1 00:00:39,500 --> 00:00:44,780 FEAR AND TREMBLING 2 00:02:27,020 --> 00:02:28,340 I was born in Japan. 3 00:02:28,780 --> 00:02:30,740 I spent my first 5 years there. 4 00:02:31,420 --> 00:02:32,340 Leaving Japan 5 00:02:32,540 --> 00:02:35,580 was for me a real uprooting, a real exile. 6 00:02:38,100 --> 00:02:43,260 So much, that when I was almost adult, I came back to live in Japan, 7 00:02:43,580 --> 00:02:45,140 hence to work there. 8 00:02:46,340 --> 00:02:48,260 I felt I could accept anything 9 00:02:48,580 --> 00:02:52,900 to resettle in the country that for many years I felt was mine. 10 00:02:53,100 --> 00:02:56,060 This is how I tried to become a real Japanese. 11 00:02:57,940 --> 00:03:00,740 Tokyo, January 8, 1990 12 00:03:02,700 --> 00:03:05,340 Mr Haneda was Mr Omochi's boss, 13 00:03:06,380 --> 00:03:08,740 who was Mr Saito's boss, 14 00:03:09,860 --> 00:03:12,140 who was Miss Mori's boss, 15 00:03:13,860 --> 00:03:15,500 who was my boss. 16 00:03:16,940 --> 00:03:19,740 I was nobody's boss. 17 00:03:20,260 --> 00:03:21,900 So in the Yumimoto Corporation, 18 00:03:22,100 --> 00:03:24,420 I'd be at everyone's "beck and call". 19 00:03:25,180 --> 00:03:26,460 But I was proud of myself: 20 00:03:26,660 --> 00:03:31,300 I'd landed a 1-year contract as interpreter in a big Japanese firm! 21 00:03:46,020 --> 00:03:48,740 The first morning, I jumped out the window. 22 00:04:05,460 --> 00:04:06,660 Miss Amelie! 23 00:04:08,380 --> 00:04:11,060 Why didn't you tell Reception you'd arrived? 24 00:04:13,340 --> 00:04:15,060 I'm Saito, head of accounting. 25 00:04:15,900 --> 00:04:17,060 Follow me. 26 00:04:22,700 --> 00:04:25,260 I'll introduce you to Mr Omochi, my boss. 27 00:04:25,460 --> 00:04:27,420 Please behave properly. 28 00:04:42,660 --> 00:04:43,300 Excuse us. 29 00:04:56,940 --> 00:05:00,300 That's Mr Haneda's office, the president of Yumimoto. 30 00:05:01,780 --> 00:05:03,980 You should never try to meet him. 31 00:05:14,980 --> 00:05:16,260 This is your work station. 32 00:05:16,460 --> 00:05:19,980 That's the desk of your boss, Miss Mori. 33 00:05:20,460 --> 00:05:24,300 She's in a meeting. She'll join you early this afternoon. 34 00:05:24,860 --> 00:05:25,420 Gentlemen! 35 00:05:27,060 --> 00:05:29,300 This is our new employee: Miss Amelie. 36 00:05:32,100 --> 00:05:32,980 Do you enjoy challenges? 37 00:05:32,980 --> 00:05:33,780 Do you enjoy challenges? 38 00:05:33,780 --> 00:05:34,420 Yes. 39 00:05:34,620 --> 00:05:36,340 Good. Here's one for you: 40 00:05:37,220 --> 00:05:39,860 Mr Johnson has asked me to play golf on Sunday. 41 00:05:40,620 --> 00:05:43,500 Write a letter in English to say I accept. 42 00:05:43,700 --> 00:05:46,300 Who is this Mr Johnson? 43 00:06:09,340 --> 00:06:11,180 The exercise seemed easy. 44 00:06:11,660 --> 00:06:13,580 I wrote a polite letter: 45 00:06:14,260 --> 00:06:18,780 "Mr Saito is delighted to play golf next Sunday with Mr Johnson, 46 00:06:18,980 --> 00:06:20,740 "and sends you his regards." 47 00:06:29,540 --> 00:06:30,540 Start over. 48 00:06:32,980 --> 00:06:36,300 Had I been too friendly or familiar with Mr Johnson? 49 00:06:36,700 --> 00:06:39,300 I composed a cold and distant note: 50 00:06:40,060 --> 00:06:41,620 "Mr Saito acknowledges 51 00:06:41,820 --> 00:06:46,820 "Mr Johnson's request and will play golf with him on Sunday." 52 00:07:02,460 --> 00:07:03,340 Start over. 53 00:07:03,540 --> 00:07:05,820 I wanted to ask what mistake I made, 54 00:07:06,460 --> 00:07:08,660 but my boss didn't tolerate questions. 55 00:07:08,860 --> 00:07:10,140 Start over! 56 00:07:18,100 --> 00:07:22,500 I had to decide how to address the mysterious Mr Johnson. 57 00:07:33,180 --> 00:07:33,780 Start over. 58 00:07:47,340 --> 00:07:50,980 I spent the next hours composing missives to this golfer. 59 00:07:53,740 --> 00:07:55,820 In the end, I must have tried 60 00:07:56,020 --> 00:08:00,060 every silly permutation of the words in that sentence. 61 00:08:08,140 --> 00:08:11,780 Miss Mori is back. You'll work with her this afternoon. 62 00:08:12,620 --> 00:08:15,660 Meanwhile, get me a coffee. A weak one. 63 00:08:25,020 --> 00:08:25,620 Miss Mori? 64 00:08:26,700 --> 00:08:29,940 I'm Fubuki Mori. Please call me Fubuki. 65 00:08:33,380 --> 00:08:36,420 I was transfixed by the splendour of her face. 66 00:08:36,860 --> 00:08:38,460 All beauty is moving, 67 00:08:38,660 --> 00:08:41,620 but Japanese beauty is even more moving. 68 00:08:42,980 --> 00:08:45,660 Lily-white complexion, soft eyes... 69 00:08:46,260 --> 00:08:48,140 a nose with inimitable nostrils... 70 00:08:49,020 --> 00:08:50,980 lips so perfectly drawn... 71 00:08:51,700 --> 00:08:53,860 The complex sweetness of her features, 72 00:08:54,260 --> 00:08:58,780 and her manners, made her a work of art that defied understanding. 73 00:09:02,540 --> 00:09:05,060 Except for her amazing height, 74 00:09:05,260 --> 00:09:08,300 Fubuki was Japanese beauty to perfection. 75 00:09:09,060 --> 00:09:11,180 Her face was like a carnation, 76 00:09:12,140 --> 00:09:14,940 symbol of noble beauty in ancient Japan. 77 00:09:15,660 --> 00:09:17,820 Perched on her towering silhouette, 78 00:09:18,020 --> 00:09:20,420 it was destined to rule the world. 79 00:09:28,100 --> 00:09:31,340 Yumimoto was one of the world's largest corporations. 80 00:09:32,100 --> 00:09:34,980 Mr Haneda ran the Import-Export department, 81 00:09:35,180 --> 00:09:37,620 whose catalogue was truly titanic: 82 00:09:37,820 --> 00:09:40,580 Finnish-Swiss cheese, Singapore sodium, 83 00:09:40,780 --> 00:09:43,660 Canadian optic fibers, French tyres, Togolese jute, 84 00:09:44,340 --> 00:09:45,740 they didn't miss a trick. 85 00:09:46,900 --> 00:09:47,860 At Yumimoto, 86 00:09:48,580 --> 00:09:50,980 money defied human comprehension. 87 00:09:51,180 --> 00:09:53,540 Beyond a certain accumulation of zeros, 88 00:09:53,740 --> 00:09:55,420 the sums ceased being numbers, 89 00:09:55,620 --> 00:09:57,740 and became abstract art. 90 00:10:12,420 --> 00:10:13,580 Good morning. 91 00:10:19,580 --> 00:10:23,060 All these documents were prodigiously dull. 92 00:10:23,260 --> 00:10:26,460 I used none of the qualities I'd been hired for. 93 00:10:26,980 --> 00:10:30,420 Or knew what my role in the company would be. 94 00:10:32,660 --> 00:10:37,100 But I wanted to work in a Japanese firm: I was in one! 95 00:10:38,780 --> 00:10:39,580 Above all, 96 00:10:39,980 --> 00:10:42,060 I was delighted with my co-worker. 97 00:10:44,900 --> 00:10:46,420 To look busy, 98 00:10:46,620 --> 00:10:50,500 I learned by heart all of the company's employees, 99 00:10:50,940 --> 00:10:52,540 and their marital status, 100 00:10:53,700 --> 00:10:55,540 including wives and children. 101 00:11:04,100 --> 00:11:06,980 The days went by: Mr Saito asked nothing of me, 102 00:11:07,180 --> 00:11:09,580 except to bring him cups of coffee. 103 00:11:09,900 --> 00:11:13,500 In a Japanese company, one's first job is the okachumi: 104 00:11:13,700 --> 00:11:15,980 "The honorable function of making tea." 105 00:11:16,260 --> 00:11:20,140 I applied myself to this role: It was the only one I had. 106 00:11:20,660 --> 00:11:24,180 For Mr Unaji, coffee with milk, 2 sugars, at 10 AM. 107 00:11:24,980 --> 00:11:28,220 For Mr Mizuno, 1 goblet of Coke per hour. 108 00:11:28,820 --> 00:11:32,580 For Mr Okada, at 5PM, English tea with a hint of milk. 109 00:11:37,500 --> 00:11:38,540 For Fubuki, 110 00:11:38,860 --> 00:11:40,420 green tea at 9 AM, 111 00:11:40,860 --> 00:11:42,500 black coffee at noon, 112 00:11:43,300 --> 00:11:46,420 more green tea at 3PM, a last black coffee at 7 PM. 113 00:11:46,620 --> 00:11:49,380 Mr Omochi is receiving executives from a sister company: 114 00:11:49,580 --> 00:11:51,500 Coffee for 13 people. 115 00:11:51,860 --> 00:11:52,820 Hurry! 116 00:11:54,700 --> 00:11:57,540 This humble task was the start of my downfall. 117 00:11:57,740 --> 00:11:59,140 Thank you for coming. 118 00:11:59,940 --> 00:12:03,900 Think of this meeting as the first of a series 119 00:12:04,100 --> 00:12:06,220 that will be held each month. 120 00:12:07,660 --> 00:12:10,220 Thank you for inviting us into the heart 121 00:12:10,420 --> 00:12:11,220 of Yumimoto. 122 00:12:11,420 --> 00:12:13,820 Please. Here is coffee. 123 00:12:14,300 --> 00:12:17,060 Next time you will visit our company. 124 00:12:18,700 --> 00:12:20,020 Excuse me. 125 00:12:20,860 --> 00:12:22,980 Do you take sugar or milk? 126 00:12:24,460 --> 00:12:28,100 Here's a detailed report on our results for the last 2 years. 127 00:12:28,300 --> 00:12:29,340 If you please... 128 00:12:31,180 --> 00:12:33,340 Please, here's your coffee. 129 00:13:03,300 --> 00:13:04,260 Saito! 130 00:13:14,940 --> 00:13:16,780 Who is this girl? 131 00:13:17,580 --> 00:13:19,500 What are you up to? 132 00:13:19,700 --> 00:13:21,700 Why does she speak Japanese? 133 00:13:21,900 --> 00:13:23,940 - Stop it at once! - I'm sorry, sir. 134 00:13:29,820 --> 00:13:30,380 Miss Amelie! 135 00:13:34,900 --> 00:13:36,420 Follow me! 136 00:13:41,420 --> 00:13:45,260 The delegation of the sister company went away angry! 137 00:13:45,620 --> 00:13:49,540 When you served coffee, you spoke perfect Japanese! 138 00:13:52,300 --> 00:13:53,300 But... 139 00:13:53,860 --> 00:13:54,900 Sir... 140 00:13:55,900 --> 00:13:57,900 I do speak Japanese. 141 00:13:58,100 --> 00:13:59,220 Be quiet! 142 00:13:59,420 --> 00:14:03,660 How dare you defend yourself? Mr Omochi is furious. 143 00:14:04,100 --> 00:14:06,660 The negotiation was called off. 144 00:14:06,860 --> 00:14:10,020 Those are very important customers for our company. 145 00:14:10,220 --> 00:14:12,340 How could they discuss secret matters 146 00:14:12,620 --> 00:14:15,940 if a foreigner understands us? 147 00:14:16,340 --> 00:14:17,980 Never speak Japanese again! 148 00:14:18,580 --> 00:14:19,500 What? 149 00:14:19,940 --> 00:14:22,980 You no longer understand Japanese! Got that? 150 00:14:26,620 --> 00:14:29,980 But my knowledge of Japanese 151 00:14:30,300 --> 00:14:31,900 is why Yumimoto hired me! 152 00:14:32,100 --> 00:14:33,620 I don't care! 153 00:14:33,860 --> 00:14:36,420 I, your boss, am giving you an order! 154 00:14:36,620 --> 00:14:39,700 You don't understand Japanese anymore! 155 00:14:41,060 --> 00:14:42,940 That's impossible. 156 00:14:43,900 --> 00:14:46,140 No one can obey an order like that. 157 00:14:46,460 --> 00:14:48,140 There's always a way to obey! 158 00:14:49,020 --> 00:14:50,900 Western brains must learn that! 159 00:14:53,580 --> 00:14:57,300 Maybe a Japanese brain can force itself 160 00:14:57,500 --> 00:14:59,740 to forget a language. 161 00:15:00,980 --> 00:15:02,620 A Western brain can't do it. 162 00:15:04,380 --> 00:15:05,820 Of course. 163 00:15:06,540 --> 00:15:08,100 I understand. 164 00:15:08,300 --> 00:15:09,700 But give it a try. 165 00:15:10,860 --> 00:15:13,140 At least, pretend! 166 00:15:14,820 --> 00:15:16,900 You've been given orders. 167 00:15:17,980 --> 00:15:19,340 Is that clear? 168 00:15:34,900 --> 00:15:37,580 Logically, I should have quit. 169 00:15:37,780 --> 00:15:40,380 But I'd worked hard to get this contract. 170 00:15:40,580 --> 00:15:44,260 I'd studied local business terms, taken many tests. 171 00:15:44,980 --> 00:15:49,500 In Japan, to resign so soon meant losing face. 172 00:15:50,100 --> 00:15:53,340 So how could I obey Mr Saito's order? 173 00:15:53,540 --> 00:15:56,740 If language is a forest, could I hide Japanese trees 174 00:15:56,940 --> 00:15:58,980 behind French trees? 175 00:15:59,740 --> 00:16:00,860 Mori, 176 00:16:01,300 --> 00:16:04,540 Fubuki's family name, meant "forest". 177 00:16:26,580 --> 00:16:28,500 What did the boss tell you? 178 00:16:32,780 --> 00:16:35,340 He ordered me to forget Japanese. 179 00:16:36,620 --> 00:16:40,300 Did you talk as you served coffee? 180 00:16:44,180 --> 00:16:46,660 I hate Mr Saito. 181 00:16:47,220 --> 00:16:49,500 He's mean, and a fool. 182 00:16:50,500 --> 00:16:53,060 No, you're wrong. 183 00:16:53,660 --> 00:16:57,580 Of course. You're kind, you don't see evil. 184 00:16:58,220 --> 00:17:00,260 Only a fool gives such an order! 185 00:17:00,900 --> 00:17:04,220 Calm down. The instruction didn't come from him. 186 00:17:04,420 --> 00:17:07,220 He only transmitted Mr Omochi's orders. 187 00:17:07,420 --> 00:17:08,500 He had no choice. 188 00:17:09,180 --> 00:17:13,060 Then Mr Omochi is a fool. 189 00:17:13,460 --> 00:17:16,980 Mr Omochi is rather special. 190 00:17:17,620 --> 00:17:20,420 But he's the vice-president. We can't do a thing! 191 00:17:22,700 --> 00:17:26,340 What if I spoke to the president, Mr Haneda? 192 00:17:28,180 --> 00:17:30,140 What kind of a man is he? 193 00:17:30,460 --> 00:17:34,740 Mr Haneda is remarkable. Very intelligent and very kind. 194 00:17:35,820 --> 00:17:39,180 But you have no right to speak to him. 195 00:17:39,500 --> 00:17:42,140 You may only address 196 00:17:42,380 --> 00:17:46,420 your immediate superior: Me. 197 00:17:48,820 --> 00:17:50,740 Thank you, Fubuki. 198 00:17:55,900 --> 00:17:56,980 I realize 199 00:17:57,740 --> 00:17:59,620 you can't do much for me. 200 00:17:59,820 --> 00:18:02,340 But I thank you deeply. 201 00:18:05,740 --> 00:18:08,820 Your kindness does me a lot of good. 202 00:18:10,620 --> 00:18:12,380 What's the ideogram for Fubuki? 203 00:18:23,660 --> 00:18:25,300 Snow... 204 00:18:25,940 --> 00:18:27,660 ...storm! 205 00:18:29,420 --> 00:18:32,740 Fubuki means "snowstorm"? 206 00:18:33,180 --> 00:18:34,580 What a beautiful first name! 207 00:18:36,700 --> 00:18:38,940 I was born during a snowstorm. 208 00:18:40,780 --> 00:18:42,420 Of course 209 00:18:42,620 --> 00:18:45,900 on a day when the beauty of the sky 210 00:18:46,460 --> 00:18:48,220 met the beauty of the earth. 211 00:18:51,100 --> 00:18:54,980 In the majestic city of Nara, with all its bells. 212 00:18:56,700 --> 00:18:59,460 How do you know it was in Nara? 213 00:19:02,580 --> 00:19:05,140 I studied the list of company employees. 214 00:19:06,020 --> 00:19:07,820 I, too, was born in Kansai. 215 00:19:08,780 --> 00:19:11,340 In Shukugawa, near Mount Kabuto. 216 00:19:14,660 --> 00:19:18,980 I'm glad we're both children of Kansai province. 217 00:19:19,300 --> 00:19:22,820 That's where the heart of old Japan still beats. 218 00:19:24,900 --> 00:19:27,340 It's also where my heart beats. 219 00:19:28,980 --> 00:19:32,300 I spent a delightful childhood there. 220 00:19:33,700 --> 00:19:37,140 It's where I lived until I was 5 years old. 221 00:19:39,500 --> 00:19:41,820 I, too, left my heart there. 222 00:19:47,660 --> 00:19:49,060 Back to work! 223 00:19:49,540 --> 00:19:51,220 I felt great inner peace. 224 00:19:51,860 --> 00:19:54,020 I was a co-worker of Fubuki Mori: 225 00:19:54,220 --> 00:19:55,820 "Snowstorm Forest"! 226 00:19:56,580 --> 00:20:00,540 I started serving without any courtesy formulas. 227 00:20:00,740 --> 00:20:05,620 The staff wondered how the nice white geisha became a coarse Yankee. 228 00:20:08,860 --> 00:20:10,420 But serving tea wasn't enough work. 229 00:20:10,420 --> 00:20:11,460 But serving tea wasn't enough work. 230 00:20:11,460 --> 00:20:13,300 Without asking anyone, 231 00:20:13,660 --> 00:20:15,860 I decided to distribute the mail. 232 00:20:16,700 --> 00:20:18,580 My trolley enhanced me... 233 00:20:18,780 --> 00:20:19,780 Mail! 234 00:20:19,980 --> 00:20:22,460 As did knowing the employee list! 235 00:20:22,660 --> 00:20:24,780 Here's your mail, Mr Shiranai. 236 00:20:24,980 --> 00:20:27,460 Your little Yoshiro is 3 today! 237 00:20:27,660 --> 00:20:29,780 Happy birthday! 238 00:20:35,780 --> 00:20:38,860 This task also enabled me, several times a day, 239 00:20:39,180 --> 00:20:42,060 to play "throwing myself into the view." 240 00:20:58,540 --> 00:20:59,380 Miss Amelie! 241 00:21:00,300 --> 00:21:01,300 Come here! 242 00:21:08,660 --> 00:21:11,700 You took on a function without asking a superior. 243 00:21:12,300 --> 00:21:14,380 That's a serious offense. 244 00:21:17,780 --> 00:21:20,700 The company mailman, who starts in the afternoon 245 00:21:20,900 --> 00:21:23,100 is close to a nervous breakdown. 246 00:21:23,500 --> 00:21:25,260 He thought he'd been fired. 247 00:21:25,860 --> 00:21:27,700 Please forgive me. 248 00:21:29,140 --> 00:21:32,020 Stealing someone's work is a very bad deed! 249 00:21:32,220 --> 00:21:36,260 You're entirely right. May I go apologize? 250 00:21:38,740 --> 00:21:40,940 Go back to work! 251 00:21:44,020 --> 00:21:46,500 What work? I had nothing to do! 252 00:21:48,740 --> 00:21:49,700 Sir? 253 00:21:52,460 --> 00:21:55,700 The calendars here are rarely up to date. 254 00:21:57,420 --> 00:21:59,540 May I update them? 255 00:21:59,740 --> 00:22:00,700 Sure. 256 00:22:03,260 --> 00:22:04,620 At last I had a real job! 257 00:22:12,700 --> 00:22:14,580 Advancer-and-turner of calendars! 258 00:22:37,420 --> 00:22:39,020 I liked my new job. 259 00:22:39,300 --> 00:22:40,860 It amused my audience! 260 00:22:41,060 --> 00:22:43,820 Not too tired? It must be exhausting! 261 00:22:44,020 --> 00:22:47,180 Yes, I'm taking vitamins! 262 00:22:54,820 --> 00:22:55,860 Thank you. 263 00:23:13,820 --> 00:23:15,780 This peaked at the end of February. 264 00:23:15,980 --> 00:23:17,140 I had to turn, 265 00:23:17,580 --> 00:23:19,620 or rip off the month's page! 266 00:23:58,260 --> 00:23:59,860 Banzai! 267 00:24:08,860 --> 00:24:12,700 You said I could update the calendars. 268 00:24:13,300 --> 00:24:14,540 That's no problem. 269 00:24:15,060 --> 00:24:17,300 But don't make it a spectacle! 270 00:24:18,660 --> 00:24:20,300 You're distracting the staff. 271 00:24:22,020 --> 00:24:23,620 Photocopy this for me. 272 00:24:51,380 --> 00:24:53,220 They're off-centre. 273 00:24:56,060 --> 00:24:56,700 Start over! 274 00:25:41,980 --> 00:25:44,340 They're still off-centre. 275 00:25:44,540 --> 00:25:45,700 That's not true! 276 00:25:45,900 --> 00:25:47,060 Not true? 277 00:25:47,260 --> 00:25:49,980 It's bad manners to say that to a superior. 278 00:25:51,020 --> 00:25:52,540 I'm sorry. 279 00:25:52,980 --> 00:25:56,540 But I made sure my photocopies were perfect. 280 00:25:56,740 --> 00:25:58,540 They're not! 281 00:25:58,740 --> 00:26:00,180 Look! 282 00:26:02,860 --> 00:26:04,140 What's wrong with it? 283 00:26:05,140 --> 00:26:06,820 There, see? 284 00:26:07,020 --> 00:26:09,820 The text isn't absolutely parallel. 285 00:26:10,220 --> 00:26:11,820 You think so? 286 00:26:12,020 --> 00:26:13,900 If I say so, yes! 287 00:26:15,620 --> 00:26:17,580 Did you use the automatic feed? 288 00:26:17,780 --> 00:26:18,380 Yes. 289 00:26:19,020 --> 00:26:22,740 That's why. Don't use it. It's not accurate enough. 290 00:26:25,140 --> 00:26:28,220 But then it will take me hours. 291 00:26:29,020 --> 00:26:31,540 So what? You weren't busy enough! 292 00:26:32,460 --> 00:26:34,900 I got it: I was being punished 293 00:26:35,100 --> 00:26:36,500 for the calendar affair. 294 00:27:41,580 --> 00:27:45,020 I finally read what I had to photocopy so carefully. 295 00:27:49,580 --> 00:27:52,380 The rules of Mr Saito's golf club! 296 00:27:53,940 --> 00:27:56,140 Suddenly I had an appalling vision: 297 00:27:56,500 --> 00:28:00,900 Japan's forests were being razed to punish a nobody like me! 298 00:28:06,780 --> 00:28:10,820 I was reminded that Fubuki's family name meant forest. 299 00:28:26,780 --> 00:28:28,340 Good evening. I'm... 300 00:28:28,540 --> 00:28:29,700 Mr Tenshi. 301 00:28:30,620 --> 00:28:32,700 You're head of dairy products. 302 00:28:32,900 --> 00:28:34,620 - Yes. - You're going to... 303 00:28:35,460 --> 00:28:39,100 Yes, I'll photocopy them myself. It's late. 304 00:28:39,300 --> 00:28:41,020 There's no one left in my department. 305 00:28:41,220 --> 00:28:42,260 Please. Go ahead. 