The Hour of the Pig Page #4

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- So, how long have you--

So, since I am

a humble merchant...

I'll say what I have to say,

and then we can talk.

You've, uh...

made a good reputation

in the town.

They say you know

the common law, and you're clear

andjust in your dealings.

They're not used to that here.

And Pincheon has done

well enough for me in the past.

But, well, he's one

of the old school.

He's cold mackerel.

Don't you think?

Yes.

Monseigneur, I'm honored by

your confidence, believe me.

Only the seigneur will understand

that I left Paris for a purpose.

- I wanted to serve

the people, not the--

- What, the peasants?

Well yes, them too,

b-but mainly--

Four hundred livre

a year.

- Excuse me?

- That's double what I pay Pincheon.

Four times what you'll make

doing your good deeds.

[ Door Closes ]

Well, think about it.

Seigneur, I ask leave to petition you

for the Little Egyptians.

They've been subject daily to insults,

two of their men were badly beaten.

They'll be left in peace.

Are you defending

their pig?

No. There's

no reason to.

The reason is order:

order and rule.

Trying a pig

brings order?

You know, Maitre, there are things

that a country lawyer just has to do.

So why don't you say your peace,

pick up the money...

and let them

hang the beast?

It's only a pig.

[ Bells Ringing ]

[ Creaking ]

How was she?

Oh, she spoke.

Somebody shouted out,

''What about the witch's curse?''

Everybody shushed him up.

And then she just

stared out at the crowd...

- and she said, no, she wouldn't

put a curse on the town.

- I will not curse this town.

- She left it a blessing.

- I will leave it with a blessing.

- [ Maria ] She said--

- These are bad times...

and there'll be more before

your day of deliverance.

Then I see there will come

a fine knight...

in armor that shines

like the sun.

And he will carry the weapons

of strength and righteousness.

And he'll deliver you

from your lying and your evil...

and make this a fit place

for all of you.

[ Maria ]

The bells stopped for a time.

When the hangman let her down,

nobody moved, shouted, nothing.

Don't see many

fine knights these days.

Maybe she meant you.

Madness.

- Will you get me some silk?

- What?

From Paris.

I've never had silk.

Will you?

Madness.

[ Howling ]

[ Squeaking ]

Oh, no.!

Shh.

You can't stay here,

please.

[ Gasps ]

No.

I want you to go.

- Until you say yes.

- [ Mathieu Knocking ] Maitre?

Yes? No!

I thought you couldn't speak, um--

- Maitre, I can't find them.

- Wh-What?

The Lamartin papers.

Maitre?

Leave them

'til the morning.

''Leave them

'til the morning.''

I don't want you

to do this.

- I think you do.

- [ Sighs ]

You'd sell yourself

for a pig?

The pig is

everything we have--

All our money, and in winter

our food 'til the spring.

- If they kill the pig, we have nothing.

- You can work to buy another one.

Half a year.

No.

You make me feel bad,

Maitre.

It's my fault, I think.

But still,

you make me feel bad.

Now he gets warm.

What is he?

I'll think about

the, uh... pig.

Uh--

- My God! Why didn't you?

- I--

Don't they say the devil's

in black people?

Well, yes...

and in cats and rats...

and the owl that sits on the roof, and

the black dog that crosses your path.

But that's for

the peasants, my son.

- How does a priest get women?

- Fear of eternal damnation.

Some priests sell absolution

for money...

but when it's one of these

sweet, young goodwives

come to confession--

You don't!

- You threaten them

to get them into bed?

- They know it's all a game.

And the threat

absolves them from guilt.

- There must be priests in hell.

- Can't live for 'em.

I think the time might be

better for it, you know:

the pig,

getting it done with.

Albertus, is there something

I should know?

This is my lady,

Catherine d'Auferre.

Gerard, my son,

and my daughter Rosaline...

known to the very few

who love her as Filette.

I do hope Maitre the Advocate

will not capture me...

- and put me in a close prison.

- Mademoiselle...

it would be better

to fall captive into your hands...

and I think your prison

would not be so hard.

[ Chortling ]

Respond to the maitre's

pretty speech.

- Do not be too sure,

Maitre Comtois... Courtois.

- Courtois.

For indeed, I have recently seen one

I could wish to make a prisoner.

Would you make a cold cell

to keep him?

Not at all. The cell I

would put him in is warm indeed...

- and he could wish

never to come out again.

- [ Mother Whispering ] Filette.

You are too forward,

young woman.

For God's sake! The more speed,

the better at her age.

- Ask him.

- Hmm?

Oh, my son likes to hunt.

Wants to know if you'd join him.

Uh, no.

Excuse me.

I, I don't.

Seigneur, we wish you long life,

and your lady too.

Yes, yes.

Sit down, Poiccard.

That's my wife's astrologer.

She's my sister-in-law,

you know.

- Uh?

- My wife. My sister-in-law.

Dispensation from the pope.

Cost me an estate.

Um, her first husband,

your brother, died?

Yes... sadly.

Do you have a woman, aside

from servant girls and the odd

black whore, of course?

- Does our little Filette please you?

- [ Chortling ]

- Sorry, I wouldn't presume--

- Presume all you like.

You're an educated man.

She's past 20 years old.

She's no title with her,

and I'm losing hope... fast.

I know she brays

like a she-ass...

but she's that good,

sweaty flesh on her.

See the pearls top of the dugs? Always

found that most charming in women.

And that particular sly look

some of them have in the eyes.

Means they're permanently moist

between the hams.

Ah, one of my more

youthful seneschals.

He's the bursar of my brotherhood.

- Brotherhood?

- Yes.

It's a kind of guild.

Oh.!

And she comes with

500 hectares of land...

in addition to the, um,

territory on view.

There's enough there

for two pigs. Take it.

We'll have our pig.

Please just take it

and go.

Run away?

- You are the first man

who said no to me.

- I'm sure.

So why are you so generous

now, Maitre, for no return?

- I want to help.

- No, you want rid of us,

and you pay for it.

Do you have plans

that our pig will spoil?

I don't know.

I thought you were

the man of conviction.

I don't belong here.

I thought it would be

simple and peaceful...

but it's full of fear,

this place.

Where do your people

come from?

Chaldea, Izmir...

Guzrate from the land

of the Indus, and the Nile.

My grandfather

was from Tatta.

- I was born on the road.

- Where?

Just outside

Perpignan.

[ Whinnying ]

- The visiting magistrate,

the Maitre Boniface.

- [ Cane Pounding ]

In the matter of the State vs. The pig,

first disputation.

Does the animal have counsel?

Good. Pincheon?

Only to say, monseigneur,

that the offense is compounded...

in that having murdered

the child...

the pig ate a portion of its body...

although it was Friday.

- What?

- The consumption offlesh...

on this day

being contrary...

to Christian ordinance

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