The Aviator's Wife (1981) - full transcript

THE AVIATOR'S WIFE

or One can't think of nothing

Francois, I've found someone
for that plumbing job

Give me the address

Anne Coudriere...

56 rue Reineken...

near Boulevard Pereire

- When's he coming?
- Tomorrow

Couldn't it be later?

He'll be busy;

Saturday's his only free day, anyway



She'll be out

Take it or leave it

Let me know by two o'clock

It won't be easy, letting her know

She's not on the phone and
I shouldn't call her at the office

I'll leave a note at her place
saying I'll be in touch later

Have you any paper?
I've nothing to write on

I'll see you at a quarter to two
at the station buffet

near the rue de Verdun exit...

Don't be later than two

Call me at the Hotel Rodin,

3616595. Christian

Hold on, I'll let you in

Come in. What's the matter?



I didn't mean to wake you

I won't be in Paris again

for at least a month

I meant to write to you,
but it's difficult

I'd betterjust tell you

I'll be back,
but I won't be seeing you

Even if I could,
neither of us would want it

My wife's moving to Paris and...

She's expecting a baby,

so I'm going back to her

We love each other

Congratulations

I'm sorry to tell you so...

It's all right

I'll get dressed.
Close the window if you're cold

Just sit down

It's cold

It'll warm up

Did you do these?

No, my little niece

I thought maybe
you did them as a child

Mine disappeared long ago

Sit down

I must go.
Can we meet at lunchtime?

I have a hairdresser's appointment

Just stay

Walk with me to the office,
if you have time

Is it cold out?

It's going to be a nice day,

apart from some rain later

Are you sure?

I won't swear to the rain

Have you had breakfast?

No. I'll make coffee

No, I'll do it

This tap!

You need a plumber

The pipe needs renewing

I know. You're in the way,
standing there

Anne,

can I talk to you?

I'd better go

No, stay

I'd like one last kiss

What's the point?

I can't leave you like this

You've already left me

Are you angry with me?

Yes

No. You're entitled
to love whom you like

No obligation to come and tell me

You'd rather I'd written?

Walked out without a word?

Maybe I walked out on you.
I really enjoyed my holiday

Who were you with?

No one you know;

very good-looking
and he loves me

I'm glad for you, truly

It's very sweet of you to pay
a friendly call at seven a.m.

I'd left you a note

I'm always glad to see friends

You're trembling

Are you cold?

Yes, you left the window open

Yes, it's my fault

Oh, come off it; stop that

I still love you, you know

Love me from afar, then

I intend to

I can love like that, too, you know;

I needn't always be with someone

Here, if you want to help...

I like your place,

but it's a pity
there's no kitchen

Who needs one? I have lunch
near the office. Evenings I go out,

or settle for a snack

Don't fuss, Anne. It'll turn up

If I don't find it now,
I never will

Try again, be systematic

I already have

What was it? 717? Sonnomateg?

It's for you

Who is it?

Who's calling?

Francois

Hang up,
say I'm at a meeting

I'm afraid she's at a meeting

How long?

Hang up on him

I marked it "pink file"

and this is the only pink file
there is

Every time I come back from holiday
I find the same mess

She didn't even put it in my tray

It's Francois again

Hang up, I don't want to talk to him

He'll only call back

It's crowded

I must go in half an hour

I give up; you try

It's a waste of time

Time has flown today

You seem on edge

Do I look tired?

Rather refreshed, I'd say

Strange how that happens
when you sleep badly

But that's not it

Guess who came to see me

When?

A Gruyere cheese sandwich, please

Welsh rarebit and a salad for me

The platter is good

No, Welsh rarebit

Can you bring the sandwich now?
Don't wait for the Welsh rarebit

Don't say that

She'll take no notice

Still, you needn't have said it

Never mind,
at least it calms me down

Come on, guess who came to see me
at seven this morning

Who?

A ghost from the past

Christian?

Were you expecting him?

No, he was trying to leave a note
and he woke me, that's all

Is he here for long?

He's leaving this afternoon

He comes back in a month

He's moving to Paris for good

You must be pleased

See how wrong you were to worry?

His wife's coming, too

She'll keep an eye on him

I'm afraid so

He wants her here

She's having a baby,
so I have to accept...

fidelity and conjugal love

Well, I no longer love him,

if I ever did

So that's all right

You're not upset?

