She's having a baby, so I have to accept...
fidelity and conjugal love
Well, I no longer love him,
if I ever did
So that's all right
You're not upset?
Oh, no. I admit I was very close to tears this morning...
seeing him so stern, almost pleased with himself
Well, I was pleased, too
- Good riddance - You felt he'd divorce?
No, he never thought of marrying me
If you love, you marry
You always generalize
Most people feel as I do
I don't understand you
You complain, yet you won't live with anyone
Want this? I'm not hungry
Loving doesn't mean living together
Do you really believe the things you say?
You're living in a dream world
How can you keep a man if he isn't with you?
I don't understand...
or, rather, I understand all too well
These guys claim to be madly in love...
but go on living with their wives, getting them pregnant
I'm marrying because I don't want that kind of disillusionment
I found "being available" fun, too, going from man to man
But you get older
Speak for yourself. I'm not on the shelf yet
Marriage is a beginning, not an end
Some beginning, looking at your Jean-Pierre!
- And what about Francois? - I'm not marrying Francois
Well, to each his own
But how can you love such different men... at the same time?
Do you really think I'm looking for some particular type?
What interests me isn't whether someone's tall, short, dark or fair
It's on another level entirely
So what has Francois got?
The poor creep isn't everyone's idea of the ideal pick-up
Talk of the devil!
Am I intruding?
No, I was just going
- Me too, so the table's yours - I'm not hungry
You can have my sandwich
No, thanks
Who told you I was here?
No one, I tried all the cafes around here
I must go, I'll be late at the hairdresser's
I've something to tell you
Some other time, and don't try to call me at the office
I've found a plumber for you
and I've got to let him know
Another day won't matter
But he's free tomorrow
I must go to my mother's
What can we do?
Leave your keys with the concierge
Fine. Goodbye
Wait. I'd better be there myself
No need to bother
You know it's no bother
I'll walk with you
It's on my way
Where are you going?
The Metro, to meet my friend
It's that way
The Etoile station will do just as well
I met my friend this morning,
he told me about the plumber
Hurry and say it's O.K.
There's plenty of time
I came because I know you don't like me calling you at the office
For something like this, it's O.K.
No, but I wanted to tell you...
I came round at eight this morning; I saw you both leave
I'll tell you about it, but not here, not right now
It was a shock
I'll tell you all about it
I thought he'd gone
He came back
Believe me, there's nothing to worry about
When can we talk about it?
I don't know
Tonight?
I'm busy tonight
Tomorrow?
I'll be at my mother's
Monday evening, then
I'll be working
Before that; it won't take hours
I can't wait till Monday
You shouldn't have spied, then!
I was only doing you a favour
Just trust me. Go away
Are you seeing him tonight?
Has he been in Paris long?
Go away, or I'll make a scene
Are you seeing him tonight?
Stop getting at me!
I think I've some rights in the matter
If you don't trust me, go to hell!
You said you wouldn't see him again!
I did not.
I said he'd gone
It wasn't likely he'd come back,
but he did
When?
You wouldn't ask if you felt anything for me
Do you love him?
Leave me alone; I'll stop seeing you if you go on like this
Put yourself in my shoes
Try putting yourself in mine; if you felt for me, you wouldn't ask
If you want to know, he's leaving again this afternoon
Are you happy now?
Wait a second
No. See you on Monday
Have I kept you waiting long?
It's settled:
She's leaving the keys with the concierge
You've got the address?
That's it, then. I must go now
Where's the Place des Fetes?
It's the other way
I don't want to go there, I just want to get my bearings
It's easy enough
Where are you headed?
Well, I don't know the address
You don't know, then
Yes, someone drove me there;
it's near a big avenue
Plenty of those around here, all alike
I'll find it. I have a good sense of direction
I'd never have guessed
I think it's this way
Near the town hall?
No need to walk, then; you could have stayed on the bus
Follow me
It's nicer in the park, it's such a lovely day
Do you spend your time in parks?
No, today's an exception
For me, too. I'd be at school,
but my teacher's on strike
I didn't feel like staying indoors,
so here I am with my books
Can you work out of doors?
I work best like that
In buses, trains, parks...
where it's noisy
Some people study in cafes,
but not me
You're a student?
Yes, I'm preparing for an exam,
but I have to work for my living
You're not working now?
I work nights and sleep days
You're not sleeping now
I should be, but I was a bit on edge, so I couldn't
And right now?
I have this errand to do
Where are you off to?
It's this way you want to go
Oh, do as you like
Shall we sit down?
What about your errand?
There's no hurry. It's only three... no, half past three
I'm going to sit, anyway
All right, but not another word;
I'm working
So am I
Common law
Does that interest you?
No, I'm not taking up law
What about you? German
It's my second language, after English
I also do Latin. Did you do German?
No; I hear it's difficult
Not if you know some Latin
We weren't to talk
- Not reading? - How about you?
- I can look up, can't I? - So can I
- What are you looking at? - And you?
I'm looking at you looking.
- What are you looking at? - Nothing. It's my lookout, anyway
No, it affects my outlook
It's not polite when you're talking to someone
I wasn't talking, you said not to
So let's both shut up
I think you've been watching those two since the bus
Which two?
You know very well
Don't point at them
Just let them be
You're following them
I know you're following them!
Quiet, they'll hear you
So far away?
So what, if you're not following them?
I just don't want them to think I am
Why on earth should they?
Please don't
Let's move on
No, let's stay
Frightened?
I don't like feeling ridiculous
But if you don't know them...
Now listen
I am following them, if you want to know
Are you a detective?
No... well, yes, in a way
In the police?
No, private... private eye stuff
With an agency?
Yes, I do enquiries for husbands who suspect their wives
What an exciting job
But you told me that you worked at night
We have no set hours
- So she's with her boyfriend? - That's a professional secret
They're not being very amorous
I have an idea they suspect you're following them
You think so?
Yes, I think you need further training
You shouldn't confide in a stranger
What if I told them who you are?
You wouldn't. Why would you do that?
To make trouble for you
I don't like cops
I'm no cop
What harm has that woman done, anyway? It's her life
I'm going to tell them
Let me go! I'll scream!
Stop it, they'll hear you
To hell with it, I'm off!
If you could see your face!
I wasn't really going to tell them
I don't think they've spotted us
Would be sacked if they had?
Would the agency sack you?
All right, I lied to you
I'm no detective
I knew it was just a dodge for picking up girls
That's why I teased you
Picking up girls isn't my style,
especially not today
You want to know?
I'm following them, but I'm no detective
What are you, then?
Nothing
The man is someone I know;
a friend of my girl
A friend or a lover?
Ex-lover; I thought they'd broken off
And now you don't?
I have no idea
What a super story! Tell me more, it's most interesting
That's all
Does he know you?
Of course not... I hope
But you know him?
Just by sight; if it is him
You're not sure?
Yes, it's him, it must be
I don't understand. Did you follow him from his place, or what?
No, the extraordinary thing is that I spotted him in a cafe
So? I see lots of people I know in cafes
Yes, but I'd already seen him elsewhere this morning
And you'll see him again; misfortunes come in threes
- Don't talk of misfortune - Why, would you kill him? Beware!
What are you going to do, though?
Nothing
What's the point of following them, then?
None, really
I just needed to find something to do this afternoon
So when I saw them leave the cafe, I left too, following automatically
and got on the same bus
And automatically picked me up
That was a purely accidental encounter
All right, but what are you going to do?
Nothing, I tell you; there's no point
Will you tell your girl?
No, the situation is bad enough as it is
She wouldn't believe me, because he was supposed...
to leave Paris this afternoon
At what time?
I don't know
The afternoon isn't over yet
The ideal thing would be a photograph
Brilliant! I'll borrow their camera and be right back
Press this and the picture comes out there
The light is lovely today
I'd like that tree in the photo;
it's my tree fetish
Failed
She probably felt them out, except for a wisp of hair
She probably felt they spoiled the picture
Well, what do I care?
I've got a nice photograph
You want it?
Well, you're not getting it
I don't give my picture to just any old wolf
- I'm not a wolf - Oh, that yarn about your girl!
Don't kid me that any girl could love you and that guy
He's not bad; I had a good look
He's as much like you as that duck is like an orang-outang
That's what amazes me
You mean you wouldn't be amazed if he looked like you?
It would sadden me
This saddens me, but it amazes me as well
They don't go together at all...
and she told me she didn't love him
What a woman says...
Maybe my problems bore you?
Not at all, you amuse me
You think I'm ridiculous?
Yes, people wrapped up in their own problems always seem so
You mustn't mind that
Is she pretty?
Who? My girl? Yes, very
Prettier than her?
They're different
You won't find ten like her in Paris
Well, a hundred
Even a thousand would be something
Like to see her picture?
Yes, she's lovely
Her eyes are lovely, but so sad
Is she sad?
Not really
It just looks that way in photographs
Actually, she's quite cheerful. She laughs a lot
As much as me?
Well, it's different
She's twenty-five
- You're younger, aren't you? - Quite a bit; I'm twenty
I'm fifteen
So I'm half-way between you
Have you a boyfriend?
Who is he?
The Prince of Corregidor,
waiting to carry me his castles in Spain
No, he's a road-sweeper
I don't want to talk about it. I haven't one, anyway
I'm only fifteen, sir
Have you a picture?
Of my boyfriend? No picture and no boyfriend
I bet you have one in your satchel
I told you, he's a road-sweeper, black and the Moslem religion...
forbids the taking of pictures
I told you about mine
You telling me your life story... doesn't mean I must tell you mine
If my boy cheated on me,
I'd keep my sorrow to myself
And I wouldn't follow him about
Or the girl with whom he...
Anyway, you're spinning yarns
No, that's how it is; I can hardly believe it myself
You're beginning to make me wonder
whether I'm awake or dreaming
- You're dreaming - Could be
No, I mean you're dreaming up a movie
about a total stranger
I tell you it's him, but it doesn't really matter if it isn't
I felt like walking
It gave me a purpose; then when I met you...
That gave you another purpose
Well, it did me good to talk. Also...
It's strange. I hardly know you,
yet I can talk to you
I've never talked about my troubles before
I don't know what's got into me
Lack of sleep, probably
Do you believe me?
What difference does it make?
I'm sure there's truth in what you say,
but you tell a good story, too
So do I,
but only to people who don't
Some talk and others listen
They've gone
Here they are, they're coming
Pretend to be talking. What can we talk about?
Spin me another yarn
What I told you was 100% true
50%. Didn't you invent anything?
Yes, you did
Not so loud; talk naturally
It's you who's not acting natural
It's your conspiratorial air that makes us conspicuous
- German is easy, you were saying - For me, anyway
Listen. My teacher says I have a very good accent
He looked at us
- I'm off - Let them get ahead
But we've been spotted...
- He looked at you - I was bawling in German!
What did it mean?
No idea. He likely doesn't know German
He's from Alsace
Well, it was a private conversation
Verheiratet... I really don't know
They can't have gone beyond the second floor.
What's his name?
Schlosser
He's a pilot... doesn't live in Paris
Who are you looking for?
Schlosser
Not here
A tall, thin man; an airline pilot
No pilots here
He knows a lady who lives here... blonde hair, cut short
What's her name?
I don't know, but theyjust went up together
She had a blue mac and a flowery scarf
I didn't see them
What do you want with her? She lost something?
Yes, well, no. Not her exactly
I'm looking for a girl of my age;
we swopped macs by mistake at the swimming-pool.
I don't know her, but she was seen with this lady
I can't think of anyone
That's her mac you're wearing?
That's right
I don't recognize it
For sailing, is it?
That's right. Do you go sailing?
No. A blonde? Not a redhead, by any chance?
Well, darkish... I think we must have made a mistake
Why tell her all that stuff?
To gain her confidence
We might have got somewhere, but it was no use...
with you looking so shifty
He could have come down any minute
Well, what now?
I'm off
Don't spoil it now that it's getting really thrilling
What's thrilling about it?
I'm for the bus
I'm thirsty, let's go to that cafe
We might see them come out
You can do your detecting and follow them
I have to go at five
We can watch from here
Well, now...
What is your theory?
I have no theory
I have
What would Sherlock Holmes have done?
