Mademoiselle Gobete (1952) - full transcript

Hello, my dear!

Who are you? What are you
doing in my dressing room?

May I introduce myself?

I'm Luciano Pinglet, investigating
judge of the courthouse at Gray.

An investigating judge? Oh my God!
What do you want from me?

I've been assigned to conduct
an inquiry and an inspection.

In my dressing room?
- No. About you.

About me?!

Circumstantial charges have
been reported to the...

...judicial authority by
some citizens,...

...who're accusing you of
having gravely violated...



...public morals by singing
licentious songs and...

...by showing yourself in public
in a rather revealing clothing.

Ah, is it for that?
- Yes, madam.

The court president has charged
me with making sure that...

...such accusations are legitimate.
- Ok, have a seat.

Make sure of that. Conduct
all the inspections you want!

Here I am!

That's the costume I use to
wear in the first act.

How do you find it?
- Generous...

It can't be denied that
it exposes legs, arms...

...and shoulders a bit too much...
- Do you mind seeing them?

Me?! Not nearly, I couldn't
ask for anything better,...

...but now I can't look at you..

...by Luciano Pinglet's eyes,...



...but rather by an investigating
judge's ones.

And doesn't the investigating
judge like my legs,...

...my arms and my shoulders?
- Sure! I like them!

Sure, he likes them a lot.
He finds them enchanting,...

...but just for that...
yes, well...

Madam, I'm a public official...

...in fulfilling my legal
mandate.

Let me go on with my inspection!

Ok, you may go on!

What are you doing?
- I'm getting undressed.

In case you want to go on
with your inspection...

...about the other costumes....
- No, stop!

I can imagine them. Please, get
dressed again! - Why?

Am I frightening you so?
- Me?

No. Not me,...

...but the investigating judge...

Couldn't we forget the investigating
judge for a while?

But the inquiry...the inspection...

I'll help you to conduct
the inspection...

Gobette!

Who is?
- It's me, Pinglet.

What do you want more? Let
me sleep.

It's 7 am! Gobette, I'm late!

Are the trials beginning?
- No, nothing begins.

We have no trials, but the
president wants...

...all of us to be at work.

Gobette!

The street is full of people,
lights are on and shops are open!

We've been sleeping all
night and day long!

It's not 7 am but 7 pm! Oh!

It's incredible! Absurd!

I'm having you up for 8 am...

...and you're coming here at 8 pm.

But mr president...
- Yes, quiet!

Be modest to be quiet at least.

We need the investigating
judge for the first time...

...and there's no investigating
judge! He disappears and vanishes!

I had to rush over to the bedside
of a dying aunt of mine...

Enough with the excuse
of the dying aunt!

Let her die once for all!
Or use another excuse!

But tell me, yesterday evening,
before rushing over to...

...your aunt's bedside,...

...were you able to talk to
that woman at least? - Which woman?

What?! The so called actress
who performs indecently...

...at Odeon theatre!

Don't you remember the assignment
you were charged of?

Yes, I fulfilled it meticulously.

I conducted a very rigorous
inspection...

...and I called her to respect
morals very strictly.

I can guarantee that she was
deeply stunned...

...by my words. - Indeed
we have noticed that!

Why?

After shocking the audience
at the theatre...

...showing her nakedness,...

...she went to the hotel
with a shady bad guy...

...and spent the night with him
in shameful revelries...

...and despicable squalls,...

...engendering indignation
and protest by the neighbourhood!

Really?!
- But this is nothing!

It seems that in the middle
of the night,...

...she and her orgy partner,
totally drunken,...

...have had fun in throwing
bottles out of the window...

...threatening the safety
of bystanders.

Having received reports of
these very grave acts,..

...I made the theatre be closed!

And I invited the hotel manager
not to give that woman...

...an accomodation anymore.

But now there's something for
you too! - For me?

Yes. As an investigating judge...

...you have to conduct
inquiries immediately...

...to discover the identity
of that shameful daredevil...

...who was her partner in
orgies and revelries.

Do you think that it's really
necessary? - Sure!

I want to prosecute him by
the full law's strictness.

Acts he made the past night
entail,..

...in addition to public
liability for caused damages,...

...also a criminal liability
which can and has to be punished.

We'll have a resounding trial
at last too!

Mr Pinglet,...

...this is a real chance for you...

...to be able to show your
ability as a sleuth.

Let us be proud of you. Investigate
and discover who is that criminal!

Mr president...
I've already discovered him.

Really?! Well done. Who is?
- It's me!

You?!
- Yes, mr president.

It's me who spent the night
with Gobette.

It's me who was her partner
in revelries.

You?! An investigating judge?!
But...but it's atrocious!

So was she your dying aunt?

Yes. That woman has captured
and enchanted me.

You cannot imagine her
elegance, her beauty...

...and her power of seduction!
She's irresistible!

Enough! Your plea of mitigation
is useless!

We do have a really nice courthouse
at Gray, there's no denying it!

We were finally able to
set up a trial...

...and who is the defendant?
The investigating judge!

Mr president, do you want
me to resign?

I don't know what to make of
your resignation!

We've to damp down with the scandal.
Woe betide that it'd be known!

And to think that just today
I've received a newsletter..

...from the ministry of justice
about magistrature's dignity!

Read it!

Papa!

Papa!

Mom tells me to take a
leaf of paper for packing.

Do you understand English?
- No.

How can I know what she wants?

Can she speak English only?
- Yes, since a year circa.

She was hit by a ball on her head.
- A revolver shot?

Revolver shot? A tennis ball.

I sent her to England to learn
English,...

...she was hit by a ball on
her head and forgot French.

Forever?
- No!

Perhaps playing tennis again...
Be clear, my dear, what do you want?

A leaf of paper.
- Ah! Got it, the pepper!

Go and pick it up from the kitchen.

Denise, what are you doing?
- She wants some pepper.

Pepper?! For what?
- You sent her.

No! I just want some paper
for packing.

Here.
- I've nearly packed my bags.

Are you leaving, madam chairwoman?

Yes, I'm leaving with Denise
in a couple of hours.

Tomorrow we're spending the day
in Paris, at the "Hotel de la Paix".

Then we'll go to Honfleur to
pay a visit to my uncle Millefer,...

...do you know the famous Millefer?
- Aglae!

He invented the Millefer chicken,...

...he's a well known chef.
Do you know him? - No.

Ah! It's outstanding!
Do you want the recipe?

Why should mr Pinglet be
interested in that recipe?

Why not? Better... - See? Mr
Pinglet is a gourmet!

I love the good food.
- Ah...

Him too, that's why he married me!

Pick up the newspapers, go over
there to end up packing!

Ah, if I had washed the pans
this way...

...in the kitchen, they would
have expelled me immediately!

Go over there and polish! - These
things have to be like a mirror for me.

Why are you laughing?

I'm not laughing...
Oh yes, you're laughing!

Well, I married a female cook.

In a frenzy I seduced that
woman,...

...or it was her who seduced
me,...

...I have never understood
well this!

But since that day I've been
loosing everything,...

...decency and hunger!

Anyway, during 25 years of
marriage,...

...I've been never failing
to my conjugal duties,...

...not even in my dreams! Not
even in my dreams, mr Pinglet!

And I'm blushing for you!
And I demand...

Let's understand each other
well, ok?

I demand that the woman leaves
this country immediately.

How to do that, this way
out of hand?

It's up to you to persuade
her to leave...

...with no vain opposition.
It's in behalf of you.

You can attenuate your liability
only this way.

Go, mr Pinglet!
- I go, mr president!

Goodbye! We're ready.
- Yes.

This is for you.
- What is it?

Read.
- What I have to read?

Here on the newspaper there's an
interesting piece of news. - Which one?

"Movement inside magistrature".
- So what?!

Let's hope that they will move
you too!

Nonsense! I have to follow
my turn too.

Yes, wait for your turn!
You let everyone surpass you.

Is it obvious for you not
to protest?

And we've been getting musty
here for 20 years!

Mama! The carriage is ready!

What?!
- The carriage is ready!

What does she want?
- Who knows?

Nice idea sending her to England!

Quick or you'll miss the train!
Let's go, come on!

Everyone gets ahead!
Even the more stupid ones!

Do you know who was nominated
advisor in Paris?

Who? - Rastaboul! - Ah!
Rastaboul is an idiot!

He must be an idiot, but
he got ahead!

Do you know why Rastaboul
got ahead? - What?

Because he has a beautiful
compliant woman,...

...who lets the ministry
staff run after her.

Don't you have a wife maybe?
- What?!

I'm ready! Take me to Paris,
introduce me to the big fishes...

...and you'll see what I can do!
- Oh! Oh my God!

Two hours, got it?

He gave me a time of two hours
to leave the hotel.

That swine of your president
will have to do with me though!

He doesn't know me! I'm not
one of those women!

I'm a true artist!

I won the first prize on tragedy
at the academy of music.

Really?!

Andromaca was my debut!

And they cast me for "Moulin Rouge"!

That's what I am, the woman
whom he ventured to expel!

But couldn't you...you say nothing!
- What do you want me to say?

I'm deploring as Luciano Pinglet,
but as an investigating judge...

Oh, sure. You like to have fun
as Luciano Pinglet,...

...but you can't get into trouble
as an investigating judge!

I don't mind, I'll make it by myself!
Take! Close the luggage!

Come in!

Madam, the coach is ready.

Pick up the suitcases.

Do you go with me, don't you?

Where are we going? - To the station!
- No station.

To 22, Spring street.
Quick!

22, Spring street?!
- 22, Spring street.

But it's where the president
of the court lives.

I want to go just to him.

What are you going to do now?

He made me get expelled from
the hotel,...

...it's up to him to find
another accomodation for me.

He could make you get arrested
for contempt of magistrature.

I wish! Think how much exposure
I'll be getting: "Gobette in jail!"

Everybody will be talking
about me.

I'll become famous! I'll get
contracts even from Paris!

And me?! Do you know that it'd
be up just to me to arrest you?

You'll become famous too!

Newspapers will write about us.

It'll be such an exposure...

I couldn't care less.

I'm an investigating judge,
not a ballerina!

Let's not make the situation
complicated.

We're in time. The train is
leaving in half a hour.

I don't want to go to the
station.

Your president has to see
who is Gobette.

He has to remember me!

If you don't leave, I'm
ruined forever!

The president told me that
I have to make you leave!

Only this way he could forget
what I did the last night!

Do you care so much to forget
what you did the last night?

No. Last night was the most
beautiful day in my life! - Oh!

I don't care that this is the
last day of my career! - Oh!

Coachman! We don't go to 22
Spring street anymore,...

...let's go to the station.
- Gobette, thanks.

I don't like not to see...

...that fool of the president.

You'll see him.
- Where? - At the station.

He's leading her wife and daughter
who are going to Paris.

Does the president remain alone?
- Yes, he does.

Coachman! We don't go to the
station anymore,...

...let's go to 22, Spring street!

Oh Gobette! You drive me crazy!

The president? - He's not here,
he's at the station. - We know.

Pick up the suitcases and take
them into his bedroom.

Into his bedroom?!
But I don't know if...

It's a joke! A joke we want
to play on the president.

Ah, a joke...I love jokes.
Ah, ah...

Gobette!

Gobette, think well about what
you want to do.

I want to deal with your
president.

We'll see who is the strongest
one.

He has the weapon of law,
I have my weapons too.

He's a champion of virtue,...

...he hasn't been cheating
his wife...

...for 25 years, not even in
his thoughts!

All this is so exciting!
- Do not get excited!

Get a sense! Think about
what you're doing!

Gobette! - What are you laughing at?
- Nothing.

I'm thinking of the joke. It must
be funny. - Very funny!

This honest, conservative,
and virtuous mood...

I'm feeling moved like the
evening of my debut.

Do you get undressed? - Sure! I'm
preparing my weapons! Now go away.

Be calm, I'll fix your
president!

Think for a while about what
you're doing! Please!

Oh my God! What's going to
happen now?

Please, do not tell mr president
that I was in here too.

Is this for the joke too?

Yes. If you talk about me, you'll
ruin everything! You didn't see me!

Got it! There will be something
to die laughing at.

Quiet! Here he is!
He's going upstairs!

Why did you open the door?

I've heard you going upstairs.

Why are you laughing, idiot?
- Nothing, I'm merry.

Lucky you! I'm seeing red instead.

Why are you so hilarious?

Stop laughing, stupid!

My big apologies, mr president,...

...but I can't resist,
I can't help it!

Would you like anything else,
mr president?

Nothing else, you may go to bed.
- That's fine!

What?

Eh! Eh!
- Hello, my dear!

Who are you? What are you doing here?
- Who I am? I'm Gobette.

Gobette?!

The showgirl of "Clarette" company.

The creator of "The marquise's
lovers" operetta.

Who did let you get into my home?

You.

Me?! - Sure! You made me get
expelled from the hotel,...

...so I need to sleep somewhere.

And do you come and sleep in my home?
- Yes. Your wife has left.

Her bed is free. And I take
advantage of that, I use it!

Don't you think it's right?
- Sofia! - Do not shout so loud,...

...or you will awaken the
neighbourhood.

Everyone will come to know that
Gobette has slept with you.

If they knew that, I'd have
to resign!

Too bad for you!

If you didn't make me get
expelled from the hotel,...

...nothing should have happened.
And then...

And then don't you like so much
to fall asleep close to me?

No, me sleeping with you?!

You're so nice! - Enough!
I can no longer listen to you!

Your ruffled hair! Your gaze,
I like you!

Leave me alone! I'm a serious
man. A man of knowledge.

I'm a woman of knowledge too
and mine is worth more!

Ah, and I'll teach you some lessons.
- I don't need them.

Yes, you do need them!
- You'll waste your time.

I must confess, because,
given my age,..

...I lost my memory... - I'll
wake it! - Let me go!

Lord have mercy!
- What's up?

I'm ruined!
- Why? - It's atrocious!

What's so atrocious?
- My memory's coming back.

Ah, see?!
- Someone rang the bell!

Yes, I heard.
- Who could be at this time?

Who knows, go and see.
- Yes, I go.

Mr Tricoin, the president
of the court?

Yes but I don't receive now.
- Let me...

There's no point for you to insist.
If you want to talk to me...

...come to the courthouse tomorrow
from 9 am till noon.

I'm Cipriano Gaudet.
- The minister of justice?!

Yes, I am! - My apologies, mr
minister, I couldn't imagine.

Come in, mr minister! Please!

Your hat and cane, mr minister.

Please, this way, mr minister!
- Thanks!

Your cape, mr minister.

Oh, oh!
- Sorry, mr minister!

You're very kind.
- Please, mr minister!

Please, have a seat! My apologies,
if I have received you in this way.

I take this off and I wear
a frock coat.

No! For God's sake! You'd
displease me, no formality.

First of all I'm keen on apologizing
because I have come here...

...to disturb you at such a
late time. - Oh, no problem!

Better, it's me who have...
- Please! - Thanks!

I counted on coming to Gray
in the afternoon,...

...but I got a breakdown on the
way: a flat tire.

Very well! I mean...

And since I have to leave
early tomorrow morning,...

...I wanted to pay you a visit
anyway. - Nice idea!

Did you get my newsletter about
magistrature's dignity?

Yes.

Some recent scandals have drawn
government's attention.

Ah! - When you have the honour
to judge your likes,...

...you must not to be involved
with their weak spots!

I was going to say the same.

I decided to get a sense
personally.

I went through the region.

And what I saw is very sad:
virtue is weakening!

Austerity is nothing more
than a vain word!

Everywhere woman, the eternal
enemy of the judge,...

...is exercising her depraving
influence.

We need to clean the stalls of
Augia once for all!

Yes, we need to.

My program can be epitomized
in only a word: "purge".

"Purge"'. - Stop with the
gallant affairs!

I'll be pitiless!

If I unearth any affair related
to women, I dismiss relentlessly!

Right!

Moreover, of course you're not
threatened...

...by my severity.

One just needs to look around
to realize...

...that everything is inspired
by morality...

...and by the most serious
and severe virtue.

What are you doing, mummy's boy?
Why don't you get into bed? Oh!

Oh, sorry, I hadn't seen you.

It's me who apologize...

...for disturbing your sleep
at this time,...

...but I'm going around for an
inspection, as I told your husband.

Would you like to introduce me
to your kind lady?

Introduce you to my...
but is it necessary?

Come on, Agostino, quick!
Introduce the gentleman to me.

The honourable Cipriano Gaudet,
minister of justice.

Keeper of the seals.
- Mr minister.

My apologies, I came in like
an intruder.

Not at all! The king is always
at his home. Don't you, Agostino? - Yes.

The king?! You're gratifying me.

Who stands for the nation isn't
maybe a bit like a king?

Congratulations, the chairwoman
is a charming creature!

Mr minister. - Yes, she's
a bit shy, that's all.

Mr minister, would you like a
cup of tea or a glass of Port?

I wish a bit of Port.
- Some Port and glasses, come on!

Some Port?! - Yes, what the
lady tells you! Go!

But is the joke still going on?
- Yes, go!

My apologies, mr minister,
she's a bit fool.

You know, we're not well served
at all in this small town...

But there's still some genuine
ladies of the houses.

I'll mention you as an example
for all the magistrates' wifes.

I assure that I wasn't expecting
to find so much charm and kindness...

...here in this spot of the
region.

As I see you, I can realize
immediately that you're Parisian.

No, I'm just a little provincial
woman.

Excuse me, but I'm an expert. A provincial
woman doesn't get dressed like this!

I made it by myself. - Oh! But
you really have all the virtues!

That's beats everything! - Here's
your Port! Anything else?

Place it over there and go! Will
you go or not? - Yes, I will.

Do you often go to Paris, madam?

Never, mr minister, my husband
is such a curmudgeon!

What?! My dear president!

Well, mr minister, we have a lot
of things to do here at the courthouse...

But you must have scarcely
a trial per year...

Yes, exactly, but we do study
and examine it in depth...

...and develop all its
possibilities and...

I see. Have a seat!
- Thanks!

Work is not enough.
You need even...

...to have a little break
in a small town like this...

Oh, but you get used to!

Then there're some shows once
in a while, is it true, my darling?

Yes, there're. - Yes, I actually
saw the posters.

An operetta, I think, featuring
a certain... - Gobette.

Right. Exactly, yes.

Do you know her? - No, but they
say she's amazing.

Oh, the usual amplification!
- Did you see the show?

Oh no, for God's sake! It seems
to be a bit racy piece of theatre.

A magistrate uses to set a
good example,...

...so I abstain.

You have an exemplary wife!

Mr minister, there's a gentleman
over there asking about you.

She's always laughing, she's strange.

My personal secretary.
Come in, Ottavio!

Gentlemen. - Mr OttaVio Rosimond,...

...madam Tricoin and president Tricoin.

Have you been at the hotel?
- Not even a free room.

Gee whiz!

There's nothing free but a pool hall.
- A pool hall?! - Indeed!

A pool hall?! We have to put
up with it.

You sleeping on a pool table?!
I will never allow!

But madam, I couldn't know
how to do.

I hope that you will pay us the
homage to spend the night here.

Madam chairwoman...

Prepare the guest room.

Yes, and then? Which is?

Ah right, how distracted!

I forgot that I had changed
it into a wardrobe.

Prepare the master bedroom.
- The master...

No, I'd cause too much disturbance.

You'd do us a favour accepting
our humble hospitality.

Is it true, darling?
- Yes.

Go, Sofia!
- Go away!

Well, then I'll give in to
this kind violence...

My dear Rosimond, you'll be
sleeping on the pool table. - Ok.

Would mr minister like anything
else? - No. Good night.

Madam chairwoman! President! Minister!

And try not to sleep uncomfortably
on the pool table.

I'll be dreaming to shot some
caroms. Good night!

Rooms are ready and these are
the candles. - Thanks.

Didn't they realize this is
a joke? - Scram! - Yes!

Once again, a tons of apologies
for such a disturbance.

Oh, for God's sake, mr minister.

We do appeal to your leniency.

You know, we still have no
power supply... - Oh!

These candles never light up.

I'm just with no excuses in
your hands.

Mr minister.
This way, mr minister.

I wish you a good night,
mr minister!

Madam chairwoman, I wish you
the sweetest dreams!

Mr minister, do you have
all you need?

Yes, my dear president.
Madam chairwoman.

Good night, mr minister!
- Good night!

And now it's up to the both of us! - Quiet!
Do not shout, he could hear you!

Can't you realize what
have you done?

Me, who've been never telling
lies for all my life!

Me, who've a very honest past
of virtue,...

...falling down into this abyss
of lies and abjection!

Stop with these waterworks!
You'd have to thank me!

Even to thank you after the
hellish sleazy move you made?

Sure! I've rescued the situation
brilliantly.

I've dished to you a warm platter
with a woman of the world...

...who has enchanted your minister.

Indeed, the minister. What's going
on when he'll come to know?

He won't come to know anything
because he's leaving tomorrow.

What a pity though, I liked him.
He resembles Eugenio.

Who is Eugenio?
- Do not let me think about!

Well, are we going to bed?
- Where?

Into my bedroom, you gave
the minister your room.

See that I'm generous,
I'm giving you hospitality.

No! A while ago I felt like
being lost for a moment,...

...but now I'm self controlled
again...

...and your seduction won't
be successful on me anymore!

Do you prefer to sleep alone?

Yes, I'll be sleeping into the bath tub!
- Be careful not to drown.

And tomorrow in the morning,
when the minister will go,...

...you will leave immediately
this house!

Yes! Yes, sure! Good night, idiot!
- Ah!

Good night, Messalina!

Ah! Excuse, I don't find my bag.

Is it here maybe?
- But Sofia took it over there.

She must have put it under
the bed.

Has mr president already lied down?

Oh...yes, he's already in a
deep sleep. - Ah!

When he's sleeping, not even
cannon shots would awaken him.

...not even cannon shots.

Now I'll try to sleep too.
Good night.

Madam chiarwoman.

My candle blew out.

I'll light up again right now.
- Thanks!

I will keep an unforgettable
memory...

...about your hospitality.
- Mr minister...

Oh yes, in short, you have actually
received the government,...

...which was on the streets.

In better times, we'd have
applied...

...a marble plate on the
facade of the house.

In better times? But you're
almost reactionary.

I have a feeling of authority,
that's all.

How right you're.
Oh madam Tricoin!

Mr Cipriano Gaudet!

Good night again,
madam chairwoman!

Good night, mr minister!

Oh! My candle blew out.
- Oh!

Now it's me turn to help you
out. - Thanks.

Why are you laughing?

Because we have candle holders
like during ancien r?gime.

Do not speak about ancien r?gime
anymore, you'd let me regret it.

It had its good side. - The king
was at his home everywhere. - Yes.

He could give heed to his heart.

Actually he could.
- If he, going through the region...

...met a gorgeous woman,
might she be even...

...the wife of a president of
a courthouse, he said to her:

..."I love you! You're the only
true woman,...

...I have ever met".
And she replied...

"Sire, I'm yours!"
- Oh madam!

Oh! Goodbye, mr minister!
- Yes, you're right!

Oh! My candle blew out again.
- Mine too.

There must be a match box
on the desk.

Oh! - Your hand!
- Eugenio!

Eugenio?! No, Cipriano.
- Cipriano?!

Oh, it's the same, Cipriano,
my Cipriano...

What are you doing with
this ashtray?

I'm emptying it, it's full of
butts.

Mr minister smokes a lot.

Indeed! He hopes in vain he'll excite
an unreal intellect by smoking.

Unreal! It's not up to you
to empty ashtrays!

This task is up to the
porter's wife.

The porter's wife has just
had a baby tonight.

This is not a good reason.

Mr minister's butts...

...can wait for that poor
proletarian woman..

...being able to do her job
again.

Why do you have it so much with the
new minister? What did he do to you?

To me?! Nothing. He's a
northern, that's all!

And that's why you hate him?
- Hate? No! I contemn him!

Since I have this job as a
chief usher,...

...almost 30 years have been
passing away,...

...all the ministers have always
been southern.

It was a sacrosant tradition!

This is the first time that
a northerner...

...ventures to sit down on
this seat.

I can't prevent him from
being a minister,...

...but I try, as I can, to make
his life impossible.

For example, I use to arrange
newspapers in a way that..

...he happens to read for first
those ones which..

...speak ill of him.

It's nothing, but it's enough
to make him feel in a bad mood...

...all day long, here it is.

Hasn't mr minister arrived yet?

No. He's taking it easy.

Everyone but him has been doing
his job since more than a hour.

Nice example.
- Do you think he'll be very late?

Who knows?

You have to expect everything
from a northerner. Why?

Are you in a hurry?

My grandchild is going to get
married in Passy, I'm the best man.

The wedding is set for noon,...

...I must catch the train
leaving at 10:30 am.

Call my personal secretary
right away.

Just you, Bienassis...

If mr minister signs the decree...

...which has to be published
on the official journal. - Fine!

Find the Tricoin dossier.

Who is Tricoin?
- Don't you know?

A high value magistrate, the president
of the courthouse at Gray.

I'm hearing about him for
the first time...

Good judges never make a name
for themselves.

Virtue always joins modesty.
Go!

But... - Quick! Do what I've
told you.

And send everyone away.
Today I can't receive.

That's all we needed...
even that Tricoin!

Another northener.

