All language subtitles for Quills.2000.WEBRip.x264-ION10-eng

[ Quivering Breathing ]

[ Woman Sighs ]

[ Man ]
DEAR READER, I'VE A NAUGHTY
LITTLE TALE TO TELL,

PLUCKED FROM THE PAGES
OF HISTORY--

TARTED UP, TRUE--

BUT GUARANTEED
TO STIMULATE THE SENSES.

THE STORY
OF MADEMOISELLE RENARE;

A RAVISHING, YOUNG ARISTOCRAT
WHOSE SEXUAL PROCLIVITIES...

RAN THE GAMUT
FROM WINSOME TO PESTLE.

WHO DOESN'T DREAM OF INDULGING
EVERY SPASM OF LUST?

FEEDING EACH DEPRAVED HUNGER?

OWING TO HER NOBLE BIRTH,

MADEMOISELLE RENARE WAS GRANTED
FULL IMMUNITY TO DO JUST THAT:

INFLICTING PAIN AND PLEASURE
WITH EQUAL ZEST.

UNTIL ONE DAY...

MADEMOISELLE FOUND HERSELF
AT THE MERCY OF A MAN...

EVERY BIT
AS PERVERSE AS SHE.

A MAN WHOSE SKILL
IN THE ART OF PAIN...

EXCEEDED HER OWN.

[ Rips Dress ]
[ Gasps ]

[ Whimpering ]

[ Gasping ]

- [ Man Continues Reading ]
HOW EASILY, DEAR READER...
- [ Mademoiselle Gasps ]

ONE CHANGES
FROM PREDATOR...
NO.

TO PREY.
[ Crying ]

AND HOW SWIFTLY
PLEASURE IS TAKEN FROM SOME...

AND GIVEN TO OTHERS.

[ Crowd Laughing ]

[ Laughing Continues ]
[ Man ]
THERE GOES ANOTHER ONE.

[ Crowd Chattering ]

[ Chattering Continues ]

[ Mademoiselle Crying ]

[ Crowd Shouting ]

** [ Children Singing,
French ]

[ Man Chuckling ]

** [ Children Continue Singing ]

**

** [ Executioner Humming
Children's Song ]

** [ Children Continue ]

[ Gasps ]

** [ Humming Children's Song ]

** [ Continues Humming ]

** [ Continues Humming ]

** [ Writer
Continues Humming ]

[ Woman ]
YOUR LINENS, PLEASE.

YOUR LINENS, PLEASE.

[ Guard ]
MOVE YOURSELF.
[ Man ] WE'RE GOING OUTSIDE.

COME ON, PITOU.
THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S BREAKFAST TIME.
GOOD MORNING.
GOOD MORNING.

[ Pitou ]
I'M GOING OUTSIDE.
[ Guard ] GO ON.

[ Guard ]
STOP DOING THAT.
EVERYBODY UP.

YOUR LINENS, PLEASE.

** [ Humming ]
[ Laundress ]
PSST.

- IT'S ME.
- [ Stops Humming ]

CAREFUL.
THE INK'S STILL WET.

NOW, HURRY.

[ Footsteps Departing ]

[ Footsteps Approaching ]
THAT YOU, MADDIE?

YES, MOTHER.
HERE ARE THE DIRTY ONES FOR YOU.

[ Sighs ]

JUST, UH--

JUST TAKING
THE BLEACHED ONES OUT TO DRY.

[ Woman ] AREN'T YOU
GONNA GIVE US A HAND THEN?

[ Rooster Crowing ]

[ Talking, Indistinct ]

[ Laughs ]

[ Abbe ]
BOUCHON!

REMEMBER YOUR MANNERS.

[ Men Laughing ]

[ Laughing ]

HERE IT IS.
IT'S THE LAST CHAPTER.

MONSIEUR MASSE SAYS HE'D LIKE
ANOTHER MANUSCRIPT QUICK
AS HE PLEASE.

HE CAN'T PRINT THEM
FAST ENOUGH.
I'LL PASS THE WORD ON.

I'LL PAY YOU ANOTHER VISIT
WITH A SHARE OF THE PROFITS
ONCE IT'S SOLD.

I'LL BE WAITING.
PERHAPS, ONE DAY,
YOU'LL TELL ME YOUR NAME.

[ Sighs ]

[ Man Talking,
Indistinct ]

ALL RIGHT,
WE'RE ALL CLEAR.

THANK YOU.
[ Hawker ]
MARQUIS DE SADE'S JUSTINE.

LATEST EDITION, STRAIGHT
FROM THE PRINTER'S. JUSTINE.

MARQUIS DE SADE.
JUSTINE.

[ Man ]
"OUR STORY CONCERNS
A NYMPH NAMED JUSTINE;

"AS PRETTY A MAID AS EVER
ENTERED THE NUNNERY,

"WITH A BODY SO FIRM AND RIPE...
[ Woman ]
COME ON, BOY.

"IT SEEMED A SHAME
TO COMMIT IT TO GOD.

ONE MORNING, THE BISHOP PLACED
HIS HAND UPON HER THIGH."

[ Man #2 ]
"'HOLY FATHER,' CRIED SHE,

"'I'VE COME TO CONFESS MY SINS,
NOT COMMIT THEM ANEW.'

"THE OLD PRIEST
TURNED HER OVER ON HIS KNEE...

"AND LIFTED HER SKIRTS
HIGH ABOVE HER HIPS,

"EXPOSING THE PINK FLESH
OF HER BACKSIDE.

"THERE BETWEEN THE ORBS
OF HER DIMPLED ASS...

"LAY A BLUSHING ROSEBUD...

"BEGGING TO BE... PLUCKED.

"BEFORE JUSTINE COULD WRESTLE
FROM HIS GRASP,

"THIS MOST UNGODLY MAN
TOOK A COMMUNION WAFER,

"THE BODY OF OUR LORD,
JESUS CHRIST,

AND PLACED IT ON THE GIRL'S
TWITCHING ORIFICE."

MUST I, YOUR MAJESTY?

"AS HE LOOSENED HIS MANHOOD
FROM BENEATH HIS ROBES,

"THE BISHOP MUTTERED
A LATIN PRAYER...

"AND THEN,
WITH A MIGHTY THRUST,

DROVE IT
INTO HER VERY ENTRAILS."

THE NOVEL'S LEWD SUBJECT MATTER
AND ITS OVERRIPE STYLE...

REVEAL IT TO BE THE WORK
OF THE MARQUIS DE SADE.

HE COMPOSES HIS PROSE
FROM INSIDE A MADHOUSE.

ENOUGH!
SEIZE EVERY COPY!

WE'LL TORCH THEM ALL
ON THE PALACE LAWN
IN FULL PUBLIC VIEW!

AS FOR THE AUTHOR, SHOOT HIM.

A NOTE OF CAUTION, SIRE.

WE ALL REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED
TO ROBESPIERRE, DANTON.

PUT THE MARQUIS TO DEATH
AND HISTORY MIGHT EVEN
REGARD YOU AS A DESPOT.

[ Sire ]
BUT I AM HISTORY.

OF COURSE, YOUR MAJESTY.

NEVERTHELESS,
CURE THE MARQUIS DE SADE,

SUCCEED
WHERE COUNTLESS...

PHYSICIANS AND PRIESTS
HAVE FAILED--

NO ONE CAN FAULT NAPOLEON...

FOR BRINGING A MAN
TO HIS SENSES.

MIGHT I SUGGEST...

AN APPRAISAL
AT THE ASYLUM OF CHARENTON?

A RATHER NOTORIOUS INMATE
IN HER CARE.

I HAVE THE PERFECT
CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB:

DR. ROYER-COLLARD,

A DISTINGUISHED ALIENIST
WHO'S A STAUNCHLY MORAL MAN...

OF IMPECCABLE CHARACTER...

AND IRON RESOLVE.

[ Man Screams,
Water Splashes, Gurgling ]

[ Gasping ]

[ Water Splashes ]
MY COLLEAGUES HAVE
CALLED ME OLD-FASHIONED,

[ Gurgling ]
EVEN BARBARIC.

[ Gasping ]

BUT, HERE,
WE FAVOR AN AGGRESSIVE
COURSE OF TREATMENT.

[ Gasps ]
QUITE.

I DO NOT SEEK POPULARITY
OR RENOWN, MONSIEUR DELBENE.
MINE IS A HIGHER MISSION.

[ Screams ]

TO TAKE GOD'S TINY BLUNDERS
OF THOSE HE HAS FORSAKEN,

AND CONDITION THEM
WITH THE SAME FORCE,
THE SAME RIGOR...

ONE WOULD EMPLOY TO TRAIN
A FERAL DOG OR A WILD STALLION.

[ Screams, Gurgling ]
THIS MAY NOT BE PRETTY,

BUT IT IS MERCY
JUST THE SAME.

A FEW MORE MONTHS OF THIS,
AND HE'LL BE FINE.

[ Screams,
Gurgling ]
[ Delbene ]
IT IS THE EMPEROR'S HOPE...

THAT YOU BRING
YOUR EXPERTISE,
YOUR PROFICIENCY...

TO THE ASYLUM AT CHARENTON.
[ Man ]
I'M MUCH BETTER NOW.

CHARENTON?
THE ADMINISTRATOR THERE
IS QUITE WELL-LOVED, ISN'T HE?

AN IDEALIST.
YOU'LL HAVE TO BE POLITIC.

YOU KNOW HOW
I DEFINE "IDEALISM"?
[ Man Screaming ]

YOUTH'S FINAL LUXURY.

[ Abbe ]
NOT SO HARD.
DON'T FORCE IT.

LET THE QUILL GUIDE YOU.

GOOD.

SLOWLY.

WE MUSTN'T
JUST COPY THE WORDS.

IT'S IMPORTANT
THAT WE KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN.

ST. AUGUSTINE TELLS US
THAT ANGELS AND DEMONS
WALK AMONG US ON THE EARTH...

AND THAT SOMETIMES
THEY JOINTLY INHABIT
THE SOUL OF A SINGLE MAN.

THEN HOW CAN WE KNOW...

WHO IS TRULY GOOD
AND WHO IS EVIL?

WELL, WE CAN'T.

ALL WE CAN DO IS GUARD
AGAINST OUR OWN CORRUPTION.

SO YOU'LL PRACTICE READING
TONIGHT ON YOUR OWN FOR ME?

"AND SO THE PROFESSOR LIFTED
CULLUM'S SKIRT...

"HIGH ABOVE HER WAIST.

"'LET ME
BE YOUR TUTOR,' SAID HE,
'IN THE WAYS OF LOVE.'

"WITH THAT,
HE SLID HER PANTALETS DOWN,

"DOWN, DOWN OVER HER KNEES.

"AND THERE,
NESTLED BETWEEN HER LEGS...

"WAS PINK OF THE TULIP...

AS SLICK AS AN EEL--"

WE OUGHTN'T TO BE READING
HIS NASTY STORIES.

NO ONE'S FORCING YOU TO LISTEN.

"HE GAZED UPON HER VENUS MOUND,

HER FLAXEN QUIM,
THE WINKING EYE OF GOD."

YOU'VE BEEN IN HIS QUARTERS,
HAVEN'T YOU?

ONCE OR TWICE.

I HEAR HE'S GOT A WHETSTONE
AND A CHISEL, AND HE USES THEM
TO SHARPEN HIS TEETH.

HE'S A WRITER, NOT A MADMAN.

- WHAT'S HE DOING IN HERE THEN?
- MURDER.

[ Laughing ]

THAT'S NOT SO.

[ All Continue Laughing ]

HE WRITES BOOKS SO WICKED,
SO BLACK WITH EVIL,

THAT ONE MAN
KILLED HIS WIFE
AFTER READING THEM.

AND TWO YOUNG MOTHERS
MISCARRIED THEIR BABIES.

[ Blond Man ]
I'D SAY THAT'S MURDER ENOUGH.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO SLANDER HIM,
THEN YOU DON'T DESERVE
TO HEAR HIS STORIES.

I BELIEVE
SHE'S SWEET ON HIM.

THAT'S WHAT I THINK.
IT'S NOT
THE MARQUIS SHE'S SWEET ON,
IS IT, MADELEINE?

[ Girl Laughing ]

[ Laughing Continues ]

[ Continues Laughing ]
[ Inmate Panting Heavily ]

[ Continues Panting ]

[ Man ]
THEY'VE NO RIGHT SENDING SOMEONE
TO SIT ON YOUR SHOULDER.

I WORK FOR YOU.
I WON'T TAKE ORDERS
FROM A STRANGER.

YOU NEEDN'T WORRY.

IT'S ADMINISTRATIVE,
NOTHING MORE.

PLEASE DON'T EAT
THE PAINT, PASQUAL.

AH, BRAVO, DAUPHIN.

IT'S FAR BETTER
TO PAINT FIRES THAN
TO SET THEM, ISN'T IT?

YES.

[ Abbe ]
WONDERFUL.

[ Opens, Closes Door ]
FRESH LINENS.

FRESH LINENS.

I'M HUNGRY
FOR A PROPER VISIT.

DON'T START.
GO AHEAD.
YOU'VE A KEY.

SLIP IT THROUGH
MY TINY HOLE.

[ Door Slides Shut ]

MARQUIS?

WHERE DID YOU GET TO THEN?

[ Creaking ]

[ Puts Down Objects ]

[ Marquis
Clears Throat ]
[ Gasps ]

[ Sighs ]

MARQUIS?

- WELL-- DID I FRIGHTEN YOU?
- [ Gasps ]

FRIGHTEN ME?
THAT'S A GOOD ONE.
I'M TWICE AS QUICK AS YOU ARE.

I SUPPOSE YOU WANT TO KNOW
ABOUT THAT SILLY BOOK OF YOURS.

WHAT ABOUT MY BOOK?

[ Whispers ]
IT SOLD LIKE THE DEVIL.

THEN THEY STARTED
BURNING IT.

THAT'S THE PERIL OF COMPOSING
SUCH INCENDIARY PROSE.

IF ONLY THESE COINS PURCHASED
YOUR OTHER TALENTS TOO.

[ Whispers ]
THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE
I WANT FROM YOU.

YOU'VE ALREADY
STOLEN MY HEART...

AS WELL
AS ANOTHER PROMINENT ORGAN
SOUTH OF THE EQUATOR.

YOUR PUBLISHER
SAYS I'M NOT TO LEAVE
WITHOUT ANOTHER MANUSCRIPT.

I'VE JUST THE STORY.

INSPIRED BY THESE
VERY SURROUNDINGS.

THE UNHAPPY TALE
OF A VIRGINAL LAUNDRY LASS,

A DARLING OF THE LOWER WARDS
WHERE THEY ENTOMB
THE CRIMINALLY INSANE.

IS IT AWFULLY VIOLENT?
MOST ASSUREDLY.

IS IT TERRIBLY EROTIC?
FIENDISHLY SO.

[ Laughs ]
BUT IT COMES
WITH A PRICE.

A KISS FOR EACH PAGE.

MUST I ADMINISTER THEM DIRECTLY
OR MIGHT I BLOW THEM?

THE PRICE, MY COQUETTE,
IS EVERY BIT AS FIRM...
AS I AM.

[ Scoffs ]
OH, YOU.

YOU TALK THE SAME
AS YOU WRITE.

[ Sighs ]

[ Stifled Gasping ]

HELLO.

** [ Humming ]

[ Woman Panting ]

SO WHAT ARE WE TODAY,
CLEANTE?

IS IT BULLFINCH
OR NIGHTINGALE?

THERE'S BUT ONE KIND OF BIRD
IN A MADHOUSE, ABBE.
OH, DON'T TELL ME.

A LOON.
[ Laughing ]
[ Laughing ]

SORRY, I'VE HEARD
THAT ONE BEFORE.

[ Bird Chirping ]

[ Both Gasping ]
IT'S A LONG STORY,
THIS ONE.

THE CLIMAX COMES
AT A HIGHER COST.

YOU MUST SIT ON MY LAP.
[ Groans ]

YOU DEMAND A LOT
FROM YOUR READERS.
[ Groans ]

THE STORY'S THRILLING CONCLUSION
COMES AT A PREMIUM.

WHAT'S THAT THEN?
YOUR MAIDEN HURT.

AND THEN YOU MUST
SEW IT UP AS TIGHTLY
AS THE DAY YOU WERE BORN,

AND COME BACK TO ME RENEWED
SO I CAN DEFLOWER YOU
A SECOND TIME.

SOME THINGS
BELONG ON PAPER...

OTHERS IN LIFE.

BLESSED FOOL
WHO CAN'T TELL
THE DIFFERENCE--

MADEMOISELLE LeCLERC.

YOU'RE IN THE NICK OF TIME.

THIS OLD LETCH FORGOT HIMSELF.

HE THOUGHT I WAS A CHARACTER
IN ONE OF HIS NASTY STORIES.

MADELEINE.
YES, ABBE?

THE NEXT TIME
YOU FEEL THE URGE
TO VISIT THE MARQUIS...

I HOPE YOU'LL COME
TO CONFESSION INSTEAD.

CARE FOR A SPLASH
OF WINE, ABBE?

IT'S NOT EVEN NOON.

CONVERSATION,
LIKE CERTAIN PORTIONS
OF THE ANATOMY,

ALWAYS RUNS MORE SMOOTHLY
WHEN IT'S LUBRICATED.

THIS IS A RARE VINTAGE
FROM AN OBSCURE VILLAGE
IN BORDEAUX.

RATHER THAN CRUSH THE GRAPE
UNDERFOOT, THEY PLACE THE FRUIT
ON THE BELLY OF A BRIDE,

REAP ITS JUICES
WHEN THE YOUNG HUSBAND
STEERS HIS VESSEL INTO PORT.

FULL-BODIED FLAVOR,
JUST A HINT OF WANTONNESS.

BOTTOMS UP.

[ Laughs ]
IT'S FROM OUR OWN CELLAR.
I RECOGNIZE THE TASTE.

I SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU
IT WAS THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.

YOU'D BELIEVE THAT,
WOULDN'T YOU?

WE TREAT YOU WELL ENOUGH HERE,
DON'T WE, MARQUIS?

YOUR VERY OWN FEATHERED BED
IN LIEU OF A STRAW MAT.

YOUR ANTIQUE WRITING DESK,
ALL THE WAY FROM LA COSTE.

ENOUGH QUILLS
TO FEATHER AN OSTRICH--

YES, YES, YES,
DEAR HEART, IT'S TRUE.
YOU SPOIL ME PINK.

AND IN EXCHANGE,
WE ASK ONLY THAT YOU
FOLLOW THE RULES.

YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO,
YOU'RE NOT TO ENTERTAIN VISITORS
IN YOUR QUARTERS.

I'M ENTERTAINING YOU NOW,
AREN'T I?

YES, BUT I'M NOT
A BEAUTIFUL, YOUNG PROSPECT
RIPE FOR CORRUPTION.

DON'T BE SO SURE.

[ Laughs ]
[ Laughs ]

TAKE YOUR PEN IN HAND,
MARQUIS.

PURGE THESE WICKED THOUGHTS
OF YOURS ON PAPER.

MAYBE THEY'LL GOVERN YOU
LESS IN LIFE.

I'LL FILL
PAGE AFTER PAGE,
MY CHERUB.

I PROMISE.

[ Horses Whinnying ]

[ Coachman ]
WE'RE HERE, DOCTOR.
MIND YOUR STEP, SIR.

GOOD DAY, SIR.
WE'VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU.

** [ Singing, Indistinct ]

** [ Singing Continues ]

** [ Continues Singing ]

**

** [ Continues ]

**

GOOD. VERY GOOD.

DR. ROYER-COLLARD,
WELCOME TO CHARENTON.

THIS MAY FEEL
A LITTLE AWKWARD, MY FRIEND,

BUT IT NEEDN'T BE.

I'VE COME MERELY
TO OVERSEE YOUR WORK HERE.
UNDERSTOOD?

OF COURSE.
IT'S A FORMALITY.
TRULY.

WELL,
YOU'RE A MAN OF SCIENCE,
AND I'M A MAN OF GOD.

CHARENTON STANDS TO PROFIT
FROM US BOTH, I'M CERTAIN.

I SHALL NEED AN OFFICE
ON THE GROUNDS, SOMEWHERE
TO STORE MY THINGS.

THIS WAY.
IF YOU DON'T MIND
MY ASKING,

WHY HAS THE EMPEROR TAKEN
SUCH SUDDEN INTEREST IN MY--

IN OUR AFFAIRS?

IT SEEMS A PARTICULAR
PATIENT OF YOURS...
HAS CAPTURED HIS FANCY.

[ Royer-Collard ] I UNDERSTAND
HE PRACTICES THE VERY CRIMES
HE PREACHES IN HIS FICTION.

CERTAINLY NOT HERE.

THERE WERE A FEW
INDISCRETIONS IN HIS YOUTH.
"INDISCRETIONS"?

ABBE, PLEASE,
I HAVE READ HIS CASE HISTORY.

AT 16, HE VIOLATED
A SERVANT GIRL
WITH A CRUCIFIX.

AFTER SIX MONTHS
IN A DUNGEON,
HE MUTILATED A PROSTITUTE,

CARVING HER FLESH WITH A RAZOR
AND CAUTERIZING THE WOUNDS
WITH HOT WAX.

I HOPE YOU'LL JUDGE HIM
BY HIS PROGRESS HERE,

NO!
NOT HIS PAST
REPUTATION.

I CAN'T GO ON LIKE THIS.
WHY SHOULD THIS
BE HAPPENING TO ME?

ONCE AGAIN, GENTLEMEN.

I'M JUST A LOWLY COBBLER.

I HAVE BEEN ALL MY LIFE.

AND WITH THIS SHOE,
I'M ASKING YOU
TO BE A COBBLER'S WIFE.

IT'S A DREADFUL PLAY,
A FESTERING PUSTULE
ON THE FACE OF LITERATURE.

WHY, THE PARCHMENT
IT'S WRITTEN UPON
ISN'T WORTHY TO WIPE MY ASS.

[ Inmate Laughs ]

BUT YOU NEED NOT MAKE IT WORSE.
SAY YOUR LINES WITH CONVICTION,
MY HAPPY LITTLE SHOEMAKER.

LIKE A TRUE ACTOR.
BUT I'M NOT AN ACTOR.
I'M A DYSPEPTIC.

JUST SEDUCE HER,
YOU GOON!

HE'S ACTUALLY
MADE A GREAT SUCCESS
OF OUR LITTLE THEATER.

THERE'S SELDOM
AN EMPTY SEAT, NOT TO MENTION
ITS THERAPEUTIC VALUE.

PLAYING DRESS-UP
WITH CRETINS...

SOUNDS LIKE A SYMPTOM
OF MADNESS, NOT A CURE.

HOMOPERVERSIO:
A SPECIES THAT THRIVES
IN CAPTIVITY.

MARQUIS,
THIS IS DR. ROYER-COLLARD.
HE'S JOINING US HERE IN--

AN ADVISORY CAPACITY.

WELCOME TO OUR HUMBLE
MADHOUSE, DOCTOR.

I TRUST YOU'LL
FIND YOURSELF AT HOME.

[ Giggling, Whispering ]
THERE HE IS, THE NEW DOCTOR.

TELL ME, ABBE,
WHY IS HE IN YOUR CARE
AND NOT A PROPER PRISON?

HIS WIFE'S INFLUENCE.
"HIS WIFE'S"?

BETTER TO HAVE
AN INSANE SPOUSE
THAN A CRIMINAL ONE.

AND HE HAS NEVER ONCE
TRIED TO ESCAPE?

A MAN OF HIS NOTORIETY?
HE WOULDN'T LAST A DAY
ON THE STREETS WITHOUT CAPTURE.

BESIDES, EVERY WHOLESOME THING
HE MIGHT DESIRE,
HE HAS AT CHARENTON:

A LIBRARY FILLED
WITH THE WORLD'S GREAT BOOKS,

MUSIC LESSONS,
WATERCOLOR EXERCISES.

WHAT EFFECT HAVE ALL
THESE AMENITIES HAD
ON HIS PSYCHE?

HE NO LONGER ROARS
OR SPITS.

HE NO LONGER TAUNTS
THE GUARDS OR MOLESTS
HIS FELLOW WARDS.

AND HIS WRITING?

AH, YES, THAT.
WELL?

IT'S ESSENTIAL TO HIS RECOVERY,
A PURGATIVE FOR THE TOXINS
IN HIS MIND.

DO YOU FAVOR
ITS PUBLICATION?

PER SE?
TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC?
YES. YES.

NO, CERTAINLY NOT.
IT'S UNPRINTABLE.

[ Inmate Yelling ]

[ Groans ]

ALL FRANCE IS AGHAST
AT THIS BOOK, YET YOU'VE
NEVER HEARD OF IT.

OH, DEAR GOD.

SILENCE THE MARQUIS
OR CHARENTON WILL BE SHUT DOWN
BY ORDER OF THE EMPEROR.

"SHUT DOWN"?
BUT HE'S ONE AMONG
SOME 200 WARDS.

YOU COULD TRY
MY CALMING CHAIR ON HIM.

OR, PERHAPS,
TRY BLEEDING HIM
WITH LEECHES.

OR MAYBE FLOG HIM
AT THE STAKE.

WHY? SO HE'LL LEARN
TO FEAR PUNISHMENT...

RATHER THAN TO SEE VIRTUE
FOR ITS OWN REWARDS?

DOCTOR...
LET ME TAKE UP THIS MATTER
WITH THE MARQUIS MYSELF.

- CHARENTON'S MY LIFE'S WORK.
- I AM NOT WITHOUT A HEART,

BUT THIS BOOK
IS A PROFOUND INSULT
TO DECENT PEOPLE EVERYWHERE.

CAN YOU PERSONALLY GUARANTEE
THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN?

YOU HAVE MY WORD.

WHAT IS IT, ABBE?
THE MARQUIS
HAS EMBARRASSED US.

FROM NAPOLEON HIMSELF.
WHY?
WHAT'S HE DONE?

HE'S BEEN SLIPPING MANUSCRIPTS
TO A PUBLISHER.

[ Unlocking Cell ]
HE HAS?

I PLACED MY TRUST
TOO CARELESSLY, MADELEINE.

THIS IS A COMPLETE
AND UTTER...
OH.

DISAPPOINTMENT.

YES, IT IS.

THE PAPER'S CHEAP.
THE TYPE'S TOO SMALL.

WHAT DID YOU DO,
BRIBE ONE OF THE GUARDS?

BUT YOU IMPLORED ME TO WRITE
FOR CURATIVE PURPOSES,
TO STAVE OFF MY MADNESS.

BUT YOU'VE NO RIGHT
TO PUBLISH...

BEHIND MY BACK
WITHOUT MY SANCTION.

HAVE YOU TRULY READ IT
OR DID YOU RUN STRAIGHTAWAY
TO THE DOGEARED PAGES?

OH, ENOUGH TO DISCERN
ITS TENOR.

AND?

IT'S NOT EVEN A PROPER NOVEL.

IT'S NOTHING BUT AN ENCYCLOPEDIA
OF PERVERSIONS.

FRANKLY, IT EVEN FAILS
AS AN EXERCISE IN CRAFT.

CHARACTERS ARE WOODEN.
THE DIALOGUE IS INANE.

NOT TO MENTION THE ENDLESS
REPETITION OF WORDS LIKE
"NIPPLE" AND "PIKESTAFF."

THERE I WAS TAXED,
IT'S TRUE.

AND SUCH PUNY SCOPE.

NOTHING BUT THE VERY WORST
IN MAN'S NATURE.

I WRITE OF THE GREAT
ETERNAL TRUTHS...

THAT BIND TOGETHER ALL MANKIND
THE WHOLE WORLD OVER.

WE EAT, WE SHIT, WE FUCK,
WE KILL AND WE DIE.

BUT WE ALSO FALL IN LOVE.

WE BUILD CITIES,
WE COMPOSE SYMPHONIES
AND WE ENDURE.

WHY NOT PUT THAT
IN YOUR BOOKS AS WELL?

IT'S A FICTION,
NOT A MORAL TREATISE.

BUT ISN'T THE DUTY OF ART
TO ELEVATE US ABOVE THE BEASTS?

I'D HAVE THOUGHT THAT WAS
YOUR DUTY, ABBE, NOT MINE.

ONE MORE TRICK LIKE THIS...

AND I'LL BE FORCED
TO REVOKE ALL YOUR LIBERTIES.

IT'S THAT DOCTOR FELLOW,
ISN'T IT?

HE'S COME TO USURP
YOUR PLACE HERE, HASN'T HE?

MARQUIS, MORE THAN
YOUR WRITING'S
AT STAKE.

THE MINISTRY
HAS THREATENED US
WITH CLOSURE.

AH, THEY CAN'T BE SERIOUS!

OUR FUTURE LIES
IN THE STROKE
OF YOUR PEN.

MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD,
INDEED.

PUT YOURSELF IN MY PLACE.
I HAVE YOUR FELLOW PATIENTS
TO CONSIDER.

IF CHARENTON FOLDS, THEY HAVE
NO PLACE TO GO, NO MANNER
TO CLOTHE OR FEED THEMSELVES.

FUCK THEM! THEY'RE HALF-WITS!
LET THEM DIE ON THE STREETS
AS NATURE INTENDED!

YOU AMONG THEM?

IF EVER I SHOWED YOU
A KIND HAND, MARQUIS,

IF EVER I GRANTED YOU
WALKING PRIVILEGES
ON A SPRING DAY...

OR SLIPPED AN EXTRA PILLOW
BENEATH YOUR DOOR,

IF EVER I SHARED YOUR WINE,
LAUGHED AT YOUR VULGARITIES
OR HUMORED YOU WITH ARGUMENT,

THEN YOU WILL OBLIGE ME NOW...

FOR YOUR SAKE...
AND FOR ALL CHARENTON.

YOU'VE A TOUCH
OF THE POET TOO.

PERHAPS YOU SHOULD
TAKE UP THE QUILL.

DO I HAVE YOUR WORD?
HONESTLY...
YOU CUT ME TO THE CORE.

WHAT'S THE POINT
OF ALL YOUR VALIANT ATTEMPTS
AT REHABILITATION...

IF, WHEN I FINALLY SUCCUMB,
WHEN AT LONG LAST I PLEDGE
MYSELF TO RIGHTEOUS CONDUCT,

YOU REGARD ME
WITH NOTHING BUT SUSPICION?

HAVE YOU NO FAITH
IN YOUR OWN MEDICINE?

[ Doctor ]
MY, MY.

AT CHARENTON,
EVEN THE WALLS HAVE EYES.

DON'T THEY?

WELL?

WELL, I SPOKE TO HIM
WITH REASON AND COMPASSION,

THE TOOLS WHICH
SERVE US BEST HERE.

AND?
HE'S SWORN
TO OBEDIENCE.

HE'S MORE
THAN A PATIENT, DOCTOR.
THE MARQUIS IS MY FRIEND.

YOU KEEP STRANGE
COMPANY, ABBE.

IF YOU HAVE
THE MATTER HERE
TRULY IN HAND,

[ Abbe ] I HAVE.
THEN I HAVE A FRIEND
OF MY OWN TO VISIT.

AH, DOCTOR.
I'VE COME FOR MY BRIDE.

OH, YES.
[ Horse Whinnying ]

WE'VE NOT EXPECTED YOU
FOR SOME TIME.

SIMONE HAS NOT YET
COME OF AGE.

I'VE TAKEN A NEW POST
AT CHARENTON.

I NEED THE SUCKLE
ONLY A WIFE CAN PROVIDE.
MMM, YES.

SIMONE...

YOU REMEMBER
DR. ROYER-COLLARD.

I'D NOT FORGET THE MAN
TO WHOM I WAS PROMISED.

HE'S COME TO COLLECT YOU.

TODAY? THIS MINUTE?

I APOLOGIZE,
MADEMOISELLE.

I HAD NO TIME
TO WRITE.

BE GRATEFUL, CHILD.

IN MY EXPERIENCE, POOR GIRLS
WHO ARE ORPHANED NEVER WED.

THEY WIND UP SPINSTERS
OR, WORSE STILL, NUNS.

THANK GOD THAT FORTUNE
HAS SPARED YOU...
[ Nuns Laughing ]

FROM SUCH A FATE.

GOOD-BYE, SIMONE.

GOD BLESS YOU, SIMONE.

LET'S MOVE IT!

[ Delbene ]
THE EMPEROR WISHES TO ASSURE
YOUR COMFORT WHILE AT CHARENTON.

CONSIDER THE CHÂTEAU A GIFT,

PROVIDED
YOU'RE WILLING TO FINANCE
THE NECESSARY REPAIRS.

MONSIEUR PROUIX, SIR,
IS THE COURT'S MOST PROMISING
YOUNG ARCHITECT.

HE'S AT YOUR DISPOSAL.

[ Rats Squeaking ]

OF COURSE,
THE PLACE HASN'T BEEN OCCUPIED
SINCE THE TERROR.

IT HAS POSSIBILITIES,
YES?

SIMONE?

I AM TO LIVE HERE?

[ Delbene ]
IT BELONGED
TO A CERTIFIED MONARCHIST.

JACOBINS WERE MOST UNFORGIVING.

HIS WIFE TRIED TO ESCAPE.

THEY CAUGHT HER HERE
ON THE STAIRS.

SET ABOUT HER
WITH BAYONETS.

THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE
OF GOD, EH, DOCTOR?

I SHED NO TEARS
FOR THE PAST, MONSIEUR DELBENE.
I LOOK TO THE FUTURE.

MONSIEUR PROUIX.

WE SHOULD QUARRY FRESH MARBLE,
DON'T YOU THINK?

YOU MUST HUMOR MY WIFE
IN ALL THINGS.

IF SHE WANTS VENETIAN GLASS,
SHE SHALL HAVE IT.

ITALIAN TILE, DUTCH VELVET--
SPARE NO EXPENSE.

BUT IN HER BEDROOM,
SEE TO IT THAT THE DOOR LOCKS
FROM THE OUTSIDE...

AND ON HER WINDOWS
ARE IRON GRATES.

BARS, SIR?

IN THE CONVENT,
SIMONE WAS SPARED
THE WORLD'S TEMPTATIONS.

I WILL NOT ALLOW HER
TO FALL PREY TO THEM NOW.

SHE IS A RARE BIRD.

I INTEND TO KEEP HER CAGED.

[ Footsteps Approaching ]

[ Door Creaking Open ]

PERHAPS THE SISTERS...

FAILED TO INSTRUCT YOU...

IN THE WAYS OF MARRIAGE.

[ Ripping Nightgown ]
THE NIGHTLY DUTY...

OF A WIFE...
TO HER HUSBAND.

[ Grunting ]

[ Continues Grunting ]

[ Doctor Panting ]

[ Panting Continues ]

[ Man ]
NO.
[ Nun ]
IT'S A SCANDAL, TRULY.

HE'S A DOCTOR PRETENDING
TO BE A GOD-FEARING MAN.

AND THAT'S NOT ALL.
HE'S FAR TOO OLD TO MARRY HER,
AND SHE'S FAR TOO YOUNG.

HASN'T EVEN FINISHED
HER SCHOOLING.
WHISKED AWAY WITH BARELY A WORD.

AND THAT'S NOT ALL.
TELL ME MORE.

THE SWEET LITTLE THING
IS BARELY 16.

I SAY SHE'S
EVEN YOUNGER,
ONLY A CHILD.

THAT'S NOT ALL
THE NUNS TOLD US.
TELL ME MORE.

[ Indistinct ]

[ Laughing ]
NO.

[ All Gasping ]

[ Whispering ]
AND THAT'S NOT ALL.
WHAT ELSE?

SHE'S NOT A COQUETTE.
SHE'S MEANT TO BE A NUN.

[ Gasps ]
I SWEAR.

TELL ME MORE.
SHE CAME WITH A STATUE
OF THE VIRGIN MARY.

[ Continues Whispering,
Indistinct ]

SHE ARRIVED WITH A STATUE OF
THE VIRGIN MARY AND A CRUCIFIX
AROUND HER NECK FROM A CONVENT.

HMM.
TELL ME MORE.

HE'S OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE
FATHERED HER TWICE OVER.

THE HYPOCRITE.

THIS HAS ALL THE MAKINGS
OF A FARCE.

** [ Humming ]

** [ Continues Humming ]

ABBE DE COULMIER,
YOU RASCAL.

YOUR COMEDIES ARE BECOMING
QUITE THE RAGE. I HAD TO CLAW
MY WAY TO A TICKET.

I CAN HARDLY TAKE--
SO EXPERTLY ACTED.

THAT CHARMING YOUNG MAN
IN LAST WEEK'S COMEDY--

I HAD NO IDEA
HE WAS AN IMBECILE.

EVERYONE HAS TALENTS
IF WE LOOK FOR THEM.

YES, YES, I'M SURE.
OH.

[ Woman ]
ISN'T THAT THE NEW DOCTOR?
HOW THRILLING FOR YOU.

A RENOWN EXPERT RIGHT HERE
AT CHARENTON.
[ Abbe ]
YES, INDEED.

I WILL SAY ONE THING FOR HIM.
HE HAS A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER.

[ Women Laugh,
Continue Chattering ]

[ Marquis ]
ENOUGH OF THIS BILGE!

WE'RE BETTER THAN THIS.

REMEMBER, GENTLEMEN,
INSIDE EACH OF YOUR...
DELICATE MINDS,

YOUR DISTINCTIVE BODIES...

ART IS WAITING TO BE BORN!

SO LET'S GIVE THE DOCTOR
A PERFORMANCE TONIGHT
I HOPE HE'LL REMEMBER FOREVER.

