THE LADY BANKER
Madam, it's the hat from Eckherfs.
Let's see.
Give her a louis.
Are you deaf? Give her a louis!
How charming!
Thank you. Thank you very much.
We can go, Mr. President.
Commissioner...
It's a... special case.
Could there be such a thing in these dealings?
- My wife is American. - So?
I was once solicited for a Turkish woman,
and it was quite conventional.
Wretched!
- She's just a friend! - You were right...
It's more than special.
It's unusual, or rather delicate.
Could this be adultery?
From the looks of it...
- Kraut! - Hussy!
Perverted!
Scum!
- Prostitute! - Whore!
She's got an itchy palm too!
Slut!
ECKHERT FASHION
So, Emma? Caught again?
You're in for a treat!
- You're the arcade's disgrace! - Ferdinand!
Come home! It's not for you.
Trollop!
It's for everyone, it's educational.
Goodbye, gentlemen. Sorry for the bother.
Hussy!
Slut!
Depraved!
Did madam see something of interest?
What is it?
This one.
Don't be ashamed.
They're doing this
in order to walk all over you.
After that, they won't let go. Yes, my sweet.
And people die of it,
you know that.
But not my little Emma.
You're young, beautiful, you're the most intelligent.
Life will smile at you.
Emma escapes from her mother!
His name is Moise.
He's an honest man.
Run-ins with the law...
Luckily, they have a good lawyer!
Emma really falls in love!
I give you the secret.
Everything's allowed.
Nevertheless, Camille marries.
Emma agrees.
There's nothing you can't do.
He's a rich husband...
Crush them! They'll be at your beck and call.
Crush them!
For Dad.
- Dearest Emma... - Dearest Paul...?
The day is dawning, the sea is calm, the winds favorable...
- Translation? - We're leaving.
Coat check, please.
- Are you going to nap? - I'm afraid I'll fall asleep.
Councillor Cisterne...
SAVINGS BRANCH
OPEN DAILY
- Good day, Madam President. - Good day.
- Hello, Madam President. - Hello.
- Hello.
- Slept well, madam? - And you?
Very well.
Your little devil left you?
INVESTORS, MRS. ECKHERT DEFENDS THE FRANC.
ENTRUST HER WITH YOUR SAVINGS.
"Propose royal feast before 2 pm.
"Bon appĂŠtit.
"Sir Charles."
- Mr. Moise, we have problems. - We're getting less?
More! But in small change.
These people's savings are impalpable savings!
Mind your business! Get to it!
My President!
Everybody knocks. You included.
Really?
Sorry.
Come in!
MANAGEMENT
What does your jerk lord want?
"Propose royal feast before 2 pm.
"Bon appĂŠtit."
Meaning?
"Royal."
I got that, but which one?
Royal Mining? Royal Phosphates? There are so many of them!
Jeanne?
Get me ChĂŠriaux, please.
"Sir Charles."
- You understood? - Oh, yes.
Oh, yes, yes.
- No, not really. - ChĂŠriaux!
How much is the Royal Petroleum quoted at?
"Royal Petroleum." Obviously!
14.55.
It's been stagnant.
- I'm buying. - How much?
Everything!
Fine, I'll do it.
But know that it may be the last time that I obey you.
I'm a stockbroker, not a croupier.
I'm fed up with your funny business
to artificially increase washout shares!
I will not pass for a fool!
For a fool!
A. CHERIAUX STOCKBROKER
Fall in! Everybody get ready!
Let's go for the Royal!
The Royal Petroleum!
Come on, boys!
Be aggressive!
Come on!
The Royal! Only the Royal!
Don't mind the price. Go for the Royal!
The Royal Petroleum!
Electric Urban: 29.30.
Western Union: 17.80.
Irak Petroleum: 30.
Tonkin Lead Mining: 12.
Royal Petroleum: 15.
Rhone-Poulenc: 51.
- You think people are idiots. - No, just a little.
It won't get to 16, and tomorrow it'll fall to 12.
So what will your Eckhert do then?
I'm laughing.
It's "Mrs. Eckhert",
if it isn't too much to ask.
- What's wrong? - Nothing.
Where's your head?
Royal Petroleum: 15.60.
- I'm laughing. - Royal Petroleum: 21.
- Royal Petroleum: 32. - I'm laughing.
I used to entertain you.
- Now it's all about money. - I couldn't care less about it.
You didn't use to say that.
You used to love me
back when I gave you my first million.
Yes.
And when you spent it all, you apologized.
Yes.
And Dad's inheritance...
Without Dad's inheritance...
you'd still be...
down under.
Buy Paris-Midi!
Special edition! English petroleum is booming!
Buy Paris-Midi!
ENGLISH PETROLEUM IS BOOMING
Buy Paris-Midi!
HUGE OILFIELDS DISCOVERED NEAR ADEN
A TIDY SUM FOR ROYAL PETROLEUM
Congratulations!
A woman... Alone!
Who informed her?
Who in London?
She's starting to...
Congratulations!
It's quite chic!
You like the circus, Duclaux?
What a beautiful acrobat!
- She's hung on till now. - Until now, you idiot.
Mrs. Eckhert gives wealthy interests
to her gogo clients when she happens to win!
It was quite the win with the Royal.
You're blinded by the chic,
the Parisian chic, modeled by a foreigner.
- She's Alsatian. - Sure she is!
But the day she'll lose, Mr. Gogo will cry.
Mr. Gogo will say he was robbed,
because he doesn't know that she works without a safety net.
But I, sir, have always worked with one!
I have 2 centuries of French banks backing me up.
- What was that? - Nothing.
Fine.
I take back "French".
And her rag...
"THE DEFENSE OF THE FRANC"
Her defense of the franc.
The franc defended by Eckherts.
In other words Genghis Khans, Zulus...
"Zulus" wasn't necessary, sir.
Yes?
I have an appointment.
- Are you sure, sweetheart? - Absolutely.
- I called yesterday. - I'll see. Wait here.
Watch your step.
Excuse us.
- Hello, sir. - Hello, sir.
- How's Mr. Vannister? - I don't know.
- Next! - Me?
No, him!
A lot of money. A lot of French money.
Royal tip-
Bourseuil Martilly, CEO of the Eckhert enterprises.
That one's yours, Mr. President. Keep it!
- You're right! - No worries.
I didn't notice.
I'm sorry.
- It doesn't work. - Sure it does.
Turn it down!
It's plugged into the main speaker.
What a lovely smell!
Well, well.
The lenient American husband of the questionable Camille.
- Hello, young man. - Good day, sir.
Is this to listen from one room to another?
Yes.
- Only music? - No, the radio too.
And voices? What if someone's over there?
No, we'd need a microphone for that.
Are you the son of the house?
I don't want to look like I'm stealing you from Mr. Vannister.
I left him willingly.
It had become unbearable anyway.
How is Mr. Vannister?
He's sly, madam. Sly and cruel.
He's been walking all over me for 2 years now.
Am I the first you're seeing?
- No, I went to Electric Urban. - Mr. Savatier? Good.
No. He offers 5,000 monthly, when I got 9,000.
Mr. Vannister is unpleasant, but generous.
I can help you.
5,000 at Mr. Savatier's, 5,000 here.
- You'd share me? - The Urban is sick.
It is. It's on its last legs.
You'll witness its downfall.
An interesting situation for a young man like you.
I understand.
At least I hope I do.
- You're really a shit disturber. - Why?
Are we in a shitty situation?
Leave him.
Sit down, Moise.
- It's filthy. - I know.
I meant for your fingers.
"Mother eckhert's misdemeanours or 20 years of fraud."
Great.
Keep reading. There's more.
- It's not good, huh? - No.
I know. I even hold myself back with you.
"Emma's tender female friends."
Some people!
That's better. "Mr. Ex's huge finesse."
- Is that me? - Yes.
Stay seated.
So?
Ten thousand.
Ten thousand and I don't publish.
Give him 500, Moise.
No, 10,000.
I accept installment payments.
Publish then! That's all I want.
Don't you understand I want people to talk about me?
Paris only talks about Mrs. Eckhert.
In just months,
you've become one of the most prominent French key figures.
How do you deal with this sudden celebrity?
With calm.
For some, you're a financial genius,
a sort of messiah of the nest egg.
But others have reservations about you.
Why such hostility?
They wrongly think I'll be detrimental to them.
Perhaps because you're a woman,
a charming woman,
one of Paris' loveliest,
and because such social skills aren't the norm.
They call you "the man-woman".
So, Emma Eckhert,
are you still a woman?
I accept all expertises.
- No! - They're yours, captain.
You won them.
And I said 8,000 francs, with the medals.
Without, I fear that Mrs. Eckhert...
- You don't know her. -lt'd be half!
Without these, 4,000.
Dear listeners, we're back with Mrs. Eckhert.
Let's suppose I have 10,000 francs.
I put them in your care. What happens next?
In a year, you'll win 800 francs.
At least 800 francs. Minimum 8%.
Why 8%?
Because I can afford that.
Last year, my clients received 9.32%.
Do you believe that?
9.32%? Congratulations.
However, major French banks
only give 1% interest...
At the most, 1.5.
- So allow me to wonder... - By all means.
It's wise to.
We're entering a phase in which profits will exceed
all predictions.
But only for those who can play in the stock exchange.
So the rich, you'll say.
But the Everyman is also entitled to partake in progress.
And to have dreams.
That's all the time we have today.
Dear listeners, good evening!
I'm sorry dear friend, can I?
I call that irresponsible demagogy.
She's charming.
You're melting, again.
Not only is she charming,
but she's sort of right.
In Verdun, in Argonne, on Chemin des Dames,
what fighter didn't realize that suffering was in vain?
So many deaths
to avoid a radical global transformation
following victory!
Who hasn't dreamt
of getting to the bottom of the money scheming,
of anonymous money, dirty money
that ruins savings
and reduces the working class to misery?
We needed a man to rise among us.
A man...
Of a woman.
And that woman is Mrs. Eckhert!
- Are you sure she gives 8%? - I read it in the newspaper.
I heard it on the radio.
Even more!
I heard it was 9.32.
Yes, it was 9.32.
Sugar? There's sugar.
It's 8% minimum.
- I heard 8%. - She's from Marseille.
Let us through.
Is it really 8%?
That's amazing. I brought all of it.
Everybody will come in!
The counters will be open all night long!
Don't worry!
All deposits will be accepted.
- And your client, Councillor? - Clients.
- They're 2. - And it'll reap...?
- About three. - Three hundred thousand?
Three millions.
We're from Lille.
Among your... is the diocese included?
Why? Did you get an offer?
I don't know.
Indeed, some wish not to appear.
I'll sign for them.
- Not as a notary, even if... - OK for the commission.
But the bulk is in stocks, in securities.
So we entrust them to you, then what?
I sell them. I make profits, I have a business to run.
- And if they want them back? - I give them back.
- Yes, but not the same ones. - Obviously!
I buy more, same company, same amount.
- But different number. - So?
Legally speaking, I don't know if I can...
- Then don't! - Or we can work something out?
Loyal to her modern ways,
Mrs. Eckhert, the ravishing banker,
chose to spend the end of the year on the French Riviera.
The holidays will be merry
since Mrs. 8% invited all of Paris
to end the year with her.
On New Year's Eve, all of Paris could end up in Monte-Carlo.
Let's hope the small investors, so dear to Mrs. Eckhert,
will be allowed to 8% of the caviar.
- Wait till your mom finds out. - You mean "Emma".
So, no Christmas party?
- No, I'm tired. - How merry!
But you go, darling. Have fun!
I can stay, you know.
- Don't you need me anymore? - No.
I wanted to hear it from you.
Alright. Off to bed!
My dear husband, bedtime.
Kids, bedtime!
Emma, I came to say goodnight.
Tell me. Do you want to sleep here?
- Because it's Christmas? - No.
Because I barely see you. We'd talk.
ELECTRIC URBAN MANAGEMENT
ELECTRIC URBAN AT YOUR SERVICE
Monte-Carlo, please. It's urgent.
Give me 2 hours.
As you wish! Go to the movies! You'll cultivate your mind.
A security, madam, that increased because of you!
People will talk.
Mr. Savatier worries you that much?
No. He doesn't worry me anymore.
And if the facts contradict you?
I couldn't care less!
I'm the facts.
You have 2 hours to sell all my Urban stocks, or you're fired!
How terrible!
My God! What a misfortune! How terrible!
Terrible! What a misfortune!
Platform 8, Eckhert train to Monte-Carlo.
Departing!
All aboard, please.
Close the doors.
Mr. Secretary of State, you scared me!
- She's always late. - Miss.
- Madam. - OK.
Please, Mr. Minister. I'll give you the honor...
A drink, Mr. Minister? Miss?
- I'm sorry, "madam". - Thank you.
Last bets.
No more bets.
32 red, pair, high half.
Gentlemen, I cheated.
I'm saying it because this doesn't count.
At least I hope so.
But, Mr. Minister...
it's not that complicated!
What?
Options?
You see, madam knows. It's well known.
- You have a go. I give up. - Listen, Loulou.
Mrs. Eckhert will list these on the stock exchange, right?
- That's right. - And soon, they'll be quoted.
And they'll be worth more.
Because Mrs. Eckhert is in charge. Do you understand?
And at that moment, Loulou,
you'll need to sell them, as they won't be worth much.
- They'll be worth less. - And how much are they now?
We're not selling them, the president's giving them,
because they're your first!
I'll just write: "Mr. Minister Radignac,
"50 Tonkin Mining."
We keep track of our little Tonkinese!
It's OK!
- Everybody's getting them free. - Not everybody. Only friends.
There she is.
There she is!
She made a point of being here! Mrs. Eckhert!
Such an admirable woman.
Remember the Electric Urban affair?
Since it was one of Mrs. Eckhert's securities,
rumors started announcing
the fall of her empire,
and prophesying her clients' ruin.
But no, birds of ill omen!
Only Mrs. Eckhert managed to reap profits for her clients
following the unexpected Savatier ruin.
You'll say it's a miracle.
I beg to differ.
It's talent,
seriousness,
constant vigilance
in favor of the sane people of this country.
That's you, that's us, the middle class!
There are mornings that leave one wondering...
You? That's unexpected!
Yes.
For example...
- I thought you only liked women. - So did I.
- It's a mess in here! - Obviously!
- Is it good? - Very.
And for you, was it good?
No.
Why are you laughing?
It would have been if you wouldn't have just asked.
Oh my! Subtle.
Isn't it?
That's what we'll see!
No!
You really want me to miss my train?
- Yes. - OK, then!
Mr. President, Mrs. Eckhert wants you to know what honor...
Really? She's not even here!
Mr. Minister.
- Hello, Mr. President. - Dear friend.
- Did you have a good night? - Too short.
Emma is here.
Compliments, Mr. President. She's coming.
- The son? - That's right, sir.
Mrs. Eckhert's child.
- Are you also in business? - No, sir.
You're right about that. Study Arts.
- Do you study Greek in school? - Yes, sir.
That's good.
I'm disappointed, madam.
At the speed you came in,
I thought you'd be jumping into my arms.
- I'm so pleased... - Pleasure is mine.
Always a pleasure to please.
But you're right. It's indecent
that we hadn't met before.
That dancer smells like trouble.
I'll calm him down.
- He's a friend. -"A friend"?
Will he run as candidate?
- We're thinking about it. - That?
- You see "that" as a deputy? - I hope so.
How sad!
My, my...
I'm on the president's side. That dancer has no manners.
Please...
I'd like you to take a moment...
for my dear friend Savatier,
my poor Edouard.
Marcel Proust, him and I all met
in high school.
How charming our teenage conversations were!
Edouard was the smartest one.
At age 12, he read Virgile.
And today, he's dead.
The Barbarians arrived...
He did not survive.
"Odi profanum vulgus!"
"I hate the unholy rabble!"
But I'd be mad at myself for ruining this night,
this reception.
It's midnight.
Happy New Year! A wonderful new year to all.
Happy new year, madam.
Many more pleasures to come.
- Where were you? - I was calling my wife.
And me?
- What do you wish me? - You?
What else could you wish for?
Plenty of things! I'll take whatever I can get.
- Vannister? - Couldn't care less about him!
I'm buying a building on Haussmann boulevard.
And the Vannister Bank, nothing.
The Family Bank and the Museum Bank are both jokes.
And I thought she was sentimental.
No, I don't fear the elections.
I know this country,
and I know that common sense will win.
There.
I thought that you didn't support purveyors of illusions
and miracle sellers.
Well, I'm happy about that.
You've been a charming journalist.
Your colleagues are more voracious.
If I may, Mr. President.
"To the beautiful...
"Mrs. Eckhert.
"For her generous efforts
"in favor of the defense of the franc.
"Raymond Prefaille"
I didn't put "Defense of the franc" in quotation marks.
I saw that. Mr. President, you're a wonderful man.
"Your politics."
Can't you stop one minute?
No, it's not the time.
Mind you, I'm not stopping you.
You can stay and do politics.
- I don't think so. - Why not?
I'll explain one day.
Children!
No. I said no!
Get down. You're really something! You too!
No, no, no!
That's it!
Emma! Emma!
Emma!
Emma?
Emma, I know you're there. Open up!
Stop that stupid game. Open!
Open that door!
Stop it, please.
You're taking it too far. You can't treat me like this!
Open this door, one last time.
I'm going to see my lawyer. We'll dissect the accounts.
I'll take everything! Everything!
Emma! Everything!
In God's name!
Everything! You hear me?
WHAT A GUARANTEE!
That dear Prefaille!
I want you here.
Your wife?
Tons of married men have a mistress.
"Tons"?
- But not a butch, right? - I guess.
- They aren't kept by a butch? - I guess.
- Asshole. - Listen.
I held conferences by choice and for money,
but I'll never be your employee.
The rest, whenever you want, where you want.
But I won't be your servant.
I think I'm worth more than that.
Is it clear?
How much are you worth?
- How much do you want monthly? - Here we go.
Don't you understand that's what I'm against?
- Your filthy money. - You always need to fight?
Hey, veteran,
no one ever told you you were a loser?
Yes, you.
But I didn't believe it.
Councillor Cisterne, left-wing candidate.
One month from the elections!
- Thank you! - You're welcome.
I sell paper, my little old man.
I sold 150,000.
It's Prefaille who inspires confidence. Not you.
I believe in Prefaille.
If on top of that
it manages to shut his mouth... What's his name again?
Your pretentious Lecoudray! Then it'll be a godsend.
- Do you love me? - No.
Then screw yourself!
How could the country refrain from putting its hope
in the left-wing parties,
the united left,
under Aristide BrĂŠhaud?
His mind, his character
has nothing to do with the sinister Prefaille...
so greedy for our money
that he's got more than just the banks fleecing us.
He even supports fishy agencies
that pretend to defend the franc.
- Bastard! - But he's cute. Come.
LECOUDRAY UNGRATEFUL. PAID OUT BY ECKHERT!
Let me know if you want me to go after Lecoudray.
I'm sure I can find something.
No, that's fine. He needed a lesson.
- You always find something. - It's almost a disease.
You despise me, but you should pity me.
When my maid used to take me to the square,
I'd get her to buy me 1 lollipop for every soldier she spoke to,
and 2 if it was a corporal, etc.
- So what rank am I? - I feel tenderness for you.
Although...
About that child who lives with you,
- Armand... - Yes?
I found something,
without wanting to, but...
it all makes a lot of sense.
TRAGEDY IN BOULOGNE
"The manufacturer kills his wife before killing himself,
"but who was the lover?"
The lover...
So I told myself, "how about Mrs. Eckhert"?
See, those people had a baby.
Their child became an orphan. You could have adopted him.
I'm just speculating.
I don't know if I'll publish it.
- Probably not. - Why?
Because if you touch my boy, I'll kill you.
Really?
- And I'll be acquitted. - You think so?
I also think so.
With how many?
Goodbye, miss. Thank you very much.
Prefaille, elected.
BrĂŠhaud, elected.
Herriot, we don't know yet.
Councillor Paul Cisterne, elected.
M. Lecoudray, defeated.
Bad luck.
Hello?
I don't know. Hold on.
- Who? - Mrs. Eckhert.
He went out.
"He went out." That's too bad.
I wanted to give him my deepest sympathies.
- Mrs. Lecoudray? - Yes.
It's kind of you to care for a defeated.
- You think he'll be OK? - Yes.
Underneath the sadness he's rather calm.
Finally, is he out or he's pretending to be?
Both.
Finally, he's a little absentminded.
France voted left.
Winner of the past elections,
Aristide BrĂŠhaud started the consultations
in order to form the new government.
The League of Nations will be the first
to hear President Brehaud's great speech on foreign policy,
his field of predilection.
Let's meet in Geneva, Mr. President.
The left won! BrĂŠhaud won!
He'd look good in first page.
- You'd sell 200,000 copies. - Fine. Do it.
Couldn't we give him our baby?
- Lecoudray? - Yes.
- Like what? - I don't know.
You ask me? Want to get slapped?
Go ahead, but talk to BrĂŠhaud.
"Make war on war, outlaw war"
is the French delegations slogan in these negotiations.
The president will answer your questions tomorrow at 11 AM
at the Palais des Nations, room F.
He should also be attending
a dinner held here tonight,
by an eminent member of the French parliament,
Mr. Paul Cisterne.
Paul Cisterne. C-I-S-T-E-R-N-E.
That's all, gentlemen...
I'm sorry. "Ladies and gentlemen."
MAKE WAR ON WAR
So, Mr. President, those negotiations?
They're taking forever!
Mr. President, let me introduce you
to Mrs. Eckhert, banker and journalist.
I believe she has important information for you.
It's an honor for me
to be part of this prestigious world of ideas.
I do like money
and since I didn't do too bad,
I am launching a newspaper by the Eckhert enterprises,
a news weekly, Mr. President.
It's objective? Spreading your ideas across Europe.
I give you "The Defense of Europe".
I thank you dearly, madam.
Long live "The Defense of Europe"!
And I entrust Councillor Lecoudray with the editorship.
But...
But how...?
With a skeleton key, love.
And 1,000 francs to the cleaning lady.
She sleeps like a log.
Miss?
Miss...
Come on! Up, my sweet.
There we go. There!
And...
the pillbox hat!
But madam!
Life is hard, but we'll send you flowers.
Soldier, stand at ease!
Place your bets.
Last bets.
No more bets.
Patience...
In 3 months, the left will have emptied the cash registers.
So, return of Mr. Prefaille.
And one morning... "Hello, Mr. Vannister?"
And Mr. Vannister will bail out, because Mr. Vannister is good.
But Mr. Vannister strikes,
because he's getting tired of that hen,
that moorhen, in his river!
- Can I? - No.
Duclaux...
And if I hired you again?
Under what terms?
Twelve thousand.
- So, can I? - Yes.
Duclaux, you're a bit of a mercenary.
Yes, sir.
Soldier...
- Right now? - Yes, right now.
THE DEFENSE OF EUROPE
I love you, I love you, I love you...
I love you.
Hello?
Hello, hello?
Hello?
My rotten money isn't so bad, is it?
I don't know. I'm only paid for conferences.
Asshole.
The rotten money that allowed Mrs. Eckhert
to offer "The Defense of Europe" to her little Lecoudray.
- Aren't you against that? - I don't know, I'll see.
And the rotten money that will buy you a position as deputy?
- You can buy that? - What do you think?
I only have you.
I'll care for you like I care for my stocks.
You only have me.
LONG LIVE LOVE LONG LIVE MY CLIENTS' MONEY
I MRS. LECOUDRAY, 2 VELASQUEZ AVE., PARIS, 8TH.
VIENNA
- Armand? - No, Mussolini!
This is huge! A big deal!
- Hello, Mr. Phonograph. - Hello.
You need to be in Rome tomorrow. You're expected at the Querina.
The "Quirinal".
- Mind your business. - And you had to come?
You don't do this over the phone.
- Is it...? - It is, and more.
- We had seen very small! - Fascist Italy. Congrats.
Selling out and going to Mussolini's...
Selling has indeed become a walk in the park!
You'll keep up with your talks, right?
Here. Your schedule, train tickets and pocket money.
I added more for his private needs.
Rome.
Mr. Benito Mussolini meets with Mrs. Eckhert.
A reliable source
tells us that the duce entrusted the Parisian banker
with the exclusive loan
that the fascist government wants to launch in France.
No one is surprised about the duce's choice,
so sensitive to feminine grace and elegance.
Hard times force an increasing number of factories
to close down.
Elections spark hope,
but the economy strikes back.
After lengthy consultations on the economic policy,
President Prefaille constituted
a large ministry of national union
that will ask the country, regardless of classes,
the necessary efforts and sacrifices...
- How do I look, Duclaux? - Very good.
If you were a young woman, I'd marry you.
And since you already cheated me once, it'd be done.
Whenever I come back into business,
- I call Mr. Vannister. - A habit.
An appointment.
A necessity.
And the Italian loan?
- I knew you'd mention it. - Obviously.
Doing representations in Rome?
Mr. Mussolini in person, it's delicate.
There's a more direct solution.
- An inside job. - Yes?
Some stock exchange agencies...
half stock exchange, half banking...
- But I'm not saying names. - No.
- Mrs. Eckhert? - Yes.
But, how?
By letting the country know the truth.
-By saying "danger". - Me?
- First the press. -"The press"!
- Then you. -"Then me."
- Ask for an investigation. - A judicial one?
- Judicial. - Will it be founded?
There's always a reason.
CRISIS AT ECKHERTS?
BRUSSELS
- Soldier! - Madam, please.
A heart attack like that?
Yes. It's his second.
He could have said so.
- You are... - Yes.
We need to get him out of here!
- It happened in the conference? - Yes.
- Were you there? - Yes.
- He asked you to... - Meet him, yes.
We'll take him to Paris. We'll save him.
No! I beg you!
You can't!
MOTHER ECKHERT, ROTTEN FRUIT OF THE REPUBLIC
We count on your talent.
HEADING TOWARDS THE CRASH
ECKHERT: THE DREAM VANISHES!
Read "lntran"! "Con artists: pimp and nobs!"
Read "lntran"!
"Con artists: pimp and nobs!"
Taxi!
CON ARTISTS: PIMP AND NOBS
Please.
I hope he didn't read it.
- Did you prohibit the paper? - Of course.
This will expose us for some time.
...to defend the scandalous banker.
Mrs. Eckhert would be the victim, the scapegoat of a fight
between President Prefaille and Mr. BrĂŠhaud.
But what got into Mr. Cisterne
to scream at the president of the council:
"It's really BrĂŠhaud that you're going for,
"it's the whole left!"
Mr. Prefaille replied:
"Right or left,
"a rightful government acts in accordance with the law.
"Don't worry, Mr. Cisterne.
"That's just what we'll do."
Are you Mrs. Lecoudray?
Yes.
Thank you. Yes?
I want to see the Ministry of Justice.
- Where will I find him? -Isn't he your friend?
He's a friend held hostage
in Mr. Prefaille's national union ministry.
- It's different. - He didn't spit on my options.
It's not a valid argument.
- Find others and bring him. - To your home?
Mine or elsewhere, but tonight!
- How about your home? - OK.
I'll launch the Italian loan on June 9th.
Today's the 4th. Five days left.
If they initiate an investigation in those 5 days
I want you to know why and for whom.
You'll work for people
who can't support losing a deal.
Yes.
And I certify that if tomorrow
all my clients want to be reimbursed,
- I have the money to do it! - Is it true, Paul?
If she says so, it's true.
- Thinking about the options? - No.
You are. But we're done with the options.
Yours, the others, all of them. I'll never mention them.
Come in.
Please don't bother. We are finished.
Have a bite. You won't have come in vain.
I repeat that we do not have
the slightest complaint or pretext
to accuse Mrs. Eckhert.
I complain!
I'm accusing her. I was ridiculed!
And she used your political friends.
If that woman isn't jailed tomorrow,
I'll talk.
In front of the whole country. Be warned!
My file isn't empty.
MR. PROSECUTOR LARGUE
Of course, Mr. Prosecutor.
Yes, I'm ready.
"Directly to the president of the council."
It's an honor.
Very well. Compliments, Mr. Prosecutor.
Give it.
They got little scares.
The scare of elections,
the scare of BrĂŠhaud, the scare of the left...
But before you, they panic.
Because you can beat them on their field.
With money.
And they know it.
- Seen that way, it's flattering. - I'll help you out.
You'll get out of it, with your head up high.
Of course.
- Give it to me. - No.
Give it to me.
My president, that's all we have left.
We have tons of things. We have the truth!
Think.
The strong ones always fight back.
The stronger, the better they can fight.
So it gets messy sometimes.
You think we need that?
If you don't want to give them the pleasure to ring, it's time.
Eckhert.
"Emma Madeleine Josephine Marie, divorced from Nathanson Moise."
Only one first name. The only thing that he'll lack.
I thank you on his behalf.
I accuse you of fraud,
breach of trust, false information,
misappropriation of public savings.
How and from whom did I misappropriate those savings?
The banks? Do you work for banks?
She also wants a contempt of court?
If you think it's foul to work for banks, OK.
Congratulations. You won.
I accuse you of contempt of court.
- Happv? - Very. What do we do now?
Long live Mrs. Eckhert!
We're with you!
The counters are open!
I accept all reimbursement demands. I pay!
L pay!
- Where's the funny one? - With the experts.
Gently, sir.
Emma! Emma!
The bookkeeping wasn't fiddled.
It's simply nonexistent!
What do you know about it?
Instead of saying nonsense, I'd wait for the experts to be done.
- One more word... - And what?
Contempt of court? It's already done.
Call your clerk. Clerk!
I make the following declaration.
"My businesses are under reorganization.
Disorganization.
"But I intent to prove
"that the deposits my clients made don't exceed $54 M,
"and that in securities, stocks, shares and real estate
"I possess at least $58 M."
I owe 54, and I have 58.
Have some, please!
- I usually have a sandwich. - Make an exception.
While you're here, write.
In the safe of my home in Neuilly,
there's $2 M in cash.
Just like that? Two millions.
- Do you know how much I make? - No, but I used to make less.
- But since... - That...
The things that luxury commands!
Yes, but it's nice.
You get used to making love in silk sheets.
Compliments, Mr. President of the Council.
Yes. Right away.
Yes. It's actually what I proposed your firm.
Yes, Mr. President.
You! Close them!
We're closing the counters!
Silence! We're closing!
What's wrong?
You can't do that!
Yes, I can. I got orders.
To keep me from reimbursing my clients?
They'll be reimbursed if there's money to do so.
- The experts will tell us. - But don't close the counters.
