ODILON   No.
He takes hold of her and, again at the crucial moment, the bell rings.

INT. PROUST’S BEDROOM. DAY.

Céleste enters with the reluctant Odilon.

PROUST   Odilon.

ODILON   Monsieur Marcel.

PROUST   But how convenient. I have to go out this evening and suddenly you turn up. How is the war?

ODILON   We are winning, monsieur, no doubt about that.
Another victory yesterday.

PROUST   Yes. Except there is something curious about these victories: they get nearer and nearer. Of course I am still on the reserve. If things get worse, I suppose I may be called upon. This is hardly work of national importance. I gather conditions are not ideal.

ODILON   No, monsieur.

PROUST   A lot of the front sounds very damp. I would have a difficulty there. How do you think your wife is looking?

ODILON   Beautiful, monsieur.

PROUST   She is a paragon.
There is a silence. A little movement of the hand and a half-smile as they go.

PROUST   This evening then.
Odilon and Céleste go through the door and into the salon.

INT. PROUST’S APARTMENT. SALON. DAY.

As soon as the door to the bedroom is closed, Odilon turns an accusing face on Céleste.

She just smiles.

EXT. OUTSIDE 102 BOULEVARD HAUSSMANN. NIGHT.

Proust comes out of the building and gets into Odilon’s taxi.

Odilon is waiting by the taxi.

ODILON   Monsieur Marcel.

PROUST   This is just like old times.
Céleste arranges an eiderdown over Proust’s knees, though he is wearing a large fur-lined coat already.

PROUST   First to the Ritz.
The taxi drives off.

INT. RITZ KITCHEN. NIGHT.

A chef puts some mashed potatoes in a tureen. He swathes the tureen in towels.

A kitchen boy takes it, goes out with Odilon and the chef to the taxi.

EXT. RITZ KITCHEN ENTRANCE. NIGHT.

The kitchen boy carrying the tureen follows the chef to the taxi, followed by Odilon.

The tureen is put on the jump seat.

Proust gives the chef a note.

PROUST   Now we are going to Number 1 Rue Clovis.
The taxi drives off.

INT. 1 RUE CLOVIS. DOOR OF MASSIS’S APARTMENT. NIGHT.

Odilon waiting on the stairs while Proust goes up to the door and rings the bell.

The door is opened by Madame Massis, Amable’s mother, a formidable woman.

MME MASSIS   Yes?

PROUST   Good evening. Is Monsieur Massis at home?

MME MASSIS   At this hour? Certainly not.

PROUST   You are the mother of Monsieur Massis?

MME MASSIS   It’s possible. who are you?

PROUST   An admirer, madam, of his talent, a devotee of his playing.
He hands her his card.
She studies it as Amable Massis appears.

MASSIS   Who is it, mother?
He is in shirt-sleeves, without his collar.

PROUST   Ah, good evening, Monsieur Massis. You remember we met at your last concert. Would now be a convenient time?

MASSIS   Now, monsieur?
Massis nods.