Oh, no. I admit I was very close
to tears this morning...

seeing him so stern,
almost pleased with himself

Well, I was pleased, too

- Good riddance
- You felt he'd divorce?

No, he never thought of marrying me

If you love, you marry

You always generalize

Most people feel as I do

I don't understand you

You complain,
yet you won't live with anyone

Want this? I'm not hungry

Loving doesn't mean
living together

Do you really believe
the things you say?

You're living in a dream world

How can you keep a man
if he isn't with you?

I don't understand...

or, rather,
I understand all too well

These guys claim
to be madly in love...

but go on living with their
wives, getting them pregnant

I'm marrying because I don't want
that kind of disillusionment

I found "being available" fun, too,
going from man to man

But you get older

Speak for yourself.
I'm not on the shelf yet

Marriage is a beginning,
not an end

Some beginning,
looking at your Jean-Pierre!

- And what about Francois?
- I'm not marrying Francois

Well, to each his own

But how can you love such
different men... at the same time?

Do you really think I'm looking
for some particular type?

What interests me isn't whether
someone's tall, short, dark or fair

It's on another level entirely

So what has Francois got?

The poor creep isn't
everyone's idea of the ideal pick-up

Talk of the devil!

Am I intruding?

No, I was just going

- Me too, so the table's yours
- I'm not hungry

You can have my sandwich

No, thanks

Who told you I was here?

No one, I tried
all the cafes around here

I must go, I'll be late
at the hairdresser's

I've something to tell you

Some other time, and don't try
to call me at the office

I've found a plumber for you

and I've got to let him know

Another day won't matter

But he's free tomorrow

I must go to my mother's

What can we do?

Leave your keys with the concierge

Fine. Goodbye

Wait. I'd better be there myself

No need to bother

You know it's no bother

I'll walk with you

It's on my way

Where are you going?

The Metro, to meet my friend

It's that way

The Etoile station
will do just as well

I met my friend this morning,

he told me about the plumber

Hurry and say it's O.K.

There's plenty of time

I came because I know you don't
like me calling you at the office

For something like this, it's O.K.

No, but I wanted to tell you...

I came round at eight this morning;
I saw you both leave

I'll tell you about it,
but not here, not right now

It was a shock

I'll tell you all about it

I thought he'd gone

He came back

Believe me,
there's nothing to worry about

When can we talk about it?

I don't know

Tonight?

I'm busy tonight

Tomorrow?

I'll be at my mother's

Monday evening, then

I'll be working

Before that;
it won't take hours

I can't wait till Monday

You shouldn't have spied, then!

I was only doing you a favour

Just trust me. Go away

Are you seeing him tonight?

Has he been in Paris long?

Go away, or I'll make a scene

Are you seeing him tonight?

Stop getting at me!

I think
I've some rights in the matter

If you don't trust me, go to hell!

You said
you wouldn't see him again!

I did not.

I said he'd gone

It wasn't likely he'd come back,

but he did

When?

You wouldn't ask
if you felt anything for me

Do you love him?

Leave me alone; I'll stop seeing you
if you go on like this

Put yourself in my shoes

Try putting yourself in mine;
if you felt for me, you wouldn't ask

If you want to know,
he's leaving again this afternoon

Are you happy now?

Wait a second

No. See you on Monday

Have I kept you waiting long?

It's settled:

She's leaving the keys
with the concierge

You've got the address?

That's it, then. I must go now

Where's the Place des Fetes?

It's the other way

I don't want to go there,
I just want to get my bearings

It's easy enough

Where are you headed?

Well, I don't know the address

You don't know, then

Yes, someone drove me there;

it's near a big avenue

Plenty of those around here,
all alike

I'll find it.
I have a good sense of direction

I'd never have guessed

I think it's this way

Near the town hall?

No need to walk, then;
you could have stayed on the bus

Follow me

It's nicer in the park,
it's such a lovely day

Do you spend your time in parks?

No, today's an exception

For me, too. I'd be at school,

but my teacher's on strike

I didn't feel like staying indoors,

so here I am with my books

Can you work out of doors?

I work best like that

In buses, trains, parks...

where it's noisy

Some people study in cafes,

but not me

You're a student?

Yes, I'm preparing for an exam,

but I have to work for my living

You're not working now?

I work nights and sleep days

You're not sleeping now

I should be, but I was a bit
on edge, so I couldn't

And right now?

I have this errand to do

Where are you off to?

It's this way you want to go

Oh, do as you like

Shall we sit down?

What about your errand?

There's no hurry. It's only three...
no, half past three

I'm going to sit, anyway

All right, but not another word;

I'm working

So am I

Common law

Does that interest you?

No, I'm not taking up law

What about you? German

It's my second language,
after English

I also do Latin.
Did you do German?

No; I hear it's difficult

Not if you know some Latin

We weren't to talk

- Not reading?
- How about you?

- I can look up, can't I?
- So can I

- What are you looking at?
- And you?

I'm looking at you looking.

- What are you looking at?
- Nothing. It's my lookout, anyway

No, it affects my outlook

It's not polite
when you're talking to someone

I wasn't talking, you said not to

So let's both shut up

I think you've been watching
those two since the bus

Which two?

You know very well

Don't point at them

Just let them be

You're following them

I know you're following them!

Quiet, they'll hear you

So far away?

So what,
if you're not following them?

I just don't want them to think I am

Why on earth should they?

Please don't

Let's move on

No, let's stay

Frightened?

I don't like feeling ridiculous

But if you don't know them...

Now listen

I am following them,
if you want to know

Are you a detective?

No... well, yes, in a way

In the police?

No, private... private eye stuff

With an agency?

Yes, I do enquiries for husbands
who suspect their wives

What an exciting job

But you told me
that you worked at night

We have no set hours

- So she's with her boyfriend?
- That's a professional secret

They're not being very amorous

I have an idea they suspect
you're following them

You think so?

Yes, I think you need
further training

You shouldn't confide in a stranger

What if I told them
who you are?

You wouldn't.
Why would you do that?

To make trouble for you

I don't like cops

I'm no cop

What harm has that woman done,
anyway? It's her life

I'm going to tell them

Let me go! I'll scream!

Stop it, they'll hear you

To hell with it, I'm off!

If you could see your face!

I wasn't really going to tell them

I don't think they've spotted us

Would be sacked if they had?

Would the agency sack you?

All right, I lied to you

I'm no detective

I knew it was just a dodge
for picking up girls

That's why I teased you

Picking up girls isn't my style,

especially not today

You want to know?

I'm following them,
but I'm no detective

What are you, then?

Nothing

The man is someone I know;

a friend of my girl

A friend or a lover?

Ex-lover;
I thought they'd broken off

And now you don't?

I have no idea

What a super story! Tell me more,
it's most interesting

That's all

Does he know you?

Of course not... I hope

But you know him?

Just by sight; if it is him

You're not sure?

Yes, it's him, it must be

I don't understand. Did you follow
him from his place, or what?

No, the extraordinary thing
is that I spotted him in a cafe

So? I see lots of people
I know in cafes

Yes, but I'd already seen him
elsewhere this morning

And you'll see him again;
misfortunes come in threes

- Don't talk of misfortune
- Why, would you kill him? Beware!

What are you going to do, though?

Nothing

What's the point
of following them, then?

None, really

I just needed to find something
to do this afternoon

So when I saw them leave the cafe,
I left too, following automatically

and got on the same bus

And automatically picked me up

That was a purely
accidental encounter

All right,
but what are you going to do?

Nothing, I tell you;
there's no point

Will you tell your girl?

No, the situation
is bad enough as it is

She wouldn't believe me,
because he was supposed...

to leave Paris this afternoon

At what time?

I don't know

The afternoon isn't over yet

The ideal thing
would be a photograph

Brilliant! I'll borrow their camera
and be right back

Press this and the picture
comes out there

The light is lovely today

I'd like that tree in the photo;

it's my tree fetish

Failed

She probably felt them out,
except for a wisp of hair

She probably felt
they spoiled the picture

Well, what do I care?

I've got a nice photograph

You want it?

Well, you're not getting it

I don't give my picture
to just any old wolf

- I'm not a wolf
- Oh, that yarn about your girl!

Don't kid me that any girl
could love you and that guy

He's not bad; I had a good look

He's as much like you as that duck
is like an orang-outang

That's what amazes me

You mean you wouldn't be amazed
if he looked like you?

It would sadden me

This saddens me,
but it amazes me as well

They don't go together at all...

and she told me she didn't love him

What a woman says...

Maybe my problems bore you?

Not at all, you amuse me

You think I'm ridiculous?

Yes, people wrapped up in their
own problems always seem so

You mustn't mind that

Is she pretty?

Who? My girl? Yes, very

Prettier than her?

They're different

You won't find ten like her in Paris

Well, a hundred

Even a thousand
would be something

Like to see her picture?

Yes, she's lovely

Her eyes are lovely, but so sad

Is she sad?

Not really

It just looks that way
in photographs

Actually, she's quite cheerful.
She laughs a lot

As much as me?

Well, it's different

She's twenty-five

- You're younger, aren't you?
- Quite a bit; I'm twenty

I'm fifteen

So I'm half-way between you

Have you a boyfriend?

Who is he?

The Prince of Corregidor,

waiting to carry me
his castles in Spain

No, he's a road-sweeper

I don't want to talk about it.
I haven't one, anyway

I'm only fifteen, sir

Have you a picture?

Of my boyfriend?
No picture and no boyfriend

I bet you have one in your satchel

I told you, he's a road-sweeper,
black and the Moslem religion...

forbids the taking of pictures

I told you about mine

You telling me your life story...
doesn't mean I must tell you mine

If my boy cheated on me,

I'd keep my sorrow to myself

And I wouldn't follow him about

Or the girl with whom he...

Anyway, you're spinning yarns

No, that's how it is;
I can hardly believe it myself

You're beginning
to make me wonder

whether I'm awake or dreaming

- You're dreaming
- Could be

No, I mean
you're dreaming up a movie

about a total stranger

I tell you it's him, but
it doesn't really matter if it isn't

I felt like walking

It gave me a purpose;
then when I met you...

That gave you another purpose

Well, it did me good to talk.
Also...

It's strange. I hardly know you,

yet I can talk to you

I've never talked
about my troubles before

I don't know what's got into me

Lack of sleep, probably

Do you believe me?

What difference does it make?

I'm sure there's truth
in what you say,

but you tell a good story, too

So do I,

but only to people who don't

Some talk and others listen

They've gone

Here they are, they're coming

Pretend to be talking.
What can we talk about?

Spin me another yarn

What I told you was 100% true

50%. Didn't you invent anything?

Yes, you did

Not so loud; talk naturally

It's you who's not acting natural

It's your conspiratorial air
that makes us conspicuous

- German is easy, you were saying
- For me, anyway

Listen. My teacher says
I have a very good accent

He looked at us

- I'm off
- Let them get ahead

But we've been spotted...

- He looked at you
- I was bawling in German!

What did it mean?

No idea.
He likely doesn't know German

He's from Alsace

Well, it was a private conversation

Verheiratet... I really don't know

They can't have gone
beyond the second floor.

What's his name?

Schlosser

He's a pilot...
doesn't live in Paris

Who are you looking for?

Schlosser

Not here

A tall, thin man; an airline pilot

No pilots here

He knows a lady who lives here...
blonde hair, cut short

What's her name?

I don't know, but theyjust
went up together

She had a blue mac
and a flowery scarf

I didn't see them

What do you want with her?
She lost something?

Yes, well, no. Not her exactly

I'm looking for a girl of my age;

we swopped macs by mistake
at the swimming-pool.

I don't know her,
but she was seen with this lady

I can't think of anyone

That's her mac you're wearing?

That's right

I don't recognize it

For sailing, is it?

That's right. Do you go sailing?

No. A blonde?
Not a redhead, by any chance?

Well, darkish... I think
we must have made a mistake

Why tell her all that stuff?

To gain her confidence

We might have got somewhere,
but it was no use...

with you looking so shifty

He could have come down
any minute

Well, what now?

I'm off

Don't spoil it now that
it's getting really thrilling

What's thrilling about it?

I'm for the bus

I'm thirsty, let's go to that cafe

We might see them come out

You can do your detecting
and follow them

I have to go at five

We can watch from here

Well, now...

What is your theory?

I have no theory

I have

What would Sherlock Holmes
have done?

That's fiction;
this is real life

Personally, I like life

when it's most like a novel

What would Sherlock do?

Stupid stuff with his lens,

looking for fingerprints

Not in this case.
He'd have deduced

So have I,
and I have a theory

What is it?

Guess. Deduce

We've no facts

We've plenty

First fact: They don't live there,

either of them

True, and in fact I've an idea
about where they went

The lawyer's office

Clever Mr. Detective

I'm not a complete fool

I'm surprised they didn't have
to check with the concierge

There was a name-plate

I feel they've been there before

I don't know, but...

Yes, they knew the building

What do you deduce from that?

Why a lawyer?

There could be hundreds of reasons

Not that many,

and as far as you are concerned...

one seems very likely;

certain, in fact

As far as I'm concerned?

Well, your girl, really

What do lawyers handle a lot of?

Divorce

They were simply going
to get a divorce

You mean he's going
to marry the blonde?

Good luck to him

You've got it wrong

The blonde is his wife

Hence the glum looks

Hold on

A man and his wife
couldn't go to the same lawyer

Why not, if it's amicable?

My parents did, it's fashionable

What are you thinking?

If he were married,
Anne would have told me

Are you sure?

Anyway, he may never have told her

That's possible;

travelling around
you can get away with anything

Would she lie to you?

Anne? Why should she?
She's been very frank about him

Don't make me laugh

Some things the sincerest woman
won't tell

She didn't tell you he was back;
you found out, didn't you?

I don't know

What do you mean:

You don't know?
You know she lied, don't you?

How do you like my theory?

You're romancing

Not entirely

If I were, you wouldn't care,

but you've gone all pensive

I think it's fun

Rather stimulating, in fact

I was a bit down in the dumps

You were? Why?

Just because; no particular reason

But also for very specific reasons

Can't I have problems, too?

Amorous problems?

You're very inquisitive, sir

What's your name, by the way?

Francois. What's yours?

Lucie. Let's call a truce

You've been asleep
for ten minutes

You're lucky I've been keeping watch

I'll drink my coffee;
that'll wake me up

How come you know him, but...

he doesn't know you?

You still don't believe me

I do. I was just asking

I happened to see him
in the street with Anne

But didn't get a good look?

Good enough. He was so engrossed
in her that I'd plenty of time

You like spying

No, I wondered who he was...

her ex,

as she hadn't been seeing him

So she says

Are you sure you saw them together
this morning?

Where?

I might as well tell you everything:

I work some nights
at a post office

- Which post office?
- At the Gare de I'Est

You know it?

Sure. In fact...

We might have met
on my way to school

I'm at home asleep by that time

Oh, yes.
What are you saying?

I was saying I was too kind-hearted.
Anne needed a plumber

I found someone,
brother of a friend

who works at the post office

I went to Anne's at seven,
to put a note under her door

And walked in on them?

No, but I did see them leave
the house at eight

- They didn't see you?
- Of course not

Poor thing, what a shock for you

I wouldn't like that

What did you do?

Nothing; they were some way away

What now?
Not going to kill him, are you?

People do...

but I bet she's the one

you want to pop off

Neither

She's the one...

how cowardly

I'd be honourable and kill my rival

I don't want to kill anyone

I'd understand,
but she didn't love him

Some girls are like that:
Love one, love'em all

For me, though,
it's all or nothing

Same here

Yet you put up
with that guy

I don't; I thought it was all over,

or I'd never have tried to see her

Suppose she won't choose
between you?

Well, we'll see what happens

Poor old Francois

is in a stew

His honey's moved to pastures new

Reaching higher with a flyer

Stop it

Why? I have a gift for poetry

If I were you, I'd pack in
that bird. She doesn't sound much

You've had it, anyway,
if she's had enough;

women do the deciding

I chose her. I had my eye on her
before she saw me

A man gets the girl
he has his eye on

only ifshe chooses him

She picked a replacement
because her guy was away

- Am I being rough?
- I chose her!

I don't like being chosen

Too bad; girls know what they want

I don't think Anne does

She does,
though she may not find it

And she knows it's not you

What do you know about it?

I told you only
what I wanted to

We agree on some things,

but it's superficial

I think Anne and I have
a deeper relationship

It's him she loves

She doesn't love him

She doesn't love you

Stop talking nonsense

You told me so

Well, I'm telling you different

Don't get excited;
I was only joking

She loves you. There!

Sure she loves you

Even well-matched couples don't
seem so to me, so maybe you are

I must go

Where?

To the Metro

I'll go with you

Don't be silly,
they might come out any minute

You can follow them

They spotted me, anyway

And what if they separate?

Then you could use help

But my grandmother
is expecting me

Still, I'd like to know
if my theory is correct

Something will happen to prove it
one way or the other

I'll give you my address;

you can send me a report

- Nothing's going to happen
- Then report that

Have you any paper?

Yes, hold on

No phone number;
mother would object

Lucie Lavalette

15 Avenue de Verdun

Avenue de Verdun?
That's close to where I work

Just put it through the letter-box;

it'll save you a stamp

Promise not to forget?

You owe me that for my services

And don't go to sleep again

Serge, I've had a terrible job
getting hold of you

I've been trying to get you
all afternoon

About tonight, I'm rather tired

Not ill, just tired

The girl who filled in
while I was on holiday

messed up the filing.
I've spent the afternoon

hunting for things

I've always said you take
yourjob too seriously

One has to

Going out will cheer you up

Why not come?

All right, maybe
it will relax me a bit

But I'm tired...
I'd like to rest a little first

Could we meet at eight-thirty?

We won't have time to talk
before the show,

and you'll leave after

Sorry, but I don't feel much
like talking tonight

All right, I'll see you then

Do I look as if
I'd been to the hairdresser's?

Not a bit

I can't understand it

Other girls look splendid
after the hairdresser;

I look just the same

Well, you don't look as
if you're going to the hairdresser

That's true

It's not still raining, is it?

See you on Monday

I hear you're getting married

To a super airline pilot,

so I'm told I approve the pilot,
because then...

I'll be able
to come and see you

Who is it?

Me

This isn't nice of you

I said I wouldn't be in

- But you are
- I'm resting

Come in, since you're here

I'm not going to kill you,

you know I just didn't want you
to think that I'm jealous

I can respect your feelings for him

Poor Francois

You see, Christian...

No, it's the way you spoke to me

But that's not what I came to say

Not on my bed,
say it from over there

What is it?

Why so angry?

I just can't stand
your lamentations now, that's all

I'm not lamenting

O.K., I'll go

Yes, be nice for once.
I need to rest before I go out

You want to sleep?

Just to rest. Sorry,
but we're both on edge

See you on Monday

I'll come tomorrow morning

No, you need sleep

How do you know?

It's obvious

Don't go tomorrow

I have to see mother

Please, this once

Would you go if you were married?

- With or without husband?
- I'm not married or planning to be

See you on Monday

This can't go on.
I'll transfer to the day shift

Starting next week

What about your classes?

At least I'd see you

If you're doing this to provoke me,

I'll stop seeing you

I can't go on like this

- It's no life
- For you it is

I feel responsible for you

If you give up your studies
I'll stop seeing you

- That's blackmail!
- You're the blackmailer

For your sake
I hope you'll change your mind

For goodness sake go or stay;
I hate you hanging over me

One kiss

No, if I give an inch...

I'm in horrible mood,
you know

And I deserve an explanation,
you know

Of what?

I don't owe you any explanations

Even if I were your wife,
I'd refuse

I've a perfect right to see
who I like whenever I like

You come here at ungodly hours

You pester me on the phone

You turn up at lunch
and nearly make me late

Now I'm trying to rest
and you walk in

Think of others sometimes;

you're not the only one
with problems

You always want to decide things;
give me a little time

How can you do this to me?

If you'd let me talk...

You've done nothing but talk,
but you don't say anything

I'm saying I love you

Your attitude grieves me

All that's wrong with my attitude
is that I shouldn't have let you in

Think of me a little,
instead of being sarcastic

Think of me

Making scenes
won't get you anywhere

You would turn anyone against you

You make me laugh

Listen, Anne...

What?

It's quite natural...

What? Fussing about nothing

Nothing? Really?

Maybe not, from the way
you go on about it

- Listen, Anne
- Is that all you can say?

