It's time... We gotta switch on.
Here we go.
The boss is briefing the pilot.
- Want to listen? - I'll have a look around.
Everything was checked. Nothing more I can do.
It either works or it doesn't.
- I'm going to the bar at the crossroads. - Yeah... I got their phone number.
Is that all the boss cares about it?
At H-hour on D-day the boss clears off!
If that's not superstition, what is?
You from Paris?
- Yes. - When I came here,
I was from Paris.
- You with that "circus"? - Yep.
- You one of the boffins? - "Boffins"...?
According to Camille... Camille's my assistant...
- ...you'd be into missiles. - Camille's pretty close to the truth.
Just between us, whadda you do?
Sometimes I wonder.
Shit!
- Was that s'posed to happen? - Not at all.
That'll be for me.
Yes? Don't bother... I heard. Yes.
This is for the breakages.
- Yes? - Christine Raynal?
- Yes. - Magnin here... is Albert there?
- He'll certainly be here for dinner. - I'll call this evening.
- I'm leaving for Cannes in the morning. - *Half your luck.
Why don't you send Gilberte down with me to convalesce?
- Good idea. - Will you talk to him?
- Promise? - For sure.
- All the best to both of you. - You too.
Gilberte...
- ...have you got the address book? - Yes, yes.
I need the London number for Jérôme Laprade.
Laprade, Laprade...
It's 4377700.
- Christine Raynal's inviting you to Cannes. - Good idea.
- Get Magnin for me. - At the bank?
At home.
Get me 4799042... Seine-et-Oise.
Listen to this...
"After this failure, which the industry regards as minor..."
"Albert Raynal retains the full confidence of his associates."
"Minor failure..."
I call it a 500 million franc stuff-up.
- It's not the first. - But certainly the last.
Hullo?... Mr Magnin, please.
For Mr Marchal.
Magnin... Marchal here.
Sorry to disturb you. How are you?
- *OK. - And Gilberte?
- *Much better. - That's good to hear.
Those cases are always worrying.
Give her my fondest regards.
- Have you seen the papers? - I heard it on the radio.
The result's all the same.
I want to clearly state my position to you:
Not one cent more.
Not only will I do nothing to help prevent a Raynal bankruptcy,
but if there's anything I can do to speed it up...
No, Magnin. No.
We'll see about that.
Cable for Paris, please. Certainly, sir.
Mme Albert Raynal, 52, Quai de Béthune.
"Greetings. Will be in Paris tomorrow."
"Meet you at 11 am at the Trianon Palace bar."
"Need to finalise."
"Outsider presence not necessary."
"Jérôme...
Before, put: "Your affectionate brother."
"Jérôme."
I'll have it sent off straight away.
5 hours on the road is no joke. What a day!
Your day's not over yet!
We'll unload what's left of the thing.
G'night boss.
G'night... see you tomorrow.
There are two or three things we have to look into together.
Until what time?
Until we find what we have to. We can eat down at the corner place.
Accounts Dept.
- You're still here? - I was waiting for you.
I heard on the radio... I'm very sorry.
It's a real blow... and it hits us badly.
- Things don't often hit nicely. - So close... what bad luck.
There was just a cock-up, that's all.
In our business, there are calculated guesses and there are checks.
We're a research workshop here, not a casino.
- What'd you want to talk to me about? - The month's wage bill, and other things.
- Start with other things. - We got a final notice from Social Security.
In addition, some suppliers are worried.
I've been stalling for months.
You tell them I've been fattening them long enough,
and there's a law against overcharging.
I'll see Magnin about the wages.
Very well, sir.
I sick of being pestered.
- Who's been pestering you? - Pasqualin.
- Pasqualin's a good guy. - Yeah, but his mind's on nothing but dough.
Accountants are a race apart.
- Evening, boss. - Evening, Laurent.
We're going to go back over the last lot of tests.
There's gotta be an answer.
I hope so, otherwise we'll be making firecrackers.
You nearly missed us.
- You're leaving today? - Yes.
We'll be in San Sebastian tonight if we get a hot car,
or in Longjumeau if we only get a baby Citroën.
You and your hitchhiking.
It's more fun than the train.
- Maybe. - Say...
you said something yesterday.
Things are a bit tense at home.
Mum's had the sulks. But we know just how to get around her.
If it always worked, it wouldn't be any fun.
- I never would've thought of that. - Liar.
What time are you leaving? What about money?
I'm gonna take a short nap.
Very short. Magnin was on the phone.
Mum's written it all down.
She was caught just before she went out.
- Out where? - Don't know.
What does that mean... "Operation Survival"?
If the bank drops your husband, he'll be bankrupt.
Why would it drop him?
Christine, I love you.
Your non-understanding of figures is delightful.
- You've had it all since you were born. - Are you still on public assistance?
I had a nice little nest egg. I've doubled it in 10 years.
I know the story of the rise of Jérôme Laprade by heart.
It's your favourite subject.
What do you want to talk about Albert now?
About Albert.
He's just covered us in glory once again.
That's not an answer to my question.
- Why is Magnin dropping Albert? - Because everyone's going to drop him.
[ Magnin Bros. Bank] Go on in.
- The Director's waiting for you. - Thanks.
Excuse me old boy, held up with the traffic...
I know how it is.
Take a seat.
A client sent me some old Scotch. I don't know if you...
No thanks.
- I beg you excuse me. - For...?
I hate disturbing clients at home.
I couldn't get you at the factory yesterday.
I had enough upsets, as you must be aware.
The whole world is.
- Can't you turn that thing off? - Sure.
You seem upset.
- Gilberte's health? - No.
No. Business.
- What "business"? - Yours.
Bankruptcy court, factory sold at auction...
If it was just me, I might let it slip, but it's not just me.
There are my nephews.
Let's leave children out of it.
I can't leave out those I love.
Let's not exaggerate... Two years from now,
- Jean-Pierre will be an adult. - That's just it.
What will he do when he finishes Accountancy?
We could take him in with us.
But I think he'd be better in his own place.
Right or wrong?
Right.
Let's talk about you, Christine. Don't wait for the train to derail.
Our mother will wave the sceptre and the holy water,
but won't sprinkle the family.
I prefer divorce to bankruptcy.
Admit it, Christine.
- You've been wanting a divorce for 10 years. - Why right now?
To preserve your own interests.
Your husband juggles the capital, unpaid bills...
You'll sell your jewelery your title deeds...
It'll all be gone.
Albert would never accept that.
In his present situation, he'll have to accept everything.
This isn't the first glitch to happen to me, nor the last I'll overcome.
Back in your father's day, it was the landing gear.
Now they all work fine.
Successes and failures, it's part of the game.
Does the word "game" bother you?
The words bother me less than the numbers.
Let's start on the credit side. I'm going to make you smile,
- ...but yesterday's test was positive. - Really?
I'm no longer a child. I know what I'm talking about.
Not only are you no longer a child as you say,
but on top of that, you're famous.
He impressed you winning motorbike races.
Sometimes he still impresses me.
I'm not saying Albert was always a devoted husband.
Nor very faithful.
"Very faithful"? He's been deceiving you for 20 years.
Given your age gap,
that's ironic, indeed.
Women have never held the place in his life
that they thought they held.
Let's just stick to talking about the business plan.
I never could...
...stop myself mixing business with pleasure.
We're ready to offer your husband an honourable solution.
Convert the factory to making rivets, bolts, screws and so on.
Marchal and myself
- ...will bear all expenses. - Even Marchal?
He's been backing Albert for 30 years.
He's no longer backing Albert. But Albert still depends on him.
In the long run, it all wears out.
We all figure
we've paid dearly enough for your husband's kite-flying.
I have an overdraft,
at how much... 30 million?... it's not the end of the world.
More than 50.
We could maintain this situation somewhat.
So what's the problem?
You want me to call Marchal? He's at the snow.
I doubt if he'll talk to you.
He called me yesterday afternoon.
- He was clearly, how shall I put it... - Very definite?
Very.
And what's your own opinion? I'd like to know it.
You put me in a very embarrassing position.
You know the esteem I hold you in.
But in real-life situations we have to be sensible.
Friendship, even admiration,
can't make me forget my duty to the shareholders.
Right. Well, each to his own.
I'll do my job, and you'll do your duty.
I'm sorry.
- This yours? - Yes, but only temporarily.
Move it!
Always the same.
- That you? - Yep.
I came by this morning but you were out.
- You got the message? - Magnin called several times.
- Yes, I've been with him. - What did he want?
Oh, nothing special... debit, credit... balance.
Magnin-talk... you know.
You can close up the case.
- Are you sure, madam? - I guess so.
You look worried... Thinking about Magnin?
I was thinking about the kids. I had to leave them some money.
They haven't forgotten to ask me.
Despite their stories of travelling for nothing.
You're confusing the cultural revolution
with pocket money.
Louise?
Try to squeeze those in somewhere.
Fine. I'm ready.
Am I dropping you at the airport?
You hate that.
I have to go back to the factory anyway... Let's go!
- He didn't thank you? - Who?
- Magnin. - No, not particularly.
"Thanked" for what?
I suggested to him that I have Gilberte down at Cannes.
Is that explosion yesterday boring or serious?
Neither boring nor serious. It's annoying.
- What's the reaction of the bank? - None.
Why are you lying? I saw Jerome this morning.
So you know.
But not from you. You keep me out of everything.
We only ever talk at meal times.
I see that the meetings with your brother
- ...are still stimulating. - I don't need his advice.
- My decision was already made. - You've made a decision?
Yes.
To get a divorce.
I know what you're going to say...
It's the wrong time, there's the children...
If I never speak to you, why would I say all that now?
I intend to use Forgé. He's the family lawyer.
You Laprades have always known how to defend yourselves.
You won't like me quoting some examples.
There isn't any.
You could have followed others' lead.
Jerome's doing all right for himself.
I know talking about my brother depresses you.
He doesn't fit your criteria of a great man.
What depresses me, is that most of the big fortunes
are in the hands of pathetic schmucks.
Say hi to your mother.
Hullo, yes? Who is it?
- Raynal calling. - I'm not here.
Mr Helmann isn't in.
Hullo? Mr Marchal please...
Raynal calling.
- It's Raynal. - Not here.
Mr Marchal isn't back yet from Megève.
Provided there's no turbulence.
No, no.
At the risk of speaking out of turn...
Feel free.
We need to hire... or do you have another idea?
It's not ideas we're short of... it's the dough.
- Your mail, sir. - Thanks.
Mr Pasqualin has left 3 cheques.
He said that it would not be prudent to sign them.
I know.
- Mr Magnin phoned. - Really? That's funny.
He wants to know if you are free at one o'clock tomorrow...
Lunch at Rosny.
Mr Magnin has remorse, or more probably regret.
Financiers never have remorse.
If I had the means,
I'd tell him to go jump in the lake.
But as it's not ideas that we lack...
tell Mr Magnin that I'd be delighted to join him
on the lawns of Rosny, but not before 3 o'clock.
That's it.
Jeannine? Sir?
Don't mention the lake.
Give me that.
Tell Mr Pasqualin that it's not a lack of prudence...
but anticipation.
Albert! We were just talking about you.
Reliving our glory days...
Take my place... I have to phone.
I discovered I had a pioneer past, through you.
The little workshop at Auvers-sur-Oise. My first backer.
One day there'll be a plaque.
The variable geometry aerofoil came out of there.
- It's been improved on since. - Don't be modest.
I just mean that it's not all due to me.
- A Helmann patent. - That I resold for nothing.
Luckily for you, your old uncle died two years later.
What you missed in genius you made up for with an inheritance.
Your shot.
- You're a hopeless player. - Don't I know it.
Mine!
Not bad.
You're not going to do that are you?
Look out.
Let's be quite clear, old chap.
Nobody would consider doing without a man of your calibre.
That's just the position of our clients.
The closure of the Raynal works would be a tragedy.
We're talking "transformation", not destruction.
Each new stab in the back gets a new name.
Don't get nasty.
Your workshop could survive as a separate entity,
which would get involved
in less risky activities...
...that would work off your deficit.
We'd be willing to invest again on that basis.
Your brother-in-law, who's very astute thinker...
He's dreamt of me making bolts and vacuum cleaners.
Does that offend you?
No, but I don't see anything astute about it.
This controversy seems rather pointless.
If the Laprade Group came into the business,
our friend Marchal
would be behind it.
And I'd be behind everyone.
I wouldn't be saying this if we hadn't been forced into this situation...
I find it odd that you reproach us for helping you out in your old age.
If I'd thought about my old age instead of messing about with my stuff,
I'd have given my name
to a carburettor or a ceiling lamp donkey's years ago.
I'd have my thing like Pythagoras has his theorem.
I'd be famous to the end of time.
The country air's getting to you.
I'm not gonna make vacuum cleaners.
I shall not make my fortune in home economics.
I'm too old to change. Good afternoon, gentlemen.
How annoying.
Strange fellow.
- Where you going? - Corsica.
- Where you from? - England.
You really are an islander. Hop in.
- Been to Paris before? - No, it's the first time.
You'll find it interesting.
Once upon a time lunatics were locked up,
at Charenton, or Perray Vaucluse.
Today, they're put in huts on wheels.
3 million cars made every year.
The largest asylum in France.
Between us, do I look like a madman?
No, monsieur.
We can't let it show.
The main thing is,
to look like an industrialist, a lawyer or a doctor.
Otherwise we'd look comical.
Mr So-and-so, the eminent paranoid.
Mr So-and-so, the distinguished epileptic.
Isn't that right?
Better and better! That doesn't help.
There's Albert!
Oh, Bob!
Nobody's called me Bob since the Institute.
You still got the blue eyes and fresh complexion.
I was the best-looking boy in class.
- I've been reading about your exploits. - About the day before yesterday?
You're allowed that... You're the only one to have succeeded.
Not just making money.
- Anyone can make money. - More or less!
We can't leave like this...
Come and have a drink... 32 Rue Spontini.
- I'll wait for you downstairs. - See you there!
- Who's that? - Maybe my guardian angel.
- Out you get. - Thanks.
Great to see you.
I dined with Silet several days ago.
The red-haired boy who played centre three quarters.
No, fly half... I remember very well.
He makes electric cable.
He makes money, but he's in his third slump.
I've also seen Maresquier. Remember him?
- He's with Pratt & Whitney. - Yes, I'd been told that.
For a Frenchman to get a top job there is unusual.
11 months a year in the US.
Maresquier's sick of it all. Like me for that matter.
- You're sick of it all? - Yep.
- You probably don't have time. - Sometimes I feel it.
Take his coat.
- Whisky, Albert? - Yes.
So two whiskies. Go in.
A moment's relaxation never hurt anyone.
Take a seat.
You see, television's like flying.
It's fun to do, but not to sell.
For 2 years I worked on the cathode ray tubes...
I worked, I researched...
and then I found.
It's like the gold digger who finds gold.
- What more can you ask for? - Help yourself.
Thanks, just had one.
Now I am struggling with competition, taxes, wages.
I've got a factory at Besançon, one at Bordeaux,
and soon a third in Belgium.
I spend my life in trains and planes.
Thanks, that'll be fine.
And all this to achieve what?
2 billion in turnover, and less than 30 million clear.
- I'd have to buy a plot of ground... - Or offer a service.
- Couldn't you? - No I couldn't.
You remember my aspirations?
To have kids and a good wine cellar.
I'm single and I have an ulcer.
We used to create certain images of ourselves.
You were the only one to live up to yours over time.
That's what I call success.
- Robert? - Yes.
Darling, I'm waiting for you with the Verleys.
Come and join us at the Ritz.
- Black tie? - Of course.
See you soon.
Now, tell me about yourself...
your tax inspector, your liver,
your family problems.
Compared with yours...
Excuse me, I have to get ready.
Albert, if you wanna come with us, I can lend you a tux.
A ghost.
- You might have warned me. - Surprised to see me?
Nothing new about you being at my place.
What is pleasant, moreover... we don't age.
- You coming to eat? - Yes.
Know what you want to do?
Are you jumping ship or are you making bolts?
- What? - Your brother-in-law ate here yesterday.
I told him where I thought he could stick his bolts.
- Was I wrong? - That's your style.
Leave it to a woman of the world to handle delicate situations.
I'll just be a moment.
Yesterday I got to bed at 3 o'clock.
I was out to it. I'm glad it's doing well.
You remember Rue Damrémont?
Where I could only seat 10, and we drank champagne.
I was a redhead, and you came to pick me up in your Bugatti.
That is, when you decided to turn up.
Tell me, has old age caught up with me?
