Modern Life Page #2

And I said you were frigid?

That I'd always disgusted you?

And I called you a stuck-up b*tch.

That's enough, okay?

I'm going,

we'll talk some other time.

You could've been a decent guy,

but you came unstuck along the way.

Frankly, I pity You

Hello.

Hello, everyone.

I'm Mrs Renard.

I'd like you all

to introduce yourselves

and to tell us the nature of

the noise to which you are victim.

Who'll go first?

I'd like to start.

I'm not used to public speaking,

so I'm a bit self-conscious.

Go ahead, Sir.

My name's Claude Ferrier,

I'm a retired rail-worker.

My case is very banal.

I live in a suburban house

and next door there's a guard-dog.

And this dog howls

for the slightest thing.

I tried talking to his master,

but no go.

For him, dogs bark and that's that.

Have you told him about

anti-barking collars?

No.

It's a totally humane

citronella-based device.

Sorry!

This is a "Listening Ear" meeting,

you must be mistaken.

Not at all.

Sorry I'm late.

We'd just begun.

We introduce ourselves and

the kind of noise we're victim of.

- Can I smoke?

- Smoking is not allowed.

We're here to combat such nuisances.

You may smoke afterward

Okay, let me introduce myself.

I'm Eva, and I've come

for a special reason.

We're listening.

I'm not a victim of noise,

like you said.

I'm here for something

much more serious.

I feel threatened.

That's not really within our scope.

I think it is.

I intend to fight back.

I don't understand.

Yes you do. I'll not be responsible

for the hatred and stupidity of men!

Your turn, Sir.

Go ahead.

On second thoughts...

I think I'll take a stroll.

A beer, please.

I didn't quite get your story.

Sorry? We've met?

I said,

I didn't quite get your story.

I was at the meeting too.

Are you sensitive to noise too?

Not at all.

It's mainly idle people

who become sensitive to noise,

especially the noise of those

who lead an active life.

You're unemployed?

You're on welfare?

Sorry?

I asked if you were unemployed.

No, not at all.

Same again, please.

So what do you do?

I do inquiries.

Was it a suicide attempt?

Sorry?

Nothing...

How much do I owe?

Here, my phone number.

What for?

You might need it.

Think so?

You seem the kind of person

who easily misses trains.

Good bye.

- You gotta learn to jump them.

- Sorry?

I said,

you gotta learn to jump them.

Problem? Can I help?

No, everything's fine.

There's been a misunderstanding.

Call me on 0142536003. Eva

Here in this pit of green, the

wisdom of the country is glaring.

Burlesque proverbs,

modern maxims

flash through my mind

like comets,

like openings of novels.

I watch women with strollers,

soft bellies blossoming.

The sun and the children are...

Sun and children make my brain

flaccid as an Eskimo...

The playing children

are like melting Eskimos...

No...

Total rubbish.

Glass of wine?

Please.

Thanks.

Why did you invite these people?

I met them out shopping

and on an impulse...

You always complain

we've no social life,

I thought, why not?

Just, I don't want to see them!

Why not?

I'm sure they've opinions

on everything,

and I've nothing to say.

I'll be bored.

Why is everything such a big deal?

I'm sure they "love"

all kinds of stuff...

I can just hear them speak.

You're getting

more and more neurotic.

If not wanting to eat

with near strangers

whom I don't like

is being neurotic,

then yes, I'm neurotic to the core!

Look at you!

I'm leaving,

I don't want to see it.

Wait! Claire!

Don't do this!

Why get so het up?

They'll be here any minute.

So? You deal with them.

Claire! How are you?

Fine.

Penelope. An English friend.

Where are you off to?

Just going to get bread.

Go on up,

Georges is expecting you.

- See you in a bit.

- Okay.

Where are you?

Please come home...

I want you to be here.

You never mentioned Penelope.

I didn't know she'd come.

Guess they couldn't shake her off!

But she's really nice.

So, how is it? Having fun?

Turning on the charm?

I told them you weren't too well,

now they're worried.

Why'd you say that? I'm fine!

I forbid you to talk about me!

Okay?

Four on the dot!

You're punctual.

Sorry, but I can't stay long.

Oh, really?

Here.

Thanks.

This Way?

Have a seat.

I'll put the kettle on.

- Big place.

- You think so?

Yeah, I'd like to have

a big apartment, my own room.

Where one lives is not important.

You only say that

because you've a nice apartment.

You find it nice here?

It's old, it's got charm.

Old? Falling apart!

As for the charm,

it can only be the charm of damp.

No, you don't realise.

I've always had to live

in modern buildings...

Sorry, the kettle's boiled.

Remi? It's me.

I can't talk loud.

Tell you later.

Where'll we meet?

You finish when?

In 45 minutes.

It's now four fifteen...

Okay, see you then.

Me too.

Sorry, had a call to make.

That lady looks quite like you.

My mother.

In her prime.

She's beautiful.

You look alike.

Get on well with her?

Hard to say.

She left when we were kids.

She ditched my father, and us too.

Never saw her again.

Classy, eh?

I guess...

Thanks.

You were brought up by your dad?

Yeah, me and my brother.

Your dad, wasn't he unhappy?

One's never as happy or unhappy

as one thinks.

No news from her?

You don't want to find her?

No. I tell myself she's dead.

Sorry, I don't mean to pry.

Get on with your dad?

He's just my father,

not the kind of man I'd marry.

What's so funny?

The thought of getting married.

- You don't want to marry?

- No.

- I'll never marry.

- Why not?

Because men

make a doormat of you.

Do you get on well with people?

Yeah, usually. Why?

Just asking.

You don't?

I'm really shy.

People don't like me.

- Why do you say that?

- It's true.

You haven't noticed?

No one in our class

pals with me.

The girls don't tell me about

their boys and the boys ignore me.

Thankfully.

But do you go to them?

I told you, I'm really shy.

Well you weren't shy

when you asked me round for tea.

You're different,

I wanted to get to know you.

And the others?

I find them mediocre.

That's not nice.

Why judge people like that?

Think I'm going too far?

I think it's pretentious of you

to just write people off.

I'm too intransigent,

I'm my own worst enemy.

Maybe people don't warm to you

because they feel you judge them.

True.

I have a reproving air,

I don't attract like some do.

I guess I learned

not to depend on others.

Or I just resigned myself

to not being liked.

Hello.

Pierre-Francois,

Marguerite's brother.

I'm a class-mate of Marguerite's.

So, what are you up to?

Just chatting. Like a biscuit?

Love one.

Skipped lunch, I'm starving.

I'd a test in civil law today.

They didn't give us time to eat.

Six hours, non-stop. I'm exhausted.

Went well?

Extremely well.

I hope.

You can go totally astray,

but I felt I mastered my subject.

It was exhilarating,

the six hours simply flew by...

Swear you hadn't spoken

for a month!

I'll leave you.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes