Paris Police 1900

--

Ah…

Dreyfus…

Lord, what are they pissing me off with that one.

Today, Council of Ministers,

five hours on Dreyfus.

Sigh It's hellish.

Guilty or martyr? Spy or not?

Do I know me?

And yes, he may be innocent. It's really sad.

But what do you want me to do about it?

Between us,

he's not the first Jew to be persecuted.

Nor the last.

On acquiesce.

Moans of pleasure

Not even had the elegance to die in prison.

No, he's being sent back to us for a new trial. Dreyfus ...

--

France is on the verge of the Revolution!

They all piss me off!

What do I have to ...

--

- We don't pull our hair, you savage.

Felix?

Agonizing moans

- The president dies! The government falls!

Tractations in the Assembly!

Buy L'Aurore ! Five cents and you will know everything.

Buy L'Aurore !

Five centimes and a special editorial by Mr. Émile Zola.

The president dies! The government falls!

Tractations in the Assembly!

In Paris, the return of Prefect Lépine is announced!

Here.

The beginning of fortune.

Metallic ringing on the ground

Good news for you, little metic.

And she's not in your journal.

Your day has just ended.

Cry of pain

--

Pope !

Joseph !

Intriguing music

--

Young boy's cry

--

Pope !

--

Not !

Not !

To all the Jews ...

To all the traitors who buy this tea towel!

To all the Dreyfusards who betray the homeland!

This is what awaits you!

Pope !

--

Police, open up!

Yes, just a second.

I am not dressed. - Ah.

You see !

Open up, cod! It's your husband talking to you.

We unlock.

Alphonse?

- Hélène Chagnolle? - Yes.

We are here

to see ...

a flagrante delicto of adultery.

Following the complaint

Alphonse Chagnolle, your husband.

- You know I wouldn't do anything like that.

- She cheats on me every time I'm on call at the ministry.

But not this time.

Jezabel. Messaline.

You're stuck.

Make yourselves at home.

Come closer.

Intriguing music

Draw your saber.

Plant it in this trunk.

--

Sorry sweetheart.

Funny music

Gentlemen.

--

He's 30 years older than me.

He ate my dowry in less than a year.

He drinks, he plays ...

He sleeps off every week.

And I had always remained faithful to him.

Six weeks in Saint-Lazare.

She's going to get desalinated, that bitch.

And then, hop, to the street! Like all those of his breed.

I have the misfortune to please.

I don't do anything for it.

Often I have the strength to resist, but sometimes ...

Attention,

I'm not jealous. It's a matter of respect.

I am a civil servant at the ministry!

Alphonse Chagnolle. Former soldier, please!

Gentlemen.

Make me a hornet.

She will pay me for it.

It was the first time.

The first time.

Hubbub of the prisoners

--

She is 26 years old.

She is called an infidel.

In a year, we find her in the morgue.

What can we do?

The complainant is not sympathetic, but he works inside.

And he has quite a few friends.

So we help each other, between officials.

- You were right, your wife is a slut.

- I told you. - Yes, she confessed everything.

Besides, I have a list of all her lovers.

All of them? There are several of them ?

Seventeen.

Say, it's a beautiful record.

A scandal.

But when this list becomes public ...

- Public? - Yes, it is obligatory.

We have to summon them.

Their wives will know, their neighbors ...

Their colleagues ...

- The press will enjoy it, it loves this filth.

Your wife is going to be famous.

And I regret it,

but you too.

- Couldn't we, I don't know ...

remain discreet about the figure?

- No, once the procedure has started, it will be too late.

- The only way to avoid scandal would be ...

that there is no procedure.

That is for you to decide.

Calm music

--

Hubbub

Hélène Chagnolle!

--

Je…

I forgive you.

Okay, you can go.

Intriguing music

Goods.

--

- Commissioner Puybaraud for Mme Steinheil.

- She's not receiving. - She will make an exception.

We go down the stairs.

--

Dear Mrs. Steinheil,

allow me to offer you my sincere condolences.

He wanted to be Caesar ...

he was only Pompey.

Sad epitaph for a president.

What we will remember from him,

that's the way he died.

Did you by any chance

keep gifts from our late president?

Letters, maybe?

Some.

Spicy?

Lukewarm.

A few digressions on political life ...

It is harmless.

That's all ?

No, there is also this brooch.

A daisy.

It's my name.

I would love to keep it.

I don't see what's stopping you.

It is a jewel,

not a state secret.

- Thank you. - That's the lesser of it.

- Last week, the gratin of the Republic was here.

Everyone knew about Felix and me.

I transmitted the messages.

It's over, you're unemployed.

I have a beautiful place here.

I still know quite a few people.

I could hold a living room.

After that ?

I can encourage

guests to talk politics or business ...

and repeat to you what is being said.

- From courtesan to snitch. The slope is steep.

We make a living as best we can.

Disturbing music

--

Mr. Steinheil.

--

The door closes.

They left ?

Yes.

Take that dress off, then.

The comedy of mourning is over.

- We are artists, dear husband, but do not forget:

your paintings, it's my clients who buy them.