I don't mean physically, I mean the grey matter.
Crazy.
I'm not asking you if I'm crazy. I'm asking you if I'm getting old and silly.
There's a big difference.
It means you're at the end of the line,
to be sidelined and garaged.
- I'd want to finish quickly. - You're right there.
You're getting old.
20 years ago you dumped that horsewoman to marry your wife...
...who you once dumped to take me to America.
And you dumped me.
The only thing you haven't dumped is your work.
Now it's dumping me.
- How much do you need? - 800 million. 50 right away.
Is that all?
Call Marchal.
I saw him this afternoon. He lead the sacrificial dance.
Say... I was thinking,
this joint of yours... I mean the bricks and mortar,
- ...must be worth 200 million. - Yeah.
You could possible raise a hypothetical 50 million, right away.
Do you realise what you're asking me?
I've worked like a maniac to get this business together.
I'd jump in the river if I thought I was gonna lose it.
Calm down.
You've no right to ask me that. It's naughty of you.
You know I've always been stingy.
And even if I wanted to, I couldn't...
As long as I remember Rue Damrémont.
- As long as you remember the Bugatti? - The same
I really am sorry... but...
- You weren't serious. - Of course I wasn't serious.
As usual.
Do you remember Vacher... second class Vacher?
- Yes. - What became of him?
- Billionaire. - I know. But where is he?
He settled in Rouen. Shall I make enquiries?
No. I can do that.
- You want me? - What for?
- No charge. - You're crazy.
You took the vow, eh?
Why you looking at me like that.
You look like you're on a pilgrimage.
If I arranged a little trip...
I could ask you along.
You don't sound exactly in the grip of ecstasy.
And when it comes to footing the bill...
I'll get my coat.
Bring some cash.
Albert?
- Where are we? - Rouen train station.
What the hell are we doing in Rouen?
I'm not doing anything... you've come to see Vacher.
So I have.
I've got time to catch the Paris train.
Why take the train? Why not come back with me?
Listen to me, you've got to have everything
sorted out by tonight.
Cheque in the bank, and me out of your mind.
There you are.
If this doesn't work out, what are you going to do?
Dunno.
Your wife's got money.
I don't think I can still count on that.
We're divorcing.
- What brought that about? - Her family.
- Adieu, my beauty. - Good luck, Albert.
We're ready.
That's it... we're ready. We can get going.
I'll call the boss.
What was going on up there?
Just a wiring connection to fix.
Mr Raynal agreed on 10 o'clock.
He was the one who set the time.
Has the boss phoned?
No.
I called his home... there was no answer.
You could try calling elsewhere.
That's an idea.
Get me Cannes 391668.
A call from Meudon.
Your papers, Mum.
Phone for Madam. Mr Raynal's workshop.
"The workshop"...
He might at least say "factory" for the time being.
- That's not at all amusing. - Of course, mother... sorry.
There was no question of him coming down for at least 3 weeks.
He always wakes up. So, as he's alone...
That's it.
Call me when he turns up.
There are tests this morning at Meudon, and Albert's not there.
No answer at the house.
- Call Magnin at Rosny. - Why?
Albert was there yesterday.
Gilberte,
- You want to talk to your husband? - Give him my love.
That's right. He came here.
But he only stayed briefly.
Very briefly.
I haven't had any news since. If I do...
Two cheques for cashing.
Yes, the wages. I don't know what to do.
*Is your brother with you?
- Magnin? - You know the latest?
It really is a sort of blackmail.
Let's say Hobson's Choice.
- What do I do about the payroll? - "The payroll"?
- What payroll? - The workers' wages.
- What do you want ME to do about it? - Ask Marchal.
Are you kidding?
Why not you, old boy?
- You're joking? - Give Gilberte my love.
I'll sort it out.
Gilberte, your husband sends his love.
It's now up to you to decide.
Behind the bolts plan, or behind bars.
Move everyone away.
Move away, move away.
- We're going to have it removed. - About time.
- It's blocking the way. - How long's it been here.
3 days. We were gonna dump it in the drink.
Here we are.
"Albert Raynal 52 Quai de Béthune."
"Concern on the disappearance Albert Raynal."
"Albert Raynal, whose missile blew up several days ago..."
"...has disappeared."