** [ Overture ]

** [ Continues ]

**

THAT'S MADAME BOUGINAL
AND MADEMOISELLE CLAIREL.

AND IN FRONT OF THEM,
THE MARQUIS' WIFE.

INDEED.

[ Grunting, Giggles ]

BEGGING YOUR PARDON,
IT'S TIME TO BEGIN.

** [ Overture Concludes ]

[ Audience Applauding ]

YOU!
YOU'RE THE NORTH WIND.

MADAMES AND MONSIEURS...

THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE
IN TONIGHT'S PROGRAM.

WE WILL NOT BE PERFORMING
THE HAPPY SHOEMAKER.

[ Audience Sighs ]
INSTEAD,

WE'D LIKE TO PREMIERE
A NEW PLAY...

IN HONOR OF THE NEWLY APPOINTED
DR. ROYER-COLLARD...

AND HIS LOVELY BRIDE.

[ Audience Applauding ]
A COMEDY ENTITLED--

- CRIMES OF LOVE.
- THE CRIMES OF LOVE.

WRITTEN BY ONE OF CHARENTON'S
VERY OWN WARDS,

THE MARQUIS DE SADE!

** [ Fanfare ]
[ Audience Applauding ]

**
[ Applauding Continues ]

**

[ Madeleine Laughs ]

**

WAIT.
STATUE, STATUE.
THERE YOU ARE.

[ Audience Tittering ]

** [ Continues ]

[ Laughing ]

SISTER SENFONE,
WHITHER DO WE GO,

PASSING OVER RIVERS,
CANYONS AND SNOW?

HURRY YOU,
FOR WE MUST NOT TARRY.

I DELIVER YOU NOW
TO THE MAN YOU SHALL MARRY.

[ Audience Murmurs ]

WHEN YOU HAVE RESTED,
AT YOUR LEISURE,

HE WILL COACH YOU
IN THE WAYS OF PLEASURE.

[ Audience Chuckling ]

AT LAST, SHE ARRIVES,
MY HARD-WON BRIDE.

[ Audience Murmuring,
Tittering ]

HURRY, MY CHILD,
SCURRY INSIDE.

THERE YOU'LL FIND
SUCH TREASURES AWAIT YOU.

MARZIPAN AND MERINGUE
TO SATE YOU.

SUCH GALLANTRY IN MEN
IS SADLY A RARITY.

HOW LUCKY I AM
TO RECEIVE HIS CHARITY.

THANK YOU, DEAR SISTER
FOR ABETTING ME SO,

BRINGING HER HERE
TO THIS SECLUDED CHÂTEAU.
QUICKLY.

[ Madeleine ]
STAND STILL AND BE QUIET.
WAS THAT GOOD?

[ Laughs ]
LITTLE DOES SHE KNOW
THAT TERROR'S IN STORE...

WHEN I TUTOR HER IN
LE CREME...

DE L'AMOUR.

**

[ Whispering ]
TAKE THIS SIDE OF THE CURTAIN.
ONE, TWO, THREE--

** [ Continues ]

**

QUICKLY, MY SUCKLING,
OUT OF YOUR CLOTHES.

MY SCEPTER AWAITS.
HOW SOLID IT GROWS.

STOP IT, I BEG YOU.
HAVE PITY I SAY.
[ Audience Gasping ]

YOU'RE NOT MY LOVER.
YOU'RE A MONSTROUS ROUE.

- DO AS YOU'RE TOLD.
- [ Audience Laughing ]

- STICK YOUR LEGS IN THE AIR.
- LEAVE AT ONCE.

BUT IT'S JUST BEGUN.
DO AS I SAY.

MADAME.

[ Pitou Groaning ]

**

IT'S TRUE, I'M A PIG.
[ Snorts ]

AND YOU'VE TRUFFLES
DOWN THERE.

[ Audience Gasps, Laughs ]

OH, GOD!
OH, GOD, WHAT'S THIS?
[ Snorting ]

SUCH A WICKED SENSATION.
[ Snorting Continues ]

A FEELING SOMEWHERE
BETWEEN SHAME AND ELATION.

- OH, GOD!
- [ Laughing ]

USE YOUR TONGUE LIKE A WAND
IN MUCH THE SAME MANNER
AS SISTER SENFONE.

LEAVING ALREADY?
OF COURSE, YOU'VE
SEEN IT ALL BEFORE.

[ Audience Laughing ]
[ Laughs ]

[ Cleante ]
I HAD A SUSPICION
THE SISTER WAS SAPPHIC.

I'D TELL YOU MORE,
BUT YOU'D SAY IT'S TOO GRAPHIC.

SUFFICE IT TO SAY
SHE'S A PREFERENCE
FOR LASSES.

EVEN AT VESPERS,
SHE ALWAYS MADE PASSES.

MY DARLING, DAINTY MORSEL,
GET ON YOUR BACK.

LET'S TRY IT DORSAL.
[ Uproarious Laughing ]

I WON'T ESCAPE.
HE WANTS TO TAKE ME
IN EVERY WAY.

I'LL PLUNDER EVERY LOVELY PORE
TILL YOU'RE WEAK AND CRY,
"NO MORE!"

- NO, MORE, MORE!
- [ Laughing Continues ]

GIVE ME THIS!
MORE! MORE!
[ Cracking Whip ]

[ Whispering ]
EVERYBODY, COME FORWARD QUIETLY
FOR THE NEXT BIT.

THEN TO PROVE YOU'RE TRULY MINE,
I'LL PLUNGE INSIDE FROM BEHIND!

YES, YES, YES,
LET'S DO IT.

AND WHAT OF MY LIPS?
WILL YOU SOIL THEM TOO?

WHEN YOU'VE BROKEN
EVERY OTHER TABOO?

[ Audience Howling ]
[ Cleante ]
...EVERY SLIPPERY HOLLOW.

IF YOU'RE OBLIGING,
THEN YOU'LL SWALLOW!

[ Laughing Continues ]

[ Dialogue Continues,
Indistinct ]

[ Audience Howling,
Actors Continue ]

** [ Building ]
[ Dialogue Continues,
Indistinct ]

MANNERS!

[ Muffled Screaming ]

- NOW THAT BODY HAS BEEN
BROKEN AND SWOLLEN,
- [ Marquis ] YES!

- [ Audience Laughing ]
- [ Bouchon Grunting ]

LUST, POWER AND GREED
ARE NO LONGER--

[ Madeleine Gasping ]

JULIETTE!

[ Screaming ]

[ Screaming Continues ]

[ Curtain Ripping,
Continues Screaming ]

TAKE HIM TO THE INFIRMARY.
MADDIE?

HAS HE HURT YOU?
HIS BREATH MADE MY EYES RUN,
THAT'S ALL.

[ Crying ]
IT'S ALL RIGHT.

- [ Abbe Shushing Madeleine ]
- MADELEINE?

DO YOU MEAN TO TAKE US
ALL DOWN WITH YOU?

DON'T BE ABSURD.

[ Man Yells ]
DISGRACEFUL!

IT'S ONLY A PLAY.

- [ Man Boos ]
- [ Applauding ]

**

THAT PLAY WAS FILTHY.

[ Applauding ]

[ Woman ]
IT WAS DISGUSTING.
[ Applauding, Booing ]

[ Applauding,
Booing Continue ]

**

I WONDER WHO'S TO BLAME,
THE AUTHOR OR HIS MUSE?

IT WAS FICTION,
OF COURSE.
OF COURSE.

IT WAS NOT INSPIRED
BY CIRCUMSTANCE.

IT CERTAINLY WAS NOT.
YOU OUGHT TO BE
ASHAMED, ABBE,

EXPLOITING THESE
PATHETIC CRETINS
FOR FINANCIAL GAIN.

THIS IS NOT
OUR INTENTION.
IT WAS A FREAK SHOW...

FOR TOURISTS
AND CURIOSITY SEEKERS.

CHARENTON
IS A SANATORIUM,
NOT A CIRCUS!

THE THEATER IS
HENCEFORTH CLOSED.

"CLOSED"?

AS FOR YOUR FRIEND,
PLAYWRIGHT EMERITUS
OF THE MADHOUSE--

I'LL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER--

DO MORE OR I SHALL BE FORCED
TO INFORM THE MINISTRY...

THAT THE INMATES ARE,
INDEED, RUNNING THE ASYLUM.

[ Taps Roof With Cane ]
[ Driver Cracks Whip,
Horses Whinny ]

[ Coach Departing ]

MMM. MMM.

WELL, I HOPE YOU'RE SATISFIED.

HE SHUT DOWN OUR THEATER.

HE CAN'T DO THAT.
[ Laughs ]
HOW CAN ONE MAN...

BE SO SELFISH?

WE MERELY HELD UP A MIRROR.

APPARENTLY,
HE DIDN'T LIKE WHAT HE SAW.

WHAT THE DEVIL ARE YOU
DOING WITH MY QUILLS?
YOU'VE LEFT ME NO CHOICE.

I KEPT MY PROMISE.
I DIDN'T PUBLISH.

PERHAPS, IN TIME,
YOU CAN EARN THEM BACK.

YOU CAN'T.

I'VE ALL THE DEMONS
OF HELL IN MY HEAD.

MY ONLY SALVATION
IS TO VENT THEM ON PAPER.

TRY READING FOR A CHANGE.

THE WRITER WHO PRODUCES MORE
THAN HE READS--

[ Clicks Tongue ]
A SURE MARK OF AN AMATEUR.

HERE.
[ Blows Off Dust ]

START WITH THE BIBLE.

IT'S CHEERIER
AND MORE ARTFULLY WRITTEN.

THIS MONSTROUS GOD OF YOURS?
HE STRUNG UP HIS VERY OWN SON
LIKE A SIDE OF VEAL.

I SHUDDER TO THINK
WHAT HE'D DO TO ME.

[ Scoffs ]

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?

STOP IT.

I'LL DIE OF LONELINESS.

I'VE NO COMPANY
BUT THE CHARACTERS I CREATE.

WHORES AND PEDERASTS!

YOU'RE BETTER OFF
WITHOUT THEM.

[ Slams Against Door ]
I HAVE A PROPOSITION.

- YOU ALWAYS DO.
- MADELEINE.

SHE'S BESOTTED WITH ME.
SHE'D DO ANYTHING I ASKED.
SHE COULD PAY YOU A VISIT.

I DON'T KNOW
WHO YOU INSULT MORE,
HER OR ME.

- PART THE GATES
OF HEAVEN, AS IT WERE.
- THAT'S ENOUGH!

YOU'RE TOO TENSE, DARLING.
YOU COULD DO WITH A LONG,
SLOW SCREW.

GOOD NIGHT, MARQUIS.

THEN BUGGER ME!

GODDAMN YOU, ABBE!

HAVE YOU NO TRUE SENSE
OF MY CONDITION?

OF ITS GRAVITY?

MY WRITING IS INVOLUNTARY,
LIKE THE BEATING OF MY HEART...

MY CONSTANT ERECTION!

[ Key Unlocking Door,
Door Opening ]

I'VE DONE
JUST AS YOU BADE ME.

I'VE PAID A VISIT
TO THE CRAFTSMEN.

HE LAUGHED
AND CALLED ME A WHORE.

TOOK MY MONEY
JUST THE SAME.

I DON'T KNOW WHICH
GIVES YOU GREATER PLEASURE:

THE OBJECTS THEMSELVES...

OR THE HUMILIATION I ENDURE
PROCURING THEM ON YOUR BEHALF.

AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST,

I BROUGHT YOU
SOME ANISEED DROPS...

AND SOME
CHOCOLATE PASTILLE.

DID YOU NOW, MADAME?

THEY'RE FILLED WITH CREAM,
YES?

YOU KNOW I SHAN'T TOUCH THEM
UNLESS THEY'RE POSITIVELY...

BURSTING...

ERUPTING WITH CREAM.

WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU BROUGHT
THAT I MIGHT NIBBLE UPON?

DONATIEN,
YOU MUSTN'T.
HMM?

TELL ME.
WHAT OTHER LITTLE TREATS?

SHAME ON YOU, TRULY.
[ Gasps ]

FOR FUCK SAKE, WOMAN...
BONBONS?

AM I TO SIT HERE GORGING MYSELF
ON USELESS TRIFLES,

SUCKING
ON YOUR LITTLE SWEETMEATS,

WHEN WHAT I TRULY REQUIRE,
WHAT I TRULY NEED...

ARE A FEW QUILL PENS,
PERHAPS A POT OF INK?

FORGIVE ME.
DON'T YOU SEE?

[ Crying ]
I'VE BEEN RAPED.

FAR MORE EGREGIOUSLY THAN ANY
OF MY WRETCHED CHARACTERS.
HOW WAS I TO KNOW, DARLING?

HOW WAS I TO TELL YOU,
BY WRITING A LETTER?

WITH WHAT, MY ASININE BRIDE?

I BEG YOU, DO NOT YELL.

AS YOUR WIFE, YOUR ONLY ALLY,
YOU MUST STOP MAKING A MONSTROUS
SPECTACLE OF YOURSELF!

YOU HAVE COME TO LECTURE ME?
TO FLAUNT YOUR DEVIANCE
IN PUBLIC UPON A STAGE?

THEY HAVE PUT YOU UP
TO THIS, HAVEN'T THEY?

YOU SHOULD COURT
THE DOCTOR'S FAVOR,
NOT HIS CONTEMPT.

THE DOCTOR? I OUGHT TO
CARVE MY NAME INTO HIS BACKSIDE
AND FILL THE WOUNDS WITH SALT!

YOU'RE HERE, SAFE,
SURROUNDED BY BRICK AND MORTAR.

MY PRISON IS FAR CRUELER.
IT HAS NO WALLS.

EVERYWHERE I GO,
THEY POINT AND WHISPER.

AT THE OPERA, THEY HISS AT ME
WHEN I TAKE MY BOX.

WHEN I WENT TO CHURCH,
THE PRIEST REFUSED
TO EVEN HEAR MY CONFESSION.

HE SAID I WAS ALREADY DAMNED.

WHY MUST I SUFFER
FOR YOUR SINS?

THAT'S THE WAY
OF ALL MARTYRS, ISN'T IT?

GIVE ME BACK MY ANONYMITY.
THAT'S ALL I ASK.

LET ME BE INVISIBLE AGAIN.

YOU TELL ME,
HAVE YOU EVER DONE ANYTHING
TO SECURE MY RELEASE? NO.

HAVE YOU PETITIONED
THE COURTS? NEVER!

SOUGHT AN AUDIENCE
WITH THE EMPEROR?
HOW? HE REFUSES TO SEE ME!

IT'S A CONVENIENCE
HAVING YOUR HUSBAND
LOCKED AWAY.

YOU NO LONGER HAVE
TO HOLD YOUR TONGUE
OR HOIST YOUR SKIRTS...

OR CRACK YOUR MOUTH
SO I CAN PUT IT TO ITS
ONE PLEASURABLE USE.

YOU'RE NOT MY WIFE!
NO, YOU'RE ONE OF MY
MANY JAILORS! OUT!

WHAT IN GOD'S NAME?
TAKE THIS COW AWAY!

I CAN'T LOOK AT HER!

PERHAPS YOU'LL FIND A PLACE
FOR HER IN THE WEST WING
AMONG THE HYSTERICS!

LOCK HER UP AS WELL
SO SHE KNOWS HOW IT FEELS!

[ Yells ]
THE SOW!

[ Crying ]

FOR A WOMAN OF HUMBLE ORIGIN,
YOUR WIFE HAS REFINED TASTES.

WHEN I SUGGEST GRANITE
FOR THE FOYER, SHE'S QUICK
TO COUNTER WITH PERUVIAN MARBLE.

PERUVIAN MARBLE.
IT COSTS A FORTUNE TO IMPORT.

WHATEVER HER HEART DESIRES,
MONSIEUR PROUIX.

I WOULD LIKE NOTHING BETTER THAN
TO GRANT HER EVERY WISH, SIR,

BUT ON THE MODEST SUM
YOU HAVE ACCORDED ME--

I'M AN ARCHITECT,
NOT A MAGICIAN.

[ Panting ]
I MUST SEE THE DOCTOR AT ONCE.

IT'S A MATTER
OF DIRE URGENCY.

IT IS CUSTOMARY TO WRITE
AND REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT.

DESPERATION HAS
DRIVEN ME PAST ETIQUETTE,
ALL THE WAY TO FRENZY.

MY SCHEDULE IS NOT SUBJECT
TO THE WHIM OF LUNATICS.

I BEG TO DIFFER, DOCTOR.
YOU WORK IN A MADHOUSE.

YOUR EVERY WAKING MOMENT
IS GOVERNED BY THE INSANE.

I PRAY YOU,
BE SUCCINCT.

YOU'RE NEW
TO CHARENTON, YES?

PERHAPS YOU'RE NOT YET
FAMILIAR WITH MY HUSBAND
AND HIS UNUSUAL CASE.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT,
MADAME,

ALL FRANCE IS FAMILIAR
WITH YOUR HUSBAND.

WOULD YOU GRANT ME
A MOMENT ALONE, PLEASE,
MONSIEUR PROUIX?

HUMBLY SO.
YOUR SERVANT, SIR.

UH, GENTLEMEN.

MADAME, PLEASE.

GOOD MORNING,
MADAME.

I ASSUME YOU'VE COME HERE
TO PLEAD FOR CLEMENCY
ON YOUR HUSBAND'S BEHALF.

YOU DO, DO YOU?
IT'S MY DEAREST HOPE,
DOCTOR,

THAT HE REMAIN
ENTOMBED FOREVER.

AND THAT WHEN AT LAST
HE PERISHES IN THE DANK
BOWELS OF YOUR INSTITUTION,

THAT HE BE LEFT AS CARRION
FOR THE RODENTS
AND THE WORMS.

I STAND CORRECTED, MADAME.

IF YOU CAN'T CURE HIM...

TRULY CURE HIM...

THEN AT LEAST, I BEG YOU,
HARNESS THE BEAST THAT
RAGES IN HIS SOUL.

THAT IS NOT EASILY DONE,
MADAME.

YOU ARE AWARE, ARE YOU NOT,
THAT IT COSTS A GREAT DEAL...

TO HOUSE YOUR HUSBAND
AT CHARENTON?

I PAY HIS STIPEND EVERY MONTH,
FAR MORE DUTIFULLY
THAN I SHOULD.

BUT THAT BARELY COVERS
THE COST OF HIS ROOM...

WITH NARY A PENNY LEFT OVER
FOR APPROPRIATE TREATMENTS:

OPIATES TO QUELL HIS TEMPER,

RESTRAINTS TO CHASTEN HIM
WHEN HE MISBEHAVES.

PERHAPS, IF YOU COULD
BUTTRESS YOUR ENTREATIES
WITH THE MEANS TO OBLIGE THEM--

I'M NOT A WEALTHY WOMAN.

YOU HAVE A PENSION,
HAVEN'T YOU?

- FROM THE SALE OF HIS BOOKS?
- IT'S TAINTED MONEY, DOCTOR.

- WHAT A BEAUTIFUL THOUGHT.
- WHAT THOUGHT IS THAT?

THAT THE ILL-GOTTEN FUNDS
BORN OF HIS DEGENERACY...

MIGHT NOW AFFECT HIS SALVATION.

IT'S BEYOND PERVERSITY.

THAT HONOR SHOULD CARRY
A PRICE TAG.

IMAGINE...

OLD FRIENDS DEIGNING
TO KISS YOUR HAND AGAIN.

"WHY, MARQUISE,
ENCHANTED TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

WELCOME BACK
FROM YOUR LONG, DARK DESCENT
INTO THE ABYSS OF INFAMY."

DON'T TOY WITH ME, DOCTOR.

NOW IS THE TIME
TO SECURE YOUR EPITAPH:

"THE BENEVOLENT MARQUISE,

CHARENTON'S MOST REVERED
PHILANTHROPIST"...

OR "SATAN'S BRIDE."

REST ASSURED, MARQUISE,

YOUR GENEROSITY
WILL SPEED YOUR HUSBAND
EVER FASTER TOWARDS A CURE.

THE PERUVIAN MARBLE
WITHOUT QUESTION.
[ Horse Whinnies ]

I'M ETERNALLY IN YOUR DEBT.
AND I IN YOURS,
MARQUISE.

DOCTOR, CAN I IMPART TO YOU
HIS CRUELEST TRICK?

OF COURSE.

ONCE, LONG AGO...

IN THE FOLLY OF YOUTH...

HE MADE ME LOVE HIM.

[ Opening Drawers ]

[ Spits ]

[ Knocking,
Window Slides Open ]

[ Whispers ] MADELEINE,
MY SWEET, CAN YOU SMUGGLE ME
A QUILL AND SOME INK?

[ Whispers ]
I DON'T DARE.

THE DOCTOR'S
GOT HIS EYE ON YOU
SHARPER THAN EVER NOW.

** [ Humming ]

** [ Continues ]

** [ Continues Humming ]

**

[ Thinking ]
DR. MONTALIVET WAS,
POLITELY PUT, DIMINUTIVE.

[ Marquis Continues ]
WHEN FLACCID, HIS MEMBER
WAS LITTLE MORE THAN A BOBBIN.

AND WHEN INFLAMED,
IT TOWERED A MERE FOUR INCHES.

TO COMPENSATE, HE STROVE
TO IMPRESS HIS LADY LOVE
WITH A HOST OF OTHER ENDOWMENTS:

FINE WINE, FRESH GAME
AND A HOUSE AS LARGE AS HIS
OTHER FORTUNES WERE SMALL.

WE'VE CEILING BEAMS
EN ROUTE FROM PROVENCE.

AND NEXT WEEK,
A MURALIST FROM PARIS ARRIVES...

TO PAINT
IN THE BALLROOM.

- DOESN'T THAT PLEASE YOU?
- VERY MUCH.

I WOULD PREFER BRANDY
IN THE SALON...

WHERE WE CAN SIT SIDE BY SIDE
BEFORE THE FIRE.

I'D RATHER READ, THANK YOU.

YOU PREFER A BOOK
TO YOUR HUSBAND'S COMPANY?

WELL, NO WONDER.
I'M ONLY FLESH AND BLOOD.

THAT'S NO MATCH
FOR THE PRINTED PAGE, HMM?

GOOD EVENING THEN.
ENJOY YOUR SOLITUDE.

[ Madeleine In Distance ]
YOUR LINENS, PLEASE.

[ Madeleine Knocking ]
YOUR LINENS.

NOW OR NEVER.

VOILÀ!

WELL, IF YOU WON'T READ IT
TO YOUR OWN MOTHER,

PERHAPS YOU OUGHT NOT
TO BE READING IT AT ALL.

IT'S NOT YOUR CUP OF TEA,
MOTHER.

OH, GO ON, DARLING,
GIVE IT A READ.

[ Clearing Throat ]

"MONSIEUR BOULOIR WAS A MAN
WHOSE EROTIC APPETITES...

"MIGHT DISCREETLY BE DESCRIBED
AS... POSTMORTEM.

[ Chuckling ]
"A HABITUE OF CEMETERIES,

"HIS PROUDEST CONQUEST
WAS A MAID...

SIX DECADES HIS SENIOR,
DECEASED A DOZEN YEARS."

[ Chuckles ]
[ Mother ]
THAT'S TERRIBLE.

OH, THAT'S TOO, TOO TERRIBLE.

WELL, GO ON.

[ Chuckles, Sets Down Quill ]

"THE VIGOR WITH WHICH
HE MADE LOVE...

MM-HMM.

"CAUSED HER BONES TO DISLODGE.

[ Giggling ]
"STILL...

"HE GRANTED HER
THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT
HE ACCORDED ANY WOMAN.

- [ Snickers ]
- YES?

WELL WORTH THE DIG."
[ Laughing ]

[ Laughing ]

[ Continues Laughing ]

[ Both Continue Laughing ]

[ Laughing Continues ]
[ Chuckling ]

[ Growls ]
[ Madeleine ]
YOU ASKED MY NAME ONCE.

IT'S MADELEINE.

SWEET THEN,
LIKE THE PASTRY.

HAVEN'T YOU A NAME
YOURSELF?

RIDE AWAY WITH ME SOMEDAY.
PERHAPS I'LL TELL YOU.

[ Hoofbeats Departing ]

[ Washing ]

** [ Women Singing, French ]

[ Women Stop Singing ]

[ Doctor ]
YOUR MOTHER MAY BE BLIND, BUT
YOU HAVE A KEEN PAIR OF EYES.

MY MOTHER IS BLIND
ON ACCOUNT OF THE LYE
IN THE LAUNDRY KETTLES.

SOAKING SHEETS FOR LUNATICS
HAS COST THIS WOMAN HER SIGHT.

THIS COULD COST HER FAR MORE.
YOU'LL GET MORE FROM HER
WITH KINDNESS THAN--

WHAT COULD CAUSE
A TINCTURE LIKE THIS?

I'M ONLY A LAUNDRESS,
NOT A DETECTIVE.
NOW IS NOT THE TIME--

PERHAPS YOUR KETTLES
ARE STAINED WITH RUST.

OR MAYBE
THE LYE IS RANCID.

OR MAYBE,
JUST MAYBE...

THESE SHEETS ONCE BELONGED
TO OUR FRIEND THE MARQUIS.

WE'VE OVER 200 BEDS.
THEY COULD HAVE
BEEN ANYBODY'S.

WITH SUCH A FINE
THREAD COUNT, DECORATED
IN HIS VERY OWN SCRIPT?

SHE'S LYING.
IT SHOWS IN HER FACE.

WE'RE CLEARING EVERYTHING OUT.
[ Grunting ]

ALMOST DONE, SIR.
REMEMBER, ANYTHING
HE COULD FASHION AS A QUILL.

HIS ENTIRE ROOM STRIPPED BARE.

SO THE DOCTOR
CRACKS HIS WHIP
AND YOU DANCE!

MY BED, GONE.
AM I TO FREEZE TO DEATH?

GO ON,
TAKE HIS RUG.

[ Man ] TAKE IT.
THAT'S A TURKISH WEAVE,
YOU IDIOT.

IT COSTS MORE THAN YOU EARN
IN A LIFETIME.

[ Abbe ]
HIS CHAIR.
FINE. TAKE IT.
TAKE IT ALL.

HERE.
THERE YOU GO.

AND THIS--
CAREFUL, IT'S SLIPPERY.

YOU'VE NO IDEA
WHERE IT'S BEEN.

LET'S NOT FORGET MARY,
SWEET MARY,

THE JEWISH WHORE,
GOD'S LITTLE HARLOT.

VIRGIN BIRTH?
AN ENTIRE RELIGION
BUILT ON AN OXYMORON.

HIS WINE.

FROM NOW ON,
NOTHING BUT WATER
AT EVERY MEAL.

WATER?
AND YOUR MEAT
SHALL BE DEBONED.

WHY THIS SUDDEN TORTURE?
BECAUSE YOUR WRITING
CONTINUES UNCHECKED.

I DIDN'T CREATE THIS WORLD
OF OURS. I ONLY RECORD IT.
ITS HORRORS PERHAPS.

ITS DARKEST NIGHTMARES.
AND TO WHAT END?

NOTHING BUT YOUR OWN
MORBID GRATIFICATION.
NO, I WRITE WHAT I SEE:

THE ENDLESS PROCESSION
TO THE GUILLOTINE.

WE'RE ALL LINED UP,
WAITING FOR THE CRUNCH
OF THE BLADE.

THE RIVERS OF BLOOD
ARE FLOWING BENEATH
OUR FEET, ABBE.

I'VE BEEN TO HELL,
YOUNG MAN.

YOU'VE ONLY
READ ABOUT IT.

I'M SORRY, MARQUIS, TRULY.

THESE CHASTITY
VOWS OF YOURS--
HOW STRICT ARE THEY?

SUPPOSE YOU ONLY PUT IT
IN HER MOUTH?
[ Yells ]

PIOUS LITTLE WORM.

IN CONDITIONS OF ADVERSITY,
THE ARTIST FLOURISHES.

[ Bell Ringing,
Crowd Chattering ]

[ Chattering
Continues ]

CURIOUS,
AREN'T YOU?

I FUCKIN' PLEASURE MYSELF.
I CAN PLEASURE YOU TOO.

YOU DON'T KNOW
WHAT YOU'RE MISSING,
DARLING.

I'M IN SEARCH OF A BOOK.
PERHAPS YOU KNOW IT.

I'VE ONLY GOT
ONE COPY LEFT.

RESCUED IT MESELF
FROM THE BONFIRE.

PLEASE HURRY.
MY HUSBAND LOCKS THE DOOR
AT DUSK.

SWEET LITTLE THING
LIKE YOU...

SHOULDN'T BE READING
SUCH FILTH ANYWAY.

I GREW UP
IN A CONVENT, SIR.

EVERYTHING I KNOW IN THE WORLD,
I OWE TO BOOKS.

[ Marquis ]
TO THE YOUNG MAIDENS
OF THE WORLD,

WREST YOURSELVES FREE
FROM THE TYRANNY OF VIRTUE...

AND TASTE WITHOUT SHAME
THE PLEASURES OF THE FLESH.

MALE POWER LIES
IN THE CLENCH OF A FIST,

BUT A WOMAN'S POWER
LIES ELSEWHERE:

IN THE VELVET CAVITY
BETWIXT HER THIGHS.

IT'S LATE, SIMONE, DARLING.

PUT YOUR POEMS ASIDE.

** [ Humming ]

** [ Continues ]

** [ Continues ]
[ Talking, Indistinct ]

[ Softly ]
BREAKFAST.

MADELEINE,
I BEG YOU--

[ Softly ]
WHAT HAVE THEY DONE
TO YOU NOW?

TORTURES SO UGLY,
SO MEDIEVAL...

EVEN I HAVEN'T THE WORDS
TO DESCRIBE THEM.

- GO ON.
- IF YOU HAVE AN OUNCE
OF PITY IN YOUR HEART,

THROW CAUTION ASIDE...

AND UNLOCK MY DOOR.

[ Softly ]
GOD HELP ME.

I DON'T DARE.
DON'T BE A DUNCE, CHILD.
I HAVE A SURPRISE FOR YOU.

NOW OPEN THE FRIGGIN' DOOR.

[ Jingling Keys ]

[ Door Unlocking ]

MY NEWEST BOOK.

IT STARTS AT MY LEFT CUFF...

AND CONTINUES
RIGHT ACROSS MY BACK.

THE LONGEST SENTENCE,
YOU'LL NOTICE,

RUNS THE ENTIRE LENGTH
OF MY INSEAM.

AND IT ALL COMPLETES ITSELF...

AT THE BASE
OF MY RIGHT SHOE.

[ Laughs ]

[ Laughing ]
[ Laughing ]

OH, MY.
"PIKESTAFF"?
YES.

[ Chuckling ]

YES.
[ Laughing ]

"NAKED ON A PLATE"?
YES.

[ Gasps ]
"ONE HUNDRED
UNHURRIED TONGUES"?

YES.

YOU'RE A GENIUS!
YES!

SHH!

GO QUICKLY...

SO YOU WON'T BE BLAMED
FOR MY MISBEHAVIOR.

MADDIE...
YOU TRAFFIC WITH THE DEVIL,
YOU'LL PAY THE DEVIL'S PRICE.

- [ Marquis ] SORRY.
- GUARDS!

GUARDS!
[ Laughing ]
YES!

- SHH!
- YOU'LL PAY! GUARDS!

[ Patients Cheering ]

LOOK WHAT I'VE BROUGHT YOU,
MY DARLINGS.

THERE'S SOMETHING WRITTEN.
TWO CHAPTERS;
ONE FOR EACH CHEEK.

[ Laughing ]

MY WRITING LIVES!
[ Laughing ]

[ All Cheering ]

TAKE THIS BEAST
BACK TO HIS CAGE!

DON'T TELL ME.
YOU'VE COME TO READ
MY TROUSERS.

DON'T KEEP ME IN SUSPENSE.
WHAT WILL IT BE? FIFTY LASHES?
A NIGHT ON THE RACK?

I WON'T SULLY MY HANDS
WITH HIM.

NOR SHOULD YOU.
THAT'S THE FIRST RULE
OF POLITICS, ISN'T IT?

THE MAN WHO ORDERS THE EXECUTION
NEVER DROPS THE BLADE!

[ All Yelling ]

[ Abbe ]
YOU'RE FORTUNATE
THEY'VE FORCED ME TO PUNISH YOU.

IF IT WERE
UP TO THE DOCTOR,
YOU'D BE FLAILED ALIVE.

WELL, THE DOCTOR IS A MAN
AFTER MY OWN HEART.

WHAT IN GOD'S NAME
AM I TO DO WITH YOU?

T-THE MORE I FORBID,
THE MORE YOU'RE PROVOKED.

[ Chuckles ]

STRIP.

YOUR BRITCHES AS WELL.

YOU STARTED
THIS LITTLE GAME...

YOU FINISH IT.

OR HAVEN'T YOU
THE COURAGE?

I THOUGHT NOT.

[ Removing Britches ]

IT'S A POTENT APHRODISIAC,

ISN'T IT, DUMPLING?

HAVING POWER
OVER ANOTHER MAN.

YOUR WIG.

YOU'LL NO LONGER
SPREAD YOUR INSIDIOUS GOSPEL.

FROM NOW ON,

YOU WILL NOT EVEN WRITE
YOUR OWN IGNOMINIOUS NAME.

ARE YOUR CONVICTIONS
SO FRAGILE,

THEY CANNOT STAND
IN OPPOSITION TO MINE?

IS YOUR GOD SO FLIMSY,
SO WEAK? FOR SHAME!

DON'T FLATTER YOURSELF,
MARQUIS.

YOU'RE NOT THE ANTICHRIST.

YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A MALCONTENT
WHO KNOWS HOW TO SPELL.

[ Footsteps Departing ]

[ Door Opens,
Closes, Locks ]

I SAW HER
WITH MY OWN EYES.

SHE PUT THE KEY
IN THE LATCH JUST AS PROUD
AS SHE PLEASED.

[ Whipping ]

[ Whipping Continues ]

[ Whipping Continues ]

[ Whipping Continues ]

[ Continues Whipping ]

[ Whipping Continues,
Crowd Gasping ]

FREE HER NOW!

LEAVE HER DULY STRUNG.

MADDIE.
[ Crying ]

IF ONLY BLOOD
WILL APPEASE YOU...

THEN SHED MINE!

NO.
GO ON.

NOW!

THAT WON'T BE NECESSARY.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO
MARTYR YOURSELF, ABBE,

DO IT FOR GOD,
NOT A CHAMBERMAID.

[ Crowd Chuckling ]

NOW PUT YOUR CLOTHES
BACK ON.

[ Crowd Laughing ]

HAD I KNOWN
YOUR TASTE IN NOVELS,

I NEVER WOULD HAVE
TAUGHT YOU TO READ.

[ Madeleine ]
DON'T SAY THAT.

READING'S
MY SALVATION.

BUT WHY MUST YOU INDULGE
IN HIS PORNOGRAPHY?

IT'S A HARD DAY'S WAGES,
SLAVING AWAY FOR MADMEN.

WHAT I'VE SEEN
IN LIFE,

IT TAKES A LOT
TO HOLD MY INTEREST.

[ Gasps ]

I PUT MYSELF IN HIS STORIES.

I PLAY THE PARTS...

EACH STRUMPET,
EACH MURDERESS.
OH, MADDIE--

IF I WASN'T SUCH A BAD WOMAN
ON THE PAGE,

HOW ELSE COULD I BE
SUCH A GOOD WOMAN IN LIFE?

[ Groans ]

THIS IS NO PLACE
FOR A CHILD LIKE YOU.

I'M SENDING YOU
AWAY FROM HERE.

[ Doctor ]
IT WOULD TAKE THE WHOLE DEN
IF YOU STOP THERE.

NOW THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
YOU UNDERSTAND?

I REFUSE TO PAY--

WE COULD LINE THE WALLS
WITH CHINESE SILKS.

OR, IF YOU PREFER,
A FLORENTINE TAPESTRY.

- ARE YOU A LITERARY MAN?
- EXCUSE ME?

I DO SO ADMIRE MEN
WITH AN APPETITE FOR...

BOOKS.

[ Turning Pages ]
MADAME, HOW COULD YOU?

HAVE YOU ACTUALLY
READ THIS VOLUME?

I'VE MEMORIZED IT.

THERE COMES A TIME
IN A YOUNG LADY'S LIFE...

WHEN SHE MUST
CAST BOOKS ASIDE...

AND LEARN
FROM EXPERIENCE.

THAT, MONSIEUR...

REQUIRES A TEACHER.

[ Sighs ]

[ Talking, Indistinct ]

OH, YES, COME ON.
WE'LL HAVE SOME FUN.

MADDIE, WHAT ARE YOU--
[ Closes, Locks Door ]

IS SOMETHING WRONG?

ABBE, DON'T SEND ME AWAY,
I BEG YOU.

I SHOULDN'T REFUSE
YOUR KINDNESS...

BUT MY HEART'S
HELD FAST HERE.

BY WHOM?
THE MARQUIS?

[ Sighs ]

MOTHER'S NOT HALF SO BLIND
AS YOU.

OH, MADELEINE--

THERE ARE
CERTAIN FEELINGS...
WE MUST NOT VOICE.

WHY NOT?

THEY INCITE--

THEY INCITE US
TO ACT...

IN WAYS...

WE SHOULD NOT.

NO.

[ Crying ]
WHAT HAVE I DONE?

GO. GO BACK
TO YOUR ROOM QUICKLY.

