Bonjour tristesse Page #2

---

Thank you.

You still haven't opened your letter.

I was wondering what I ought

to give myself for a present.

What happens if you lose?

But I never lose, Raymond.

You know that. I can't.

That horoscope Cecile got for me

says I was born lucky and...

Where is she going?

- Will he drown?

- No, of course not, darling.

- What makes you think it's a "he"?

- Why else would she run?

- You all right?

- I'm fine, thanks.

- My, but you're polite.

- I'm sorry.

Need some help?

- May I tie her onto your float?

- Sure. I'll help.

My mother has a house on

the other side of the rocks.

I'm spending my vacation there.

- Vacation from what?

- Law school.

- Do you really mean to be a lawyer?

- Why else go to law school?

Well, one has to do something

until one reaches a certain age.

- One has to prepare for the future.

- I'm preparing.

- How?

- By learning how to have a good time.

That's not a very...

- You're terribly serious, aren't you?

- Yes, I am serious.

- How marvellous.

- Why?

- I don't know any serious people.

- How peculiar.

That's my father there

with a friend of ours.

- Yes, I know.

- You do? How?

- You've seen us at the casino.

- No.

No, you're too serious to go there.

In the village?

- I've never seen any of you.

- Then you've heard about us.

You heard about those

wicked people from Paris.

- I'm from Paris.

- You heard and were intrigued.

You're corruptible.

I'm just interested in people,

that's all.

Well, it was very nice

of you to help me.

- I didn't mean to embarrass you.

- You didn't.

Or shock you.

- Lf you'd like to come sailing...

- I'd love it, but I don't know how.

I'll teach you.

I think you could do with

a lesson yourself.

I'm an excellent sailor.

The mast broke.

- Come on.

- Where?

Don't you want to meet

the wicked people from Paris?

Do you think I upset him?

You hop subjects like a roulette ball.

Upset who?

- That sailor boat boy. What's his name?

- Philippe.

It's torture to wear clothes

with a sunburn.

I think I did upset him.

Was I too open about us?

He didn't need quite so much help

in adding one and one.

Anyway, he's brilliantly cute.

- Why didn't Cecile ask him to dinner?

- She did for tomorrow.

- I would have asked for tonight.

- I'm sure.

Why waste time?

This was found in the pocket

of your shirt.

Thank you.

- Could I have more coffee, please?

- Yes, mademoiselle.

She thinks she's being insulting

with that "mademoiselle."

I love it. I'm not old enough

to be madame, am I? Cecile?

I'm listening to the crickets.

But they only say the same thing

over and over.

I read they make that noise

by rubbing their legs together.

What a thought.

I have a surprise.

Company is coming.

- Brilliant. Anybody I know?

- Anne Larsen.

This dress is her design.

- Coming here? When?

- Next week.

- Raymond, is Anne Larsen married?

- She's divorced. Why?

- How old is she?

- She's older than you are.

She was my mother's best friend.

She must be a very lovely lady.

- Your thoughts are so hard to follow.

- Be careful of my back.

I just have to get out of this dress.

Your crickets are having

a cocktail party.

- Raymond.

- Now please, don't bawl me out.

- May I ask a question?

- No.

- What made you invite Anne?

- You like Anne.

I do. Very much.

But we hardly ever see her anymore.

- I see her all the time.

- Occasionally. At large parties.

Last time we had a long chat at

a comparatively small cocktail party.

What?

I know you and the invitations

you hand out at parties.

- To be honest, I forgot I'd invited her.

- You're awful.

How did you happen

to ask her anyway?

She looked particularly attractive.

She's always seemed

so aloof and self-assured.

I wouldn't think she would vacation

here. How did you get her to accept?

- No one's told you I'm charming?

- Everyone but Anne.

You should ask her now.

I reminded her she's practically

your godmother and hasn't seen you.

I can hear it all:

"Anne, Cecile is no longer a child.

She's a young girl now.

I try to be both parents to her,

but she needs the help of a woman.

The women I know..."

That's marvellous.

I should be taking lessons from you.

Raymond?

Did you tell her about Elsa?

- Elsa?

- Oh, Raymond.

I don't think I knew that Elsa

was coming when I asked Anne.

Anne said she'd think it over and...

Oh, dear.

Raymond?

Which room is Anne going to have?

I thought I'd give her mine.

- I'll sleep in the bathhouse.

- I will.

- The ladies here, the gentleman there.

- You're worried about appearances?

- I'm a bundle of surprises tonight.

- You're impossible. So is the situation.

She's arriving on Monday.

So you can either spank me,

walk out or help me.

- You know I'll help you.

- I suspected you might.

You're such a fake.

It's such wonderful fun

to have you for a daughter.

Hey, what's the matter?

I don't want it to stop. Ever.

But suddenly somehow

I knew it would stop.

That our happy days were numbered.

That was a Tuesday.

Anne was due the following Monday.

Six more days.

I remember thinking

seven would have been lucky.

It was very hot

the day Anne was to arrive.

My father and Elsa

went to meet her at the station.

They're back.

Anne!

Welcome.

Thank you, Cecile.

Are you that grown up?

- Really, welcome.

- And really, thank you.

- Which way?

- Terrace first, so you can see the view.

- How did your new collection go?

- Extremely well.

But I wish I could have found

material the colour of this water.

I spent my honeymoon by the sea.

Twelve years ago.

Did you like it? I mean the place?

Yes, I liked both it and the place.

Although it wasn't nearly

as lovely as this.

I had quite a debate with myself

before coming here.

- I'm delighted I lost.

- I'll fetch your things.

- What's the matter, Cecile?

- Nothing. Why?

- You're embarrassed.

- There's nothing.

May I guess?

You're annoyed Raymond isn't here

to spread a welcome carpet.

He's spreading it with flowers.

He's spreading it at the station.

But I wired I was driving.

- You wired?

- Yes.

I wouldn't decide to drive

and not send word.

Where do you suppose

that telegram is?

In his pocket, unopened.

Albertine! I mean, Lontine!

Slight maid problem.

Weird sisters rotate working for us.

Weird? How?

Every week one or the other is stricken

with some odd malady. Maybe it's us.

- Yes?

- Lontine...

Lontine has a bad liver.

I am her sister, Claudine.

- Did a telegram come today?

- I handed it to monsieur myself.

- Didn't he read it?

- Do you know him, madame?

- Would you take my bags to my room?

- Yes, madame.

- Where is my room?

- This way.

Poor Raymond. For once he's a victim

of his irresponsibility.

- Serves him right.

- No, not on such a hot day.

How I'd love

to resist opening telegrams.

To not answer phones. To do exactly

what I intend to do here.

- What?

- Nothing.

Oh, what a lovely room.

Raymond picked the flowers

and cut them himself.

And even arranged them himself.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes