Le Voyage

No. The cat can’t come with us on vacation.

There’s no question about it.

So, we have to find a solution.

Are you okay, Papa?

Yes… Why?
I don’t know. You seem, I don’t know.

Don’t worry. I’m okay.
Good. About the cat, you’re agreed?

Yes, yes, of course.

There’s something else I’d like.

That we take advantage of going near Nantes to visit my brother.

That’s okay?

Well?

Yes, yes.

Let’s talk about this later, I have a bit of a migraine.
The pills are in the bathroom.

Papa’s really weird this morning.

What are you doing in front of the mirror? You’re going to be late to the office.

And don’t forget to kiss your son. He is worried about you.

Good morning, Mister Simon.

Good morning, Mister Simon.

Good morning, Fr… But!? You’re crying?

It’s because of my cat… He died and I loved him very much.

You understand?

Mister Simon!

But…!?

Goodbye, Mister Simon.

Goodbye, Mister Simon.

Mademoiselle!
Yes?

Is your cat dead?
I don’t know… I don’t have one.

So you see, this morning I left everything, my husband, my daughter, my dog, my job, everything…

...And I don’t even know why.

Do you want to make love with me?

What is love?

You have to leave me now.

It’s strange. Your head gives off the impression of being open without protection.

Take care of yourself.

Do you have a phone card?
Yes.

You can keep it. I have no more use for it.

Hello?
Mister Simon!

Where are you? We looked everywhere!

Francoise, do you want to make love with me?

Mister Simon!... You. You…

Where are you?

In Paris, I think.

Mister Simon! Mister Simon?

Hello! You have reached Marie-Jeanne, Simon, and Pierre’s house.

...They aren’t here now.

But you…

... can leave a message after the beep… BEEP!

HELP!

Hello my lord! Beautiful weather today, eh?

It’s a beautiful day to go, eh?

To go… leave everything…

Eh?

You see, I travel with this.

With this my prince. I go everywhere while staying in Panama. It’s a fairy.

You could help me buy another?

Thank you, my lord.

Hold on! I can also give you a telephone card.
What do you want me to do with that. I don’t know anything.
Me, no longer. [I don’t either, anymore.]

Goodbye!

Mama! Is New York in China?

Are you okay, Papa?

You son is worried about you.

Are you hot?

You’re a Parisian on vacation, right?

I am too. I’m on vacation. I left my red fish with my neighbor and…

I’m going to my brother’s in Marseille.

I love my brother. My husband doesn’t like him.

But my husband is dead, so…

So I profit from it!
Ah! Here’s Montelimar.

Oh! But…

Where are you going?

That way.

Your name is Simon, mine is Olivier.

It’s funny, you’re dressed like an executive who took off his tie.

I was, before this morning.

And when you arrived at your office you told yourself “This is no longer possible.”

Afterwards you wandered in Paris and then you found yourself in a train without really knowing why.

How do you know that?

I’ll tell you. We’re here.

Let’s have a drink.

First, Tell it to me yourself.

It’s like you said. This morning I was with my kid, my wife… I am here. I don’t even know what this village is called and the funny thing is, it doesn’t matter.

In the train, earlier, an old lady talked to me, just talked.

It was a little thing.

But that little thing made me run from the train.

That’s all.

And you.

Oh! For me it happened pretty much the same, but I lived in Nice and not in Paris.

It was five years ago, and it wasn’t in a train that I left, but in a boat.

The boat went to Morocco. I went to Morocco.

There, without money, I hung about.

I was one poor person among many. I left for the south. There was a war.

I was in Mauritania. There, I worked for “Doctors Without Borders.”

A mechanic… Then I was taken prisoner, I escaped, I continued South.

I crossed Africa, I would’ve been able to stay there. I loved a woman, but one morning she disappeared.

I took other boats, as far as China, Japan. I tried to understand. I got a lot of scars.

I took blows.

Today, my house is a camper car. In summer, I go from village to village.

You are beginning your voyage.

Today, I’m showing the marionettes.

Come, spend some time with me. My “house” isn’t big, but there’s room for two.

Wait for me here… you’ll see.

Voila!

Soon.

On the square, a great marionette show.

The marionettes play for free, but it’s not forbidden to give me money.

Why are you hitting me?

Because you stole a rabbit from me.

It’s not true! It wasn’t me!
Then who was it?

It’s the fox!

It’s over for today.

Tomorrow, we start again elsewhere.

I love seeing the children’s eyes shine.

What’s your son’s name?

Pierre.

Soon! On the village square, a great show!

Come on! Come closer!

Hello, children!

Today, I’, going to tell you the story

of a man who has stars on his head

even in the middle of the day!

That’s not true. I don’t have stars on my head.

Yes, you have them. We see them!

This man is called Pitou!

Pitou left one day on a long voyage.

He crossed mountains

of a great height.

He arrived at the sea.

The sun shone and made stars on the waves, thousands of stars.

So, Pitou went into the sea to rejoin his friends.

If you go see the sea, know that there’s a little Pitou in the stars which shine on the surface.

It’s finished.

Monsieur?

Yes.

Speak.

You look like Pitou!

Ha! Ha! You’re right, little one. Because of this we aren’t going to the sea shore.

Tomorrow we’ll sleep in a house, a beautiful house which our route passes near.

Some friends live here, a brother and a sister.

The brother had an accident. He’s in a wheelchair.

I met his sister in Pakistan.

Here it is.

Hello, Marc.
Olivier, I’m happy to see you.

Marc, meet Simon.

Lea isn’t here?
She’ll be here soon.

You must be hungry. Let’s eat without waiting for her.

Do you like the sea, Simon?

Yes… But I don’t know it very well. Only fifteen days of sailing on the Mediterranean.
Oh! That’s good.

But the Mediterranean is a lake. Nothing compared to the Atlantic.

But I bore you with my obsession with the sea.

It already broke my spinal column.

Yes, Marc was a recognized navigator when he had his accident.

Let’s forget that.

And drink to the joy of being together.

Oh! Here’s Lea!

Good morning, Lea. You’re up early.
You too, Simon.

I know Lea…
I know.

Yes, Simon. One day we will be in love. But I’m not ready. You neither. So, later… I promise.

Last night, after Olivier and you left, Marc asked me to take a cruise with him.

We actually have a beautiful sailboat in St. Malo… But Marc hasn’t touched it in a long time.

What are you going to do?
I’m going to accept Marc’s proposition.

Then promise me you’ll take care of Marc.
I promise.
We hardly know each other, and we make a thousand promises.

Hi!

Marc told me about your plan. That’s wonderful.
Yes.

So you accepted. That’s good, but I’ll lose a traveling companion.

I’ll be back.

I hope so, and I believe it, also.

But you have to remember the misadventures of Pitou with his stars.

Who is Pitou?
A marionette you resemble.

I’m going to rediscover the sea.

What are you searching for, Simon? What do you want to find?

I don’t know yet, it seems to me that for now I’m running away.

Well, we’ll run away together.

We’ll go so to the Canaries and then consider what’s next.
You’ve been boating before, Simon?

A little sailing. I think it’s time for me to go to bed so I can be in good shape tomorrow.

Lea, it’s obvious you and Simon are very close. Go find him.
No, Olivier. I want to be with you… come.

Soon, St. Malo.

This is “Isabelle”, a dozen meters in which I’ve traveled the world.

It’s crammed with provisions. We have only to say goodbye.

So, we say goodbye.
Before we do, I want to walk on the beach with you.

Keeo your stars in your eyes.

You manage well.

In two days, you’ll know how to steer on your own.

Keep the heading at exactly 47 degrees. It’s important [Not sure how a sailor would say this.]

Why exactly?
Because!

Excuse me, Simon, but the heading is important to me.

We’re here.

We’re where?

Hey! What are you doing?

Now you have to tell me… why did we come here? Why do you want to die?

I’ve lost everything, even my suicide.

This boat is named Isabelle, the first name of the girl I loved.

One day, I went with her to the sea. A storm overtook us…

...off La Rochelle.

The sea become enormous.

Isabelle was carried away.

I couldn’t do anything to save her. The next month, I tried to do away with myself by driving a car at 200 into a wall.

I was just successful at breaking my spine.

Earlier, we were at the same place where Isabelle disappeared.

I planned to rejoin her. Forgive me, it’s true, I had no intention of taking a cruise.

I won’t hold it against you, but I promised Lea to watch out for you.

I’m not dead. You can untie me.

That’s strange. The forecast was optimistic.

Lower the sails and get the motor going.

Put the dinghy in the sea, it’ll help hold your direction.

It’s the same storm.
The same storm as what?

As the day when Isabelle disappeared.

Look out! Simon!

I saved you!

I saved you!

I saved you.

The “Isabelle” is lost.

My boat has rejoined my love.

But you Simon, I got you out of the water.

Where are we?
Near La Rochelle, at times, you can see the coast.

And the storm vanished. It’s baffling.

The sea took what I loved the most. I wanted to give it my life.

It didn’t want it and allowed me to save yours.

I hate the sea. Today I’m obliged to thank it.

When I dove in to find you.

I was like mad. I swam blind, I was delirious.

You had sunk. I tried to grab you, when…

...Suddenly, in my delirium, I thought I saw a big hand which pointed out where you were.

It’s stupid, eh?...What did you hit me with earlier?
A crank. What are you going to do now?

Return home. I have to think. You?
I don’t know.

I think I need to think too. I don’t know this city. I’m going to stay here a while.

A beer!

It seems that a sailboat was wrecked.
Yeah, yesterday, in a storm.

A storm… pleasure sailors invent storms in the duck ponds. I was at sea. I didn’t seem any storm.

Another beer.
Watch out for yourself sailor. You’re going to pitch over.

Hey! Sailor! We’re closing!

I’ll stun him with my pebble.
Ahoy ahoy sailor sailor sunk in the waves

Ahoy ahoy

Ahoy!

He’s done for!
And his dough.

Sailor

This pebble is pretty.

The police station, towards the port, the road on the right.

Papa!

You seem strange… when are you coming back?

I’ll return little Pierre, but later. Don’t worry, I’m doing fine.

Beautiful night, eh?

But… but… but!
What bah… bah… You think you’re a sheep?

You were in Paris.

In Paris? Bah!

Never in my life. I was born in La Rochelle and I’ll die in La Rochelle.

With this, my prince, I go everywhere!

But it’s empty. You could help me to…

Everything was stolen from me.

Then it’s me who invites you… Under the beautiful stars.

Ha ha! Don’t get a taste for it.

What am I going to do?

Then you aren’t a tramp. Because a real one never asked that question.

A real tramp knows he’s got nothing to do, that everything is screwed up.

But if you want to do something know a woman who lives alone just outside the city. She’s looking for company.

If you want, I’ll give you her address.

Go there, tell her Antoine sent you.

You’re giving me money!?
Oh yes, I love making alms.

Antoine sent me.

Come in.

Your room is on the first floor. I don’t have money to pay you, but I’m told my cooking is excellent. And I have a mirror you can use for shaving.

Your work is to listen to me. I talk a lot and I love it.

You remind me of an elf. You’ve heard of elves?

Well this old lady, for a long time I was a friend of the elves.

I was young, beautiful, and I waited for love. One evening, while I looked out to the horizon.

A strange knight came from the place where the sun sets.

He was an elf of perfect beauty.

I fell in love with him right away.

We made love all night.

Like a dream, he left with the night.

But, two days later, another one came, as beautiful, as strong.

And then even more others. They had chosen me.

I never married, and under their kisses I stayed young.

They were all extraordinary lovers, but I preferred the oldest. He was named Miel. He was already an adult when the pyramids were built. It was he who taught me the pleasure of the tale.

Then, they came less and less. The lights of the city, the highways, the cars bothered them.

They were afraid, they no longer came, and I began to age.

Tonight, I’d love it is you told me the meaning of life.
That’s impossible.

Then, just why I’m here.

I’m sure you know better than I.

Look at the lines on my face.

Thank you.

Isn’t it beautiful out today?

Yes, it’s beautiful. By chance have you met a slightly lost boy?

By chance, I met that young man, princess.

Could you, princess, by chance, help me find the sister of this bottle?

Something to travel. Yes, I have.

Your slightly lost young man goes everyday to get lost on the beach.

You’ll find him there.

By chance.

You came.
Now, it’s right.

You know…

I’m very intimidated.

Very.

I’m going to do something for you. I’m going to do what the girls of Africa do.

Sit down on the sand.

I’m going to do dance for my man.

An old woman, friend of the elves.

Good evening, Lea. You’re Lea, right?

Simon talked a lot about you.

You are beautiful and because of you I’m going to lose my companion.

But, I talk and talk, while you want to be alone.

Later, you’ll find two plates on the kitchen table.

You’re also beautiful.

Tell me, Miel?
Yes?

Do you here that song?
I’m not deaf yet!

Haven’t you spoken to me about this house?

Yes, it shelters memories, maybe the most beautiful memories.

But you also told me that lady is old now. When humans age do they still sing so prettily?

Perhaps my son. I must come back and see this lady.

I still want you.
Me also.

You’re not sleeping?

No, maybe because of the sparkling wine last night, but I’m well.

It’s lovely out.

It’s a beautiful day for leaving.

I have a chalet in Savoie.

Yes, for Savoie.

Good morning!

Last night I had a marvelous dream.

I dreamed that Miel came back to see me.

You are very young this morning.

Perhaps it was that dream. Perhaps your eyes. Your eyes can do much, Simon.

Eyes are a little magic.

But you must leave.

Yes, we’ll leave. I’ve learned a lot from you, and I don’t know your name… I just say: the old lady.
I’m called Fanny.

I love Fanny.

When we get there, it’ll be night.

Say, Simon?

You know, your head.

Your head gives me the impression of being burst open. It’s a feeling that I’ve had too. But..

It seems it happens less often to you know.

Keep me.

And my head won’t burst anymore.

Keep me and your head won’t either.

I want to live with you. Forever!

Wait!

Me, too. I love you, but forever doesn’t exist and Olivier always exists for me.

And I’m going to see him again soon.

Are you ready, Simon? Protecting ourselves from others, is that protecting our love? And perhaps it’s good to keep your head burst?

I think it’s time to put more wood on the fire.

After we eat, after we make love again.

I want.

Tomorrow we’ll walk in the mountains.

You’ll see, you’ll like it.

Look!

Up there, at the top, the sky, from the blue and the scattered clouds to the granite. Lower down, the white of the firn and then the hidden spaces of millions of rocks and the tangled up pebbles. Then, even lower, the green of the grass… and all this arrogance is inverted in the mirror of the lake, in the liquid.

It’s out consciousness of the birth of the world.

So Pitou! You love Lea?

Of course. But, you know, everyone loves Lea.

What should I do? I love you both.

What?

You don’t say? In this story, you aren’t afraid of losing your stars?

Yes… no fucking way!

Who came by, are you talking to yourself?
No, with Pitou.

And he talks to you?
Yes. He told me I have to go.

You don’t want to wait for Lea to come back?

No, I’ll see her later. It’s better that way.

I need to see the shining eyes of children.

See you soon, Simon.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself.
Wait.

No, I’m going… Stay at this mountain, you’ll be fine.

I love you.
Me too.

Hello! You’ve reach the home of Marie-Jeanne and Pierre, we aren’t here now, but…

You can leave a message…

Hello children!

Today, I’m going to tell you the story of a man I love very much…

...the story of Pitou!

Pitou had stars at the end of his hair!

Many men have one star…

...good or bad. But Pitou had many stars…

...in his hair! So…

...So it’s difficult for Pitou to choose, for Pitou to know what star he should follow.

One day Pitou went away.

He went to the sea.

In the sea, which had thousands of stars, Pitou had to lose himself.

Then he climbed a high mountain and there he…

The end!

Bravo! bravo!

Come on, let’s eat.

Lea is in Paris.

You know, by chance… I was in a village and I met your son Pierre.

He was with a summer camp on vacation. He recognized you in Pitou and came to talk to me.

Yes, now I need to see him.

He needs to see you too.

I tried to call what used to be my house on the telephone.

I got the answering machine.

And the machine taught me that it was no longer my house.

You’ve finished your voyage?

Let’s say I’ve finished one stage.

Only death finishes the voyage, you know.

When I arrived earlier, I saw the ruins of a chateau over the village.

I want to sleep there under the beautiful stars. Want to come?

On the ramparts the old stones will watch over us.

Ghosts, too.

What have you learned on your voyage?

That whether going to the other end of the world or just walking around your village, it’s the same voyage. It’s just a matter of how you look at it.

But you explain it to the children very well. What you don’t tell them is that the day when a girl like Lea dances for you…

...That day is one of the most beautiful of your life. But you also know that.

What a night!

Yes… a pretty ghost came.

For me too… surely the same as yours.

What are you going to do now?

I’m going to Paris. You?

Continuing on the road.

Here is a caption box to make a transition. In novels, this is called an epilogue.

Papa, I had dream. In it you were the king of dinosaurs.

And Mama the president of the world in the year 3000.

Because of this, you could never talk to each other or meet.

And I went between you in a special rocket.

My dream kind of true. Don’t you think?

What are you going to do now, Papa?

I am going figure out how to improve the engine on your rocket, which is going to earn me money.

And with that money, I’ll make a trip around the world.

You’ll take me along?

Yes. But now, we have a meeting with Lea. You’re going to love her.

Well now!

Ah! My princes!

It’s a beautiful day, today.
Listen my Pierrot. You’re going to give this money to that man and tell him: “I wish you a good trip.”

Thank you, little prince.

He said I was a little prince.