Le cri de la soie

Cry of the Silk

Psychiatry infirmary located in the basement of majordomo's headquarters, Paris- 1914.

She's very anguished, doctor. She says that we've tied up her feet and we're obliged to cut them.

Does she accept to eat?

This morning she asked for milk and broth. This is all she wants.

There's no reason to give her anything else.

She has taken her laxative without difficulty.

With me she's very soft.

However, she hit and insulted a nurse.

Villemer?

There's an emergency in Saint- Anne...

Can you see a patient of mine?

He's an industrialist.

He hid a camera in his cane and followed unknown women in the streets.

And took their photos from under their skirts.

He was captured yesterday

at Saint- Lazare. You can excuse me.

We'll see each other tomorrow.

Who's she?

Marie Benjamin, she has been transferred from Fresnes.

Send her to my office.

But Dr. Bailly has just examined her.

Married. Without children.

28 years. Is that so?

Yes.

- You don't know to read nor write, is it correct ? - Yes

- You have never been to school ? - No...

- Why ? - I had to help my mother.

You are in Fresnes since... two weeks?

- Why? - It's written?

Why?

- I stole - What?

I said that this morning.

What did you steal?

A piece of fabric.

Is it for the first time that you stole?

Yes...

Are you sure about it?

You were sentenced 4 times in 10 years. In 1904. In 1909.

In January and in December of 1912. Each time for theft.

What did you steal?

You didn't reply. What did you steal?

Silk...

Silk, is that all?

Nothing else! But I said...

Take me back to the prison!

Firstly you have to reply to my questions.

Do you know why you're here?

No...

Yesterday you had a very violent crisis.

- You broke things. - I don't remember.

You threatened the prison guards with scissors.

I don't remember...

Take me to the prison. I promise that I won't start again.

At what age did you marry?

Do you still live with your husband?

It depends.

That means.

He comes and goes.

Apart from your husband, did you know other men ?

- Yes... - Many?

- Why do you ask me all this ? - Give me a reply.

Yes...

You don't have a very good opinion of men, isn't it true?

You are...

Seamstress, eh?

I do odd jobs at Lafitte.

As a seamstress, you have no shortage of silk.

Then, why did you steal it?

I don't know.

I can't help it ...

I cannot talk about it...

So, you steal a piece of silk...

And later? What do you do?

I use it...

And later I discard it or I give it...

You use it?

For what?

- I'll tell you... - No!

- You take the fabric... - Shut up, you don't have any right!

What are you doing?

Why do you undress?

I thought that...

I just wanted to take a photo of your face.

Excuse me... Usually...

Usually? It is for the first time that you come here, isn't it?

Yes.

No, wait... Wait.

Come closer.

More close.

This is strange...

Naked... you don't have the same expression.

I see something in your eyes which I didn't see before.

What?

The fear, almost fright... Do I frighten you?

- I also see blue... - Blue?

Yes.

A blue spot with white dots,

which is seen in people prone to blindness.

Its triangular form is very recognizable.

Do you have problems with the view? - Ah, no.

Unless...

It's quite simply the reflection of my tie.

- It's again Mrs. Dabencourt. - Where is she?

She left furious. She asked me to give it to you.

Is that all?

She says that this isn't the color for her.

- Thank you, Cécile. Anything else ? - Yes...

Today, your mother called twice.

Thank you. Hurry up, otherwise you'll miss your train.

See you tomorrow.

Do you remember Madame D'Aragon?

She came this morning. Guess what did she say?

"Congratulations! We saw your son in the newspaper"

"My son?"

He is nominated as surgeon general. Congratulations!

I'm sorry... I asked Cécile...

Yes, Cécile...

Gabriel, will you live alone again?

In a family like ours.

For the memory of your father.

Promise me.

I have fever.

Your pulse is almost normal.

Who would have guessed?

- What? - That you'd be to my side...

How many nights did I remain awake for you?

At times, you spoke in sleep. You said strange but beautiful things.

I remember once.

Among everybody else, you're the one who gave me the most worry...

But gave me the best joy.

Excuse me, I'll come back.

God!

Don't you feel attracted by cotton?

No. Velvet maybe...

- It isn't like silk. - Why?

- It cries. - Does it cry?

When you crumple it, it makes... It looks like anything else.

Do you handle silk as seamstress?

- It's not the same thing. - Why?

I don't care if I don't steal it.

- Is the danger that excites you? - I don't know.

I like to steal it, that's all.

To cure, my husband bought me a lot of silk.

It didn't help, because if you give me the silk,

that ruins my pleasure.

Did you try to stop?

I can't help it.

I don't think of anything else , I pushed...

Continue.

I'm fed up. I can't say more.

We haven't finished.

What do you want?

To help you.

- Help me with what? - To not to go the asylum.

Why am I sent here instead of being in the prison?

Do you want to go to the prison and be responsible of your actions?

Yes. I want that.

After many sentences, you can be relegated

to life imprisonment.

So much the better..

So I wouldn't have temptations.

Talk to me about your first theft.

How old were you?

I don't remember.

Try to remember.

It happened a long time ago.

Before your marriage ?

No, no, it was later.

I was 17 years old.

Were you already a seamstress ?

Yes, even at home I had all I wanted.

How did it happen ?

I was in a big shop, I wanted to buy ribbons.

Then I saw the dress... It was blue.

But an electric blue. It was as if the dress looked at me.

I stood there.

Then ?

I walked towards the clothes,

I took it against me...

I lifted my skirt.

And you rubbed it against yourself.

I don't remember... I think so...

I've forgotten.

I'm thirsty. Can I have water ?

Yes.

This ?

- No. - Can you follow me?

We've just received a magnificent Turquoise.

Maybe a mallow ?

We have a great selection...

Cyclamen... Lavender... Lilac...

With our catalogue it'll be more simple.

We can get exactly the same color which you'd like. If you'd like to look.

Excuse me, miss.

- What's this color ? - Prussian blue.

- Doesn't it have any other name ? - No... I don't believe so.

Is it not what we call... Electric blue ?

The electric blue is much more dazzling.

Look, here it is.