Notre-Dame (Notre-Dame, la part du feu)

I opened my eyes wide.

- -

I saw what was in front of me.

And I knew that night was going to be the most important night of my life.

NOTRE DAME

Michael Jackson.

Everyone remembers when he died.

Whatever you might say about him or his music, people remember that day.

Some people were home watching TV...

SAPPER KLARSFELD SERGEANT DUCOURT

...others were out, some were at school or work.

There were stories about driving tests, weddings.

People who lost loved ones that day, births, everything.

There's even a woman who wrote about how that day was the only time

that she had simultaneous orgasm with her boyfriend.

So, in answer to your question,

I ask people to write in the notebook

about their experience of Michael Jackson's death.

- Hey. - Hi.

How old were you then when he passed away?

Don't know.

- What date was it again? - 25th of June, 2009.

Right, so I was, uh, I'd just turned 13.

Honestly, I really don't remember what I was doing.

Really? You really don't?

No, I don't.

Yes, I was at my parents' house, bored stupid.

- And you? What were you doing? - Me? I was with my daughter.

She cried all night. She was 11, not much younger than you were.

And the next day, I helped her start that notebook.

Yeah. And since then, on good days,

and on bad days, that notebook is with me.

Between you and me, Michael Jackson I don't care about.

It's how his death froze a moment of people's lives.

Insignificant things, you know what I mean?

Like, "I was baking." "I was in my bed." They remember it.

But I'm telling you,

it's not about remembering his death.

They're remembering their life at that moment in time.

Some might say this was all collective,

but no.

It's a personal thing. How many falafels?

- Just two, please. - Two it is.

You look tired.

Mm. Yeah, I'm not getting enough sleep.

Right. Join the club.

Your wife?

Oh yeah, I'm sleeping at the hospital.

I'm very sorry.

What they say to you?

What do they say?

They say don't get my hopes up.

- -

- -

2 MONTHS BEFORE THE NIGHT OF NOTRE-DAME

Come on, come on.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

A gas explosion blew up the street.

Alice?

It's okay to be scared, okay?

Hey. There's always a first time,

when you have to do it for real.

And that time is now.

Alice, look at me.

You, me, and Denis, okay?

Okay.

- You all right? - Yes.

You sure?

Sure?

Okay.

[loud breaths heard through breathing apparatus]

Alice, keep up with us.

[loud breathing continues through apparatus]

- -

- -

Ben!

Ben!

Ben, the BA isn't working!

Ben!

I didn't check my pressure pump properly.

Here you are.

Take this one.

It's all right, it's okay.

Ben?

Ben?

Ben!

I'm here.

I'm scared.

Don't worry.

I'm here.

- Where are you? - Just right here.

Ben... Ben?

Don't leave me. Stay with me, stay with me.

Stay with me.

Ben!

Please, stay with me!

Last time we spoke, you said you couldn't get over the deaths

of Sergeant Ducourt and Sapper Klarsfeld.

That's right.

I had the least experience.

It would've been fairer if it was me that didn't make it.

I hear you're requesting to go back in the field.

Yes, that's right.

Alice, it was two months ago.

- And it was your first fire after all... - Yes. I know.

I'm ready, Colonel.

I wanna go back.

Can you face another fire?

What I'm asking

is are you ready and able to deal with any situation

without putting yourself or the team in danger?

Yes, I am ready.

- Sergeant Taupin doesn't agree. - Taupin has never believed in me.

And he is wrong.

I'm ready, Colonel.

- - So, you like anything else?

I think I'm all right. It was really nice.

Hi, Max.

- Sorry, gentlemen, don't have time. - Oh don't worry. Won't take long.

Five minutes, and we're done.

I'll give you two.

My brother needs his dough.

I know what your brother wants.

I explained that we've only just reopened. I'll pay him when I can.

Right. And when's that gonna be, hm?

In a month.

Hey... Give it a rest, yeah?

A month? My brother will say that's too late.

- Yeah? -

Of course. I'll be there soon, yeah.

I'm sorry, gentlemen, but I have to leave now.

Mm-mm.

I'm not going anywhere till the money's in my pocket.

When I say now, I mean now.

Tell your brother to stop busting my balls.

I decide when I pay, got that? So go on, get out of here.

Go on, the pair of you. Get out of here.

- -

One day, maybe more, but not long.

I'm very sorry.

There you are.

Here I am.

What's the time?

6:25.

Everything okay?

Yeah. Yeah, everything's all right.

I don't feel ready.

But she's ready.

We've chatted a lot...

and I know she's ready.

You need to talk to your daughter.

Hm?

She tells me about her.

Victoire, it's me, Dad.

I've left about 163 messages.