Alléluia (Alléluia)

ACT ONE GLORIA

- That one. - No.

He's good looking.

No.

- "Attentive." - Attentive?

Know what that means?

- That he'll do whatever you want. - Yeah.

- Kind of a wimp. - "Divorced and courageous."

- Just look at his face! - "Almost 6-foot-6."

No.

Imagine that in bed!

You'd better hold on!

Look, he's the one.

"Michel would love to take you out to lunch."

He's handsome.

- I don't feel ready. - If you don't go, I will.

Can I see?

You'd go out with any guy.

It's just lunch. We're not getting married.

Look.

Isn't he handsome?

Mommy's new boyfriend. Just for one lunch!

Yeah.

Tell her.

Go on, Mommy!

Go on, Gloria! You've got nothing to lose.

And everything to gain.

- I'm saying yes. - No.

I'm saying yes.

Monique, hit "yes."

- No. - It's done.

Don't give me that look.

One date, that's all.

I'm pleased to make your acquaintance.

I'm really pleased to make your acquaintance, Gloria.

You're even prettier than your picture.

Crazy! Prettier than a picture.

I invoke the presence of the Elements to join in this ritual

so I may benefit from their influence

and realize my desire.

Let Gloria succumb to my charms.

Let it be.

My head!

I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Gloria.

You're even prettier than your picture.

Come.

Thank you. We'd like a 2006 Bardolino, please.

I hope you like Italian wines.

Good.

Are you from around here?

Not really.

You're mysterious.

I like women who have secrets. I find that very elegant.

You're a little like a letter from a far-off land.

You wonder what's inside, can't wait to open it.

Your heart beats, your hands tremble.

Are you the letter I've been waiting for, Gloria?

So you work in a hospital? You save lives.

That's a real calling.

No. I work in the morgue.

I lay out dead bodies.

And you?

I'm in business.

You might say I'm a public servant.

I'm in the shoe business.

Most people don't take shoes seriously. But they should.

Because shoes mean comfort.

A bad pair will ruin your feet, your back.

They pinch your nerves, give you headaches.

They give you toothaches.

And look at the importance of shoes in mythology.

Little Thumb's seven-league boots, Cinderella's glass slipper...

I'll stop there because...

You can tell so much about someone just by his footwear.

Show me your shoes, I'll tell you who you are.

Look at the man in the brown suit over there.

Discreetly.

Elegant, refined. He's undoubtedly English.

Now look behind me. At the guy...

with the girl in red.

He acts like a big shot.

But he looks like shit. He's probably French.

And right behind me.

See the guy with those clown shoes?

Heavy, shapeless, poorly designed.

I'd wager he's German.

See what I mean about shoes and public service?

I help people do something essential,

find the shoe made for their foot.

I'll take care of that. Thank you.

To passion...

and good things.

To passion and good things.

A T-bar sandal would be perfect.

With a thin strap. Very thin.

I think you need a firm fastening, Gloria.

Very firm.

Look at me.

My daughter's asleep.

- Your daughter? - Yes.

Really?

- Don't you like kids? - Sure, I like kids.

- Gently. - Yes, gently.

- Gently. - Very gently.

- Got any jam? - Si.

- That's how you dress for work? - Si.

Pretty sexy!

Your mom's trying to wake the dead!

What a beautiful sight!

Let's not waste it.

You really are pretty sexy.

How about 5 minutes in the bedroom?

Hello.

Already?

I can be there in 10 minutes.

Will that work?

Okay.

You're welcome.

That was the hospital. I'll just be an hour.

Can I leave Monique with you?

Be nice to Michel, honey.

Did you eat your toast?

Take off.

Leaving already?

Excuse me. Yes, speaking.

Yes, I know. I'll take care of it. No problem.

Exactly. Goodbye.

- You're leaving? - I have to go.

Nothing serious, I hope.

One of my suppliers is threatening to stop shipment if I don't pay him.

I have to find some money fast. Very fast.

I can lend you a little money.

Want a check?

A check won't work because I'm overdrawn.

Wait here.

If you don't help the people you love, you don't really love them.

When will I see you again?

Soon.

06.50.89.87.10.

- Do you know this man? - No.

You?

No.

- And you? - No.

Do you know this man? No?

- Do you know this man? - No.

No.

Do you?

Let me explain...

Oh, my head!

Michel!

How did that happen?

What?

The scar on your head.

A beam on a construction site.

I was 16.

That's why I have migraines.

My mother lived in a small apartment.

When a man came, I had to sleep in the bedroom closet.

When Mom didn't have a man, she took me into her bed.

I had to take their place.

Until one guy threw me out.

Then I wandered around. Not long.

Just long enough to realize that I had a gift.

The skill Mom taught me was giving pleasure.

Except, as you see, now I take something in return.

And you?

I was married to a man...

That's all in the past.

I don't really have a shoe store.

- I seduce women... - I know.

You should go home, Gloria.

I wanna stay with you.

You keep doing what you do.

And I'll help you.

Being with you,

living for you...

relieving your migraines...

Be mine, Michel.

Want to?

Yes.

You're the most beautiful thing in my life.

No one is prettier than this little girl.

No one in the whole, wide world.

Can you take care of Monique?

I need you to take care of her.

You look strange.

I've never felt so good in my life.

Monique, I'm going to do something. It's important.

I love you.

Thank you, Madeleine.

ACT TWO MARGUERITE

My sister's not well. Her husband just left her.

Could she stay with us a while?

Of course.

- Family is sacred, my love. - Thank you, Marguerite.

How are you, Gloria? Did you have a nice day?

There's champagne left. Help yourself.

Then I'll show you to your room.

Here it is.

It's small but functional.