Violette Page #3

is my cross of honour.

"How could I conceive of

greeting you another way?

"I am travelling.

"I am a shifting glacier."

Am I bothering you?

I've brought someone

who liked your book.

You found it? You're lucky.

No one's interested in it.

Personally.

I liked it immensely.

It's the kind of book

that breaks your heart.

That's kind.

Jacques likes writers.

He's mad enough

to collect manuscripts.

Jacques Gurin.

nice to meet you.

That's my husband's name too.

- Married?

- I was. Worse luck.

- You like women. you do.

- Not only.

Do you have any cigarettes?

I've run out.

Thank you.

You're working.

We don't want to disturb you.

A Calvados?

Calvados is all I have.

Look.

We won't get drunk.

Is that your husband.

It is. Do you mind?

Lanky.

A shrimp.

What do you do?

He's in perfumes.

He's a big boy.

He can answer.

Parfums d'Orsay. that's me.

You're rich. then.

Yes. And a bastard. like you.

A rich bastard.

They exist?

My father never recognised paternity.

Officially. he doesn't exist.

I spent my childhood hidden

in a house with my brother.

My mother visited us

from time to time.

Where did she live?

Elsewhere. with him.

- Who?

- My father.

He never married her.

He refused to leave his wife.

You see?

I'm rich and I'm a bastard.

That makes 3 of us.

I feel less alone.

I'm not sure I've a right

to that fabulous title.

seeing as I don't have

a mother or father.

To your prisons!

Cocteau liked it a lot.

Had you heard?

Can we take you out for dinner?

At this hour. I'm in no state.

But you go.

No. We'll eat here.

Got any food?

I'll go see.

Come to my place in the country.

You're welcome any time.

I would like you

to feel at home there.

Weekends in Luzarches are great.

We write sketches. fool around.

Jacques would like us

to play cinematographers.

Would you play the mother?

The mother?

Why the mother?

I have potatoes. That's all.

The abundance is over.

Well?

You're too much.

Does she know?

Finish it.

Give it to her.

She's an intelligent woman.

- She'll drop me.

- I don't think so.

She needs you.

Sartre's infatuated with me.

and her. you.

It keeps them balanced.

You need money? I have some.

Here.

Don't be embarrassed. Take it.

I'll promise I'll pay you back.

- Call Gurin. He likes you.

- In what way?

Stop. You're in love with Simone.

He isn't for you.

Neither is she.

I'll have you read something

of mine. A play. The Maids.

You inspire me. you know.

I'll dedicate it to you.

The Maids. Thanks!

My mother will be delighted.

"The cruel love I feel

"has made sweet

the bitterness of life."

Petrarch.

I had no family.

I've found a sister.

Give me the first pages.

We'd sign the contract

and I could ask for an advance.

It's too soon.

I want to finish it.

Read it in one go.

You're so stubborn!

Tell me what it's about.

No.

At least. that's clear.

And you?

You never talk about yourself.

I'm working on

the condition of women.

I just threw myself into it.

And now I realize

what a mountain I am tackling.

I was at a meeting with Sartre.

A man said. "You think that

because you're a woman."

I wasn't about to reply

he thought that

because he was a man.

I see everywhere

and all the time

men are within their rights

as they are men

and women in the wrong.

I don't know how

my book will be received.

It hits where it hurts.

I'm used to taking knocks.

Have you thought of a title?

I'm not sure.

but The Second Sex. maybe.

And you?

I know.

Famished.

Violette!

You're a terrible actress

as well as a pain!

- We'll do it again.

- No. I've had enough!

Carry on.

and I'll replace you.

And you hurt me. Look!

Just walk straight!

I told you

I couldn't play a mother.

- Don't take it out on the pram!

- Why not?

I'm ludicrous.

Jacques. defend me.

He's persecuting me.

And he's become mean.

Tell him he's mean.

Genet. you're mean!

Violette.

I can't be a mother.

even for fun. I told you so.

I understand. Violette.

You can't understand.

You're not a woman.

You don't know

what it's like to get pregnant!

You see everything as a drama.

It's a game.

A game?

For you. it's a game.

But I felt mistreated...

used. humiliated even.

I thought you were less superficial.

I... I'm so sorry.

Everything hurts you.

We were simply trying

to have fun.

to please you.

To please me?

But... is that all?

But... what do you know

about pleasing me? Huh?

Do you know what

would please me right now?

Do you know what I really want?

Violette. this is ridiculous.

You know I like men.

Men. women...

It isn't about that.

I see the serious child in you.

Stop!

Violette. let's not part like this.

Let me make a gesture.

I'll pay for a luxury edition

of your next book.

A limited edition on fine paper.

I did the same for Jean's

Miracle of the Rose.

Pauvert will take care of it.

He does it well. eh?

How is your book going?

I've almost finished.

Perfect. For this publication.

I'll give you 100.000 francs.

100.000 francs for you.

I'll finance the rest.

Please.

Simone de Beauvoir

won't like it.

You don't have to tell her.

I'll think about it.

Very well. very well.

Drive safely then.

See you soon!

You've done rather well.

For Miracle of the Rose.

he gave me 70.000.

Mind you. you won't see

your 100.000. He's tight.

But Jacques Gurin

is a perfumer.

- And a collector.

- I'm wary of collectors.

Really? Why?

They collect dead things.

You know that. Violette.

Words are alive.

They live in us. They act.

Worshipping objects is morbid.

He managed to save

Proust's manuscripts.

- Hello. Mr Meyer.

- Mrs Beauvoir.

I'm leaving.

Here are my keys.

Excellent. Mrs Beauvoir.

Bon voyage.

Thank you very much.

Wait!

- Here.

- You've finished it at last.

I'll read it on the plane.

Gurin wants to publish

a luxury edition.

- Really?

- For money. 100.000 francs.

Gaillimard will never give you

such a generous advance.

And you'd welcome it.

It's unhoped for.

I can barely afford my rent.

Yes... But the book exists.

Don't look so glum.

I'm going away. I'm not dead.

When will you be back?

Le Bourget Airport. please.

What if the plane crashes

on the way to New York?

Mr Gurin is very busy.

It's rose season soon.

Yes. come in.

Mr Gurin. Miss Leduc.

Ah. Violette!

What a lovely surprise.

How are you?

Fine. thank you.

And your book?

I've finished it.

Are you happy with it?

Yes. I am.

And Simone de Beauvoir?

I just gave it to her.

- What can I do for you?

- I've come for the money.

If you haven't changed your mind.

Ah. not at all. Not at all.

Would you prefer

a cheque or cash?

Cash.

Your rug is soft.

- Is it real?

- A real what?

Panther?

Beautiful. isn't it?

It's a gift from my mother.

I thought about what you said.

We behaved like idiots.

Let's forget about it.

If you'd like to count it.

There's no need.

I trust you.

It's as simple as that.

There.

Got any coal?

Just enough.

I'll fetch some tomorrow.

Leave that to men.

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