When the Cat's Away (Chacun cherche son chat)

Come on, it's only for a week. Don't be so difficult.

I always water your plants. Now you can feed my cat.

Yeah, I guess so. Thank you. Yeah, bye.

Wait, Jean-Yves. Take it easy.

Fuck off! Bye!

I can't stand that noise.

- Can't you look after Gris-Gris? - I said no.

I just broke up with Jean-Yves. I've something else on my mind.

- I need some time. - Did you really break up?

He was becoming attached to me.

- Haven't you bought groceries? - Can't you do anything yourself?

- I'm not your servant. - What's the matter with you?

It's really no fun to live with you.

- I'm not your husband. - I know.

You are welcome to live here but only if you stay cool about it.

- Can't you look after Gris-Gris? - No. Just throw him out of a car.

- You don't mean that? - Why not?

Put him in a plastic bag, tie it up and throw it away.

RENEW PASSPORT

- GET TICKETS - PAY BILLS

FIND SOMEONE TO LOOK AFTER GRIS-GRIS

- Going for a walk, Gris-Gris? - Can you feed Gris-Gris for a week?

- It's not my job to feed cats. - We can never count on you.

Well. It's all I can say.

- Just stay in your rotten lair. - Watch your mouth.

Fucking concierge!

Areski, do you know who can look after my cat?

- Try the baker. - Which one?

At the crossroad.

Straight ahead, first left, second right. You can't miss it.

At Taillandiers they know someone.

No. 14. To the left. Ask for Mme Renée.

Hello!

- Are you Mme Renée? - What do you want from her?

- I've a cat and I need a babysitter. - I'm Mme Renée. Come in!

Don't look at the mess.

I have six cats. One more or less...

FUCK THAT OLD BITCH!

- Who sent you? - Areski from Pause Café.

- Are you often in the café? - Occasionally.

A coffee for 10 francs. That's insane!

Other cafés take 4 francs. And it's just as tasty. But you know that.

- What's your cat's name? - Gris-Gris.

Funny name for a black cat. Why not Noir-Noir?

He's big, way too fat.

Seen mine? Aren't they pretty slim? They get food only once a day.

Only at 6pm. That's more than enough till the next day.

- Are you sure? - My vet said that.

So, no worries about my cat?

Not at all. I'm used to cats. Don't worry.

In the summer I had twelve. Everybody brings them to me.

I tell you... People disappoint you, but not animals. Never.

Goodbye. And happy holidays.

Rambo, you can't go out now! It's bedtime!

He has no time. He's busy.

- I thought it would be more cool. - No, this is exactly the point.

No, he's busy.

- Who does the make-up? - Chloé.

Can't she accentuate the eyelashes? Linda's are so beautiful.

Emphasis on the eyelashes!

- Can she move aside? - Move it!

That's enough.

Hey, Fredo...

- Isn't the background... - Too light?

Not for that dress. I use C41, that gives some more contrast.

- But not too much? - I can't, because I've to...

I have that woman...

- Can you look at the other one? - Yes.

Who's that girl?

Flo, I need to go to the laundromat.

Have a safe journey.

Is it going good?

Slowly but surely...

They love company. But they have to get used to each other.

- Who? - The cats.

- Hello. How is it? - How are you?

- What are you doing here? - Nothing.

If you hear of a job for me, let me know.

- Leaving tonight? - Yes, this night.

I haven't been away for three years. I just need a change.

Some people are lucky.

- Hi! - Hello.

- How is it? - Not good. Your cat has disappeared.

What?

- It's been gone for three days. - How?

It went well the first week.

But a few days ago the kitchen window was open.

After that I don't know. I've looked everywhere.

Nobody knows anything and nobody has seen him.

I don't sleep anymore.

This has never happened to me.

- Do you believe me? - Of course.

Fortunately.

- Where did it happen? - I'll show you. Follow me.

Come on...

Come and see...

Don't be shy... I'm cleaning all the time.

I never get around.

He must have run over the roof. That way.

He can only have come down at Mme Dubois, rue Keller 21.

Or over there. At the wood factory. You can ask them.

They know me already. I've been there a few times.

I don't dare anymore. I'm too embarrassed.

No one has seen him. Not in the yard or anywhere else.

- Can you hear that racket as well? - Yeah, he makes so much noise.

Stop playing drums, we're getting crazy. Stop it!

- Shut up, old bitch! - Keep your mouth and shut your window!

We've had enough!

Sometimes cats come down from the roof that way.

They have to pass my window. I would have seen him.

Djamel, have you seen a black cat with a white spot on the back?

- Isn't that right? - Yes, that's right.

I don't know. It's not my fault.

- OK, OK, we just ask, you know. - I haven't seen him.

If you see him, you tell her, OK Djamel?

- OK... So, if I see a cat, I tell you. - Thank you.

Fine!

Not the brightest bulb in the box.

They're from warm countries, but their brains are frozen.

- I gotta go... - But watch out...

They are not the worst. Those blacks, Africans...

- Have you been in the wood factory? -No.

You need to hurry then. If they catch them, they eat them.

Hello!

Excuse me. I'd like to...

I live next door at No. 15 and my cat ran away.

Maybe he's here. Maybe he came from the roof or through a door?

- If you see him... - What does he look like?

He is all black. With a small white spot on his back.

- What's his name? - Gris-Gris.

Gris-Gris?

- We'll tell you if we see him. - Thank you.

Goodbye!

You're alright?

Is it that bad?

Well. Of course. For me it's serious. Very serious.

No, I mean... You'll find him again.

He'll come back. They say cats have instincts.

What did the old woman say?

This is Djamel. He can help you with the flyers.

- I don't need it, that's OK. - I can help her too.

Bel Canto can also help her. The more the better.

We call him Bel Canto because he sings so beautiful.

Right now he sings less.

He has a hard time. He stopped enjoying life.

His wife has left him two years ago.

He has only his dog now.

- How sad he looks. - Who? -The dog.

He is a painter. He can certainly help you.

Want me to introduce you?

No, thanks. I know him, he's my neighbour.

- You know he's been thrown out? - Really?

Hello, Renée.

Hi!

I think we better split.

I'm going that way. We'll meet at Pause Café.

Well, alright.

- I'll go with you. - OK.

Maybe you'd better do that side of the street.

- And I continue on this side. - No, it's OK. I can stay with you.

- But we can do it quickly. - That's OK. I don't mind.

- No! If we split up, it goes faster. - It is nicer with company.

This is weird, huh?

Well I...

It's not my cat.

It's for a friend.

It's her number here.

It's my cat. If you see him, please call me.

Well, you know, cats and I...

Oh hello! Have you put up many?

Where're you going now? Shall we go to Pause Café?

OK?

- You have a lot left, Michel! - Actually, I had a lot more than you.

- You're kidding! - Yes, I swear.

Have you called the rescue centre?

Wait a minute!

You should really call them. I'll call my friend Odile, in Rue Keller.

She takes care of many animals, especially cats.

Maybe she saw him and can help us. But call the centre also.

Hi, rescue centre?

Do you know the young woman who lost her cat?

She's small, dark-haired.

- A little pale. - I don't know her.

Wearing tight jeans and a sweater.

- I really don't know her. - Yes. You do know her.

- She's lived here for a long time. - But I haven't.

Here's Mrs 'Chatterbox'. Let's go away!

Well, you're very nice!

- I hear you lost your cat. - How do you know?

Mme Floch told me. How awful. What a nasty homecoming.

- Hello? - Mme Odile.

Yeah, she told me.

Mme Renée described him to me and told Mme Ménard also.

Mme Ménard here. Mme Renée told me that she lost your cat.

I live at Place Voltaire. That's too far. Contact Mme Verligodin instead.

I know someone who's cat was gone for two months

and turned up again. So don't lose hope!

Do you know that I'm leader of the association "My Friend The Cat"?

Yes, really. The leader of the association "My Friend The Cat".

I don't know what's happening, but cats are being lost everywhere.