See You Up There Page #2

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So I did that to get morphine.

I'm ashamed.

- Why? - They were veterans.

Veterans?

Veterans like me, but disabled.

They got some morphine

but they sold it rather than starve. I picked on them.

Don't feel like drawing again?

Look.

I got you paper and an easel

and set up your gear.

Dampierre Military Cemetery A place of rest and dignity

Do you mind, sir!

The mud here reminds me of the trenches.

You wouldn't know.

But he would.

So who is he, exactly?

Sorry?

Ernest Blachet.

Corporal, 133rd Rgt. Died for France.

September 4, 1917.

E-13. Lce Cpl Simon Perlatte.

6th Army. Died for France, June 16, '17.

So?

What do you mean "so"?

Your crews put the coffins in the wrong places.

Why did my Chinese do that?

Because they can't read!

For this job

you've employed men who can't read!

Can't you read?

These morons can't read!

But what does it matter, eh?

What?

When parents visit

they're not going to dig to check the body.

Hold on! Gentlemen,

we owe the dead our respect.

Respect?

Then why, for 2 months, in your own cemetery,

have you let illiterates bury them?

It was your workers who messed up the burials!

But you do have military authority to oversee the burials?

- An official comes twice a day. - There's no military oversight?

As good as. He's a council official.

As good as, sir.

Not really, no.

Oh no, it's not the same.

Here's what I suggest.

In respectful remembrance of the dead,

I suggest we keep... this whole thing to ourselves.

Good day, sirs.

I got a job at Le Bon March. As an elevator operator.

First floor.

There I ran into Ccile, my fiance.

I realized why she didn't write back.

Her beau had bought her gifts. She kissed him.

When she saw the clown operating the elevator was me,

she must've thought herself lucky.

Second floor.

Second floor.

Thank you.

Go away.

Go away!

Thank you.

WE WANT TO PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR DEAD!

Mr. Pricourt.

I want to see Mr. d'Aulnay-Pradelle. Alone.

Yes, sir.

Chairman, what brings you here?

Excessive growth.

How can growth be excessive?

If it's illegal.

A year's activity and 1 million in clean profit.

That million's not very clean.

This is business, not ethics.

Don't let your schemes stain me, Henri.

Whatever do you mean?

Marcel?

Mr. Chairman?

Come on, old boy.

One last push.

A doctor. Fetch a doctor! Quick!

Call a doctor!

It's Chairman Pricourt.

What's wrong?

We were chatting and he just collapsed.

I think it might be too late.

Dr. Bernard?

What's up, old boy?

Compigne...

18,000 coffins. 5,000 for Laon. 6,100 for Colmar

and 33,000 for Verdun.

Gently.

Gently!

What a marvelous day!

Hello.

What do you think?

Amazing.

You're pretty.

You're pretty!

Come on.

Ta-da!

- Can I touch it? - It's for you.

To think I'll never know its name...

Drawings.

You started again?

Can I have a look?

Ah it's... It's...

INTO THE FRAY!

What is it?

It's not your style. What is this?

"Here, as everywhere,

"in cities and villages,

"schools and even stations,

"everyone wants a war memorial."

So?

He says, "It's for us!"

Sell memorials to the dead?

He says, "No, to the living."

That's all well and good.

I like it, but... it's tough.

You can't just draw them.

Once sold, you have to make and deliver them.

It'll take lots of money.

"We don't make them, we sell them!"

We have to make them too.

He says, "We just sell them."

He's laughing.

Yeah, I can tell.

Then what?

"We take the money and run!"

You're totally nuts!

"Ordinary + ugly + expensive = success!"

Maybe, but I don't fancy jail.

He says, "This is jail."

But... but it's wrong.

Robbing the state. It's sacrilege!

"That's the whole idea!"

They'll deport or guillotine us!

Unlike you, I'm attached to my head.

- He'll help you. - Help me?

Help me? When did you ever help me?

Don't give me that look!

I was just fine in my hole!

I was resting there!

Who's been taking care of you, eh?

Kept you warm, housed, fed?

Who fights the dealers?

Who saved you from Pradelle? Killed your file?

I've been chained to you for six months!

You're worse than the war! Get that?

Stop it!

Father?

Dr. Blanche says you're fine.

You know why I fainted?

Today is November 9.

The anniversary of his death.

I'd forgotten.

His name isn't on the vault.

He isn't supposed to be there...

There's no trace of him.

Yes, there is.

I'm sorry.

No...

It's a good likeness.

His signature.

A self-portrait.

A comrade-in-arms sent them to me.

Albert Maillard.

Maybe we could...

Invite him?

That's a good idea.

And he left.

No idea where he went.

How would he cope without morphine?

I didn't really know him.

I didn't get his stupid war memorial scam.

He couldn't tell dreams from reality.

Then I got an even stupider job.

Wonder what time it is? I check my watch...

and see Lip Lip Hurray. The victory watch!

Ladies, Raviba tights.

Strong, long and very silky.

Alright.

Tell me more about your memorial plan.

How would it work?

"First, publicity."

"Publicity for death."

"Then we make catalogues, send them out...

"and wait!"

And what do I do?

He says, "You find the cash

"to make the catalogues."

Cash for the catalogues?

"It's not a lot."

"Get going or you'll be late!"

Late for what?

Wonderful!

Thanks.

- Ready? - Yes!

Is it the moon?

Oh, two people!

It's "The Kiss".

- What is it? - A droplet.

It's a rainy drop.

A windmill.

- What makes it turn? - The wind?

Right. The wind.

It's for peeing!

It's a person!

A person?

He pushes carts. He carries signs like this.

"It isn't fair.

"Why do I have to look for cash?"

Albert!

You got it! It's Albert!

Mr. Maillard?

Do you recognize me?

Madeleine Pricourt. At the station.

Your address was on the envelope.

Your old landlady told me where to find you.

My father wants to meet you.

Why me?

You were with my brother when he died.

Would you consider it?

Yes.

Really?

Yes.

Dinner tomorrow at 7?

Yes.

No. 28, Champs Elyses. Opposite the metro.

Yes.

Father knows nothing. You see?

Yes.

- Thank you. - Yes.

Yes.

The mayor of the 8th district.

Thank you, Pauline.

Dear friend...

To what do I owe?

What do you want? Tell me.

Any progress with your memorial plans?

Oh, is that why?

- To be honest... - Yes, be honest.

Alright.

We've got nowhere.

Pardon my French, but it's damn costly.

And there's no money.

We're relying on subscriptions.

We're not going to put up some Brancusi or Zadkine thing

because that would go down terribly with voters.

But why do you ask, Mr. Chairman?

I want to make a gesture. I'll fund it all.

But Mr. Chairman...

Find a nice spot. Demolish if need be.

Assemble a jury and arrange a competition.

But I choose.

For the inauguration I want engraved on it the name

of every local man who died. Got that?

Every one!

Mr. Chairman...

Every one!

He says...

He says...

He says, "Going to see Ccile?"

Yes.

He says, "I hope she's short-sighted."

Oh, good evening.

I'm expected for dinner.

For dinner?

Yes. This is the Pricourts'?

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