Edit La Meilleure du Monde
Last edited 14:50, 16th October 2007
by Ellen Lindner (ellen_l)
by Ellen Lindner (ellen_l)
La Meilleure du Monde
(The Best in the World)
- Creator: Pauline Martin
- Publisher: ego comme x
- Published on: 2001-10-08
- ISBN: 2910946258
About This Book
Pauline Martin has had some work translated in English, notably in Jim Higgins’ New Suit series of anthologies, but her longer works, such as La Boîte, go unpublished in any language other than French. Her work sometimes has a fantastical-autobiographical feel reminiscent of Gabrielle Bell’s Lucky series of minicomics. At other times, it’s pure relationship drama, drama, drama, made somehow more poignant with her painstakingly naive artwork (oddly reminiscent of Mark Beyer.) Her most recent project is a medieval fable created in collaboration with David B.
Contributors
Ellen Lindner (ellen_l), Stephen Betts (thisisstephenbetts)
http://www.comixinflux.com/influx/contributors/5/36
Complete translation
Page 1
Panel 1
Title: It’s Over.
Panel 2
Silent.
Panel 3
Silent.
Panel 4
[Silent.]
Panel 5
Hello! You okay?
Panel 6
No!
Page 2
Panel 1
Okay…what’s going on?
My boyfriend’s left me.
Oh, poor you! Were you together a long time?
My boyfriend’s left me.
Oh, poor you! Were you together a long time?
Panel 2
Two and a half years…and he left me for another girl!
Did…did you think it would last, between you?
Yes.
Did…did you think it would last, between you?
Yes.
Panel 3
And you didn’t see it coming?
No…yes…I didn’t think so.
I thought he loved me…I didn’t think he’d leave me for someone else!
No…yes…I didn’t think so.
I thought he loved me…I didn’t think he’d leave me for someone else!
Panel 4
[Silent.]
Panel 5
[Silent.]
Panel 6
Come on! We’re taking you to lunch.
Page 3
Panel 1
How about Chinese?
Okay.
Okay.
Panel 2
[Silent.]
Panel 3
[Silent.]
Panel 4
[Silent.]
Panel 5
Look – this is him.
Page 4
Panel 1
Humph! Hmmph.
Panel 2
You deserve better!
You’ll see, you’ll find someone else right away.
And if that happens, you’ll see – he’ll come crying to your door!
You’ll see, you’ll find someone else right away.
And if that happens, you’ll see – he’ll come crying to your door!
Panel 3
That happened to me once…but when he came back, it was already too late!
Panel 4
[Silent.]
Panel 5
[Silent.]
Page 5
Panel 1
[Silent.]
Panel 2
[Silent.]
Panel 3
Should we be heading back?
Panel 4
[Silent.]
Panel 5
[Silent.]
Page 6
Panel 1
[Title: The Nightmare.]
I should really start exercising.
I should really start exercising.
Panel 2
I don’t really feel like going.
Panel 3
But I guess I should.
Panel 4
Because I am horribly out of shape.
Panel 5
Wow, it seems like the instructor isn’t here yet.
Page 7
This is impossible! I recognize her – it’s the girl my boyfriend left me for!
The class will now start.
The class will now start.
Panel 1
But why is SHE the instructor?
Panel 2
But, she’s the best in the world, of course!
Panel 3
You didn’t know that, when it comes to working out, she’s the best in the world?
No!
No!
Panel 4
Please be quiet. We’re going to start today’s class with a quiz.
Page 8
Panel 1
Crap, what’s the answer to that one? I don’t know any of these!
Panel 2
What is she writing? She’s hiding it with her hand – damn!
Panel 3
Don’t copy off of me!
Panel 4
[Silent]
Panel 5
[Silent]
Page 9
[title: Classy Lady]
Panel 1
I’d like you to meet Stephane.
Hello!
Hello!
Panel 2
Hello!
Panel 3
Cheers!
Cheers!
Cheer!
Cheers!
Cheer!
Panel 4
You do realize, don’t you, Stephane, that my boyfriend left me for another girl?
Panel 5
[Silent]
Panel 6
Just like that – one day he was there, and the next he was gone.
Page 10
Panel 1
I never thought he was capable of hurting me like this.
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
So! What do you think about dinner?
Great idea!
Great idea!
Panel 4
Hic!
Panel 5
[Silent]
Panel 6
Burp!
Page 11
Panel 1
Are you okay?
No!
Open up – let me in!
No!
Open up – let me in!
Panel 2
Come, get a little air.
Panel 3
You okay?
I can’t walk!
Taxi!
I can’t walk!
Taxi!
Panel 4
[Sleeping sounds].
Panel 5
I think I forgot my bag.
No, we took it – it’s right here.
No, we took it – it’s right here.
Panel 6
[silent].
Page 12
Panel 1
[Title: Running-gag (in English in the text)].
Panel 2
Hopefully this will improve my attitude a bit.
Of course it will! You’ll see.
Of course it will! You’ll see.
Panel 3
[Silent].
Panel 4
[Silent].
Page 13
Panel 1
[Silent].
Panel 2
[Silent].
Panel 3
[Silent].
Panel 4
[Silent].
Panel 5
What would you like to watch?
I don’t mind.
I don’t mind.
Panel 6
[Silent]
Page 14
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
If our boyfriends were here, they’d want to watch the soccer!
Ha! Ha! Ha! And they would have bought some beer.
Ha! Ha! Ha! And they would have bought some beer.
Panel 4
They would have watched the soccer, and we would have had a little chat between us. Some girl talk.
And they would have cut some wood in the forest, and we’d have a fire.
Ha! Ha!
And they would have cut some wood in the forest, and we’d have a fire.
Ha! Ha!
Panel 5
Yeah, and we would have made a lovely apple tart for the end of the game.
That would have been good – we would have been really happy.
Ha! Ha!
That would have been good – we would have been really happy.
Ha! Ha!
Panel 6
[Laughter].
Page 15
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
Anyway, I don’t have a boyfriend any more, and yours isn’t here.
Hmmm.
Hmmm.
Panel 3
Mine didn’t like football.
Mine neither.
Mine neither.
Panel 4
[Silent]
Panel 5
[Silent]
Page 16
Panel 1
Is the bus stop still far away?
I don’t think so.
I don’t think so.
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
So, if our boyfriends were here, we’d have someone to carry our bags, right?
Are you kidding? If our boyfriends were here, we’d have their driver’s licenses – and a car!
Are you kidding? If our boyfriends were here, we’d have their driver’s licenses – and a car!
Panel 4
[Laughter].
Panel 5
Do you think it’s going to rain?
Page 17
[Title: The Idol]
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
Hiya!
Hi!
Hi!
Panel 4
How’s it going?
Pretty good – how ‘bout yourself?
Pretty good – how ‘bout yourself?
Panel 5
[Silent]
Page 18
Panel 1
[Bla – bla style talking noises.]
Panel 2
[Bla – bla style talking noises.]
Panel 3
It’s over that way, your house, is it?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Panel 4
It’s right around the corner from where I live…we should go together!
Sure, sounds good.
Sure, sounds good.
Panel 5
[Silent]
Panel 6
[Silent]
Can I kiss you?
Uh…sure.
Can I kiss you?
Uh…sure.
Page 19
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
[Silent]
Panel 5
Cat got your tongue?
You’re saying that because you can’t think of anything else to say.
You’re saying that because you can’t think of anything else to say.
Panel 6
What should we do, we can’t stay in the subway!
Page 20
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
Want to take a taxi?
Sure.
Sure.
Panel 4
[Silent]
Would you like to come to my house?
Uh, sure…yeah, yeah!
Would you like to come to my house?
Uh, sure…yeah, yeah!
Panel 5
[Silent]
Page 21
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
Well, I should be going.
Oh, yeah – of course!
Oh, yeah – of course!
Panel 4
What?
Nothing.
Nothing.
Panel 5
Bye!
Goodbye!
Goodbye!
Page 22
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
[Phone noise]
Panel 5
Hello?
Hi, it’s me. How are you?
Fine – how are you?
Hi, it’s me. How are you?
Fine – how are you?
Panel 6
I’m just a little way from where you live, and I thought I could come round and say hello.
Sure, come by, if you’d like.
Okay – see you in a minute!
Sure, come by, if you’d like.
Okay – see you in a minute!
Page 23
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
Hi!
Hi!
Hi!
Panel 3
[Silent]
It’s weird, I feel like I know you a little bit better now.
Hmm.
It’s weird, I feel like I know you a little bit better now.
Hmm.
Panel 4
You know, I really love my wife. Things are really good, with her.
Well, of course. But why aren’t you with her this weekend?
Well, of course. But why aren’t you with her this weekend?
Panel 5
She’s not in Paris this weekend, actually – she comes back tomorrow.
Page 24
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
I know I could sleep here, but I’d rather go home. You never know – sometimes my wife comes back in the middle of the night, and if I’m not there, it’ll make her unhappy.
Panel 4
Okay, then – bye.
Bye!
Bye!
Panel 5
[Silent]
Panel 6
[Silent]
Page 25
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
Hi, it’s me.
Hi! What can I do for you?
Hi! What can I do for you?
Panel 5
Well, uh…it’s just, I was thinking….I’d like to see you again.
Panel 6
Uh, well, you know, I don’t think that’s going to be possible. I explained to you, how things are.
Panel 7
Sure, sure…but…no, it’s nothing, oh well! Bye!
Bye!
Bye!
Panel 8
[Silent]
Page 26
Panel 1
Bad Luck, Bad Timing
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
[Silent]
Panel 5
[Silent]
Panel 6
Uh, hi…I’m on my way to see some short films…do you think you might like to come with me?
Sorry, I have plans to go to a dinner party…too bad.
Sorry, I have plans to go to a dinner party…too bad.
Page 27
Panel 1
Well, in that case, how about this: I’ll take two Polaroids of us, and we can write our telephone numbers on them.
Okay!
Okay!
Panel 2
See you soon!
See you soon!
See you soon!
Panel 3
Hi, we met in the subway…would you like to go get a drink?
Panel 4
[Silent]
Panel 5
[Silent]
Page 28
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
Ding dong!
Panel 3
Hi!
Panel 4
Hello! Do you mind if I leave my bicycle here?
Uh, sure.
Uh, sure.
Panel 5
I brought some organic vegetables to make soup.
Oh, cool – soup sounds good.
Oh, cool – soup sounds good.
Panel 6
Do you not buy organic food?
Not especially.
I can remember a time when I would never have gone out with a girl who didn’t eat organic food and who drinks Coca-Cola!
Not especially.
I can remember a time when I would never have gone out with a girl who didn’t eat organic food and who drinks Coca-Cola!
Panel 7
[Silent]
Page 29
Panel 1
I should get going – I have to go shopping. I’ll call you.
Sure.
Sure.
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
Phone noises.
Panel 5
Hello?
Hi! It’s me! I was just thinking…I’m a little hungry, I thought I could come over and eat the soup from yesterday.
Uh, sure, if you’d like.
Hi! It’s me! I was just thinking…I’m a little hungry, I thought I could come over and eat the soup from yesterday.
Uh, sure, if you’d like.
Panel 6
[Silent]
Page 30
Panel 1
It’s even better reheated…you sure you don’t want any?
No, that’s okay.
No, that’s okay.
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Your apartment is really great.
Hmmm.
Your apartment is really great.
Hmmm.
Panel 4
[Silent]
Panel 5
[Silent]
Page 31
Get out of here!
Panel 1
Wha-what did you just say?
I said GET OUT!
I said GET OUT!
Panel 2
Do you realize what you’re saying? This is my house!
I asked you to leave, but it was just part of a nightmare I was having. Are you afraid?
I asked you to leave, but it was just part of a nightmare I was having. Are you afraid?
Panel 3
If you’d like, I’ll tell you all of my nightmares. One day I sprang out of my bed. I woke up with my feet all bloody.
Panel 4
Are you still feeling freaked out?
Panel 5
[Silent]
Page 32
Panel 1
I still don’t know how I got all those cuts on my feet. And now, I just asked you to leave…My nightmare…there was blood…
Panel 2
Blood….you…leave…I jumped…cuts everywhere…ZZZZZ….
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
[Silent]
Panel 5
[Silent]
Panel 6
Hi!
Page 33
Panel 1
Well, I think I’ll be going.
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
Should I call you?
No…I don’t know.
No…I don’t know.
Panel 4
Is it because of my nightmare? That really freaked you out, huh!
Panel 5
Pffff….all that because of a little nightmare.
Panel 6
[Silent]
Page 34
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
[Silent]
Panel 5
[Silent]
Panel 6
[Silent]
Page 35
[title] Curtain
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
I think I’m going to stay a little bit longer.
Okay, well, we’re taking off.
Okay, well, we’re taking off.
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
How’s it going? Having a good time?
Yeah – how about you?
Yeah – how about you?
Panel 5
Definitely! But I’m overheating, massively.
Page 36
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
Wow! What a surprise!
Hi.
Hi.
Panel 3
I’d like you to meet…my wife.
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Panel 4
[Silent]
Panel 5
[Silent]
Panel 6
Wanna dance?
Page 37
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
Hi! You okay?
No! Someone took my bag.
No! Someone took my bag.
Panel 5
Oh no! Wow. How are you going to get home?
I have no idea.
I have no idea.
Panel 6
If it helps any, you’re more than welcome to stay at my house.
That would be great – wow, that’s really nice of you.
That would be great – wow, that’s really nice of you.
Page 38
Panel 1
Okay, well, I’m ready when you are.
Great! I’ll go look for my coat.
Great! I’ll go look for my coat.
Panel 2
Oh no! I can’t find my coat, either!
Panel 3
[Silent]
You leaving?
Yep.
They stole my coat!
You leaving?
Yep.
They stole my coat!
Panel 4
See you soon, then.
I’d like that.
I’d like that.
Panel 5
[Silent]
Page 39
Panel 1
Wait!
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
[Shivering sounds]
Panel 5
It’s really nice of you, to take me in like this.
Nothing else for it, if someone’s taken all your stuff.
Nothing else for it, if someone’s taken all your stuff.
Page 40
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
[Silent]
Panel 5
[Silent]
Page 41
[Title] A Small Story
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
Hey! Come in!
Hi!
Hi!
Panel 5
Wow, your apartment’s huge!
Page 42
Panel 1
Oh! You’ve got a cat!
Why? Are you allergic?
Uh, yeah, actually.
Why? Are you allergic?
Uh, yeah, actually.
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
[Silent]
Panel 5
[Silent]
Panel 6
[Silent]
Page 43
Panel 1
[Phone noises]
Panel 2
Please leave a message after the beep…Beeeeep…. Hey, it’s me! Well, I guess I’ll give you a try on your cell…’cause that’s the kind of original girl I am!
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
Well, that was a girl I know. I think she sort of likes me. I’m really batting a thousand at the moment.
Panel 5
It’s funny, becasue I met her the same night I met you. Well, anyway, I guess I know what I have to do.
Oh yeah?
Oh yeah?
Panel 6
Of course – I’ll explain the situation to her. She’s on the young side, anyway – she’s only twenty.
Uh huh.
Uh huh.
Page 44
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
So, do you think you’ll want to get together again soon?
Panel 4
I dunno. Everything’s a bit hazy at the moment, you know?
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
Panel 5
[Silent]
Panel 6
[Silent]
Page 45
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
[Silent]
Panel 5
[Silent]
Panel 6
[Silent]
Page 46
Panel 1
[Silent]
Panel 2
[Silent]
Panel 3
[Silent]
Panel 4
[Silent]
Panel 5
[Silent]
Panel 6
[Silent]
[End translation].
[End translation].
Comments
"Sounds interesting, I shall try to remember to pick this up next time I'm in Paris. The medieval fable sounds interesting, too, hope that..."
Jim Kinsey (kinjacono)
- 11:53 22|01|08
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