306 00:28:47,020 --> 00:28:49,700 Why don't you use the automatic feed? 307 00:28:50,180 --> 00:28:51,820 Mr Saito's orders. 308 00:28:53,340 --> 00:28:54,340 I see. 309 00:29:07,460 --> 00:29:09,300 You're Belgian, aren't you? 310 00:29:09,940 --> 00:29:10,660 Yes. 311 00:29:11,340 --> 00:29:15,220 Good. I have an interesting project with your country. 312 00:29:15,420 --> 00:29:18,340 Would you agree to do a survey for me? 313 00:29:19,420 --> 00:29:20,900 Here's what it's about: 314 00:29:21,100 --> 00:29:22,980 A Belgian cooperative 315 00:29:23,220 --> 00:29:26,940 has developed a new process to remove fat from butter. 316 00:29:27,140 --> 00:29:28,180 I think it will work. 317 00:29:28,380 --> 00:29:30,620 I believe in low-fat butter. 318 00:29:32,140 --> 00:29:34,220 So do I, I always have! 319 00:29:34,420 --> 00:29:37,180 Can you come to my office tomorrow? 320 00:30:12,260 --> 00:30:13,540 Good morning. 321 00:30:14,060 --> 00:30:17,300 Mr Saito says to start over. They're off-centre. 322 00:30:17,500 --> 00:30:19,180 He didn't look at them! 323 00:30:19,580 --> 00:30:22,740 I calibrated them one by one. Took me hours! 324 00:30:22,940 --> 00:30:25,180 All for the rules of his golf club! 325 00:30:25,380 --> 00:30:26,620 He's torturing you. 326 00:30:26,820 --> 00:30:29,060 Don't worry. It amuses me! 327 00:30:30,620 --> 00:30:31,780 Fubuki... 328 00:30:31,980 --> 00:30:35,940 You're so nice. I'm glad you're here. 329 00:30:47,900 --> 00:30:51,300 I need a full, very detailed, report 330 00:30:51,620 --> 00:30:53,740 on this new low-fat butter. 331 00:30:53,940 --> 00:30:56,580 You can use Mr Saitama's office: 332 00:30:57,180 --> 00:30:59,260 He's on a business trip. 333 00:30:59,740 --> 00:31:01,420 All right, I'll go there. 334 00:31:04,020 --> 00:31:05,900 "Tenshi" means "angel". 335 00:31:06,140 --> 00:31:08,340 Mr Tenshi's name suited him perfectly. 336 00:31:08,980 --> 00:31:10,860 He gave me a free hand, 337 00:31:11,060 --> 00:31:13,340 and had taken the initiative alone. 338 00:31:14,020 --> 00:31:16,700 In Japan, that's rare, he took a big risk! 339 00:31:17,580 --> 00:31:20,620 I now felt totally devoted to Mr Tenshi, 340 00:31:20,860 --> 00:31:23,300 the devotion every Japanese owes his boss. 341 00:31:23,940 --> 00:31:27,180 I'd fight for him to the end, like a samurai! 342 00:31:27,420 --> 00:31:29,460 Has the Ministry of Health done surveys 343 00:31:29,660 --> 00:31:32,460 on new food habits in Japan? 344 00:31:32,660 --> 00:31:33,900 Yes, we have. 345 00:31:34,100 --> 00:31:36,220 As you'll see, 346 00:31:36,420 --> 00:31:38,020 by consuming more butter, 347 00:31:38,220 --> 00:31:41,740 obesity and heart disease are gaining ground. 348 00:31:42,620 --> 00:31:44,780 Are you the sole owners of this patent? 349 00:31:44,980 --> 00:31:48,340 Yes, we are. It's a totally new technique. 350 00:31:48,660 --> 00:31:52,100 It has great advantages over former methods. 351 00:31:52,300 --> 00:31:54,220 I'll fax you all this at once. 352 00:31:54,420 --> 00:31:55,780 Thanks! 353 00:31:56,060 --> 00:31:58,140 You've been so helpful! 354 00:31:58,500 --> 00:31:59,940 Give Belgium a big hug for me. 355 00:32:00,140 --> 00:32:01,340 Sure. See you soon, I hope. 356 00:32:01,540 --> 00:32:02,700 See you soon! 357 00:32:12,660 --> 00:32:14,300 I didn't sleep all night. 358 00:32:20,460 --> 00:32:22,420 And I wrote the report of the century! 359 00:32:33,460 --> 00:32:35,940 Better, but still not perfect. 360 00:32:36,620 --> 00:32:37,820 Start over! 361 00:32:47,500 --> 00:32:50,260 A great report, and you did it so fast! 362 00:32:52,220 --> 00:32:55,100 In the meeting, may I say you're its author? 363 00:32:56,180 --> 00:32:59,780 Better not. Your initiative would be criticized. 364 00:33:00,220 --> 00:33:02,420 You're right. 365 00:33:02,620 --> 00:33:05,220 But I could suggest 366 00:33:05,700 --> 00:33:07,780 to Mr Saito and Mr Omochi 367 00:33:07,980 --> 00:33:11,420 that you'd be useful to me. Would Mr Saito mind? 368 00:33:12,700 --> 00:33:15,540 On the contrary. As you can see 369 00:33:15,860 --> 00:33:18,260 he'll be glad to be rid of me. 370 00:33:19,020 --> 00:33:23,860 You won't be offended if I attribute your report to myself? 371 00:33:25,300 --> 00:33:28,580 No, I'd be honoured if you took credit for it. 372 00:33:34,420 --> 00:33:36,700 We parted with high mutual esteem. 373 00:33:37,020 --> 00:33:39,540 I looked forward to the future with confidence. 374 00:33:44,380 --> 00:33:46,660 I thought I knew what a scolding was. 375 00:33:46,980 --> 00:33:50,020 What I got a few days later showed my ignorance. 376 00:33:51,380 --> 00:33:54,700 I instantly read the look on Mr Tenshi's face: 377 00:33:55,580 --> 00:33:57,740 "We'll endure a terrible ordeal, 378 00:33:58,260 --> 00:33:59,900 "but we'll endure it together." 379 00:34:00,100 --> 00:34:02,660 You're both traitors! Evil snakes! 380 00:34:02,860 --> 00:34:04,140 Sly and deceitful! 381 00:34:04,340 --> 00:34:08,140 Suddenly, I understood many aspects of Japanese history. 382 00:34:08,740 --> 00:34:13,100 To make the screaming stop, I'd have invaded Manchuria, 383 00:34:14,060 --> 00:34:17,580 persecuted the Chinese, died for the Emperor, 384 00:34:18,220 --> 00:34:20,740 crashed my plane on an American warship, 385 00:34:21,340 --> 00:34:24,020 even worked for two Yumimoto companies! 386 00:34:24,340 --> 00:34:25,500 You, Mr Tenshi 387 00:34:25,700 --> 00:34:29,300 only schemed to sabotage the company! 388 00:34:30,020 --> 00:34:33,580 Mr Tenshi isn't like that. I begged him for the work. 389 00:34:34,100 --> 00:34:35,060 It was my fault. 390 00:34:35,260 --> 00:34:37,500 - You dare defend yourself? - No. 391 00:34:38,100 --> 00:34:39,620 Only I deserve to be punished. 392 00:34:39,820 --> 00:34:41,740 You dare defend this snake? 393 00:34:41,940 --> 00:34:43,940 He doesn't need it. 394 00:34:44,500 --> 00:34:47,540 It's a mistake to accuse Mr Tenshi. 395 00:34:47,820 --> 00:34:50,300 You dare imply my words are false? 396 00:34:50,500 --> 00:34:52,660 You're unspeakably rude! 397 00:34:53,460 --> 00:34:54,780 No, I'm not... 398 00:34:55,940 --> 00:34:58,180 Please don't hold it against her 399 00:34:58,780 --> 00:35:01,180 she doesn't know what she's saying. 400 00:35:01,380 --> 00:35:04,180 She's a Westerner, young, inexperienced. 401 00:35:04,620 --> 00:35:06,380 I made the mistake. 402 00:35:06,580 --> 00:35:07,700 I'm so ashamed. 403 00:35:07,900 --> 00:35:10,460 True, you have no excuse! 404 00:35:10,660 --> 00:35:13,260 However much wrong I did 405 00:35:14,620 --> 00:35:16,900 I must emphasize 406 00:35:17,100 --> 00:35:21,220 the excellence of Miss Amelie's report, and her speed. 407 00:35:21,420 --> 00:35:24,540 That's not the point! This was Mr Saitama's job! 408 00:35:24,740 --> 00:35:26,500 He was on a business trip. 409 00:35:26,700 --> 00:35:27,660 You had to wait! 410 00:35:27,940 --> 00:35:31,980 Other firms are competing for this low-fat butter. 411 00:35:32,180 --> 00:35:35,100 We couldn't wait for Mr Saitama to return. 412 00:35:36,020 --> 00:35:38,340 Still criticizing Mr Saitama's work? 413 00:35:38,540 --> 00:35:40,060 Absolutely not. 414 00:35:41,060 --> 00:35:44,380 But he doesn't speak French or know Belgium. 415 00:35:45,460 --> 00:35:47,500 It was easier for Miss Amelie. 416 00:35:48,020 --> 00:35:49,020 Be quiet! 417 00:35:49,700 --> 00:35:51,500 Your odious pragmatism 418 00:35:51,700 --> 00:35:53,020 is like a Westerner! 419 00:35:53,220 --> 00:35:56,060 Forgive my Western indignity. 420 00:35:56,660 --> 00:35:59,740 There's gain to be made from our error. 421 00:35:59,940 --> 00:36:02,620 I warn you: That was your first and last report! 422 00:36:03,380 --> 00:36:05,220 Get out of my sight! 423 00:36:30,860 --> 00:36:34,740 Forgive me for dragging you into all this. 424 00:36:35,420 --> 00:36:36,820 Not at all. 425 00:36:37,100 --> 00:36:40,300 All my life, I'll be grateful for your kindness. 426 00:36:41,140 --> 00:36:44,260 It was brave and generous of you. 427 00:36:45,620 --> 00:36:46,740 But... 428 00:36:47,620 --> 00:36:50,700 you shouldn't have said I wrote the report. 429 00:36:51,460 --> 00:36:53,220 I didn't. 430 00:36:53,420 --> 00:36:55,220 Remember our discussion: 431 00:36:55,420 --> 00:36:58,340 I wanted to discuss it discreetly at the very top. 432 00:36:58,540 --> 00:36:59,940 It was our only chance. 433 00:37:00,580 --> 00:37:03,820 Once Mr Omochi knew, we were headed for disaster. 434 00:37:05,700 --> 00:37:07,660 So Mr Saito told him? 435 00:37:08,340 --> 00:37:10,540 He's a bastard, a fool! 436 00:37:11,180 --> 00:37:13,940 Don't be too critical of Mr Saito. 437 00:37:14,260 --> 00:37:16,580 He's better than you think. 438 00:37:17,980 --> 00:37:20,060 And he didn't denounce us. 439 00:37:21,900 --> 00:37:25,540 I saw the note put on Mr Omochi's desk. 440 00:37:26,500 --> 00:37:29,180 I knew at once who wrote it. 441 00:37:29,620 --> 00:37:30,940 Mr Saitama? 442 00:37:31,140 --> 00:37:31,740 No. 443 00:37:33,300 --> 00:37:34,460 Do I have to tell you? 444 00:37:35,580 --> 00:37:36,860 You must! 445 00:37:40,260 --> 00:37:42,780 The note was signed by Miss Mori. 446 00:37:46,340 --> 00:37:47,740 Fubuki? 447 00:37:48,860 --> 00:37:50,340 That's impossible! 448 00:37:51,620 --> 00:37:53,380 I can't believe it. 449 00:37:55,580 --> 00:37:58,420 Fubuki is incapable of doing that. 450 00:38:00,300 --> 00:38:03,020 Why? Does she hate you? 451 00:38:03,460 --> 00:38:06,700 No, she didn't do it to spite me. 452 00:38:07,260 --> 00:38:08,540 This whole business 453 00:38:09,060 --> 00:38:11,100 harms you more than it does me. 454 00:38:11,540 --> 00:38:15,700 You lose the possibility of promotion for a very long time. 455 00:38:18,020 --> 00:38:20,260 Fubuki is my friend. 456 00:38:20,740 --> 00:38:21,700 Yes. 457 00:38:22,180 --> 00:38:24,740 As long as your tasks were 458 00:38:24,940 --> 00:38:27,820 updating calendars and photocopying. 