Previously in the Service...
You'll maybe become a secret service agent.
If you pass the test.
- How about a movie Saturday? - Sure.
-See you then. -Perfect.
"Clothes: undergarments, various."
For a total of 13,542.43 francs.
Hospitality costs, accounted for and stamped. It's a receipt.
13,000 francs' worth of bra on her.
1,300,000 old francs!
STAMPED
-You have friends, Moulinier? -Yes.
Why?
What do you think?
Friendship among Frenchmen is tough too.
WHEREVER NECESSITY KNOWS NO LAW
TOP SECRET THE FRENCH ATOMIC BOMB
Gentlemen,
intelligence now has progress in its service.
We now have a Malik Semimatic slide projector,
made in France.
100 mm Angénieux lens, 3.5 mm aperture, 1m20 to 3m60 focus
with spiraling ramp.
A modern marvel.
Cafeteria? What's that?
No canteen?
It's a self-service, Moulinier. You help yourself.
Help ourselves?
And do the washing-up too?
No more service?
-Why? -Basically, we become women!
-Gentlemen. -Calm down.
It's only a project.
If they think I'll...
This machine is the latest thing in technological equipment.
Just see how it focuses!
You can read even the smallest characters.
I'll do it...
Excuse me, but about the canteen:
will our expenses change if we go out to eat?
What's the empty box next to my name?
The Co-Assistant Director.
Can't you see?
So that's a new position.
Yes. Gentlemen, one of you will be backing up Moïse.
See how bright the picture is,
as though lit from within.
A VERY SECRET SERVICE
Don't take it badly, old chap.
We have to look ahead. You're nearly 47.
I'm not taking it badly.
You couldn't read that slide. Sight fails, ears are less sharp,
reflexes get slower.
But the world spins.
Who are you planning to appoint, Colonel?
It's likely to cause tension between agents.
It's up to you.
So you see, I still trust you, George.
Thank you, Colonel.
Find me my new Moïse.
Like he was 15 years ago.
Very well.
Colonel.
THE MONKEY
Hello Sophie.
I came as fast as I could.
What did you have to say?
You're very formal.
Of course not.
My folks want to meet you.
Oh, OK.
Mother saw us leaving the cinema.
She's been at me ever since.
Great!
What do you mean, great?
You're respectable,
so your parents want to know who you spend time with.
You're joking!
No...
I can't believe you're so old-fashioned!
How old are you?
23.
23? It's 1960 and you think
I need my parents' permission?
No, I didn't say...
You think to be respectable
a girl must get married and stay at home with the children?
No. Well... I don't know.
You don't know.
I'm a modern woman, André.
If you don't get that, tough luck!
Wait, Sophie...
No, I don't need you!
Sophie!
Can I ask you something?
If it's quick. I'm meeting someone.
So, well, since you're an experienced man...
The point, Merlaux, get to the point.
What do you say a "modern woman" is?
Modern women!
The modern world!
Fashionable ideas which will pass, as always.
At least, I hope so.
So you think today's women should stay the same as before?
Because you think they'll change? Clearly you have no experience.
But you have to move with the times.
Do you want to take orders from a woman?
Keep house while Wifey goes out to work?
Do you want Mr to be Mrs and Mrs to be Mr?
Do you want to feed your brats their bottles?
Do you want your wife to drive your car? Vote in elections?
But... Women do vote...
And does it make them any happier?
A modern woman
is a woman who thinks a man should be able to be a woman.
And vice versa.
Absurd!
ON THE CORNER
I'm not saying they couldn't,
I know they both get good marks,
but Co-Assistant...
is a job that requires flexibility and great adaptability.
Building an empire isn't enough.
It needs upkeep too.
Not to be unkind, but appoint Calot
or Moulinier
and Algeria goes to the Arabs.
Within two years.
If it was only about fighting our enemies, maybe,
but you and I know we also have friends,
and that complicates things
and, with no false vanity,
makes me more suited to the position.
See Calot.
I don't deny he's an excellent agent,
but between us,
Calot in Africa? Imagine the East and West Senegalese...
We can't tell which is which!
Another one?
There's a wonderful apple tart to come.
It's on me of course.
Ratified category A4 annual mission reports,
for reception.
Received.
-If you wish to return the AMRs today... -The AMRs?
The reports. Annual mission reports. AMRs.
...we shut at 4:15.
It's Tuesday.
Marie-Jo,
you're a woman of today.
Yes. And next I'll be a woman of tomorrow.
Yes, well, so you're a modern woman.
Oh, I don't know about that.
But you have a job.
You want to live like a man.
Oh no, Mr Merlaux, I work because there was nothing on my parents' farm.
And this is more like family than work.
You seemed to me to be a modern woman.
Not at all!
I want to be a housewife.
For that sort...
of thing, ask Miss Clayborn, not me!
The co-assistant director gets paid like a Class three officer, is that right?
With a double restaurant bonus.
It will obviously be you, my dear Calot.
After your masterly Warsaw operation...
How many independences this year?
Three? Four? 20? I lose track.
And if you lose Algeria, what then?
Canteen manager?
Fighting is useless.
It's Moïse's decision, whatever.
He'll choose the best one.
Or Clayborn!
Why?
Because she's a modern woman?
Clayborn. You're a hoot, old boy!
It's nearly 5:30. See you tomorrow.
5:30?
-Clayborn! -Clayborn!
Istanbul,
23rd March 1957.
Target: Mehmet Tapük, arms dealer.
Mission: steal the missile plans in his possession.
7:25 p.m.: brandy in the Grand Hotel bar.
Dinner with Tapük.
9:00 p.m.: courtesy mission begins.
10:15 p.m.: recovery of plans.
Vienna, 17th May 1957.
Target: Ernst Kübler, an Austrian agent likely to go West.
11:25 p.m.: end of courtesy mission. Subject rendered helpless.
Monaco, 2nd August 1957...Venise...
Target: Lavazzioni. Courtesy...
Rio de Janeiro, courtesy. Abidjan, courtesy.
Dear Countess.
Accomplished.
May I buy you a drink?
Mission accomplished.
No, por favor, no!
Mission... accomplished.
Oh my God!
You'll see, their tenderloin is a marvel.
You are my guest.
The chef is a friend, we're in good hands.
It's not quite up to the Hotel Bosphorus but still...
Do you know it?
Goran?
Can I see you?
He really is scary.
He's a Tatar.
Strangled Nazis with his bare hands.
Whilst running.
Here, Zaza, put that here.
Thanks, Madeleine.
You're joking?
Thank you, Zaza!
It's a pleasure.
And it always will be.
This is the person who must...
go absent.
Great man, Goran.
Mercadier, I'll have that desk.
Calot.
Moulinier.
-Moulinier. -Jacquard.
-Calot. -Jacquard.
Morning.
Marie-Jo...
My expenses.
Thank you, Miss Clayborn.
Have a good day.
You too.
There you go: her day's work is done.
Whilst we slave like dogs!
She takes advantage.
Excuse me.
This must be annoying.
Do you fancy this girl?
Yes.
A lot.
The first thing is to tell her so.
A man who opens up, that's modern.
ROSIE'S LINGERIE
Clayborn?
That's a curious idea.
I already have the name.
Sorry? But you said I...
I know, I was wrong.
I didn't know
that asking you to name the new Moïse would put you in such torment.
Not at all.
Your choice proves it.
Hello?
Opera 45 31, please.
Rabier Tailors.
Sophie?
It's André.
Yes?
I see you're a modern woman
and I'm fine with it.
I mean...
I like that.
I really like you.
Are you free on Friday?
Yes.
Pick me up from home.
Meet my parents.
I will.
Billing and cooing, Whatsit?
Sorry, Colonel.
Sit down, my boy.
Isn't it lovely to be young?
That's not it at all, Colonel.
Goodbye, Thing.
It's all ready, Colonel, we're waiting for Agent Clayborn.
Has anyone seen Clayborn?
Sadly, we can't wait forever.
Here I am!
She's too clever for us.
Only one explanation:
that woman is a man.
Well, now.
Moïse and I have chosen our new Co-Assistant Director.
I have to admit it was difficult.
Very difficult.
It is my pleasure to introduce...
Henri Lechiot.
What?
Category A clerical assistant, currently Head of Accounts.
The new Moïse...
Henri Lechiot
was a model official.
A great Resistance fighter
who dedicated his life to his country
and worked throughout his too-short career
to serve France!
Hello André!
Good evening.
My mother.
Good evening.
I'm delighted to meet you.
Good evening.
-Come in. -Yes, do.
Daddy?
This is André.
André Merlaux.
At last!
Delighted, André Merlaux.
Subtitles: Victoria Britten