The Grand Maneuver Page #3

---

I hardly know you and I'd like

to be sure of your sincerity.

- Let's sit down and talk.

- No.

Don't say a word, I'm speaking for you.

I feel, this is you talking,

that I have met a true friend.

In this small town, where even

respectable women fall prey to gossip,

I have at last found someone

who will keep secret

whatever we might say or do.

If you knew, Armand...

My name is Armand.

If you knew, Armand,

how lonely I was before I met you...

- Are you expecting someone?

- Be quiet.

Don't move.

- Who's there?

- It's me. Can't you see?

I do believe I'm half asleep.

The door's locked. Come and let me in.

- It's rather late, don't you think?

- I told you I'd come.

- I'd given up on you.

- I have to talk to you.

Let me in.

Someone will see you.

- I hate lies.

- You left me no other choice.

- And I didn't lie to you.

- Yes, you did. By telling me nothing.

Mr. de la Verne.

It's her you should be talking to,

not me.

I thought it best to leave.

More effective, don't you think?

If I'd been too insistent

I might have ruined everything.

It'll do her no harm to wait.

- Good night.

- Don't lose any sleep over it.

Me? What do you take me for?

She's not my first.

- She's the one who's losing sleep.

- So am I.

I left with an angry gesture,

that's very good.

It makes an impression.

First be firm, then be tender.

And if tenderness doesn't work,

use the whip.

Training starts tomorrow.

- That's right, tomorrow.

- See you tomorrow.

- Turn out the light.

- I'm preoccupied.

Sorry, I think I forgot

to pick up her glove.

A Parisian glove.

It's obvious, don't you think?

No.

You really don't know a thing, do you?

Look.

- The cotillion was most amusing.

- And that lieutenant was charming.

- What is his name?

- Victor?

What's the name of the lieutenant

who danced with Mime Riviere?

- Lieutenant de la Verne.

- She seemed to find it amusing too.

- Who?

- Mime la Riviere.

She is coming to tea this afternoon.

Who?

Mime Riviere.

- You don't believe me.

- Of course I do.

At breakfast this morning,

they themselves said:

- "Mime Riviere must come to tea today. "

- How kind.

- So I jumped at the chance.

- Of course.

I told you to trust me.

Everything will be fine.

- Madame.

- What is it, Amelie?

I'm late for church. If I close

the door, will Mime let me in?

Yes, just knock.

- You bought some new cups.

- Pretty, aren't they?

- If you needed them, why not ask?

- You know I don't like to.

- We'll settle our accounts later.

- Later, always later.

- Later, later...

- You're cheerful this morning.

Why not? You tell me

everything will be fine.

- Are you expecting someone?

- Nobody. I'll go and see.

Dressed like that? I won't have it.

It's not your job to open doors.

Who would be so bold?

You would show yourself at my window?

What about my reputation?

Stay here, please.

- Who's there?

- It's me. Can't you see?

I do believe I'm half asleep.

I had a dozen cups

delivered to you this morning.

- And a letter of apology.

- You have nothing to apologize for.

- Yes, I have. I'm coming up.

- I'm sorry, I cannot receive you.

There's a concert in the gardens

this afternoon.

- I shan't come.

- I'll expect you.

You're jealous. Bravo.

Everything's going my way today.

You're laughing.

You don't want me

to take him seriously?

I want nothing. Go to the concert

in the gardens. You are quite free.

- Excuse us, Mme.

- If you don't mind?

- Mr. Duverger is not here?

- I think he knows you're here.

Victor?

He's not in his study.

Perhaps he's in his room.

We're used to it.

He often disappears for hours on end.

Victor.

This is too bad.

- He invites her.

- And we're stuck with her.

- It was so sweet of you to come.

- We didn't want to be alone with her.

- We don't know what to say to her.

- We can play some music.

My dear lady, I'm sorry.

I didn't think you'd be...

- Are you alone?

- I'm used to it.

This is most embarrassing.

Jeanne. Juliette.

- Don't you know Mime Riviere is here?

- Yes, we saw her.

It's unthinkable.

My respects, Mme.

Are you doing it on purpose?

We didn't know she was alone.

Quickly, quickly.

We thought you'd be here to receive her.

- They pose in this studio.

- Then let's pose.

- You take pictures?

- Papa. I'm not allowed.

- Then you'll pose with me.

- Let me go. What if someone comes.

Ready? Hold still.

- You moved, we'll have to do it again.

- If you come near me, I'll leave.

Here is my father, Monsieur,

if you'd like to wait a moment.

What fun when I'm around!

Like the florist selling flowers

Like the grocer selling butter

I produce laughter

What fun we're having!

What fun when I'm around!

On my way to get wed

The mayor laughed at me

Now you know why I'm still single

What fun we're having

What fun when I'm around!

- Should we risk it?

- Let's risk it.

- No, I fear we must postpone.

- Yes, let's postpone.

No, go back. This is the moment.

Let's make the most of it.

Ready? Hold still.

- Shall I call you a carriage?

- No, stay here.

- The first meeting went well.

- Very well.

- Very well, wouldn't you say?

- Let's not talk about it here.

You're right. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Juliette. Quickly, come and see.

- Too good to be true.

- He's heaven sent.

- How sad she looks.

- Maybe she needs consoling.

Too late, here comes her consolation.

- It's la Verne.

- As if by chance.

- What's he waiting for?

- Now's the time, go on.

That's it, walk past her, turn,

and what a lovely surprise.

- Good day, Madame.

- Good day, Monsieur.

- What? He's letting her go?

- No love left, la Verne?

No. He's going the same way.

How very convenient.

Allow me, Madame.

- He danced with her all night.

- They're still together this morning.

- Like a fairy-tale.

- With a predictable ending.

- I'm sure he'll kiss her.

- What he's waiting for?

- Maybe she won't.

- So why come here?

- To walk.

- With a Dragoon?

- You'll see. He's holding her hand.

- That's progress.

And now he'll hold her round the waist.

- No, she's moved away.

- Some men don't have the knack.

- You're not dancing?

- We're not here to have fun.

Am I allowed to sit next to you?

No, I haven't forgotten my promises.

I don't find you pretty,

I'm not in love with you.

In short, a good day.

At last, you laughed.

I told you, you need a confidant.

A true friend. But I don't know you yet.

Give me your hand.

If I were wooing you,

I would raise this hand to my lips.

And you'd be angry, wouldn't you?

Don't be angry.

May I?

- You're a palm-reader?

- Don't tell anyone. It's my secret.

I'm an expert, believe me.

One glance is enough.

- Is it the beginnings of true love?

- Can't you see?

Here is the first meeting.

Here's the first kiss.

Here...

- And then?

- And then...

Will I have lots of children?

Better than reading your palm

would be to read your mind in your eyes.

- I can do that too.

- Then look into my eyes.

Closer.

If you come too close,

I can't see anything.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes