The Grand Maneuver Page #5

---

Life in the provinces is so dull.

We have to have fun now and again.

We were out dancing again last night.

Aren't you bored of the same old faces?

But think, we can't leave

on a journey together.

- Why not?

- Everyone would know.

As if I care.

- What would people say?

- I don't give a fig what people say.

- Good day, Monsieur.

- Goodbye, Madame.

- Can I expect your answer today?

- There's no hurry.

- We'll discuss the matter again.

- I'll be in my office all day.

- Enough of your jokes, understood?

- Yes, sir.

- Refrain from provoking Mr. Duverger.

- Yes, sir.

Mr. Duverger's an imbecile, but I

forbid you to interfere in his affairs.

Do you give me your word

you won't see Mime Riviere again?

- No, sir.

- I beg your pardon?

Think about it, la Verne.

You cannot, for the sake of a woman...

Hello? Yes?

Yes. Who?

Yes, it's me. You're so kind.

No, my sweet, I haven't forgotten you.

You promised to come

and hear me sing one night.

An officer's word is his bond.

But I'll hide you, in a little corner.

In a little corner?

Yes, yes, all right. See you soon.

- Where was I?

- For the sake of a woman.

Yes. Have you thought about it?

I haven't changed my mind.

You haven't thought about it enough.

I'll give you more time.

A detachment leaves within the hour

to set up staging-posts.

You will command it. Two weeks

in the country will change your outlook.

And I'll get some peace in the meantime.

I'll hear no more of you,

of Mr. Duverger,

his sister, the police chief,

his daughter, his wife, my wife.

You called, my dear?

- Good evening, Mme.

- Good evening.

- Do you have a finer veil?

- I'll show you, Mme.

I can only stay a moment.

Forgive me.

My men are waiting for me.

I have to leave,

the colonel's orders.

I couldn't pass your door

without saying farewell.

- You're leaving?

- A few days. A week or two.

A week or two.

Goodbye.

I wanted to tell you...

I don't know...

How well he played his part.

Awkward, shy. He was perfect.

Anyone listening would swear

he's in love with you.

She returns with heart a-flutter

When the betrothed

Returns with heart a-flutter

When the betrothed awaits you

Quiet, Antoine. The music's

spoiling Mr. Chartier's conversation.

Carry on, you're not bothering me.

Our friend la Verne,

had he won before he left?

If anyone asks, it's a secret.

- What secret?

- If you don't reply, he must have lost.

- It's unfair. We should cancel the bet.

- What bet?

- That's not for little girls to know.

- May we go on?

Farewell, go!

Nothing binds us...

ONLY 14 DAYS LEF

For you those words

no longer have meaning

I know it too well

But nonetheless

I could believe

In your "always"

In your "never"

If you loved me

Shall we go?

She must like that song,

she's come twice to hear it.

- It brings back memories.

- Our friend la Verne.

La Verne? Poor woman.

His campaign was in full swing

when he left.

- He'll renew his attack.

- For sure.

I know his tricks.

He says:
"Forever".

He says:
"Never".

Look at the weather.

I'll find a hackney cab.

I can see him now.

Madame, I will be your confidant,

a true friend, a brother.

Call me Armand.

Have I ever loved? I thought I loved,

but my heart is pure.

I have waited too long for this moment.

Permit me to keep a memento

of this evening.

If not your hand,

then give me your glove.

He must have dozens of them.

- And the palm-reading? He did mine.

- I don't know you. Give me your hand.

Look at me straight in the eye.

Closer.

Never saw a better performance.

And I'm a professional.

It's the first time

I've had such feelings for a woman.

I would flee from you

yet I come back to you.

See me again tomorrow. Just once more.

It's all I ask.

- Well? Is your gentlemen coming back?

- Perhaps we could offer you a drink?

Next time, sir, would you mind

staying out of the rain?

See to my horse first.

- Why do you gallop around like that?

- To change my outlook.

Delivery of letters for the barracks.

- They say he'll be back tomorrow.

- So he'll have two days left.

- What can he do in two days?

- Out of sight, out of mind.

- Who's it for?

- The police chief's daughter.

Alice? I've fallen out with her,

over Felix. I mean Lieutenant Leroy.

- Alice and Felix...

- Felix is friends with Armand.

And Alice and Armand,

not very long ago...

I'm so sorry.

- Alice and Armand was before...

- Before?

Armand and you.

What are you thinking? Armand and me?

I thought...

- Were they serious, Alice and Armand?

- He said he'd marry her.

- Well, these young officers.

- Yes, young officers.

But Felix is a young officer, too.

That hat suits you perfectly.

- I prefer this one.

- If it was down to me...

Tell me... Did he never talk about it?

- Who?

- Armand.

- About marrying me?

- No.

I mean, did he never

talk about Felix and me?

We've hardly seen each other,

he hasn't had time.

- Do you think Felix plans to marry?

- I have no idea.

You don't believe it.

You don't believe it either.

- He said he loved me.

- If you believe what men say...

- They're not all the same.

- So we think.

- He said he'd never loved before?

- How do you know?

- He'd waited for you?

- Yes.

Did he say:

"I would flee you yet I cannot"?

- No, not that.

- One day, he will.

- But you mustn't believe it.

- I know why you say that.

- Because Armand is making fun of you.

- How do you know Felix isn't too?

- He's not wooing me to win a wager.

- You think he'll marry you?

Good morning. Have you heard the news?

Armand is here. A day early.

- Hello, Lucie.

- Go away.

- What's wrong?

- I won't see you.

- What have I done, Mime?

- Wait outside a moment.

Lucie will be out directly.

- I'm sorry, Lucie.

- So am I.

Why did you mention a wager?

What's happening?

Lieutenant Leroy is chasing Mille Lucie.

- "O, tyrant Love. When held by you... "

- Remember what you promised.

If you come near me, I'll leave.

At least take off your veil,

so I can look at you.

Go and make the tea.

I came here for tea, don't forget.

- Come along.

- You're right. Tea first.

Who's this lady on the mantelpiece?

- A cousin.

- You have lots of cousins.

- Feel free to take a look.

- A large family, I suspect.

To think your cousins

could read my letters

if I was ever foolish enough to write.

I'm discreet. I always burn letters.

- I'm sure that if I had a look...

- I keep no secrets from you.

What a mess. Bills, rent receipts...

A letter. Not to worry, it's from a man.

- And what's this?

- An interesting discovery?

No...

Shameful. Disgraceful. Unspeakable.

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

The favors..

".. of Mime Marie-Louise Riviere. "

- To write such a thing.

- Let's not be mean.

- It's not to say de la Verne succeeded.

- It's not to say he didn't.

How did you come by this vile document?

By chance.

Don't mind me. I'm just passing through.

- You're going out?

- To take some air.

Enjoy your walk.

Good evening.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes