DILILI IN PARIS
Dilili!
You speak my language?
Yes, better than you, it seems.
I'd like to get to know you.
- Me too. - Let's meet up.
I leave at 6.30
through Gate 4.
- My name is Dilili. - And I'm Orel.
I'm happy to meet you.
Me too.
I brought you some fries.
Thank you.
Very hot! Very good.
How come you speak French so well?
I had a very good teacher,
Madame Michel.
And a most fortunate encounter with the countess.
Who's she?
The wife of an ambassador returning to Paris on the same ship as us.
This ship.
I keep this brochure preciously.
The countess heard the cries of the organiser
when he found me.
Found?
They didn't want me in the troupe to perform in Europe.
So I slipped onto the ship
unnoticed.
When they found me, after days at sea
it was too late to disembark me.
The countess sided with me.
And so
I travelled in the lap of luxury in her company.
Above all, the countess taught me all the words
and all the manners of her tribe.
Thank you.
More than one!
No, little girls can't walk alone anymore.
May I skip
while we chat?
Of course.
I love skipping!
But it was always forbidden
as it wasn't considered
Kanak.
I admire your boarding the ship like that.
I so wanted to see new places.
And, I must admit,
to come to a country
where I wouldn't be criticised
for my fair skin.
Why are you different?
I never knew my parents.
But one was French and the other, Kanak.
Only here they don't say my skin is too fair
but that it's too dark!
- I don't! - It has its advantages.
One quickly spots the stupid from the rest.
Only sometimes, I wish I were like everyone else.
Never!
Your difference is what makes
others want to meet you.
I've completed my duties
in the Kanak village.
And I'm glad it's over.
So now you're going home?
Not just yet.
Parisians have observed me for months.
Now it's my turn to observe the Parisians.
I'm your man.
I know Paris inside out and lots of people
as I'm a delivery boy.
My tricycle can take us anywhere you like.
Another little girl kidnapped!
The Master-Men strike again! Read all about it!
What odd customs you have.
It's not a custom!
It's unheard of, it's horrible!
- The police are on high alert. - But why capture little girls?
It's a mystery.
Whatever you do, don't stroll alone.
I'm not sure I'm the type they're looking for.
You never know.
But you'll be safe on board my tricycle.
What a machine! It even has a cushion.
Of course, some vehicles are more luxurious.
But they can't go where my tricycle goes.
It will be wonderful!
And by meeting people and asking questions
we'll solve the mystery of the Master-Men
and free all the little girls!
- It's a deal. - But now, I'm expected in town.
- I'll take you. - Not this time.
My carriage has arrived.
- Good day, Mr Léon. - Young lady.
May I introduce Orel, delivery boy.
Young man...
Can we meet tomorrow at 1 o'clock at this address?
Sure.
Goodbye, Orel.
Don't bother. The countess has left.
The countess...
Thank you, sir, but I've come to see her guest.
Let's go!
- To where? - To Paris!
Paris is finished. Let it die in peace.
Paris is not finished. There's us!
That's Mr Renan, a historian.
He knows everything about ancient Palestine,
but very little about the Paris of today.
- What are you writing? - People's names.
There are so many people in Paris,
I'll forget half of them.
What a joy to be with you on your tricycle.
My first day of holidays in Paris!
The Master-Men rob another jeweller's!
Leaving no trace!
How do we know it was the Master-Men?
They always leave a calling card saying
"The Master-Men will straighten Paris!"
It is we who shall straighten the Master-Men.
Stop! I want to see that poster.
Yes, it's superb.
A great Cancan dancer
by a great artist.
No, below.
"Lecture by Louise Michel.
"Human rights, men together with women."
Who's Louise Michel?
She always says what she thinks is right,
whatever they do to her.
She once took part in a revolution
and was deported for years to the ends of the earth,
to New Caledonia.
But that's Kanaky! It's Madame Michel, my teacher!
That's extraordinary!
I want to see her. Let's go to her lecture.
The lecture is in a fortnight.
I'd love to meet your teacher in your company.
I'll just deliver this lemonade.
Good day, ladies and gents.
Why it's the pretty virtuoso of the skipping rope!
