Marius Page #4

Panisse wants my child.

What for?

In marriage.

Panisse wants to marry Fanny?

He asked me this morning.

He's out of his mind.

He wants my answer tomorrow.

What does Fanny say?

She'll say yes if she can't have

the one she wants.

And it's Marius she wants?

Exactly.

Now I understand

yesterday's carnage.

A terrible fight.

The police came.

It was pandemonium.

Marius wants her to reject Panisse.

Did he say he loved her?

He hinted at it.

Did he kiss her?

No. He hinted at it, she said.

Without kissing her? That's odd.

But they want each other?

Marius said he couldn't marry her.

He won't say why.

He doesn't answer,

and he makes her cry.

Is that any way to behave?

What's he waiting for? A princess?

Don't lose your temper, Norine.

Maybe he doesn't love her.

Then why is he jealous of Panisse?

This should be easy to settle.

Do it then,

because if my child goes on crying,

I'll set fire to this place.

Calm down now, and sit down.

We'll ask Marius about it

when he comes in.

- Not me.

- Why?

He mustn't know I was here.

I know what men are like.

If he hears I came to ask,

whenever she lets fall a remark,

he'll say,

"You asked for me.

Your mother said you cried," etc.

He'll hate her,

and they'll be unhappy.

But Fanny mustn't talk

about Panisse either.

I know what women are like.

Their first quarrel and she'll say,

"I turned down a wealthy man for you.

I'd have had a car, a maid,

a boat," etc.

It would be the end of him.

I know all about that

from my poor wife.

In 20 years she never let me forget

the cattle dealer

who proposed to her.

But there'll never be

another like her.

You say nothing, and I'll see

she never mentions Panisse.

Shall we drink to it?

To your health.

Do you like the idea

of this marriage?

That remains to be seen.

What would you give Fanny?

The cockle business.

With a good assistant,

it could bring in

40 francs a day, net profit.

That's not much.

Some people would be glad

to take her with nothing.

My girl isn't a hunchback.

And my boy isn't lame.

You may find taller, bigger men,

but none more handsome.

Laugh if you like,

but it's the truth.

I'm not saying it because

the lad's mine, but he's a fine boy.

He's handsome! Very handsome!

Don't make me angry.

Just 'cause he's handsome,

does he have to marry a Rothschild?

Of course not.

But, if they get married right away,

and if they have kids,

they'll need money.

In that case,

I'd give them an allowance

as long as I had my fish stall.

What will you give your boy?

Me?

He'll help me in the bar

till I retire.

They can live here.

And I'll give him

1,500 francs a month.

That's not enough.

You must give him more than that.

Such as?

You should give him

a cod steak,

some fresh turbot,

a few crabs and some bream.

You better stop drinking.

It's bad for you.

I'd rather have some crayfish.

Is this for fish soup?

Fish soup.

So you're just getting in?

We'll talk about it

in the morning.

Yes, that sort of soup won't keep.

I'm off.

Good-bye, Csar, Marius.

Hello, my dear.

What can I do for you?

I'd like to talk to you.

Let's go inside.

Where did you go tonight?

I was playing billiards

at the Brasserie Suisse.

With whom?

With some friends.

I'm sure that's not true.

You were somewhere else.

But that's not important.

I've something serious to tell you.

What?

I've lost my cap.

Behind you, on the table.

Listen.

One of these days

you'll get married.

Me?

Why?

Why? It's natural,

and good for business.

Surely you don't want

to remain a bachelor.

I've given it no thought.

Maybe it's time you did.

Panisse has asked Fanny

to marry him.

I don't see the connection.

Marius, don't take me for an idiot.

Can't you hear me?

Don't take me for an idiot.

I know you love Fanny.

- Who told you that?

- A little bird.

A clever little bird.

You love Fanny, and I can prove it.

That's why you attacked Panisse

like a wild beast,

nearly throttling

the poor old chap.

He's out to find you.

He's put shoes on.

He's walking around like this.

- We just had a little quarrel about...

- About what?

I don't even know what.

I know. It was about Fanny.

You wanted to eliminate a rival.

You idiot. If you want

to eliminate your rival,

propose to Fanny.

You think she'd accept?

You talked to her mother?

What?

You talked to her mother?

What was that?

What do you mean?

Ah, her mother.

She has a pretty hat.

No, I didn't talk to her,

but I think she'd say yes.

Maybe.

But I'm not interested.

I don't think

I love her enough to marry her.

You're lying.

Why?

- 'Cause you're lying.

- I'm lying?

What's all this?

I said you're lying.

You love Fanny. You're furious

because someone else wants her,

yet you refuse to marry her.

You're very trying, Marius.

If you're crazy,

be honest and tell me.

I'll send you to the loony bin.

If you're not,

trust me and tell the truth.

There's a woman

at the bottom of this, isn't there?

Tell me!

Yes... you're right.

I guessed as much.

Who is she?

Listen...

I'm embarrassed to talk about it.

Me too.

But I want to know

why you're being so stupid.

You can't love the girl.

Maybe I pity her.

And that's what makes you stupid?

Listen, Marius.

All right, I'll explain.

I loved a girl,

and she's in love with me.

I'd hurt her if I said

I was getting married.

She might kill herself.

Don't exaggerate.

I need time to get her used

to the idea.

It's as simple as that.

Simple.

Well, let's forget it.

I won't ask her name,

because you wouldn't tell me.

It's not Madame Escartefigue, is it?

No, it isn't.

- You're sure?

- I just told you.

Be careful.

Monsieur Escartefigue is

a friend of mine, and a good customer.

I don't want you playing around

with the customers' wives.

We won't say anything more about it.

But what shall we do about Fanny?

Leave it.

Give me the receipts.

- What if she accepts Panisse?

- She won't accept.

But if she did.

If she accepts him,

it's just too bad.

Stop that nonsense.

That's no way to talk.

We'll go over it in the morning.

Tomorrow morning?

Yeah, I'm going to turn in.

It's going to prey on my mind

all night.

I doubt it,

the way you're yawning.

Good night.r

I'm very fond of you, you know.

What's that?

I'm very fond of you.b

I'm fond of you too.

What made you say that?

I don't know.s

You've been thinking

and worrying about me.

It reminds me that I love you.

Of course.

Good night.

Good night...

son.

Sometimes I say

you'll be the death of me.

It isn't true.

Has the Corsican come?

The big ship

isn't in the harbor yet,

but she's coming.p

Listen.

Go quickly. I'll close up.

When you come back,

knock on the shutter.

Good night, Monsieur Panisse.

See you tomorrow.

And don't worry about me.

- Who's there?

- It's me.

Is something wrong?

It's nothing.d

I forgot the key to my stall,

so I couldn't lock up

till I'd gotten it.

Then I saw a light

through the crack, so I knocked.

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