Rue du retrait

Can you read this and ask him for it?

Okay, but why? Isn't he nice to you?

Not nice at all.

I never know what he's saying.

It's for a sedative.

I know that. Is it aspirin?

It's Valium.

It's no sedative, it's a stupefier.

- It's not so bad. - I've taken it too.

I said to the doctor, aspirin. That's what I wanted.

- Doctors are useless. - Aspirin won't help you sleep.

I won't take a stupefier!

So do you want the aspirin?

Thank you.

Will you be okay?

Kitty! Here, kitty.

Where are you, rotten cat?

I can't get you. Come here.

My pretty. Here, kitty.

My little girl.

My cat is in there. I can't get her out.

Rotten cat!

Go and sit down in the back room.

I'm expected for lunch.

I see.

I suppose I won't see you again?

Yes, if you'll ask me.

When I was young, my father owned a shop.

We had a real house. I know how things should be.

I'm sure you do.

Come next Saturday, if you like.

Okay, then. Goodbye.

My pretty. My lovely.

My little cat.

Today, I met an old witch in the Chemist's.

I drove her home.

You should see the slum she lives in. It's pure 19th century.

How are you? When are you coming home?

Bring back some money. I hope there's no casino.

I love you too.

I was joking. You take everything so seriously.

What is the client's budget?

100,000 francs.

Don't bother if it's that pathetic!

Versailles called.

Really, it was them?

Alone, we have no hope, no matter how good we are.

I'll talk to Masurel.

- Do you mean it? - Why not?

Paul.

Paul is smart enough to want a project like this.

Even in partnership with his ex-wife.

- We're meeting on Wednesday. - You amaze me.

I hope so!

Yes, Zira.

The ironing is not done. Can I go pick up my son?

Should I do the wine sale in Beaune?

I'll go with Fred later.

- Would you like some coffee? - Yes, please.

Sit down.

Have you lived here long?

A very long time, Mrs... What's your name?

Isabelle. You can call me Isabelle.

- Did the Council send you? - Sorry?

Did the Council send you here?

Not at all.

We met in the Chemist's on Sunday.

- Have you forgotten? - No.

I was just asking.

Someone from the Council

insisted on sending a Home Help.

She stole from me. She didn't do her job.

She refused to wash the floor.

I don't think it's such a lowly task.

I carry my own coal and sweep the chimney every week.

Every week? But why?

In case of fire!

That girl had the nerve to say...

I should go into a Home.

You know what I said?

"You know your way out."

And you? Do you work?

Yes. I work hard.

You have a job? A good job?

I'm supposed to think on behalf of institutions

and people in charge...

of companies.

You're a kind of secretary?

Something like that.

Today, women have to work as hard as men.

In my day, we were less with it.

Training is the main thing.

It stands between you and nothing.

That, and a place of your own.

Like some fruit?

But you go ahead.

What are you doing?

You can't do that. You'll kill yourself.

I've managed well enough.

It's a death-trap.

I see. A death-trap...

Good morning, ma'am.

- On the tab. - 6.90 francs.

Goodbye, ma'am.

Did you get up at 6:00, again?

I'll grab a coffee and go to Masurel's.

I'll be back late morning.

I'll see if she's here.

An electrician.

No... I'm sorry.

I hardly know her and I wanted to help.

Send me the bill.

Thank you.

That will teach me.

- What an idiot. - Who?

The old neighbour I told you about.

I called an electrician to fix her wiring.

She threw him out.

I was wrong to try and help.

- How are you? - And you?

Fine, thanks.

See the effect you have, even 5 years later.

It seems like yesterday.

You're still in shape.

I'm getting old. Out of it.

It's all sales, sales. What's the point?

How's Paul taking it?

You know him. So diplomatic.

So optimistic. For him, life goes on.

You were right to leave.

You can choose and refuse.

- How is Fred? - Working abroad until next week.

Still happy with Sophie?

Very. Clients mix us up on the phone.

Can Isabelle and I come in?

We're on our way.

He's tired. It makes him grumpy.

His second baby cries at night.

The way I see it, I can put something together.

But they'll only take me with backing.

So you thought of us?

Of course. Who else can I trust?

You know we'd love to help you.

And a long-term contract is highly profitable!

It's true, it's a good deal.

Let me be sentimental.

Now he's a father, he's a real softy.

Isabelle.

We'll split the takings 50/50.

We put up expenses, equipment and staff

and you run the operation. Okay?

I have to go.

Good bye.

Come and see my girls. It's better than mailing them gifts.

Okay, thanks.

Why didn't you let him in?

He has work to do. He's busy!

Go ahead.

Why isn't she in a Home?

She likes it where she is. She doesn't want to leave.

I didn't know people lived like this.

Then you don't know much.

We'll be old too, one day.

For you, it's a long way off.

I just wanted to fix her electricity.

Aren't you falling into a trap?

Let's start work on our big client.

Isn't it better like that? It's less dangerous.

Before the big house in impasse de l'Adour,

my father owned a smaller one, in rue Chevreau.

They wanted to build a railway line there.

It's because of that land

that he made a small fortune.

My father had a hardware shop, in rue de la Mare.

He gave out free bread and coal

to the poor people,

and when it was very cold,

there was always a cauldron of soup.

I loved standing there.

I was proud of my father, for helping the poor people.

When he made his fortune,

we moved to that big, warm house.

Then my father started going out every night.

He wanted to be with the toffs.

Theatre,

supper,

the music hall...

That's where he met her.

It broke my poor mother's heart.

And she was poisoned.

Later, she tried to poison me too.

Then she moved in with us.

I was a skivvy for the whole house.

I slaved day and night.

I do like the things you wear.

Show me your skirt. Is it lined?

When I was little, I had a grey poplin,

with pink flowers.

In Mother's day, nothing was too good for me.

After, I got the cast-offs.