There's my wife waiting for
me at the station,...

...I will have to catch a
coach.

You're pure like a lily,
you're pure like a flower.

Ah! This then?! Rascals!
Crooks!

Would mr minister have other
orders?

Go to hell! - Fine, mr minister!
- Just a moment!

I told a lot of times that the
firewood has to be carried away.

I gave orders to the staff
in charge.

I don't care about the staff
in charge!

This box has to be taken away,
right away! - Fine, I'll do that!

Just a moment!

Look at this device.

Take a careful look at it.
What about it?

I say that it's a paper cutter,
mr minister.

No!
- No.

It's not a paper cutter!
- It's not.

How obscene! And these inkpots
and this ashtray!

All this brass!

They have not been cleaned since
the ages of empire!

Will you excuse me,...

...the porter's wife is
the cleaner.

So what? - The woman had two
twins a night ago,...

...we can't claim that she...

...has babies and cleans
inkpots at the same time.

But there must be in Paris...

...a woman ready to
polish two cufflinks!

Oh! What do you make me say?

Yes, in short, charge someone
with that!

Ottavio! I was waiting for you.
Come.

I was waiting for you.
You can even go!

Ottavio! I'm crazy!

What?! - Crazy for love!
Crazy for passion! - Ah!

I've never been so in love!

I see. Angelina is a gorgeous
woman!

Forget Angelina!

That love affair is over, better,
I don't want to see her anymore.

I must let her get engaged at Odeon...

...so we won't even mention her.
- Is a new love affair?

Yes, the most beautiful, exciting
and fascinating one in my life.

Unexpected emotion,
sensuality, delirium!

Madness. I'm still all
trembling about it.

I see, mr minister.
- She's not a woman at all, you know!

No? - No. They are two. One
passionate and seductive,...

...the other supercilious
and reserved.

One provocative like a
courtesan,...

...the other chaste like a
convent school girl.

One always promising,
the other always refusing!

My goodness!

Imagine a mistress from
high society:

...lovable, reserved, a marquise
of the ancient regime.

Then imagine the sum
of the greatest lovers:

...Thais, Frine, Aspasia.

The sum of all the pleasures
and of all the sins.

A bacchante, that's it,
a real bacchante!

I can't tell you her name.

My discretion prevents me from doing it:
she's married. - The bacchante? - Yes.

And the marquise?
- Her too.

And what about the husbands?
- There's only a husband.

A husband with two wifes? - No,
there's only a wife: her.

Ah, I got it.
- She's worth double.

Before knowing that woman
I was naive.

She revealed a world to me
in a night.

Did I say a world?! An universe!

That woman is a font of love
knowledge.

And to think that she lives
hidden,...

...in a lost spot of the region,...

...in the smallest administrative
center ever: at Gray.

Ah! Hence I met her in the court
president's house!

Damn! I've revealed myself!
- Madam Tricoin?

Yes, she's.

If you're a gentleman, you have
to forget everything!

I've already forgot.
- Fine! Well made!

So I can tell you the rest.
She's coming here this morning.

Yes. She will make up the excuse
that she has to go shopping,...

...in order that her husband
won't suspect. - Ah.

By the way, the husband of such
an enchanting woman...

...cannot get relegated at
the courthouse of Gray.

I need to meet her every day.
- Him?

No, her.
- Ah!

We have to transfer him to Paris.
- Paris?

Don't you think that this
promotion will be suspicious?

Do you think so?
- Well, sure!

Install him at Bezieres. - Too
far away. I need him close to me.

I will install him at Versailles.
- No.

This position has been promised
to the senator's nephew.

Melun. - It has been promised to
the prime minister's cousin.

Ah, that's true! To Tours?
- To Tours.

Oh just you. Prepare a new
decree right away...

...mr Tricoin will be nominated
president at Tours.

And what about mr Durantel?
- Send Durantel to Gray.

But I... - Do not waste my time,
I want to sign it right away!

I will catch the train leaving
at 10:50 am.

Mr minister, there's a lady...
- Her?! It's her!

At last!
- She's lady Angelina.

Damn! Just now?

Tell her that I apologize,...

...that I have to go to
the council of ministers...

...and will pay her a visit
as soon as possible.

Fine, mr minister!
- Just a moment.

The wife of the president of
courthouse at Gray must come here.

Lady Tricoin...let her get into
my study right away.

Fine, mr minister!

I don't understand, she should
have to be here already.

Stop by to the central hotel.

Ask if lady Tricoin has arrived.
- Ok.

I have a fever. I'm in a stew.

I understand you. I go right
away, mr minister!

Lady.

Did you have my name sent in
to mr minister?

Yes, as soon as I've mentioned
you, he said right day:

..."Damn!".

Ah! Is this what he said?
- Yes. This.

Then he has charged me with
telling you that he's very busy...

...with the council of ministers.

This is not true at all.
He's waiting for another woman.

So does he want to leave me?

Yes, I think it's his full
intention.

Ah! We'll see that!

May he not think to get rid
of me so easily!

He doesn't know the women from Marseilles!
- Marseilles?!

Are you from Marseilles? - Sure.
I was born at the Cannebiere!

I'm from Marseilles too!

You can count on me, I'm
at your disposal!

Thanks! I will go to his house
and make a terrible scene!

Oh, no! Why at his home? Here!
At the ministry!

Make a big scandal! All the
newspapers will write about that!

Who is the other woman? - I don't know.
She must be a magistrate's wife...

...who wants his husband
to achieve a promotion.

The usual dirty tricks!

Let me do. I'll find the way
to unearth the truth.

How will you do?
- I've got my system.

Wait outside, in front
of the ministry.

When I'll be waving a
handkerchief, come upstairs.

You'll see, we'll have some fun.

Excuse, is madam Tricoin still
in the hotel?

No sir, she has just gone out.

Can't you tell me where she
has gone? - Absolutely not.

She has gone to the ministry!
- Thanks! - You're welcome.

How do you happen to know that?
- I know everything, sir!

Madam!

Madam. Nice to meet you again!
Do you remember me?

Do you remember our journey
from Dieppe to Paris?

We talked a lot.

You spoke English and I spoke
French.

We didn't understand anything, but
no matter! I took your hands,...

...you smiled, then you leant
your little head...

...here on my shoulder and slept.

Madam, I've been loving you
madly since that day!

Do you understand what I'm
telling you?

No.
- Oh! What a despair!

- Is there anyone speaking
English here? - Me.

You again?! - May I?
Poche, interpreter agent.

Agent outside, interpreter
inside.

Do you speak English?
- Sure.

Tell the lady that I love...

...and I want to marry her.

Tell her that my name is
Ottavio Rosimond,...

...I'm the minister's
secretary.

Damn! A superior! Orders!

Minister is waiting for me.

I ask him for a permission and
I'll be back. Entertain her.

About what matter? - About the
beauty of marriage!

Don't let her run away,
keep an eye on her.

My duty is to regulate
circulation.

Leave! Circulation will work
better without you!

Now that's your duty,
it's a minister's order.

Yes, sir! - See you soon, my
love! I go and I'll be back soon.

Tell me your name at least.
- Thursday!

Thursday? Ah, no. You'll tell
me later, ok? Goodbye.

Goodbye!

Goodbye!

Why are you putting the bell
under the cushion?

Quiet! I'm preparing a little
joke for mr minister.

If he lapses into a love
affair,...

...the bell starts to ring,...

...I run right away and so
I spoil his fun.

Just today he's waiting for
a woman...

...it seems that she's the new
favourite. Better, remember, ok!

She's lady Tricoin! As soon she
comes, let her get in! Go!

Go, Francesco, I've a lot of
things to do! A lot of things!

Can I help out, madam?

I'd like to talk to mr minister.

I'm lady Tricoin,...

...the wife of the president
of courthouse at Gray.

Please, madam, come in!
Mr minister is waiting for you.

Is he waiting for me? But if he
even doesn't know that I'm in Paris!

Mr minister clearly knows that.
He gave me precise orders.

Police is always so well
informed...

Mr minister will be here
in a minute.

Is this really mr minister's
private study, isn't it?

Yes, madam.
- Ehm...

Is it true that the minister
is a womanizer, isn't it?

Always running after skirts?
- Well.

Because there're two kinds
of women...

...the ones who want and those
ones who don't want.

But those ones who don't want...

...almost always want in the end!

Indeed.

Excuse me, madam.
- Yes, you may go.

Eh! How atrocious!

Ah! These objects must shine!

Ah! The woman cleaner of brass.

Hey, good woman.
- Oh! Mr minister!

Wouldn't you be out to shine
the brass...

...just here in my study? - No,
excuse me if I've taken the liberty.

The usher told me that mr
minister was waiting for me.

Yes, I was, but not now!

After the closure of offices.
- Oh, mr minister!

How elegant. Is today Sunday?

Why?
- How nice pillbox hat.

Oh!
- You look like a flowerbed!

Since you're here, take and go
into the other room.

Would mr minister like that
I... - Take.

Yes, you'll be very satisfied with me.
Mr minister... Oh! Oh!

Oh! Oh! Oh!...
- Excuse me!

Thanks a lot, but when I apply
myself...

Fine! - Everything to shine.
Thanks.

Mhm! It's not bad!...

Mr minister.
- Oh, just you.

Do you think this is moment to
let the brass get shined? - What?

Another time wait for the offices
being closed, got it?

But, mr minister...
- No excuse!

Well, tell me: what do you want?

There's lady Tricoin.
- Madam Tricoin?!

Why didn't you tell me before?
Let her come in right away.

And I recommend that nobody
comes and disturbes me!

Mr minister.
- You. Is it you?

Sorry for disturb. - No worries!
You're like at your home...

I'm so shaken and moved.

If you knew how much I'm getting
excited to be here in this palace...

It seems that the ceiling has
to fall down!

This emotion of yours is so
wonderful.

I feel like a poor little weak
and fearful thing.

Ester in the presence of Assuero.

Oh! How erudite!

I guarantee that Assuero is the
most moved between the two of us.

Really? Didn't you already
forget about me?

How can I forget a night of
inebriation and delight...

Quiet! Do not let me blush!

Thanks for coming.
- Oh yes.

Mr minister.
- Tell me.

Please give me a big favour!

Already done! - You must not
come back again to Gray.

Ok, I won't come back there
anymore and not even you.

Oh not me, sure!

Well, I mean...I'll have to
come back there inevitably.

No, you won't have to come
back there anymore.

Your husband has been given
a promotion.

I've installed him at Tours.
- Why?

To have you closer to me.

Tours is two hours far
away from Paris.

I'll be able to see you every day.
- Oh no, for heaven's sake!

Yes! - I don't want to!
- Why?

Because I'll be too much
embarassed with my husband.

You're the only guilt in my life!

I'd be full of shame and regret.

Oh, I'm imploring you, it would
be not delicate by your side.

How noble feelings!
How pure soul!

You're really a honest woman!
- Really?

Oh! You're so refinedly
sensitive.

You've such a scrupulous respect
of conjugal duties.

Your husband should be proud
of that.

Well, yes, I'll conform to
your wish!

I won't come to you, it will be
you to come to me!

Yes! When it will possible to me.

Always! Every day!

If you don't want to do that for me,
do it for the nation!

What does the nation have to do
with that? - It does have to do.

Ah, if I didn't see you every day,
I'd become nervous.

I'd neglect my duties as a
minister.

What are you saying?

Could it be ever possible that
a provincial woman like me...

...can have such a big
influence? - A huge one!

Since I came back here, I've been
thinking of nothing but you.

Of your wonderful body, your shoulders,...

...your arms and of that mole
that you have close to your neck.

If I close my eyes, I see it
again!

It drives me crazy!
It fascinates me!

Let me see if it's still
there! - Of course!

What do you want I made of it?
- I want to make sure of that!

Beware! Someone could get in!
What are you doing?

Can't you see? I want to see
the mole!

Here it is! It's here!
Just it!

Oh my dear Cipriano! I'm afraid
that this story comes to a bad end!

No! It'll come to a very good end.
- No, Cipriano!

To a divine one!
- No! My dear!

Have mr minister rung the bell?

Not at all?! Are you crazy?!

Mr minister rang and he's still
ringing it. - Me?!

Are you kidding?

Mr minister's not ringing the
bell anymore.

Who did put this bell here?
- I don't know.

Perhaps mr minister made it
slip...

...during his animated discussion
together with the lady.

Fine! Now get out!

I have to inform mr minister
that there's the attorney general.

Oh, my! Where is he?

Here he is. Come in!
- No! Just a moment!

Come in, mr attorney!

Just a moment! Oh! Good morning,
mr attorney!

Mr minister.
- How do you do? You look fine.

Thanks! - Very well! Shall we
go to the council hall?

Please! - After you! - Thanks.

Oh!

The bacchante!

Madam Tricoin?!
- Yes, who are you?

I feel like already knowing
you.

Yes, I'm the minister's
personal secretary.

May I ask you what are you doing
here in my own study?

Yes, I'm just waiting for the
minister.

He told me to come in here for
a while and I didn't see him anymore.

Better, go and see what he's
doing. - Yes, right away.

He's not over there.

There's no minister.
- Where did he go? - Who knows?

Ah, yes!

A while ago I had a little
faint.

It happens often to me.

The garment was so tight that
I had to untie it.

Better, it must be over there,
go and pick it up, please!

Yes, I go! Right away!

Have you found it?
- No, not yet.

Look, it must be on the floor.
- I can't see it.

Oh!

What's up?
- There's the errand boy...

...who is here to take
the wood box away.

This one?
- Yes. Take it away.

Nothing. I haven't found anything.

How is it possible?! It must
not blow off at all!

Are you sure that you wore it
when you came here?

Do you think that I'm going
round like this maybe?

Now who knows what you must
think of me!

I think that you're a
wonderful woman!

Really?
- Yes.

Also you're so much,
really so much nice.

Now they are really shining!

Oh!

Finally I was able to be free
now!

Peek-a-boo! - Oh, sorry, mr
minister. I'm done.

Are you done? - Yes.
- What do you want now?

Well, if mr minister allows me,
I'd like...

Take these ones too,
shine also this one.

What? Do you really want me to
shine also this one?!

Go! Go, good woman!

Come on! - It will be done.
- I have to receive people.

Madam, madam.
- Oh!

You?!
- Mr minister.

What were you doing here? - I was
reading carefully some papers.

Wasn't madam Tricoin in there?
- No.

It's clear she gone away. - Indeed!
- She must have lost her patience.

Yes. - Good think that I've
found her garment again.

What a woman, my friend!
You can't resist her charm!

Well...You're telling me!

You cannot imagine the power
of her seduction. - I can.

You cannot imagine!
- Yes, I can't. - Fine.

I have to remember to sign
that decree...

...which installs her husband
at Tours.

Don't you think it's a bit too
far away? - What?

It takes two hours by train at least
to go from Paris to Tours...

I guess that it's too much
for your desire.

Yes, they are too much!

So where to send him?
To Blois? - Blois?

It takes always more than a
hour by train.

Why don't you move him even
here in Paris?

Paris?
- Paris?! - Indeed!

But you told me that this
could provoke a scandal?!

Ah yes, if you nominate him
as a president of the court,...

...but you could assign him
a charge at ministry.

For example, personnel manager.

This would be suitable for an
old magistrate.

It's an idea!
- Well said!

You have given me a precious
advice.

This has to be arranged right away!
Report that...

No, forget it, it's better if
I go myself. - Right!

Madam!

Has he gone?
- Yes, quick!

You've to take advantage of his
absence. You've to get out of here.

Indeed! And how to do?
I'm half naked!

That's true. Oh my God!
What a tragic sistuation!

Tragic not at all! I think that
it's very funny.

What a pity that we have been
stopped...

...why don't we start again?

My dear Bienassis.
- Mr minister,...

...here's the decree to nominate
mr Tricoin at Tours.

If you want to sign it...
- Everything has changed.

Mr Tricoin won't go to Tours
anymore.

Anymore? - No. I nominated him
as a personnel manager.

So I've to make a new decree.

Yes, right away. I want to sign
it immediately!

Go ahead, do not waste your time.

Well. Prepare and bring it to me.

I'll catch the train leaving
at 11:30 am. - What?

I mean, my wife's waiting for
me at the station...

That's not my business.
Go ahead, prepare it.

Stay here. I'll look for
something you can wear.

Are you leaving me alone too?
- Yes, you need to get out of here!

But I'm not in a hurry at all,
I'm feeling very fine here!

Wouldn't you better come back
into my study? - Don't do that!

Stay here, I'll be back soon!

Oh madam. Are you back?

I thought you left...

Indeed! Well said! How to leave
with no garment?

What, didn't you find it?

No. You had it. Where did you
put it?

Into the wood box. It must be
still in there.

Where is the wood box?
Oh! Damn! It's not here anymore!

Has that box disappeared too?
- I think so. Now I'll get some info.

Please, go over there for a while.
- Again?

Just a moment.

But it's easier coming into a
ministry that getting out of it.

