Muriel, or the Time of Return

MURIEL, OR: THE TIME OF A RETURN

What I really need is a chest of drawers.

4 feet long, no more.

It's to go between the windows.

But if I can't find one...

...I'll buy a Swedish teak table.

I don't want my apartment to look old.

You'll need to satisfy both my taste and my husband's.

You know what I want. I'm counting on you.

I need the frame to be in good condition. Good night.

Can't you be more careful, Raymond?

-I can't move round here. -I can't sell a marked table.

-When's he coming? -In just under an hour.

Is he staying long?

Please don't ask him that. He might be your father.

So?

And try not to criticise him.

-Life hasn't been kind to Alphonse. -I'm off to see Muriel.

Be back for dinner. It's his first night.

Where did you meet your girlfriend? Her name's not from round here.

She's not well at the moment. No, actually she's fine.

When are you going to get rid of this stupid cupboard for me?

It's being taken away in three days.

I never know if I'm going to wake up in rustic Normandy or somewhere else.

-Was that the Paris train? -Yes, it was late.

-When is the next one due? -Tomorrow morning at 10:00.

You didn't see a man on his own, did you?

-He would have been hesitant... -I was checking tickets.

Thank you.

Is there a problem?

I don't know.

It's easy to miss a train.

You might have known.

Don't forget your gloves.

I'll go and have a look. She might be late. See if there's a room free.

I was in the gents.

-Haven't you got any luggage? -I left them in the café.

-My niece is with me. -I didn't know you had a niece.

-She really needed to get away. -You were right to ask her.

Is she staying long? Just so I know.

As long as you like.

Don't look at my hair. I meant to get it done but it's been so hectic.

-Let me look at you. -Later.

Françoise, meet Hélène who has been kind enough to invite us to stay.

-Are you a student? -An actress. I'm just starting out.

-What a lovely profession. -It's a bit tiring.

Shall we go?

Have you got any change, Françoise?

I'll get it.

We're going to walk.

I sold my car to a friend.

The weather here has been dreadful.

It's been the same in Paris.

We're almost there. The sea isn't far away.

-Can you hear it? -Only when it's very windy.

-You seem cold. -It's just the fresh air.

I'm glad it's not too small a town.

It's impossible to picture the town at night.

-I need cigarettes. -You can buy them opposite.

-I have some at home. -I only smoke Bensons.

-You'll have to make do with Pall Mall. -I prefer Gauloises.

I have some if you like.

It's raining. I felt a drop.

The journey from Paris was very quick.

I thought it was longer.

You see? It wasn't far.

Was this all rebuilt after the war?

-A town of martyrs. -Yes, a lot of people were shot.

I can't remember how many exactly. 200, 3,000. I've totally forgotten.

You had a lucky escape, as did I.

I feel so emotional. I wanted to say...

I'll go first.

Excuse me, Françoise.

Here, give me that.

-I'll walk up. -It's the fifth floor.

Antique Furniture

I'll go first.

Sorry about the state of the apartment.

I'm still settling in after nearly two years.

I recognise all these things.

-Make yourselves at home. -I need to warm up first.

Forgive me if I keep my overcoat on.

Since I came back to France I've constantly felt cold.

We could stay in a hotel tonight. Tomorrow we can see.

I'm carrying on as normal. There's enough room for everyone.

We'll manage.

You've had your hair cut.

You used to twiddle the ends.

-What can I get you to drink? -What do you have?

-Have you got any Schweppes? -No.

-A glass of Muscat? -Don't open a bottle just for us.

You're worth it.

I'll clear some space for you if you want to use the bathroom.

We don't want to be any trouble. I could share a room with Françoise.

Leave it. By the way, what should I call you?

Everyone calls me Hélène.

-Can I help you? -No, no, I'm used to it.

Ah, there you are.

He's with someone. He must have picked her up on the train.

Bernard is here.

-Go through. -You don't seem too happy about it.

Go through, please.

Bernard Aughain. Mr Noyard and his niece Françoise.

-You must be very tired. -We like it here.

Bernard is back from his military service in Algeria.

-I was still there a year ago. -We're bound to have met.

15 years in North Africa.

-The best years of my life. -I was only there for 22 months.

It's a beautiful country. It's always sunny, the sky is always blue.

-He looks like you, Hélène. -That's funny. Everyone says so.

-We all look like those we love. -Good health and welcome back.

To think that Bernard has been to war with the Harkis.

-Where did you live? -In the suburbs north of Algiers.

I ran a café and as you know...

...we had to keep shutting for the curfew.

-Apparently it's a draper's shop now. -What was it called?

The name won't mean much to you. It was quite exclusive.

I had a certain influence.

-What's that? -What does it remind you of?

Save your surprises for later.

It's quite safe. It's asleep. It only wakes up in the heat.

-Get rid of it. Are you mad? -I catch spiders by their legs.

-It's his age. -This is hardly the time.

-It's the last monster. -I can't touch birds.

-I'm a Scorpio. And you? -I don't know. Maybe a lobster.

It's so late. You must be starving.

You can sit wherever you like.

I've gone and lost my keys again.

So typical of you, Hélène. I love fine glassware.

I recommend this dinner set.

It's bone china, on sale as of yesterday.

Get the wine that's cooling in the sink.

I bought chicken chasseur in a light mushroom sauce. I hope that's all right.

He loves sausage, you know, especially salami.

Like you, Hélène, except you prefer Parma ham.

Such a bohemian.

You haven't taken any fennel or red cabbage.

Help yourselves.

-You're well catered for here. -We always use the same suppliers.

You look pensive, Bernard.

I'm going to New Caledonia.

-Good idea. -Who gave you that idea?

-Who gave you that idea? -I did.

We were meant to go away, too, Hélène.

Near Etampes, because of the mirror in the hallway.

It used to make your face look green.

What a strange family. We never went away.

-Where are you going? -To fry eggs. I don't like chicken.

It wouldn't have hurt you just this once.

Bernard loves eggs.

Bernard, can you bring some spoons?

I'll go. Where are they?

Teaspoons or dessert spoons? I'll never find them.

-We should have eaten out. -Don't talk to your mother like that.

-She's not my mother. -Who is she, then?

She's my father's second wife. I was already here.

I see.

-What happened to your father? -He died.

I was saying we should have eaten out.

I'll look after you better tomorrow.

I've been so busy with English antique lovers and experts.

I'll help you.

-Do you like crosswords? -No, not at all.

They do my head in. Alphonse can't do without them.

He's even had to buy himself a pocket Larousse...

-I could have... -That's his favourite cake.

It's drenched in alcohol.

He can never stay still.

We're in the back of beyond.

No, thank you. I'm jittery enough as it is.

When I'm in a radio play, for instance, I end up fluffing my lines.

And as for my memory, it's dreadful.

I do so envy people who have a good memory.

-Finish the cake. I hate leftovers. -Apparently I should eat honey.

This is awful. Anyone would think we were in a hurry.

You eat too much in the provinces.

In my line of work you lose the habit of enjoying a meal like everyone else.

You just end up feeding yourself. You lose your appetite.

-That was wonderful, Hélène. -I've never seen my uncle like this.

You've transformed him. He's normally so nervous.

-Nervous? Nonsense. -She's right.

Really, Bernard!

I'll come with you. May I?

Can you still swim in Boulogne?

You don't seem very happy.

-What do you do? -I've already told you.

-I've just got back from Algeria. -What were you doing there?

-The same as everyone else. -Is that all?

What about now?

I'm back home.

Everything's for sale here.

-That's not for sale. -Pity.

It would have made a lovely paper knife.

Do you have a profession?

-What is it? -I'm looking.

What for? What are you interested in?

-I'm looking. -What for?

-Do you read? -A little.

I don't like reading anything too long. I'm too busy.

Too busy doing what?