"While his associates assumed he was travelling,"
"...his car with all his papers,"
"has been found on the docks at Rouen."
Get me Jérôme Laprade at Trianon Palace.
Magnin Bank please.
You've got a seat on the 4.40 Paris plane.
I almost got a ticket for myself.
My presence here is going to become very odd.
Odd but sensible.
The children are coming.
I'd rather they bumped into you than my mother.
Is your mother into soap operas?
Soap operas, vaudeville. Anything over the top.
My mother exaggerates everything. Even her age.
I'll never understand you.
You talk about divorce, you bother lawyers,
and you go running back about nothing.
I should be there. Albert could be ill. Could be anything.
His sort never dies.
There's always a first.
If your husband had to have an accident,
between his motorbikes and his planes...
Listen... Raynal's always got himself out of everything.
If he was in a real jam,
despite where you two are at... he would've told you.
He may have already told me... in his own way.
That's the amazing thing about him,
we spend our time trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.
You married him despite your father, despite your brother
and despite me.
And you didn't do too badly after all. I think it's fascinating.
He's given you 2 wonderful boys,
he broke his legs parachuting,
he's gobbled up all Marchal's money...
He's amazing.
If father had paid more attention to you you wouldn't say that.
Your father had a photo of Pasteur on his bureau,
and on Sundays he played diabolo on the lawn.
If you should hear from Albert...
don't tell him I came back for him.
And what should I tell our lawyer?
He's coming here for dinner tonight.
At your request.
If the kids come call me right away.
Certainly.
- Inspector... - Please sit down.
So I'm listening.
They say
the car'd been there 3 days.
3 days ago, Raynal was with me.
Did he often come to see you?
The last time was 25 years ago.
That was the war.
Yes, that was the war.
- And suddenly he turns up at your place? - Not quite.
He was looking for me.
It must have been about 10am.
I'd emptied my truck, and was on my way back to the yard.
A Peugeot was following us.
Well now, I seem to know you from somewhere.
Raynal.
Lieutenant Raynal?
Good old nutty Albert.
When I got back I didn't stop.
You knew about my rotting old tub in Nogent.
I went back to civvies as a barge skipper.
Then I hit the big smoke of Paris like a fly in butter.
I started up a bicycle taxi business.
It wasn't high finance, but it paid the bills.
After that it was non-ferrous metals.
Money for jam!
A kilo of zinc for a litre of wine.
I had a foot in recycling and one in the wine market.
The money I was making!
I nearly became a singer.
I had a pal at the Majestic.
They'd ended up on the Eastern Front.
Those tragic week-ends come back.
It all comes back!
There are days when I miss the German occupation.
- Not you? - Not particularly.
- Were you in Paris? - London.
That doesn't surprise me.
I'll get changed. Then I'll get you to try a tasty black pudding...
I haven't got time. It was just by chance I was passing by.
Nobody passes by this part of the world by chance!
But I did!
If you wanna keep your job make sure you look after my friend here.
Albert Raynal! This is not the day you mess up your black pudding!
I never mess it up.
He runs the place but I get the dough.
This is all mine.
That right, boys?
Everything belongs to me, except city hall.
I have to spread it around at the local elections.
I had the Commies and the Catholics ranged against me.
Politics really is a pile of shit.
But one day we'll get on top of city hall...
A few belts with a wrecking bar and a few punch-ups.
Deep down they hate my guts.
It was the same in Saint-Denis in Paris.
I left there when my warehouse got torched.
People said I'd been making money from Adolph.
Bullshit.
I made less during 4 years under the Germans
than two months with the Yanks.
- Where were you during Normandy? - On the beaches.
I'd just got into gasoline.
While some guys were living by cheating their whores
I was flogging up to 2000 jerry cans a day.
Niggers let me have their cans.
I syphoned even more. I sold it all.
"We got good soup... roll up!"
That's what I do best.
I'd do anything to get carbide...
...dig it out of shit with my teeth if I had to.
Money doesn't stink, as the saying goes.
- How much do I owe you? - 4 francs.
- You going? - That surprise you?
But first I'd like to tell you something.
YOUR money stinks like hell.
You stink of stupidity and bullshit.
And you don't have a brain in your head.
Any of you want to pick up their pay.
Respect is something else... it has to be earned,
my poor Vacher.
Vacher's richer than you. Whadda you think he's worth?
He might have had 50 million less.
That's what I came for.
If I'd flattered you,
with admiration and a few memories,
not forgetting the good soup. But I didn't like the soup.
To behave like that,
he must have been pretty normal.
- Were you? - What? - Normal?
It doesn't bother you revealing your past...
...your questionable activities?
Not when I tell it.
It was all a joke.
The artist seen by himself.
Always better than having someone else doing it.
And then I embellished further,
just to watch the screwed up expression
on his face as he listened it.
The things we do!
Poor Vacher... what!?
- Call me Paris. - Put me through to Paris
on the direct line. I'll hang on.
How did he come out of this accident unharmed?
8 days later, Raynal overcame all opposition
in the Buttes à Morel moto-cross
and next day driving his midget racer,
he dominated the Bol d'or 1938 Bol d'or. A new event for Raynal.
Talk about get-up-and-go!...
he had enough to walk away from that plane crash.
We should find his marriage in the 47-48 reel.
We should interview his wife, his friends.
Favalelli's onto it.
Rolande, you're a celebrated restaurateur.
A long friendship existed between you and Mr Albert Raynal.
Can you tell us about him?
Albert dined at my place, on Wednesday night.
Namely the day before his disappearance.
That is, if you call it "disappeared" when you don't know where he is...
He's spent his life disappearing.
I was forever seeing him jumping into a car or a plane..
Here one minute... gone the next!
- When did you meet? - In 1948...
at the Grenoble gliding school.
At that time he was designing gliders.
Didn't last any longer than the others.
What do you mean by "the others"?
You scared me.
- Madame Raynal? - Yes.
Would you like to sit down, madam.
I don't plan to stay.
- Christine Raynal. - You weren't expecting me?
Oh yes...!...
Sooner or later.
- Do you have some news on Albert? - I came to ask the same thing.
- He wasn't with me Wednesday night. - Nor Thursday morning.
I left him at Rouen station. He had to go and see Vacher.
As you can imagine, I called Vacher.
I can quote him verbatim.
"The lieutenant called by."
"He told me that I stank, and he left."
Listen... I understand your anxiety.
If I knew where he was I would have told you.
You'd have told the whole of France.
I heard you on the 8 o'clock news...
such exquisite taste!
Albert often mentioned you.
I saw you as a nuisance but not an exhibitionist.
He's also spoken to me about you.
I knew you were a shit-stirrer, but not aggressive.
Let's step aside.
I have to be versatile in my work.
Everything happening at once.
That for 4?
Why was my husband at your place on Wednesday night?
Needed to talk.
- Talk about what? - Albert has always had
creditors on his back. It kept him jumping.
But this time,
he told me a story about some cheques...
- Why to you? - Because I was there.
It might just as well have been you.
- If you hadn't been down there tanning yourself. - Don't be ungrateful!
My holidays have always been good for you!
I need an ice bucket.
- Madame... - I haven't got time.
In any case, he would've come to see you.
You form part of some sort of journey for him.
I've seen Albert spend hours looking for old bits and pieces.
A motorbike wheel, photo of a friend, of a balloon...
- Table 4 are asking for you. - I'm coming.
If you don't have any other niceties up your sleeve...
Madame Raynal,
neither of us is going to get much sleep.
So, if you learn anything...
Albert's alive... that's all I know.
Come in.
See,
if we weren't in such a hurry,
the local paper might get a story.
Where were we up to?
"Report on the Test of October 28"
"Perspectives opened by the positive results."
Underline "positive".
Good, let's get started.
"In the 30 years just passed,"
"...the time I spent in laboratories..."
"...will seem laughable..."
"...compared with that spent..."
"...in ministers' or bankers'..."
"...waiting rooms."
"Whether privately,"
"...or state-subsidised,"
"...begging has become the main activity of the researcher."
Make this sentence underlined...
"Science doesn't know failure, only let-down."
Attribute it to Einstein.
Or better still Oppenheimer... that's more up-to-date.
Right. Then, continue with...
"It's regrettable,"
"...that at the highest level of mathematics,"
"most time is spent adding up..."
- You worked out your account? - Yes. I included supplies.
- And the taxi? - It'll be here at noon.
