The Cousins

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- Are you free?

- What's it look like?

Where are you going?

I go where the fare tells me.

Neuilly-sur-Seine.

You could've just said "Neuilly."

Get in.

- How much?

- 620 francs.

Looking for someone?

Where are you going?

I'm looking for Paul Thomas.

Just as I thought.

Let the parade begin!

You're Mr. Paul's cousin?

Your father and his father

are brothers?

Exactly.

- And Mr. Henri is another brother?

- You know everything.

No crime in that.

I clean up on the seventh floor.

Mr. Paul is so nice.

Thank you, ma'am.

- I bet you're Charles.

- Yes.

Come in.

Paul, it's Charles.

Carolus!

Carolus! My Charles!

Pray come closer.

Carolus is most welcome.

Enter and take refreshment!

Did we have a pleasant journey?

- Excellent.

- Are we happy?

- Very happy.

What do you think

of your sumptuous surroundings?

All these trophies,

all these weapons? Tell me.

Ah, here's a real friend.

His name is Jean, I believe,

but we call him Clovis.

For he has the political ambitions

of that bivalve mollusk,

the glory of Arcachon Bay,

whom our barbarous ancestors,

the Rhine-dwelling Franks -

I lost my train of thought.

- Thou art a royal pain in the ass!

Stop playing the fool.

You're not impressing anyone.

- Very little.

- The provinces are dead.

Listen, drink and eat,

but leave us alone, okay?

Or, as we say in French,

the kitchen,

where we can throw together

a few tasty dishes.

Silence!

- What's wrong?

Come, let me give you a tour.

Up there is the loggia...

with my bed.

Further along, a few of

Uncle Henri's trophies and horns.

Where is he right now?

Somewhere on a plane

between New York and Miami.

- With a chick?

- Two.

Damn!

Shut your trap!

Eat and leave us in peace.

Fear not. I shall.

A short hallway leading

to a copper-plated door,

behind which is a small

but clean and well-lit room:

your bedroom.

It's very nice.

Uncle Henri.

He doesn't get bored.

Has an apartment in every capital.

Mother said his business

is a bit on the shady side.

Your mother?

You know what I think?

Your dad and my dad

act like a couple of idiots.

- Tell me, Paul -

- Yes? What?

- Who is that fellow?

- In the other room?

Why, that's Clovis.

- But he's at least 30.

- Older. He's a good guy.

- What's he do?

- He has a good time.

Yes, but for a living.

You'll see.

He gets by with a bit of this,

a bit of that.

But he's very nice.

Great to see you! I never thought

your mother'd let you go.

Only because I was coming here,

or she'd never have agreed.

Anyway, you're enrolled

at the university. That's all done.

Perfect.

You'll sleep right there.

I'll get my bag.

I'll get it.

Yes, this is Clovis.

All right, I'll get him.

Who is it?

Genevive.

I couldn't care less!

Take care of it yourself.

What?

Charles is here.

My cousin.

All right.

Yes, Clovis is here.

Fine.

See you in a bit.

She's on her way.

- Here's what I say to that!

Listen...

Forgive me, little cousin,

but I can be very blunt.

Listen, I have a little problem.

A girl's on her way up.

She was my girl last winter.

The little fool's in trouble.

Excuse me, but I'm tired.

I'm going to bed.

- That's it.

- What tact! I love that.

What do you think of our friend's tact?

- Very commendable.

He's tired. What about you?

Me? Absolutely not.

I'm looking forward

to a great time.

Good night.

- Know what that means?

- You know I took English.

It means good night.

You ought to study German

instead of law.

Well, good night.

- Good night.

Dear Mother...

the trip went very well.

I had a compartment to myself,

so I stretched out on the banquette.

Don't worry.

I took my shoes off first.

But I put them back on

to go to the restaurant car.

The food wasn't bad,

but I missed Marie's cooking.

Nevertheless, I did have

a very nice veal cutlet.

I believe that's for you.

Well?

There's no doubt about it now.

I don't know what to do.

- Calm down.

How can I calm down?

I saw the doctor this morning.

?e confirmed it.

- Do your parents know?

- I told them.

Very clever!

I didn't mean

to tell them it was you...

but Daddy insisted on knowing.

I thought you were a liberated woman.

- Stop making fun of her.

- I'm not.

So what did Daddy say?

He and Mommy left for the coast.

?e said, "You're on your own."

Magnificent!

Don't worry.

I'll take care of it.

It'll be over in no time.

- No, I don't want to.

- What else can you do?

It's for the best, you know.

Paris is a marvelous town,

and Paul seems right at home,

like a fish in water.

All my love - Charles.

On your feet!

- What's that?

- One of the jewels of the arsenal.

What is it?

A deadly weapon when it's loaded.

- It doesn't look it.

- Don't be fooled by appearances.

Up and at 'em, you slug!

Get dressed. Shake a leg!

I'm going to show you around town.

Oh, Mother...

in the Latin Quarter,

Paul took me to a sort of club

called L'Association.

Lay off!

I've got to go to work.

- Running off just as I arrive.

- To the Elyse Palace.

It's true.

Hello there.

Well?

Everything's all set for Genevive.

Clovis, you're a real brother.

Yes, you are.

I'll have to pay you.

Let's go downstairs. I'm showing

my dear cousin around this dive.

Isn't Gilbert here, my sweet?

Okay in there?

Look on and marvel.

Come - into the bowels of hell!

Jacqueline, I'm blotto.

But I'll forget about that

after the next glass.

- This is stupid.

- Yes, it's stupid. Now pour.

My word, Philippe.

You're drunk.

Make him stop.

I meant it as praise, my dear.

That looks very much like Franoise.

Room spinning, old pal?

Is it over between you and Franoise?

What's it look like?

Don't take it too hard.

I have a dozen proverbs

to help you through it.

I know your proverbs.

In your drunken state

you'll soon forget them. Listen -

Hello, kids.

Hi, sweetie.

We didn't know each other.

Now we do.

You can help a friend of mine

who's suffering.

You gotta be kidding.

Beat it, you.

I'd better warn you.

I'm a bit conceited,

and you're going to love me,

Ernestine.

I doubt it.

And the name's Martine!

That's delightful!

I can almost hear bells.

Sonnez les martines!

Now...

I believe I mentioned

a friend of mine who's suffering.

A creature as ravishing as you

has left him for another.

But your smile will cure him.

Come.

Oh, Yvonne!

Philippe, my friend, this is Martine.

Don't get worked up over a boy.

Especially not him.

There's more to life than boys.

Music, literature...

dance...

and the fact I need a light.

- May I?

- Thanks.

My name's Charles.

I'm Paul's cousin.

My name's Vonvon.

I'll finish off the banners.

I see he keeps busy.

A real young girl, for once.

Don't break this one.

I hope I'm not bothering you.

- You his cousin?

- Whose?

- Paul's, of course.

- Yes.

Perfect!

I hear you're a champ at bridge.

I've had enough.

You can take my place.

That's it, daddy-o.

I'll take the rest.

Damn it! Here.

You're done for.

Shouldn't have used

the hearts finesse.

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