459 00:38:28,980 --> 00:38:30,540 Then why? 460 00:38:31,180 --> 00:38:32,500 Why denounce me? 461 00:38:34,500 --> 00:38:38,780 Miss Mori struggled for years to reach her position. 462 00:38:39,580 --> 00:38:42,380 She hated you getting a big promotion 463 00:38:42,580 --> 00:38:44,420 after only ten weeks. 464 00:38:48,700 --> 00:38:50,900 I can't believe it. 465 00:38:52,780 --> 00:38:54,740 She's not that mean. 466 00:38:58,220 --> 00:38:59,780 All I can tell you 467 00:39:00,700 --> 00:39:03,620 is that she suffered a lot here. 468 00:39:06,460 --> 00:39:08,580 And wants me to share her fate? 469 00:39:09,980 --> 00:39:11,100 Miss Amelie 470 00:39:11,900 --> 00:39:14,860 do you know what it means to be unmarried 471 00:39:15,060 --> 00:39:17,780 for a Japanese woman of 29? 472 00:39:19,420 --> 00:39:22,780 For 7 years, Miss Mori's whole life was her work. 473 00:39:23,580 --> 00:39:27,500 By being impeccable, she passed the age for marriage. 474 00:39:28,620 --> 00:39:32,540 Her reaction to you comes from deep inside herself. 475 00:39:35,740 --> 00:39:37,380 I have to speak to her. 476 00:39:38,060 --> 00:39:39,860 You really think so? 477 00:39:40,060 --> 00:39:41,740 We must talk it out. 478 00:39:43,340 --> 00:39:47,100 Earlier, when you spoke to Mr Omochi 479 00:39:47,300 --> 00:39:49,020 when he heaped insults on us 480 00:39:49,220 --> 00:39:52,500 did that solve anything? 481 00:39:53,020 --> 00:39:54,700 Only talk can solve it! 482 00:39:55,500 --> 00:39:57,620 I'm even surer of this: 483 00:39:57,980 --> 00:40:01,780 If you speak to her, you'll make things worse. 484 00:40:02,900 --> 00:40:05,540 Let me reassure you: I won't involve you. 485 00:40:05,740 --> 00:40:07,540 But I must speak to her, or go mad! 486 00:40:20,980 --> 00:40:21,660 Fubuki. 487 00:40:24,420 --> 00:40:25,660 Can we talk? 488 00:40:41,220 --> 00:40:44,100 I thought we were friends. 489 00:40:44,300 --> 00:40:45,380 I don't understand. 490 00:40:45,580 --> 00:40:46,780 What? 491 00:40:46,980 --> 00:40:48,620 You deny you denounced me? 492 00:40:48,980 --> 00:40:51,380 Deny what? I followed the rules. 493 00:40:52,100 --> 00:40:55,780 Are rules more important than friendship? 494 00:40:56,580 --> 00:40:57,900 Friendship? 495 00:40:58,100 --> 00:41:00,940 I'd say "good relations between co-workers". 496 00:41:01,700 --> 00:41:05,020 I see. Will our "relations" continue to be "good"? 497 00:41:05,500 --> 00:41:08,620 If you apologize, I won't bear you a grudge. 498 00:41:09,420 --> 00:41:11,580 You don't lack humour! 499 00:41:11,780 --> 00:41:12,980 How amazing! 500 00:41:13,300 --> 00:41:17,780 You act as if you'd been offended, when you were at fault. 501 00:41:20,340 --> 00:41:23,780 Your taste for denouncement is odd in a country 502 00:41:23,980 --> 00:41:25,860 with a strong sense of honour. 503 00:41:29,580 --> 00:41:33,380 You think you can give me morality lessons? 504 00:41:33,940 --> 00:41:36,660 Why did I ask to speak you? 505 00:41:36,860 --> 00:41:38,380 It was reckless. 506 00:41:38,580 --> 00:41:40,340 It was to reconcile us! 507 00:41:40,860 --> 00:41:43,700 Fine. If you apologize. 508 00:41:44,340 --> 00:41:48,940 You're intelligent. Why pretend you don't understand? 509 00:41:49,340 --> 00:41:53,860 Don't be pretentious. You're simple to figure out. 510 00:41:54,100 --> 00:41:56,380 Then you should understand my anger! 511 00:41:56,820 --> 00:41:58,100 I understand it 512 00:41:58,500 --> 00:42:01,020 and disapprove of it. 513 00:42:01,540 --> 00:42:04,700 I had reason to be offended by your attitude. 514 00:42:05,140 --> 00:42:08,860 You solicited a promotion to which you had no right. 515 00:42:13,060 --> 00:42:17,580 Even if it was a chance for me, it didn't harm you. 516 00:42:18,900 --> 00:42:21,620 I've been in this position for one year. 517 00:42:22,140 --> 00:42:26,100 I fought for years to get it. 518 00:42:27,020 --> 00:42:30,700 You thought you'd get a similar rank in a few weeks? 519 00:42:33,140 --> 00:42:34,980 So that's it. 520 00:42:36,100 --> 00:42:38,860 You want me to suffer, too. 521 00:42:40,580 --> 00:42:41,300 How childish! 522 00:42:42,900 --> 00:42:43,900 Like you now 523 00:42:44,100 --> 00:42:47,860 talking to me this way, aggravating your case! 524 00:42:48,780 --> 00:42:51,300 Is that proof of maturity? 525 00:42:51,620 --> 00:42:53,260 I'm your superior. 526 00:42:53,460 --> 00:42:57,180 You have no right to speak to me so rudely! 527 00:43:00,220 --> 00:43:01,780 I know... 528 00:43:03,580 --> 00:43:05,860 I have no right. 529 00:43:06,060 --> 00:43:08,580 But I'm disappointed. 530 00:43:08,780 --> 00:43:09,860 I admired you. 531 00:43:11,580 --> 00:43:13,980 I'm not disappointed. 532 00:43:14,540 --> 00:43:17,020 I didn't esteem you. 533 00:43:25,540 --> 00:43:28,860 Next morning, Miss Mori informed me of my new job. 534 00:43:29,220 --> 00:43:29,620 You'll stay in this department. And do accounting. 535 00:43:29,620 --> 00:43:32,900 You'll stay in this department. And do accounting. 536 00:43:32,900 --> 00:43:34,460 Me, an accountant? 537 00:43:34,660 --> 00:43:36,220 Why not a sumo wrestler? 538 00:43:36,420 --> 00:43:37,980 Accountant is a big word. 539 00:43:38,180 --> 00:43:40,540 You don't have the talent to be one. 540 00:43:42,740 --> 00:43:45,220 These are all the recent invoices. 541 00:43:45,420 --> 00:43:48,140 These ledgers correspond to our 11 departments. 542 00:43:48,340 --> 00:43:50,900 It's a simple task, within your skills. 543 00:43:51,780 --> 00:43:55,740 First classify the invoices by date and department. 544 00:43:55,940 --> 00:43:59,780 Like this one: 11 million for Finnish cheese. 545 00:43:59,980 --> 00:44:02,500 A coincidence: It's "Dairy Products". 546 00:44:02,700 --> 00:44:03,660 In the DP ledger 547 00:44:04,060 --> 00:44:06,900 you copy the date, the company, the amount. 548 00:44:07,100 --> 00:44:10,340 Then file the processed invoices in this cabinet. 549 00:44:11,380 --> 00:44:13,660 - Isn't it computerized? - Yes. 550 00:44:13,940 --> 00:44:16,220 Once a month, by Mr Unaji. 551 00:44:16,420 --> 00:44:18,700 Thanks to your work 552 00:44:18,900 --> 00:44:20,940 it won't take him long. 553 00:44:28,460 --> 00:44:30,620 True, it wasn't hard. 554 00:44:31,140 --> 00:44:35,020 Though at first I had trouble picking the right ledger. 555 00:44:35,340 --> 00:44:37,380 What's Reming Ltd? 556 00:44:38,580 --> 00:44:41,340 Non-ferrous metals. Department MM. 557 00:44:51,260 --> 00:44:53,860 What's Gunzer GMBH? 558 00:44:54,700 --> 00:44:57,260 Chemicals. CP department. 559 00:45:04,500 --> 00:45:06,780 This work was totally boring. 560 00:45:07,180 --> 00:45:08,380 So much the better: 561 00:45:08,580 --> 00:45:12,620 I could dream as I admired my denouncer's exquisite face! 562 00:45:20,740 --> 00:45:22,460 The weeks went by. 563 00:45:22,900 --> 00:45:24,780 I became quieter and quieter. 564 00:45:25,380 --> 00:45:27,540 I reached "invoice serenity", 565 00:45:27,740 --> 00:45:29,700 a sort of Zen of accounting. 566 00:45:30,340 --> 00:45:34,260 I embraced this mindless but voluptuous activity. 567 00:45:35,060 --> 00:45:37,940 How silly I'd been to get a college degree, 568 00:45:38,140 --> 00:45:41,540 when my brain could blossom in repetitive stupidity. 569 00:45:43,500 --> 00:45:46,780 I realized I was devoted to the contemplative orders. 570 00:45:47,620 --> 00:45:50,780 Writing down numbers as I looked at beauty, was bliss! 571 00:45:52,380 --> 00:45:55,980 Fubuki was right: I took a wrong path with Mr Tenshi. 572 00:45:56,620 --> 00:45:58,860 I didn't have a conqueror's mind. 573 00:45:59,620 --> 00:46:02,420 I was a cow grazing in a meadow of invoices, 574 00:46:02,620 --> 00:46:05,180 waiting for the train of grace to pass by. 575 00:46:07,700 --> 00:46:12,020 How nice it was to live without pride or brains! 576 00:46:14,380 --> 00:46:17,580 At the end of the month, Mr Unaji computerized my work. 577 00:46:19,260 --> 00:46:22,180 I was proud to be an able link in the chain! 578 00:46:27,260 --> 00:46:29,580 This is odd... 579 00:46:32,300 --> 00:46:34,780 This is very odd! 580 00:46:40,940 --> 00:46:42,180 Miss Amelie! 581 00:46:46,700 --> 00:46:48,340 What's this? 582 00:46:49,980 --> 00:46:53,100 It's an invoice from the GMBH company. 583 00:46:53,300 --> 00:46:54,660 The GMBH company? 584 00:46:54,860 --> 00:46:56,260 Did you say GMBH? 585 00:46:58,900 --> 00:47:01,980 Explain to me what the GMBH company is? 586 00:47:02,780 --> 00:47:04,180 It's a German company. 587 00:47:04,660 --> 00:47:09,380 Why is "GMBH" always preceded by one or several names? 588 00:47:09,980 --> 00:47:11,180 They're subsidiaries! 589 00:47:12,660 --> 00:47:17,020 You idiot! GMBH is German for Ltd. Or Inc. 590 00:47:17,260 --> 00:47:20,660 The companies you grouped under GMBH have no connection! 591 00:47:20,860 --> 00:47:22,980 It's as if you grouped under Ltd 592 00:47:23,180 --> 00:47:25,900 all our US, British, Australian partners! 593 00:47:26,980 --> 00:47:31,180 How much time will we lose catching up your mistakes? 594 00:47:32,100 --> 00:47:35,060 The Germans are weird. To say GMBH! 595 00:47:36,900 --> 00:47:40,780 What nerve! You blame your stupidity on the Germans! 596 00:47:40,980 --> 00:47:43,100 Calm down. How could I know? 597 00:47:43,300 --> 00:47:46,900 Your country has a common border with Germany! 598 00:47:47,100 --> 00:47:49,380 Yet we, so far away, knew it? 599 00:47:49,580 --> 00:47:53,260 I almost brought up Japan and Germany in WW II. 600 00:47:53,460 --> 00:47:55,940 But I avoided that tricky course. 601 00:47:56,140 --> 00:47:58,140 Don't just stand there! 602 00:47:58,460 --> 00:48:01,780 Get the invoices you classified under chemicals! 603 00:48:09,540 --> 00:48:12,780 It took us 3 days to put the ledgers back in order. 604 00:48:16,820 --> 00:48:18,980 On the morning of the 3rd day... 605 00:48:28,140 --> 00:48:30,540 Now what has she done? 606 00:48:43,780 --> 00:48:46,500 You didn't recopy the zeros correctly! 607 00:48:46,700 --> 00:48:49,980 Many times you added or dropped a zero! 608 00:48:50,260 --> 00:48:51,620 So I did... 609 00:48:51,820 --> 00:48:54,660 It will take weeks to find all your mistakes! 610 00:48:54,860 --> 00:48:56,380 There were too many zeros! 611 00:48:56,580 --> 00:48:57,860 Be quiet! 612 00:49:07,500 --> 00:49:10,220 - Aren't you ashamed? - I'm sorry. 613 00:49:10,420 --> 00:49:14,140 No, you're not! You think I'm a fool? 614 00:49:14,340 --> 00:49:16,500 You did it to get even with me! 615 00:49:16,700 --> 00:49:17,580 I swear I didn't! 616 00:49:17,980 --> 00:49:18,740 Yes, you did! 617 00:49:18,940 --> 00:49:22,780 Because I denounced you, you ridiculed me publicly! 618 00:49:23,020 --> 00:49:25,100 I ridiculed myself, not you. 619 00:49:25,460 --> 00:49:28,340 Who gave you the work? Me, your boss. 620 00:49:28,540 --> 00:49:32,060 I'm responsible for your acts, you know that. 621 00:49:32,620 --> 00:49:34,740 Like a Westerner 622 00:49:34,940 --> 00:49:39,140 you put your personal vanity above the company's interests. 623 00:49:39,660 --> 00:49:43,260 To get even, you sabotaged Yumimoto's accounting! 624 00:49:43,820 --> 00:49:46,060 - It wasn't intentional. - Come on! 625 00:49:46,260 --> 00:49:48,460 I know you're not very smart 626 00:49:48,660 --> 00:49:50,700 but no one can make such mistakes! 627 00:49:51,060 --> 00:49:53,620 - I can! - Stop! 628 00:49:53,940 --> 00:49:55,500 You did it on purpose! 629 00:49:56,620 --> 00:49:58,980 Fubuki, I give you my word of honour. 630 00:49:59,620 --> 00:50:02,580 Honour! What do you know about honour? 631 00:50:02,860 --> 00:50:04,580 Honour also exists in the West. 632 00:50:05,020 --> 00:50:05,700 Really? 633 00:50:05,900 --> 00:50:08,860 Is it honourable to admit you're a total idiot? 634 00:50:09,460 --> 00:50:11,540 I don't think I'm that stupid. 635 00:50:11,860 --> 00:50:13,620 I wonder! 636 00:50:13,820 --> 00:50:17,900 You're a traitor or a half-wit. There's no 3rd possibility. 637 00:50:18,500 --> 00:50:21,580 There is! Some people can't copy rows of numbers. 638 00:50:21,940 --> 00:50:23,580 In Japan there aren't any! 639 00:50:23,980 --> 00:50:25,740 I defer to Japanese superiority. 640 00:50:26,140 --> 00:50:30,060 If you're mentally disabled, you should have told me. 641 00:50:30,580 --> 00:50:33,540 I never thought I was. 642 00:50:33,860 --> 00:50:35,860 I'd never done work like that. 643 00:50:36,180 --> 00:50:37,660 Still, it's strange. 644 00:50:37,860 --> 00:50:41,580 You don't need brains to recopy a few sums. 645 00:50:41,780 --> 00:50:44,340 If it's not needed, the brain falls asleep! 646 00:50:45,980 --> 00:50:47,740 Your brain has to be "needed"? 647 00:50:47,940 --> 00:50:49,140 How eccentric! 648 00:50:50,100 --> 00:50:51,140 It's only natural. 649 00:50:51,500 --> 00:50:53,580 Then, I'll think of a job 650 00:50:53,780 --> 00:50:55,980 where your brain will be "needed". 651 00:50:58,380 --> 00:51:00,540 A job that needs brains... 652 00:51:04,380 --> 00:51:06,020 Check these business-trip expenses. 653 00:51:06,220 --> 00:51:08,620 - More accounting? - This is different. 654 00:51:08,820 --> 00:51:11,020 Here your brain will be "needed". 655 00:51:11,820 --> 00:51:15,180 Mr Shinarai's expenses on a business trip to Germany. 656 00:51:15,380 --> 00:51:16,580 Check all his sums 657 00:51:16,780 --> 00:51:19,100 to see if you get the same result. 658 00:51:19,300 --> 00:51:20,660 The sums are in German marks. 659 00:51:20,860 --> 00:51:22,860 Use the exchange rate for the yen. 660 00:51:25,260 --> 00:51:26,180 Don't forget: 661 00:51:26,380 --> 00:51:28,340 The rate changes every day. 662 00:51:34,300 --> 00:51:36,660 So began the worst nightmare of my life. 663 00:51:39,900 --> 00:51:44,380 I lost all sense of time and entered the eternity of torment. 664 00:52:04,380 --> 00:52:05,540 What's wrong? 665 00:52:05,820 --> 00:52:07,980 In this job, your brain is needed. 666 00:52:11,660 --> 00:52:13,180 You'll get used to it. 667 00:52:16,020 --> 00:52:17,700 I didn't get used to it. 668 00:52:18,100 --> 00:52:21,900 I never got a result that, far from being identical, 669 00:52:22,300 --> 00:52:25,060 was even close to those I had to verify. 670 00:52:37,420 --> 00:52:39,100 It's easy. Watch me. 671 00:52:48,700 --> 00:52:51,780 I get the same amount in yen as Mr Saitama. 672 00:52:51,980 --> 00:52:53,580 In 3 minutes and 50 seconds, 673 00:52:54,100 --> 00:52:56,820 Fubuki did what I couldn't do in 12 hours. 674 00:52:57,020 --> 00:52:59,620 - How many files have you checked? - None. 675 00:52:59,820 --> 00:53:02,660 Not even one? In over a week? 676 00:53:06,460 --> 00:53:10,100 Don't forget: It must be done by the end of the month. 677 00:53:25,300 --> 00:53:26,980 I was in hell. 678 00:53:36,860 --> 00:53:40,100 I'd always admired the quiet beauty of numbers: 679 00:53:40,300 --> 00:53:41,860 Now they were enemies. 680 00:53:48,140 --> 00:53:50,340 So was the calculator. 681 00:53:51,300 --> 00:53:55,260 My hand was as sluggish as if stuck in mashed potatoes. 682 00:54:01,500 --> 00:54:04,620 Four of my fingers could hardly move, 683 00:54:05,180 --> 00:54:08,780 only the index finger reached the keys, 684 00:54:09,140 --> 00:54:11,780 but so clumsily that it made no sense 685 00:54:11,980 --> 00:54:14,860 if you couldn't see the invisible potatoes. 686 00:54:20,860 --> 00:54:23,060 I looked at each new number 687 00:54:23,260 --> 00:54:26,860 like Robinson meeting a native on his desert-island. 688 00:54:27,540 --> 00:54:31,940 Then my heavy hand tried to reproduce it on the keypad. 689 00:54:32,620 --> 00:54:36,340 My head did round-trips between the paper and the screen, 690 00:54:36,580 --> 00:54:40,380 to ensure I hadn't lost a comma or a zero on the way. 691 00:54:41,660 --> 00:54:44,340 But all these meticulous verifications 692 00:54:44,540 --> 00:54:47,540 didn't stop me from making huge mistakes. 693 00:55:07,140 --> 00:55:08,380 What is it? 694 00:55:09,380 --> 00:55:13,540 The mashed potato syndrome: My right hand is paralyzed. 695 00:55:13,940 --> 00:55:17,100 I hoped this would endear me to her. 696 00:55:17,500 --> 00:55:20,140 But her haughty look said the opposite: 697 00:55:20,340 --> 00:55:23,220 "Yes, she really is mentally disabled." 698 00:55:23,420 --> 00:55:25,180 Are there many... 699 00:55:25,660 --> 00:55:27,180 people... 700 00:55:27,660 --> 00:55:29,700 like you, in your country? 701 00:55:30,220 --> 00:55:34,380 You're the first Belgian I've met. 702 00:55:36,060 --> 00:55:38,340 No Belgian is like to me. 703 00:55:39,660 --> 00:55:41,700 Glad to hear it. 704 00:55:45,660 --> 00:55:47,100 You think that's funny? 705 00:55:50,500 --> 00:55:54,140 It's degrading to mistreat the mentally disabled. 706 00:55:54,620 --> 00:55:55,740 I know. 707 00:55:55,940 --> 00:56:00,340 But no one warned me I'd have one working for me. 708 00:56:04,220 --> 00:56:06,940 I still don't see what's amusing you. 709 00:56:09,260 --> 00:56:11,860 It has to do with my disability. 710 00:56:28,940 --> 00:56:31,220 From now on, may I spend the night here? 711 00:56:31,420 --> 00:56:33,300 Is your brain faster in the dark? 712 00:56:34,460 --> 00:56:35,420 Let's hope so. 713 00:56:35,620 --> 00:56:37,460 Will one night be enough? 714 00:56:37,660 --> 00:56:40,940 No, till the end of the month. I brought some things. 715 00:56:51,100 --> 00:56:53,100 The first night, I worked nonstop. 716 00:56:53,300 --> 00:56:54,940 And without result! 717 00:57:43,340 --> 00:57:44,340 Well? 718 00:57:48,140 --> 00:57:51,580 During my second sleepless night, I freaked: 719 00:57:51,940 --> 00:57:54,620 I'd become the Sisyphus of accounting! 720 00:57:55,700 --> 00:57:58,620 Like the mythical hero, I never despaired. 721 00:57:59,540 --> 00:58:01,020 But it was amazing: 722 00:58:01,220 --> 00:58:04,740 I made a thousand mistakes, but each was different. 723 00:58:04,940 --> 00:58:08,260 For each calculation, I got a thousand results. 724 00:58:09,020 --> 00:58:10,220 I was brilliant! 725 00:58:12,300 --> 00:58:14,900 More and more, again and again, 726 00:58:15,100 --> 00:58:16,660 Fubuki's beauty stunned me. 727 00:58:34,380 --> 00:58:35,500 Why are you staring at me? 728 00:58:38,300 --> 00:58:39,580 I was thinking that in Japanese 729 00:58:39,780 --> 00:58:41,020 "hair" 730 00:58:41,660 --> 00:58:42,740 and "god" 731 00:58:42,940 --> 00:58:44,700 are the same word. 732 00:58:45,940 --> 00:58:48,860 So is "paper". Do your paperwork! 733 00:58:51,540 --> 00:58:53,100 Forgive me. 734 00:58:53,300 --> 00:58:54,620 It's lack of sleep. 735 00:59:05,580 --> 00:59:07,780 In your first name, there's "snow". 736 00:59:10,100 --> 00:59:12,300 In the Japanese version of mine, there's "rain". 737 00:59:21,300 --> 00:59:22,860 You're snow 738 00:59:23,860 --> 00:59:25,380 I'm rain. 739 00:59:28,220 --> 00:59:31,100 But both are water falling from the sky. 740 00:59:33,260 --> 00:59:35,180 Why do you compare us? 741 00:59:52,740 --> 00:59:56,220 What did you want to become, when you were a child? 742 00:59:57,180 --> 00:59:58,860 An archery champion. 743 01:00:02,140 --> 01:00:03,460 Right! 744 01:00:04,620 --> 01:00:06,300 That's perfect for you! 745 01:00:16,900 --> 01:00:19,060 As a child 746 01:00:19,260 --> 01:00:21,380 I wanted to become God. 747 01:00:22,580 --> 01:00:26,180 Later, I settled for being Christ. 748 01:00:27,700 --> 01:00:30,980 Then I resolved, more modestly, to become a martyr. 749 01:00:33,020 --> 01:00:34,860 But that didn't work either. 750 01:00:39,700 --> 01:00:41,100 Then what? 751 01:00:46,140 --> 01:00:49,460 I became an accountant at Yumimoto. 752 01:00:50,100 --> 01:00:52,340 I can't sink any lower. 753 01:00:53,260 --> 01:00:54,580 You think so? 754 01:00:59,380 --> 01:01:00,580 Why? 755 01:01:00,940 --> 01:01:03,020 Why didn't she fire me? 756 01:01:06,020 --> 01:01:08,940 Finally, it was the last night of the month. 757 01:01:09,140 --> 01:01:10,980 My third sleepless night. 758 01:01:11,820 --> 01:01:14,820 That night, an amazing thing happened: 759 01:01:15,020 --> 01:01:17,580 My mind crossed over to the other side. 760 01:01:18,060 --> 01:01:20,220 In an instant, I was free of bonds. 761 01:01:21,940 --> 01:01:24,220 My body, so hammered by numbers, 762 01:01:24,420 --> 01:01:26,860 had no place left for decimals. 763 01:01:29,900 --> 01:01:31,300 I was free. 764 01:01:31,500 --> 01:01:33,460 I'd never been so free! 765 01:01:33,820 --> 01:01:35,020 I was God! 766 01:02:43,060 --> 01:02:44,340 Fubuki... 767 01:02:45,140 --> 01:02:46,460 you give the orders 768 01:02:47,260 --> 01:02:49,020 but I'm the one who reigns! 769 01:02:50,220 --> 01:02:52,020 Reigning is glory. 770 01:02:54,820 --> 01:02:57,020 I'm the Christ of computers! 771 01:03:04,140 --> 01:03:06,100 Yours is so big! 772 01:03:06,340 --> 01:03:08,380 So magnificent! 773 01:03:24,380 --> 01:03:27,580 Being crucified means you know it's the end. 774 01:03:32,500 --> 01:03:35,700 I'll turn my last day into a work of art. 775 01:03:37,900 --> 01:03:39,180 Tomorrow morning 776 01:03:40,020 --> 01:03:41,580 I'll tell my executioners: 777 01:03:43,180 --> 01:03:44,540 "I failed. 778 01:03:45,420 --> 01:03:46,580 "Kill me!" 779 01:03:48,580 --> 01:03:52,100 Let Fubuki slice off my head with a saber! 780 01:04:54,580 --> 01:04:57,020 The garbage was to stop us shaking her. 781 01:04:57,220 --> 01:04:59,060 She made herself untouchable. 782 01:04:59,260 --> 01:05:01,340 That's just like her. 783 01:05:01,580 --> 01:05:03,300 She has no dignity. 784 01:05:04,020 --> 01:05:06,620 She sinks lower and lower 785 01:05:07,300 --> 01:05:10,420 and thinks it keeps her out of range. 786 01:05:10,700 --> 01:05:12,340 She's mistaken! 787 01:05:13,820 --> 01:05:15,180 I was cold... 788 01:05:18,820 --> 01:05:20,700 Don't act like a bum 789 01:05:20,900 --> 01:05:22,540 in our offices! 790 01:05:22,740 --> 01:05:24,100 Go under a bridge! 791 01:05:33,980 --> 01:05:36,620 Anywhere else, I'd have been fired. 792 01:05:37,020 --> 01:05:38,180 Not in Japan. 793 01:05:38,540 --> 01:05:41,180 "Sleeping under garbage? Big deal!" 794 01:05:41,460 --> 01:05:44,020 This country knows all about "freaking out"! 795 01:05:55,180 --> 01:05:56,260 You must be Miss Amelie. 796 01:05:57,500 --> 01:06:00,260 Glad to meet you at last, Mademoiselle. 797 01:06:01,860 --> 01:06:02,820 Incredible! 798 01:06:03,020 --> 01:06:06,220 The president of this place of torture, humiliation and contempt 799 01:06:06,420 --> 01:06:09,860 was this fine person, a superior soul. 800 01:06:11,260 --> 01:06:13,020 What was this mystery? 801 01:06:14,460 --> 01:06:17,380 Did God reign over Hell? 802 01:06:19,540 --> 01:06:20,220 Well? 803 01:06:20,620 --> 01:06:23,100 You're not paid to loiter! 804 01:06:23,660 --> 01:06:24,660 It explained everything! 805 01:06:24,860 --> 01:06:26,740 Here, God was the president, 806 01:06:26,940 --> 01:06:29,020 the vice-president was the Devil! 807 01:06:38,500 --> 01:06:40,500 I wanted to do that myself. 808 01:06:40,700 --> 01:06:44,180 Yes, it's within your capabilities. 809 01:06:48,420 --> 01:06:51,380 Fubuki... you're right. 810 01:06:53,060 --> 01:06:55,020 This work is too hard. 811 01:06:56,660 --> 01:06:58,580 Some have no sense of direction 812 01:06:59,340 --> 01:07:02,180 I'm hopeless with numbers. 813 01:07:05,060 --> 01:07:07,020 I solemnly announce it: 814 01:07:07,900 --> 01:07:09,980 I give up this task. 815 01:07:13,180 --> 01:07:15,380 You took your time. 816 01:07:19,340 --> 01:07:21,060 The deadline is tonight. 817 01:07:25,100 --> 01:07:26,060 Give me that. 818 01:07:50,540 --> 01:07:54,100 Finally, my bosses understood: I was a disaster. 819 01:07:54,300 --> 01:07:56,180 "Don't let her touch anything!" 820 01:07:56,420 --> 01:07:59,020 But I coped with the situation. 821 01:07:59,220 --> 01:08:02,300 Floating out the window, serving tea and coffee, 822 01:08:02,500 --> 01:08:06,500 watching the seasons on my boss's face, not using my calculator, 823 01:08:06,700 --> 01:08:09,780 suited my total lack of ambition. 824 01:08:12,700 --> 01:08:16,020 Until the day we heard thunder on the mountain... 825 01:08:32,060 --> 01:08:32,820 Miss Mori! 826 01:08:38,260 --> 01:08:40,660 You're a disgrace to this company! 827 01:08:41,420 --> 01:08:44,420 Suddenly, my ears sealed off the Japanese language! 828 01:08:44,820 --> 01:08:48,100 I never found out what crime Fubuki had committed. 829 01:08:51,140 --> 01:08:52,740 Then I realized... 830 01:08:54,940 --> 01:08:57,780 Mr Omochi was raping Miss Mori. 831 01:08:58,460 --> 01:09:01,940 I translated for myself the meaning of his belching: 832 01:09:02,140 --> 01:09:04,540 "Yes, I weigh 300 pounds and you 100! 833 01:09:04,740 --> 01:09:06,740 "Our combined weight excites me! 834 01:09:06,940 --> 01:09:09,580 "I'm fat, I'd have a hard time making you come, 835 01:09:09,780 --> 01:09:12,180 "but I can push you over and crush you, 836 01:09:12,380 --> 01:09:13,660 "and I love it! 837 01:09:13,860 --> 01:09:15,820 "More so, with these idiots watching! 838 01:09:16,020 --> 01:09:18,060 "I love wounding your pride, 839 01:09:18,260 --> 01:09:20,780 "when you're defenseless, I love this rape!" 840 01:09:21,540 --> 01:09:23,860 - You think I'm a fool! - Don't scold me! 841 01:09:24,740 --> 01:09:25,980 Don't scold me! 842 01:09:27,740 --> 01:09:30,540 Acting this way to your superior is unworthy 843 01:09:30,740 --> 01:09:32,180 of a Yumimoto employee! 844 01:09:55,420 --> 01:09:59,180 Then, by being kind and silly, I made my biggest blunder. 845 01:10:02,420 --> 01:10:03,780 I'll be right back. 846 01:10:19,220 --> 01:10:20,180 Fubuki... 847 01:10:20,580 --> 01:10:21,860 I'm so sorry. 848 01:10:22,460 --> 01:10:23,980 I'm here. 849 01:10:24,700 --> 01:10:25,940 On your side. 850 01:10:26,620 --> 01:10:28,940 What are you doing in here? 851 01:10:30,380 --> 01:10:33,940 Don't be angry. I wanted to comfort you. 852 01:10:34,180 --> 01:10:36,100 Be quiet! Get out! 853 01:10:39,500 --> 01:10:41,380 I was too late. 854 01:10:43,900 --> 01:10:46,540 Miss Mori has been humiliated 855 01:10:46,740 --> 01:10:49,380 but she preserved her honour 856 01:10:49,740 --> 01:10:51,980 by not crying in public. 857 01:10:52,180 --> 01:10:54,700 No one had seen her tears. 858 01:10:55,300 --> 01:10:58,100 You committed the worst reprisal against her. 859 01:10:58,300 --> 01:11:00,780 You made her drink the dregs of her shame. 860 01:11:01,740 --> 01:11:03,500 That's so untrue! 861 01:11:05,860 --> 01:11:08,100 Beware, Miss Amelie! 862 01:11:09,300 --> 01:11:11,940 And good luck! 863 01:11:31,740 --> 01:11:34,620 I have a new appointment for you. 864 01:11:41,620 --> 01:11:43,020 Walk in front of me. 865 01:11:48,940 --> 01:11:50,100 Go in! 866 01:11:59,060 --> 01:12:01,620 This is your new job. 867 01:12:02,260 --> 01:12:05,460 When the roll of toweling is used up, replace it. 868 01:12:05,660 --> 01:12:08,780 Make sure there's never a lack of toilet-paper. 869 01:12:09,700 --> 01:12:11,380 Supplies are stored in here. 870 01:12:13,180 --> 01:12:15,580 It must always be kept locked. 871 01:12:19,740 --> 01:12:21,700 Here's how you use this tool. 872 01:12:33,700 --> 01:12:34,860 Any questions? 873 01:12:35,660 --> 01:12:37,460 Who am I taking over from? 874 01:12:37,660 --> 01:12:38,780 No one. 875 01:12:39,180 --> 01:12:41,060 Did the cleaning women resign? 876 01:12:41,420 --> 01:12:42,340 No. 877 01:12:42,540 --> 01:12:44,660 They only work evenings. 878 01:12:44,860 --> 01:12:46,900 Some days, we run out of toweling 879 01:12:47,460 --> 01:12:48,500 or toilet paper... 880 01:12:48,700 --> 01:12:50,460 Or a toilet bowl may be soiled. 881 01:12:50,860 --> 01:12:51,940 It's embarrassing 882 01:12:52,140 --> 01:12:54,660 when we receive staff from another company. 883 01:12:54,860 --> 01:12:58,100 Now you'll save us from these inconveniences. 884 01:13:04,740 --> 01:13:05,620 I forgot: 885 01:13:05,820 --> 01:13:07,860 You'll also service the men's toilets. 886 01:13:24,860 --> 01:13:25,940 Let me recapitulate: 887 01:13:26,140 --> 01:13:29,780 As a child, I wanted to become God, then Jesus, 888 01:13:30,140 --> 01:13:32,860 then, aware I was too ambitious, 889 01:13:33,380 --> 01:13:35,340 I settled for becoming a martyr. 890 01:13:36,260 --> 01:13:38,260 Later, I swallowed my megalomania, 891 01:13:38,460 --> 01:13:41,700 and became an interpreter in a Japanese firm. 892 01:13:42,500 --> 01:13:44,380 They put me in accounting. 893 01:13:45,100 --> 01:13:47,900 Now there was no stopping my downfall: 894 01:13:48,100 --> 01:13:50,620 I got the job of "doing nothing". 895 01:13:51,260 --> 01:13:52,380 But "doing nothing", 896 01:13:52,820 --> 01:13:54,460 was still too good for me. 897 01:13:55,100 --> 01:13:59,660 That's when I got my final assignment: Toilet cleaner. 898 01:14:00,460 --> 01:14:04,340 Still: From divinity to the restroom, what a trip! 899 01:14:05,700 --> 01:14:08,020 Very soon, I felt a strange relief. 900 01:14:08,940 --> 01:14:10,740 Scouring toilet-bowls, 901 01:14:10,980 --> 01:14:12,980 you don't fear falling lower. 902 01:14:19,060 --> 01:14:19,900 Miss Amelie! 903 01:14:20,140 --> 01:14:22,420 It's nice to have a job, huh? 904 01:14:33,140 --> 01:14:35,860 Anyone in my place would have resigned. 905 01:14:36,500 --> 01:14:39,380 Anyone, except a Japanese. 906 01:14:39,660 --> 01:14:43,340 I'd signed a year's contract, I'd hold out to the end. 907 01:14:43,700 --> 01:14:45,180 I'd behave like a Japanese. 908 01:14:45,380 --> 01:14:47,180 I wouldn't lose face. 909 01:14:50,380 --> 01:14:52,500 Much incomprehensible behavior 910 01:14:52,700 --> 01:14:55,500 is due to being awestruck in youth. 