The Perfume of the Lady in Black

THE PERFUME OF THE LADY IN BLACK

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Hi, is everything okay?

Yes, pretty good.

I just have to bring it up to temperature.

- Morning. - Morning, Miss Hacherman.

- How's it going? - You were right.

- This compound is positive. - That's fine.

- It means we're almost ready. - Yes.

Good. Well then...

I'm going to see how Elisabeth is doing.

How's it going? Are you done yet?

It wasn't as easy as I thought.

Series K didn't work out too well and I had to do it over.

This material has to be in Berlin!

It's not my fault, I've been working all night.

I want it ready by tonight.

- Call me if you need anything. - All right.

- Bye. - Goodbye.

- Good morning. - Hi.

Good morning, Mrs Lovati.

Miss Hacherman, I figured you weren't coming anymore.

Isn't it beautiful? I hate it here when it rains.

It's so sad.

You're right, it's a lovely day.

- Take the hose if you need it. - All right.

- I'm sorry... - Mr Rossetti!

I realized I was out of tea.

And our fellow tenants are all away on vacation.

Could you help out an old widower?

- Coffee is like poison to me! - Of course.

I'll be right back.

Two or three spoonfuls should be enough.

I hope this is enough.

Mozart... What a genius!

- It reminds me... - I don't mean to be rude...

...but I have to go out and I'm running late.

- Maybe some other time. - Well, thanks again.

Sorry to have troubled you. If you need anything...

Thanks. Goodbye.

We've changed too.

We've changed too.

We used to eat our enemies, now we study engineering.

Unfortunately, it's slow progress. There's a lot of prejudice.

We have no schools and the witchdoctor's word rules.

The witchdoctor is Africa.

And you must understand Africa

in order to judge it.

Andy, you've forgotten Roberto works often in Africa.

I know, Elise. But he's still a white man.

I remember an English geologist

in Cameroon with me.

He got the idea of making enemies with the local witchdoctor.

I heard he was found dead in his tent after much suffering.

The autopsy revealed

short cat whiskers, like little needles,

embedded in his stomach wall.

He had evidently ingested them

but no one knows how.

That's a rather uneventful example of black magic.

A university professor like you can't believe such things.

In every corner of Africa,

be it jungle, savannahs, village,

river or even in the skyscrapers of our modern cities,

a certain fear rides the hot winds.

An ancient fear with many names.

Black magic.

Witchcraft.

Superstitions, rites.

Mysterious deaths.

- Human sacrifice. - Not just in Africa.

In Europe too.

It's less known, but it does go on.

But those people aren't normal.

In our country, there are still cults

who chose victims without them even knowing it.

By means of potions or evil rites,

they are driven mad then killed.

It is a challenge thrown in the face of evil.

The victim suffers a horrible death by an ancient sacrifice.

But such practices require time and patience.

They are like a test of man's mental strength

over his weaknesses.

Did I frighten you? I was only joking.

You mustn't believe a word of it.

We no longer do such things.

- What time is it? - 1:30 AM.

1:30?

That's funny, I thought it was later.

Do you mind if I don't come up?

We have to get up early tomorrow.

Tomorrow's Monday. You know I can't come.

For Christ's sake, it's always the same story.

We've known each other four months and you haven't missed a day of work.

All you think about is that damn lab!

It's the third time Andy's asked us to play tennis.

You don't want to offend him, do you?

I just don't understand you.

It's like you're excluding me from your life.

You know that's not true.

I just want to check on the material going to Berlin.

To hell with the material! You're obsessed.

It's not like you'll win the Nobel Prize or anything.

You're so upset over a silly tennis match.

You're right. Do as you please.

I'll call you when I have time, goodnight.

Miss!

Miss! Wake up, it's late.

Miss!

Carlotta!

- Is it already time to go to work? - No, it's much later.

- It's a quarter past three. - That can't be!

It's a quarter past three. You've had quite a sleep!

- I didn't even undress. - It happens when you stay out late.

Why didn't your brother wake me?

We tried.

Luigi rang over and over and we thought you were out.

Then Francesca told me you were still in.

- I brought the newspaper. - Thank you, you can go now.

Don't walk around barefoot, you might cut yourself.

- The photograph fell and broke. - I know.

I broke it.

The time is 3:31 pm.

"Music For You" continues.

You must be a witch, Francesca. How did you know we had an argument?

I saw it from my window.

It's never happened to me, I fell asleep like that.

Carlotta woke me up an hour ago.

You work too hard, you should have more fun with Roberto.

You should make up. I'll take care of it.

- Doesn't he collect butterflies? - Yes, why?

I have an idea. Come with me.

Gorgeous creatures!

That's nice.

Is anybody here?

- Is anybody here? - I've never noticed this store.

Sorry, I couldn't find my glasses.

- Can I help you? - I'd like to buy a butterfly.

- It's for a collector. - Right.

I really like this one.

- It's pretty, isn't it? - Yes.

- I'll take it. - Okay.

- Can you gift wrap it? - Of course.

Thank you.

Roberto?

Silvia!

There was a woman there watching me.

What are you talking about?

I saw her.

There is no one there.

A woman was sitting there.

No...

It's an old robe of mine.

I was expecting you, I thought you'd be coming.

I'm afraid.

Stop acting like a child. Kiss me.

Or don't you want to...

I love you, Roberto.

Don't serve so hard, it's my first time!

I'm hardly a champion myself!

I'm glad you invited Francesca.

She's a smart girl.

- And Andy's hard to please. - Silvia!

I'm worn out, he's too good for me.

- Your turn. - Come on, Silvia.

Just one game.

- Don't you want to play? - No, you go on.

I'll play later so Andy will be tired and I'll win.

Francesca deserves a nice cold drink.

It sure is hot today.

What happened?

I grabbed the racket and something stabbed me.

That's strange, there's a nail in the handle.

- I can't stand the sight of blood. - Here...

I know what to do.

Silvia's hurt herself.

Silvia's hurt herself.

Silvia's hurt herself.

Don't get angry at me, any other night...

It's not my fault.

I have a screening of that geology documentary.

You know I'd rather be with you.

Weren't you going out with Francesca?

Andy's asked her out to dinner.

They sure made friends fast.

I'll pick you up after work tomorrow and we'll go out to eat.

I found a nice place in the country.

Excellent food.

Yes.

Get some sleep.

Goodnight.

Can you give me a light?

SILVIA HACHERMAN THIRD GRADE

Dear Daddy,

I've now passed the third grade.

I don't want any presents, just for you to come home.

Mommy said you'll be at sea for a long time.

Why did you leave us alone?

The man at the animal store gave me a black cat.

He comes over and takes us out sometimes.