MASSIS   Not now. Just stiff.

BIZE   Getting less so?

MASSIS   Yes.

BIZE   Good. Or not. Did you – did you have a weak chest before your injury?

MASSIS   No. But others in my family did.
Massis is putting his clothes on.

BIZE   And you play the violin?

MASSIS   Viola.

BIZE   I am wondering if the nerves have suffered any permanent damage in the leg.

MASSIS   Do you think so?

BIZE   Well, it’s hard to say at this stage. Ideally one would like to keep you under observation, particularly in view of the weak chest. Prudence would postpone an immediate return to active service. I think one can make out a case for that. I shall write to Doctor Pozzi.

MASSIS   Who’s he?

BIZE   He sits on the board. He’s another friend of Monsieur Proust.

MASSIS   Thank you.

BIZE   You’re lucky to have found a protector.

MASSIS   I’m sorry?

BIZE   Monsieur Proust. He seems to have taken you under his wing.

MASSIS   He’s fond of music.

BIZE   Of course.

MASSIS   My colleagues and I played for him.

BIZE   Maître Proust is a sensitive man. He lives for his work.

MASSIS   You call him maître. Have you read his books?

BIZE   Not exactly. But he’s a great man, nevertheless.

MASSIS   I will write and thank him.

BIZE   What for?

MASSIS   For this.

BIZE   There’s no need to do that. All I’ve done is give you my honest clinical judgement. Had you appeared before me at a military tribunal I’d have said the same thing. For you to thank Maître Proust would be to suggest this letter I am writing is simply a favour to him.

MASSIS   But I am going to the country tomorrow. I must write.

BIZE   Monsieur Massis. There’s no need. I shall be seeing Monsieur Proust myself. I’ll convey your thanks.

MASSIS   No, I’d prefer to do –

BIZE   I promise.
Massis goes to the door.

MASSIS   Thank you.

BIZE   Monsieur Massis.
Massis has forgotten something.

BIZE   Your stick.
Massis collects his stick and exits, confused.
Mix to:

INT. PROUST’S BEDROOM. NIGHT.

Bize is listening to Proust’s lungs.

PROUST   The tribunal did excuse him?

BIZE   Of course. I know every member of the board personally. He’s young. They have other things to think of. One forgets.

PROUST   He seemed such a courteous young man. I thought he might have written.

CÉLESTE   Monsieur is too good. They take advantage. I tell monsieur.

PROUST   We know what you tell monsieur, Céleste. What was your impression of him?

BIZE   He seemed a nice enough young man …

PROUST   A superb musician.

BIZE   … a little self-concerned.

PROUST   He’s an artist.

CÉLESTE   They take monsieur for granted.

PROUST   Thank you. Thank you.
He dismisses them and they go, making a slight face at one another as they do.
Proust takes up a notebook and writes: