Violette Page #2

Sorry. sorry. sorry.

Sorry.

Please forgive me. I'm sorry.

Come live with me.

Leave him.

He doesn't deserve you.

- And your brother?

- We'll look after him.

I'll support you.

Where will we live?

In your rabbit hutch?

I'll rent a bigger flat.

The black market is over.

I'm taking control of my life.

Everything is going to change.

You're dreaming. Violette.

Nothing ever changes.

"'You deserve better.'"

"He said it so kindly.

"Come home. Calm down.'

"I was humiliated for Mother.

"'I promise I'll think about it.'

"I wanted her to be tough. decisive.

"Why did he pity her?

"'A millstone around my neck.

A millstone!'

"She wanted to pounce on him.

but he ran away.

"'Please.'

"He took refuge in his big house.

This came for you earlier.

- Thank you. Mrs Oustier.

- At your service.

THE MIRACLE OF THE ROSE

To Violette.

An author you should like.

Kind regards.

S. De Beauvoir

Ah. Violette...

- See you tomorrow.

- Goodbye. Nathalie.

I'm sorry. I'm busy.

I've finished.

You're quick. That's good.

Here.

Foie gras.

A camembert. It's ripe.

And some pt.

- You're a black marketeer?

- I was. It's over.

How much do I owe you?

Nothing. It's a gift.

Thank you. I have to go.

I have company.

See you very soon.

Have you heard?

Maurice.

What about him?

He died in Germany.

Eliminated.

Shot in the head.

"I said.

"'My friend is dead.'

"I repeated it.

"I said.

"'Death...'

"I tried to find the word.

"A syllable.

it doesn't take long to cross.

"Pronounce this syllable

as you wish."

Yes?

I have an appointment

with Albert Camus.

- Who shall I say is here?

- Violette Leduc.

- For the book signing.

- You're early.

- Yes. a bit.

- Follow me.

Why aren't I published

in the Blanche collection?

The cover is so dull.

It's so we can afford

a bigger print-run.

Here's the list of journalists.

Mr Camus will come see you.

That's what he said.

But I don't know any of them.

What does one write to a stranger?

The usual phrase is.

"Respects from the author."

Respects from the author?

I sending my book to the critics!

You will receive

your copies in the post.

Careful. I have a cold!

I've something for you.

In the Prison of Her Skin

It's coming out next week.

And published by Gallimard too.

I don't know this collection.

It's a new collection.

created by Albert Camus.

A big print-run.

Albert Camus. gosh!

I'm happy for you. Violette.

You thought you'd do nothing.

You'll read it. won't you?

And we'll meet again.

Say we'll see each other. Hermine.

We've been apart too long.

Tell me about you.

There's not much to say.

Still the same.

Work. plenty of work.

And my pupils.

But I'm not complaining.

I get long holidays.

- And the other?

- Fine.

Your hands.

They've changed.

It's the washing-up.

I have to go.

- Still in St Lazare?

- Don't insist!

- I want to see you again.

- You're hurting me!

Are you still angry?

Tell me about your abortion.

There's nothing to say.

You know as much as I do.

How far gone were you?

Five and a half.

I almost died.

The baby had to be extracted.

It was it or me.

- My husband wanted to keep it.

- You were married?

Not very long.

I used to live with a woman.

That didn't work out either.

I thought the status of wife

would clean the slate.

make the same as others.

Do you regret it?

It'd have been like me.

It'd have suffered.

I'd have killed it.

My mother didn't kill me.

I've criticised her for that.

Marriage is a sham. Violette.

For women. it's slavery.

You understood before them.

Freedom for women

means financial independence.

But that's a long way off.

My first romance

was in boarding school.

Her name was Isabelle.

It lasted an entire school year.

My mother separated us.

I never saw her again.

I still imagine bumping into her.

In the street or metro.

You must write about it.

- I couldn't.

- You can. I'll be by your side.

You'll have to go

even further. Tell all.

Your trafficking. relationships

and your abortion.

It would help many women.

- Evening. Castor.

- Ah. Genet.

What good timing! Violette Leduc.

whom I told you about.

Jean Genet.

You're the greatest.

No kidding!

Castor told me

your book was great.

I'm no match for you.

Don't be so modest.

Did you dine with Sartre?

Yes. We drank too much as usual.

He's gone home to bed.

I wake up at this hour. Scotch.

No. It's on me.

Sir. 3 scotches.

- Excuse me

- Yes?

I'm looking for a novel.

In the Prison of Her Skin.

Which author?

Something or other Leduc.

Violette Leduc.

Gallimard has just published it.

Collection Espoir.

Never heard of it.

It isn't in any bookstore.

Do you find that normal?

It happens to unimportant authors.

The publisher decided

on a small print-run.

Shall I order it?

No. thank you. I'm visiting.

What's a small print-run?

- Sorry?

- Be precise.

What are you implying?

That it doesn't serve

the same treatment?

Just say so!

Say what you mean.

You only care

about Julien Green!

You're not in

your right mind

Not in my right mind?

How dare you!

I've understood your little game.

You take me for Violette Leduc.

I'm not Violette Leduc.

Violette Leduc's a dear friend.

Violette Leduc has friends

as well as talent!

And her friends spread the word!

I don't want to live anymore.

I know you. you'll live.

I'll make sure you do.

I've told everyone about it.

No one can find it anywhere.

I'll call Gaston Gallimard.

I promise you.

What will that change?

What will I live on now?

Everything has always

been harder for me.

Since I was a young child.

It doesn't stop.

It will never stop.

Think of writing.

of what it has given you.

It will give your everything

society has refused you.

But it takes time.

Carry on. Work.

If only I could hold your hand.

I'm holding yours.

I have to hang up now.

I love you.

What are you doing here?

It is because I'm ugly

that you don't love me?

Appearances matter little.

you should know that.

You don't like mine.

Just admit it.

Look. I'm very busy.

We'll discuss this another time.

What can I do for you to love me?

I'm a good person.

I can be so kind.

Stop whining.

I loathe it.

What will I live on now?

I've spent all my money.

Get back to work.

Write about your obsessions.

you'll find solutions.

Write for whom?

I don't interest anyone.

Write for yourself.

not for me.

It's your first book.

there'll be others.

Give yourself a chance.

That's enough. Get out!

No.

If you have time to lose.

"If she told me

to remove my shoes.

"to run on pebbles.

bits of glass. thorns.

"I would do it.

"But she does not need

my bare feet on pebbles or glass.

"I understand.

"I shout because I understand.

"I dreamt you were loving me. madam.

"And I knew I was dreaming

while you were loving me.

"My place is within myself.

"The rest is vanity.

"Come. solitude.

"Come. with your long hair

falling over your face.

"Start to rumble.

organs of my desert.

"My heart. madam.

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