Way of Youth (Le Chemin des écoliers)

THE LONGEST ROAD

- You can still come along. - No, Yvette.

- Then go right after that. - No, remember last time?

It's my fault. Next time we won't go to the movies.

Then yes, to the movies. And we'll stay together.

- And every night after that. - Of course.

Sure?

- Have you talked to your parents? - Not yet.

How are you going to say it?

That Tiercelin is inviting me to come along during the Easter break.

- Isn't that good? - Depends on the parents.

Then should I say that I'm spending the holiday with you?

You really can't lie.

You need two weeks with me, all to yourself.

- Yes, I need that. - Need or want?

What time did you come home last night?

- You were asleep. - That's not an answer.

At 12 o'clock. They had stolen Tiercelin's front wheel.

You were at the movies, right?

- What's that? - Chocolate milk.

- And look, real butter. - From his friend Tiercelin.

- His father has a restaurant. - That's exactly why I don't like it.

- But it's not black-market stuff. - Just bartering.

- No word games, please. - He wanted to give me an American book.

I said: rather chocolate and butter.

American literature is useful after all.

Do you know what Tiercelin asked Antoine?

To go on holiday to Burgundy with him.

- Did you say yes? - Why not?

It's a matter of discretion.

It's good for him. You should see his face.

He goes out every evening and doesn't get enough sleep.

He sleeps at school,

but you look bad. His friend doesn't take me along.

Why not? We can all go together, can't we?

Good day, Mr Tiercelin. We are the Michaud family.

Come on, where's the butter?

- If you don't agree with me... - You say it, Charles.

Go with Tiercelin then.

- Thanks, Dad. - You're welcome.

- Are you going to school? - Can I come with you?

- What do you have today? - Chemistry and history.

Strange combination.

- It's chocolate. - That's not what I'm talking about.

The reaction is written as follows...

- And that coffin of yours? - Failed.

- Too bad, that could have brought in something. - I have something better: champagne.

- Champagne? - Is it going to work?

Two thousand bottles. That guy from Épernay was already looking for someone else.

- Do you have a carrier? - Through Yvette,

a certain Lulu. She has done it before and is not too greedy.

And the Germans?

He goes along with the load, in a German uniform.

Bravo, better than that is impossible.

- What is he doing there? - I punished him.

Go back to your seat.

By what right did you punish him?

I demand respectful treatment.

Respect? Pull your skirt down, you'll catch cold.

That's not for a child, and certainly not meant for Olivier or me.

No, ma'am. I don't have it.

I understand, but only in three weeks. With luck.

- What was that? - The people in rue Monge.

- Their wc-pot is broken. - Then we replace it, right?

- Yes, this morning even. - No, but as soon as possible.

Lemontier still has bowls. You won't make them wait three weeks, will you?

If they have held it off for three weeks,

they'll be so grateful that they'll pay 5,000 francs.

No, no black-market trade at our tenants' expense, Solange.

We negotiate with suppliers. If wc-bowls are unobtainable...

- They are not. - Soon they will be.

Take down a letter. Rue Monge.

Following our telephone conversation, I inform you...

- May I know what that means? - That everyone is having a hard time now.

Our supplier of plumbing supplies...

- Even if there is only one honest company... - Then it's us, even if we go bankrupt.

Contact will get in touch about your toilet.

We are not going bankrupt, but staying respectable.

- When it's about a toilet. - Yes, that suits you.

The big, respectable gentleman.

Where was I?

Contact will get in touch about your toilet.

You shit your pants and you're a hypocrite.

You're a con artist. And I don't give a shit about you.

Yours sincerely... type it out right away.

- What a bastard I am. - Me too.

And that trip to Burgundy?

Dad protested a bit, but it worked out. Ten days at Yvette's.

When you're with a woman all night,

what time are you supposed to make love then? How often?

As little as possible. Hours later and you get tired of it.

- I mean it. - Me too.

Goodbye, Mr Dominique.

- Hello, boys. - Bye, Dad.

- I have two tickets for boxing. - I have homework.

Then I said nothing.

Marcel, bring the game table.

- Mr Tiercelin, that champagne... - Yes?

And the best part you don't know yet: the carrier has a German uniform.

Some good advice: don't talk so much. We don't need to know that.

Your dad isn't very kind.

You get 200,000 francs. Do you want a smile with that too?

- May I sit with you? - You're fine right there.

- Fighting with Flora? - Women...

I was even thinking in class: making love, undressing, all wasted time.

At our age, we have better things to do.

- That doesn't rule it out, does it? - Yes, it does.

Look at yourself, you don't look very smart.

- You're smart enough for two. - No joke.

I love her, and I'm not ashamed of that.

No. Love is like tobacco.

The first time, you think you're doing something special.

When I understood that, I didn't want tobacco anymore.

- And I treat women the same way. - That's your choice.

Is going to bed with Yvette that important?

I'm just happy.

What's so important that you can't go to bed with Flora?

- I have to be in shape. - For what?

Oh yes, your share in that sugar deal.

- Go bring her your week's wages right away. - Why? Yvette loves me.

Maybe, but even when you're broke?

- She never asks for money. - Because you give it right away.

Say hello to her. Seriously.

- So there it is. What would you like to drink? - A glass of milk.

- Milk? What an insult. - Don't make that face.

What's wrong with my face? Can't you be a bit nicer?

I sent that industrialist from Dinant away for you.

He adored me. And only came every other week.

- Dinant is long-distance. - What a brute you are.

If only you cheated on me, but not even that.

Will you excuse me?

- No kiss? - You don't like milk.

- And tonight? - I have to work.

- Final exams, can you imagine. - Yes, an education.

Then you can exploit men. Otherwise only women.

Education... then you become a civil servant or a piano teacher. Not for me.

Don't say that to Paul, your son. Just like you used to. A

intellectual. But here he has also learned all sorts of things.

Did you see him with Flora? No smooth talk. Authority, that's what counts.

A real man, believe me.

Watch out.

Hello, Chou. Is mom home?

- And the dentist? - It didn't hurt.

Yes, but you were brave.

You're late.

But I have two good pieces of news. Which one shall I start with?

- The champagne worked out. - Yes, that interests you most.

- And the second? - I don't remember anymore.

- Try. - No idea.

- Think. It's a man. - Do I know him?

- No, rather not. - Your father. What did he say?

- Well, well. - I knew he would say yes.

You knew it. I'm going to Burgundy.

The countryside smells lovely. We'll roll in the grass.

I'll send Chou away.

Go look at a little book with the janitor for a moment.

- I already know that. - Doesn't matter, look at the pictures.

Now we need two.

I knew he would say yes.

Come in.

Will you watch the house?

- I want to go home, I'm bored. - Then go.

- I can't reach the bell. - Come here.

- Any news about your dad? - Yes, he's in a salad.

Not salad, stalag. That's a big camp for prisoners.

- What did they do? - Nothing.

- I have to go. - You always do.

- Really, I have homework. - Homework.

- Sorry, but this young lady... - The janitor left me alone.

That is kind of you, sir.

Mr. Coutelier, will you do something for me?

- If I can... - It's for a friend. Come with me.

Antoine, come. Mr. Coutelier is going to do your homework.

- What kind of homework? - Explain it to him.

I don't know if it's right. I'm embarrassed...

- Mr. Coutelier is a teacher. - I was one.

You surely remember. My friend has no time for homework.

- I don't understand... - It's simple:

He has no time and it's your subject. Name your price.

It seems to me a rather peculiar transaction.

The French have to help each other, don't they?

I wouldn't be doing you a favor with that.

- Well, actually... - A bad service is still a service.

- How much? 200? - At least.

- Please... - 300?

This is absurd.

If you'd rather have food: milk, coffee, chocolate, oil...

It's for the fatherland. My homework.

Love of country doesn't stop us from loving the world...

- I don't agree. - With whom?

But it's a fine subject. Patrie, patria, land of the ancestors.

We especially need to explore the concept 'ancestors'.

See? You know best.

Give him the money. But not for too long, he has to copy it out.

- So young and already so much money? - Make the most of it.

- You shouldn't have said that. - He's doing your homework.

- Yes, but still. - I love you.

Can I add anything else?

- The binoculars. - You don't want to miss those.

- For your walks in Burgundy. - Too much lugging.