The Beast in the Jungle (La bête dans la jungle)

THE BEAST IN THE JUNGLE

Idiot!

This wildcat is beautiful. He scares me.

The first time I saw May,

she was coming down the night club steps with her friends.

Openings turn me on!

It was opening night, she wouldn't have missed it for the world.

It's like a rocket launch.

I wanted to tell her to leave

because I knew she would get trapped in that club

like a fly in a web.

But who was I to tell her that?

I myself had been one of those starlets

that nothing in the world could stop from getting lost in the night.

You up there...

What's the name of this club?

It doesn't have a name, it's the nameless club.

Photo!

Yeah.

And another one.

- Hello, May. - Yassine!

Where have you been? You stopped coming to The Lizard.

- It got so boring. - I'm so happy to see you.

- Want some coke? - No, I'm looking for a boy.

I'll be right back.

Move it, kids...

C'mon.

- Sorry, mister, I'm broke. - Broke, huh?

You have the nerve to visit my toilets with no money?

You owe me two francs, now.

Thanks, but I don't owe you anything.

'Course not, I'm joking.

Got no sense of humor?

- Yes, I do. - Thank goodness.

Some coincidence, meeting up here, huh?

- We've met before? - Yes.

I don't think so.

We have.

I thought I'd never see you again, certainly not here.

You really don't remember?

It was in the Landes.

In summer.

I'm disappointed.

Why?

I bought you a beer, and you don't even pretend to remember.

I think it's coming back to me.

It was 7 or 8 years ago, right?

10 years ago.

10 years?

Where exactly?

At the Sardinade, the party in the parking lot.

The Sardinade?

I'm ashamed to say it's all a blur.

Now you look truly disappointed.

I am.

Maybe.

If all you want to do is chat, the bar's upstairs.

Shall we have a drink?

I have no money.

I had to buy this sweater from a hooker on the street.

To get in here. That's why...

I can't let you buy me another drink.

I already owe you a beer.

I'm a bit of a misfit.

Actually, I never go out.

So what are you doing here?

- Meeting with a colleague. - Is she waiting for you?

I don't know.

I'm avoiding her.

- Do you live in Paris now? - Yes.

I've been here a month.

What do you do?

Not much.

You must do something.

Nothing interesting.

- Want me to go? - No.

Well, I don't know.

As you like.

You know nothing, want nothing,

it's "as you like"...

Sorry.

I'm no good at this.

See? I'm a bit of a misfit.

That night, you said something I've never forgotten.

On the bleachers.

- Remember? - Something dumb?

If it had been dumb, I would have forgotten.

The boy with the secret.

What became of him?

The boy on the bleachers, who had a secret.

What?

You told me your secret.

I told you about that?

There you are, I looked everywhere.

Who are you?

You think you can talk to my friend?

Come on, let's dance. You'll talk tomorrow.

- Come on. - Coming?

I'd appreciate it

if you'd move your butt.

You're blocking the way.

This is the story of May and John.

It was 1979.

I remember that boy, who looked lost and hunted.

You, come.

John looked like he was suffering from something

that no one could understand.

I can read faces, it's my job.

Thank you, madam.

I thought you never went out.

Come and meet my friends.

Wait.

I was looking for you.

I want to buy you a drink, I owe you that.

- Come and dance. - No.

I want to buy you a drink.

What's your name?

May.

You're John.

Even back at the Sardinade, you wouldn't dance with me.

You really remember everything?

Ah, now we're on a first-name basis.

Yes, I remember everything.

That evening, I danced like crazy, with two friends.

I thought you were checking me out.

You were such an outsider,

so alone.

I came over and asked you to dance with me.

You said no.

Then you told me you had a secret.

Did you understand what I meant?

I understood you didn't want to kiss me.

What I told you was for real.

I know.

So?

- Has it happened? - No.

Not yet.

You think I've given up, but I haven't.

I didn't say that. It's what you're thinking.

No.

I think you could kiss me this time.

To make up for lost time.

Kissing has no meaning

as long as the thing hasn't happened.

Why?

Something will happen to me and it will change my life.

That's what I told you.

Do you understand how incredible it is, how crazy?

Ever since I was a child,

I know I have been chosen for something exceptional.

And this extraordinary thing

will happen sooner or later.

And my whole life will be rocked to the core.

So everything that comes before that...

You still believe?

Totally. I'm sure.

Absolutely.

- Now you think I'm crazy. - No.

I feel as if I understand what you're saying.

I'd rather you didn't tell anyone.

I've never been able to talk about it.

- I was afraid people would think... - You're not mad, John.

I really hope it will happen.

And that you will be happy.

At that point, May could still have taken a different path.

She could have chosen that life,

a life lived for itself,

with lightness and certainty,

safe from the abysses.

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday, dear May,

Happy birthday to you!

25! Downer!

But you're still cute.

You may have another 5 or 10 years,

before you're married,

- with 5 children. - That's so sweet of you, bitch.

Happy birthday!

Yassine!

They're beautiful!

They must've cost a fortune! You're nuts.

I love them!

Look.

May,

your birthday falls on a total eclipse of the moon.

That says it all.

You'll be even more beautiful at 30.

Excuse me.

I need to talk to you.

- What? - Come, please, it's important.

- Come. - I'm busy right now.

Please.

You OK?

I'm coming. I'll be right back.

Don't worry, Pierre.

Let's watch the eclipse.

I have something to ask you.

May, will you join me?

Join you?