You'll kill their confidence.
Is that what you want?
If you stop the machine, it's finished.
So... It's a fragile machine.
Guards...
take that!
No! No!
No!
Crap. I was about to entrust you with my money.
I would have been ripped off!
Care to dance, sir?
You make a good-looking lad, you know?
How about me? Do I please you?
- Come, heartthrob. - Don't touch me.
Eckhert!
"Mrs. Eckhert", please.
Come on.
- Pig! - Slut!
- Crook. - Vamp.
Dirty pig!
Everyone gets its turn!
Dyke;
You deserve it!
She's a cunt!
Madam...
Sister.
If you want me to call you "Mrs." call me "Mother".
Mother, please listen.
- I'm listening. - No. Nothing.
This is what I wanted, a single cell.
It's not a right.
Could I have a table?
No.
You want to show me who's boss? Why?
I'm the devil?
Spare me the arrogance.
Just a table, to write. A table, to defend myself.
Is it too much for your charity?
You're not at the Ritz. You can't just ring.
Lecoudray. .. I like your little Lecoudray.
- I'm not talking about him. - That's all you do.
"Lecoudray didn't know. He didn't do anything."
If you need a culprit, there's only one and it's me.
Maybe he was your lover.
But he's no longer your friend.
It happens.
- I could confront you one day. - I was about to ask you.
I'm anticipating your wishes.
Lecoudray's statement:
"I was purely involved as a journalist.
"If I'd known there was fraud
"I'd have resigned immediately.
"I swear having only been an unconscious instrument
"of Mrs. Eckhert's embezzlement.
"I curse that woman who dishonored me."
There. That's all, your honor.
It's the way it should be.
It matches what I say Mr. LarguĂŠ, isn't it?
"Lecoudray didn't know. He didn't do anything."
- Do you confirm the declaration? - No. I didn't use those terms.
Rest assured, soldier. I read between the lines.
I defend my honor!
Madam...
Read my report.
You'll see that I can reimburse all my clients.
I have money. I'll pay.
But when? When do we start?
Your hunger strike doesn't impress me.
- It won't be my first. - It is mine.
If you're not hungry, don't eat. But don't nibble in secret.
I'll know.
Thank you for warning me.
It won't be fun, but together we'll manage.
At first, you were willing to drink.
Not anymore.
It isn't logical.
What do we have to say?
You have...
to say...
that...
I can pay...
what I owe.
The doctor! Call the doctor!
No!
Don't worry, Paul.
The burial was postponed.
Open my luggage.
- Is my raincoat there? - Yes.
- Are you cold? - No.
Come.
Sit down.
What time is it?
10:30.
At 12:30,
I want...
a car at the corner of Arcole St.
You're crazy. Look at yourself!
I'll be OK.
I'll do it anyway.
There are taxis.
You don't have the choice.
Hello, miss.
I come for Emma Eckhert.
Thank you, miss.
HOTEL DIEU HOSPITAL
Don't look at me...
Colette, also see Mr. Haeckli in Strasbourg.
ECKHERT VANISHED!
And Mr. Dubousquet in Nice.
He's better than Mora.
- Is that all? - Yes.
- Goodbye. - Goodbye.
EMMA VANISHED!
If it's OK, I'd rather stay at Colette's.
- In the meantime. - Of course.
ECKHERT FUGITIVE!
"I chose freedom only to defend your rights.
"I begged the judges to let me pay you back.
"They always refused because their only goal and mission
"is to judge me as a crook.
"I take it upon myself to fully reimburse you plus 8% interests
"by December 31st. But I need you..."
"But I need you.
"Committees have been set up in every city.
"They'll contact you.
"When each of you will have agreed,
"I'll turn myself in to the judges
"who will decide whether they want me to reimburse you.
"Then you'll know who the real crook is."
"I chose freedom only to defend your rights.
"I take it upon myself to fully reimburse you.
"I need you."
THE ECKHERT AFFAIR: SHE'S BACK!
Emma Eckhert...
since you can't sit,
doctors allow you to appear before the court lying down.
If need be, tell us.
- We'll get you a stretcher. - Yes, Mr. President.
As for you Nathanson, no one forces you to stand.
Yes, Mr. President. Myself.
A letter from the widow Mrs. Benet.
Please, it's not the moment.
"Believe my most profound gratitude, etc."
Mrs. Benet was deeply touched. And it's understandable.
Her 8 Citroen stocks were all reimbursed,
plus a 35% benefit
thanks to us and those little CitroĂŠn.
And there are 92 more.
Ninety-two touching letters.
Desperate letters.
But...
I'll come back to our honorable northern notary.
Councilor, you met Mrs. Eckhert on December 20th,
with a huge, huge, huge load of stocks.
Did she tell you she'd sell them?
- Yes or no? - Yes.
But I said, "beware".
The stocks you'll sell won't bear the same number.
-"Legally"... - That's something else.
But she was upfront with you!
Some stock exchange agencies...
half stock exchange, half banking...
- I'm not saying names. - No.
Mrs. Eckhert.
Yes!
The people trusted in Mrs. Eckhert.
And so it started pouring in.
They started pouring in their money,
because the humble people,
the braves, don't trust any bank,
or whatever other bank,
or the Vannister Bank anymore.
