Original subtitles

So, lovers, no complaints, eh?

Need us to help you?

You deaf?

I'll be damned!

Hi.

- Hello, Plonche. - Hi.

The boss wants to put you on the case of the young couple.

- Congratulations, Inspector. - That's it? I warned you.

It's us who do the heavy lifting.

We got company?

Sergeant Philippon, about the bus suicides.

We took a look in the coach, checking for thieves...

...when I saw them, clear as I see you.

But they were stone dead... stiff as a board.

- In the coach? - Yes.

It was 6 a.m. by Ceccaldi's Swiss watch.

6 o'clock exactly? Are you sure?

A Swiss watch, chief...

Well! Here you are after all.

Here...

18 and 23 years old.

It's the beautiful time of life.

And then?

They had luggage...

...a suitcase and a box from Parisian Galleries.

I thought that was weird.

As I said to Constable Ceccaldi...

I said, "That's weird."

He answered me... "That's really weird."

- And I sent it to the police station. - Good.

We didn't touch anything... for clues.

What clues?

Like that they were dead.

Thank you.

Say, Sergeant...

Did it never occur to you to look elsewhere?

What for?

I don't know... To find other clues.

Apart from thieves, there's no one there.

It's a junkyard.

With 1 or 2 corpses here and there, to give local colour.

It's the first time that...

Maybe at the other times, you were looking wrong...

...or that they'd been put there to create a diversion.

What does he mean?

He's right... What are you getting at?

Nothing particular. I make assumptions.

And I wonder what caused the death of 2 kids on a bus at 6 in the morning.

I assume they committed suicide.

That's also Ceccaldi's opinion.

Well then!

Thank you, Sergeant.

Passionate drama. Double poisoning.

For me, the case is closed.

However...

As the prosecutor is more demanding, you want me to dress it up.

Age of parents, family situation, background...

et cetera, et cetera.

She looks like a nice girl.

He doesn't look like a cut-throat either.

- Two dumb kids. - How would you know?

Do you want me to go further?

That's the idea.

One... The parents knew nothing of the relationship.

Two... The girl realised that she was pregnant.

- Three... - They'd lost their minds.

Yes.

Come in.

Pierrot won't listen.

What do we do?

And the witness confrontation?

The bartender is positive but Pierrot laughs...

- He says he's an informer. - And is he?

Actually...

...he is.

I’ll see about that.

Have fun while you're waiting.

OK Chief.

Do you want my opinion?

The parents couldn't have done better than to have had them marry.

But it's always the same story.

Here... study the file, meanwhile.

Is he here for me?

Good! It's starting to happen.

- Which one? - The guy's... Auguste Bompart.

Bring him in.

Mr Bompart...

Come in, please.

Bompart...

August.

Yeah.

I won't prolong an interview which can only be painful to you...

...given the circumstances.

Alas, Inspector, life has such cruelties!

Children don't know the grief they cause...

Otherwise, they would think.

- They are children. - And the parents, Inspector?

In the end, they are the ones who suffer.

Why did they do this?

My son had no reason to commit suicide.

He loved me.

And as well... he was about to get married.

- To Catherine Mareuil? - Yes.

Suppose he has by chance, it's a hypothesis...

...discovered something untoward in the life of his fiancee?

Catherine was a young girl. From an excellent family, by the way.

So let's reverse the roles.

Suppose this girl learned that your son...

He wasn't a skirt-chaser.

Why did they commit suicide?

I repeat that my son had no reason to commit suicide.

-I understand your state of mind,

but we are faced with 2 hypotheses... crime or suicide.

What crime?

I don't know yet.

Like a coffee?

A small one.

It might give me a lift.

In the state I'm in...

How many sugars?

How many sugars?

Two, please.

You're in luck.

I'm the only one equipped for entertaining, in this place.

So why did they do this?

Grief? Alcoholism? Flore's cafe?

My son was the most thoughtful...

the most sensible of the children.

Did nothing on a whim.

He was 7 years old when his mother died.

How?

Stomach cancer.

I thought I would die from it too.

- Because you too...? - No. For me it was grief.

I adored my wife.

You must have been married, as I had been for...

To find yourself a widower.

It's obvious.

And your son was 7 years old.

Yes.

Yes. I worked hard to raise him...

...for him to have an education...

...to have a place in the world.

Great.

You can't appreciate the difficulties encountered...

...by an artist deciding to live from his art.

I'm a sculptor.

And your son?

Accounting assistant.

He would have become an accountant before the end of the year.

Never made a mistake, never late for work.

Did you live together?

No. John had his room at 45, rue Montsouris.

Excuse me.

About the young couple. First, they weren't running away.

Second, the coroner's report.

Death in a few minutes, from potassium cyanide.

And the girl was not pregnant.

Third, the parents were aware...

...and the kids were almost engaged.

What do you mean by "almost"?

The parents didn't put any obstacles in their way.

So?

It was a lovers' quarrel, quite simply.

According to you, they simply quarreled...

...then they just swallowed a few cyanide pills?

It's an explanation.

If you have another one, give it to me before noon tomorrow.

After that, the case is closed.

Feeling better?

Yes thanks.

You've had enough of this place, haven't you?

I don't think there's anything more I can do here.

Me neither.

- How about we go for a ride? - I don't mind. Where?

Your place, for example.

- To do what? - Well, you'll see.

A small detail...

I don't live alone. So don't be surprised.

To find someone at home? Natural, if you don't live alone.

The life of a widower can be complicated, often bizarre.

The life of an artist!

As we're not expected, the place could be in a mess...

Don't worry, in 20 years, that's never bothered me.

A surprise.

Someone with me... Inspector...

Plonche.

Ernest Plonche.

You are...

A cop, yes.

My wife. Well actually...

Well I understand.

She has no equal in reading hands.

So please come in.

Doll, 2 small glasses.

So who'll not get one?

She used to run a highly-rated consulting firm.

She's also clairvoyant.

Try her, if it amuses you...

- No thanks. - Just a bit of fun.

I'm not here for fun, but to clarify a story of suicide.

Oh yes.

Yes, you're right.

- Or murder. - Oh, Inspector!

So you've said you're a sculptor?

Yes. Well, yes... I sculpt.

And what do you sculpt?

Goodness me...

For the moment nothing. The big darling doesn't sculpt anything.

He's thinking.

Yes. I... I'm preparing something very important.

I know...

You're waiting for the idea to mature.

It's a tactic.

So then... your son was an accountant?

No doubt he helped you a little?

A little yes.

- Food and pocket money. - No! Not pocket money.

Excuse me.

Where did he work?

- Another drink? - Thanks.

So, where?

Mareuil Bros.

Wholesale tools.

Mareuil Brothers?

I guess one of the brothers happens to be the girl's father?

The father of that poor little Catherine, yes.

She adored me.

That poor little Catherine adored me.

She saw me more as a dad than as a future father-in-law.

And I suppose the future in-laws adored you too.

In short, everything was going well.

Let's recap anyway...

Your son had no reason to kill his fiancee, and vice versa?

Certainly not!

They had no reason to commit suicide?

Apparently none, Inspector.

And no one had a reason to poison them?

Of course not!

-Perfect.

By the way, is this all true?

But...

So it's the corpses that are false.

Ma'am...

Inspector, I don't question the justice system...

What more do you want me to say?

Don't find me miserable enough as it is?

How do you prove to a cop that you're unhappy?

They're sentimental... it's scary!

- Psychic. - What?

Sentimental? You're right. Numbers don't matter.

Caught cold too?

You'll prescribe nasal treatments?

Riviera.

Anyway, I'm not a doctor.

So, this address, please.

8 rue du Midi.

- Are you planning to go there? - Why not?

They'll believe that I sent you...

that I'm trying to make trouble for them.

- And the case is almost closed. - Oh yes.

Can't you see what he's after?

To get a promotion by fabricating a crime...

...by establishing that Jean and the girl didn't get along...

...and that he poisoned her first.

You're right. Madam is clairvoyant.

- What do you want? - Mrs Mareuil is in?

- And you are...? - Ernest Plonche.

- I don't think so... - It's alright...

- I'm sorry. - I'm a policeman.

Sorry!

If you would please wait a moment, Sir.

I will see if Madam is available.

Madame is in such a state...

Tell me... A simple piece of information...

How long have you been working here?

15 years. And never a complaint from Sir or Madam.

Congratulations.

So you knew Jean Bompart?

We saw the unfortunate young man...

...the evening of Miss Catherine's birthday

If we could have predicted...

And Auguste Bompart, his father?

The inspector wants to talk about that kind of sculptor, I believe?

Was he coming here?

May I pass on that?

You don't have to answer me. All right.

Madam is in the small living room. If the Inspector would follow me...

May I take your hat?

And coat?

Please excuse me, madam. and accept my condolences.

The police aren't always able to choose a good time.

Thank you, Sir.

Indeed, I don't understand what, in this painful story...

Well, since you're here...

Thank you.

Would you like a cup of tea?

A small one.

Although, it's said that it irritates.

But then, so many things are "said"...

Well, I've just come from Bompart.

The unfortunate friend. How is he?

Very dejected.

To be honest, a little worked-up.

Sorrow, no doubt.

Fate struck us together, at the same minute.

It's so horrible.

You've seen him? You've spoken to him?

How did he seem take his misfortune?

-With a little rum.

Poor man... Let's not judge him.

On the contrary, if you see him again...

...give him our sympathy.

In our distress, we didn't send him our condolences.

He will be all the more sensitive to it...

...since he accuses you of having caused the death of his son.

Pardon? Did I hear correctly?

We couldn't be clearer, dear madam.

It's simply impossible!

You realise the situation of my husband, Charles Mareuil.

Metallurgist.

Industrialist, sir.

The accusations of an Auguste Bompart...

...would otherwise be more laughable than malicious.

Auguste Bompart dares to accuse us?

It suits him though! It suits him very well!

He probably omitted to talk about his story.

His story? Auguste Bompart has a story?

What is it?

For that, see my husband.

I'll make sure I do.

So, you knew Auguste Bompart before his son was dating your daughter?

My daughter?

My daughter was no longer my daughter.

Goodness! Whose daughter was she?

These last weeks, she had ceased being a Mareuil to become a Bompart.

So you were opposed to this marriage...

...which would explain that unfortunate gesture.

- Of course not! - So much the better.

In the end, feeling she had ceased to be your daughter...

...didn't change the fact that you were still her mother.

Sir, one never stops being a mother.

My mistake, and even more, my husband's mistake...

...was to take this relationship for childishness.

God knows though...

God knows what?

We had been forewarned.

The thing happened before our eyes, in our house.

What "thing"?

The encounter.

We've been witnesses to this madness...

...and didn't know to put a brake on it.

We can beat ourselves on the chest.

But it's too late.

But in the end, could Jean Bompart...

...ever have been in our midst, among our guests?

However...

And yet, yes... Jean Bompart got to know my daughter here.

In what circumstances?

During a ball.

An event for Catherine's birthday.

Here... in this room.

You can't imagine...

Oh yes, I can imagine very well.

It was a brilliant evening...

...with beautiful gowns and the Calanne Concert Orchestra.

Bishop Jocelyn was one of the guests.

A man of the Church coupled with a man of spirit.

We had invited our daughter's friends...

...very modern, yet charming young people.

So, of course, were their parents...

...friendly people, and of our world.

- And your niece? - Married since winter.

Very nice ceremony, in Saint-Honore.

Solange said: "I'll marry in Saint-Honoré or not at all."

She's a character!

- And the happy husband? - Charles? He's scrumptious!

But he's also a character. He had a sensational war.

And a very nice position in Bridges and Roads.

Jean-Jacques will go to Tech-Uni.

I had to drag him out of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, by the ears!

And dear Alain? Still progressive?

One of the exalted! Intelligent, but exhilarating.

I refused to buy him a car.

Do you know what he did?

He joined the Party.

- THE Party...? - Yes.

Just to get back at me!

My daughter was dancing with Edmond de Villevieille.

Little Edmond, as we called him.

A boy of the future...

...very gifted in political science.

A perfect atmosphere. Not a false note.

At least not yet.

Because Jean Bompart, understanding that his presence was incongruous...

...temporarily stood alone near the door.

And our daughter, as unbelievable as it now seems...

...walked up to meet her misfortune.

Our misfortune.

Are you not eating?

You don't drink?

You don't know whether you want to come in or go out.

Well... I'm watching.

Doesn't look like you're having fun.

Have some cake, to do like everyone else.

Catherine! A moment please.

Excuse me.

- The Cassiaux are here. - Really?

- Did you greet them? - No, Dad. I didn't have time.

Make the time to do it, my darling.

You definitely don't like cake.

Oh sorry!

You might find small pieces of candle.

It's my birthday cake.

I'm 18 since this morning.

- I know. - You mean it shows?

Without the need for candles, it's so obvious.

And I also know that your name is Miss Mareuil.

Miss Mareuil Brothers, wholesale tools...

Catherine Mareuil.

How do you like it?

Mareuil is a name that I'm used to.

It's on all the accounts, that I work on 8 hours a day.

- You understand? - I understand.

Mareuil by day, Mareuil by night, it makes a lot.

- No at all. - You don't like this extra Mareuil.

Be honest.

To be honest, Catherine is the one I like.

My dear, this waltz holds out its arms to you.

Too late. I've have already been invited by this gentleman.

Be a pal!

It's shameful! She refused this dance to my son.

My little Edmond... He loves the waltz so much!

Shows the upbringing!

Did you see Edmond's mother? She's scowling at us.

Which one is she?

The lady in wax, next to the wrought-iron one.

Catherine had a bad attitude towards people in our community.

A well-behaved young man would have set things right.

Jean Bompart was laughing.

No doubt he found it amusing...

...to compromise my daughter under our roof.

Because from that first dance...

...our guests judged the impropriety of such a situation.

But in the absence of savoir-faire...

...John Bompart was not lacking in a certain nerve.

I'd never have dared ask you to dance.

Because you're an employee?

No, because I dance so badly.

- No! - Oh yes. I'm well aware.

Besides, it doesn't go unnoticed.

We're talked about.

So much the better.

For once they have a topic of conversation!

- Who is she dancing with? - An employee of Mareuil.

So much for taste!

Maybe we should find it modern.

They've never left each other.

And soon...

...comments were not spared me.

And your daughter, my dear... any plans?

- Catherine is still a child. - Of course, of course...

There's plenty of time. It's not as though it's late for her.

It's not late for that cute little thing, either.

Finally, after that interminable dance suite...

...a pause allowed me to hope the scandal would come to an end.

The opposite happened.

My daughter and this boy went to the small drawing room.

Let's not mince words... they went to be alone together.

That takes the cake!

What an outfit, at 18!

- 18 years old? - Yes.

I thought older... She already has bags under her eyes.

Your eyes are green, with like little drops of water in them.

There are times when they're blue.

- It depends on the light. - Yes.

I find that very pretty... eyes that change.

You do?

Yes I...

- Do you play the piano? - Yes...

Well, I take lessons.

Wednesday and Friday from 3pm to 5pm.

- Are you a musician? - No, I'm not.

I'd love to, but I'm an assistant- accountant. It's me taking forever.

Your father's an accountant?

No. Why?

They say that a father chooses his own profession for his children.

Your father's not in pianos.

No, that's true.

But he has money.

That's why mum has been learning English for 20 years...

and that I have been repeating 'Fuer Elise' for 6 months.

So you see, I'm not very musical either.

All the same, I see Beethoven...

The Beethoven lessons are the cheapest!

My father is a sculptor.

What a beautiful job!

- The sculptor creates with his hands... - If he carves something.

Angels, naked women...

...portraits of Beethoven, anything.

So you become one!

I can't. Someone has to work.

Catherine should've known what to expect with the son of Auguste Bompart.

Well no.

I tried to put an end to a situation that had lasted too long.

- Catherine! - Mum?

Come and take care of your guests.

But Jean is also a guest.

Are you coming, John?

She was already calling him "Jean".

- Charles! - My dear?

Catherine is carrying on.

She's dancing.

With Jean Bompart...

- If you hadn't invited him... - I invited the managerial staff.

I couldn't invite Mazuire, Legendre and Clement...

...without inviting Bompart. I wouldn't have been right.

Marvellous!

You find it normal that our daughter goes off alone with your employee...

...in the Charles X salon! When your name is Mareuil...

"Mareuil" is my maiden name.

So it's only temporary.

While I will always be called Jean Bompart.

"Bompart" is nothing exceptional.

It goes with "Jean", which I find nice.

Catherine lacked moderation, and this boy overstepped the bounds.

My husband made it clear to him.

So you showed him the door.

We let him know the impropriety of his attitude.

That's what I meant.

I can’t figure it out...

After our first reaction...

...we allowed Catherine to see this boy again.

We didn't approve of her choice...

...but we acted generously, to avoid a bad reaction.

No, I do not see what could have brought about this tragedy.

Potassium cyanide.

But it could have ended otherwise... by marriage, for example?

I know some who would probably have preferred this solution.

- Not you? - How can you imply...

Well, something like that?

Obviously just not possible.

However, the fact is that the cyanide exists.

Let's talk about what followed.

- Followed? - With them.

You told me they saw each other again.

Where and when?

Before my husband acted...

Catherine had made an appointment with that...

With that boy.

-I didn't think she would go.

He probably didn't think so either.

- And yet... - And yet, they went there.

Unfortunately, yes!

Against all odds.

The appointment was at the statue of Henry IV...

...5 minutes from her piano teacher.

She was almost running.

Jean Bompart was already there.

Did you follow her?

- A worried mother has the right... - Very well.

