La môme aux boutons Page #3

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I'll be right back.

I love your work.

I don't love your face.

I've seen you often.

I haven't seen you.

Midnight, everyone on their feet!

You're a big star.

-Yes, I wear high heels.

If you wish...

Call me. I'll be waiting.

Papa Leple!

A toast to Papa Leple,

my saviour.

Grasse. October 1963

He was a very discreet man...

Were you here yesterday?

-Yes, but I didn't see him.

So he was at home.

-Perhaps. Too bad.

He was discreet,

so lovely and attentive.

You bring bad luck!

It's her fault!

Are you the Little Sparrow?

Come with me, please.

-Why?

This way.

Let me through.

I'm talking to you.

Have you ties with the underworld?

-No.

Leave me alone.

And Henri Valette? And George, Johnny the

Sailor and Albert? Never heard of them?

Those are friends of mine.They've nothing to do with this

Being an accessory is a criminal offence.

-I'm innocent! I've done nothing.

I've lost everything.

-Where were you last night?

I told you:
partying...

Bastards, swine!

This is disgusting!

We're not in the theatre now.

It seems you have a couple of nasty friends.

They're not like that.

-Sure, and I'm a cretin.

Have you an explanation?

-Not at this time.

It's a disgrace!

Go back to the gutter, slag!

-Leave her alone!

She didn't do it!

-Have you named names?

This is a funeral.

Have a little respect!

Just one more question.

-Vultures! Go away!

Out of the way!

Get the hell out of here!

It's over. I'm dead.

I've been dragged through the sh*t.

Forget it.

I haven't done anything!

-I know that.

Open up!

What?

-Simone Berteaut?

Yes.

Miss, please come with us.

Why?

Your mother has arranged with the court

for you to be placed in a boarding school.

Immediately.

Pack your things.

No! She's staying here.

-This has nothing to do with you.

For the last time: go and pack.

You want to see me dead!

That's it, isn't it?

Let me go!

-She's staying here. Momone!

Edith, don't let them!

My things! I don't have any things!

Do you hear that, you sh*t?

Momone, no!

Papa Leple...

Oh, Papa Leple...

You killed him.

Where's the money?

What can you expect from

a former whore?

Everybody out of the dressing room!

Mamy, you stay.

I need a shot for the pain.

Get the American.

You can come in now.

A triumph. You were magnificent.

-Doug?

I need fresh air.

I'm going back with you to Chlons.

But that's 400 kilometres away.

You can go to hell!

I'm sick of you all!

You're exhausted.

It's a long journey.

No, no, always no!

Drop dead!

Let's go back.

Turn around!

You've ruined it for me!

-What's this...

The blood test is a catastrophe.

She has two broken ribs we're unable to set.

This is going to take weeks.

I'd cancel all engagements.

It's tight enough. Please leave.

Doctor, give me an injection so I can sing.

My admiration knows no bounds.

That may be, but I have none.

Cancel the concert.

You're risking your life.

What's life without risk?

What would you say to a new life?

Change your surroundings.

My what?

-Your surroundings.

Why didn't you call me sooner?

I was busy. I didn't know

what you wanted of me.

I saw you sing.

You have much to learn.

No one's ever said that before.

In three months' time you won't be that'girl'any more.

Your bar days are over.

He had clear blue eyes

That flashed like lightning

in a storm in the night

In-a-storm-in-the-night!

Articulation!

Again!

He had clear blue eyes

Are those words or noises?

What do want of me?

-Perfect diction!

I sing as I speak.

-Badly.

You shout the words

and they lose their meaning.

More slowly, Marguerite.

We've been at it six hours.

Can someone open a window?

We'll be doing breathing shortly.

From the top.

He had clear blue eyes, that flashed

like lightning. In a storm...

You're not paying attention!

You're not creating.

You must become the woman in love.

Think as an actress.

He's making fun of me.

We're all tired. We'll take a break.

He makes me feel as if I can't sing.

Who do you think you are?

Don't be satisfied with half measures.

I've been singing since I was nine years old.

Take it easy.

This is new and difficult.

You're interpreting something, understand?

You must LIVE the song!

No one's ever had a problem

with my diction before.

No one... like whom?

The riff-raff in Gerny's?

Or on the street?

Do what I say or go back to the gutter.

Edith!

Here's to my girl who never forgets her vader.

To my little one!

Your mentor, is he rich?

Not a cent... He does it

for the love of art.

For the love of your arse you mean!

Come on, little one, sing.

-Sing for us!

That's the way to treat her.

I let her have her own way.

I was too good to her!

You're too stiff.

Like a bare-knuckle fighter.

Performing is an art.

You have to grab the audience.

You have lovely hands.

Use them.

Sing with them.

Again, Marguerite.

Move them.

The hands!

That's it.

I look stupid.

-Continue.

Put this on.

That's not what people want.

It's my voice they wish to hear.

How can you be so talented

and at the same time so dense?

Open the door.

-I have to throw up!

Is she drunk?

-She's in panic.

The audience is waiting.

For weeks you've been pestering me for this gig.

For God's sake take the stage

before the tear the place apart.

She's on her way.

Edith?

Three minutes.

This isn't a bar, it's a theatre.

What am I doing here?

Stage fright.

It's a good sign.

Edith?

What?

This is it.

This is what we worked hard for.

You can't back down now.

Open the door.

No, I can't do it.

Please, open the door.

On your feet.

Ladies and gentlemen, Edith Piaf!

...Edith Piaf Triumphs...

...Fame for Street Singer...

...The Little Sparrow Premieres...

...The first man

Who Helped Me...

...Piaf On Tour...

...Edith Piaf's Appearance

in the A.B.C. Theatre...

The Little Sparrow is Dead

Long Live Edith Piaf!

"I was hurrying home,

needing your love to lean on,

...only to find an empty room.

Waiting and waiting; I know that room."

I can't wait to see you in this piece.

Look out, here comes Canetti.

The conductor's been waiting three hours.

-So?

The premiere is less than 48 hours away.

Do you know many people whom

Cocteau's written a piece for?

Miss?

-Yes, Suzanne?

Meurisse called.

Dinner with Mr. Cocteau at eight.

You see?

Ask him to come back at midnight.

-Are you sure?

You're worse than Raymond.

Do this, do that.

That's why you fired him.

-Stop it.

Do you wish to see the gowns?

-Yes, the gowns.

That's all of them.

Careful with those pins.

The simplest one, without the collar.

There's a man at the door...

He has something for you.

Who is it?

-A soldier.

I told him you were busy.

He's outside in the corridor.A bit embarrassed.

Have him come in.

Will you come this way?

Here she is.

-Much better without the collar.

Yes?

My name is Michel Emer.

I'm a corporal.

This isn't the army.

What do you want?

I have a song for you.

Not another... I've enough already.

I have a premiere in two days' time.

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