Nobody's Boy: Remi (家なき子)

NOBODY'S BOY REMI

The mountains have a sad color

in the morning mist.

Like steam rising from soup,

my mother was warm.

It's always goodbye, living is a struggle.

So today let's start walking again.

It's always goodbye, living is a struggle.

So today let's start walking again.

The fields and mountains of France are beautiful.

This story, Nobody's Boy, takes place in old France...

about one hundred years ago.

Episode 1: REMI FROM CHAVANON VILLAGE

There is a mountainous region located in the center of the country of France...

Chavanon Village was a small, poor village nestled in between...

...those mountains.

And it was autumn in the village.

Oh...

There!

Hey, it's a Jerusalem artichoke!

All right, Rousette. I'm coming.

Oooh... It's raining!

Mama!

Remi, you ought to know how changeable the weather in the fall is!

You should watch the clouds more closely.

Yes, mother.

So wet...

You were looking for Jerusalem artichokes again, weren't you?

Yeah.

You're hopeless! Next time, I won't take care of you...

when you come home soaking wet.

I'm sorry.

Well!

Roussette!

I'm sorry for leaving you alone. You weren't mad at me though, were you?

After all, you can get home by yourself.

Listen, Roussette.

You see, Jerusalem artichokes will grow big roots when you plant them like this.

So even though it's very small,

it's a very important vegetable garden for me.

So, don't you ever step on it, all right?

You got that, right? Roussette!

Gee... I wonder if she understood me.

Remi, it's time for supper. Go wash your hands.

Yes, Mama.

Hello, young man. Are you the son of Barberin?

Yes... Yes, sir.

Is your mother around?

Yes.

Yes?

I'm Mrs. Barberin... What can I do for you?

I have been asked to deliver a message from your husband in Paris.

Oh, a message from my husband!

How nice of you to trouble yourself. Please, please come in.

Thanks. I wish I could stay, but I must be on my way.

It's been six long years since I've been home.

Um...

Don't worry, ma'am. Your husband is doing fine.

Here. This is a bag of money that he wanted me to deliver to you.

Oh, Thank you so much.

Take care and have a safe journey home! Thank you so much!

Goodbye.

Remi of Chavanon Village turned eight years old this year.

Remi felt very happy and secure,

because his mother was kind and gentle,

and he had his cow, Roussette as a good friend and playmate.

But, on days like this, Remi always thinks...

about seeing his father.

Remi had never seen his father's face.

He had gone to Paris to work before Remi was old enough to remember him.

His father had been sending money and letters only once or twice a year.

And Remi wondered what kind of a man he was.

From that night on, the village faced a cruel winter.

Mama, let me try, please.

All right, want to try?

What?

Ah, it hurts!

What happened, Remi? Are you all right?

I'm all right, I guess. My hands just feel a little numb.

Oh, that's good.

Well, then, let's shovel the snow off the roof.

Okay.

That winter, the cold in Chavanon Village was especially severe.

But, the news that reached Remi and his mother that day was even worse.

I brought a message from Paris. Actually,

your poor husband had an accident and was badly hurt.

He got stuck underneath a scaffold when it collapsed.

He had bad luck. His injury was such that...

he may not be able to work even after he recovers.

His employer will not pay for his medical bills...

or any compensation at all. Not even one penny!

What are you saying?

The scaffold wasn't near his station. In other words, they say it was his fault,

because he shouldn't have been there in the first place.

It's happened before. Another man working in Paris like us...

was injured and he lost everything.

But, Madam, there remains a little hope!

Prepare for a lawsuit and win it!

But, a lawsuit will take a lot of money.

Well, you have to win! Then you will have enough money...

for your whole life. So there's still hope!

Chavanon village had gone through a severe, dark winter...

and welcomed the arrival of spring.

But, Remi's father did not return to the village.