The Only One Page #4

in a rest home?

I can't take care of him at home.

All in all it's the best solution.

The easiest solution perhaps.

I always took care of my wife at home.

Because you loved her or

to soothe your guilty conscience?

You can't throw people away like an

old glove because it's convenient.

I'm really jealous of your Astrid.

She must have led the life

of a princess at your side.

I'm going home.

Goodnight, Mr Knops.

- Goodnight. Where...

Where did I leave my coat?

- There.

Dismay, anger and incomprehension

at jeans manufacturer Levi Strauss.

At this morning's works council,

management announced the closure

of the plants in Gits, Wervik and

Deurne. 900 people are out of a job.

Shall we make up?

Economic unemployment,

shorter hours reorganisation

and less production.

It was all to no avail.

Too expensive.

Foreign labour's too cheap,

that's the problem.

Did you ever think

of going into politics?

I did run for election once,

for the labour party.

It was the 1958 municipal elections,

the year of the world exhibition.

Excuse me.

Sylvia speaking.

I understand. That's all right.

Don't worry about it.

Get well soon. Bye.

Would you like to go with me?

- Go where?

To the theatre.

- The theatre?

A play by Jan De Corte.

- Is it a comedy?

You decide. I like the playwright.

- So we'd go together.

Together, yes.

You're taking chances.

- You're taking chances with me, too.

The performance is sublime.

The text, the irony...

Jan is a genius, wouldn't you agree?

- Jan who?

God, he's funny.

I'm starting to understand what Sylvia

sees in him. He has a sense of humour.

I bet you're thinking

I have to get out of here

before that strange woman

assaults me. Am I right?

Julien.

Lucien.

It's been a pleasure. Really.

It's been a wonderful evening.

It was great to see you.

- Promise you'll call me.

Bye bye.

I'm glad to have met you.

- Likewise.

Cheerio.

- Bye.

What did you think?

- What a quaint little neighbourhood.

This place is just you.

Come here.

Gilly's right, I'm attracted

to men with a sense of humour.

I really enjoyed your company, Lucien.

Really.

You're not only weird,

you're very weird.

Are you ill?

No.

What's wrong then?

- Nothing.

That's...

- I have to go.

Dear friends, we will now elect

the committee members.

Treasurer, Louis Vermeulen.

All those in favour?

All those against?

Vice chairman, Jean Geysels.

All those in favour?

All those against?

And now the vote

for the chairmanship.

The vote will be in writing at the

request of member Raymond Leemans.

Those are the rules, Lucien.

We have to comply

if a member asks for a secret ballot.

Well that's a first.

Mr Vice Chairman,

please hand out the ballots.

And the final vote is

for Raymond Leemans.

Raymond Leemans

has been elected president

by seven votes to five.

Dear friends,

a big round of applause

for the man who, with a great deal

of dedication and will power,

was our chairman

for no less than 30 years.

And before we continue with the order

of the day, I'd like to propose,

through a special motion, to name

Lucien Knops honorary chairman.

Congratulations, Lucien. Now let's

move on to the order of the day.

Item one is the approval

of the minutes of today's meeting.

Judas.

Collaborator.

Nothing lasts forever, Lucien.

Your Mathilde, do you know...

What about her?

Never mind.

Is that all right?

- Yes, thanks.

It's just for today.

It was nothing serious.

I'd forgotten to take my pills

and that's why this happened.

Lucien, what is going on?

Why are you avoiding me?

- Whatever gave you that idea?

You bark on the phone, you pretend

you're out when I ring your doorbell.

What did I do?

Is it something I said? Tell me.

Lucien, tell me.

- You're cheating on your husband.

You're jealous.

Don't be ridiculous.

You're such a darling,

you really are. Come here.

My sweet Lucien.

She'll think I'm your new fiance.

Just like you think that Alain...

- But it's true, isn't it?

I never cheated on my wife.

No?

- No, never.

Not even a little bit?

- What do you mean?

You're a liar,

but I can understand why you'd lie.

Why do you think I do that?

Because I need a man.

I need his warmth, his body.

Because every now and then I want

to give myself over to a man,

when my instinct tells me

he can give me what I want.

No questions asked and

no strings attached.

Does that make me evil?

Are we still friends?

You're my sweet friend.

Astrid really didn't like it,

the Chinese kitchen.

It disgusted her. She used to say

they mixed rat in their food.

Good old-fashioned Flemish cooking

was all she needed.

Lesson three, add a little soja oil.

- Just a little?

Not too much, Lucien.

I said 'a little oil'. Now stir it.

Let me get that.

Hello. Please come in.

Get him out here.

- He's in the kitchen.

Just get him.

Why did you ring the bell

when you have a key?

Here's your key.

I won't set foot in this house again

and don't come knocking at mine.

You're a bad person.

The things you've done to my mother

and now me, you rotten bastard.

The things you've done to my mother

and me. Listen to yourself.

And Lucien doesn't count, I suppose,

because of what Lucien did

to your mother and you.

It's been like that all my life

and I'm fed up with it.

All the moaning, whining and nagging

and being bossed around all the time.

Lucien do this, do that, don't drink

so much, don't do that to me.

She even blamed me for that

damn cancer that took her mother.

Well you can kiss my ass.

Get out.

If they want a war,

then I'll give them one.

Do you think that's wise?

It's just a misunderstanding.

"DO NOT WASTE MONEY

ON THE OVER 85'S"

Dear editor-in-chief,

That professor Verdoodt claims that

medical treatment for the over 85's

costs loads of money

while being absolutely useless

and should therefore

be done away with.

In my opinion

these ideas completely destroy

the principle of solidarity

our Western society is so proud of.

The elderly who've worked all their

lives and paid social contributions

would no longer have the right

to claim medical care

unless they can pay for it.

That's a rich man's measure.

This is not just a subject

for the papers, but for TV as well.

You hit the nail right on the head,

Lucien. Well said.

Hello, we're from TV. Mr Knops?

Rik.

- Sylvia.

Sorry, let me just...

You can sit next to your father

if you like.

I wouldn't want to distract Lucien.

I'll go wait in the garden.

You wrote an angry letter

to The Laatste Nieuws.

What do you mean shoot?

- What was in the letter?

I think it's not right

that elderly people

who have worked all their lives...

Can you honestly say

you trust those charlatans?

All they're good for is getting

their face on TV.

With all their drivel.

The world is becoming

a decadent place.

He's on a roll now. How did it go?

Fantastic. Very interesting.

Just watch the news tonight.

Mr Knops. Madam. We're off

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