Le Beau Serge Page #2

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Get me two bowls.

You're drinking coffee?

Here.

Help yourself.

Why come looking

for Glomaud here?

I thought you two went out

to get plastered.

- I'll tell you the whole story.

- I know.

- What story?

- The story of my life.

And yours, and Marie's...

and your father's.

When's the baby due?

January.

A pretty little baby.

Be quiet.

Just like the first one, you know?

Stop it!

- A present from your father.

- Be quiet, Serge.

What do you expect?

Come on. Let's go.

You going out

half-naked like that?

I was about to go out half-naked!

That was some breakfast you had.

- Funny as ever, eh?

- Of course.

I'm glad. You were kind of gloomy

back at the house.

It wasn't the time for humor.

Franois...

what do you think of me?

It's bugging you, eh?

No, but I'm not an idiot,

you know.

What do you want me to say?

Sometimes things just don't

turn out the way you expect.

No, I'll see you two

up on the square.

All right.

You coming?

He's crazy!

Are you out of your mind?

- Such a touching couple.

- Aren't we?

- What'd you talk about?

- He's not the talkative type.

What's the matter, Franois?

I'm very shy.

I thought you got over that.

Five gallons, please.

Thought you got rid of me, eh?

I admit I find

your behavior puzzling.

You ain't seen nothing yet.

Wait here.

Ask if they've seen Pop.

Glomaud hasn't been here yet.

Where could he be?

It's always breakfast time!

- Why do you do it?

- I like wine. Lay off.

- Listen...

- When I need you, I'll call.

Poor Franois.

Always eager to do a good deed.

Get down, boy scout. I'm off.

What's the matter with him?

Nothing.

That's just how he is.

How'd he get that way?

I don't know.

Walk me to my place?

Maybe Glomaud's back.

You coming?

What did he say about me?

- Lots of things.

- I mean in general.

He said you were

the only friend he ever had.

And how did he say it?

Sometimes he was happy.

Sometimes it made him mad.

You so concerned

about what he thinks?

No, just curious

whether I've changed too.

Well, I think you have.

You didn't even know me.

This way.

I remember you.

You chased all the girls.

Marie.

How old are you?

Seventeen.

Want me to kiss you?

- Come to the house.

- What about your father?

He's not there.

- You don't know that.

- Yes, I do.

I thought you were looking for him.

Come on.

- See if he's there.

- Come on.

No, he's not home.

You coming?

When did you start?

Two years ago.

Who with?

What do you care?

I know anyway, so say it.

If you already know...

Serge?

It wasn't Serge?

I thought so.

His wife know?

We only did it once.

Answer me.

Did she find out?

- Yes, he told her.

- How'd that happen?

He told her one day

when he was drunk and angry.

We should leave.

Glomaud will be home for lunch.

You're afraid of him, huh?

- Why do you call him Glomaud?

- Glomaud or Pop - it's all the same.

People used to say

he wasn't your father.

Really?

You mind me saying that?

It's funny. You observe us

as if we were insects.

You really don't like anyone.

On the contrary. I like everybody.

Why'd you say that about Glomaud?

Because...

because I love the truth.

Are you very sick?

I honestly don't know.

They won't tell me anything.

I was sick.

I was afraid I'd die.

No, he's not my father,

and I think everybody

knows it except him.

Now let's go.

Why do you live with him?

Someone has to look after him.

You know who your father is?

Ma wouldn't tell me,

even when she was dying.

Serge says she didn't know.

All done?

- You're all dirty.

- I know.

It's filthy work.

Serge, darling.

Leave me alone.

God, what a life!

What a stupid life!

I get up every day hoping

to just not think about anything.

And now Franois is back.

What have I got to show him?

That I've turned rotten.

- Forget about him.

You happy, fat-ass?

Can't you see we're scum?

What do you think he thinks?

Get out of my sight.

Come in.

Ah, Franois!

- Morning, Father.

Glad you came by.

I heard you'd arrived.

- Yesterday afternoon.

- Are you better?

Yes. I've come to rest.

Good idea.

Were you very sick?

Oh, that's all over now.

I prayed for you.

How are things going otherwise?

I was working toward a degree,

but I had to take this year off.

- What do you want to do?

- I don't know.

Make a lot of money.

I thought you wanted to teach.

I remember you even wanted

to become a priest once.

Yes, I remember.

But that passed.

What do you think -

has the village changed?

The village hasn't,

but the people have.

I know.

Nothing anyone can do about that.

It's like they're being pulled under.

After you.

Oh, I tried a few things.

A children's club.

That lasted two months.

What about the guys my age,

like Michel and Serge?

What can you do?

They no longer believe in anything.

- Especially themselves.

Are you still a believer?

You didn't come to mass this morning.

I didn't know. It's not Sunday.

It's All Saints' Day.

Didn't you hear the bells?

No, I was... out for a walk.

I didn't realize it was November 1.

No matter.

You saw my flock.

For All Saints' Day service,

six people - all old ladies.

And once the Lord calls them -

I didn't know how to guide them.

I couldn't even keep them in church.

I don't go to church either,

but something could have been done.

But nobody did anything!

You have no right to blame me.

- Morning, Father.

- Morning, Serge.

So... did he give you

a nice sermon?

Why do you ask?

He gives lots of nice sermons.

He gave me one once.

Didn't you, Father?

- You drunk again?

- Not very.

Didn't you give me

a nice sermon one day, Father?

If I did, you needed it...

or at least I thought you did.

Think I don't understand you, huh?

Oh, I know what you all think.

You despise me.

You won't listen.

You've never listened to me.

I offer to help,

but you won't let me.

Here he goes again! Come on.

You don't trust me...

yet I so wanted to help.

Right. Good-bye.

You see, Franois?

What can you do?

Well, good-bye.

Come see me when you get bored.

- Good-bye, Father.

- Him and his fine talk.

- Come on, Serge.

- What?

- He used to be a good guy.

Who cares?

Look, there's La Truffe.

He's come into some dough.

- Hello, Brummel.

- Hello, Franois.

- You recognize me?

- Sure. You haven't changed.

Hello, Jacques. You on leave?

You bet he is!

He got eight rebels at once!

You recognize him?

Jacques Rivette.

Ah, of course.

So you're doing your military service?

No, he's a professional.

Yep, I volunteered.

Cigarette?

They're Algerian.

- So you like the army?

- It's okay.

Damn it!

Well, I'm gonna have some lunch.

See you around.

- Oh, they'll be around.

- I've got two weeks' leave.

- Oh, then sure.

Walk me back?

- Let's get a drink first.

No, I'm late.

Mrs. Chaunier will be furious.

- We'll have it up there.

- It's 1:
00! When do you eat anyway?

You're right. Come on.

- No, forget it. Enjoy your lunch.

- You too.

The hell with him.

Follow the leader, gentlemen.

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