La Maison Sous la Mer Page #2

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comrades.

What's your name?

Mercier.

Ever handled a shovel

in a mine?

Stoker on a ship...

it's just the same.

Another Calvados!

Ditto.

Come with me.

Very noisy machinery!

it's the pumps.

The galleries go way under the sea.

I've been listening to that noise

for 18 years.

Through here.

That's the lot there is.

Poor Biale,

if only he could speak.

Just to say thank you.

Don't be rude... say thank you!

Miner's children...

with no education!

See you tomorrow, Mrs Biale.

These are the instructions...

I haven't shown him yet.

It won't happen like that.

It is a pity nobody appreciates it,

except you.

The men have to work as a team,

don't they.

You deserve to be

in the union.

Good night.

Good night.

No, old chap,

don't smoke before 3am.

But we do share everything

down here.

I'm sorry about Biale.

As a friend yes,

but work was questionable.

I miss hearing the dog bark.

I'll go over to the cliff tomorrow.

No need.

Death... it's is not pretty.

You shouldn't have gone

walking so far.

It's dangerous.

I like the path that goes there.

It's beautiful through there.

Beautiful?...

It's just apple trees.

Why don't you go to sleep?

There's something

you're not telling me.

How's your love life?

There's always a dispute about

the count of the buckets...

...2 men should monitor

the loading dock.

But that'll have to be accepted.

Not very reassuring...

this mode of transport!

You just need to

keep fairly still, sir.

This monitoring will increase

profits by 10%.

There's also a 10% more

risk of an accident.

Maybe we could consider

a bonus.

100 francs per man.

Though we'd end up

settling for 50.

I'm offering drinks

all round!

But you pay for

the second glass!

You don't pay at meetings!

- We have our rights!

- Three cheers for our host!

- The worker has all the rights.

That's enough!...

Shut up and listen!...

Our comrade's widow

has to keep her accommodation.

Management wants

to take it back.

We'll take action,

if management persists.

- Anouk! Where the hell are you?

- Quiet!

Pass the Calvados!

Why don't you

marry her now?!

We're a miserable lot...

because we never know...

...when fate will take us.

So I'm going to open a library.

So is it unanimous?

I'm taking this opportunity

to discuss my choir project.

From all our discussions...

you know me well.

I've got management to agree

to a bonus of 50 francs a man.

Any volunteers?

- Don't all talk at once!

- You gotta be kidding!

- We're miners.

- Not flying-fish!

You can buy a drink.

Those aerial buckets

aren't meant for people.

Stick to your books.

- Is the 50 francs for sure?

- It's for sure.

Oh yes... then it's taken away!

Of course!

I'll volunteer.

- You're not a real miner!

- We've all the right to choose.

The boats rolling!

Don't knock my work...

I connected the platform.

No problem.

You can do it, my boy.

It's not an voyage

on the high seas.

- We wouldn't be scared.

- Can I join you?

I'm not selling myself

for a lousy 50.

So yes or no?

- Another volunteer?

- Work under the stars,

...plenty of fresh air.

- Nobody?

Who cops it for you,

from management?... I do!

When you're unhappy,

who cops it from you?... I do!

If you were offered nothing,

you'd all volunteer!

Shut up!

You're just another boss!

- An exploiter!

- I am!?

- Drop dead!

- You make people stupid!

I used to be a worker...

I made something of myself!

You can all go to hell!

- Mr Capel!...

- What?

You're needed at your father's...

it's serious!

Go and fetch Flore...

she'll be near the cliff.

So... will this be

our rendezvous place.

I'm not rendezvousing with anyone.

I'm just glad you came.

Me too.

You no longer need my house.

You'll have yours.

Is it good to be meeting like this?

You're not answering.

Speaking too soon can

stop things from happening.

There's the Liverpool Mail.

- How do you know?

- I came on it.

- You're staying here?

- I've found a house.

- A house?

- Yes.

On your own?

- There are no vacant houses here.

- That proves it.

- Is it big?

- I haven't worked it out.

- Near the water?

- The water's above it.

You'll see.

- Can I show you?

- Of course you can.

Mrs Capel!

Mrs Capel!

We've walked under the sea.

We still are.

Yesterday I climbed up there.

It's not easy, but if

you take your time...

And you come out in the middle

of Corbes Rock.

- Corbes Rock?

- It's an island.

Or rather an islet.

- Is it far out?

-800 metres, I'd say.

Ships have foundered

on Corbes.

It's the current.

Listen here.

Isn't that really something...

to hear the sea above your head.

Isn't it the most beautiful house

in the country?

Maybe in the world.

The Liverpool Mail might be

sailing over us.

People are peering at

the water...

Looking where we are.

Without suspecting we're here.

Way deep down.

Like after a shipwreck...

Aren't we both shipwrecked?

I should be going.

I really have to go.

Flamanville seems

so far away.

Have you done a lot of sea travel?

Yes, but not as a passenger.

As a stoker.

I know the ports.

Liverpool.

Livorno, Madeira, Capetown.

How are the women

down there?

On any voyage,

women are much the same.

So I'm like all the others?

You're from a different voyage.

Have you never wanted

to stop somewhere?

No.

Not even here in your

house under the sea?

Do I need say?

You're all alone?

Women never go all alone.

But here with you...

I feel I'm on my way already...

And have arrived.

That's true.

I feel I'm at home.

We're nowhere.

Where we should be.

Where I should be.

The first one goes

in the morning.

With the new man?

Yes, Mercier.

Capel's still hesitant...

but I'm making the decision.

I got them for 50 francs...

You know how to talk to the men.

Would you consider the petition

for Biale's widow...

...it would help me a lot.

What game do you play...

...the bosses' or the workers'?

Sometimes one, sometimes the other,

I get confused.

Father's dead.

Luckily I still have you!

I'm getting messed up,

good and proper.

Funeral's cost a lot...

they'll understand.

Where are the people

in charge?

I'm the one who gets it started.

The switch is on the platform.

You can't stop after you start?

It takes 8 minutes.

50 francs for 8 minutes...

it's a pleasure cruise!

- You right?

- Off we go.

- Ready?

- Ready!

- Lot of mist.

- Like every evening.

I tell you...

it's a long 8 minutes.

Nice to be able to smoke...

...while you're working.

A bit creaky...

don't you think?

It's been like that

the whole way.

It's enough I've just buried

my father...

I don't want to become

fish food.

They could at least grease

their equipment!

But nobody gives a sh*t...

about a couple of idiots

swinging in mid-air!

It gives me the pip.

The bucket in front

is blocked.

- We're going to hit it!

- Wait on.

Wait for what?

It'll smash up... fall apart!

I can't stay.

Just sit there!

If you move,

I'll knock you out!

Where are you going?

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