At that time, my daughter hid nothing from me.

I was a friend.

She would have spoken to me about the meeting.

- I'd prefer... - Damn!

It's so much simpler.

I didn't think you'd come.

Really? Why?

I don't know... Just had the idea.

You often just have ideas like that?

I thought you'd said it just to be nice to me.

That was the intention.

We sometimes say things in the course of a joyful evening, and then...

You found the evening joyful?

- You're very nice. - Understand... For me it was...

It was a new experience. I didn't know your world.

You're lucky.

Yes, I'm lucky.

Right now, I'm very lucky.

It would have been more joyful without servants and Tech-Uni stuck-ups.

Mum doesn't like a party, let alone a birthday...

...without Tech-Uni stuck-ups.

Where does she find them? Are they on loan? Does she rent them?

That would be so beautiful! No, we have some in the family.

We have everything else... doctors, engineers, lawyers...

I even believe that we have a consul in Peru.

In Peru? How about that!

And with your family, apart from the sculptor?

Which sculptor?

- Isn't your father... - Oh yes! That's true.

- I completely forgot. - No! You mustn't forget that...

A sculptor is at least worth a consul.

The proof... we lack one in the family.

Why are you smiling?

No reason.

You were right,

There are times when your eyes are blue.

When I think that...

When I think that...

...yesterday, we still didn't know each other.

I remember, you just said to me...

"Have some cake."

And then...

Yes?

And then...

Here we are.

Here we are, like two old friends...

- Not that old. - That's true.

But like two friends all the same.

You know, a friendship can be very nice.

Sometimes it's...

...it's also a way to start off things.

Yes.

Sometimes, yes.

It's like saying...

"Have some cake."

Or "Mareuil is my maiden name."

It's easy now...

...to say something you'd keep to yourself.

Yes. It is.

It's just a matter of who's the better one to say it first.

Kid-talk!

Childishness!

Which quickly became a daily thing.

Of course, of course.

Why "of course"?

My daughter got into the habit of coming home later and later.

- One night, she got home at midnight. - Oh! Goodness me!

Having supposedly dined in a restaurant in the Latin Quarter.

Why, "supposedly"?

I wonder to which restaurant he could take my daughter...

...on what he'd be paid.

Then the dinners were repeated, until the day Catherine told me..

...that she had a date with her... How shall I put it?

- Her fiance. - Please!

A fiance doesn't entice a girl to his room.

It was clean! Augustus' son...

45, rue Montsouris

The setting for a trap!

With his pious air, he knew what he was doing.

He compromises the girl, he marries the dowry.

It's a method.

Please show the gentleman out.

I apologise for disturbing your rest.

Tell me... A simple piece of information...

In this house has, there ever been talk of a betrothal?

I'm not the gossip-monger, Inspector.

Noted!

- Phone? - Down and to the left.

Thanks.

Something to drink?

No. I just had tea. It's enough for me.

Hello... Lequier? Plonge here.

Give me 26-33...

Superintendent Constant.

Hello, Constant...?

Ernest here. This is it, you can close.

What?

No. I'm carrying on.

There are just things I still want to know.

By the way, don't be surprised if the Mareuils call.

Bompart filed a complaint.

Because I'm telling you.

I didn't think that you'd take it so badly.

Tonight, I can't. I'm going to the theatre.

That's it. See you tomorrow.

Concierge?

Concierge?

Sorry sir...

Oh, it's Auguste!

Sorry, Inspector, I didn't recognize you.

I recovered some things that belong to me.

I gave them to my son. Now...

Of course.

I've just left the Mareuils.

Just what is your story?

That old bird told you about it, eh?

Yes and no.

She will have made allusions. It's her forte.

- I've known her for a long time. - I learned that.

Nevertheless, the Mareuils are filing a complaint.

Because of my story? It's ancient history!

Maybe for your story...

...but not for complicity in the corruption of a minor...

...in the person of Catherine Mareuil.

Basically, what I'm telling you...

But then I guess I might be boring you.

In your place, I'd take the lead immediately.

Would you like me to file a complaint?

It can impress a tribunal favourably. You never know.

We're not going to stand here. How about we go up?

By the way, I apologize for the way which my wife received you.

She has no education.

Do you have the key?

So this is the setting?

- Setting? - The setting for the trap.

The old bird's expression.

Yes.

So this has been the place of their first dinner...

...the night Catherine got home at midnight.

Yes.

How do you know?

I happened to pass by.

Jean had bought a bouquet of roses and a bottle of sparkling wine.

That's how I pictured the scene to myself.

Carry on.

My son was a domestic sort of boy...

And naturally, on this evening...

...he'd put on a first-rate spread.

The Bomparts have nothing to learn from the Mareuils...

...in terms of life skills.

I should've knocked...

...but the door wasn't closed...

...so I came in.

It's really nice, your place.

"Chez vous..."?

I thought we had dropped the "vous", since yesterday.

Actually, since the day before yesterday, in Luxembourg.

But in Luxembourg, it wasn't the same thing.

Tonight we are here,

...in our place.

It's very different.

Yes.

Yes, it's very different.

But it's a day to remember.

We'll talk about it later.

I'll say, "Do you remember? It was your first time here."

- "I was uncomfortable." - "You had your blue coat..."

- Beige.

I assure you it was beige! It will be a true memory.

For the sake of peace, I'll say "Yes, beige."

What a liar you will be!

-I will hold you like this against me,

I'll stroke your hair, like that...

"I was happy."

- "I was so happy..." - "That you forgot to kiss me."

What a liar you'll be.

What is this?

- Hey...! - You'll admit...

But that's champagne.

I thought I was impressing you with my sparkling wine.

But it's superior.

I love it. It's lighter.

- Truly? - Yes.

If that's the case, let's drink mine.

Why are you smiling?

Before coming...

...I wondered what a boy's room, living alone, would look like.

It's not quite "a boy's room living alone" anymore.

No.

No more.

Drink up.

It's nice.

Yes. Not bad.

