Just Like a Woman (Éléonore)

My memory of that time is fuzzy.

I just remember always feeling guilty and not good enough.

Just like a woman

Is it all for you?

Bit much, don't you think?

The sugar is off the charts. And the butter.

I say it because I care.

I know it's comforting, I was your age.

But the truth is, it gets worse.

It's like smoking crack.

Hi Eléonore, sorry I didn't call back.

Still no news?

Actually, I just got some.

Did they like it?

Yes, they liked it a lot.

They think you're a talented writer.

But they turned it down.

They say 700 pages is bit long for a first novel,

especially one with such a heavy, leaden tone.

If you want my opinion, I think the book is too demanding

for today's readers.

There's just no market for...

Luckily, I had my family.

My mother has many flaws, but at least one quality:

She taught my sister and I that family is sacred.

You must always be there for each other.

What the hell are you still doing here, Victor?

- Hector! - Hector, Victor... whatever!

She's not answering.

What do we do?

- Shall I go get her? - Yes, but please hurry.

Don't worry, I have my phone.

If anything happens, call me.

Oh no, no!

I'm sick of you, sick of you!

Coming!

Shit.

- Still in bed at this hour? - Why're you here?

Mom and I are downstairs. We keep calling you.

Shit, my phone.

I left it at the unemployment office.

Who was the guy in your bed?

Nobody of importance.

You've been depressed for far too long now.

I'm not depressed, I'm lucid.

Then get some help for your chronic lucidity.

Enough!

- You look ridiculous. - She can't miss her appointment.

How can you live in such a cut-throat place?

The human mind is simple.

You have two states. On the one side,

neurosis.

And on the other...

Normal people?

Normal people? No, no.

Not at all. Neurosis is the normal people.

On the other side...

psychosis.

A loss of connection with reality.

So I'm a psychopath?

Well...

do you...

Do you think you're a psychopath?

You do realize it's up to you to adapt to the world

and not the other way around?

But how?

I'm 34, I'm unemployed, I've never had a stable relationship.

My life is not at all how I imagined it when I was little.

It rarely is.

Mom is worried sick about you.

She can't sleep at night.

I've lost my appetite. I can't eat.

I barely touched my fish.

Go see a doctor.

- That won't help. - You can't sleep or eat.

I need you to change.

Start acting like an adult!

Pull yourself together before you go insane like Grandma.

I'm not that bad yet.

That's exactly what she said.

Anyone can be depressed.

No.

You can't blame it all on depression.

I'm depressed too. Everyone's depressed.

If your father could see you!

The shrink says you shouldn't reference Dad.

It's unhealthy.

Your immaturity is what's unhealthy.

I didn't make all those sacrifices just to watch you fail.

You've done so little.

You wanted to write, you tried,

you failed.

If you had talent, you'd know by now.

You're getting older. But it's not too late to change.

Mom found you a job.

A real job, not cashier or salesgirl.

What a joke.

I need to grow up, so Mommy finds me a job.

Your sister is so successful.

Follow her lead, let her help you.

She has to take the first step, like junkies or alcoholics.

We're your family, Eléonore.

We love you.

We want you to be happy.

How do I look?

- My ass looks big. - Not at all.

Be honest.

You're just not used to those clothes.

You need to embrace your femininity.

- It's just a job interview. - All the more reason.

Women need to use their assets.

But this necklace is ridiculous.

- Lose it. - It's my good luck charm!

You're not 12 anymore, stop believing that crap!

Take it off.

Take it off, I said!

That's better.

I didn't share my sister's taste in clothes,

but she always did shine out in the world.

Excuse me.

Watch out!

Hi. I'm late for an appointment with Harold Graziani.

Third floor. Elevator's broken, take the stairs.

I know!

Wasn't the interview at 5?

That's right.

I think she just arrived.

"She?"

Johanna!

Johanna, have you got a second?

Don't forget tonight's meeting!

But I don't...

It's about my new assistant.

Is there a problem?

We found one as quick as we could.

Right, but I said I preferred a...

A what, Harold?

- You won't work with a woman? - No, that's not it.

Then what is it?

It's just that...

It's just that what, exactly?

It's just that I'm used to men. It's easier for me.

Easier?

C'mon, don't give me that look.

Everyone knows I love women.

But at work it's complicated. Mood swings, sensitivity...

Lots of women prefer working with men too. Just ask.

You must be Eléonore. I'm Johanna.

From my mother.

I'm a real pain. I'm difficult.

I've got a thick skin.

One thing I truly can't stand

is poor spelling.

Same here, I'm a stickler.

Even in emails.

I couldn't agree more.

Sorry.

I have no tolerance for it.

I berated my former assistants.

The worst is "your" when it should be "you're!"

Unbearable.

Please stop, I...

And grammatical errors! Irregular plural nouns,

goose, geese, all that...

Sorry.

Sorry, I'm just really nervous.

You want to be an editor?

- Yes. - Are you sure?

Yes, I'm sure.

- You like to read? - Very much.

There's a lot of reading.

If you want to do it right.

Erotic romance?

Erotic romance? I just said I like to read!

You don't consider it literature?

Do you?

This is a trick question, right?

Do you know where you are?

- Is that you ringing like mad? - For 2 hours, yes.

Someone forgot to take her Prozac! We didn't hear you, sorry.

- It's Zoloft. - Chill, just kidding.

Happy birthday.

What the heck is this?

You could've aimed higher.

Made a bit of an effort.

Why is everyone staring at me? Did you say something?

Don't be so paranoid! Try to trust me for once.

Bye for now.

Won't you say hi to your nephew?

- He's grown. - Take him.

No, I might drop him on his soft skull.

C'mon, you won't drop him.

Careful.

What a plump little roast!

Makes me wanna rub him with garlic

and surround him with potatoes.

He's talking to you, how adorable!

Happy to see me?

Happy to see Auntie Eléonore?

Yes?