The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec (Les aventures extraordinaires d'Adèle Blanc-Sec)

Ferdinand Choupard is a minor character in our story.

Nonetheless, he is where this adventure begins,

as he wandered home

after an evening spent playing cards

and sipping a marvellous 12-year-old malt whisky.

It was November 4th, 1911,

at 1 o'clock in the morning.

The streets were empty with a chilly nip in the air.

Yet, at the same time, exactly 953 metres from there,

the city was jumping.

On stage, Nicole Gambert,

or Nini-les-Gambettes, kicked up a storm.

The enthusiastic audience revelled in the show.

I love you.

Wonderful.

Great.

Every evening was a triumph.

From the gent over there.

And every evening for nearly a month,

Raymond Pointrenaud, a former Prefect,

celebrated his promotion to Paris as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand had barely travelled the 280 metres

that separate La Concorde from Place des Pyramides.

Don't be shy! You've seen others!

Oh my God!

Ferdinand's visions were in fact an optical illusion.

The frenzied lights came from the home of Professor Marie-Joseph Esperandieu.

This eminent scientist and expert on Ancient Egypt

had obtained a degree in physics aged only 16.

His research culminated 35 years later

in a book with the evocative title, Is There A Life After Death?

At the same moment,across the Seine,

the question seemed to have been settled long ago.

Yet, on the first floor,

a life form that contravened the laws of science

was about to give the scientist his answer.

As the century's most amazing experiment

took place before our eyes,

Inspector Albert Caponi had his tightly shut.

Of course, had he seen the pterodactyl fly by his window,

our story would have been drastically different,

but for now no one could blame

the inspector for his somnolence.

His stoutness and perseverance had previously earned him

a good many distinctions,

including the Medal of Merit for solving

the mystery of the missing persons of Dreux asylum.

He was decorated

on August 28th, 1907,

by the Prefect Raymond Pointrenaud in person.

Raymond! What are you doing?

Let my little bird land on your branches.

You devil! Nothing arouses me more than poetry.

Really?

Yes!

As the night recedes,

the dew in the branch prepares to fall

And the bird in the nest to open its eyes...

Drive normally, can't you?

Godness me! Get out! Get out!

Hello!

Caponi speaking.

In the Seine?

In the Seine?

Oh my God!

Oh my God!

Oh my God!

Oh my God! Help me find the words.

This young man's a scientist too,

but a humble assistant, working at the Botanical Gardens.

His name's Zborowsky and he's 23.

Science isn't his only passion.

He has another, more voracious one.

Dear... Miss Adele...

What if she's married?

Or even worse, widowed?

Yes, his second passion is unconditional love for Miss Adele Blanc-Sec.

A passion she provoked with these few words...

Who's it for?

For Zbo... bo... bobo rowsky.

First name, perhaps?

Yes.

Which is?

Andrej, with a J, as in jaguar.

Oh, I'd love this one.

A jaguar.

Oh.

Thank you!

Andrej Zborowsky was definitively lost to science.

As for Adele Blanc-Sec and her sense of humour,

they had set off on a new adventure, much less monstrous and much more exotic,

since her publisher had sent her to Peru

to unravel the mystery of the last Incas.

Something you should know about Adele,

to really understand her...

She listens to her instincts, not her publisher.

Aziz, how many hours' ride to the rendezvous?

In this heat, at least six, Miss Adele.

Very well. Let' s move out.

What's "move" in Arabic?

Yalla, Miss Adele.

Yalla

And "Move, you ass, or you're dead"?

Stop!

Is this it?

I think so.

Very well.

You need to drink

a lot of water in this heat.

These are the two men I told you about.

A cup of tea before the drop?

I look like I drink tea?

Is this the tomb room?

Not yet.

It's the embalming room, where the mummies were prepared.

The bodies were gutted on the altar and the entrails thrown in these pots.

Then, after a quick wash, they were powdered, made up and dressed.

What was this for?

Made-to-measure suits.

The body goes here and the machine

wraps it in 200 layers of bandages.

Not to mention the oil, squirted between each layer.

What kind of oil is it?

No idea, but it worked a treat.

Found it!

Yes, this is it. Gents, let's see your treasure.

Death...

is the only path... that leads... to birth.

Your journey ends here, darling.

To thank you for your coperation,

we'll spare your life. Get lost!

Fine Egyptian hospitality!

Yes, but he's not Egyptian.

Great...

A peculiarly inflammable mix of oil and petroleum.

Enter with even a tiny match and there'll be fireworks.

Let me know when your gentlemen's club is open to women.

Excuse me.

Just as I thought.

Miss! After careful consideration,

we accept your application.

Allow me to save my emotion for later.

That' s that bit done.

Hold on a sec... Where'd you learn all this?

There are only two ways. Be Egyptian or learn to read.

Amazing!

Allah is great!

I make a fortune. I make a fortune.

Here he is...

C'mon, they're down there!

Even without the stone, it's very heavy. How will we ever get it out?

In tombs like this, there's a way in and a way out.

Find it.

Yes, Miss Adele.

Open it.

Hey, wait.

Opening a pharaoh's tomb is sacrilege. You can hang for that.

What punishment for taking his gold?

None.

Beware, you witch!

I won't leave without my gold.

I fear you're right.

Money can't buy happiness, Aziz. Open it!

That' s your pharaoh?

No, a doctor.

Don't move.

If it's for a consultation, miss,

you may be a bit late.

However, I know a specialist institute in Cairo,

where the doctors would be delighted to examine you.

I'm fine, thank you. Except for the nausea I feel in your presence, Prof. Dieuleveult.

Still the same caustic sense of humour, my dear Adele. You'll need it.

Meanwhile,

tell me why a great reporter like you is here looting tombs.

Not looting, borrowing.

Of course! You're taking him for a walk to get some fresh air.

Patmosis is a professor of medicine,

Ramses II's personal doctor.

The greatest medical expert in Ancient Egypt.

Fortunately, because... I need his expertise.

Would that be to cure humankind?

No, just my sister. She's ill.

How very thoughtful and touching!

But has it crossed your mind that your professor is... dead?

I'd noticed, thank you.

How will you resuscitate him?

May I?

Is There A Life After Death? That old fool, Esperandieu?

He's barely able to spin a chair round.

He'll be dead before he revives this old mummy!

Mind your language!

Mummies hear everything we say

and detest disrespect.

You're scaring me! After the Ice Monster,

here comes the Sand Zombie!

Watch out, he's a real grouch!

My dear Adele,

I confess I'm one of your most avid readers,

but this is by far the silliest story you've ever told.

Take her away!