Last Chance Castle (Le château de la dernière chance)

You could wake up in the arms of death,

or you've woken in mine.

Anyway, by paying a price, I dare say you get your chances.

Ah, I felt elsewhere. It was pleasant.

Oh, how tedious you are. I never would have believed in you, neighbor, earlier.

Who are you? What are you doing? - I am Mr. Faustin, and I'm here to help.

You should have stayed home. - I am at home everywhere,

where my services are needed. - That's none of your business.

Do not deceive me, I know everything.

I know you are a composer who has never

composed for anything but the four walls of his room.

That you are fatherless, without vice, without money.

That your mistress left you yesterday around 2:40 PM.

I sent you my leaflet several times.

Ah, there it is.

I didn't have much hope. You never responded.

I didn't seem serious. - And now?

Now, I want to sleep. Sleep.

Do you hear, do you hear the organ of barbarity in the street?

It plays a waltz for me. No one has ever escaped it.

There is no organ in the street.

At this moment, don't you hear it?

No, not at all.

You're wrong.

It happens quite often, actually.

Many of my clients, my survivors, hear me sing before they die.

In tribute. - I've been following you for a long time.

It's been three months already that I've been on your trail.

I don't remember seeing you.

Disguise.

Ah, it was you, the bearded man who approached me

when I leaned over the subway rails.

I was following you.

I knew your distress. I waited for you to reach this point.

And I arrived at the right moment to present my plans. Here.

Do you know Professor Patureau-Duparc's clinic?

No.

So you don't read newspapers? - As little as possible.

You don't listen to the radio? - I don't have one.

You listen to conversations in cafés, in the street?

No, why bother?

Strange, strange. Well, here.

Here.

Professor Patureau-Duparc runs a world-renowned clinic.

They use a treatment of his own invention, mental orthopedics.

A shy person comes to see him. Ten drops in a glass of water.

And they become a real hero. But the dosages are delicate.

Professor Patureau-Duparc must test the effectiveness

of his products on subjects, our “psycho-testers.”

I was ordered to find new ones, and I immediately thought of

you for this clinic. I fed, laundered, and paid generously.

In the castle.

In short, it's the castle of last chance.

But why do you always address people who

are about to drown or hang themselves?

They are more understanding than others.

Well, that's suspicious.

Oh, for example. But then you will experience it, Mr. Tachelet?

Well, they say so, yes. - Oh, really.

And I called the police and firefighters.

I regret it, believe me.

Oh, I regret it, I truly do.

And there's still time to cancel these gentlemen.

Cancel? Ah no, impossible.

What would I look like? I told the concierge,

everyone knows, but nothing changes.

Still, if we pay taxes, it's to

have the right to bother the police.

By the way, what do you think?

You're not hanging? Was it for today or tomorrow?

My term, my term. - Let me handle that.

How much? - 1703 francs 75 centimes.

Tip not included. - Here you go.

Thank you. - At your service.

That's what you call a hanging chance, huh?

There you go.

This ending persuades your mind. I symbolize your future.

On one side, the bills, the broken tiles, the grumbles

of the concierge and the wet shoes.

On the other, a serene, blossoming, and comfortable life.

Your signature at the bottom of this sheet.

And your future is secured.

There. So.

Now.

Get dressed. - It's the other one.

The other tie. - There's another.

Where's my violin?

Where are you taking me?

To Professor Patureau-Duparc. - Is it far?

For some, it's too far, for others too near.

And you, your opinion? - I think it's in between.

My colleague. - What are they doing?

They're resting. - From what?

From nothing. - I feel I'll like it here.

Follow me.

Well, come on.

But why am I taking this type of signs?

Because the tenant has changed character.

Ah, like that, correct. - Exactly. So hurry up.

Professor Patureau-Duparc is waiting for us.

Let's see, 22 years old, 27 years, 75 kg, average forehead

gray eyes, round chin, oval face,

beard, height 1.78 m, complexion of...

That's beside the age, I must say.

Ordinary tendencies, ordinary character, ordinary kidney function.

Ordinary, ordinary, that's quickly said. - Ordinary talent,

ordinary sexual complex.

Yes, yes, yes, perfect.

You are exactly the man I need.

Thank you, professor.

Thank you, professor. But I would like to complete this brief portrait.

From my mother, generous Burgundy enriched

my veins with a deep, red blood.

Sir, Brittany, on the other hand, didn't it shape my father?

What you are interests me only mildly, 22.

22? - Yes, that's your ID number.

Oh, I… Sorry, sir, I had forgotten.

Today I will inoculate you with the serum of romantic confidence,

with a touch of pride and a faint

hint of Augustinian mysticism.

You will be fiery, you will know how to speak to women,

but a trace of bitter philosophy will

prevent you from appearing unprofessional.

A very subtle and delicate mix that I compose

for the first time at the request of a man of the world.

Later, I will summon you for a trial of a new broth.

But so, I would change character on command.

Well, yes. - It's very tedious.

But why? You want to kill yourself? Then you can't even stand yourself.

Yes. - So,

I suggest you stop being yourself. You should be satisfied.

Isn't it too dangerous?

Less dangerous than expecting, at least.

I just don't feel like dying anymore.

But who talks about dying, you are going to be born.

Born? That might be more serious. - Exactly.

Good, everything is ready.

I'm afraid I'll need to dilute it a little.

Finally.

We'll see how it works in practice. - In practice?

Yes. In practice, 22.

Drink, my friend.

Is that all? - That's all.

You are free. - Huh?

In a few moments, you will feel the effect

of the potion and you will change personality.

Like a chameleon changes color, you will give birth to an irresistible persona.

Is it really a persona?

Yes, but... Please inform Avieillère.

Avieillère!

Come in.

Hello, sir. - Sir.

As a persona, you are entitled to a herringbone jacket,

guaranteed trousers,

a shirt of illusion,

a Scottish tie,

a matching sock,

an improved silent shoe,

an enchanting perfume.

It's always nice to have a new one. For him, it's an adventure.

I'm here for the foundation.

Now that the serums are effective, they no longer

affect me. I believe I'm a special case.

So, my billion myths.

Here.

But, he quickly...

That I would give birth to a new character.

My God, it's strange. It feels like a being has started living inside me.

It's gaining volume, it moves.

I'm afraid to move so as not to hinder its growth.

We mustn't go too fast. - And what will I become?

Someone good. Someone better. At least, someone else.

I found in you that drive, that confidence

and that clarity which have carried you so far.

But nothing of what I was myself.

Nothing. - Not even a fleeting trace,

a tiny reminder.

Cleansed by emptiness, total renewal.

I liked myself well enough. - But you would like more.

Ah no, but I don't want to leave myself. - The loss is not great.

How do you know?

It's all the same endlessly. But by what right do you want to deprive me of myself?

You have the money and the drugs; I spit them out.

Count on me. I'll report your human trafficking to the police.

I'll have you jailed. You and your whole gang.

Don't laugh, or I will break your jaw.

They must have overdosed.

What's wrong with you?

Look, my dear friend, look. Let's continue our little walk.

Who is that? - 13 bis, if I'm not mistaken.

Why bis? - Women are on bis, in our place.

I like her. - Then?

I want her in my room tonight. - It's forbidden by the rules.

What? Do you want to play abstinence?

You would have broken my dreams. I will cut your ears and eyes.

Take him to the professor. Tell him it must be touched immediately.

Let go of me!

Let go of me!

Who is this gentleman? - A newcomer.

He looks charming.