9 Month Stretch (9 mois ferme)

9 MONTH STRETCH

My name is Ariane Felder. I'm 40.

I'm a judge.

I work a 10- 15 hour day at the High Court

if you count hearings, files, reports,

witness statements, notes and... photocopying.

"High" is too fancy a word.

When your own office is a box, imprisoning someone

smacks of vengeance.

It isn't.

People are reckless. My job is to protect them from themselves.

INDICTMENT

I love my job.

I'm single. No kids.

I'm fine without males and their urges.

A little dance and everything's hunky-dory.

What's more,

working in family courts confirmed my ideas

about relationships.

Children act out a tragedy

written by their parents. My mom was alone too.

But it wasn't her choice.

My dad left when I was kid.

It's an easy step to call men cowards

and one I have

no qualms about taking.

Especially as Mom died after bringing me up.

It's New Year's Eve. Everyone's celebrating.

The lawyers, mainly.

I don't see what's so great about a new year!

100 to 150 fresh cases and as many victims to lament.

No cause for celebration.

But lawyers are like anyone else.

Oh, Ariane!

You can't be working!

Come and dance.

Some lookers out there!

Have some champagne.

Just one glass. Just a drop.

It's New Year's Eve.

Sometimes blending in

is the best escape.

That's where booze comes in.

A few drinks and you don't really care.

Guilty?

Or not guilty?

Guilty!

That's gory!

Happy New Year!

Leave off!

Happy New Year!

This is fun!

I'll get a drink.

Wait for me.

Another round for the judge!

THE BAR NEW YEAR'S PARTY

6 months later

Look, my hand did that.

I was in the bathroom. I went to grab

the toothpaste or the shower head.

I had to reach out for it. My wife came in.

I didn't mean it. I stuck out my hand.

Next thing she was on the floor.

Why did she throw herself on my fist? Makes no sense.

It ain't my fault.

I'm innocent. Why me?

Stretching exercises.

To quote the doctor's report:

"Bruised eye, cracked bone."

"Unconscious for 4 minutes."

It wasn't 4 minutes.

1 or 2, more like!

A band-aid and it was sorted.

It happened in the bathroom.

His wife slipped on a bar of soap

and hit the washbasin.

That's obviously no excuse.

No excuse?

Know what it is?

It's fate, judge.

Yes, we must take a wider view.

Right!

Let's hear the soap and the washbasin.

I shouldn't really tell you, but I just have to.

If the decision goes through and there's no objection,

in 6 months you'll be at the Court of Appeals.

Remarkable at your age.

I'm very proud of you.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Bye. Mum's the word!

Hello!

Hello, Godfrey.

- How are you? - Fine.

Looking good.

Thanks.

- So all's well? - Very well.

Well, bye then.

Goodbye, Godfrey.

See you soon, maybe.

Yes, maybe.

Goodbye!

What a pain.

He's unbelievable.

Oh, forget it. He's nuts.

I've felt exhausted for a while and dizzy.

And I'm late so my doctor suggested

I should see you.

Firstly, do you feel stressed:

a) At work?

B) In your love life?

I'm an intelligent woman.

Meaning?

I'm single.

Are you kidding?

No, it's the truth.

You're pulling my leg.

No, it's just... I don't...

The symptoms are a baby boy.

He weighs 23 ounces

and measures 12 inches.

Pregnancy denial.

A violent and unconscious refusal by the mother.

The fetus develops in secret.

The mind ignores it

up to a certain point.

Then it starts to show. The baby can't just vanish.

Judging by the size and weight

you're 6 months pregnant, give or take a couple of weeks.

Abortion's not an option.

Don't you know it's illegal this late?

You can't remember? Or you won't?

6 months

give or take 2 weeks.

The sentence?

How long do you recommend?

6 months... and 2 weeks!

For a double homicide?

Yes.

That's good.

There you go! You've got talent.

That's kind of you.

I'm better at partying, aren't I?

New Year's Eve?

What a night!

You were...

I was...

Go on.

You know...

You mean that night we...

Oh yes.

All night long.

Never thought you'd be so keen.

So that's why you keep smiling at me?

Don't be angry. I wanted to see you again.

Damn!

Shall we?

Right.

One last shot.

See? It's easy.

Relax.

Ready, steady...

Swing!

As hard as you can.

I'm so sorry.

I've really messed you up.

I'm sorry.

Ariane! What brings you here?

I'd like to order a comparative DNA test.

Why not follow normal procedure?

It's for a paternity test.

A paternity test?

Using the forensic computer?

That's quite unusual.

When did it happen?

Last January.

The DNA's still good?

Yes, it's a recent sample.

You said January.

There's DNA from January

and a recent sample for comparison.

That sure is some DNA! Put it there.

Hold on.

Give it to me.

There.

No more chat from him.

I've got a friend at the lab.

I'll ask for his help and discretion.

I'll keep you posted.

I really have to go.

I won't kiss you goodbye.

Bye, Ariane.

Stop by any time!

De Bernard (family history)

Good news. We found the father!

De Bernard?

Who?

No, nothing. Sorry.

No match with that DNA sample,

but they found someone.

The guy's got previous. He's in jail!