Carême

POLICE HEADQUARTERS

You've heard the latest news?

There was an attempt on the life of the First Consul in Paris.

And please don't say you're innocent.

You are, I suppose.

But Bonaparte wants quick answers, which more often than not tend to be wrong.

I arrested 122 Jacobins.

You know, those who believe the Revolution is still in progress.

Like me. And like you, I presume.

We each have our own part to play.

What is yours? Monsieur...

Bailly, my Lord Minister. Sylvain Bailly. I'm a cook, sir.

So your role is to cook.

As chief of police, mine is to question suspects.

Now...

Do you know anything about the Infernal Machine bomb?

You were arrested five days before the attack.

You criticized First Consul Bonaparte out loud in a café.

I did not criticize Bonaparte, my Lord Minister.

"My Lord Minister." Monsieur.

You know my other names.

The "Butcher of Lyon." Does that sound familiar?

Our Republic missioned me to combat the rebels in Lyon,

but they were swarming like insects,

and the guillotine was too slow and merciful for them.

The cannon was more efficient, a bit less precise,

but quite dissuasive.

I, however, am neither slow nor merciful.

Lefty or righty? I'd prefer you didn't lie.

I'd like to taste your cuisine once this masquerade is over.

Which is quite improbable at best.

So lefty or righty?

Righty.

Place your left hand on the table.

- What? - You prefer I pull the trigger?

I wasn't involved.

- -

Have mercy.

Monsieur Sylvain Bailly, I thank you.

Take him to his cell.

Next!

Thank you.

I want proof that Bailly is alive.

Fouché has hidden him.

It's not like I'm inquiring about an uncle in the provinces.

How can I be sure you're trying?

You can't.

You have to trust me.

Sort it out,

or I'll seek help elsewhere.

I give in to many things...

but not blackmail.

All is well, Your Excellency?

Yes.

Return to the kitchen.

Go.

Don't underestimate me.

Monsieur de Talleyrand.

Don't put your arrogance above your talent.

Hurry up, guys. They're waiting. Let's go!

I want tiny pieces.

Yes, take that one. Hurry up.

So, kid, you like your new kitchen?

A specialty of my father's.

I thought you were an orphan.

He named it the "Extraordinaire."

What's so extraordinary about it?

I told you to carve the bird.

- It needs to rest. - Carve the damn bird!

- It didn't rest enough. - What's the problem? What's happening?

- The meat hasn't rested enough. - And?

The blood hasn't settled back into the muscle. It's too taut.

- And? - The flesh won't be tender enough.

Good boy.

You're the new roaster.

And?

I'm fired?

Good boy. You get it.

And?

Uh...

Thank you?

No.

Try once more.

That's impossible. It's our last piece of meat.

It's what?

There's no more. That was our last piece.

We have no more meat? What's this nonsense?

Do we have a delivery problem? Where's my meat?

- I have no idea. It's your kitchen. -

A lunch without meat is a lousy start.

I see. Listen carefully.

Trust me to manage this kitchen, or leave this minute.

Liliane? You're staying?

One day you will leave, my dear boy.

Won't be me.

This.

Take this.

His Civil Code is limiting our freedom.

You'll see. Bonaparte is killing the Revolution.

He is limiting freedom of speech and the right to assemble.

He may even abolish divorce.

That right?

It was granted during the Revolution. They won't touch it. I'll work on him.

Monsieur, that's kind of you.

You could say I'm a romantic.

I always leave room for love and romance.

Do you think Joséphine will give in?

She commands the crusade against divorce.

Bonaparte is in love and proud, but in time he'll come around.

Hmm. Come around to what?

Accepting to leave Joséphine because she can't bear children?

No one wants to always choose from the same menu, hmm?

No matter how delicious.

Well, you'll just have to convince Joséphine

to prevent him from removing divorce from the Civil Code.

A simple formality for you.

At your service, Madame de Staël.

You may have access to Bonaparte's ear, but you don't share his bed, do you?

At least, I hope not.

Does your new cook think we've become rabbits?

I present vegetable canapés.

Cabbage stuffed with mushrooms.

Fire-roasted boletus mushrooms.

Baroness, my newest cook, Antonin Carême.

I hired him because he held a knife to my throat.

And now, goodness knows why, he removes every pleasure from my life.

That's what people call...

Excuse me...

...pleasure but without guilt, Monsieur.

There is no pleasure without guilt.

- Mmm. - Taste it.

Do you like the new France, Antonin Carême?

Innocent souls are still arrested and executed.

I don't think the new France is so different from the old one, Baroness.

Have we met before?

I read.

Oh. A cultivated cook.

- You've found a rare gem there. -

Almost as rare as a philosopher who cooks.

- - Hmm.

Bon appétit.

Whatever you want, it's no.

- You can't possibly keep ignoring me. - Maybe I can.

Fine. I'm in desperate need of your help.

- You must be joking. - I swear it's not for me.

Your mixture with the herbs.

- Laudanum? - No.

For the headaches,

and ankles.

No one can know. It's a secret.

So, please.

Is that a yes?

Well, come on.

Thanks.

Charlotte?

Come here.

Come. Show us your bruise.

Come.

He's a friend.

Look.

Come, now.

Go slow.

Morning, Charlotte.

I've come to help. I'm Antonin.

You bruised your head?

And your leg? May I look?

Will I be a cripple?

No, no.

This is nothing.

- You like magic? - Yeah.

Yes?

What's behind your ear?

I'll put some cream on your leg, all right?

Someone's here. Hurry.

And there.

Just like new.

Thank you, Antonin.

My pleasure, Charlotte.

It's nap time. Let's go.

Who is that child?

Charlotte.

And who is Charlotte?

Here's a piece of advice you may not follow at all,

but forget her.

- -

She's theirs, right?

- She has his eyes. - Shh!

- She's afraid of being a cripple. - Quiet now.

She's Catherine and Talleyrand's daughter, isn't she?

Please don't talk.

Come.

But she's a prisoner.

We're all prisoners.

Étienne! I have some food.

- Here. - Thank you.

- Which one? - That one.

- This? - Yes, please.