Chocolat
Transcript
Scene 1 introduction
STORYTELLER: Once upon a time, there was a quiet little village in the French countryside whose people believed in tranquilite, tranquility.
If you lived in this village, you understood what was expected of you. You knew your place in the scheme of things, and if you happened to forget, someone would help remind you.
PREACHER: The season of Lent is upon us. This is of course a time of abstinence. Hopefully also a time of reflection. Above all let this be for us a time of sincere penitence. It is a time to stand up and be counted.
STORY TELLER: In this village if you saw something you weren’t supposed to see, you looked the other way. If by chance your hopes had been disappointed, you learned never to ask for more.
Scene 2: Where are you from?
ARMANDE: Who the hell are you?
VIANNE: I... we’re here about the patisserie. We’d like to rent it and the apartment above?
ARMANDE: Where are you from?
VIANNE: Well we lived in Andalusia for a while, and, let me see, and before that Vienna and before that,
ANOUK: And before that, Paviarre
VIANNE: Yes
ANOUK: Pantoufle hated it there.
VIANNE: Pantoufle is a kangaroo,
ANOUK: But he can’t hop
VIANNE: Bad leg,
VIANNE: War injury huh?
ARMANDE: I’ll expect you to keep it in good condition.
ANOUK: What a nice town this is. Don’t you think so mama?
VIANNE: It’s a lovely town.
ANOUK: Mama, Pantoufle wants to know how long we can stay?
VIANNE: Oh, tell Pantoufle not to worry. Time for bed. What story tonight?
ANOUK: Pantoufle wants to hear about Gormel and Gorpell
VIANNE: Not tonight, Anushka
ANOUK: You always say that. Tell about Gormell and Gorpell
VIANNE: Not tonight. How about the princess and the pirates?
ANOUK: Ok.
Scene 3: To lead by example
ANOUK: Prepare to fire. All hands on deck. Ready, aim, fire.
REYNAUD: Forgive the intrusion.
VIANNE: It’s a pleasure.
ANOUK: Sorry monsieur. Pirate attack.
COMTE DE REYNAUD: Of Course. What is your name?
ANOUK: Anouk. What’s yours?
COMTEDE REYNAUD: I am the Comte de Reynaud at your service.
ANOUK: A real one? Like the Comte de Monte Cristo?
COMTEDE REYNAUD: Ah, he was not a real one.
VIANNE: To what do we owe the honor of your visit?
REYNAUD: Well as mayor of Luscany I want to welcome you to the community and invite you to worship with mass on Sunday.
VIANNE: That’s very kind of you, but actually we don’t attend. We’re glad to be so near the church though. We’ll enjoy singing with the bells. Won’t we Nana?
COMTEDE REYNAUD: The bells are not intended as an entertainment madam, they are a solemn call
VIANNE: Uhh, Mademoiselle, mademoiselle, I’ve never been married, but feel free to call me Vianne. I do hope you’ll stop by when I open for business next week.
COMTEDE REYNAUD: Yes, yes, opening a patisserie during the holy Lenten fast, I could imagine better timing
VIANNE: Oh, but it’s not going to be a patisserie
REYNAUD: Then oh what do you intend?
VIANNE: It’s a surprise. It was sweet of you to drop by
STORYTELLER: The Comte de Reynaud was a student of history, and therefore a patient man. He trusted the wisdom of generations passed, like his ancestors, he watched over the little village and led by his own example: hard work, modesty, self-discipline
REYNAUD: I have completed the eighteenth century. Madam Tremont.
CAROLINE: Your letter to the editor Monsieur le Comte. This paragraph about family and tradition. It’s… It’s beautiful.
REYNAUD: Well, thank you. I value your opinion. May I ask have you been in contact with you mother recently?
CAROLINE: Why?
COMTEDE REYNAUD: She seems to have rented out the patisserie.
CAROLINE: Oh!? Well I haven’t talked to my mother in quite a while.
COMTEDE REYNAUD: Oh, I am sorry I don’t mean to pry
CAROLINE: Oh, don’t be silly. I have no secrets from you. How is the countess enjoying Venice?
COMTEDE REYNAUD: The countess? Oh yes, she’s fine. Oh, she’s enjoying it very much. Venice
Scene 4; Radical Atheist.
WOMAN #1: I heard she was some kind of radical.
Long break, scenes
CHILD #1: I heard she’s an atheist.
CHILD #2: What’s that?
CHILD #1: Don’t know.
CAROLINE: Oh. You should be more careful.
CHILD: I’m so sorry Madame.
VIANNE: Are you all right?
CAROLINE: I’m fine. I’m fine.
VIANNE: I’m sorry, I’m sorry, do you want to come in and sit down?
CAROLINE: No, no, please don’t trouble yourself. I’m fine.
VIANNE: No, no, it’s no trouble. I’m Vianne Roche
CAROLINE: I’m Caroline Tremont. I’m the daughter of your landlady. This is my son Luc.
VIANNE: Hello. And this is my Anouk. Come in please, where it’s warm. Try this, I bet you’ve never had hot chocolate made from a 2000-year-old recipe.
CAROLINE: Thank you but no. Luc. No.
WOMAN: What’s this?
ANOUK: What do you see madam, in this?
WOMAN: Sorry
VIANNE: What does it look like to you? Just say the first thing that comes to your mind.
WOMAN: A woman riding a wild horse. What a silly answer.
VIANNE: There are no silly answers. The pepper triangle, that’s for you. A tiny touch of chili pepper to play against the sweetness, tiny adventurous.
ANOUK: What do you see?
LUC: I see teeth. I see blood. And a skull.
VIANNE: Very dark. Bitter chocolate. That’s your favorite.
CAROLINE: Which will have to wait five weeks more. Lent. Thank you. We must run along. It’s been nice to meet you.
VIANNE: My pleasure.
ANOUK: Pantoufle, come on, pirate attack
WOMAN: How much are those chili things, miss?
VIANNE: Four fifty a box.
WOMAN: Could you put a ribbon on it? Then I can pretend they are for my husband
VIANNE: Of course
WOMAN: Josephine Metzger, she waltzes to her own tune.
VIANNE: And these are for your husband. And fine cocoa nibs from Guatemala, to awaken the passion.
WOMAN: You’ve obviously never met my husband.
VIANNE: Well you’ve obviously never tried these.
Scene 5: Waking the Passion
WOMAN: Don’t be pathetic.
CAROLINE: Luc, you’ve got a tiny error in problem six oh. Luc.
LUC: It’s nothing. It’s already stopped. Mother, the new teacher wants us to correct our own mistakes.
CAROLINE: I didn’t tell you how to correct the mistake. I just told you that you made one.
Scene 6: Fasting and Favorites
MAID: Not hungry, Monsieur Comte?
REYNAUD: The Lenten fast, Madame Rivet
MAID: Are you not supposed to eat something?
REYNAUD: It’s alright, leave it.
VIANNE: Hello. May I help you?
JOSEPHINE: It’s expensive. I don’t waste money.
VIANNE: I have a knack for guessing people’s favorites. These are your favorites. Am I right? On the house.
JOSEPHINE: I’ve gotta go.
OLD LADY #1: Well, this certainly is different.
OLD LADY #2: Yes, very different.
MADAME AUDELL: Look at that.
BLEROT: I’m so sorry.
MADAME AUDELL: Bon jour, Monsieur Blerot
BLEROT: Bon jour madam Audell. No, not that way Charlie. Come on.
VIANNE: Come in, please. Come on boy, I’ve got something for you.
Scene 7;
VIANNE: What’s your name?
BLEROT: Charlie, he’s 14 years old that’s ninety-eighty in human years.
VIANNE: No I meant your name.
BLEROT: Guillarme Blerot
BLEROT: You are very kind. We have so few pleasures left.
VIANNE: Would you care to buy something special for your lady friend?
BLEROT: Lady friend?
VIANNE: The lovely lady your dog was so fond of. Her favorite is chocolate seashells. That’s my guess
BLEROT: Oh no, I mustn’t. Madame Audell is in mourning for her husband.
VIANNE: Oh, I’m sorry.
VIANNE: When did he pass away?
BLEROT: The war, German grenade.
VIANNE: Well, it’s been 15 years since the war. So, surely
BLEROT: Not that war, Germany 12th, 1917. It was quite a blow to Madame Audell.
VIANNE: Apparently so.
REYNAUD: Bon jour Madame.
REYNAUD: I wish all my tenants were as reliable as you. Madame
FUFFI: How is the Comtessa enjoying Italy?
REYNAUD: She may be extending her trip.
FUFFI: Oh very nice
REYNAUD: Have either of you seen the store across the square?
FUFFI: Oh, the chocolaterie, yes.
REYNAUD: Shameless, isn’t it? The sheer nerve of the woman. Opening a chocolaterie just in time for lent. The woman is brazen. My heart goes out to that poor illegitimate child of hers. Bonjour.
PREACHER: You ain't nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time. Well you ain’t never caught a rabbit and you ain’t no friend of mine. Oh yeah!
REYNAUD: A new addition to the liturgy?
PERE HENRI: I have a weakness for American music Monsieur le Comte.
REYNAUD: How long have you been with us Pere Henri?
PERE HENRI: It’ll be five weeks.
REYNAUD: Your predecessor, Pere Michele he was with us for five decades.
PERE HENRI: Yes, well I only pray I live up to Pere Michele’s example
REYNAUD: Yes, that’s my prayer also. I looked at your sermon, as you requested. I made one or two notes.
PERE HENRI: You’re very kind.
REYNAUD: Not at all. And one more thing, if you haven’t seen the new chocolaterie, Perhaps you might like to take a look. It’s important to know one’s enemy. Don’t you think?
VIANNE: Hey, where’s my kiss?
ARMANDE: Watch where you’re going!
VIANNE: Hello, morning.
ARMANDE: What’s the deco? Early Mexican brothel?
ARMANDE: Nah, if I need help I’ll ask for it.
VIANNE: What do you see in it?
ARMANDE: Not a damned thing.
VIANNE: Come-on it’s a game. What do you see?
ARMANDE: I see a cranky old woman too tired to play games.
VIANNE: I’ve got just the thing for you
ARMANDE: That little girl of yours, does she mind it?
VIANNE: Mind what?
ARMANDE: The way you move her from place to place.
VIANNE: Oh, She’s doing fine. I think it’s good for her. Seeing new places, meeting new people.
ARMANDE: Your cinnamon looks rancid.
VIANNE: Well, it’s not cinnamon, it’s a special kind of chili pepper.
ARMANDE: Chili pepper in hot chocolate?
VIANNE: It’s good for you. It’ll give you a lift.
ARMANDE: It tastes like, I don’t know.
TEACHER: Stop it. Stop it. Anouk, in this school we are civilized. We do not strike one another.
ANOUK: But they insulted Pantoufle.
TEACHER: I don’t care. Come along Dedou, Didi and be quiet.
DEDOU: Where’s Pantoufle.
DIDI: My mom says you don’t have a father.
ANOUK: Sure I do. We just don’t know who he is.
ARMANDE: I was out all night with him. We swam naked in a tunnel. And dawn, when I returned to my house and my bed. My mother poked her head in and said, wake up sleepy head. no idea id’ been gone. Sure you didn’t put booze in there?
VIANNE: Something better.
ARMANDE: Perhaps you should give it to my daughter. Melt that chilly disposition of hers.
VIANNE: you and Caroline have a problem?
ARMANDE: Do we have a problem? She won’t let me see my grandson. I’m cut off from him.
VIANNE: Why is that? Armande, what is it?
ARMANDE: Well, I’m a bad influence. Cause I don’t like her treating him like a trained poodle. The boy doesn’t piss without her permission. Ever since her husband died she’s been so. . The way she frets and fusses over that boy. If only she’d let him run. Let him breathe. Let him live. But she worries that he will overexert himself. Not much danger in that. She won’t even let the poor kid ride a bicycle.
VIANNE: Do you think he … he’d like to see you?
WOMAN: Do you have more of those bean thingies please?
VIANNE: Sure, how many do you want?
WOMAN: How many do you got?
MAN: Jack of hearts shoots a trump from right out under your nose.
VIANNE: Are you Serge?
SERGE: The one and only. What’s your pleasure?
VIANNE: Is your wife here?
SERGE: Josephine? Well, it depends what you want with Josephine.
VIANNE: Well, she left this at my shop.
SERGE: Well, let me have it, I’ll give it to her.
VIANNE: Oh no no, I’ll give it to her myself thanks.
MAN #1: I got to go, I’m late for supper,
MAN#2: But the game’s not over yet.
MAN#3: Do you wanna play? Do you know pilate?
ANOUK: Of course I do
MAN#1: Sit down.
VIANNE: Josephine?
JOSEPHINE: What do you want?
VIANNE: You forgot this.
JOSEPHINE: What do you want?
VIANNE: To be your friend
JOSEPHINE: I don’t have friends. Does Serge know you’re here?
VIANNE: Does it matter? Do me a favor; try one of these rose creams. Tell me if it’s a little heavy on the buntle?
SERGE: Josephine?
JOSEPHINE: I’m coming.
JOSEPHINE: He talks bad about you. He says you’re indecent. He says you’re an influence, you’re a bad influence for someone like me.
VIANNE: I don’t have to listen to a word your husband has to say.
JOSEPHINE: Not Serge, not him. Reynaud the Mayor. He talks about you.
VIANNE: Time to go.
ANOUK; Look what I won.
VIANNE: That’s good. Come on.
Scene 8: People Talk
VIANNE: Luc, Mind if I take a peek.
LUC: Well, umm … It’s not really
VIANNE: Show me
LUC: I exaggerated the angle of the head.
VIANNE: You draw beautifully. What’s your going rate?
LUC: What?
VIANNE: To do a portrait. How much would you charge?
LUC: Oh, I couldn’t. I’m, I’m not really a..
VIANNE: Fifty francs, sound reasonable?
LUC: That’d be great.
VIANNE: When could you come by my shop?
LUC: oh. I’m, I’m really sorry, but the Comte forbids it. He … He spoke to mama, and a lot of others.
VIANNE: What ever you say.
LUC: I wish I could, I really do.
VIANNE: Thanks for showing me your drawing.
LUC: Wait.
VIANNE: Am I breaking any laws? Tell me. Am I hurting anyone?
REYNAUD: Are you asking me my opinion?
VIANNE: What exactly have you been telling people about me?
REYNAUD: Only the truth mademoiselle.
VIANNE: Well, if you are just expecting me to shrivel up and blow away, you’ll be highly disappointed.
REYNAUD: Let me try and put this into perspective for you. The first Comte de Reynaud expelled all the radical Huguenots from this village. You and your truffles present a far lesser challenge. You’ll be out of business by Easter. I promise you that.
VIANNE: How long have you been standing here?
JOSEPHINE: I forgot to pay for something the other day. I’m sorry.
VIANNE: No, no, no, it was a gift.
JOSEPHINE: No people talk. People lie about me. I don’t steal, not on purpose.
VIANNE: Yes I know. It’s nice to see you. Would you like to come in for some chocolates?
JOSEPHINE: This is for you.
VIANNE: How sweet of you. Thank you. It’s lovely.
JOSEPHINE: I heard you don’t go to church.
VIANNE: That’s right.
JOSEPHINE: You won’t last long here. People talk. Sorry. I’m behaving badly, aren’t I?
VIANNE: No, it’s okay
JOSEPHINE: You don’t misbehave here; it’s just not done. Did you know that? If you don’t go to confession, or if you don’t dig your flower beds, or if you don’t pretend, if you don’t pretend, that you want nothing more in your life than to serve your husband three meals a day and give him children and vacuum under his ass, then you’re, you’re crazy. You must think I’m stupid to stay with him.
VIANNE: No, I don’t think you’re stupid.
JOSEPHINE: Well, I am. I’m weak. I don’t love my husband, and I lie.
VIANNE: Things could be different for you Josephine. Serge doesn’t run the world.
JOSEPHINE: He might as well.
VIANNE: Is that what you believe?
JOSEPHINE: I know it.
VIANNE: Then it must be, must be true. My mistake.
JOSEPHINE: You make the most wonderful chocolate
Scene 9: Hidden thoughts and Teachings
ANOUK: Pantoufle wants to hear the story of grandma and grandpa. Don’t say not tonight. You always say not tonight.
VIANNE: Alright alright, Your grandfather, George Roucher was the young apothecary of the town of Oley Louevre
STORYTELLER: It was Anouk’s favorite story, always told in the same words. Georges was honest, prosperous and trusted by his customers. But Georges was not Comtent he felt there should be more to life than dispensing liver oil. In the spring of 1927, the societe pharmacetuticqe formed an expedition to Central America to study the medicinal properties of certain natural compounds. Georges was the expedition’s most eager volunteer. But his adventure took a turn he did not expect. One night, he was invited to drink unrefined cacao with a pinch of chili. The very same drink the ancient Maya used in their sacred ceremonies. The Maya believed cacao held the power to unlock hidden yearnings and reveal destinies. And so it was that George first saw Chitsa. Now Georges had been raised a good Catholic, but in his romance with Chitsa, he was willing to slightly bend the rules of Christian courtship. The tribal leaders tried to warn Georges about her. She was one of the wanderers. Her people moved with the North wind, from village to village, dispensing ancient remedies, never settling down. Not a good choice for a bride. Georges did not heed their warning; and for awhile it seemed for a while that he and Chitsa might lead a happy life together in France. Alas, the clever north wind had other plans. One morning, Georges awoke to discover that Chitsa, and the little girl, Vianne, had gone away.