That's fiction; this is real life
Personally, I like life
when it's most like a novel
What would Sherlock do?
Stupid stuff with his lens,
looking for fingerprints
Not in this case. He'd have deduced
So have I, and I have a theory
What is it?
Guess. Deduce
We've no facts
We've plenty
First fact: They don't live there,
either of them
True, and in fact I've an idea about where they went
The lawyer's office
Clever Mr. Detective
I'm not a complete fool
I'm surprised they didn't have to check with the concierge
There was a name-plate
I feel they've been there before
I don't know, but...
Yes, they knew the building
What do you deduce from that?
Why a lawyer?
There could be hundreds of reasons
Not that many,
and as far as you are concerned...
one seems very likely;
certain, in fact
As far as I'm concerned?
Well, your girl, really
What do lawyers handle a lot of?
Divorce
They were simply going to get a divorce
You mean he's going to marry the blonde?
Good luck to him
You've got it wrong
The blonde is his wife
Hence the glum looks
Hold on
A man and his wife couldn't go to the same lawyer
Why not, if it's amicable?
My parents did, it's fashionable
What are you thinking?
If he were married, Anne would have told me
Are you sure?
Anyway, he may never have told her
That's possible;
travelling around you can get away with anything
Would she lie to you?
Anne? Why should she? She's been very frank about him
Don't make me laugh
Some things the sincerest woman won't tell
She didn't tell you he was back; you found out, didn't you?
I don't know
What do you mean:
You don't know? You know she lied, don't you?
How do you like my theory?
You're romancing
Not entirely
If I were, you wouldn't care,
but you've gone all pensive
I think it's fun
Rather stimulating, in fact
I was a bit down in the dumps
You were? Why?
Just because; no particular reason
But also for very specific reasons
Can't I have problems, too?
Amorous problems?
You're very inquisitive, sir
What's your name, by the way?
Francois. What's yours?
Lucie. Let's call a truce
You've been asleep for ten minutes
You're lucky I've been keeping watch
I'll drink my coffee; that'll wake me up
How come you know him, but...
he doesn't know you?
You still don't believe me
I do. I was just asking
I happened to see him in the street with Anne
But didn't get a good look?
Good enough. He was so engrossed in her that I'd plenty of time
You like spying
No, I wondered who he was...
her ex,
as she hadn't been seeing him
So she says
Are you sure you saw them together this morning?
Where?
I might as well tell you everything:
I work some nights at a post office
- Which post office? - At the Gare de I'Est
You know it?
Sure. In fact...
We might have met on my way to school
I'm at home asleep by that time
Oh, yes. What are you saying?
I was saying I was too kind-hearted. Anne needed a plumber
I found someone, brother of a friend
who works at the post office
I went to Anne's at seven, to put a note under her door
And walked in on them?
No, but I did see them leave the house at eight
- They didn't see you? - Of course not
Poor thing, what a shock for you
I wouldn't like that
What did you do?
Nothing; they were some way away
What now? Not going to kill him, are you?
People do...
but I bet she's the one
you want to pop off
Neither
She's the one...
how cowardly
I'd be honourable and kill my rival
I don't want to kill anyone
I'd understand, but she didn't love him
Some girls are like that: Love one, love'em all
For me, though, it's all or nothing
Same here
Yet you put up with that guy
I don't; I thought it was all over,
or I'd never have tried to see her
Suppose she won't choose between you?
Well, we'll see what happens
Poor old Francois
is in a stew
His honey's moved to pastures new
Reaching higher with a flyer
Stop it
Why? I have a gift for poetry
If I were you, I'd pack in that bird. She doesn't sound much
You've had it, anyway, if she's had enough;
women do the deciding
I chose her. I had my eye on her before she saw me
A man gets the girl he has his eye on
only ifshe chooses him
She picked a replacement because her guy was away
- Am I being rough? - I chose her!
I don't like being chosen
Too bad; girls know what they want
I don't think Anne does
She does, though she may not find it
And she knows it's not you
What do you know about it?
I told you only what I wanted to
We agree on some things,
but it's superficial
I think Anne and I have a deeper relationship
It's him she loves
She doesn't love him
She doesn't love you
Stop talking nonsense
You told me so
Well, I'm telling you different
Don't get excited; I was only joking
She loves you. There!
Sure she loves you
Even well-matched couples don't seem so to me, so maybe you are
I must go
Where?
To the Metro
I'll go with you
Don't be silly, they might come out any minute
You can follow them
They spotted me, anyway
And what if they separate?
Then you could use help
But my grandmother is expecting me
Still, I'd like to know if my theory is correct
Something will happen to prove it one way or the other
I'll give you my address;
you can send me a report
- Nothing's going to happen - Then report that
Have you any paper?
Yes, hold on
No phone number; mother would object
Lucie Lavalette
15 Avenue de Verdun
Avenue de Verdun? That's close to where I work
Just put it through the letter-box;
it'll save you a stamp
Promise not to forget?
You owe me that for my services
And don't go to sleep again
Serge, I've had a terrible job getting hold of you
I've been trying to get you all afternoon
About tonight, I'm rather tired
Not ill, just tired
The girl who filled in while I was on holiday
messed up the filing. I've spent the afternoon
hunting for things
I've always said you take yourjob too seriously
One has to
Going out will cheer you up
Why not come?
All right, maybe it will relax me a bit
But I'm tired... I'd like to rest a little first
Could we meet at eight-thirty?
We won't have time to talk before the show,
and you'll leave after
Sorry, but I don't feel much like talking tonight
All right, I'll see you then
Do I look as if I'd been to the hairdresser's?
Not a bit
I can't understand it
Other girls look splendid after the hairdresser;
I look just the same
Well, you don't look as if you're going to the hairdresser
That's true
It's not still raining, is it?
See you on Monday
I hear you're getting married
To a super airline pilot,
so I'm told I approve the pilot, because then...
I'll be able to come and see you
Who is it?
Me
This isn't nice of you
I said I wouldn't be in
- But you are - I'm resting
Come in, since you're here
I'm not going to kill you,
you know I just didn't want you to think that I'm jealous
I can respect your feelings for him
Poor Francois
You see, Christian...
No, it's the way you spoke to me
But that's not what I came to say
Not on my bed, say it from over there
What is it?
Why so angry?
I just can't stand your lamentations now, that's all
I'm not lamenting
O.K., I'll go
Yes, be nice for once. I need to rest before I go out
You want to sleep?
Just to rest. Sorry, but we're both on edge
See you on Monday
I'll come tomorrow morning
No, you need sleep
How do you know?
It's obvious
Don't go tomorrow
I have to see mother
Please, this once
Would you go if you were married?
- With or without husband? - I'm not married or planning to be
See you on Monday
This can't go on. I'll transfer to the day shift
Starting next week
What about your classes?
At least I'd see you
If you're doing this to provoke me,
I'll stop seeing you
I can't go on like this
- It's no life - For you it is
I feel responsible for you
If you give up your studies I'll stop seeing you
- That's blackmail! - You're the blackmailer
For your sake I hope you'll change your mind
For goodness sake go or stay; I hate you hanging over me
One kiss
No, if I give an inch...
I'm in horrible mood, you know
And I deserve an explanation, you know
Of what?
I don't owe you any explanations
Even if I were your wife, I'd refuse
I've a perfect right to see who I like whenever I like
You come here at ungodly hours
You pester me on the phone
You turn up at lunch and nearly make me late
Now I'm trying to rest and you walk in
Think of others sometimes;
you're not the only one with problems
You always want to decide things; give me a little time
How can you do this to me?
If you'd let me talk...
You've done nothing but talk, but you don't say anything
I'm saying I love you
Your attitude grieves me
All that's wrong with my attitude is that I shouldn't have let you in
Think of me a little, instead of being sarcastic
Think of me
Making scenes won't get you anywhere
You would turn anyone against you
You make me laugh
Listen, Anne...
What?
It's quite natural...
What? Fussing about nothing
Nothing? Really?
Maybe not, from the way you go on about it
- Listen, Anne - Is that all you can say?