YOU'LL HATE ME NOW,
WON'T YOU?

OH... I LOVE YOU,
MADELEINE...

AS A CHILD OF GOD.

[ Sobs ]
FORGIVE ME.

[ Crying ]

[ Whispers ]
MADELEINE.

[ Door Closes ]

[ Rooster Crowing ]

[ Gasps ]
MADDIE.

YOU DON'T FEAR
THE MARQUIS' WAY ON ME.

YOU FEAR YOUR OWN.

IF YOU'D GRANT ME A FINAL FAVOR,
I'D LIKE TO EXPLAIN MYSELF.

[ Sighs ]

DON'T COME ANY CLOSER,
ABBE. GOD'S WATCHING.

MADDIE--

"MOST ESTEEMED
DR. ROYER-COLLARD,

"AT LONG LAST
YOUR CHÂTEAU IS COMPLETE.

"YOU WILL FIND EVERYTHING
IN ITS ASSIGNED PLACE:

"THE CHINTZ DRAPERIES,
THE ENGLISH BELLPULLS,

"EVEN THE IVORY DOORSTOPS.

"ONLY ONE DETAIL IS MISSING--
[ Gasping ]

[ Panting ]

YOUR WIFE."

TELL HIM I'M NO FOOL.

A PRISON IS STILL A PRISON,

EVEN WITH CHINESE SILKS
AND CHANDELIERS.

"BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS,
WE'LL BE LONG GONE.

BOUND FOR ENGLAND
OR POINTS BEYOND."

TELL HIM IF HE DISCOVERS
OUR WHEREABOUTS,

YOU'LL SLIT YOUR WRIST
WITH A RAZOR AND I'LL PLUNGE
A HAT PIN THROUGH MY HEART.

YOU'D DO THAT...
RATHER THAN FORSAKE
OUR LOVE?

NO... BUT TELL HIM I WOULD.

SIGN IT... QUICKLY.

THEN YOU CAN RAVAGE ME AGAIN
ON LINENS FOR WHICH
HE SO DEARLY PAID.

AND THEN, I BEG YOU,

ON THE BEARSKIN RUG
IN HIS STUDY.

AND FINALLY,
AS A CROWNING GESTURE,

WE'LL LEAVE PUDDLES OF LOVE
ON THE PERUVIAN MARBLE.

SIMONE!

SIMONE! SIMONE?

SIMONE?

STOP!
[ Gurgling ]

STOP! I BEG YOU!

I'LL WRITE DAINTY STORIES,
ODES TO VIRTUE.

CHILDREN'S VERSE.
I PROMISE!

[ Water Splashing,
Gurgling ]

IT EXCITES YOU, DOESN'T IT,
TO HURT ME THUS?

LOOK, YOU'RE SOLID AS BONE,
STRAINING YOUR TROUSERS.

[ Water Splashing,
Gurgling ]

[ Gasping ]
DON'T YOU SEE,
YOU SELF-RIGHTEOUS FUCK?

THE LONGER YOU CONTINUE
YOUR EXACTIONS,

THE DEEPER YOU ROOT
MY PRINCIPLES IN MY HEART!

[ Gurgling ]

HAVEN'T YOU SEEN...

A MAN NAKED BEFORE?

THE ABBE'S SENDING ME AWAY.

YES.

OF COURSE HE IS.

MARQUIS...

TELL ME ONE LITTLE STORY.

HOW DO YOU PROPOSE
I DO THAT?

WITH DUST UPON THE AIR?

WHISPER IT TO ME NOW.

CHILD, THAT'S
FAR TOO DANGEROUS.

I MAY NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN.

LET ME TRANSCRIBE IT FOR YOU,
SOMETHING TO REMEMBER YOU BY.

THIS IS NEITHER THE TIME
NOR THE PLACE.

WE'VE LOST.

I NEVER THOUGHT
I'D SEE YOU DEFEATED.

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF STORIES
I WOULD DEARLY LOVE TO TELL.
THEN TELL ME ONE.

[ Distant Voices ]

[ Laughs ]

PERHAPS I CAN.

TONIGHT, PLACE YOURSELF
IN THE LINEN PANTRY...

WITH A BOTTLE OF INK
AND A QUILL.

AND THEN YOU SHALL
HAVE A STORY...

THAT WILL
MAKE THE ANGELS WEEP...

AND THE SAINTS
ALL GASP FOR AIR.

[ Thunderclap ]

[ Rain Continues ]

[ Thunder Rumbling ]

[ Thunderclap ]

[ Softly ]
PSST, SHE'S HERE.

DAUPHIN. DAUPHIN.

DAUPHIN.

[ Dauphin ]
CLEANTE. CLEANTE.
[ Thunder Rumbling ]

[ Softly ]
PSST, CLEANTE,
ARE YOU READY?

[ Louder ] ARE YOU READY?
[ Softly ]
MARQUIS, IS THAT YOU?

FOR FUCK SAKE,
WHO ELSE WOULD IT BE?
HAVE YOU ALERTED THE OTHERS?

[ Softly ]
I'M NO LONGER A MAN.

I AWOKE TO DISCOVER
I'D TURNED INTO A SPARROW.

[ Chirping ]
[ Marquis ]
IS THAT SO?

[ Softly ]
WELL, I AWOKE TO DISCOVER
I'D TURNED INTO A CAT!

IF YOU DON'T DO AS I SAY,
I'LL SINK MY LITTLE FANGS
INTO YOUR DRUMSTICKS...

AND SUCK THE MARROW
STRAIGHT OUT OF YOUR BONES!

- HAVE YOU GOT THAT,
LITTLE BIRD?
- [ Whimpering ]

[ Softly ]
AT YOUR SERVICE, COUNT.

[ Softly ]
TO MY BELOVED READER,

PREPARE YOURSELF
FOR THE MOST IMPURE TALE...

EVER TO SPRING
FROM THE MIND OF MAN.

OFF YOUR HUMP.

DAUPHIN.
TO MY BELOVED READER,

PREPARE YOURSELF
FOR THE MOST...

IMPURE TALE EVER TOLD.

TO MY BELOVED READER,

PREPARE YOURSELF
FOR AN IMPURE TALE.

PSST,
BOUCHON.
HUH?

TO MY BELOVED READER,
PREPARE YOURSELF.

I HAVE AN IMPURE TALE TO TELL.

[ Bouchon Moving Rocks ]
PREPARE YOURSELF.

[ Rocks Continue Moving ]
[ Softly ]
BOUCHON?

WHAT DID YOU SAY?

[ Bouchon ]
PREPARE YOURSELF.
I'VE A TALE, AN IMPURE TALE.

OUR STORY CONCERNS
THE PROSTITUTE, FAUCHAU,

WHOM NATURE HAD EQUIPPED...

WITH A TIGHT AND TINY FISSURE
BETWEEN HER THIGHS...

AND THE MOST FINELY
CLEFT ASS EVER MOLDED...

BY THE HAND OF GOD.
[ Thunderclap ]

[ Chuckling ]

FAUCHAU WAS A PROSTITUTE...

WITH A TIGHT
AND DOWNY FISSURE...

BETWEEN HER THIGHS AND--

THE MOST FINELY CLEFT ASS!

THE MOST FINELY CLEFT ASS.

[ Continues ]
MY GLORIOUS PROSE FILTERED
THROUGH THE MINDS OF THE INSANE.

WHO KNOWS,
THEY MIGHT IMPROVE IT.

IT'S ABOUT A HARLOT
NAMED FAUCHAU.

IT'S ABOUT A HARLOT...

NAMED FAUCHAU
WITH A DOWNY FISSURE.

ONE DAY, FAUCHAU'S FIRST CLIENT
WAS A SURGEON.

HE RAN HIS FINGERS
ACROSS HER NAKED SKIN,

PULLING APART
FOLDS OF FLESH.

[ Cleante ]
HE RAN HIS FINGERS
ACROSS HER NAKED SKIN,

PULLING APART
FOLDS OF FLESH.

[ Dauphin ]
PULLING AT HER FOLDS AND--

[ Frannal ]
HE RAN HIS FINGERS
OVER HER NAKED SKIN,

[ Laughs ]
PULLING
AT HER FOLDS.

[ Bouchon ]
FEELING OVER HER NAKED SKIN.

HER NAKED SKIN.

NAKED--
YES, I'VE GOT THAT BIT.

"WHAT SHALL I MAKE READY?"
ASKED FAUCHAU.

"MY MOUTH, MY ASS...

OR MY SUCCULENT OYSTER?"

WHAT SHALL I MAKE READY?

MY ASS OR MY SUCCULENT OYSTER?

"NONE!" CRIED THE SURGEON,
BRANDISHING HIS SCALPEL.

- YES?
- WHICH HOLE?

MY MOUTH, MY ASS
OR MY SUCCULENT--

SUCCULENT OYSTER.

"FOR I'LL CARVE NEW ORIFICES
WHERE THERE WERE NONE BEFORE."

- NONE--
- CRIED THE SURGEON.

I'LL CARVE NEW--
NEW-- NEW ORIFICES
WHERE THERE WERE NONE BEFORE.

WITH THAT,
FAUCHAU EXPELLED A SCREAM
SO EXTRAVAGANTLY PITCHED...

THAT THE SURGEON WAS OBLIGED
TO TEAR OUT HER TONGUE.

[ Laughing ]
FAUCHAU EXPELLED A SCREAM
OF SUCH EXTRAVAGANT PITCH--

WITH THAT,
THE EXTRAVAGANT BITCH--

SCREAMED SO LOUD--
SHE SCREAMED...

SO LONG AND SO LOUD--

[ Bouchon ]
SHE SCREAMED, SO HE FELT
HE SHOULD-- HE OUGHT--

- [ Marquis ] TO SEAL THE WOUND,
HE TOOK A POKER FROM THE FIRE.
- A POKER!

- TO TEAR OUT HER TONGUE.
- [ Thunderclap ]

-HE TOOK A POKER FROM THE FIRE.
-FROM THE FIRE. FROM THE FIRE!

HE TOOK A POKER
FROM THE FIRE.

FROM THE FIRE.
FROM THE FIRE.

HE TOOK A POKER FROM THE FIRE.

FROM THE FIRE.

DAUPHIN.
[ Softly ]
FROM THE FIRE.

- WHAT'S THE NEXT BIT?
- [ Madeleine ]
BOUCHON, THE WORDS?

- TELL ME THE WORDS.
- FIRE.

[ Gasps ]

- DAUPHIN?
- [ Dauphin Gasping ]

- [ Gasping ]
- DAUPHIN?

[ Dauphin ]
FIRE!
WHAT'S THE NEXT BIT?

FIRE! FIRE.
WHAT'S THE NEXT BIT?

- [ Dauphin ] FIRE! FIRE!
- TELL ME THE NEXT BIT!

- YOU MUST TELL ME THE WORDS.
- [ Dauphin Screams ]

[ Bell Ringing ]
FIRE!

OPEN ALL THE DOORS!
LET THE PATIENTS OUT!

GET SOME WATER!
HURRY! COME ON!

GET SOME WATER!

[ Laughing ]
JESUS! WHAT THE HELL
HAVE YOU DONE?

[ Yelling, Indistinct ]

[ Both Continue Yelling ]

WHERE'S THAT WATER?

GET THE BEDS!
STOMP THEM OUT!

[ Panicked Yelling ]
FIRE! FIRE!

FIRE! FIRE!

FIRE!
[ Whimpering ]

[ Guard ]
WHERE ARE YOU GOING
WITH THAT?

BOUCHON?

BOUCHON?
[ Growls ]

REMEMBER YOUR MANNERS,
BOUCHON.

[ Laughs ]
DON'T--

- NO! NO! NO!
- MADELEINE.

- [ Continues Screaming ]
- MADELEINE!

- MADELEINE!
- MADELEINE!

[ Marquis ]
MADELEINE!
MADELEINE!

MADELEINE!

MADELEINE!
MADELEINE.

[ Inmates Yelling ]
MADELEINE!
MADELEINE!

MADELEINE!

MADELEINE!
MADELEINE!

[ Panicked Yelling ]

[ Yelling Continues,
Chandelier Crashes ]

[ Woman Screaming ]
[ Abbe ]
MADDIE?

MADELEINE!

[ Woman Screaming,
Man Laughing ]

[ Pandemonium ]

MADDIE!
IT'S AWFUL!

THE DEVIL'S UNLEASHED HIMSELF
UPON US!

IT'S HER FAULT!
[ Cat Screeching ]

[ Panicked Yelling ]
UP THE STAIRS!

[ Continue Yelling ]
[ Madeleine ]
NO! NO! NO!

[ Madeleine Screaming ]
[ Door Creaks Open ]

[ Screaming Continues ]

NO! NO! NO!

[ Marquis ]
MADDIE!
[ Screaming Continues ]

- MADELEINE! MADELEINE!
- [ Continues Screaming ]

[ Closes Door ]

[ Doctor ]
WE MUST SAVE CHARENTON!
KEEP THE CHAIN GOING!

WE'VE GOT TO STOP IT
BEFORE IT GETS TO THOSE BEAMS!

** [ Band Playing ]
[ Doctor Continues Shouting ]

** [ Band Continues ]

[ Screaming ]
GET HIM OFF OF ME!

PITOU!

[ Woman Screaming ]

MADELEINE!
MADELEINE!

[ Woman Screaming,
Inmates Leering ]

GUARDS!
GUARDS!
[ Whimpering ]

GUARDS!

BRIGITTE.
ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

[ Thunderclap ]
MADELEINE!

MADELEINE!
[ Footsteps
Running ]

MADELEINE!

GO! QUICKLY!

MADELEINE!

WHERE ARE YOU,
MY DEAR?

[ Reading Inaudibly ]

"SHE SCREAMED...

SO HE FELT HE OUGHT
TO TEAR OUT HER TONGUE."
[ Scissors Hit Floor ]

BOUCHON, WAIT!

[ Thunderclap ]
[ Gasps ]

I'M SORRY.
I'M SORRY, ABBE.
I COULDN'T HELP IT.

NO.

OH, MY GOD.

[ Gasping ]
NO.

[ Crying ]
OH, NO.

[ Continues Crying ]

[ Whimpers ]

[ Groaning ]

[ Rider ]
MADELEINE!

[ Praying, Latin ]

NOW, NOW, DON'T BE SHY.

WE'VE A NICE SURPRISE
JUST WAITING FOR YOU.

THERE'S A GOOD BOY.

HUH?

HUH!
THERE'S A GOOD BOY.

HUH?

[ Bouchon ]
I'M SORRY. WAIT.

I PROMISE I WON'T
DO IT AGAIN.

I PROMISE.

OF COURSE,
WE MUSTN'T BLAME BOUCHON.

HE IS MERELY ONE OF NATURE'S
EXPERIMENTS GONE AWRY.

NO DISCIPLINE,
NO CONSCIENCE, NO MORALITY.

IN FACT,
IT IS OUR DUTY...

TO PROVIDE SUCH THINGS
ON HIS BEHALF.

IS IT NOT?

AS YOU SAY, DOCTOR.

HE WAS SO IMPRESSED
BY THE MARQUIS' TALE,

THAT HE CHOSE
TO REENACT IT, YES?

UPON A CERTAIN
CHAMBERMAID.

PERHAPS YOU WOULD BE
SO KIND AS TO REMIND ME
OF HER NAME.

[ Whimpering ]
I BEG YOU, DOCTOR,
DON'T MAKE ME SAY IT.

HER NAME, ABBE.

MADELEINE.

TELL ME, ABBE...

WHEN YOU ARE CALLED
BEFORE GOD...

HOW WILL YOU ANSWER
FOR MADELEINE'S DEATH?

- MURDERER.
- [ Rat Squeaking ]

YOUR WORDS--

YOUR WORDS
DROVE BOUCHON TO--

OH, FOR FUCK SAKE, ABBE!

SUPPOSE ONE OF YOUR
PRECIOUS INMATES ATTEMPTED
TO WALK ON WATER AND DROWNED?

WOULD YOU CONDEMN THE BIBLE?
I THINK NOT.

AN INNOCENT CHILD
IS DEAD.

SO MANY AUTHORS ARE DENIED
THE GRATIFICATION...

OF CONCRETE RESPONSE
TO THEIR WORK.

I'M BLESSED, AM I NOT?

IT'S NO SECRET
THAT YOU LOVED HER.

I WANTED TO FUCK HER,
THAT'S ALL.

AND DID YOU?
IT'S NOT
YOUR PROVINCE TO ASK.

WHY WAS IT YOU NEVER
TOOK HER BY FORCE?
WHO'S TO SAY I DID NOT?

WAS IT IMPOTENCE?
NEVER!

THEN...
IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE.

I FUCKED HER
COUNTLESS TIMES...

AND ALL THE WHILE
SHE PLEADED FOR MORE.

WE INSPECTED THE BODY.

SHE DIED A VIRGIN.

[ Crying ]

[ Continues Crying ]

[ Shuddering ]

GIVE HER...
A PROPER BURIAL...

IN THE CHURCHYARD...

AT MY EXPENSE.

DO NOT INTER...

HER SWEET BODY...

IN THE SAME GROUND...

AS THE DEVILS WHO INHABIT
THIS ACCURSED PLACE.

YOUR TERRIBLE SECRET REVEALED.

YOU'RE A MAN AFTER ALL.

[ Spits ]

[ Sharpening Blade ]

I'VE OPIUM
TO NUMB THE PAIN.

[ Continues Sharpening ]
OUR INTENTION
IS PUNITIVE.

IF WE NUMB THE PAIN,
WHAT'S THE POINT?

ABBE DE COULMIER.

I'M HERE.

WOULD THAT I WAS
SO EASILY SILENCED.

[ Gasping ]

THERE'S A GOOD BOY.

[ Marquis Screaming ]

[ Screaming Continues,
Gagging ]

[ Gagging, Screaming
Continue ]

[ Screaming Continues ]

[ Grunts ]

[ Screaming Continues ]

MY, MY.

YOU HAVE EXCEEDED
MY EXPECTATIONS.

HAVE I?
I'M NOT THE FIRST MAN GOD HAS
ASKED TO SHED BLOOD IN HIS NAME.

I'M NOT THE LAST.

AND WILL YOU
SLEEP SOUNDLY TONIGHT?

NO, SIR.

PLAINLY PUT...

I NEVER EXPECT TO SLEEP AGAIN.

[ Footsteps Approaching ]

[ Sobs ]

[ Crying ]

[ Gasping ]

DON'T SEND ME AWAY, ABBE.

ABBE. ABBE.

ABBE--
[ Cries Out, Panting ]

[ Man ]
ABBE. ABBE.

ABBE. ABBE.

[ Pounding, Yelling ]
ABBE! ABBE!

[ Gasping ]
[ Pounding, Yelling
Continue ]

YOU BEST
COME QUICK, ABBE!

HE'S WRITTEN
ALL OVER THE WALLS.

[ Coughing ]

USED HIS OWN FILTH.

- MADE HIMSELF A KIND OF PAINT.
- DEAR GOD.

[ Gagging ]
THE STENCH!

FREE HIS MOUTH.
YOU MUSTN'T
DO THAT, SIR.

I MUST GRANT HIM HIS LAST RITES.
GIVE ME YOUR DAGGER.

LEAVE US.

[ Marquis Gasping ]

[ Groaning Weakly ]

[ Sighing ]

[ Groans ]
[ Shushes ]

I FAILED TO SAVE YOUR SOUL
IN LIFE.

I WON'T FAIL IN DEATH.

DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER...

PROVE YOUR INFINITE MERCY...

AND OPEN YOUR GATES
TO THIS MAN,

NO LESS YOUR CHILD
THAN ANY OTHER.

THERE IS...

IN EACH OF US...

SUCH BEAUTY...

AND SUCH ABOMINATION.

NO MAN IS EXEMPT.

FORGIVE HIM.

FORGIVE US ALL.

KISS THE CROSS.

MARQUIS!

[ Cross Snaps Off Rosary ]

MARQUIS!

[ Swallowing ]

[ Gasping ]

[ Groans ]

- NO!
- [ Screaming ]

[ Screaming Continues ]

[ Screaming Fades ]

[ Doctor ]
WELCOME TO CHARENTON, ABBE.

I'M PLEASE TO HAVE
THE NEW POST, SIR.

ARE YOU?
THANK YOU.

I'M AFRAID
OUR ENDOWMENT HAS SHRIVELED
TO A MERE PITTANCE.

WE ARE THE LAUGHINGSTOCK
OF ALL FRANCE.

HOWEVER,
ON A HAPPIER NOTE,

THE HOSPITAL IS NOW
IN MY SOLE COMMAND.

MY POLICY HERE
IS THAT EACH MAN
MUST EARN HIS KEEP.

THE CHARENTON PRESS, ABBE.

WE PRODUCE BOOKS
FOR THE DISCRIMINATING
COLLECTOR.

THE COMPULSIVE INMATES
SET THE TYPE.

[ Groaning ]

[ Doctor ]
THE LISTLESS ONES DO THE BINDING
AND PREPARE THE INK.

IT'S REMARKABLE, DOCTOR.

THE PATIENTS ARE
SO SUBDUED, SO DOCILE.

YES, THEY ARE AT PEACE.

THEY HAVE THE SATISFACTION
THAT ONLY A HARD DAY'S LABOR
CAN PROVIDE.

[ Abbe ]
I DON'T BELIEVE IT.

THE MARQUIS DE SADE?
YOU'RE ACTUALLY PUBLISHING
HIS NOVELS?

YES. EVER SINCE
HIS UNFORTUNATE DEATH,

THERE'S BEEN A SURGE
OF INTEREST IN HIS WORKS.

OF COURSE, I WILL USE
THE PROFITS TO RESTORE CHARENTON
TO ITS FORMER GLORY.

[ Woman ]
OH, DOCTOR.

WE HAVE A MEETING
WITH HERR BECKER AT 4:00.

HE WANTS TO PUBLISH
A SWISS EDITION...

ON GILDED PAPER
BOUND IN CALFSKIN.

THANK YOU, CHARLOTTE.
MY PLEASURE.

HAVE A LOOK AT PAGE 205.
I TURNED THE CORNER DOWN.

[ Man ]
COME ON, MOVE.
ON YOUR LEFT. COME ON.

NEXT ONE. GO ON.
GET THESE BOOKS
ON BOARD.

COME ON!
THOSE BOXES OVER THERE!

MOVE YOURSELF.
ALL RIGHT.

[ Yells, Indistinct ]
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!

[ Doctor ]
OF COURSE, EVERYTHING IS NOT
QUITE AS HARMONIOUS AS IT SEEMS.

[ Woman Yelling ]
I HOPE YOU HAVE
A STRONG CONSTITUTION.

MY YEARS TENDING LEPERS
STEELED ME FOR LIFE'S
GRIZZLIEST OFFERINGS.

WE STILL HAVE
A FEW INCURABLES...

PRONE TO VIOLENCE
AND PERVERSION.

SO...

YOU'RE MY SUCCESSOR, YES?

"SUCCESSOR"?

[ Sighs ]

LISTEN TO ME... ABBE.

LISTEN WELL.

I'VE STARED
INTO THE FACE OF EVIL...

AND I'VE LIVED TO TELL THE TALE.

NOW, I BEG YOU, FOR YOUR SAKE,
LET ME WRITE IT DOWN.

GIBBERISH, MY FRIEND.
HE RANTS AND HE RAVES.

IF YOU'VE
AN OUNCE OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY,

THEN YOU'LL BRING ME PARCHMENT,
INK AND A QUILL.

YOU'LL DO NO SUCH THING.
THIS PATIENT POSES A GRAVE
DANGER TO HIMSELF AND OTHERS.

[ Gasping ]

[ Continues Gasping ]

[ Grunting ]

ARE YOU ALL RIGHT, SIR?

[ Panting ]

DO YOU NOT SEE, ABBE?

"DO YOU NOT SEE, ABBE?"

SOME MEN
ARE BEYOND REDEMPTION.

NO. WAIT.
PLEASE.

PLEASE BRING ME A QUILL.
PLEASE?

WAIT.
I'M SORRY.

GODDAMN YOU, ABBE!
A QUILL!

[ Panting ]

A QUILL.

USE IT WELL.

YOU OWE HER THAT.

** [ Humming ]

[ Scratching On Parchment ]

[ Marquis ]
BELOVED READER,

I LEAVE YOU NOW WITH A TALE
PENNED BY THE ABBE DE COULMIER,

A MAN WHO FOUND FREEDOM
IN THE UNLIKELIEST OF PLACES:

AT THE BOTTOM OF AN INKWELL...

ON THE TIP OF A QUILL.

** [ Humming ]

[ Writing ]

[ Marquis ]
HOWEVER, BE FOREWARNED,

ITS PLOT IS BLOOD-SOAKED,

ITS CHARACTERS DEPRAVED,

AND ITS THEMES...
UNWHOLESOME AT BEST.

BUT IN ORDER TO KNOW VIRTUE,

WE MUST ACQUAINT OURSELVES
WITH VICE.

ONLY THEN CAN WE KNOW
THE FULL MEASURE OF MAN.

** [ Continues Humming ]
SO COME.

I DARE YOU.

TURN THE PAGE.