Eh, you say so! It's all the
contrary for a minister.

Has the minister rung the bell?

Where's the wood box?

It's on the way to the general
storage,...

...according to the order that
mr minister gave me.

What? To the storage? And what
about the garment in there?

A garment in there?!
- Yes, you know it very well!

You saw when I put it in there.
- I didn't see anything!

You didn't see anything, did you?
- I never see anything.

Fine! That box has to come back
here immediately!

Charge someone with picking
it up!

It's pointless.

The wood box cannot be at the
storage...

...before 6 pm.
- Why?

Because the van...

...has to complete its route
until 6 pm.

- Ah! Damn! - Does mr minister
have other orders?

Yes! Take a hike!!

Very well, mr minister!

And keep in mind that I'm not
be there for anyone today! - Fine.

How to dress her again now?
- Now they're really shining!

I hope that mr minister will
be satisfied.

Do you want 500 Francs?
- 500 Francs?!

Get undressed right away!
- To get undressed for some money? Never!

So what do you want?

My husband has been waiting for
a promotion for 20 years.

Your husband will get that
promotion, but get undressed!

And what if I denied?
- He will be dismissed!

I don't have a right to deny.
What do I have to take off?

Everything! - My Agostino, I'm
doing that for you!

Quick, there's no time to waste!

Oh! How impatient!
- Quick, this way!

How he desires me!
These politicians!

How he desires me!
- Come on, madam! Your garment!

Do not trouble with that.
Let me do, I'll do by myself.

Now go over there.
- Isn't it better here?

No! It's not possible in my
study! Over there!

Over there! Oh!

He's so savage!

Here, you're safe!
- But...

But where have you taken this
stuff?

The woman cleaner of the brass
gave me.

You have to adapt.

You'll have your garment again
within this evening.

This way, here.

May you introduce me to mr
minister?

Mr minister can't receive
today.

If you want to give him my
calling card,...

...perhaps he could make an
exception.

I don't think so!

Mr Marius!
- What?

There's mr Tricoin, the president
of courthouse at Gray.

Who is?

The husband of that lady the
minister was waiting for today.

That lady dressing a shirt only?!
- We have to send him away...

...and prevent him from meeting
his wife.

Not at all! It's a wonderful
chance!

Come in, mr Tricoin.

Mr minister will be very glad
to receive you!

But I don't want to disturb.
- No! No disturb!

How awful! I must be scaring
with this stuff on me.

No, you're always adorable.

But it's falling down everywhere!
If there were some spins!

I've got some, I'll bring you
right away.

I don't want to disturb.
- Mr minister.

- Ah! You?!
- Mr minister.

I didn't mean to disturb,...

...but he has insisted to let
me come in...

I've thought to do right.

Sure, very well!

Thanks, mr minister!
- Please, come in.

My dear president.
What a nice surprise!

I didn't expect to meet you
so quickly in Paris...

Thanks. - Have a seat, please!
- Thanks.

What lucky chance brings you here?

A regret. I'm here to free
my conscience. - What?

A magistrate who had told lies
is not worth to judge.

Please accept my resignation.

Oh! What are you saying,
mr president?

Yes, I told lies. I've tarnished
the white ermine...

...of my robe.
- You?! - Yes, me.

And I will retire to the desert
with my wife.

Ah this then, no! Here's a
thing I will never allow!

If all the magistrates...

...telling lies had to retire
to the desert...

...the desert would not be
a desert anymore.

But I told lies to a superior
of mine.

So there's nothing serious.
Who did never do that?

It's an almost natural thing.

It's not necessary that you
get so worried about that.

What would the others have
to do?

Your colleaugues who provoke
scandals, mixing women...

...with the sacred matters
of justice.

It's actually about a woman.

I received a woman into my home.

A woman?
- Even worse! A courtesan!

I have to tell you everything.
- I don't want to know anything else.

I have to free my conscience.

I order you to be quiet,
I'm the keeper of the seals.

I obey!

What must you be thinking of me?

I think that you're one of most
beautiful personalities...

...in French magistrature.

Me?!
- Yes.

You have driven your love for
justice to the point of condemning...

...yourself, without granting
yourself mitigating circumstances.

Could such a heroism remain
with no reward?

No. That's why I nominate you...

...as a personnel manager of
ministry of justice!

This is a dream!
- No, it's real!

And now go over there and wait.

But mr minister, I...

Oh just you! You've arrived
in time.

Accompany mr Tricoin right away
through the offices...

...and introduce him to personnel,
to all the personnel.

But let me express...

Later! You'll express later!
Now go!

Yes. - Personnel's waiting for you!
- Thanks. - Beware!

His wife is into your office!
- No! - Yes!

Keep him busy. Give me some time
to let her get out. - Ok.

Did you know that your husband
is in Paris?

No. I didn't know anything.

As soon as I saw him coming in,
I confess that I was trembling.

Oh, for you, you know.
Oh, oh, oh! The spins!

No matter, I did it by myself.
- Oh well done!...

Is he still over there?
- No.

I've sent him to visit the offices.

I nominated him as a personnel
manager.

I hope you will be glad.
- Me?

S?. Imagine when you will live
in Paris,...

...we'll be able to meet every
day and every hour.

You'll be able to come here as
you like. - Me coming here?

Yes.
- Are you crazy?

Me crazy? Why? - Well, if you
has nominated Tricoin...

...as a personnel manager, I'll
always find him here. - Indeed!

What an idiot! Uh!
I didn't think of that!

Send him again to Gray.
- Sending him again to Gray?

No, it'd be a demotion.

By now he can't do nothing
but get ahead.

So let him get ahead.

You'll find another place
to install him, won't you?

Indeed. Only the palace of
justice is left.

I'll nominate him as a president
of the court of appeals.

What a nice career within
24 hours, isn't it? - I'd say so.

Ohh!

I'm waiting for mr minister.

I see. It's the dress code.
I'm used to.

Excuse me, have you seen a certain
madam Tricoin by any chance?

Tricoin?! - Yes, a lady who
had more or less...

...the same clothing as you.

I'm madam Tricoin.
- You?

Ah, then this?
So they are two!

I'm the wife of the president
of courthouse at Gray.

So you're the president's wife!
- Yes!

Very well! Stay here, do not move!

Why? - Now I can't tell you,
but you'll see!

What are you doing?
- Nothing. Don't mind.

I'm greeting a friend.

I suggest that you don't move
from here! Stay here!

I want to make sure that
nobody is in there.

Oh!
- You again?

What the hell are you doing here?

I'm waiting, mr minister.
- Not here, go over there!

No, the usher told me to
wait here and...

Do not mind the usher. Away.

Do what I tell you. Go away!
- Yes, it'll be done.

Quick, go! The way is free,
you can get out!

Oh, at last!
- Ah, yes!

Oh!

Yes madam, your files will
be dealt with...

...as soon as possible. - Thanks.
- Keep calm.

Wait, I'll be back later.

Huh, you?

Mr minister.
- You?

What do you want? - They told
me that you wanted to see me.

Me? Not even in my dreams.
- I beg your pardon, mr minister.

There must be a mistake.
- Actually.

But, since you're here,
dear Tricoin,...

...I can say that you're no
longer the personnel manager.

I guess so. - No! You cannot
guess anything!

As you wish, mr minister.
- You got a promotion!

A promotion? - I've just nominated
you as a president of court of appeals.

Me? How is it possible?
- Everything's possible!

Mr minister,...

...I've just written again
the decree for the designation...

...of mr Tricoin as a personnel
manager.

Mr Bienassis, you have to write
it again from scratch.

Once again? - Mr Tricoin is not
the personnel manager.

I've been designated him as a
president of court of appeals.

No! It's a joke. - Mr Bienassis,
I never joke.

Go back to your office.
- But it's that...

No more talk. Go.

That's right! Ok, mr minister.

I will no longer leave for
Passy.

President of court of appeals,
I don't know how to thank you.

Such an important promotion.
- You don't have to thank me.

It has been just an act of
justice and compensation.

The later the justice, the more
generous it has to be.

Mr minister?
- Is there anything else?

Remember that the prime minister
is waiting for you. - Indeed!

I had such a lot of things to do
that I was going to forget that.

Excuse me, mr president of the
court of appeals.

What? President of the
court of appeals?

A new promotion. I hope that
it will be the last one.

Keep calm!

Ah!

Mr minister.

Where is he? Where's the minister?

Ah, he has just got out
from this door.

You can't reach him! There's something
here you could be interested in!

Here's the husband!
- Ah! Congratulations!

You're the cuckold!

The cuckold?
- Do not pretend not to understand!

