Les Années sandwiches

"THE SANDWICH YEARS"

Yes.

What?

I'll be right there.

What is it? What happened?

Go back to sleep. The store's been trashed.

Great! Goddamnit!

The bastards.

You're...Mr. Rabinski?

Victor Rabinski, that's right.

# Racists strike again at Montholon Square.

# Vandals with crowbars destroyed an appliance store.

# Police have indicated that the store owner,...

# Mr. Victor Rabinski, is the latest target...

# in the wave of racist attacks in Paris in recent months.

# He's the 8th victim of such incidents this year.

# Stay tuned for more news. #

Everything all right, Mr. Félix?

Fine.

Hi, Mr. Beauchene.

Later...

"To Félix, from your friend Victor. August 25th, 1947."

PARIS, JULY 1947

Sorry.

Excuse me, Sir!

Treviso Street?

I don't know.

There's a map upstairs.

I know, but...

Where are you going?

Treviso Street!

Whereabouts is it?

The 9th District.

Near Cadet Station?

That's it. The Cadet Métro stop.

Change at Palais-Royal and take the Villette Line.

Villette...

I'm going that way but I change further on. Come on.

Got a ticket?

Then buy one!

A ticket, please.

1st or 2nd class?

I don't know.

Me, neither.

Don't move --- I'll ask.

1st or 2nd class?

What?

1st or 2nd class for the ticket?

I take 2nd class, but if you prefer 1st, I don't care.

Your first time in Paris?

Your folks live in the country?

Then they're in Paris!

No, not really, not really...

Ticket, please, young man.

Where do you live?

Treviso Street.

Hurry up!

Come on, over there.

You like to read?

Yes, of course!

What do you read?

Oh, a bit of everything...

whatever I find.

Have you read "Manhattan..."?

Excuse me?

"Manhattan Transfer"?

John dos Passos --- he's American.

Figures...

No one's ever heard of it but it's the best book I've ever read.

I'll try it.

Really?

Take it, please!

Sure, go ahead!

No, I couldn't.

I just reread it...I've got others.

Me, too...I've got lots of books.

I buy two copies of books I like: one to read and one to give away.

OK, but I'll give it back to you.

Shit --- Palais-Royal!

It's no big deal...just head back to Palais-Royal.

How?

Easy. See that "Exit" sign there?

Go up the stairs but stay in the station.

Go to the other side and take the next train to Palais-Royal.

Then you take the Villette Line...

to the Cadet stop. It's easy.

No, it's not...

But thanks anyway.

Good luck.

And thanks!

Let's get a taxi, OK?

A taxi? But that's expensive.

By the way, my name's Félix Beauchene.

Victor Rabinski.

Rabinski? Are you Polish?

Not really...I'm French.

Sorry.

That's OK --- we all make mistakes.

Sorry, but if your folks don't live in Paris or the country,...

where do they live?

I don't know.

So what's on Treviso Street?

My home --- it's where I live.

Look, I still don't get it:...

If you live on Treviso Street, your folks...

I don't know what happened...I'm very sorry.

Really, I didn't mean to offend you.

How about that taxi? I'll drop you off...

then go home. I have to be in when my father phones, or I'm in big trouble.

Ready?

Come on.

Thank you, sir. Good bye.

Thanks again!

Wait. I'll give you my phone number.

If you ever need anything...

anything at all...just give me a call.

Thank you. Thanks for everything!

Now where?

Mmmm? St. Cloud, please.

Can I help you? What do you want?

I'm looking for the concièrge.

That's me.

How long has the lady with the baby lived there?

Why?

No reason.

Never mind.

How about Mrs. Collignon? On the third floor?

Collignon? Nobody here by that name.

And the lady before?

Before what?

Before you.

Mrs. Brezet? The previous concièrge?

~ Mrs. Brezet? ~ Yes.

Why ask for Mrs. Brezet?

Where does she live?

I used to know. Now where did I put it?

Nobody asks about her...

I think Mrs. Brezet lives in Aubervilliers...just a moment.

"In the hope of continuing...

"our long and fruitful collaboration...

Change that to "cooperation"...

"regarding supplies..."

Yes? Come in.

"Please send us a detailed list...

"of our outstanding invoices...

"and the supplements pertaining thereto."

Look what we have here.

Why did you think you'd need a hat?

Pardon, Uncle Jean?

Nothing. Just wondering why you're wearing a hat.

Voilà. "Yours sincerely, etc."

Sorry, Uncle Jean.

Then take your cap off in front of a lady.

That's better.

Try to stay awake, Dear. Type that up for me to sign now.

I'm sure you know what to do.

I'll sign it when I'm done with this young gallant.

Are you here to work or to play golf?

To work, Uncle Jean. It's just that...

Your alarm clock didn't go off, you got lost,...

there was a Métro strike. You're sorry...I've heard it all.

Now listen carefully:...

You are a Beauchene. You must set an example.

So at least try to get here on time.

Don't get too familiar with the boys...

and don't mess with the girls downstairs.

I hope that's clear.

And never let anyone call you "Comrade"!

Do you understand me?

Very well, Uncle Jean.

What is it?

Is this Mrs. Brezet's place?

Mrs. Brezet? You didn't know about Mrs. Brezet?

She passed away last year.

Why? Are you a relative?

I just wanted to say hello.

Bye. It was nothing.

Your father phoned me about your punishment.

I don't know what it's for...

One night I snuck out...

And you got caught?

Only because a dog barked.

A dog.

It made such a racket I had to brain it.

You clobbered a dog? You?

Yes, Uncle Jean.

What breed? A poodle?

No, a guard dog.

Where was I?

My punishment.

Yes, right. Your father and I have agreed that...

some time spent in the company filing department...

and we have lots of files...

would be a useful way to introduce you to the world of work.

When I was being punished, your grandfather stuck me in files.

"SALES CLERK WANTED. APPLY RESPECTFULLY WITHIN."

Anyone here?

Hello, Sir.

I'm here about the job.

How old are you?