Just listen, for God's sake

You really hurt me

I can do it myself

Think less about me
and more about your position

All right

We can't go on like this;
it's no good for either of us

Try to live your own life instead
of getting wrong ideas about us

It's just that I like being with you

So either I work nights
and you spend yours as you like...

or I can go on days and
we could live like a normal couple

Perfectly normal,
even down to arguments

- Normal couples live together
- That's out of the question

If you want to live with a girl,
find someone else,

not me

I tried it

for three years

Not again, not just now

When, then?

I don't know

Probably never

Won't you ever marry?

I'm not planning to

Even then,
you don't have to live together

You do.
The law stipulates a marital home

Well, they won't jail me
for not living with my husband

He could divorce you

I'll find someone who won't

- He'll have to be rich
- Why?

Two small apartments cost no more
than a big one

I like this place of mine

I won't give it up

to share a luxury apartment

Even if you love the guy?

That's immaterial

For me, love isn't cohabitation;

I hate anything clinging

It's absurd, because here I am with
the most clinging guy in the world

Today, maybe; but some days
we hardly see each other

That's how it should be;

absence makes the heart
grow fonder

So why see each other?

Understand one thing, Francois

If you were free every night,
we'd have parted already

Because I know you:
You'd have wanted to move in

Since it's occasional,
I tolerate you

Rejoice, though

No one else has been in this bed

No one?

I used to go to Christian's hotel

You'll say I'm spying,
but last night...

If you spy, do the job properly

You didn't see him arrive, did you?

He came to see me at seven a.m.

He must be crazy

You came then, too

To leave a note

Him, too

But I heard him as he was leaving

and I invited him in

We had a quick breakfast;

he hates me to be late

If he's coming every day,
he ought to get a car

Are you seeing him tonight?

No, he went back to Frankfurt

When?

This afternoon

When are you seeing him?

So don't tell me

Poor Francois

You can't imagine, wrapped up
in your own little problems...

that I could possibly have any

You're so sad, so angry, so upset,
yet what's happened to you?

Nothing serious

Your girl has remained true to you,

sleeping soundly in her own bed

She's the one to despair

Yet instead of comforting her
in her misery, you insult her

And you say you love me

What did he do to you?

What did he do?

He said a last goodbye

He ditched you?

In favour of his wife

You didn't say he was married

It didn't matter, or so I thought

He said they were separated,

but she's expecting a baby

Since when?

What difference does it make?

He won't see you again?

Neither should you

I don't like him doing that to me...

after vanishing for three months

I don't like you making a fuss
into the bargain

Or that cretin Marcillac babbling
to me on the bus home

And tonight... why didn't
I refuse to go out with Carrere?

I'm much too nice

I spend my life doing things
I don't have to

It's so pitiful
that it's laughable

Aren't you laughing?

I'd like to be alone for a bit

Francois... don't go

Stay

It's all right, Anne, I'm here

I'm sick of it all

Lie down

I must look a fright

You look lovely

You'll be late for your date

I don't care

Actually, I set the alarm
for seven-thirty

I'll stay with you anyway

I can say that I'm sick

No, I can't get out of my date

Carrere isn't much fun,

but at least he isn't after me

Why he takes me out...

He likes to be seen
with a pretty girl

But we never see anyone

Why do you go?

Not just because he invites me

It's nice to go out sometimes
with someone

who isn't really after me

It seems there aren't
many women after him,

so it's something

You know,
he gets nothing out of me at all

To someone not very attractive...
your presence is something...

enough to make me jealous

You'd be jealous of my dentist,

if I'd one

A real man-eater, aren't I?

Not in the least

You're so sweet

Why did I play you up like that?

I think it calmed me down

And that's the end of Christian

Do you love him?

No

Did you love him?

- Not really
- You had every right to

Everything is my right
and it's not up to you to judge me

I was in love with him,

full of crazy ideas

I imagined he'd come back...

and carry me off
like Prince Charming

I cherished the idea,

even if I didn't really believe
or want it

I can understand your being sad,
because I am, too

Then this morning...

the fairy-tale of my dreams
came true

The note under my door.
Then him

The dream in flesh and blood

Simply to say:

"I love my wife"

What I don't understand is

why he disappeared...

why he waited three months
to come and tell you

I don't know

Reconciliations take their time,
I suppose

He was switched to another route,
too, away from Paris

Next month
he'll be with his old flight

and with his wife

Two girls in the same city
simply isn't on

- She's quite pretty, you know...
- His wife?