Do you think that it's not
well known...

...that your wife is the minister's
lover? - My wife?

And that she's wandering half
naked around the ministry?

Do not tell foolish things!
My wife is at Honfleur!

So, mr minister. Ah!
- Ah! Aglae!

Agostino! - Ah! Here she is!
See that I was right?

Aglae!
- See that I was right?

Shame on you!

Come, gentlemen! Come and see
what's going on...

...inside mr minister's office.

What's going on?

Ah! Help, Agostino!

Shameless! - Ah! Now I realize why I've
been getting all those promotions.

Uh! Oh my God! Ah!

Ah! Ah! Help!

Is madam Tricoin in the hotel?

She's not back yet, sir. There's
the young lady Tricoin though.

Which young lady?

Madam Tricoin's daughter.

Ah, has madam Tricoin a
daughter?

Fine, I'll buy a doll for her.

I don't think she's still
having fun with dolls.

Young lady Tricoin must be
already 18 years old.

18 years old? How is it possible?

Madam Tricoin is not 30 years
old!

How could she have a daughter
aged 18? - I don't know.

The guard, where is the guard?

Which one?
- The one who can speak English.

He must be outdoor.
- Call him. - Fine.

Young lady!
- Oh!

How happy to see you again! - Very
glad to meet you. How are you?

Oh, who knows what she said?

I need you.

Orders, sir!
- Sit down here and translate.

- Ah, what happyness and joy
to speak with you. Translate! - Yes.

Oh, what happiness
to speak with you.

I'm very happy to see you again,
for I often thought of you.

Also I'm happy to see you again,
since I often thought of you.

Did she often think of me?
- Yes. - Really?

Tell her that I've been quite
dead for ten days.

Well, but you're exaggerating, come on!
- Translate, translate!

Yes, sir. For ten days I am
quite dead.

So, am I.
- Her too, but she's exaggerating.

Oh, my dear! Darling! I love you!
- Ah, this then!

Ah, please! Translate!
- Yes, sir. - To her! To her!

My darling, my sweet heart,
I love you.

I am a respectable girl!

Your intentions aren't honourable.

I cannot listen to you any longer!

I am a respectable girl!

If your intentions aren't honourable,
I cannot listen to you any longer.

Ah! But they are honourable!
I want you to be my wife!

No, easy, young man.

Marriage is a serious thing.

Ah, I know what I'm doing.

Tell her that my name's Ottavio
Rosimond and I want to marry her.

Yes. His name is Octave Rosimond.
Will you agree to marry him?

I too shall be happy
becoming his wife!

What is she going to do, does she refuse?
- No! We agree!

Oh! What a joy! I'm crazy,
crazy for happiness!

You're always exaggerating! - But first
we must have my parents' consent.

My mother just happens
to be in Paris.

We must have my parents' consent.

My mother just happens to be in Paris.
- What's her name?

Probably her surname is the same
as her daughter. - Ah yes,..

...but I don't know it.
- Don't you know it? - No!

You don't know her surname
and want to marry her? - Yes!

Ask for her surname!
- Yes, sir.

What is your mother's name?

Tricoin.
- Tricoin?

No! That's not possible! Is your
mother madam Tricoin?

Yes! Tricoin! - The wife of the
president of courthouse at Gray?

Yes! Yes! President at Gray!

Oh! Lord have mercy!
- What's up to you?

I'm her mother's lover.
- No! - Yes!

Since?
- A hour.

Must I translate? - No!
For God's sake! It's dreadful!

These things happen.

What have you?
- She wants to know what's the matter.

Tell her that it's joy,
emotion... - Well...

It's the emotion, the joy,...

...the happiness... - Oh. I see.
I am too very emotioned.

I go upstairs into my room.

Poor thing, she's emotioned too,
she's going into her room.

Goodbye, Octave.

Goodbye!

Goodbye, my love!

The daughter.

Her daughter.

It's all over.

All I can do is throwing
myself into Seine, yes!

Can you swim?
- No.

So I won't suggest that.
- Indeed.

Oh! Look who's coming!

Who? - The father!
- The mother's father!?

No! The daughter's father!
The mother's husband!

I'm the president Tricoin,
where's my daughter?

I don't know, sir.

She was sitting there a while ago.

She went to her room, sir.

She's outstanding, she speaks
a perfect English.

Lucky you who can understand her!
- I'm the interpreter.

May I, sir? Agent
Poche! Orders!

How do you know who I am? - Who
doesn't know the president Tricoin?

Are you looking for your wife?
- Do you know my wife?

I didn't have the honour yet,
but I heard about her.

I think she went to the
ministry of justice.

Do you know that as well?
- I know everything.

Do you even know that I'm cuckold?
- Do you know too?

Since half a hour.
- Me since only 5 minutes.

Well, one can know everything
very quickly in Paris.

So, given that you know everything,...

...I don't have a right to let
you ignore the rest.

He adores your daughter, whose
name he didn't know.

Who? - Your wife's lover.
- The minister?

No! His personal secretary:
Ottavio Rosimond.

So she has two!
- Two what? - Lovers!

No! - Yes! The minister and his
secretary.

The whole ministry.

Ah enough, I won't eat this
bread anymore.

I will resign. Do you have something
to write on in this hotel?

Maybe in the writing room,...

...but if I were you, I'd
think about it.

No, enough! It's over! A woman
who I took out from nothing,...

...from a kitchen range.

May I help you, madam?

Is there the porter?
- No. I'll be absent for a while.

Do you want to tell me?
- I had a date...

...with mr Frohman, the American
theatre manager.

The meeting is for 1:00 pm.
- We have five minutes left.

Yes, I know, but I go home
to change my dress before.

I wanted to postpone the date
in the afternoon.

I inform him right away.

Thanks. His room is no. 10
at the first floor.

I wait for a reply.

Well...

Just a moment.

I haven't told you my name.
- It's not necessary.

You're Gobette from Moulin Rouge.
- Do you know me?

I've been admiring you at the theatre.

For 109 nights in succession.
- Really? - I was on duty.

Nice!

Is there anybody?

Porter!

Peek-a-boo!
- Well, who is?

Try to guess!
- What...

Gobette! - Hi, old teddy bear!
How are you?

Please do not call me old teddy bear...

...and I forbid you to be
familiar with me!

Ok. Do you greet me this way?

Well, it's like this...
- May I help you, sir?

Send this letter to the ministry
of justice.

It's urgent.
- I'll send it right away. - Thanks.

I think we have nothing to
tell each other.

My regards!
- What a nice gratitude!

After all I did for you.

Well, what did you do for me?

Try to guess where I was a hour
ago? At the ministry.

In the minister's study.
- You?

Yes, me. To ask him to forget
in order that you, after,..

...won't have some troubles.
- What?

The night of love spent in
your hovel at Gray.

I didn't spend any night of
love.

Not you, but him.

You, him in my own home?
Ah, This then!

This morning Cipriano
wanted to start again,...

...but I've refused like a
true dame.

I had the responsibility of playing
the part of lady Tricoin.

My wife, you?

Inevitably, I had started
that part by now.

But you don't know what's
happened later.

Think that I lost my clothing.

So they had to undress a woman
cleaner of brass...

...to let me get out.
- Aglae!

So she's innocent!

Oh, poor Aglae!
- What are you saying?

So I'm not...
- Yes, for the minister?

What do you care? You have had
a promotion for Paris by now.

A promotion?
- Indeed!

Did I get it for this?

Because perhaps the minister
thinks that you, that I...

No, I refuse that promotion!

How fool you are. - Getting ahead
thanks to women...never!

I'm a magistrate of the old
marriage bed...

Well...I mean...of the old school.

But I'm not even your wife.
- Indeed, that's true!

Not even your lover.
- That's true too!

I'm just nothing for you.
- That's true!

You're just nothing for me!

So I can accept without shame!

Better, I have to accept!
- Of course.

Oh my God!

Just a while ago I wrote
a letter to the minister...

...in order to resign!

Catch up with the errand boy.

Come on!
- Yes, but...

Hurry, do not waste your time,
big baby!

Do not call me big baby!

Sorry if I dare to ask you,
madam,...

...but may I ask you where
you picked up this clothing?

I'd like...

I'd like to ask you the same
question, madam.

What you're wearing doesn't
belong to you.

No. What you're wearing belongs
to me.

Now I understand.

You were the cleaner of brass.

Yes, I was.

Excuse me, madam, how did you
get my clothing?

They brought it saying that
it was for lady Tricoin.

Was it for me?

Is Tricoin your surname?
- Exactly.

Are you a relative of the president
of courthouse at Gray?

