The big department store vs. the little shop.
The problem still exists today.
A cruel, unfair struggle that ends in death and destruction,
and to blame, the thing that regulates the ticking of the world:
progress.
Denise BAUDU, an orphan.
EVERYTHING... YOU WANT...
AT LADIES' PARADISE
Mr. Baudu in Paris, 6 Courteline St.
"Uncle, you're the one who wrote and told me to come."
"I wrote you, it's true... when your father died
six months ago, but since then... "
"Since then... everything has changed...
business is very bad."
"The department store is destroying us.
Everyone is closing down... How can I provide for you?"
"Maybe I can get a job across the street...
at Ladies' Paradise?"
"Work for Mouret?
That charlatan who sells at a loss in order to ruin us?"
"That wretch doesn't care
if the little man starve to death."
"Come... We'll give you some lunch first. "
CLOSED FROM NOON TO 2 PM
"Genevieve. Don't you recognise your cousin, Denise?"
"This is Colomban, my future son-in-law.
A good young man who helps me as best he can. "
"My poor girl, I can't let you share in our misery.
Try to find some work. "
Rising out of the earth at the behest of one man: Octave Mouret.
The department store, Ladies' Paradise,
Temple of Temptation.
"Excuse me, could you tell me where to go to apply for a job?"
"We have one opening for a model. Come with me."
"Take your clothes off."
"I want my stores to take over the whole neighbourhood in two years."
"Beautiful plan, Mr. Mouret.
But there's one shop you can't buy:
the one that belongs to old Baudu."
"His shop, Vieil Elboeuf, is mortgaged to the hilt,
it'll succumb like all the others... I'll buy everything up."
"Fine. But... where will you get the money?"
"Mrs. Desforges is introducing me to a man this evening
who has more money than he can count,
Baron Hartmann. "
"That boy is engaged. You should leave him alone..."
"Is it any of your business?."
"Get out of here."
"I like that girl... Hire her. "
"I'm the one who did you that favour. "
"Thanks to you I was hired immediately...
I wanted to thank you."
"They put me in the beauty products section."
"Thank you...
I live across the street at my uncle Baudu's house."
"Poor uncle...
He says Mr. Mouret, our manager, wants to ruin him."
At Mrs. Desforges' house.
"Mr. Mouret, this is Baron Hartmann,
He likes and supports big projects. "
"Old buildings, worthless shops, I'll raze everything...
and I'll make Ladies' Paradise the biggest store in the world."
"It's an ambitious project and an interesting idea...
But who are your customers?"
" All of the women in Paris...
He who rules the women rules the world."
"I want to build a temple of elegance, luxury and beauty,
your temple, ladies...
In this undertaking, you'll all be with me."
"You seem to use women too easily, my dear fellow...
People get hurt in that game.
Beware, one day one of them may avenge the others. "
Baron Hartmann has given his millions in support...
All around the Vieil Elboeuf shop demolition work is under way.
NEW STORES OPENING SOON LADIES' PARADISE
Inside Ladies' Paradise 1:00 pm... Third sitting
"Excuse me. Miss Holier-than-thou."
"For the anniversary of the store
the manager is offering his employees a day off at the L'Isle-Adam beach. "
"Will you be among us?"
"What do you think of our new model?"
"Mr. Mouret is taking an interest in that girl...
No doubt, she was recommended... "
"Why are you making fun of that girl?"
At L'Isle-Adam.
"That's the manager: Mr. Mouret. "
"The manager is offering a bonus
to the first person in a bathing suit. "
"Denise... Why are you avoiding me?"
"What you're doing isn't right.
I'm nothing to you. And you know that... "
"Denise... Do you love someone else?"
"Watch out...
I set you up. I can bring you down."
"I can't live without you.
I'll come for you tonight. "
"Where are you going?"
"Why are you leaving?"
"It's because she's ill, very ill...
That's why, isn't it?"
"I thought you had a heart. You're nothing but a scoundrel."
" All this poverty. That's why I'm leaving. "
"What kind of future is this?"
"I'm young... I want to live."
"My daughter is young too... She would like to live... "
"I know what you're worth now. I understand. "
"I know where you're going. "
"Over there... With the high and mighty."
"I took you in like a son...
I aided you with the little I had. You heel."
"You'll kill her."
The Future was being built on ruins.
"Our earnings are beating the records."
SALE
"Miss Denise Baudu didn't show up this morning. "
"See him... One last time... Denise... I'd like to... "
"What is Mr. Mouret doing?
I haven't been able to get through to him for two days."
"Let him not forget that I'm the one in control of this business."
"I left everything for Clara. I loved her...
She didn't care about me."
"Genevieve is going to die."
"Come... You'll understand."
"I'm sorry... "
"Get out of here."
At the request of Mr. Mouret,
an eviction notice has been issued...
"Scoundrels. Scoundrels."
Murderer's accomplices. The man who'll starve us all.
I'll kill you all."
"I hate you."
The storm blows over.
"For sentimental reasons
you are seriously damaging our business."
"I thought you were stronger... "
"I've invested millions, I have to defend them."
"I'm not going under with you."
"Pull yourself together or resign."
"Do whatever you like."
"I'm a ruined man."
"I thought I was doing something useful.
I've only created more pain and destruction."
"I give up... "
"You served Progress. It's the one to blame. "
"We're the ones who were wrong. I see that now. "
"Be proud of your work. Be strong, so that it will continue. "
"Denise... I would have been strong if you had loved me. "
"I've always loved you... I've loved only you. "
"You can be satisfied. I have him. He's going to resign. "
"Destruction, misery...
Tomorrow all of that will be part of the past. "
"Your dream will come true. "
"Together, the two of us will make it come true. "
HAPPINESS