The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie Page #5

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Father...

Many years ago I committed

a crime.

I killed a man and a woman.

- Who?

- My employers.

I killed them both.

They treated me so harshly.

There, on the photo...

That's them.

Him and her.

The man behind them

with the rake is me.

I was a gardener.

Years and years ago.

Do you know the little boy?

Yes, that's their son.

Yes. That was me.

I remember this photo.

I often saw it.

Those you killed were

my parents.

They never found the culprit.

It was me.

They treated me like an animal.

He was a brute, and she...

Calm down.

You want absolution

before you meet your maker?

Oh, yes, for pity's sake.

The Lord forgives

the most hardened sinners.

See the example he gives us

by uniting us here.

Close your eyes,

gather your thoughts

and pray.

May our Lord Jesus Christ

forgive you.

And l, by His authority,

pardon your sins,

in the name of the Father, the Son

and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Go in peace, now.

Will you have a drink,

or shall we eat right away?

I'm starving to death.

Take your places, then.

We have truffle omelet,

and guinea fowl with morel.

You can serve now, lnes.

His Grace was called away

to see a dying man.

Maybe we should wait, then?

He said to start without him.

Have you made plans

for the summer?

Neither have we. Why?

Why not come out to Miranda?

It's an invitation. This way

you can learn about my country.

It must be terribly hot

in the summer.

When its summer here, it's winter

there. Isn't that right?

Naturally.

We French are hopeless

in geography.

Get the door, Ines.

It must be His Grace.

Rafael, rumor has it that

you're to be named minister.

Police, open up!

In the name of the law!

Rafael Acosta?

Inspector Dlcluze. You are

the Mirandan Ambassador?

Yes, I am.

You're under arrest.

- You're under arrest.

- You've no right.

I have every right. You're not on

Embassy grounds. The warrant.

And diplomatic immunity?

Diplomatic immunity? The hell

with it! Take him away.

There must be some mistake.

The Ambassador can't possibly...

- Henri Snchal?

- That's me.

You're under arrest.

This arrest is an outrage.

I'm calling my lawyer.

No, you're not!

Take him away!

You're Inspector Dlcluze?

What a coincidence!

We're neighbors.

I know your charming daughter.

Are you Francois Thevenot,

by any chance?

You're under arrest.

- What are we accused of?

- You'll find out at the station.

You can't arrest people

just like that!

The women, too!

Take them away!

Don't touch me!

Let go of me!

Are you a cyclist?

Don't touch me!

Search the house: bedrooms,

basement, the works!

- What is it?

- Drug case. Some big players, it seems.

Where's the fire?

- Christ! What's the date?

- June 14.

I totally forgot!

You're obviously new here.

How come?

- June 14 is Bloody Sergeant Day.

- What?

Never hear of the

Bloody Sergeant?

No, never.

Listen good.

This was back in the days

when the police tried hard

to improve its public image.

Remember?

Sure do.

Have you phoned the Minister?

What about my lawyer?

- I'm thirsty!

- This is shameful.

- You staying?

- Just a little while.

- It's June 14, don't forget.

- I'm not forgetting, sir.

As I was saying...

There was this sergeant

who was so strict...

That's his picture there...

he ruined our best efforts.

Still, he was a decent guy.

So...

still won't talk?

Will you answer, or not?

So you won't answer.

Listen good, I'll give you

one more chance.

Will you talk, or not?

Go to it.

- So, how's the missus?

- So-so.

- Will it be a boy or a girl?

- A girl, I hope. I have two boys.

None of that!

I know you didn't plant the bomb.

You're a nice fellow,

you have healthy ideas.

But you know who did it. Talk

and you'll see your girl tomorrow.

I don't have a girl.

You enjoy taking me for a ride?

Tough luck.

You asked for it.

We'll make him play some piano.

We won't kill you.

Will you talk?

Still nothing to say?

Then, one June 14, he was

murdered during a demonstration.

Since then, every June 14,

he returns to redeem himself.

- He's coming tonight?

- For sure.

Stay if you like, but I don't

want to meet the sergeant.

Me, neither. Wait up!

Stop!

Don't let them get away!

What's the matter, sir?

It's you!

I was washing up.

I heard you call.

Imagine, I dreamed you were

letting the prisoners go.

Me?

You had a face like

a slaughtered ox.

Dreams can sometimes be...

Hold the line.

It's for you:

the Interior Minister.

Speaking.

Yes, ma'am, I'll wait.

Inspector Dlcluze?

You arrested the Ambassador

of Miranda and his friends.

Release them immediately.

But, sir, they've already

been booked. I can't...

Forget about the booking

and just do as I say.

But, sir, can I at least know why...?

Our diplomatic relations

with Latin America...

What was that?

I couldn't hear you.

What's that?

But I speak clearly enough.

Very well.

Yes, I understand, sir.

Sergeant!

Release the prisoners.

Right away, sir.

- You spoke to the Minister?

- Of course.

I called to thank him.

I invited him to Miranda.

- And?

- He'll do his best to come.

What time is it?

A quarter to nine.

I hope they hurry,

the lamb will be overdone.

- That must be them.

- I'll get it.

- Are we late?

- Not at all. How are you?

Fine, thank you.

Your dress is lovely.

This is a real pleasure.

For me, as well.

Traffic was incredibly heavy.

- It's Saturday.

-True. I should have left earlier.

We passed at least

We'll skip cocktails

and get straight to dinner.

If not, the lamb will be overdone.

Fine with me, I'm starved.

I've made some soup

with garden herbs.

A very good idea.

I made it myself.

Sit where you like

Francois on my right.

Rafael here.

I almost didn't make soup,

then I thought:

Is a dinner without soup

really a dinner?

So, Ines, how are things

with your fianc?

- We broke up, Madame.

- But why?

- He has 2 years in the army.

- You should wait.

It was his decision.

He says I'm too old as it is.

- How old are you?

- 52.

Really? I see.

She worked for my parents

when I was a child.

Say, I read they arrested

a Nazi in Miranda...

A Von Something-or-other,

who ran a concentration camp.

It seems he was a real butcher.

Calling him a butcher strikes

me as a bit excessive.

I met him once,

and I can assure you,

he's a true gentleman.

It's compatible.

You can be poor and a thief.

And rich and honest, my dear.

How did he dress, this

Mr. Von Something-or-other?

Was he an animal-lover?

He would take walks

with a big dog.

Is it true there are

many Nazis in Miranda?

- How is the soup?

- Delicious.

Feel free to add salt.

I'm sure it's perfect, as usual.

I'll just go check on the lamb.

- What time is it?

- 9:
10.

You can take it out.

is long enough.

Fine.

Few people know it, but you carve

a lamb standing. Right, Francois?

It's more proper.

Remember that.

Thanks for the lesson.

What's your birth date, Rafael?

February 22, 1920.

Then you're a Pisces?

Sagittarius rising.

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