For a single boy, it's enough, but it will have to change.

I'll show you what I have in mind.

You see?

It would be like that...

...but in a quiet corner, in the countryside,

5 or 10 minutes from a train station.

Why not in the South? With a terrace and pine trees.

- In the south? - Yes.

- You don't know the South? - Not at all.

It doesn't matter... We can put pines in, anyway.

-Yes. An easy to maintain garden.

Lawns and roses everywhere.

- We all garden, more or less. - "More or less"!

-Now show me around.

Oh yes, well...

Here is the front door.

That?

It's the window.

But where?

- Well... It's a room. - And this one?

Whatever you want. The interior's up to you.

Good. So here, the living room.

Here, your office... with a really big library.

None of it matters.

What matters is that we are quite peaceful...

Away from other people.

Nothing but you and me.

Yes.

And then, well anyway, later, with kids.

Yes.

Olivier and Sophie.

That's it.

Olivier and Sophie.

Hey...

for our bedroom... Do you have an idea for our bedroom?

No.

No specific idea.

We have time to think about it.

Don't you think?

Yes.

What are you thinking about?

Nothing.

Nonsense.

Listen, Jean...

Up till now we've managed to...

...not think about certain things.

Do you want us...

...to keep going?

Yes.

If you agree.

Do you really love me?

Silly!

What else do you want me to ask you?

Want a little more sparkling wine?

Yes.

It's probably the concierge.

Police!

It's Dad.

What will he think?

That's not what worries me.

It's me! Hello, kid.

Pardon.

I didn't know...

As they say, I'm sorry if I'm interrupting.

Come on, kid!

I'm his father... Auguste Bompart.

Aren't I family too?

A friend of my father's.

Thank you!

Happy to meet you.

My fiancee.

A big hug, my dear!

Dad, please!

Well what, kid? What's so unusual?

Do your father's ways shock you?

If you'd been in the trenches...

You're no longer in the trenches, Dad.

Goodness me!

- Champagne? - Sparkling.

Well... You take care of yourself, my lambs.

You're right, life is short.

- At my age, it's all over. - Thanks!

Come on, doll! I wasn't getting at you.

To your loves, kid!

To yours, you slob!

Madame is on edge.

Madame may have her reasons.

Tell them, to see. Tell them, you old twit!

She's nervous, hypersensitive.

Excuse her. It almost never happens.

I'm sure.

Jean has often spoken about you.

Are you a sculptor?

Yes, kid. I am a sculptor.

Sculptor! That's it, kid. Step-dad is a sculptor.

Sculptor, my arse!

Step-dad is a draught, a vacuum, bubbles...

Blow on step-dad and he evaporates.

Don't listen to her.

On the other hand, the tricks, yes!

Playing fast and loose... the little swindles...

All the time!

Like inviting to a movie at the local cinema...

...no one beats him.

Our Mister Artist does the forgotten wallet trick.

She's furious, because at the moment to pay for tickets, not a penny on me.

And why?

You left your wallet in your work-jacket.

The what jacket? Explain that!

With a woman of bad faith...

Can't you see that you're pissing them off?

A father shouldn't accept... but given her bad mood...

- If the cinema makes her happy... - Thanks. You're a good son.

Bye, kid.

Congratulations.

An amusing couple.

Yes.

Yes, they're very funny.

Shall we eat?

I'm not hungry anymore.

I understand you.

"Vous"?

I thought that since yesterday, I was "tu"..

In our house in the South, we won't have guests.

"We won't have guests"

You realise what it means?

What ungrateful children!

That was the last thing I ever wanted to hear.

If you weren't eavesdropping...

- A father has the right. - Of course.

You wouldn't have looked through the keyhole?

- What do you take me for? - A father. A father has all the rights.

So you could tell me if they drank the champagne.

I would like to know how far... You see what I mean.

That's what I thought.

I came by the merest chance...

It would have been lost.

There are so many things that get lost.

To your health all the same.

Good old Auguste!

Will you come in, Sir?

I congratulate you, Sir.

I don't know if your superiors really appreciate your initiative.

Rest assured that honest people are grateful to you.

Mrs Mareuil told me about your visit. I called Superintendent Constant.

This honest man told me that the Bompart complaint never existed.

Will you call me back later?

You are not in charge of any investigation.

Your malevolence, for no professional reason, is unwarranted...

Unless...

...you are possibly acting on behalf of Bompart.

You would make a famous pair.

What's behind it? Blackmail? Bullying?

As far as I'm concerned, you won't get away with it.

I have enough connections...

...including your superiors, including the prefect himself...

...to stop this hateful persecution, and I would even say...

Oh no... Don't say anything more.

That's quite alright. I've understood.

Can I at least know the purpose of your visit?

A courtesy.

But still...

I await your explanations.

Oh yes!

About explanations...

...maybe we could talk about the story of Auguste.

It seems you've known the worthy Auguste for a long time.

Long before he had any thought of joining your family.

You've no right to question me, however, I can answer you.

Auguste Bompart was employed by me for 9 years...

...until...

Yes. That's what I wanted to ask about..

"Until".

Until...

Until I kicked him out, because Bompart is a thief. A thief!

Why keep the son, and why receive him at my home?

By philanthropy, sir.

The father was tickling the till. I fired him, but not the son.

I thought gratitude was not an empty word.

You know how I was thanked...

The death of my daughter...

...our name in the newspapers, the scandal.

Catherine was our only child.

I understand your feelings, Mr Mareuil...

...but how did you accept the projected wedding with Jean Bompart?

I didn't accept it.

But...

But I would have endured it, as I endured scabies in 1914...

...and a lot of other minor inconveniences since.

I am a man of duty and I have always adored my daughter.

I can see, apart from her dowry, what she had to attract a Jean Bompart.

- Catherine had an education. - And maybe he thought she was pretty.

That's not an explanation.

I'll give it to you for what it's worth.

Tell me what this young dandy had that seduced my daughter.

He was not even, to resume your explanation, "pretty".

Maybe he was to her taste.

But, as you say, it's not an explanation.

At one point, we could believe that she would've got over these follies.

Her mother and I spoke to her seriously.

- The language of reason. - Reason and feeling.

Catherine seemed to have understood this.

The following Sunday, instead of going to a park...

...she is out with Odile de Frontin.

The name suggests someone from your world?

Very high class.

On Sunday they went horse riding in Saint-Germain.

A Sunday... Really!

Her mother and I wanted her to mix in the equestrian world.

"Equestrian."

You meet nice people there. At least well brought up.

On the other hand, the atmosphere of Saint-Germain...

- So here you are! - Yes.

You take the cake... Bravo!

Mareuil phoned me.

You reassured him by telling him Bompart's complaint didn't exist.

That of Mareuil against Bompart, exists?

- Auguste phoned? - He came in.

The worthy Auguste!

- You think this is funny? - Oh no...

Your job was simple. A beginner could have done it.

You subjected Mrs Mareuil to rude questioning.

You seek to sow discord between the two families.

- Result? - Zero.

But I'm still just getting started.

It starts like that. Afterwards, there's the riverside, the restaurants...

...sparkling wine and button roses.

I'm on to the button roses.

I urge you to stay there.

Ernest, you have 15 years experience, you're not a kid anymore.

No.

And an excess of zeal has never been your forte.

True!

What is this fuss about? for these two scamps...?

Who are dead, and you don't know why.

Me neither, but I'll find out eventually...

...even though "excess of zeal" has never been my forte.

Give me the prefecture... identity-card department.

Button roses...

I'd never come across button roses with Beethoven.

I feel like I'm at the cinema. I won't leave till the end.

Identity-cards, are they coming?

I'm going for a walk in the park. A change from going down to Pigalle.

Identity? Give me Duleux.

It's you? Plonche here.

Yes. Find me "de Frontin": F, r, o, n.

"Odile de Frontin"

Student, probably.

So I'll come and see you.

That's it.

What's this all about?

Goodbye, Odile.

See you tomorrow.

Miss de Frontin? Odile de Frontin?

- Who are...? - I'm a friend of Jean Bompart.

I'd like to talk to you for a minute.

Why not?

Hi, Odile.

Hi, Huguette.

Huguette Bardois. Just my luck.

Tonight the whole class will say I have some old guy.

You'd like...?

A Cinzano and an orangeade.

Doesn't Cinzano agree with you?

Two Cinzanos.

So you were a friend of Jean's.

He told you the school...

But how did you recognize me?

This is my photo ID!

Are you a policeman?

- Do I look like one? - No.

- Thanks. - Don't mention it.

Alright.

So, your opinion of Jean Bompart?

I only saw him once. The Nogent day.

- Been to Nogent? - Mr Mareuil calls it Saint-Germain.

So that Catherine can go out. I had to tell...

Yes. The equestrian world?

- Something had to be found. - Obviously.

It must have been hard, the day before, at Catherine's.

She made me feel she was...

...nervous, worried.

- How did you find Jean? - He seemed a bit shy to me.

Quite likeable.

- What's the word...? - A bit corny.

Oh no.

Old-fashioned.

For example, he didn't dare be familiar with Catherine in front of me.

He didn't kiss her or even hold her.

- You know how that looks. - I can imagine.

With a boy, it's pretty unusual.

These days they can't keep their hands off you.

But knowing Jean, you may not be surprised.

It doesn't surprise me at all. Go on.

I told Mrs Mareuil that I took Catherine horseback riding.

We had a date with Jean in front of Nogent station.

It was swarming with people.

So as not to look stupid, I'd asked friends to come.

Boyfriends are quick to let you down.

I wanted to have people on hand, no matter what.

- Orangeade, lemonade, Mint with water?

-Lemonade for everyone. With ice and straws.

He needs exercise.

We were supposed to go to tennis yesterday.

Tennis on an essay day!

- Romanticism in Shakespeare. - I waited for you.

I apologise? You dance?

Shakespeare, I don't care about. Of course I dance.

Me too, I waited for you.

I couldn't come.

I may not be able to ever come again.

You're crazy?

If we continue, I'll be just that.

Look at me.

I had a huge row with my parents.

- To that extent? - Worse than that.

Let's get out of here, shall we?

Your father is smart.

He should understand it's all miraculous.

That's what we discussed yesterday.

Miracles can't be discussed.

I believed that too, Jean.

No. We didn't know my father very well.

He is a Mareuil.

The 3 things Mareuils hate most... paid holidays, the cinema...

...and love-marriages.

You can be sceptical and face the facts.

Not them.

They're gone. These days loneliness...

...rarely comes after 20 years of marriage.

They still have to build their fabulous home.

I don't understand. Since we love each other...

It seems that at our age, we can believe we're in love.

- A difference. - Yes...

When I kiss you, and even when I don't kiss you...

I know very well that I love you. I'm quite sure of it.

We don't have to be in love, to see each other.

But being in love means we're going to see each other, right?

Of course, Jean.

Seeing each other makes us love each other.

This is why they believe that if we don't see each other anymore...

...we may end up...

Forgetting?

It's silly.

That's Dad's idea.

- You said he was smart. - Yeah.

But if that's the way he thinks...

He also has a plan...

...to send me to boarding school.

Far away.

In England...

...or in Canada.

What will you do?

I don't know yet.

Let's make a decision before it's made for us.

Well, let's make it.

Let's get married.

That's one decision.

"Decision..." Our decision.

You're proposing what they dread most... Marriage below one's station.

Come on...

Odile must be wondering what we're doing.

We'll talk about all that.

Do you think you can get out tomorrow night?

With what's going on...

I'll do it one more time.

I'll wait for you at the Medici fountain.

Why not at your place?

I thought you preferred...

Changed your mind?

No... it's the circumstances that have changed.

Something a Mareuil dreads more than marriage beneath you...

...is an affair that's known about.

- We may still have a chance. - No, Catherine.

They're wrong. Let's not give them a reason.

You wanted that we have nothing to forgive ourselves for.

You were right. We must continue to be right.

- Now... - Now more than ever.

We have the right to love each other, to leave together.

We're as much right as they are wrong.

You see our love ending by means of blackmail?

You imagine our first night with blackmail the next day?

Can you imagine that?

I imagine everything, except to be separated from you.

We won't let them separate us.

I don't want to become what people think of me...

...the one who compromises the heiress to marry the factory.

Words, words, words...!

Dad and Mum went on and on and now you're the same.

The whole week of words!

It's Sunday though...

Be nice to me, please!

Don't pay attention.

I never talked so much at one time.

I got confused. Please forgive me.

But no... Unfortunately, you're right.

Odile must be waiting for us.

We were back around half past midnight.

It made for one of those stories!

Mrs Mareuil couldn't wait to write to Mum.

- You where this leads. - As if I were there.

Poor Catherine.

- Did you see her again after that? - Of course.

She told you about her dates on the bus?

-Yes.

One evening it was raining...

They had no raincoats, and took shelter in the bus.

After that, they'd go back...

...even when it wasn't raining, out of habit.

Often, Catherine said to me:

"You're going to make me miss my bus."

They were pretending to go on a honeymoon.

Funny game!

Of course, at your age...

One day, Catherine looked distraught.

There'd been a scene at home.

She said...

"This time, we're going on a real trip."

Oh yes?

Where?

In Paris-Plage. You weren't aware?

The beach set-up... I should have known.

It fits the pattern.

It is true that at my age, we don't think of everything.

Paris-plage...

Do you know?

Not yet.

Why did they poison themselves?

Shall we ever know?

Some poison themselves because they're sick of being poisoned by others.

There are those who poison themselves all their lives.

And those who prefer to get poisoned all at once.

It's a question of perspective.

It's not a crime though, is it?

That too is a question of perspective.

Waiter!

There you are, Inspector.

[ STREET-PHOTOGRAPHER'S RECEIPT ]

If you'd like to sign it.

Thank you.

Excuse me, I changed my jacket and left my pen.

Down and to the left.

All I've left to do is wish that your sorrow may lessen.

It's no longer a matter for legal investigation.

Superintendent, my wife and myself...

...appreciate your tact in this painful affair.

Yes, painful... although I've been at war...

You don't say!

- Please? - Where have you been?

By the sea.

Crab fishing.

You're going?

They're leaving already?

Then the statement's been signed.

They didn't look for the how or the why.

They took their stand.

They're good people...

...don't you think?

No one is missing...

...except the kids with button roses and a Mass for music.

But they preferred cyanide.

Does the rank of inspector allow...

...the honour of a family to be destroyed?

Oh dear no! Rest assured.

Does Mr Bompart not also speak of his honour?

- The worthy Auguste! - That's enough!

You didn't set out to find if Jean and Catherine succumbed to cyanide?

That was a definite fact.

Alright Sir. But you didn't know that Jean Bompart obtained cyanide...

...because Catherine Mareuil was to go to boarding-school in Canada.

You didn't even know that she was to leave.

Mr Mareuil didn't tell you.

You stuck with the wedding plan.

That was the love story... that of the kids.

There's also the history of the family and of the in-laws.

In a marriage, the in-laws don't always make things right.

Catherine Mareuil was to embark the following week for Canada...

That was settled.

Decided according to the wishes of Mr Mareuil.

Mr Mareuil's an organised man.

For Catherine and Jean, this decision called for another...

...maybe a little more improvised, but also urgent.

And one morning... It must have been a beautiful morning...

...they packed their bags, and they took the train.

In a few hours by train, sometimes happiness is found.

In the morning, at Gare du Nord, they were worried...

...overtaken by events...

...and that's how they felt to have grown up suddenly.

No, not quite yet.

Modesty is a childlike grace.

We don't part with it as easily as a suitcase.

In these stories there is always sunshine, blue skies...

...and the seaside.

We look at each other, we're delighted.

It's stupid as a postcard and sweet as a love song.

In our twenties when we have the great adventure...

...there are little moments of emotion. It's natural.

They were having fun. How they loved each other...

...without looking at their watch.

They had a lifetime ahead of them.

At this age, a lifetime is a matter of a few minutes.

Walks for two lead to the end of the world. It's infallible.

They didn't have enough eyes to look at each other...

...or words to talk to each other.

Two hearts on vacation.

Two kids with their first night ahead of them.

Fortunately, the parents were there.

As soon as the kids left...

...the little parasite has been summoned urgently by the big pain in the arse.

- I summons you... - To apologise.

I do apologise for upsetting your valet.

It was he who told me about the little session with Auguste.

I regret omitting that.

Mr Bompart.

- You sent for me? - I certainly did.

You probably don’t know why.

My goodness, no... I don't see...

Liar!

Liar.

My dear...

Oh no! No "my dears" between us.

You're not playing a role.

So will you ever change?

Charles...!

We're not into diplomatic niceties here.

We're facing a tragedy.

A tragedy?

- Is it bad news? - None at all.

Neither good nor bad.

We are facing a tragedy because my daughter fled with a lout.

That lout is your son. It doesn't surprise me.

Charles...!

- What, "Charles"?

Yes or no... Has Catherine run off?

God, it's just not possible.

At least sit down.

Listen to me.

So far, I've endured everything...

Flirting, dating... Sundays here and there.

Late homecomings.

But I won't put up with a scandalous and dubious affair...

Living together as man and wife.

With us, we don't take a lover before we're married.

Jean would be no worse a husband than someone else.

Ah, I was waiting for this!

A neat solution!

Nice wedding!

I could take my son-in-law in as partner..

...and maybe offer you shares.

My compliments!

Once upon a time, you were just a thief.

Why didn't I have you jailed?

Because it suited you.

Possibly.

Certain, actually.

Remember.

I just remember one thing...

If I'd filed a complaint, you were locked up.

I'd have been locked up...

...but if your accounts had been examined...

...maybe you'd have been locked up too.

And as far as I'm concerned, it's ancient history.

Let's not confuse yesterday with today.

There's a statute of limitations for embezzlement of funds...

...but not for the corruption of a minor.

Catherine is 18 years old.

If you help me find her, the case will be closed.

Otherwise, the police will take over the case of your son and...

...therefore, that of you.

It's about my daughter's future...

And my son's.

Your son's future!?

He doesn't have one. He never had one.

That's what we blame him for.

Without this...

Assuming that I warn Jean, do you think he will listen to me?

Considering education these days...

You know where they are.

- Well... - Basically, you're not a bad guy.

I was telling you...

Sir rang?

Port?

Port.

Port.

Sit down, old friend.

For a drink, Auguste will do anything that's asked of him.

He would have seen the wedding with a good eye. Right, the artist?

I saw my son's happiness.

Mr Mareuil saw the happiness of his daughter, too.

No one saw happiness with the same telescope.

The kids had a more precise view...

...but they couldn't see far in the future.

And their future was not far away, thanks to Mr Mareuil.

You've been perfect.

That's really not possible.

Yes, it's quite possible.

But your husband is not a murderer.

He won't be charged, nor will anyone else.

Congenital stupidity is not provided for in the Code.

The law does not prohibit fools from having children.

- We couldn't predict. - Neither could they.

However, it happened.

While they were drinking whey,

Auguste drank port at your house.

I'm so happy.

And you?

Sure... since you're happy.

It's weird... I don't feel ashamed at all.

Absolutely not.

Any regrets?

What do you want me to regret in your arms?

I feel good.

I feel that...

...if I should die right now...

well...

You're right.

Now everything is simple.

I used to be ashamed when you kissed me...

...and we were looked at.

I was ashamed too when your concierge saw me...

...and asked me where I was going.

What a bitch, that one!

It's no longer worth thinking about. All that was yesterday.

Now, when we take a walk, people can watch us...

...and ask questions on the why, the how...

...and even get answers, if it amuses them.

For example... they whisper...

"She's the mistress of that young man."

"Mistress". How can you come up with such an expression?

- It's a common word. - That's why you have to be careful.

Being common doesn't make it nice.

"Mistress"! Don't you realise?

For me, what's done is done. I love you.

Look, Catherine... I can't explain it...

Love can’t be made.

Look at the two of us, for example.

We left this morning, and it happened tonight.

Yes that's it.

It was you who found the right word.

"It happened".

Love happens.

And to young people, it happens very strongly.

-Come see our circus and its wonderful program.

14 rides,

40 artists, a superb circus program.

Come and see the superb trapeze artists.

Come in, come in! Take your seats.

It starts right now.

Come see our circus and its wonderful program.

Shit! Your pop-gun's bent!

You don't know how to shoot.

I'm the company champion.

It's going to be beautiful!

A marriage during the year.

Children: a boy, a girl.

-Olivier and Sophie.

-A lot of joy.

Here... A trip.

- In the south? - Hard to say.

Unless you want the big play. It's 50 francs.

No, thank you, madam.

Yet I see so much happiness, a lot of money.

Here... an illness.

But twice nothing.

1,2,3,4,5...

You are in luck!

It's 50 francs.

Here, ma'am.

Thanks.

Those are good customers!

Exercise your skill and you can win.

Have a go, ladies and gentlemen? 20 francs for 4.

Thanks.

Practice!

You won!

- A ring for Miss. - Madam!

- No offense. - None taken.

Young man, are we trying our hand?

Dad, it's the mail you had to forward.

It'll be okay, kid.

It'll surely work out.

Without me, Mr Mareuil would've sent the cops after you.

Corruption of a minor and the whole caboodle.

You see me with a son in prison? I prepared for the worst.

Didn't I, my friend?

Yes...

Do you think about honour?

The cops would've looked for you everywhere.

They ARE looking everywhere.

They're more resourceful than people say. And well-equipped.

You wouldn't have lasted long. Better to be reasonable.

Mr Mareuil promised me to... In end...

-Boarding school, Canada.

We'll save her in spite of herself. And the air there is excellent.

The other bastard, if he moves, the police will take care of it.

To the block, the son of Auguste!

Come on, kid, buck up!

Step-dad was considering having you locked up.

You got what you wanted with that girl.

So step aside.

Everything you shouldn't say, was said.

They would have been wrong to complain...

Everyone was taking care of their happiness.

You could say they had the spirit of contradiction.

The parents close the doors, so kids want to get out.

Only, there's the bourgeois morality.

We scare the kids with the law, the gendarmes and the police...

...to teach them obedience.

So what has to happen happens.

The first cop that passes, the kids think it's for them.

This story is a bogeyman story...

...horrendous stupidity.

Why did you bring that?

This?

In case you didn't come.

Canada is far away.

I wouldn't have left without you.

Me neither, I wouldn't be left without you.

What would bother me, it's not about dying...

To die, at our age, is always easy.

It's to die all alone.

I'd surely be cold.

- But with you... - Let's not talk about it.

What for?

What for...?

We say it for fun... It doesn't make it happen.

The train's at 8 o'clock. That's soon.

Provided that your father didn't give our particulars...

Who to?

To the police.

There are probably some at the station.

You think so?

What if they took us back?

Especially now that daddy knows.

Knows...

about you and me?

I told him everything.

You did well.

What will become of us in Le Havre?

Whatever it takes, it has to go far, very far.

To Canada, for example.

Can the police catch up with us in Canada?

Don't know... In Canada, it must be like here.

Even so, the further away we are, the better it will be.

And then I don't care. I love you.

I love you like the first time.

And you?

With me, you know, it's always been a bit like the first time.

It's funny. I have the impression...

...that I loved you...

...before I fell in love with you.

Just seeing you.

Catherine...

The good thing is...

...is that we're leaving together and that we're sure it's for good.

This is it.

It's definitely for us.

We'll have just missed the 8 o'clock train.

Subtitles by FatPlank for KG