Just listen, for God's sake
You really hurt me
I can do it myself
Think less about me and more about your position
All right
We can't go on like this; it's no good for either of us
Try to live your own life instead of getting wrong ideas about us
It's just that I like being with you
So either I work nights and you spend yours as you like...
or I can go on days and we could live like a normal couple
Perfectly normal, even down to arguments
- Normal couples live together - That's out of the question
If you want to live with a girl, find someone else,
not me
I tried it
for three years
Not again, not just now
When, then?
I don't know
Probably never
Won't you ever marry?
I'm not planning to
Even then, you don't have to live together
You do. The law stipulates a marital home
Well, they won't jail me for not living with my husband
He could divorce you
I'll find someone who won't
- He'll have to be rich - Why?
Two small apartments cost no more than a big one
I like this place of mine
I won't give it up
to share a luxury apartment
Even if you love the guy?
That's immaterial
For me, love isn't cohabitation;
I hate anything clinging
It's absurd, because here I am with the most clinging guy in the world
Today, maybe; but some days we hardly see each other
That's how it should be;
absence makes the heart grow fonder
So why see each other?
Understand one thing, Francois
If you were free every night, we'd have parted already
Because I know you: You'd have wanted to move in
Since it's occasional, I tolerate you
Rejoice, though
No one else has been in this bed
No one?
I used to go to Christian's hotel
You'll say I'm spying, but last night...
If you spy, do the job properly
You didn't see him arrive, did you?
He came to see me at seven a.m.
He must be crazy
You came then, too
To leave a note
Him, too
But I heard him as he was leaving
and I invited him in
We had a quick breakfast;
he hates me to be late
If he's coming every day, he ought to get a car
Are you seeing him tonight?
No, he went back to Frankfurt
When?
This afternoon
When are you seeing him?
So don't tell me
Poor Francois
You can't imagine, wrapped up in your own little problems...
that I could possibly have any
You're so sad, so angry, so upset, yet what's happened to you?
Nothing serious
Your girl has remained true to you,
sleeping soundly in her own bed
She's the one to despair
Yet instead of comforting her in her misery, you insult her
And you say you love me
What did he do to you?
What did he do?
He said a last goodbye
He ditched you?
In favour of his wife
You didn't say he was married
It didn't matter, or so I thought
He said they were separated,
but she's expecting a baby
Since when?
What difference does it make?
He won't see you again?
Neither should you
I don't like him doing that to me...
after vanishing for three months
I don't like you making a fuss into the bargain
Or that cretin Marcillac babbling to me on the bus home
And tonight... why didn't I refuse to go out with Carrere?
I'm much too nice
I spend my life doing things I don't have to
It's so pitiful that it's laughable
Aren't you laughing?
I'd like to be alone for a bit
Francois... don't go
Stay
It's all right, Anne, I'm here
I'm sick of it all
Lie down
I must look a fright
You look lovely
You'll be late for your date
I don't care
Actually, I set the alarm for seven-thirty
I'll stay with you anyway
I can say that I'm sick
No, I can't get out of my date
Carrere isn't much fun,
but at least he isn't after me
Why he takes me out...
He likes to be seen with a pretty girl
But we never see anyone
Why do you go?
Not just because he invites me
It's nice to go out sometimes with someone
who isn't really after me
It seems there aren't many women after him,
so it's something
You know, he gets nothing out of me at all
To someone not very attractive... your presence is something...
enough to make me jealous
You'd be jealous of my dentist,
if I'd one
A real man-eater, aren't I?
Not in the least
You're so sweet
Why did I play you up like that?
I think it calmed me down
And that's the end of Christian
Do you love him?
No
Did you love him?
- Not really - You had every right to
Everything is my right and it's not up to you to judge me
I was in love with him,
full of crazy ideas
I imagined he'd come back...
and carry me off like Prince Charming
I cherished the idea,
even if I didn't really believe or want it
I can understand your being sad, because I am, too
Then this morning...
the fairy-tale of my dreams came true
The note under my door. Then him
The dream in flesh and blood
Simply to say:
"I love my wife"
What I don't understand is
why he disappeared...
why he waited three months to come and tell you
I don't know
Reconciliations take their time, I suppose
He was switched to another route, too, away from Paris
Next month he'll be with his old flight
and with his wife
Two girls in the same city simply isn't on
- She's quite pretty, you know... - His wife?
Do I know her?
No, but I've a picture
Show me
He wasn't keen on me having this photo;
I couldn't understand why
This morning he told me it was her in it,
there on the right
She's very different from you
You think so?
Yes, even if you bleached your hair
She's on the extreme right, not on his right
In green?
Who's the blonde, then?
I don't know
You're sure that's her?
Yes, why all the questions?
You'd make a good cop
Or maybe not: You always miss the point
He could tell you anything and you'd have no way of proving it
So what, since he's ditching me
I'd be more inclined to blame him for being hurtful
He always puts things so bluntly
He could have let me down lightly
But he spun a yarn about a lawsuit with his sister
He's suing his sister?
No, they're suing somebody. Why?
No reason
What are you thinking about?
Nothing
You're brooding over something
- What is it? - Nothing important
What is it?
Don't you ever think of nothing?
I'm always thinking something
That something being nothing
What is it?
Stop needling me
If you talk about something you give it importance it doesn't have
You see, this afternoon...
I couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk and...
And what?
Nothing. I was just thinking...
About you, him, making up stories
Imagining him carrying me off
to the South Seas
Something like that
What else?
I forget
Really?
Thinking the kind of thoughts...
you have when you're unhappy...
and jealous, too
You started to tell me something, then stopped. What?
I've told you
Come on, tell me what it was
Do you really want to know?
I picked up a girl in the park
You waste no time, do you?
Incredible!
They say women act up
Yet here you come weeping in my arms,
claiming I've deserted you
No, it was she who picked me up,
thinking I was following her
Weren't you?
Of course not
That's the last thing I'd been thinking of
Why? There's plenty of fish...
No, what I was thinking was that I wasn't interested...
in anyone but you
Which didn't stop you from talking to her
Was she pretty?
Don't tell me you didn't notice
It's not the same thing; she was just a kid of fifteen
She was skipping classes
She was rather fun, actually
Ah, rather fun,
whereas I'm no fun at all
I'm too old for you
Get yourself another girl;
go and find your little bird
She doesn't interest me
She ought to
- Did you make a date? - No
Have you her phone number?
Just her address
Will you write to her?
Are you crazy?
Are you jealous?
Me, jealous?
If that's what you wanted, you're going the wrong way about it
I was just trying to be honest
I didn't have to tell you about her. She means nothing to me
I was upset and it was someone to talk to
What did you talk about?
Nothing much, this and that
The weather?
No fear!
Love?
No, well, just in general
May I hear what she thought?
Just kid stuff, really
Oh yes? Such as?
I don't know... well...
that girls do the deciding
Do you believe that?
I don't believe it, either
I'd like to
You decide too much
Me? No, I don't
I can't even decide to put you out
Well, I'm off
Have you eaten?
No, I'll get a sandwich
Take some grapes
Well, I'm ready
Like that?
Why not?
I do hate leaving you,
knowing you're going out with someone else
He's harmless
Yes, but he'll be with you, I won't
See you on Monday
Right, six o'clock
And Francois, don't forget to write to your little friend
A long letter, she'll love that
They did go to the lawyer's,
but the woman was his sister. We never thought of that
See you sometime. Francois
Paris has charmed me
Paris has conquered me
Paris took me in her arms sensuously
She swallowed me up in her feverish hustle and bustle
In her restless frenzy
And I felt caught up, wrapped up
Sucked up and stifled
A small spot lost in the immensity
I count about as much as a cobblestone
A plane tree leaf flying on the avenue
That will tumble down the stairs of the metro
Instead of soaring up to the sun
Way up there
Paris has charmed me
Paris disarmed me
Turning all my hopes to alarms
I live alone under my garret roof
From friends and strangers I remain aloof
Yet still
I feel proud of my solitude
As on the hardships of life I brood
Life in the city so vast and wide
Constantly buffeted by wind and tide
It's a struggle for survival renewed each day
With cruel destiny refusing to point the way
Now the dark and malevolent night
Drives all ease from anguished sight
And muffled roars still prowl the street
For the heart of Paris never ceases
to beat
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