Original subtitles

LITTLE BY LITTLE

There are 40 head of cattle.

- 40? - That's what I wrote down.

We'd better check out the sheep market...

He's not here yet.

He'll be here soon.

That's the 542... TRN.

Here he is!

- How are things? - And how are you?

How are things? How's business?

- Who's he? - The guard.

Wait at the door!

How's the fishing?

They want fish everywhere. Everywhere!

In Norway, Switzerland...

It takes lots of fishing to catch lots of fish.

- What? - Hippos.

Hippopotamuses! What about them?

What's all that about?

They're 4-footed amphibians,

they damage the rice fields

and eat lots of grass and rice.

They should be caught and locked up.

It'd be easier to kill them.

I'll authorize you to kill two.

I'll notify the authorities.

- Bye, boss! - Good luck!

I ordered some donkeys.

Fourteen of them. We'll put them in a corral.

- They look fine. - Like Taboula's.

They're big.

Nice and big!

That's the truck that fetches the beans.

Little By Little

Import-Export

We've invested here...

in sugar.

Next year, there'll be a skyscraper!

Niamey will have one

bigger than the United Nations' glass palace.

That's magnificent!

Sit down, gentlemen.

I've called you to my office

to tell you that in a year's time

Niamey is going to have a tall building with 8 or 10 stories

built by Elnasser.

I think our company is rich enough

to do the same thing.

We mustn't let them outdo us with their 7 or 8 stories.

What do you think

about me going to Paris

to look for buildings with 12 or 15 stories

so we can surpass them.

Look at the map, gentlemen...

On the map are taller buildings with 10, 12 or 15 stories.

We need one in town.

Look at Dakar's tall buildings! And Abidjan's!

We must build them in Niamey.

So what do you think?

I'm against them.

Why?

I live in the bush with my herds

and Land Rover.

A multi-story building will make me lazy.

I'd want to live in it instead of in the bush.

That's why I don't want multi-story buildings.

But go to France...

Yes, I wish you bon voyage...

for your trip to Paris.

I hope you'll bring me a souvenir

of the most beautiful city in the world.

UTA reservations?

I'd like a first-class ticket, Niamey-Paris

for the big boss of Little By Little.

First name? Zika!

Little by little, I'll get my building!

Little by little, I'll be in France!

I'd like to build a skyscraper

More beautiful than the one in Niamey!

A letter for you!

Thank you. It's from Paris.

Paris? It's very pretty.

No, it's not.

What do you mean? It's the world's loveliest city!

95 Ave Champs-Elys�es!

Yes, sir!

- You have a big city! - Very big!

All the streets are alike.

Not quite.

Well, for someone who just got here...

What's the building we just passed?

The Hotel des Invalides.

Hotel des Invalides! I've heard of it.

Any blacks in there?

A little bit of everything!

Out back is Napoleon's Tomb...

and the Army Museum.

Dangerous cannons!

They were Napoleon's.

And you have some German tanks, too:

Two Panzer tanks captured during the Liberation.

- By Napoleon? - No!

Before is the Alexander III Bridge...

inaugurated in 1900,

the same year as the Eiffel Tower, for the Exhibition of 1900.

My God! 1900!

That was 68 years ago!

That's just how old I am!

I'm a man of the century.

You must enjoy seeing it.

Yes, I see it every day. Several times a day!

From everything I've heard

I get the impression

that Paris taxi drivers are living dictionaries!

Here's number 95, next to Fouquet's.

Fine! Wait for me, eh?

Come in!

I'm Mr. Damour�.

- How are you, Mr. Cabou? - Fine! Sit down.

So you just came, without any warning?

You know how telegrams are always late!

- Have a nice trip? - Very!

- I'm glad to meet you. - Yes, I had a good trip.

So how's business?

Receiving our shipments?

Yes, fortunately.

- Things are going smoothly. - Yes, thank you.

We want to build a multi-story building at home,

so all my associates agreed to send me to Paris

to look at some.

It seems you have some.

It's all we do have!

The aim of my trip is to see what they're like...

how people live in multi-story buildings,

and how... well, everything!

How long will it take to discover Paris?

It depends on what you want to do but...

I'd say your schedule is a heavy one.

It'd take maybe 2 or 3 months.

You'll have to learn Parisian geography,

east from west...

Wait! Let me write all this down.

You must study Parisian geography,

learn people's habits and customs,

the way they eat and have fun...

how they work, and go to work...

You must go where they go for a stroll,

such as the pretty woods around Paris...

If I write that...

people at home will never believe me.

They won't, because to them

Paris is a postcard of the Eiffel Tower.

Paris is a little postcard of Napoleon's tomb.

No, they'll never believe me.

The Eiffel Tower isn't Paris!

There's the...

the Church of... whatsit...

There are... the mountains...

but all that isn't Paris.

My good old Paris is wonderful!

It's wonderful!

It's magnificent!

Magnificent!

That's a mountain!

Hard to climb at least.

It's up all the way.

Dear friends...

you won't believe it, but I'm by an imprisoned river.

It's been strangled.

It resembles our Niger River...

in certain spots.

But... in any case...

They're both similar,

but you can see this river is unhappy.

The Niger looks fine next to this one!

Our river...

at home...

cannot be compared...

to the river in Paris.

I just received your letter.

The French have nothing to do on Saturday nights.

Paris is too tight for them.

The air is bad.

They want to go to the country. They go in cars.

It rains.

The road is no good.

It's all bad, but they want to go to the country anyway

to breathe some fresh air.

Paris is stifling.

No fresh air?

No, there's no good air.

French cows are ugly.

They look like hippopotamuses.

And wart-hogs.

Yes, they're frightening.

They grow fur coats for the cold winter season.

For them the Good Lord took special measures.

What's this weather?

In France, when night falls, you can go shopping...

or go for a walk anywhere.

It doesn't get dark all at once.

There's a sun, but what for?

You must look left, right, all over!

We use the sun as a guide. Not here!

Rue Bernardin...

Miss, where is Rue Bernardin?

There, to the left.

It's a "sir"! Sorry!

Sir, Rue Bernardin, please?

I think it's to the left, but I'm not sure.

Excuse me!

To the left... Thank you!

Sir,

I'm doing some ethnography for TV.

May I take your measurements?

Very nice of you. You're a good boy.

Thank you.

Remove the hat... there.

Thank you.

Careful... It won't hurt.

- You're from Paris? - Yes.

Are your parents in Paris?

Yes, they live in the suburbs.

- How old are you? - 23.

Why do you want all this?

It's for TV.

May I take your measurements?

- What's your name? - Arm�le. Why?

- How old are you? - 24.

Are your parents from here?

And you too?

Fine...

Now lower your arms.

Lift your arms a bit... Perfect!

Why are you doing this?

Parisians aren't underfed.

I'm checking your weight.

You're magnificent. Plump enough... Perfect!

Sir, may I take your measurements?

I'm a student in ethnology.

I need a set of measurements for my diploma.

- Got your card? - What card?

Your student card!

- Bye! Nevermind! - Listen... No!

Nevermind!

32, 42, 27, 54,

18, 17, 16...

Parisians really aren't good-looking.

They're small and not very fat.

Ugly with thick legs.

Worthless!

I'm 22.

From Paris?

- Your parents, too? - Yes, both of them.

Could I please see your teeth?

My teeth? Why?

I'm an...

ethnologist. I examine teeth.

I need only those of a young lady to get my diploma.

You won't refuse?

Not if you wish.

Can I see the rotten teeth?

10 rotten teeth.

- Is it serious? - Absolutely not!

I'll walk with you a little bit...

Miss, I'm doing a tooth survey.

May I see your teeth?

What do you want?

The number of bad teeth.

In my country we never have bad teeth.

I have 32 teeth minus 2 that never grew... 30!

- That's some data. - May I see them?

That's a nice suit!

No, it's a jacket.

What type is it?

A jacket, or a sports coat.

These are trousers.

Are they Tergal?

I'm not sure, but they're trousers.

- May I touch the cloth? - Yes...

Would you turn round?

You always wear shirts that color?

Yes, I like this color.

That's why you always wear it?

Quite often!

They're washable, eh?

Like I said, it's wonderful.

"Washing buildings."

In Niamey, they'll say I'm crazy

when I tell them they wash buildings!

What's all this?

Is that how you dress?

You dress that way? It's disgusting!

What's got into him?

- Why is he staring? - Has he been here long?

I never saw him before.

Parisian girls are very white

and beautiful with beautiful hair...

and faces made up with who-knows-what rice powder.

But the lower half isn't worth beans.

You're the devil's children!

That's not how to dress!

The top half is OK, but the bottom...

You see young couples

who put their mouths together.

So there's a lot of tuberculosis here.

They're like donkeys.

How are you, brother?

Those leaves must keep you busy!

You work every day? Even on Sundays?

- Even if it's cold? - Even then, yes.

You're from Senegal?

I recognize the accent.

From Senegal? That's fine!

Which way to the �toile?

Straight ahead...

Thanks.

How are you?

In good shape?

Magnificent!

Good evening, sir.

Don't be impolite, sir!

It's only polite to reply! Good evening!

I'll make a note

that being polite and getting a reply is very hard.

You say hello to a man, he acts afraid.

Has anyone lost a ticket?

Hello, children!

Hello, sir!

That's very sweet!

The poor teachers don't answer at all.

How can you educate children

if the pupils teach the teachers in this country?

The teacher won't answer. The pupil does!

Here the pupils educate their teachers!

Madam,

hasn't this chicken had his neck cut?

No, it's done electrically.

The current goes through it from two wires.

They're killed and the blood runs out.

So it is bled!

Yes, it comes out of the throat and beak.

In this country,

they don't cut chickens' necks

and they're bred flabby.

"Parisians eat unbled chickens.

"The grub is a mystery. A disaster!

"All the food is cooked in pig fat."

Why would he write such letters?

He's crazy.

Crazy for sure!

Someone should go after him.

He can't say the chickens have had their throats cut!

Writing such things!

No point in writing back.

He should go over to stop him from wasting our money.

Lam could go and stay with him.

Will they all go crazy?

I won't stay. I'll come home after two weeks.

My partner Mr. Lam.

Hello, Mr. Lam...

Will you take my luggage?

That's all you have?

To Paris then.

The sun's shining!

Come in!

Here's the hut we've rented.

Put the mat there.

The dining table...

And here's the bedroom!

The garden is there.

Look at the garden.

Yes, I see.

It's a garden for relaxing.

This must cost a lot.

Certainly!

That's why you didn't come home?

I've been resting!

And how are the women back in Africa?

Fine... at least as far as I'm concerned.

- You brought some kolas? - A few.

This is good.

That's all I miss here.

Be careful with them.

In your letters...

it says you eat chickens that haven't been bled.

You must be crazy!

We never eat unbled chickens!

You will in Paris! There's plenty...

with nice smooth necks.

You won't make me eat any of that.

I've only come here to take you home.

Just think, 10 million people live here!

10 million! The streets are like this!

Like opening...

a seed bag and feeding the chickens!

The people are all mixed up together!

Sometimes you get stuck or shoved around.

With a big belly you have to take it easy.

I'm ready to leave. It's starting to get cold.

- How long have you been here? - Winter's coming!

You didn't come here to stay a long time.

I came to do business for the company.

- Is that how Paris is? - That?

See? I told you in my letters.

All they care about is ass!

The women's stores all advertise ass.

- If our parents saw that! - That's the French for you.

See? No cars!

We can walk as we please.

We won't have earache afterwards.

When I said the trees are in cages... Like that!

I believe you. There are no birds in the trees.

It's sad.

It's that way all over France!

And it's hard!

It's artificial for the trees.

They're unhappy here.

There's lots of things: Traffic, noise...

Automobile fumes, carbon monoxide...

God wanted it this way.

First, they dig a hole in the dirt.

They begin by building the bottom

and then go up and up...

Look!

That's why they cut down the trees.

That's why the trees are sad.

There's not enough air for the trees.

Not one tree is moving.

They're going to live in holes. And then what?

They'll become mean.

Climbing is tiring.

My friend and I came to see...

if you'd loan me the plans of a multi-story building.

Do you need housing for the personnel?

They're already housed.

Already housed?

Personally, I have... six wives

and plan to take two more back with me.

That'll make eight.

You've seen buildings with 11 or 12 stories?

Yes, some wonderful ones in Italy.

You want to go too far!

It's a waste of money.

The gentlemen don't mind.

We'll see what's possible, then we'll report back.

We want this.

It's their job to do it.

They'll give us the plans and then...

- Will the 63 be long? - Sorry?

Will the 63 bus be along soon?

- It's regular. - Regular?

Here's the 22, madam, the 22!

22, 23, 24 up to 63! It'll be a long wait.

Don't be afraid, come on!

You're afraid of the hole? Come on!

There's nothing here! It just goes down into the hole...

You mustn't be scared.

We're at the same height as the trees.

Look at the trees.

France has four seasons.

This is the season when the leaves fall

and it gets cold.

When the heat comes back, the leaves grow again.

The view's better.

In this machine,

you can climb mountains

without tiring yourself out.

We're going to discover the mountain

and see what's on top.

But it's for old people.

Don't bother with that.

We'll walk.

Yes, but it's good to find things out.

Yes, the first time you go up.

We'll go down on foot.

See,

a man named Christopher Columbus.

Before him, nobody knew about America.

Christopher Columbus was a man

who got aboard his boat

and set sail from here.

He followed the sea...

not knowing where to.

He sailed off into nature.

Like a coastal pilot who sails off

not knowing where.

And one day,

he discovered America.

They had multi-story buildings.

Here?

So people did the same things over there.

Understand now?

Not quite.

Then look at the multi-story buildings.

Even taller in America!

We'll stop off in America via the ski lift.

Little by little, I'll get my building!

Little by little, I'll be in France!

I'd like to build a skyscraper

More beautiful than the one in Niamey!

Here we are. Multi-story buildings.

There are a lot. Too many!

Are there any inexpensive buildings?

That's no building.

It's unlivable, packed like sardines!

People live there?

You can see they do.

See? Look!

They look like blackboards!

It's crazy.

We don't want multi-story buildings like this!

Too large.

It's too big.

And the expense. It costs a fortune.

It looks like it has no people going through it.

It's piled up like rocks.

It'll happen to our country.

- Like that? - Yes.

Yes, but before that happens,

you'll be dead.

Your son, too. But your grandson will see it.

That's why Europeans who go to Africa

come to visit the bush.

Because they've no more room!

Not a forest to be seen!

- No forests? - None.

Look over there!

Can you go there? Who does it belong to?

Can you get there?

We'll buy a beautiful car!

Gentlemen?

It'll do 125.

Too fast! We'll break our necks!

Are these second-hand or new?

Here's a fine new Jaguar at 28,000 francs.

It's a sports model.

It'll do 155.

Here's a beautiful Ferrari!

Costs 36,000 francs.

That one's different.

Totally different!

Only one left?

It's the only one in the world!

But it's not a Ferrari.

Lower the windshield.

Unscrew it...

There!

That's what we need!

You like it? How about the Ferrari?

No, it's not a convertible.

We want a one-of-a-kind car.

It's not as fast as a Ferrari.

We don't need a Ferrari.

With dunes and ruts, speed is dangerous.

It's different at home, so no speeding!

- We like the windshield. - We like the air.

It's like in our Land Rover.

You want to buy it now?

You want to drive away in it?

- Buying on credit? - We'll pay in full.

You're going to pay in full?

But be careful with the windshield!

So 5.5 million...

You fill in the price.

Hello!

- Hows are you? - Fine! And you?

- How long have you been here? - A few days.

You're from Africa?

That's very interesting.

Would you like to come to my place?

What do you do for a living?

I've got a shop: My Behind.

Big bump: 20,000. Small: 15,000.

I'll do you a deal.

- Married? - Single!

- Children? - Single.

Excellent!

Come over to my place.

- Can you cook good rice? - Sure I can.

- With meat? - Fish is better.

Follow us then.

Come in, dear sister!

Thanks, dear brother!

Take a seat.

Close the window.

Is this your apartment? It's great!

It's totally magnificent!

Is the rent high?

Not much... A little much!

I understand.

- What's that? - That?

- Don't touch it. - Sorry!

It's our fetish!

Where are you from?

In my land, girls are as lovely as the night

and equally uncertain.

Do you know Baudelaire?

Baudelaire?

No, I don't know him.

I've only been in Paris a month.

What does it mean?

Ah, the grub!

I'll serve.

Wash your hands.

It's good, huh?

Say, you're an excellent cook!

You make good grub!

Tomorrow, my turn!

He's a cook,

a herdsman who can drive... He can do everything!

He does everything,

there's nothing to do.

What else do you do?

Aside from the shop?

I'm a model.

I model dresses. Want to see how?

Gladly!

May I use your bedroom?

Go ahead!

Don't come in, anybody!

Better be careful with that girl.

You can see she's not dependable.

I think she's nice. She laughs a lot!

That doesn't mean a thing.

We business men must beware of such women.

Little Red Riding Hood...

If it's warm, I take off the coat.

Little Red Riding Hood!

- It's not at all pretty. - Really?

Not pretty at all.

Take it off. It's no good.

I don't like it a bit.

No woman at home could wear that!

This is Gypsy!

Gypsy! There!

That's not so bad.

Like it?

Turn around... Come closer.

That's magnificent!

It goes to the ankles!

That's what's interesting.

It's pretty from top to bottom.

Who cares about the top?

He likes it!

We'll take her to Niger.

We'll make some money!

Mind my feet!

Mind the cage!

It isn't a waltz.

It's a slow dance.

For people in love.

Slow dances are for lovers.

There's no hurry, we have our lives before us.

Who'll give me a higher card?

I'm lower.

It was my turn.

How are you? We were waiting for you!

We're playing cards.

Sit down, make yourself comfortable.

She's beautiful!

Even her hair!

Carry on.

See? You can't do that.

You called me play cards?

No!

Damour�, take care of her.

Is it a typist's job?

We'll give you a test.

Sit down. All you need is there.

The machines aren't very modern.

They're from the flea market.

So... the date,

Paris... whatever...

"My dear Hugo...

"I've just joined with a company in Niger..."

One moment.

Faster!

"We've visited some multi-story buildings.

"We haven't yet chosen the exact plan for each floor.

"After looking around Paris

"from one end to the other..."

You shouldn't talk that way.

You'll scare her away.

See if she can type well.

I'm not fast, but it's well done. A good job.

- Some mistakes! - That's not true!

- You agree, then. - The presentation is nice.

OK, we'll initiate you into Africa.

A little typo isn't serious.

Soon grammar will be done away with!

You can have a drink. You've earned it.

So she's hired. In principle, we've agreed.

She'll do a good job.

- I agree. - Me too!

- Me too. - And you?

Hiring a white typist?

No reason a white typist can't wear a mini-skirt

showing half her behind.

Ever been to China?

We'll take you through a hole

that'll make you as yellow as the Chinese.

Hey, my hat!

Fancy cigarettes you've got!

Let me bum one. Got a light?

- Where're you from? - Africa.

You've got a great hat!

- Coming? - Yes.

- Where you going? - On the boat.

Don't bring that bum!

- Your brother's taking me! - Yes, bring him.

Let's trade hats!

You look great, man!

Does love exist in Africa?

Hey, Lam, what about love?

The more I make love, the more I rebel.

The more I rebel, the more I love it!

Can you love two people at once?

Two at the same time? No.

You can like one and love another

but not love them both in the same way.

The more you make love, the more you love the guy.

I think you can love several people.

I've gone beyond loving someone.

Now you want to BE loved.

It's all that's left for me.

I try to make myself loved.

And you go on loving?

All the time!

For me, love is out of the question.

You loved your wife when you got married?

I needed to get married, that's all! Love didn't enter into it.

Why did you have to marry?

We all have to get married.

- You're French? - No.

- What are you? - I'm African, a peul.

What's that?

A peul?

A man who lives in the bush with the animals.

You're a bush bum!

That's your hat?

That's a peul hat!

- Want to come to Africa? - OK.

- What'll you give me? - Anything!

There's a floor for offices.

Don't forget what we said!

No! Then there's the calves.

Then the various wives...

1... 2... 3...

- I've put 2 here. - 7 and 8...

That's exactly it!

I want to bring a pal along.

Who? Your hobo?

He's a pal, not a bum!

What will he do there?

He wants to herd animals.

Satisfied? Room for everyone?

See, my friends,

here's just what we want.

Here's how it looks.

This is the multi-story building.

The dugouts will be there, at the end.

The offices... Wife No. 1...

The calves here and lots of elevators!

2nd wife... 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th...

Then numbers 7 and 8, the 2 favorites.

I understand why the 2 girls are here.

But the hobo?

He'll see to the cattle.

The hobo's a bushman type.

- He never comes into town. - What'll he do?

- See to the animals. - Animals?

I don't like that. Why did you bring him?

Tallou! Tallou!

Europeans are dumb.

A pain in the ass!

How long you gonna bug me with this shit?

He drinks and gets drunk...

- Is it good? - Disgusting!

- He's going to die! - Go ahead, die!

- What's that? - Wine!

Is it good?

Can't live without it!

- Can I taste it? - Go ahead.

I'll try it!

Leave some for me.

Don't like it? Then eat your crap!

I will.

Safi, are you asleep?

Get up! You'll be late.

He's here. Time to get to work!

It's too hot to do anything but sleep.

What about us?

You're used to it.

Get up, it's time!

There's work to do. It's already 8:00.

Work!

Get up!

How much for the fabric?

- It's expensive. - 600 francs.

It's too expensive.

I could make dresses with it.

I'm a seamstress.

See? That... and that too.

Little by little

I'll get my building!

These elevators never work!

You have to wait half an hour!

Do you like your work?

- You like your job? - Very much.

So do I but it's so hot!

How much do you earn?

Not much more than in France.

About 75,000 francs, like in France.

I get 15,000. If you're not satisfied, go home!

Obviously.

Why, are you jealous?

Yes! I work better than you and I earn less.

You're not better than I am.

I work harder.

But we should get the same pay.

Hello, boss.

"Hello, boss"! Things aren't right here.

You have white and black secretaries

but it's a mess! Why?

Get back to work and don't argue!

He has 5 wives.

A man with 5 wives acting like that. He's a schmuck.

Redo this in time for a pickup at 6!

Is Madame Ramatu's dress finished?

She needs it for a ball.

Who's that? Madame Ramatu?

Hello. Come and sit down.

The boubou and blouse are done.

- I hope you like it. - Not at all!

I don't like it.

You don't?

Women never like what I make for them.

I don't like it.

But it's lovely!

You'll be a sensation in town!

Hello! Please sit down 'til I finish with her.

Sit down.

- Like it? - Not at all!

Fix it or I'll call the police.

The police? Then call them, madam!

- I don't like this. - I'll show you something else.

Safi, don't ever do this again.

Take your cloth!

Call the police! Call whomever you like!

Just get out!

These women are never satisfied!

- How's business? - I'm fed up!

I mean...

- What's wrong? - It keeps me awake at night.

I thought they were civilized!

Pity! So work instead of laughing!

Fishing's not easy with your system.

It's not easy with that.

- What's going on? - A fishing contest.

I don't know how this works.

I can't fish this way.

I can't cast!

- Let more out. - More still?

In 10 minutes you'll get something.

In 10 minutes? Nothing!

Here we go!

A fuel shortage?

Where's the invoice I gave you to do?

I've almost finished.

Be quick.

Dad's coming!

What the hell are you doing?

Look at this.

Damour�!

Yes, I called you earlier.

Tomorrow I'd like tea with lemon, not milk.

Yes, I'm locked in. Nothing to fear!

I'll sleep well. Make sure you do too.

Bye! See you tomorrow!

Safi, aren't you tired of this wedding ceremony?

I'm deeply moved. I'm happy.

Thanks for all you've done!

Won't you stay?

See you, Mustafa!

See you later!

Shoes here.

A flood...

Everyone on the dance floor!

Modern society needs capitalism.

Capitalism means nothing to us.

We don't know what to do with all our money.

Capital is there to be used.

What is love to you? I don't understand it.

It's an invention.

The question is, should it be reinvented?

Free love exists

in certain societies.

The question in the 20th or 21st Century

is whether free love is still valid.

I like you.

Hearing you talk about love.

Shall we dance?

Anything to drink?

No one asked me to dance.

Your AIka-Seltzer...

Wait 'til I'm awake!

It's time to wake up.

- How many? - One? Two?

One!

How's my wig?

That's my wolf's head you've got there!

Your wolf's head?

Oh, these captives!

With their ugly costumes and moustaches!

A wolf's head? My lovely wig!

Why didn't Damour� come?

He's not coming.

It's Safi's turn.

When a man has many wives...

Today is Safi's turn.

Tomorrow is Madame Locotore's.

When is it my turn?

The day after tomorrow.

Play some Mozart!

We want Mozart!

I don't understand.

One says this, one says that.

Who hired me? You or them?

- Who gives the orders? - I do!

He says I'm wrong.

He knows nothing!

So tell them it's OK.

If you want to learn...

Isn't this how you do it?

Faster!

My God, it's too hot!

I'm sleepy.

- It's boring here. - What shall we do tonight?

Sleep, I guess.

Like every night.

They say there are giraffes. I never see any.

Damour�'s forgotten all about us.

Sure, he's got 5 wives and 20 kids!

Why work?

It's the same here as in Paris.

They exploit people.

I miss the Champs-Elys�es. It was fun there.

Those white technical aides are something else!

Noticed how nasty they are?

Hideous and ugly with moustaches.

And glasses!

But where will we go?

Who's this spy?

I heard you!

- You did? - I'll tell the boss!

We don't care!

We're free to leave, we're bored here.

Why do you say that? I heard what you're doing.

- I'll tell him! - Go ahead!

Hello, Tallou!

- What is it? - I heard something.

What? Tell us.

Safi with Marielle!

Safi with Arianne.

They want to kill you and leave. They're unhappy.

You think he's lying?

I don't care. You're all schmucks!

He's right, huh?

I told you what will happen!

You're not happy. You're schmucks!

He's right.

I don't know what's wrong with him. Since I brought the hobo back...

He hates him!

Arianne and Safi!

I saw Tallou.

The informer!

He said you want to leave. Why?

We're bored and fed up.

I'm not used to this kind of life.

Don't go. You'll get used to it.

I'm bored, too.

- What's wrong? - Listen...

You get milk each day.

Coffee with cream each morning. And what else?

My job.

Like everyone else.

- I'm fed up. - You'll miss us.

If they're unhappy, let them go!

We're unhappy!

We spent a lot, bringing them here.

- They have to stay. - To work!

We didn't bring them here for nothing.

Women here don't like my dresses. They're jealous.

I work better than they do!

That should encourage you to stay.

Only the women could encourage me, but they won't.

What can I say?

You're not liked here.

When I tell people I work at Little By Little,

they say, "Oh no!"

"They're all thieves there."

You think I like hearing that?

Business is good.

Maybe we're too rich.

So what will you do?

- We're leaving. - To go where?

Elsewhere!

The business can't operate elsewhere.

It can only operate here.

We'll come back once we've retired.

So the decision is made!

You make me work from dawn to dusk!

I've had enough!

No mosquito net, no wine... Nothing!

And your pal took my watch!

I'm fed up!

I'm going back to Canada!

So go!

No hard feelings!

See you in Canada!

You can get a new hobo. Not a schmuck, though!

I can't go on...

A car's coming!

Let's try again!

Screw you!

My feet hurt!

Senegal's a long way.

I can hear something.

Going to Dakar?

Dakar? You've got a long way to go!

Can you take us part of the way?

Are you headed that way?

Every bit helps!

We'll both get in front.

I don't understand. They arrived only a while ago.

Yes, but it didn't work out.

We buy cheap things

and sell them at a high price.

That's capitalism!

They called us capitalists, and we are!

Do you think that's why they left?

Yes, many people don't like it.

Robbing people, buying cheap and selling at high prices...

It really is robbery.

Since Philippe left...

So it's got you thinking?

How are you?

- Is everything OK? - Not at all!

You did the right thing.

- No, I didn't. - You did!

You sent her away, she's gone!

In spite of myself!

That's not good.

But what you did was right.

We should have kept them.

Their jobs here didn't work out.

That's not why we brought them here.

Why?

To work.

They didn't do anything.

They only came for the money.

I'm glad they're gone.

You know, you're dummies!

It was hard to bring Frenchwomen and a Frenchman here

to help with the company.

He did his best to make them leave.

I don't care! I'm glad they're gone.

Get out!

As of now, the company is dead!

Why build buildings? Straw huts are better!

Little By Little.

We'll form Schmucks and Co.

We'll make slingshots and hunt birds.

We'll need nothing! What good is money?

- What'll we sell? - Nothing!

- How are things? - Fine.

- And the club? - Fine.

Heard the news?

The boss closed the schmucks' company.

- What? - The schmucks' company!

What's that mean?

He's ditched us?

He's quit the business. What'll we do?

This is blackmail. I know him!

He'll come back sooner or later.

I got a cheque for you to sign.

A cheque?

For how much?

1,250,000 francs.

Why the 250,000?

- Well... - I shouldn't ask?

Just trust me.

But aren't you the one who'll cash it?

It's for a company that worked for us.

You can't question that.

Go work it out with them.

Coming to the office?

Out of the question!

We'll be in the hut from now on.

We don't need an office anymore.

I don't understand.

No need for an office, or a company,

or anything! We're staying here.

I don't get it.

You mean you're closing the business?

You're staying here for a weekend or...

For good! Travel makes us see too many things.

That's good!

We saw how trains race after planes...

how cars race after trains...

mopeds race after cars, bikes race after mopeds...

pedestrians race after bikes.

It can't be helped.

A crazy race.

That never ends.

You deal with the women.

Civilization! Now we can walk.

Mouth to mouth, kissing women? No!

I guess you've retired.

No, we've simply stopped.

You can have life and crazy youth.

But no retirement for us!

Our aim isn't to overtake...

those you say are ahead of us.

Our aim is to prove to them that we exist.

We've started a new civilization here.

It's a modern one.

If our civilization carries on, life will be good.

As proof, we've both seen a lot!

So we're going to change civilization a bit.

Is it wise to set off without petrol?

To hell with petrol!

He won't reach Boubon.

He'll be fine, you'll see

He'll bring us some fish to eat.

That's no answer.

The answer? Keep it to yourself.

Little By Little is worldwide.

Little by Little got bigger and bigger.

It has nothing to do with us.

I've come to say goodbye.

I'm going to town to see some girls...

Cheer up!