They trust in Mrs. Eckhert!
Their mother Eckhert!
We need to stabilize the market.
How unfortunate.
In a way.
So they want to end it with her!
Because she gives 8%,
when banks give 1%!
No need to explain, everyone understands.
And because it's an eye opener! Of course!
What will the citizen think?
He'll say to himself, "if Mr. Vannister..."
Whom I called as a witness...
- He's ill. - I would have cured him.
So the citizen would say,
"if the Vannisters, the banks,
"the pillars of the state, the government's crotches rob me,
"it's because the government robs me
"to make its policy in favor of..."
In favor of whom?
"In favor of Vannister and his bunch!"
Sir, please refrain from alluding to politics
or personal matters.
Fine. Then I'll use "they".
They. Plural. Is it OK?
T-H-E-Y.
T-H-E-Y shot Mrs. Eckhert in the back.
Because it was them or her.
I accuse T-H-E-Y
of premeditated moral murder.
Are you conducting a judicial investigation?
-"Judicial." -ls there a motive?
Always.
...Mrs. Eckhert and her accomplices negotiated
shares, stocks, securities,
that were entrusted to them.
For those motives, the court condemns Mrs. Eckhert
to 3 years of prison,
and 2 years for Nathanson.
Bourseuil Martilly and Lecoudray are acquitted.
- Thank you. - You were about to say?
I said, "thank you}.
I thank the court for acquitting Bourseuil and Lecoudray.
It's just.
But 2 years for the pimp, and nothing for the nobs?
What can I say, dear President?
It looks like it was all arranged.
- You really want to? - It's not good?
- Are they slaying me? - Yes.
- Aren't you going to school? - No.
Why not?
The flu. Teachers are ill.
- Colette. .. - Yes?
Nothing.
- See you. - You're leaving?
I'll be back!
- Please say something. - Like what?
You saved your honor, didn't you?
I'm a hero. I was in Verdun.
If I'd known... My good faith was shaken up. Forgive me!
"Forgive me! I ask for forgiveness!"
Forgive me.
You're crying?
Indeed. They are very harsh.
THE HERO DESERTED
You won't do it.
- Is he dead? - What happened?
Keep in touch with the committees.
I'm with you. So much, my sweet.
See you soon.
- Yes? - Yes.
- Are you hurting? - No.
- I prayed for you. - So I'm at ease.
Forgive me, Mother. I can't say "thank you".
Are you done?
And?
You can do it!
Do it!
Look at the dykes!
Someone has a crush on Eckhert!
- There's room! - Shut it!
Should we leave you alone?
Crazy girl.
MY crazy girl.
I had to.
Will you ever give up?
Yes.
In my grave.
The ministerial crisis,
triggered by President Prefaille's resignation,
lasted close to a month.
Mr. BrĂŠhaud, eternal champion of the left,
agreed to open the consultations
in order to form the next government.
Good luck, Mr. BrĂŠhaud. Good luck for France.
Emma Eckhert's forensic adventures continue.
Unable to bear the humid straw of her prison cell,
she was transferred to a Parisian hospital
for a surgical intervention.
But rest assured admirers,
her convalescence is taking place
in a top notch clinic of Plaine Monceau
where she benefits from tender loving care.
And it's really the case,
because the prison administration says that
Mrs. Eckhert is serving her sentence normally.
We can rest assured because legally, she's still in prison.
Are you OK?
I saw BrĂŠhaud.
It failed?
It worked!
- When? - In a month,
-so they don't see the link. - What link?
Between our comeback in the government
and your conditional release.
- You explained him the idea? - Roughly.
I don't pay you to do things roughly.
Are you my lawyer or not?
- My lawyer twiddles his thumbs. - There you go.
If I can't reimburse, I can't care less about freedom!
Your turn!
Duclaux, you'd make a very, very mediocre assassin.
As for our business,
in that case,
we'll better need extras.
In that case, yes, sir.
Look how plump it is.
It looks like a hen banker.
Six or seven buses should do.
Please present yourself at the secretariat.
Mr. Haeckli, from the Strasbourg committee,
is asked at the reception.
They're incredible! You said tomorrow morning, didn't you?
What can I say. They're here. They need a place to stay.
Fine. See with the hotels.
Perfect.
Here? It's quite joyful. Come!
Of course. Thank you, Colette.
It was Colette. She kisses you.
- She's very... -"Very" what?
Very useful.
Mr. Saray, from the Marseille committee
is asked at the reception.
Mr. Saray, from the Marseille committee,
is asked at the reception.
It can't be!
It's huge.
And it's not all. The custard's on its way.
TO you!
To all of you, my darlings.
- To tomorrow! - To tomorrow!
Victor, from Grenoble, at the press office, please.
Last call.
Only the will to find myself before you again
and say, No, I am not a thief,
has allowed me to overcome all of this,
all these provocations,
all the sufferings the justice had in store for me.
Bravo!
Please!
Please...
Please!
This is what I propose.
In 5 days, on March 26th,
I will give back one third of the capital you entrusted me.
And another third on March 26th, 1932.
And the last one, on March 26th, 1933.
The 8% interests will continue applying
until the last date.
Those of you who accept, raise your hand.
Now, those who refuse...
We will go on!
We will go on together!
Let me through!