The Secret of the Grain Page #5

So I want to try my luck.

It is an original idea.

Is that the only specialty?

For now, fish couscous

is the house exclusive.

But, of course, we'll make up

a full menu,

with various combinations.

And we'll rent it out

for parties, baptisms,

circumcisions, weddings.

And we had another idea.

During Ramadan, we'll turn it into

a warm meeting place

for our community to gather

share ideas, our culture,

and to eat. Because...

they don't have much

in this city. We've got ideas.

Of course, even people outside

our community are welcome.

I see. How old are you, Mr. Beji?

Sixty-one.

Look, this all seems a little fresh.

Though your project

doesn't seem uninteresting at all!

It just needs fleshing out.

So I suggest you come back to me

with a complete work-up.

With a detailed projected budget,

with professional estimates,

including operating expenses,

personnel you wish to hire,

a target number for meals served,

and how many meals per day

will put you in the black.

And have a CPA sign off on it.

And of course the additional

paperwork we spoke about.

The customs license,

the docking authorization,

and the collateral you can put up.

The collateral is the boat.

That's all.

That's it.

I'm afraid that won't be enough.

It's in bad shape.

I saw the photo.

How much is it worth?

Seriously. That's not enough.

Ten thousand.

Compared to the sum

you want to borrow, that's nothing.

It'll be worth much more,

once we renovate.

Perhaps, Miss.

Maybe I lack imagination

to speculate on such a project

but I can guarantee you,

with this plan,

Maybe!

Those folders are great.

We can print them.

- What is it?

- Hello.

Tell them OK. Forget the rest.

- Are you Mr. Dorner?

- Yes.

We have an appointment.

An appointment? With me?

Yes, they do.

OK, what about?

For an authorization.

An authorization? For what?

I have... a boat.

Let me explain. We want to open

a restaurant on a boat.

Turn a boat into a restaurant.

So we came to see you to obtain

the authorization.

- I heard about that. That the file?

- Yes, here.

And this boat-restaurant,

where is it now?

At the G-0 dock.

"The Source".

Got some work to do.

Where do you want to put it?

Quai de la Rpublique.

That's not easy.

Quai de la Rpublique.

Everyone wants to be there.

I don't know if there's room.

Did you inquire?

Yes. The tuna boat guys said

there was a spot.

Yes, there's a spot open.

Might be one for a tuna boat.

But a restaurant?

A couscous place at that.

Not easy.

Might be a spot,

but you have to ask

the port authority.

The tuna boatmen don't decide.

We'll verify that.

And the customs license?

We see them next week.

- I need that license.

- We'll bring it.

And you're getting a bank loan?

Did you get it yet, or not?

The bank is waiting for the city

to grant authorization.

They want the city's opinion?

Right.

The city wants financing

before granting authorization.

Look, we at the city

will study the feasibility,

to see if it's viable.

If it is, we'll transfer it

over to the police authority.

But right now

I can't tell you anything more.

Check back with my secretary.

Get what's missing to her.

Sorry I didn't have more time,

but I'm running late today.

- Have a nice day.

- See you soon.

Make sure they get everything

I requested.

From the bank. They'll be back.

A letter stating they've applied.

Without the loan,

where are they going with this?

What's keeping you?

I'm done.

I don't have much time for lunch.

I've got yoga today.

- Ever run a restaurant?

- No, ma'am.

And your kitchens

are up to safety standards?

French law is very strict

about that.

We're renovating.

Renovating or not, I'm warning you:

To be licensed,

and to keep that license,

you need

the Health Dept. Certificate.

That's how it works in France.

You're going into a business

with very strict rules on hygiene.

In France anyway.

Anything concerning

a new restaurant opening,

the kitchens must be up to code.

We... I can give you the license

in one day.

I can deliver it to you right now.

But if you have an inspection,

and if the inspector judges

that your kitchen's not up to code,

you can get permanently shut down.

And my hands will be tied.

You understand what I'm saying?

So, you have to go back

to the bank and explain

what I just told you,

that you came to see us,

and since you're

putting up the boat,

I don't see why

they wouldn't finance your plan.

Especially since you have property.

In any case, as for us,

it's French law

and there are no exceptions.

That's it. Do you understand?

Hey, Riadh.

Hey, how are you?

Good.

- Making progress.

- Little at a time.

- Not too rough?

- It's all right.

Come and eat.

Yeah, thanks.

How are you, Slimane?

Kitchen's looking mean. Real nice.

You like the blue?

Gorgeous.

Really nice.

- Not too tired?

- I'm all right.

The paint works wonders.

Looks great.

Come sit down and eat, two minutes.

Oh, I saw Rabah, the grocer.

He said if you want to shop

on his card, it's tomorrow.

- Riadh!

- I told him.

Call him.

No, let it go. I called him.

- Riadh!

- Coming!

Come and eat.

I bet you didn't eat at all.

That's no good.

Cigarette, coffee...

You work hard. You have to eat.

- You like it?

- Gorgeous. Totally.

Really?

It's clean now.

There's a little tidying up to do.

But that'll go quick.

I'll sleep here tonight.

Mom won't like that.

- She gave me lip.

- I know.

You don't care. You're above that.

Don't mess everything up, OK?

Tell her.

- I got a head full of worries.

- I know.

I'm not sure I can get

the authorization, the loan and all.

I keep explaining.

Yeah, I know.

Your mother's got to understand.

She does. She's pretending.

Look, you got all this work to do.

Don't get caught up

in all this stuff. Who cares?

So you'll come home after, OK?

- We'll see.

- Stop.

Do it for me. Who cares about her?

We don't care.

What good is it?

I get back, she looks at me crooked.

We'll look crooked

right back at her.

Come on.

Please come home tonight.

- We'll see.

- Please.

That sandwich any good?

Oh yeah, it's good.

You made it?

Then it's good.

Thanks.

You OK, Dad?

Fine.

- Finished up there?

- Yeah, almost.

Then you come down.

We'll finish the kitchen tonight.

Yeah, it'll be quick.

Don't forget to close everything up.

If no one's watching,

turn the TV off!

What's with her?

She's pitching another fit.

A fit?

Pitching a fit?

You're not in her shoes.

She's got reasons.

You know,

since this restaurant thing...

What restaurant?

You know Slimane's opening

a restaurant on a boat?

That's why she's like that.

He bought a boat?

What do you mean, bought?

He picked up a wreck

ready to be junked.

That boat, still in the same place.

- Falling apart.

- Right.

At the end of the dock?

That's the one. That's right.

Make a restaurant out of that boat?

What's he got, a screw loose?

Seriously.

A couscous place, he said.

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