911 01:14:56,740 --> 01:15:00,140 As a child, the Japanese universe so impressed me 912 01:15:00,460 --> 01:15:03,380 that I still drew on these emotions. 913 01:15:05,820 --> 01:15:09,660 With this incredible assignment, I entered another dimension: 914 01:15:09,860 --> 01:15:12,340 A universe of pure derision. 915 01:15:18,980 --> 01:15:21,660 Fubuki expected me to resign. 916 01:15:21,860 --> 01:15:24,700 By staying, I had called her bluff! 917 01:15:24,900 --> 01:15:27,380 My dishonour landed back in her lap. 918 01:15:51,300 --> 01:15:52,460 If you wish to complain 919 01:15:52,660 --> 01:15:54,420 it must be to me. 920 01:15:55,540 --> 01:15:56,980 I've complained to no one. 921 01:15:58,740 --> 01:16:00,380 You know what I mean. 922 01:16:01,260 --> 01:16:02,220 Not really, no. 923 01:16:03,100 --> 01:16:06,180 If an important person comes in, should I hide? 924 01:16:18,900 --> 01:16:20,180 Miss Amelie... 925 01:16:30,620 --> 01:16:31,660 Once again, 926 01:16:31,940 --> 01:16:33,100 kind Mr Tenshi 927 01:16:33,300 --> 01:16:37,340 found the noblest solution to show his disapproval of my fate: 928 01:16:37,540 --> 01:16:40,860 Boycotting the restrooms of the 44th floor! 929 01:16:43,620 --> 01:16:45,180 I bless Mr Tenshi. 930 01:16:45,620 --> 01:16:49,860 Besides, this boycott was a real vendetta on the company. 931 01:16:51,460 --> 01:16:53,420 By using the toilets of the floor below, 932 01:16:53,620 --> 01:16:55,780 the employees wasted company time. 933 01:16:56,180 --> 01:17:00,780 In Japan, that's called sabotage, and is a serious crime. 934 01:17:01,500 --> 01:17:06,380 That's why they use the French word: Only a foreigner could be so base. 935 01:17:07,380 --> 01:17:12,100 But Fubuki used the restroom more and more. 936 01:17:12,940 --> 01:17:15,340 She now brushed her teeth twice a day. 937 01:17:16,500 --> 01:17:21,340 She hoped to annoy me: But I enjoyed admiring her fiery beauty! 938 01:17:29,980 --> 01:17:30,980 In this closed space, 939 01:17:31,300 --> 01:17:33,780 worthy of the classical theatre, 940 01:17:34,420 --> 01:17:37,420 two tragic actresses met for a passionate brawl! 941 01:17:49,340 --> 01:17:51,620 Soon the 44th floor men's room 942 01:17:51,820 --> 01:17:54,340 became too blatantly neglected. 943 01:17:57,740 --> 01:17:59,700 This can't go on! 944 01:18:01,700 --> 01:18:04,020 Once more, you've disrupted everything! 945 01:18:05,420 --> 01:18:07,260 Now what have I done? 946 01:18:07,500 --> 01:18:11,060 The men avoid the bathroom on the 44th floor! 947 01:18:11,260 --> 01:18:14,580 They waste time going to other floors. 948 01:18:14,780 --> 01:18:16,500 You embarrass them! 949 01:18:17,060 --> 01:18:19,180 I didn't choose to be there. 950 01:18:19,380 --> 01:18:20,420 No justifications! 951 01:18:20,620 --> 01:18:24,020 If you behaved with dignity, it wouldn't happen! 952 01:18:24,460 --> 01:18:26,940 Where does my dignity come in? 953 01:18:27,220 --> 01:18:30,260 If you look at the men the way you look at me 954 01:18:30,460 --> 01:18:32,580 it's easy to explain. 955 01:18:32,980 --> 01:18:34,060 Don't worry 956 01:18:34,260 --> 01:18:36,220 I never look at them. 957 01:18:36,420 --> 01:18:38,340 So why are the toilets avoided? 958 01:18:38,780 --> 01:18:42,700 It's natural. A woman's presence intimidates men. 959 01:18:42,980 --> 01:18:45,380 Then learn the lesson from that! 960 01:18:45,580 --> 01:18:47,260 What lesson? 961 01:18:47,460 --> 01:18:48,660 Don't be present! 962 01:18:51,380 --> 01:18:53,780 I'm relieved of my duties in the men's room? 963 01:18:54,180 --> 01:18:55,620 Thank you! 964 01:18:56,020 --> 01:18:57,780 I didn't say that! 965 01:18:58,620 --> 01:18:59,660 Then I don't understand. 966 01:19:00,100 --> 01:19:02,060 When a man enters, you leave. 967 01:19:02,260 --> 01:19:04,500 You wait till he has left to come back. 968 01:19:04,700 --> 01:19:07,220 But when I'm in the ladies' room 969 01:19:07,420 --> 01:19:10,820 I can't know if there's someone in the men's room. 970 01:19:11,340 --> 01:19:12,460 Unless... 971 01:19:12,940 --> 01:19:13,940 What? 972 01:19:14,980 --> 01:19:18,380 I have an idea! Put a camera in the men's room 973 01:19:18,580 --> 01:19:20,780 with a monitor in the ladies' room. 974 01:19:21,740 --> 01:19:23,260 A camera in the men's room? 975 01:19:23,460 --> 01:19:25,860 Think before you speak! 976 01:19:26,380 --> 01:19:27,860 If the gentlemen don't know... 977 01:19:28,100 --> 01:19:29,260 Be quiet! 978 01:19:29,460 --> 01:19:31,580 You're a fool! 979 01:19:32,180 --> 01:19:32,980 Sure. 980 01:19:33,180 --> 01:19:35,500 Would you give this job to someone smart? 981 01:19:35,860 --> 01:19:36,820 You're answering back? 982 01:19:39,540 --> 01:19:41,620 You can't assign me to a lower job. 983 01:19:43,060 --> 01:19:44,580 Careful! 984 01:19:45,380 --> 01:19:49,220 You don't know what could happen to you. 985 01:19:50,980 --> 01:19:52,580 Tell me. 986 01:19:54,660 --> 01:19:56,020 Beware. 987 01:19:56,220 --> 01:19:59,500 And when a man comes in, leave the toilets! 988 01:20:05,700 --> 01:20:07,540 I obeyed the new order. 989 01:20:10,220 --> 01:20:14,020 But, spearheaded by Mr Tenshi, the boycott went on. 990 01:20:15,980 --> 01:20:16,780 The men's room 991 01:20:16,980 --> 01:20:20,180 had become the locale for an ideological debate. 992 01:20:21,060 --> 01:20:22,900 Those who used it said: 993 01:20:23,340 --> 01:20:27,260 "I submit totally to authority, let strangers be humiliated! 994 01:20:27,460 --> 01:20:30,100 "Besides, they don't belong at Yumimoto." 995 01:20:33,300 --> 01:20:35,300 Those who shunned it said: 996 01:20:35,500 --> 01:20:38,380 "I respect my superiors, but I criticize 997 01:20:38,580 --> 01:20:40,940 "some of their decisions. 998 01:20:42,100 --> 01:20:44,780 "I also think Yumimoto would benefit from 999 01:20:44,980 --> 01:20:48,020 "a few foreigners in responsible positions, 1000 01:20:48,220 --> 01:20:49,940 "where they'd be useful." 1001 01:21:00,900 --> 01:21:01,740 Miss Amelie! 1002 01:21:08,700 --> 01:21:10,300 Fubuki hadn't bluffed! 1003 01:21:10,900 --> 01:21:12,700 I'd pay for my sins. 1004 01:21:20,100 --> 01:21:21,860 No paper! 1005 01:23:53,420 --> 01:23:56,660 I had adored the film "Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence". 1006 01:23:56,860 --> 01:24:01,580 Seing it at 16, David Bowie's death seemed a fine proof of love. 1007 01:24:14,820 --> 01:24:17,700 Did you see "Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence"? 1008 01:24:18,940 --> 01:24:20,060 Yes. 1009 01:24:21,580 --> 01:24:22,780 Did you like it? 1010 01:24:23,100 --> 01:24:24,260 The music was good. 1011 01:24:24,940 --> 01:24:27,260 A pity the story makes no sense. 1012 01:24:34,020 --> 01:24:36,700 You have to see it as a metaphor. 1013 01:24:37,300 --> 01:24:38,620 A metaphor for what? 1014 01:24:39,340 --> 01:24:41,020 Relationship with other people. 1015 01:24:42,180 --> 01:24:44,260 Like yours and mine for instance. 1016 01:24:46,580 --> 01:24:49,260 We're like the camp commandant, Ryuichi Sakamoto 1017 01:24:49,460 --> 01:24:52,180 and his prisoner, David Bowie. 1018 01:24:53,940 --> 01:24:56,420 The difference between East and West. 1019 01:24:58,060 --> 01:25:01,420 Behind their conflict, is a genuine desire to get along. 1020 01:25:02,380 --> 01:25:03,620 That's not true. 1021 01:25:05,460 --> 01:25:06,620 Why? 1022 01:25:09,580 --> 01:25:11,860 You don't look like David Bowie. 1023 01:25:22,340 --> 01:25:24,940 Though I didn't look like David Bowie, 1024 01:25:25,140 --> 01:25:28,180 our situations were similar. 1025 01:25:28,380 --> 01:25:30,700 By sentencing me to such a foul job, 1026 01:25:30,900 --> 01:25:34,860 Fubuki's feelings toward me weren't wholly normal. 1027 01:25:39,100 --> 01:25:41,700 As she had only focused her cruelty on me, 1028 01:25:41,900 --> 01:25:43,700 I decided it was a privilege. 1029 01:25:45,420 --> 01:25:47,620 It meant she had chosen me. 1030 01:25:55,820 --> 01:26:00,020 For 7 months, I worked in the Yumimoto toilets. 1031 01:26:02,580 --> 01:26:05,260 I saved myself by jumping out the window. 1032 01:26:06,940 --> 01:26:10,580 Parts of my body must still be scattered all over the city. 1033 01:26:15,700 --> 01:26:17,340 December finally arrived. 1034 01:26:18,020 --> 01:26:20,020 To announce that I wouldn't renew my contract, 1035 01:26:20,220 --> 01:26:22,820 I decided to respect the tradition: 1036 01:26:23,020 --> 01:26:26,820 Not to complain and start at the bottom of the ladder. 1037 01:26:41,500 --> 01:26:44,260 At the last moment, a demon whispered to me: 1038 01:26:44,900 --> 01:26:47,900 "Say you got a better offer as toilet-cleaner!" 1039 01:26:59,340 --> 01:27:02,220 "No, say you'll only stay if they put 1040 01:27:02,420 --> 01:27:05,260 "a plate in the toilets for tips!" 1041 01:27:05,660 --> 01:27:08,580 You had something to say to me? 1042 01:27:12,380 --> 01:27:14,100 We're reaching the end of my contract 1043 01:27:14,540 --> 01:27:16,500 and I wanted to tell you 1044 01:27:16,940 --> 01:27:18,940 with very great regret 1045 01:27:19,260 --> 01:27:21,620 that I cannot renew it. 1046 01:27:22,180 --> 01:27:23,820 Oh? Why? 1047 01:27:25,940 --> 01:27:29,220 We were both playacting! So I went all the way! 1048 01:27:29,420 --> 01:27:31,020 The Yumimoto Corporation 1049 01:27:31,500 --> 01:27:34,580 gave me many wonderful opportunities to prove myself. 1050 01:27:35,780 --> 01:27:37,860 I'll be eternally grateful for that. 1051 01:27:38,180 --> 01:27:42,820 Sadly, I was not worthy of the honor. 1052 01:27:43,820 --> 01:27:47,500 True. According to you, why weren't you up to it? 1053 01:27:48,340 --> 01:27:51,660 I was right: Her feelings for me were perverse! 1054 01:27:51,860 --> 01:27:53,020 I must attack! 1055 01:27:53,220 --> 01:27:55,900 I wasn't mentally equipped for it. 1056 01:27:57,180 --> 01:28:00,020 My grotesque submissiveness turned her on. 1057 01:28:00,220 --> 01:28:01,820 I think so, too. 1058 01:28:02,860 --> 01:28:06,260 Why, according to you, weren't you up to it? 1059 01:28:09,380 --> 01:28:12,020 Western brains can't match Japanese brains. 1060 01:28:12,220 --> 01:28:13,180 Partly true. 1061 01:28:13,380 --> 01:28:18,420 But don't exaggerate the inferiority of the average Western brain. 1062 01:28:18,620 --> 01:28:21,940 Wasn't your incapacity a deficiency of your brain? 1063 01:28:23,860 --> 01:28:25,020 No doubt. 1064 01:28:27,220 --> 01:28:31,420 At first, I thought you wanted to sabotage Yumimoto. 1065 01:28:31,980 --> 01:28:34,700 Swear you didn't pretend to be stupid! 1066 01:28:36,380 --> 01:28:37,860 I swear it. 1067 01:28:42,020 --> 01:28:44,740 Are you aware of your handicap? 1068 01:28:46,460 --> 01:28:47,340 Yes. 1069 01:28:48,300 --> 01:28:50,860 The Yumimoto Corporation helped me see it. 1070 01:28:54,180 --> 01:28:55,620 So the company 1071 01:28:55,900 --> 01:28:59,620 was a big help to you? 1072 01:28:59,980 --> 01:29:01,620 Her mouth was drying up: 1073 01:29:01,820 --> 01:29:03,180 I was glad to give her 1074 01:29:03,380 --> 01:29:05,460 such intense pleasure. 1075 01:29:05,980 --> 01:29:07,340 To my dying day 1076 01:29:07,940 --> 01:29:10,420 I'll never forget what I owe Yumimoto. 1077 01:29:10,820 --> 01:29:12,580 Dear "Snowstorm", 1078 01:29:12,900 --> 01:29:15,020 your clouds are so heavy with rage, 1079 01:29:15,420 --> 01:29:18,580 and I waited so long to see pleasure in your eyes! 1080 01:29:19,460 --> 01:29:21,780 What are your plans now? 1081 01:29:23,300 --> 01:29:25,580 I couldn't say I wanted to write. 1082 01:29:26,340 --> 01:29:28,340 I could teach French, maybe. 1083 01:29:29,580 --> 01:29:30,940 You, a teacher? 1084 01:29:31,140 --> 01:29:33,340 You think you could teach? 1085 01:29:33,900 --> 01:29:35,420 She was asking for more! 1086 01:29:35,900 --> 01:29:39,260 I also couldn't tell her I had a teacher's diploma. 1087 01:29:39,620 --> 01:29:41,340 You're right. 1088 01:29:41,980 --> 01:29:44,900 I'm still not truly aware of my limits. 1089 01:29:46,420 --> 01:29:47,820 Indeed. 1090 01:29:48,180 --> 01:29:50,860 Frankly, what job could you do? 1091 01:29:51,700 --> 01:29:52,820 Nothing doing: 1092 01:29:53,020 --> 01:29:55,220 She wanted total ecstasy... 1093 01:29:59,140 --> 01:30:00,860 In ancient imperial Japan, 1094 01:30:01,060 --> 01:30:04,820 the Emperor had to be addressed with "fear and trembling". 1095 01:30:05,940 --> 01:30:07,340 That's what I did. 1096 01:30:12,020 --> 01:30:16,060 You think a garbage collector would want me? 1097 01:30:16,420 --> 01:30:17,580 Oh, yes! 1098 01:30:18,820 --> 01:30:20,660 I had given her an orgasm! 1099 01:30:20,860 --> 01:30:22,860 I could move up to Mr Saito. 1100 01:30:41,860 --> 01:30:44,820 My contract is ending. I wanted to say 1101 01:30:45,420 --> 01:30:47,620 with great regret 1102 01:30:48,260 --> 01:30:50,420 that I cannot renew it. 1103 01:30:53,260 --> 01:30:57,420 The Yumimoto Corporation gave me many opportunities to prove myself. 1104 01:30:58,460 --> 01:30:59,940 I'll be eternally grateful to it. 1105 01:31:00,140 --> 01:31:05,260 Sadly, I haven't been worthy of the honour. 1106 01:31:14,860 --> 01:31:15,460 Miss Amelie... 1107 01:31:16,740 --> 01:31:17,420 Yes? 1108 01:31:19,740 --> 01:31:21,020 Well... 1109 01:31:22,140 --> 01:31:24,100 What can I say... 1110 01:31:27,620 --> 01:31:29,340 I'm sorry... 1111 01:31:31,460 --> 01:31:33,620 things happened this way. 1112 01:31:34,620 --> 01:31:36,740 A Japanese who really apologizes, 1113 01:31:36,940 --> 01:31:38,820 that happens once a century! 1114 01:31:39,020 --> 01:31:40,580 You don't have to be sorry 1115 01:31:40,860 --> 01:31:42,980 it wasn't your fault, Mr Saito. 1116 01:31:49,460 --> 01:31:50,580 You have a prospect? 1117 01:31:53,780 --> 01:31:56,700 Don't worry, I'll find something. 1118 01:31:58,540 --> 01:31:59,740 Poor Mr Saito! 1119 01:32:00,220 --> 01:32:02,140 I had to comfort him! 1120 01:32:08,740 --> 01:32:12,860 Now it was Mr Omochi's turn. I was terrified. I was wrong. 1121 01:32:18,860 --> 01:32:20,100 Miss Amelie! 1122 01:32:32,860 --> 01:32:34,140 My contract is ending 1123 01:32:34,500 --> 01:32:36,260 I wanted to say... 1124 01:32:38,780 --> 01:32:40,060 with great regret... 1125 01:32:41,540 --> 01:32:44,180 that I cannot renew it. 1126 01:32:51,860 --> 01:32:52,780 Chocolate! 1127 01:33:01,540 --> 01:33:02,740 Martian chocolate? 1128 01:33:04,540 --> 01:33:06,420 Martian chocolate! 1129 01:33:08,340 --> 01:33:09,860 Martian chocolate! 1130 01:33:16,860 --> 01:33:20,420 If the vice-president had a heart attack, I'd be blamed! 1131 01:33:24,980 --> 01:33:27,260 It's melon-flavoured white chocolate. 1132 01:33:27,460 --> 01:33:30,620 A specialty from Hokkaido. Delicious! 1133 01:33:31,340 --> 01:33:34,020 The taste of melon is perfect. 1134 01:33:34,340 --> 01:33:36,100 Try some. 1135 01:33:36,660 --> 01:33:37,860 No, thanks. 1136 01:33:39,900 --> 01:33:41,180 Please try some. 1137 01:33:41,700 --> 01:33:42,900 No, thanks. 1138 01:33:43,260 --> 01:33:44,420 - Eat some! - No. 1139 01:33:44,660 --> 01:33:45,940 - Eat it! - No. 1140 01:33:46,580 --> 01:33:48,140 Your contract isn't over! Obey! 1141 01:33:48,780 --> 01:33:51,100 Why do you care if I eat it? 1142 01:33:51,420 --> 01:33:52,780 Insolent! Obey me! 1143 01:33:53,180 --> 01:33:55,220 Fire me! That would suit me. 1144 01:33:57,860 --> 01:33:58,900 I'd gone too far. 1145 01:33:59,180 --> 01:34:01,020 The heart-attack was coming. 1146 01:34:01,220 --> 01:34:02,260 Please excuse me. 1147 01:34:02,460 --> 01:34:03,620 Eat it! 1148 01:34:18,740 --> 01:34:21,220 Actually, it wasn't bad. 1149 01:34:21,980 --> 01:34:23,380 It's delicious. 1150 01:34:24,980 --> 01:34:27,940 So our Martian chocolate is good? 1151 01:34:32,940 --> 01:34:34,140 The Yumimoto Corporation 1152 01:34:34,340 --> 01:34:37,620 gave me many wonderful opportunities to prove myself. 1153 01:34:38,220 --> 01:34:40,260 I'll be eternally grateful to it. 1154 01:34:40,460 --> 01:34:45,420 Sadly, I wasn't worthy of the honour. 1155 01:34:51,780 --> 01:34:53,140 By humiliating myself this way, 1156 01:34:53,340 --> 01:34:56,540 I secretly hoped for polite protests like: 1157 01:34:56,740 --> 01:34:58,860 "Sure you were worthy of the honor!" 1158 01:34:59,060 --> 01:35:00,340 I was naive! 1159 01:35:04,020 --> 01:35:06,820 In Japan, nose-blowing is considered gross. 1160 01:35:07,460 --> 01:35:11,260 Was I so low that noses could be emptied in front of me? 1161 01:35:12,380 --> 01:35:14,100 Miss Amelie... 1162 01:35:22,900 --> 01:35:24,780 Now only God was left. 1163 01:35:29,580 --> 01:35:30,860 Sit down. 1164 01:35:31,060 --> 01:35:33,420 It was with Mr Haneda that I became, 1165 01:35:33,620 --> 01:35:36,620 for a instant, what I had vainly tried to be: 1166 01:35:36,820 --> 01:35:38,020 A real Japanese. 1167 01:35:38,220 --> 01:35:39,340 I'm listening. 1168 01:35:43,100 --> 01:35:44,940 My contract is coming to an end 1169 01:35:45,900 --> 01:35:47,780 and I wanted to say 1170 01:35:49,140 --> 01:35:51,260 with great regret 1171 01:35:52,660 --> 01:35:54,940 that I cannot renew it. 1172 01:35:55,900 --> 01:35:58,580 Of course. I understand. 1173 01:36:01,620 --> 01:36:03,100 The Yumimoto Corporation 1174 01:36:04,220 --> 01:36:08,180 gave me many wonderful opportunities to prove myself. 1175 01:36:08,980 --> 01:36:11,260 I'll be eternally grateful to it. 1176 01:36:11,900 --> 01:36:17,460 Sadly, I wasn't worthy of the honour. 1177 01:36:18,100 --> 01:36:19,420 That's not true. 1178 01:36:20,260 --> 01:36:22,540 Mr Tenshi saw your capabilities. 1179 01:36:29,540 --> 01:36:32,820 You were unlucky. 1180 01:36:33,260 --> 01:36:35,860 You came here at the wrong moment. 1181 01:36:38,420 --> 01:36:41,500 You're right to leave. 1182 01:36:43,700 --> 01:36:46,540 But if you ever change your mind 1183 01:36:46,740 --> 01:36:49,420 come back to Yumimoto. 1184 01:36:50,300 --> 01:36:52,700 I'm certainly not the only one 1185 01:36:53,380 --> 01:36:55,780 who will miss you. 1186 01:37:13,260 --> 01:37:15,580 - Thank you for your work. - Thank you. 1187 01:37:23,260 --> 01:37:24,820 On the evening of January 7, 1188 01:37:25,020 --> 01:37:28,140 I didn't say good-bye to Miss Mori Fubuki. 1189 01:37:28,340 --> 01:37:29,780 It was silly of me: 1190 01:37:29,980 --> 01:37:31,140 Choosing pride 1191 01:37:31,340 --> 01:37:33,420 over a last look at that face was poor judgment. 1192 01:37:46,300 --> 01:37:49,220 That window was the border between the toilet-bowl and heaven. 1193 01:37:50,300 --> 01:37:52,420 As long as there are windows, 1194 01:37:52,700 --> 01:37:54,620 anyone can have a share of freedom. 1195 01:37:56,660 --> 01:37:59,460 One last time, I threw myself into the void, 1196 01:38:02,380 --> 01:38:05,420 For the first time, I watched my body fall. 1197 01:38:17,420 --> 01:38:20,740 Now I could go home to Belgium. 1198 01:38:27,740 --> 01:38:32,380 On January 14th, 1991, I began to write my first novel. 1199 01:38:41,260 --> 01:38:44,380 On January 17th, war was declared on Iraq. 1200 01:38:50,940 --> 01:38:53,140 On January 18th, miles away, 1201 01:38:53,580 --> 01:38:56,540 Fubuki Mori turned 30, and still had no husband. 1202 01:38:58,580 --> 01:39:01,980 In 1992, my first novel was published. 1203 01:39:05,020 --> 01:39:08,740 In 1993, I received a letter from Tokyo. 1204 01:39:12,220 --> 01:39:14,580 It gave me great pleasure. 1205 01:39:14,780 --> 01:39:17,620 It included a detail that thoroughly delighted me. 1206 01:39:20,180 --> 01:39:22,540 Fubuki had written it in Japanese. 1207 01:39:37,380 --> 01:39:38,820 "Amelie... 1208 01:39:39,060 --> 01:39:40,820 "Congratulations. 1209 01:39:41,020 --> 01:39:42,460 "Mori Fubuki." 1210 01:42:24,180 --> 01:42:26,820 Subtitles: A. Whitelaw 1211 01:42:27,020 --> 01:42:29,420 Processed by L.V.T. - Paris