The Grand Maneuver

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- Have you seen the time?

- Ready in two minutes.

That's what you think.

- What?

- She's upstairs.

- Who?

- The lady you were meeting last night.

Me?

Heavens, I forgot.

What did you say?

- Exactly what she said.

- Oh, dear.

My darling. What a lovely surprise.

Is it really you?

I can hardly believe my eyes.

When did you arrive?

You haven't been here all night?

I was on duty last night,

as a favour to a fellow officer.

If only I'd known.

- Why didn't you warn me?

- Didn't you receive my letter?

And I must be off,

we're on manoeuvres today.

Parades, brass bands, you know...

They're waiting for me.

- You didn't get my letter?

- But if only I had. Just think...

A whole night with you.

What a dream.

What did you tell your family?

That you were taking the morning train?

You're so clever.

Tonight, as soon I'm off duty,

I'll wait for you here.

But this morning, France needs me.

I waited for you all night.

France can wait a few minutes.

- A few minutes?

- To answer my question.

- You didn't receive my letter?

- If I had received it...

Then it would be in this drawer?

And here it is, unsealed.

Darling, I can explain everything.

But not now.

- Come back later.

- Now's the time for explanations.

- What did you throw out of the window?

- The key.

The key?

- Cavalryman.

- Yes, sir?

- Find the key that's fallen down there.

- Where?

I don't know. Look for it.

You see? A moment's anger

and the whole town is informed.

- I'm thinking of your reputation.

- But you leave my letter next to these.

Monsieur Armand de la Verne,

Yvonne, Rose...

Therese, who can't spell, Odette...

There are even two Odettes.

My dearest...

- My men are in the saddle.

- Is that your only answer?

I will answer you tonight, here,

when you return.

- There's no more to be said.

- Gisele.

Goodbye.

My darling, I would have told you...

Sir. The key.

My brother has closed the window,

I can hear you better now.

My brother? Yes.

- Are you coming to the Red Cross Ball?

- I don't know yet.

He's definitely coming.

My sister asks if Lieutenant de la Verne

has taken care of the singer?

I shall ask the colonel. Olivier.

Isn't Lieutenant de la Verne

a friend of Mille Therese?

I'm no authority on his affairs.

Do you know this Therese?

- Will you always remember him?

- "Always" is only for love songs.

- And that one?

- She's a young lady.

- I thought he might even marry her.

- And?

That's when he met Gisele.

- No, that's Leontine. This is Gisele.

- And the young lady?

- The police chief's daughter.

- The one who's getting married?

Come, now. If you'd told me,

I'd have met you at the station.

There's no need to cry.

- You like Dragoons, do you?

- Yes, Mime Mathilde.

You can look as much as you like

through the window.

But take my advice. When they're here,

don't look too closely.

- Until tonight, la Verne.

- Until tonight.

Tell me, my sweet. Won't you look at me?

- Mime Mathilde told me.

- Not to look at men?

She's right. All of these gentlemen

are very friendly,

but if one of them becomes too friendly,

don't listen to him.

- And come and tell me. You understand?

- No, sir.

I'll explain.

One of them stops you as you pass by.

Then, playfully, he takes your hand.

Stop. He's already gone too far.

Because if he holds your hand,

he'll hold your waist

and if he holds your waist,

he'll try to kiss you.

And he mustn't.

You have plenty of time.

We'll talk again.

Come along. The Red Cross.

- The colonel's wife awaits.

- Forward march.

A soldier's life

is discipline, duty, sacrifice.

We have nothing more to say

to each other

It was all but a game between us

A last kiss will suffice

As our farewell

Those words of love

were merely in jest

Merely in jest

One says "always"

One says "never"

One says "I swear" or "I promise"

Such seductive words

Those great oaths, you see

Have no place

in the trifling games of love

I listened to you for my own pleasure

But now

I would like to remain silent

If you were saying

"Always", "Never"

If you loved me

- Aren't you dressing?

- No.

- You're coming to the dinner?

- It'll be all men.

It wouldn't be the first time.

What's wrong?

- I'm sad. I think I'm in love.

- Who with?

I don't know.

- And last night?

- That doesn't count.

What do you think of the girl

across the street?

No, that's not it.

Do you know what I need?

Love at first sight,

like in a fairy-tale.

I would go to her and I'd say:

Madame, or Mademoiselle,

you are the one I've been waiting for.

If you knew how long I've waited.

Have I ever loved? I thought I loved,

but my heart is pure.

- I'm lonely, so lonely.

- I'm lonely, so lonely.

Do you know what I tell myself

in my lonely room each night?

She doesn't love me.

She'll never love me.

I want to flee from her,

yet I come back to her.

I want to die.

But each day I pray I'll live

so I can see her again.

Who's this hussy

that's making you suffer?

I haven't met her yet.

Lie too often and no one

will believe a word you say.

Mathilde. I'm lonely too, so lonely.

- You don't have the knack.

- You mean I don't have the uniform.

Gentlemen, it's not you they love,

it's your costume.

If I wore it too,

I'd be bolder than you.

If I were Lieutenant de la Verne, do you

know how I'd choose my next mistress?

Like this.

- In one month, we leave on manoeuvres.

- But the night before we go...

- A grand dinner.

- No expense spared.

We civilians will pay,

if Mr. de la Verne wins his wager.

- But if he loses, the officers pay.

- Agreed.

And what's your wager, if I may ask?

Not a word, gentlemen.

We are sworn to secrecy.

A lady's honor is at stake.

- On official paper.

- One has to do things properly.

Mr. Armand de la Verne,

Lieutenant in the 33rd Dragoons...

- Here.

- ... undertakes to become the lover...

Manners, please.

.. undertakes to obtain

the favors of Mme...

Mime who?

Will you get out of here.

What are you up to?

- ".. undertakes to obtain the favors...

- The favors.

.. the favors of Mme... "

We leave a blank here for the name.

- How will we choose her?

- ".. of Mime X,

before the regiment

goes on manoeuvres. "

"That day a grand dinner will be held

by the civilians or by the officers... "

- ... etc... Signed by witnesses...

- What do I sign?

- Your name, Ciboulette.

- And me.

- And me.

- Me.

- The lady's name?

- We shall know in a minute.

- All the ladies in the town are here.

- All the ladies in the room.

- An innocent hand will pick the name.

- Me. Me.

Quiet, quiet.

Who is the youngest recruit?

It's Rose-Mousse.

- You mustn't look.

- Close your eyes.

It's the patrol.

- You're in uniform.

- So what?

The colonel forbids us

to come here in uniform. Run.

The kepi.

- Lieutenant? Your sword.

- Thank you.

And your kepi.

The papers have fallen out.

Never mind. We'll do it again.

I hope the lady will be pretty.

I'll let you know.

- Promise?

- I promise.

And if she isn't pretty?

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