Gervaise Page #2

- But it's true.

I've got hands too, I work.

She's my best worker.

She'll have her own shop

within 10 years.

- If only it'd let up.

- It will never let up.

We could take the avenue

up past the cemetery.

You fetch me from the forge

to take me to a cemetery!

That's a good one!

I've got an idea.

How about going to the museum?

- What for?

- To have a look.

Ever been to the Louvre?

You should see it at least once.

Fine.

Etienne, Claude!

What?

- We're leaving.

- Sure, we're not going to rot here!

It'll do everyone good.

This one's really worth a look!

It's all on the table, what a spread!

I hope it'll whet your appetites for later.

Look at that one puke!

And that guy's watering the dandelions!

Hey!

Over here! Some real marvels!

Now that's something!

Look at the bride!

She's blushing!

My word, getting married

made her a virgin!

This isn't for kids! Come on,

there's some battles over here.

Look over here, it's even better!

With a swan!

Can you believe it?

It was in ancient times, but still...

Like it?

Yes, I prefer that.

It's about something.

I'm glad I wasn't there.

I wish I had been.

- Who is that lady?

- Liberty.

No, he wasn't like everyone else.

I wondered, "Why did he insist

that he come to the wedding?"

He 's not cheerful,

he doesn 't make people laugh,

his mind seems elsewhere.

Then I thought,

"lt must be because

Coupeau respects him."

Watch out!

My poor feet!

Paris is so big!

Please, you needn't bother.

Must you be so formal?

Don't bother, dear.

Thanks.

Walking in the streets wasn't bad,

but the museum...

That's enough.

- That's enough, dear.

- Fine.

Know how much we have

to set up housekeeping?

Seven cents.

Seven cents, seven cents

To set up a home for two

Seven cents, seven cents,

Wife...

What shall we do

Time passed.

The children grew.

And then, I had Nana.

We worked hard,

he on the roofs,

I at the laundry,

because I was determined

to rent a shop

and be my own boss.

It's nice to bring me flowers.

Thanks.

The shop is still for rent,

you know.

But it's too expensive.

It's not that.

Do you want to be the boss?

Why not?

You'll be good at it, I know you.

Then what?

No one likes the boss.

I don't like

people not liking you.

You're so silly!

SHOP FOR REN:

You don't understand.

- But I have the money!

- He has to sign. That's the law.

I'll go get him.

- I'll be right back.

- We'll save it for you.

There's Gervaise!

Put the iron on the fire.

Well? Did you rent the shop?

No! You have to come!

Why?

To sign!

I don't know how.

- Make a cross. It's the law.

- Well, if it's the law...

I'll be down in five minutes.

Look at me, I have to sign!

Cover the irons, lazybones!

Damn it!

Zidore!

Not the hospital!

Bring him home!

You're all the same!

We build hospitals

and you won't use them.

The hospital is free.

I have money!

I'd go if I could,

but they don't want me.

Be sensible.

Save your money for when he's out.

It might be a long time

before he's on a roof again.

I have all that's needed!

Step aside.

Rue Polonceau!

The hospital is free.

I want to care for him.

He's my husband.

So, no shop?

No shop.

You can't have everything.

I'll work it out with the landlord.

Six months later, he was healed.

But after paying the doctor's fees,

we had nothing left.

Know what time it is?

Bedtime.

We're up to our ears in work.

I have to go back

right after dinner.

Again?

- How was work?

- I worked the bellows.

He's doing well.

In a bad mood?

I don't have the time.

You should've put me in the hospital.

I'd be healed,

and you'd have your shop.

Oh, be quiet.

You need 500 francs to rent it?

Yes, 500.

Why?

I'll lend them to you.

My mother left me 500 francs.

I'm not doing anything with them.

I won't take your money.

Why not?

There's no reason to.

Yes, there is.

Having a shop would make you happy

and making you happy

makes me happy.

No better reason than that.

SHOP FOR REN:

What are you doing in there?

Nothing.

- And you?

- Me? Nothing.

I came to have a look.

To look at the shop?

Sure.

Me too!

Well?

No, all that money to pay back,

I wouldn't sleep a wink.

I got my shop.

And two weeks ago, what did I see?

Virginie.

I'd forgotten all about her.

- Are they fresh?

- Check the eyes. Fresh from Dieppe.

That's what they say.

My word!

It's Gervaise!

Yes, it is.

An old friend.

How funny!

Hilarious...

My husband, Mr. Fish.

Married? Congratulations.

A policeman, as you see. I was so glad

when he was offered a job here,

all the memories and friends

I'd left behind!

And you, dear?

Working around here?

- I'm a laundress.

- It's not too heavy?

Heavier it is, happier I am.

I'm my own boss.

Really?

Yes.

That's great.

She's her own boss.

Married, too!

My dear, you've come a long way!

Drafty here, isn't it?

- Yes, it certainly is.

- It's from downstairs.

- Won't you come in?

- You live there?

What's funny about that?

I lived there for three years.

How funny...

Hilarious.

Please, come in.

- I have laundry to deliver.

- My neighbor's out shopping.

You know how it is

when you first move in...

It's changed.

The bed used to be this way.

I had my daughter there.

- You have a daughter, too?

- Yes, Nana.

A year after I married Coupeau.

You might remember him,

he's the roofer

who lived in my building.

Sorry to interrupt,

but I'm back on duty at 2:00

and you won't have time

to cook my mackerel.

Sorry, it's my fault.

Clean it, it'll keep you busy.

He likes it. He enjoys popping

the bladder with this foot!

Well, see you soon, Mrs. Fish.

See you soon, Mrs. Coupeau.

I'm glad to see you.

It's been so long.

Shall we talk about it or not?

It's up to you.

Then we'll never mention

the washhouse again.

Okay.

You had a good reason.

You did! She might be my sister,

but she's a nasty b*tch.

- Let's not discuss that.

- And you know Lantier.

Listen.

This might make you happy.

They're not together anymore.

- They're not?

- No.

What if he came back to you?

Lantier?

- Why do you say that?

- No reason.

Men are so funny.

He'd be wasting his time.

All that's over.

Dead and buried.

See you soon, Mrs. Coupeau.

Ready?

That was a nice one!

- Hello, Gervaise.

- Hello.

Etienne!

Hello.

- Bye, mother.

- Bye.

- Have a nice day.

- Thanks.

Hello!

Hello.

I'd never have recognized Coupeau.

Who?

That's not him.

That's Goujet, the blacksmith.

He's our best friend.

He took my son as an apprentice.

Blacksmith?

Why not a roofer like his -

like Coupeau?

A roofer?

Coupeau refused

after he hurt his leg.

- Accident?

- Yes.

Let me help you.

No, thanks.

He fell off a roof, poor dear.

He's better now.

You've got a fine shop!

Not bad, is it?

How about a coffee?

I don't want to bother you.

It's no bother. It's ready.

What's the blacksmith's name?

Goujet?

Yes, Goujet.

Between a blacksmith and a roofer,

you chose the roofer!

I didn't choose.

I only met Goujet

the day I married Coupeau.

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