I'm his wife.
- His wife?

Oh my God, so he's bigamous!
- Who?

My husband!
- No!

I'm lady Tricoin too!

Aglae!

Forgive me, my dear, for
accusing you so unjustly.

Well? Don't you greet your wife?

Good morning, my dear! But didn't
we meet already at the ministry?

It's not about me,
but about the lady!

But I don't have the pleasure
to know her. - Really, do you?

Bigamous!
- Me bigamous?

I've been living with a bigamist
for 20 years! - Aglae!

Got it. I can no longer be quiet.

Let it go...
- So don't you want her to speak?

Well, I'll tell everything.

I'm a poor little woman.

I needed to ask the minister
for a big favour,...

...but the usher said to me:
"It's impossible to talk...

...to mr minister, he's here
for nothing but lady Tricoin".

And did you dare?
- Yes, I did, madam.

But the price I paid was high.

Ah, if you knew what the
minister demanded from me...

Did he make you shine the brass?
- Forget the brass.

But let it go.

An animated scene occurred,
I lost...

...my clothing and I was given
yours.

And to think that all this
could happen to me!

Aglae!

That's the truth, madam.
Could you ever forgive me?

No worries, poor girl. Fancy
that! I do understand you!

Well, men! They will never
know...

...what kind of privations women
like us can suffer! Come, my dear!

I'll give your clothing back.
- Thanks.

But I don't understand why she
shined the brass in her underwear.

What are you doing here? Are you
in charge of some special service?

Yes sir, I'm at disposal of the
ministry of justice.

May I? Poche. Agent interpreter.
I understand everything,...

...I see everything, I know
everything.

So you know that lady
Tricoin is in the hotel.

Tricoin? I don't know the lady,
but I know her husband.

He knows everything.
- Him too?

He's very outraged!
He's not entirely wrong.

To come to know that his wife
has two lovers.

What? Two lovers?

The ministry of justice and his
personal secretary.

Ah, ah! You're mistaken, youngster!

The personal secretary has
nothing to do with it.

Sure that he has!
He told me.

Him? Oh! Here he is!
- Mr minister.

My dear Rosimond...
- The minister?

I thank you for the info.

I'll tell the police prefect
to reward you.

Mr minister, I'd like to tell you...

No! You've been telling me
enough for today. Go.

My dear Rosimond, are you fond
of me, aren't you?

I owe you everything.

Glad to hear. Also I owe you
something.

What? - You cheated me with
lady Tricoin.

Mr minister, forgive me.
I lost my mind.

It was a moment of madness, but
I'll pay a high price for that!

I'll be paying it for all my
life!

What's happened to you?

I had meet a woman and
fallen in love with her.

She was the woman of my life!

Madam Tricoin?
- No, her daughter.

Her daughter? How old is she?
- 18 years old.

It's impossible! She's too
young...

...to have a daughter aged 18!

Yet she has! It's terrible!
It's like a Greek tragedy!

I loved a mother and her daughter
and I've lost the both of them.

All I have to do is to join the
foreign legion. - Do not dramatize!

Now I understand why you cared
that...

...mr Tricoin were nominated
at Paris.

Mr minister, I've been running
after you for a hour.

I've been at Elys?e, at the
council of ministers,...

...you were just got out, I've
run after your car.

What do you want?
- To make you sign the decree...

...for the official journal.

Mr Bienassis, everything has
to be changed!

No! - Of course! Mr Tricoin won't
be nominated in Paris...

...anymore, he prefers to stay
at Gray.

But mr minister, I...

Well, what's up? Are you against
maybe? - No.

So go over there! You'll find
all you need to write.

Yes. - Go.
- Yes, mr minister.

They must have got married already.

What, does mr Tricoin prefer
to stay at Gray?

Mr Tricoin knows everything.
- Oh my goodness!

You can imagine the consequence. He'll
want to take revenge of his honour injured!

Honest men are punctilious.

This will provoke a scandal and a
parliamentary question will be asked.

Ministry will be upset and
republic will be in danger...

...because of a woman!

Ah no, no mr minister!
Nothing will happen!

I'll take the entire responsibility
of that and you will see that...

Here's mr Tricoin!
May I?

Mr minister!
- Mr Tricoin!

Good morning! - Good morning! I
must tell you there's one culprit only.

Me. - Culprit of what, sir?

So does he ignore everything?

I think not.
- What should I know?

Nothing. A little surprise.

I've deleted mr Tricoin's
name...

...since he will stay at Gray.
- What? Is this the surprise?

- No. - No! No! Do not pay
heed to him.

What, I... - You don't know
what what you're saying!

You did told me...

...that mr Tricoin prefers
to stay at Gray.

How can I prefer to stay at Gray?
Not even in my dreams!

Have you heard? You're dreaming!

But I appeal to mr Rosimond.

Me? Never heard such a thing!

Ah! See, mr president?

Here's the standard of our
officials.

This is one of the best!

He always understand the contrary
of what he has been told!

Mr minister, I...

Ah! Come on, go and prepare
the decree. - Again?

Go! - Go! - Come on, go...

I will come in time for the
divorce!

I heard that lady Tricoin is
in Paris.

She stopped off but already
left.

Now she's on the train leading
to Honfleur. - But...

Here she is!
- Well...I don't understand.

Oh! Mr minister and mr Rosimond.
What a nice surprise!

Well, but hadn't you left
for Honfleur?

Where is it??

In Calvados, my goodness!
To the uncle Millefer!

Ah yes! I missed the train.
- Ah...

They're waiting for you
upstairs, my dear.

For me?! May I, mr minister?
I go.

Please do.
- Thanks, mr minister!

Let me be glad that you
missed the train.

This hitch has let me to
see you again...

...and to pay my tribute to you.
- Thanks, mr minister!

Lady Gobette!
I've informed Frohman...

...that you'll pay him a visit.
- Gobette? - Gobette?

What are you saying?
That's lady Tricoin.

No! The lady is the famous
Gobette from Moulin Rouge.

Really?
- It's pointeless to deny.

So you're not her mother!
She's not your daughter!

No Greek tragedy!

Stop with your Greek tragedy!

Go to your girlfriend, come on.

Yes...thanks, mr minister!
- You may go too.

You have wanted to have fun
at my expense.

Do not exaggerate, mr minister,
it was a coincidence.

I was at Tricoin's when you
came in.

You have mistaken me for
the chairwoman...

...and I didn't want to
undeceive you.

Huh! My congratulations!
You're a very strong woman.

As to him, the most beautiful
personality...

...in French magistrature...

Mr minister, mr Tricoin has
been nominated for Paris.

Paris?! Ah! Are you crazy?
- What?

Mr Tricoin has been dismissed!
Write the decree again!

Ah no!
- What?

No! I have had enough of that!

Mr Bienassis! - You made me
write it for eight times.

I missed three trains! Maybe my
wife is waiting for me at the station!

Mr Bienassis, are you forgetting
who you're talking to?

I'm the keeper of the seals!
- Mr minister!

I've my dignity too and now
I resign!

Oh!
- Here's your decree!

You write it again! Or make it be
written by whoever, however...

..and wherever you want!
- Ah!

I'm a free citizen now and I've
the honour to leave you! Ah!

Look what our discipline has been
reduced to! I'll correct it.

No...there's nothing to correct.

Do you still dare to speak?
After insulting,...

...mocking and lampooning me...
- Insulting? Lampooning?

Ungrateful! Do you remember when
when we blew out the candle together?

You held my hand, I gave you
my lips.

Didn't you like it maybe?

Well...yes...

Don't you think that this memory
deserves a bit of leniency?

Let it be, I'll leave him at Gray.

When you held me into your arms,...

...when you discovered my
mole...

Ok, I'll install him at Vesoul,
but don't ask me more.

And what about our awakening?
At the crack of dawn you said to me...

"I owe you the most beautiful
night in my life".

Were you lying perhaps?

No. But why are you remembering
everything, Gobette? Why?

Because we cannot forget it!

Because it's a nice memory we
owe to that poor Tricoin.

He deserves our gratitude.
- Well, he will go to Tours!

Oh Cipriano, don't you think
I'm worth more than Tours?

Blois!
- A sleepless night!

Versailles!
- Oh, think of the last moment.

Of that moment before leaving each other.
You were so sad, my poor thing,...

...so unhappy with the idea
to leave me. You cried.

You're right! Paris is really
worth a tear, that's true.

Oh, well said! That's how
I like you.

You're better than a great
minister, you're a chic guy!

And you're like Satan!

And to think that all this
could happen to me.

Translation by quidtum May 2013