Maison Close

France is now a republic

but the monarchists are still on the scene.

The girls are running the Paradis as a collective.

But the Moral Order is gaining ground.

You're nothing but a whore.

A filthy whore.

This is all your fault.

You did this deliberately.

Filthy whore!

Yes, you're nothing but a whore.

Going out, are you? Where are you going?

Going to get laid, are you?

Bastards!

Going out, are you?

What are you waiting for?

You slut!

- Yes? - Good evening.

Friends assure us that the Paradis lives up to its name.

This house only receives regular customers.

Then allow us to make a habit of coming here.

Bastards!

In you come, gentlemen.

Good evening.

In you come. They're ready for you.

In you come.

Let me in!

- Get lost! - Let me in!

Véra!

Here.

If you wouldn't mind paying a visit to the bathroom.

Those are the rules: a clean dick and a condom.

Since when did the whores make the rules?

What are you doing?

One step and I'll scream. It's up to you.

You can leave quietly or I can cause a scene.

And I can ruin your reputation in the blink of an eye.

Come back here!

Go and see your sister. She'll have the police onto us.

What the hell is she doing?

Véra, Véra!

Hurry.

So that's that.

I'm a whore, just like you.

He said so before he left me.

"You're nothing but a whore!"

So I've come to the brothel.

And Jeanne...

Perhaps she too...

Véra?

Come on.

This establishment prides itself on a certain propriety.

- Shall I send Angèle up? - I want to invest in your brothel.

You know as well as I do that you need a protector.

- Monsieur...? - Mosca, Louis Mosca.

Property developer.

We are not short of protectors, believe me.

The others will drop you at the first sign of trouble.

Listen, Mr Property Developer,

for the past year we have run the Paradis ourselves,

despite opposition, not least from the vice squad.

We are hardly going to hand it over now...

...to the first person to come along!

Move! Let me go! Let me go!

Come with me and suck me off!

I pay your wages. I'm the customer.

Let her go!

Thiers is running out of steam,

but thanks to him, the Republic has paved the way.

Can't we talk about something else? I'm bored of politics.

You should show an interest.

A return of the monarchy will bankrupt me.

No money means no more Valentine.

You could always sell your wife's jewellery.

And you'll see me even if I can't pay you?

Of course you will.

Of course.

Parliamentarians give Thiers a rough ride.

Goodbye, gentlemen.

Gentlemen.

Goodbye.

Oops! Goodbye, gentlemen.

- Goodbye, Monsieur. - What's your name?

- Marguerite. - See you, Marguerite.

See you soon, Monsieur.

Well? Was that the place?

- That was it. - I was right, wasn't I?

I was right!

The police brought her to us.

Her father has apparently left home.

With her mother in here, someone needs to take care of her.

If the mother is sectioned, the girl will end up on the street.

I'll make arrangements.

If you know how to contact her family,

do so as soon as possible.

I'll see to it.

Hello, Jeanne. I don't know if you remember me.

Yes, I remember you.

You can't stay with me but I'll be back soon.

It's only for a few days, anyway.

Isn't it?

Your mother just needs to rest. She'll be fine in a few days.

- Well? How much? - 100. And you?

120.

Not bad.

And I gave my saviour a free one.

Angèle!

We can do without your comments.

Get out of here, please.

Go on, go on!

Off you go. Go on.

- Angélus is here. - Won't you...?

No, why not ask... Hortense?

220, 230, 240...

Is it your sister?

How is she?

She's been sectioned.

Is your daughter on her own, then?

Your friend is calmer. Seeing you will do her good.

Does that mean she can leave soon?

It's too soon to say

but the fact that she has stopped having fits is an encouraging sign.

We must continue to pray for her.

Renovating the Paradis has cost us a fortune.

Let's be honest,

outside the Republic is rejoicing

and we have the wherewithal to suck it dry.

I am wondering whether we need police protection.

Hortense!

You and I both know your superior will be replaced one day.

You are going to have to gently and skilfully suggest

that his post is filled by someone of high standing.

Be careful.

Success is short-lived.

By the way...

the girl gets out today.

It smells lovely, you'll see.

- Isn't Véra back yet? - No.

You can stay for a few days if you like.

I don't want to be any trouble.

Don't worry. Angélus will turn a blind eye.

- Angèle! - It's true.

- And Hortense hasn't cracked up? - Yes.

We've had to keep an eye out.

But no more register, no tokens and no boss.

Come on, Angèle!

We've missed you.

- Angèle! - Yes.

You should go and see Adrien. He's the new doctor.

I reckon he could...

He'll be here this afternoon.

I'll be fine, honest.

I'll be right back.

You'll be happy here.

There.

The rent in cash on the first of the month.

And don't be late or you're out.

Although we could come to some agreement.

Rose?

That won't be necessary.

You're shier than your colleagues at Saint-Lazare.

I see no reason to examine you further. You have no fever.

Your chest is clear. Have you had sex recently?

I'll prescribe a camphor ointment.

That should be enough to soothe your rashes.

There.

The privileges of prison.

Eczema and reading Karl Marx.

I don't know which made me itch more.

But that's not what we agreed.

That was before the roof and the plumbing gave up the ghost.

The repairs have cost much more than we anticipated.

We agreed on a monthly rent. Repairs didn't come into it.

You own the building.

- Our rent should cover repairs. - It's your responsibility.

We can't have the war minister getting his feet wet.

He's come to expect a degree of luxury here,

not cracked bidets and dripping ceilings.

- It's not that bad. - It is that bad, Angèle.

I'm doing these repairs for you, too.

Don't you see? The Paradis is your place of work.

You were burning with enthusiasm for a hand in running the place.

- You have responsibilities now. - So what do you suggest?

If we can't put up the rent our only option is to borrow.

- What? - Together, over several years.

- A period of five years, say. - Five years? Nothing's changed.

We're prisoners again with another debt to pay off.

Only this time we're consenting.

Do you honestly think a banker is going to offer you guarantees?

A year ago you decided

that you didn't care what happened to the Paradis.

That guy from last night, Mosca, didn't he offer you his protection?

What's this?

We all watched him spending money all night.

A wad of notes won't offer guarantees.

- Why didn't you say anything? - Because it's of no interest.

You beg for independence and at the first obstacle

you sell out to the first crook who comes along?

All I want...

is for us to face up to our responsibilities.

You chose independence, and to work your arses off.