Where was I...
Morning. Any luggage?
Going to Paris? Yes.
Better to avoid some roads into town.
Last Friday,
I spent 20 minutes in Saint-Cloud tunnel.
- What's the address? - Palais de Justice.
I don't care if I go to prison...
...but I want people to know why.
That's why I've put that down.
And Judge, I'm sound in body and mind.
You may not be crazy...
but you're overworked.
How long since you had a holiday?
I'm counting on catching up at the State's expense.
There was Devil's Island and so on,
but we've closed all our exotic locations now.
Can I just recapitulate?
You left your car at the Rouen docks,
you disappeared for 5 days...
you wrote a 160-page memorandum,
you reappear, and you ask me to charge you.
- What with? - Writing bad cheques.
Great!... But I haven't had a complaint.
Call my bank... Élysée 0110.
Get me Élysée 0110.
You should warn Christine that you're not dead.
I've already done that.
She knows you're here?
We're about to be divorced.
Is that a laughing matter?
I'm thinking about those Laprades.
I'm going to prison just to give them the shits.
If only I foresaw the shock... I was here from the start.
It's in the Lescaut Group's hands now.
I'm still majority.
- I took you for a top strategist. - And you for the head of a family.
Rest assured, Mr Magnin, that I don't doubt it for a moment.
I'm calling you at the request of our friend Raynal,
who took us for a bit of a ride.
- Is Christine going back to Cannes? - Just a moment.
He's asking if Christine
is going back to Cannes.
- Listen, Magnin... - So you're not dead?
Not at all old chap... I'm not dead.
You had us all quite scared.
He's an idiot. Listen, Magnin,
I'm not calling to talk about my wife, but my cheques.
Your cheques?
But my dear chap, they're more than covered.
Very, very much more.
I don't have your statement in front of me,
but I can assure you
that our little problems...
- Happy with your little chat? - It's much better than you could imagine.
Because now I understand.
If you need a vacuum cleaner or a washing machine,
Raynal-Laprade will give you a price.
I'll come with you.
After you.
- Albert, are you there? - Where do you want me to be?
Looks like a cathedral.
I looked for you everywhere... at the judge's, at home, at the factory.
You were nowhere to be found.
You should be used to it. It's been happening on for 20 years.
- Heard from the boys? - No.
I'm used to no news.
I sent you a telegram.
Very succinct. "Still alive. Albert."
When you're getting divorced, that's plenty.
- That the new missile? - No.
It's the dream of an illusion or the illusion of a dream.
A dream that will vanish into kitchenware.
We close the cathedral, and open a hardware store.
I've thought about the boys.
A bit late, maybe...
...but I thought about their future.
And the future isn't in high-wire acts.
I'm turning into the one you should have married.
A bourgeois twit.
He gets rubbished in the press, your Mr Bourgeois.
He gets blamed for everything.
He's always got someone breathing down his neck.
Look, Albert...
I can put up with you being egoistic, but not boring.
I'm egoistic?
You know you are.
You always arranged for me to ignore your financial problems.
I suppose it was the same elsewhere...
- Whadda you mean? - I went to see Rolande.
I was afraid I'd find a woman who was happy and triumphant.
Not at all.
It's funny: People who want to avoid hurting anyone
finish up hurting everybody.
Albert, would you do just one thing for me?
Go on.
- Go on with what? - Your "kite-flying".
To make up for the years you annoyed us... make a small effort for me!
- Give it another 6 months. - With what money?
At the start of trade this morning,
I sold my shares in Laprade Laboratories.
It covers your obligations and gives you a year's respite.
And if I've stuffed it all up after a year?
With Marchal, it's another matter. That's their business.
They hope for big profits.
I will not risk your money... the kids' money.
To hell with worrying about "kids' money".
Why are you doing this?
To impress you! 20 years ago you impressed me.
You're centre stage and I'm in the back row.
I applaud your achievements. I want to do something too.
- You want me to notice you? - I want you to SEE me!
- So? - So... so... so...
As you sound you're serious, okay.
If we're not on track after 6 months...
I'll throw myself into hardware.
- Want to see how it works? - Obviously.
You know how much power this eats up?
I couldn't give a damn.
Subtitles by FatPlank for KG [Revised 2015]