Do I know her?

No, but I've a picture

Show me

He wasn't keen on me
having this photo;

I couldn't understand why

This morning he told me
it was her in it,

there on the right

She's very different from you

You think so?

Yes, even if you bleached your hair

She's on the extreme right,
not on his right

In green?

Who's the blonde, then?

I don't know

You're sure that's her?

Yes, why all the questions?

You'd make a good cop

Or maybe not:
You always miss the point

He could tell you anything
and you'd have no way of proving it

So what, since he's ditching me

I'd be more inclined to blame him
for being hurtful

He always puts things so bluntly

He could have let me down lightly

But he spun a yarn about a lawsuit
with his sister

He's suing his sister?

No, they're suing somebody. Why?

No reason

What are you thinking about?

Nothing

You're brooding over something

- What is it?
- Nothing important

What is it?

Don't you ever think of nothing?

I'm always thinking something

That something being nothing

What is it?

Stop needling me

If you talk about something you
give it importance it doesn't have

You see, this afternoon...

I couldn't sleep,
so I went for a walk and...

And what?

Nothing. I was just thinking...

About you, him, making up stories

Imagining him carrying me off

to the South Seas

Something like that

What else?

I forget

Really?

Thinking the kind of thoughts...

you have when you're unhappy...

and jealous, too

You started to tell me something,
then stopped. What?

I've told you

Come on, tell me what it was

Do you really want to know?

I picked up a girl in the park

You waste no time, do you?

Incredible!

They say women act up

Yet here you come weeping
in my arms,

claiming I've deserted you

No, it was she who picked me up,

thinking I was following her

Weren't you?

Of course not

That's the last thing
I'd been thinking of

Why? There's plenty of fish...

No, what I was thinking was
that I wasn't interested...

in anyone but you

Which didn't stop you
from talking to her

Was she pretty?

Don't tell me you didn't notice

It's not the same thing;
she was just a kid of fifteen

She was skipping classes

She was rather fun, actually

Ah, rather fun,

whereas I'm no fun at all

I'm too old for you

Get yourself another girl;

go and find your little bird

She doesn't interest me

She ought to

- Did you make a date?
- No

Have you her phone number?

Just her address

Will you write to her?

Are you crazy?

Are you jealous?

Me, jealous?

If that's what you wanted,
you're going the wrong way about it

I was just trying to be honest

I didn't have to tell you about her.
She means nothing to me

I was upset
and it was someone to talk to

What did you talk about?

Nothing much, this and that

The weather?

No fear!

Love?

No, well, just in general

May I hear what she thought?

Just kid stuff, really

Oh yes? Such as?

I don't know... well...

that girls do the deciding

Do you believe that?

I don't believe it, either

I'd like to

You decide too much

Me? No, I don't

I can't even decide to put you out

Well, I'm off

Have you eaten?

No, I'll get a sandwich

Take some grapes

Well, I'm ready

Like that?

Why not?

I do hate leaving you,

knowing you're going out
with someone else

He's harmless

Yes, but he'll be with you,
I won't

See you on Monday

Right, six o'clock

And Francois, don't forget
to write to your little friend

A long letter, she'll love that

They did go to the lawyer's,

but the woman was his sister.
We never thought of that

See you sometime. Francois

Paris has charmed me

Paris has conquered me

Paris took me in her arms sensuously

She swallowed me up
in her feverish hustle and bustle

In her restless frenzy

And I felt caught up, wrapped up

Sucked up and stifled

A small spot lost in the immensity

I count about as much as a cobblestone

A plane tree leaf
flying on the avenue

That will tumble down the stairs
of the metro

Instead of soaring up to the sun

Way up there

Paris has charmed me

Paris disarmed me

Turning all my hopes to alarms

I live alone under my garret roof

From friends and strangers
I remain aloof

Yet still

I feel proud
of my solitude

As on the hardships of life
I brood

Life in the city
so vast and wide

Constantly buffeted by wind and tide

It's a struggle for survival
renewed each day

With cruel destiny
refusing to point the way

Now the dark and malevolent night

Drives all ease
from anguished sight

And muffled roars
still prowl the street

For the heart of Paris
never ceases

to beat

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C.M.C. - Paris