Our Story (Notre histoire)

Robert Avranche,

a man alone on a train.

What'll happen to him?

Nothing, absolutely nothing.

Trouble, perhaps.

-What is it? -I want to tell you a story.

-What kind? -May I sit?

The story begins on a train.

A good-looking guy's sitting alone in first class.

He seems depressed,

as if he wanted to jump out of the window.

-Okay so far? -Sure.

The train stops at a station. The guy, let's call him…

Robert Avranche.

He gets off the train to stretch his legs.

He walks along the platform.

Then he buys a beer. He really loves beer.

His third since the trip began. He's a drinker.

He pays for his beer and guzzles down half of it

on the platform.

-Okay so far? -Great.

Sitting on a bench nearby is a woman.

She hangs around stations

watching trains and passengers who step out for beer.

So she's watching the guy with his bottle.

He's good-looking, yet sort of odd.

He doesn't want to get back on. It's as if he wants to run away.

But he doesn't,

surely because he doesn't have the guts.

So he goes back to his compartment.

The woman stands up. Here's where the action starts.

She boards the train.

Why?

To sleep with the guy.

What do you think? Interesting story?

-It's what I expected. -Me too.

I like short stories

that occur between two stations and that last an hour.

No risk.

I'm not the clingy type.

What if I wanted to be?

It's just a quickie. No flowers.

-Well? -Okay.

Don't follow me! The story's over.

-I'd like to know the rest. -It's over!

It ended in a wad of Kleenex.

The story continues in a station hotel.

Just my luck!

What more do you want?

A smile.

I haven't smiled in ages.

Wait! I'll get more beer. Miss!

I don't even know her damn name! Give it to me.

So what are we doing here?

Talking.

First I'll drink, then we'll talk.

I haven't talked in ages. Now's my chance.

And if I'm bored?

I've been bored for years. I'm enjoying this.

So will you. Believe it or not, I'm a funny guy.

And I'll make you laugh.

The scene? A station hotel room. I love hotel rooms.

Why do people insist on buying luxury apartments

when hotel rooms fit the bill?

Listen,

if it were up to me,

I'd stay right here, watching the trains go by.

I like trains too.

I've spent my whole life working with cars, yet I like trains!

Trains spark your imagination, you meet people,

and you get laid at times.

You can screw in a car, an elevator, a doorway, anywhere!

Even in bed.

Let me finish. It won't take long.

It's about a couple in a hotel room.

They're a little tired.

She's naked in bed.

He's on a chair, still dressed.

He's drinking beer. She's bored silly.

They're like an old couple.

But they're not. Far from it!

They're a young couple, and they'll go far.

They can look forward to tears, to making up,

the works!

I'll tell you more.

One day, you'll even smile. I swear.

Then I'll be happy.

You're a witch with the face of an angel.

Keep talking. I'm falling asleep.

Fine.

He's Robert Avranche.

He owns a garage outside of Paris.

He's returning from Geneva.

‪The airport was fogged in, ‪so he took a train.

It was his lucky day. Customs didn't even open his suitcase.

They're usually much more vigilant.

What was in his suitcase with the false bottom?

His savings from the garage, about 500,000 francs!

Isn't my story fascinating?

It's crappy.

You take advantage of a poor girl just because she wants sex.

Not her fault! She'd rather do something else.

He flashes his cash at her like she's a beggar.

The money was better off in Switzerland!

-I brought it just for you. -You don't even know my name!

-What is it? -I'm a girl you forget about.

I'm not leaving!

The guy is picked up by a girl.

But he hangs on to her. Funny, huh?

"The Nympho and the Boozer."

Love at first sight on a train.

Starts on a train and continues in a hotel room.

We rent a car and drive to a little house

with a fridge full of beer.

Sit down.

I've got important news for you.

The house is fine, the kind I've always dreamed of.

This'll be my chair.

You'll sit on the couch.

I'll look at you and drink beer.

Food's not a problem.

Sundays, you'll make pasta.

Weekdays, hamburgers or grilled sardines.

I'm not fussy.

As for the rest, meaning our relationship,

there'll be no problems either.

Split when you want, screw any guy you like,

come back looking like death warmed over…

No problem at all.

Just help me screw up my life.

And smile every once in a while.

Madonna-like.

What about the dough?

That's not a problem!

I put this case on the table and open it.

You can help yourself. Is that okay?

Fine! Let's start now!

I'm going dancing.

Robert Avranche…

He's got it made!

-So long, gorgeous. -Night, sweetie.

Farewell, darling.

-Come have a drink. -What?

-How about a drink? -A drink?

Donatienne's inviting us in for a drink.

-We're already tipsy. -What kind of drink?

Don't leave. I'm not sleepy.

-Neither am I. -You never are.

Are you sleepy? Then come on.

Since she's adamant, we should go in.

I'm stay in the car. Bring me my drink.

Maybe you ought to back up in front of the house.

Sure, just watch me back up!

How's that for backing up?

-Whose car? -No idea.

-Another pick-up? -I didn't pick anyone up.

She's up to her old tricks.

No one asked you in.

It's my bedroom and my bed.

I hope this guy's sexier than the last.

You picked up another guy?

I wouldn't have to, if you'd give me a chance.

We saw him.

-A new guy in her bed. -That's nothing new.

Yeah, but this guy's weird.

-How so? -He's just weird.

He's not weird. Just drunk, that's all.

Aren't you, pal?

-You met him on a train too? -I don't remember.

How pathetic!

Nice guys won't fall for you.

What's wrong, dear? Too much champagne?

Get that lowlife out of my bed. He scares me.

He's crazy about me, so I'm scared.

You can't stay here, buddy. She needs her privacy.

Get it? Go on, get dressed.

Get dressed and come with me.

I'm fed up sitting out there, so I'm going home.

Duval.

Take me with you.

Don't start that again, okay?

Duval.

Pretend I've already left.

Please.

Don't stand there sulking.

Go to bed.

Duval!

Watch out, here comes a performance.

I'm tired of screwing around. I want to start over.

Take me with you. Give me the stability I need.

I really like you, Donatienne. We all do.

You're very sweet, so don't change.

Stay just the way you are.

Watch your step!

She's not interested. Don't push it.

-What'll we do with him? -She'll take him home.

-To her attic? -Yes.

No, not in your car.

You're in no condition to drive.

It's the story of a girl who's fed up with being a maid.