I was admiring you yesterday
as I passed along the street.
I couldn't believe my eyes!
What luck to meet you again.
I need the advice of an expert.
I have to buy a skipping rope for my goddaughter.
Look,
that kiosk over there.
You can tell me which rope is best.
And in exchange
I'll buy you whatever toy you want.
Come, my little fairy,
come into my arms.
Don't bother, I'll take her.
How pretty!
He's gone.
The Master-Men are after you.
How silly of me, I should never have left you alone.
I couldn't get a word in,
it all happened so fast.
We've been warned.
My last errand is the best.
We must pick up an adorable little girl from school.
Another girl kidnapped in Montmartre!
How awful!
Read L'Aurore.
Read all about it!
Eve is the daughter of Marie Curie, a Pole who married Pierre Curie.
A wonderful union of two great scientists who love and support each other.
They've just been awarded the prestigious
Nobel Prize.
- Ladies! - Good day, Orel.
Young man...
- Hello, Eve! - Hewo, Orel!
This is Dilili, your fellow passenger.
I'm happy to meet you.
Hewo, Dilili.
You're pwetty.
Thank you, Eve, but we say "pretty".
Pwetty.
Pretty.
Pwetty.
- Mummy! - My darling Eve!
This is Dilili.
She's pretty!
How well you speak!
Good day, young lady.
I'm happy to meet you.
Me too.
Orel, come along, both of you. I made a tart for afternoon tea.
Dewicious!
Mother, it's even better than the last one.
I observe what happens,
I take notes
and I improve what I make.
When I grow up, I'll be a scientist too.
No, me.
Irene, there's room for many scientists.
What do you know about the Master-Men?
Nothing.
Montmartre girl kidnapped in front of the Bateau-Lavoir!
Orel, you must go to the Bateau-Lavoir.
I hope we find some clues at the Bateau-Lavoir.
- It's on the river? - No, on the hill of Montmartre.
The Bateau-Lavoir is a place where many artists work.
People worth meeting.
And they'll tell us what they saw.
- I saw nothing. - Me neither.
Not a thing, I don't work here.
But Picasso saw everything.
Suzanne is right. This time, they did it in full view.
The street was empty, but I was watching.
A car pulled up alongside the girl
climbing the hill with her heavy satchel.
A well-dressed man offered her a lift home.
Before I could shout "Don't go!",
she was in the car,
which then drove off at great speed.
People said that the motorcar
was headed for The Devil's Mill.
These days, The Devil's Mill is not exactly scary.
But it's now said to be an entrance
to the Master-Men's estate.
- I'm going. - Me too.
Don't do that, pequeñita. You'll vanish like that little girl.
Stay. I'll do your portrait!
Me too!
I'd love to.
Your works fill me with wonder.
I want to create like you.
But first we must find the girls
and stop the Master-Men.
After that, I'll return.
The Paris visit continues.
It pains me.
I too was poor, you know.
You haven't told me all.
You neither.
It takes a little time.
Right.
A pretty little lady dressed so fine
must have a spare coin.
No, I'm sorry.
They give me fine clothes, but no money...
Come now,
a pretty little Miss like you
must have something for a wretch like me.
All I have is my dress and I doubt it would suit you.
You cheeky little mulatto,
are you mocking me?
Not at all! Please let us pass.
We're in a hurry.
Limpy, let them pass.
They mean well, they've nothing for you.
And where are you going in such a hurry, oh-so-proper lad?
The Devil's Mill.
The Devil's Mill?
All who go there find death and deal with it!
Now clear off! And don't come back.
He scared me.
But maybe one day I can help such people.
The first thing to do is never to become like him.
Yes.
Here we are, The Devil's Mill.
Someone has fixed the fence and the gate.
Stay put. I'll go look inside.
There's no way I'm staying put.
First, I too want to look.
And second, I'm now scared to be alone.
Very well.
Dilili, don't wander off.
Orel...
Are you hurt? You killed the dog?
No, I just kicked it.
It died of rabies and passed it on to me.
What's rabies?
It's a deadly disease as you can see.
First, you start foaming at the mouth.
Then you become enraged. And then you die.
The Master-Men found an awful way
to deal with intruders.
But you're not drooling and you're still nice...
It may not be immediate.
But you're not going to die?
Only one man can tell, Mr Pasteur.
But I'm not fit to pedal to the Pasteur Institute.
Help! My friend is hurt!
He must be taken urgently to the Pasteur Institute!
Help us, I implore you!
Hurry! He has rabies!
No one will come to my aid.
Yes, I will.
You're too little for the tricycle.
We're at the top of the hill.
So it's downhill to the Institute.
I don't have to pedal, just steer.
I'm stronger than I look.
You don't know the way.
You do. You'll guide me.
Come on, squeeze through.
- Ready? - Yes,
and use the brakes, it's steep.
Understood. You saved me, now it's my turn.
Now turn right.
Out of the way, please!
I've a better idea.
Out of the way! I've got rabies!
No, to the left. This leads to a stairway.
Never mind, it's quicker. Hold on tight!
Out of the way! I've got rabies!
- Brake! - It's not working!
Nearly there, next right. We've arrived!
Orel has rabies! Vaccinate him, I beg you!
The disease comes on slowly. You came to us in time.
With this jab and boosters, you're safe.
Thank you, Mr Pasteur.
Thank Marie and all the other fellows and researchers.
Saving people is a fine profession.
What do you know about the kidnappers?
Nothing, except for a rumour
that shady people often meet at the Grenouillère Farm.
Orel, I was just about to call on you
to deliver vaccines, vaccines for their cows.
But you're not fit to pedal.
That won't stop me, I'll use the waterway
and thus be able to observe these shady people
from within.
I'm wondering where your waterway is.
Beneath the streets.
After what we've been through a quiet cruise is what you need.
But I still want to meet interesting people.
We'll meet them as we go.
True, there's no shortage of people.
Except for little girls,
kidnapped or locked at home.
It's so sad.
I understand now why all these men are in mourning.
No, they were wearing black before.
A law forces all men to wear black?
No...
What strange customs you have.
- What's this? - The artists' entrance to the opera.
To meet someone special, my friend Emma Calvé,
one of the world's greatest singers.
I've told her all about you.
That's her car and her boorish chauffeur.
Don't park there! You're in my way.
I'll move it.
Good day, Mr Lebeuf. This is Dilili.
I'm happy to meet you.
Who's this monkey in Sunday dress?
Lebeuf!
I fully understand your reaction,
as mine is very similar.
When I look at your face
I cannot help thinking of a pig.
What? You'd strike a child?
Call that a child?
Where is Madame Calvé?
I'm not paid to inform people!
Emma is probably down below.
Hey, I'm glad you didn't think
I looked like a pig too!
Of course I did.
Like everyone here.
But you get used to anything.
And now I delight in looking at you.
You sing my melody to perfection.
But I need more time to consider.
I thank you and respectfully take my leave.
Ah, our two friends!
Dilili, meet Emma Calvé.
I'm happy to meet you.
And you half met Debussy,
a rising young composer.
But Orel, are you hurt?
No, just a little scratch.
What's in the box?
Cow vaccines.
For the Grenouillère Farm.
I was wondering if we could swan there.
Of course, take the country air
and say hello to my dear Impressionists.
Dilili has to meet them. They know things about the Master-Men.
Climb on board.
Hello, my honey doll.
Orel, darling, will you steer?
Sure.
- Like in Jules Verne! - You know Jules Verne?
I sure do!
I read the countess's entire collection.
And I want more!
Bergson, however, isn't my cup of tea.
- Smells funny. - We're in the sewers.
It's handy for avoiding some admirers.
And I like a change of scenery.
Orel, you're upset.
- No, no... - Yes, yes.
Lebeuf behaved badly with Dilili.
I daren't ask how.
- I'm ashamed. - That's life.
That's life, but secret wounds all add up.
My poor little ducky,
let me give you a cuddle.
What's a "cuddle"?
You come on my lap, we hold each other tight
and we stay like that.
What is it?
No one's ever taught me that. It's excellent.
Yes, your friend has a fine voice.
He will enchant many.
What's that monster?
So, can you sing us one of your songs?
Yes.
Sun and rain...
- But that's one of ours. - It's a song Madame Michel taught us.
It's one of my songs.
Day and night
Flowers and fruit
He and he
She and she
She and he...
I'm happy to meet you.
We too. You fit so well into the landscape.
Your colours are delightful.
But you're not painting the same thing!
Indeed.
Monet only thinks about colour...
while Renoir only thinks about happiness.
But happiness is no more. Girls have been kidnapped.
Tell us about the Master-Men.
La Goulue did me the honour of posing for me
and told me
the Moulin Rouge has become a haunt for the Master-Men.
The cow vaccines are delivered and I...
Look!
It comes from the farm, loaded with provisions.
Inside are men with nose rings,
who didn't say a word, but paid lavishly.
There's no doubt, they're Master-Men.
I'll be watching them tonight at the Moulin Rouge.
- Me too! - You're too young, you'll never get in.
I have a trick.
A guard watches the main entrance, but not the stage door.
- He never comes here. - He wouldn't be welcome.
My good Orel, who is this?
Dilili, from Kanaky.
Madame, I'm happy to meet you.
Call me Colette, pretty peach!
What are you doing?
Removing my make-up after my panto
which tells an Egyptian tale written by my best friend.
I show a little of my body while dancing as it's pretty.
That's kind of you.
It's an interesting activity.
I used to write novels, to which my husband put his name.
But no more of that,
as I wish to write again.
Wonderful! I too write.
I have so much to tell!
I can't wait to read it.
Have you seen any accomplices of the Master-Men here?
Here, no. Shady strangers don't venture backstage.
However, they meet in the hall, mingling with the crowd.
But enough of them.
Orel, Toulouse-Lautrec is drawing at his table
and La Goulue is dancing!
Monsieur de Toulouse-Lautrec,
what a pleasure to watch you sketch.
I'd love to draw like you.
Go ahead. Draw, and don't stop.
I looked all over, spotted nothing.
I've got your suspect for you.
Look at this fellow on the right.
I know everyone here
and I'll bet you he's not here for La Goulue,
though he's getting an eyeful, but to meet someone.
There are two glasses.
Dilili, try to sneak closer to eavesdrop.
- The Master-Men will reign. - Paris sublime, Paris of slime.
In half an hour, the district master will be at the Irish-American Bar.
He'll give you instructions for the next jewellery heist.
Irish-American Bar.
What on earth? What is this child doing here?
Enjoying an excellent show.
It's not for children!
Not for children?
All I see are pretty ladies dancing wonderfully.
My goodness! Who brought this little girl here?
I bring myself wherever I go.
It's unbelievable!
At such a dangerous time for all little girls!
We'll handle it.
It's too noisy in here.
Let's move to the Irish-American Bar.
Great!
Famous for its cocktails. To the Irish-American Bar!
Let me see...
Well, I never... You've got talent!
Lautrec!
Glad to see you. I dropped by Durand-Ruel.
Saw your work, it has style. Keep it up.
Your talent is admirable. Good night.
- Who's he? - The painter Degas.
Apart from painting wonderful dancers
his speciality is saying nasty things to people.
Degas has just complimented me, poor little Lautrec!
I shall die of happiness!
You're one of the greats, Henri. It's not new to us.
Still not a carriage in sight.
And now it's raining.
No matter, it won't last.
It's just to make things look nice.
We'll get going. See you at the bar.
Monsieur de Toulouse-Lautrec, I can make room!
Dilili!
True, I've never ridden on a tricycle.
Henri, you can't be serious!
Not too cramped?
No, I'm nice and snug.
Never have I had such a view.
But this time, we avoid the stairway.
What? You rode down the stairway?
Yes, a bit hard on the behind.
I want to do it too. Down the stairway!
But Mr Lautrec, I can't inflict that on you!
Unforgettable! The only way down.
Dilili, I'm so surprised you know that song.
It was Madame Michel's favourite.
Evening, all! Evening, Randolph!
My little wife, Dilili.
A princess from the other side of the world.
Randolphe, the best of barmen.
I'm happy to meet you.
What will you have, Your Highness?
A barley water, please.
And me, a cognac before the cocktails.
I have incredible compliments to toast.
- Hello, Chocolat. - Good evening, sir.
Good evening, Princess.
I'm happy to meet you.
What is your job?
In a circus, I get kicked in the behind
and people are happy.
Chocolat is a great artist.
He makes people laugh.
A fine profession!
He also dances for his own pleasure.
And I try to copy him.
Look over there.
The other conspirator.
I already saw him prowling around Emma Calvé's car.
- Me too. - We're on the Master-Men's trail.
He's one of them and awaiting another.
Dilili must try to eavesdrop on them.
Easy.
The villain, as usual,
chose to hide behind the plant.
I'll help Dilili
to hide in it.
Satie, how about a tune?
Gnossiennes!
Gentlemen?
- Absinthe. - A glass of Bordeaux.
Coming right up!
The Master-Men will reign.
Paris sublime, Paris of slime.
This official letter will get you into the jewellery store.
The prize gems will be out of the safe
as Sarah Bernhardt is their best customer.
This Wednesday will be exceptional.
A secret weapon will enable you to take all unhindered.
You will leave calmly.
A gig will be waiting with a fast horse.
On Tuesday at 5 o'clock
you will find the secret weapon
behind
the gates of hell!
I heard everything.
Orel!
Sarah Bernhardt...
The gates of hell...
Tomorrow at dawn, we tell the police ail they'll nail them!
A first victory over the Master-Men!
We're making progress!
What do you want me to do
about a tall tale with Sarah Bernhardt, secret weapons
and gates of hell?
That's your job, not ours.
Out! Get them out of here!
Next time, you're in the clink!
As the police won't do anything
we'd better warn the person concerned.
Her face is everywhere!
Yes, another superb poster by Alphonse Mucha.
But I can't get to Sarah Bernhardt.
She's not in Paris?
She's back from a triumphant tour of the Americas.
She's a goddess beyond my reach.
Maybe you know people who know her?
I do. We're off to see Marcel Proust.
- What does he do? - Nothing.
He wants to be a writer.
He says he lives and observes
and he'll put it to use in due time.
He frequents all the salons and knows the great Sarah.
When I grow up
I'll be a great actress.
- You keep changing jobs. - What do you mean?
I'll do them all! And my quest is not over.
You too want to keep pedalling around Paris
and be a singer and a dancer.
You're right.
And I'm saving up to study law.
Injustice disgusts me.
Justice interests me.
Good day, Madame Céleste.
How charming.
Yes, that is the appropriate term.
- Good day, my dear Orel. - Good day, Mr Proust.
Dilili, from Kanaky, is my friend.
Welcome, young lady. My name is Marcel.
And my friend, maker of sweet music, Reynaldo Hahn.
I'm happy to meet you.
You bring peaches from the Ritz?
No, some information.
We got wind of a plot by the Master-Men
to rob Sarah Bernhardt's jewels.
- The police don't believe us. - We do!
Admittedly, a secret weapon
behind the gates of hell
is hard to swallow.
The Gates of Hell is a sculpture by Rodin.
Tell us all! I'll call Sarah so she stays home.
So much for Sarah Bernhardt.
That's typical of her! Danger or not, she'll go.
Her motto is "Do it!"
As for The Gates of Hell, we're on to them.
As long as we get there first!
Mr Rodin, I'm happy to meet you.
I'm honoured by your visit,
young people eager to see my work.
But while you look
allow me to continue my Balzac.
It was commissioned by the noble Zola.
Another great writer
and a heroic citizen.
I am in awe.
Of all your works, my favourite is this one.
I'm glad you like it.
But it's not by me,
but by a colleague I love, Camille Claudel.
I'm happy to meet you.
It must be great to be a sculptress.
Yes.
We've forgotten our quest.
Where are The Gates of Hell?
In the garden.
- Too late! - I'll catch him.
But that's impossible!
Today's the day.
Orel, where are you?
Good day, pretty child.
Good day, sir.
I wish you a pleasant stroll.
A pretty child, well brought up.
Increasingly rare...
Don't worry, nothing serious.
My cane is broken, not me.
I just need a helping hand
to get to my feet.
What are you doing, my child?
- Where are the kidnapped girls? - What?
What are you talking about?
I'm just a poor old grandfather
in need of a little favour.
You poor old man.
I'll take you in my tricycle...
to the police, who'll take good care of you!
You got too close, but you were on to him.
It wasn't difficult. He had a ring in his nose.
Don't rely on that.
It was silly of me to wait for you outside.
But all in all, close calls aside,
we're making progress.
The Master-Men haven't nabbed me
and we're off to nab two of them.
The jewellery store...
Sarah Bernhardt!
Well, not yet.
But we can't see her!
We'll go see her on stage.
Go!
Not in the middle of the street, silly girl!
Behave, you brat!
If I didn't have to stay put, I'd thrash you.
How pretty!
Go!
Sirs, could you return my skipping rope?
Go elsewhere. This is no place for girls.
What do you mean? She just captured two Master-Men.
Something you never did!
What cheek!
Now beat it, both of you, or I'll jail you too!
Officer, I saw the whole thing
and I advise you to return the skipping rope
to this brave girl.
There you go. And well done.
Thank you.
I applaud you, young man, for swiftly unhitching a horse
with such dexterity and stealth.
And you, young lady, for your skipping-rope skills.
Brilliant! What's your name?
Dilili and you?
Edward.
- Sorry? - Édouard.
I'm happy to meet you.
- What do you do? - Very little, in fact.
- How do you live? - With my mother's money.
- Her job? - She's queen.
No, don't give me fairy tales. There are no more queens.
Not in France, in Great Britain.
You really do nothing all day?
I live,
I enjoy this beautiful city,
its diverse amusements
and passionate encounters, such as this.
I observe
and hope to make something of it one day.
- Like Marcel. - Yes...
I dream of fostering, between very different people
an understanding that would be cordial.
I fully agree.
I'm delighted.
- The Prince of Wales! - The future king!
Excellency, you saw everything?
- The thief used sleeping gas? - Were you with Sarah Bernhardt?
I must go.
I have urgent purchases to make for a lady.
However, this young person will better answer your questions.
Good day.
You understand our language?
For the first time, the Master-Men are defeated
by a little Kanak girl called Lididi!
L'Intransigeant reveals all!
The heist of the century foiled by Dililotte, from Lapland!
Sarah Bernhardt faints amid deadly gas and gems!
In colour in Le Petit Journal!
Buy your copy of L'Assiette au Beurre!
We propose that to put Paris right
the Prefect of Police should be replaced
by a little girl with a skipping rope!
Dilili, you are now the most famous girl in Paris!
And the person most wanted by the Master-Men.
We must protect you.
The tricycle is too vulnerable.
Anyway, I have a ton of errands to run.
From now on, Dilili, you will only use my car.
Lebeuf will take you home and back here later.
Though he may not be the friendliest,
his build is quite dissuasive.
I was so happy in Orel's tricycle.
Her picture everywhere.
Even in my paper.
The little ape is now a celebrity!
When will the Master-Men end this scandal?
Very soon.
Such ballyhoo for this child,
or even for their grand Sarah, or for your mistress...
"Mistress"... The very word is revolting.
She should be your driver
and await your orders.
Yeah...
but she'd never be able to drive an automobile!
- Indeed. - But get this.
Calvé has decided
that I am to chauffeur this pest around
so the Master-Men don't nab her.
It's a nice idea.
Having observed you closely,
I can affirm that
you are a Master-Man.
I belong to this brotherhood that is restoring order to Paris.
Know that we already reign
over underground Paris,
its quarries, catacombs and sewers.
So we can easily appear and vanish at will.
And more and more people, some in high places,
embrace our faith and mission.
Your turn has come.
Become generous, rich and powerful with us.
To be a fully-fledged Master-Man all you have to do
is deliver us
the girl, Dilili.
Joining us, you'll soon know all.
Here's the delivery address.
Blow your horn three times.
I sent two bodyguards to your home
to ward off the Master-Men.
It's all arranged with your governess.
Lebeuf, I entrust you with our little star.
Goodbye, ducky.
Read, Dilili. And skip!
Goodbye, Emma. Goodbye, Orel!
That Lebeuf is so tiresome.
I've been waiting for hours!
Midnight. Not a soul.
Madame Calvé, Orel here.
As I was passing I dropped in to say hello to Dilili.
But she's not here. Lebeuf never came.
Where does he live?
I'm on my way!
No one. Lebeuf never came home.
What can we do?
This sound...
Where were you? Where's Dilili?
Others might hear. Let's go down to the lake.
Be warned, it's ugly.
A man introduced himself as a Master-Man
saying I too could become a powerful Master-Man
if I delivered Dilili to them.
Then you entrusted her to me.
Lebeuf, I entrust you with our little star.
Goodbye, ducky.
Read, Dilili. And skip!
Goodbye, Emma. Goodbye, Orel!
- Wrong way! - Shut up!
I'm the one who knows the road!
Congratulations, Lebeuf.
You accomplished your task.
You are one of us.
Now you will meet the Grand Master-Man in person.
Drive down that ramp.
Follow me.
The Master-Men will reign.
Paris sublime, Paris of slime.
Glory to the Grand Master-Man!
I congratulate you, new brother.
You have proven yourself a real Master-Man.
Henceforth, no mystery shall we keep from you.
Be seated.
I will answer all your questions.
Master, why kidnap little girls?
To save the world.
In Paris, the natural laws have been flouted by women
who have taken power.
Paris must be put right
before this abomination spreads worldwide.
Their power is still limited.
The universities are now admitting girls
there is no longer any limit.
And you, my poor friend,
your boss is a woman.
True...
Your females have come up with a devilish invention.
The salon.
They invite who they like,
introduce who they like,
favour who they like.
True...
So, there are no women here?
How so? No women?
You're sitting on one.
S260,
an all-fours doesn't look at a man!
Yes, the correct term is not "woman" but "all-fours".
Why are you standing? You find her uncomfortable?
- Want another all-fours? - No...
I can't sit for long.
I need to stretch my legs.
Ah, youth!
I can no longer walk.
And I need four all-fours for my seat.
In fact, there are never enough all-fours.
They're so slow.
Well, on all fours
they can't go as fast as normal walking.
Normal!
You poor greenhorn.
The normal walk of an all-fours
is on all fours as its name suggests.
In short, because they're so stupid, one always needs more all-fours.
We initially kidnapped some of your adult all-fours.
But having been perverted for so long
they proved unmanageable.
So now you kidnap little girls,
they're more docile, more trainable.
You've understood perfectly, new Master-Man.
We will abduct all the little girls in Paris
and educate them in our school
where we teach what is good for an all-fours.
They'll one day replace your perverted all-fours
and order will reign anew
in Paris!
My audience ended there.
They'll put the sacred ring in my nose when I deliver a second girl.
But...
why did you come to tell us
these horrors?
Because no one's going to put a ring in my nose!
All this has opened my eyes. It's too much, even for me.
Yeah, it's horrible.
Yeah, I'm a stupid criminal.
But from now on I'll do anything to save Dilili,
the other little girls, and the women.
And to stop these men doing such harm, even to themselves.
You should see their dismal existence.
Madame Calvé,
bravo for the joy your singing gives,
for your beauty and your pretty clothes.
Lebeuf...
in the space of a minute
you've bewildered me twice,
as never before in my entire life.
I'll scour the sewers for clues.
- Monsieur Jean! - Orel, what's up?
The kidnapped girls are in the sewers.
- I'm looking for clues. - I thought as much.
I found these scraps of paper floating.
People's names, must be a secret code.
I hope they help you find the little girls.
"Toulouse-Lautrec, Madame Curie,
"Picasso, Pasteur, Debussy, Monet,
"Colette, Degas, Bernhardt, Proust..."
They're from Dilili's notebook! I'm off!
- Take a left. - Thanks!
Calamity!
"Rodin"...
"Camille Claudel"...
I found her! Come!
One, two, one, two...
U-turn to the right!
Heads well down!
It's horrendous!
To think that our poor Dilili
is one of those poor huddled creatures.
Stop!
I see a zero-all-fours
who has no right hand-shoe.
I looked all over, but in vain.
How can one discern a little black glove
amidst such gloom and straw?
A zero-all-fours never answers back.
You, you're a bad apple,
you'll not last here.
Go look for that hand-shoe!
On all fours, on all fours!
Try that again and you'll be flung into the sewer!
What are you waiting for?
But...
You cannot imprison the sewer.
I go where it goes!
She's getting away!
No, she'll drown.
We'll recover her clothes for a more deserving zero-all-fours.
The sewer grating will trap her drowned body.
I hadn't planned for this grating.
Lebeuf! You've come to recapture me?
No, that's over.
I'm here to set you free!
Alas, I'm truly a prisoner.
No, your head is through, the rest will follow.
Lebeuf, grab her arms. Dilili, turn sideways.
You're hugging me, although I'm covered...
in excrement.
Doesn't matter, it washes off.
The real poo
is those men back there.
Go ahead and cry, my poor ducky.
We saw how they treated you.
You saw me crawling on all fours?
Yes.
Then I shall die of shame!
No, you won't die of shame.
We saw you humiliated and suffered with you.
We saw you were heroic and were proud of you.
And always, our hearts were beating for you.
I think it would be wise
to get out of here.
Orel, dressing room 13. Lebeuf, room 14 and stay put.
You must hide from the Master-Men
who'll soon know you're no longer one of them.
They'll bring you clean clothes. I'll take care of Dilili.
Come in!
It was the only clean outfit available.
You're a prince!
And you're a firework.
And me... What do I look like?
A king!
Thank you.
Feeling better, kid?
I'm still trembling.
Orel, know how to give a cuddle?
Sure.
Poor little thing. Here you're safe. Forget all that.
I don't want to.
The others are still crawling on all fours.
We know the exercises are held by the sewer.
Then the girls must clean up after the men in the underground city.
And at night they are locked up
with the supervisor in a dorm.
The only opening is in another room,
a factory chimney, you can see the sky.
There is no boiler beneath it.
It must be just for ventilation.
Little girls aren't smoke,
they can't escape through a chimney.
Maybe they could with a rope ladder.
And then they fly away?
Yes... On board an airship.
Mr Santos-Dumont can help us.
Yes! Alberto, my favourite Brazilian!
But Emma darling,
it's impossible!
My little engine can barely propel me alone.
I could add a pedal propeller
but 20 girls would be too much for me.
Pedal? So be it.
If they want to be freed they must make an effort.
- They'll pedal! - And I'm a champion pedaller.
And I'm bursting with energy.
And me, ever seen me dance the Seguidilla?
Yes!
And my long familiarity with the skipping rope
has luckily prepared me for pedalling.
Good...
I have a fine team of pedallers.
But I'll need a huge light structure to fit so many.
Plus a vast amount of fabric to make such a balloon.
Draft the plan, I know someone who can do it.
- Are you sure? - Yes, I have friends everywhere.
- And where is this chimney? - I don't know.
Then is it worth making this airship?
According to the sewer, it's in the north-east of Paris.
Which is full of factory chimneys.
Do all factory chimneys
have a weathervane in the shape of a snake?
Mr Eiffel's is the highest apartment in the world.
We'll do our best to save the girls
and have the Master-Men locked up.
A new metal, aluminium, can work wonders.
Mr Eiffel,
I'm so inspired by your construction.
Do you think that one day
I might build a monument as high?
Of course. And even higher.
- Madame, Berlin on the line. - Thank you, my friend.
Madame Calvé is speaking foreignly.
She's taken up German
so as to sing Wagner, whom she admires.
And she's friends with Count von Zeppelin
who builds big airships.
Ferdinand! How lovely!
Fine, thanks.
Well, I will be once we've saved these little girls and our civilisation.
I knew I could count on you.
I need fabric to urgently assemble an airship
of 10,000 cubic metres.
A scandal!
Màster-Men captured by the Kanak girl escape!
I don't believe it!
But how do the Master-Men do it?
I've discovered how, I'll show you.
Incomprehensible escape!
But where's the little Kanak girl?
We really need her.
Kanak, Kanak...
Back in Kanaky
they said I was French as if I'd no Kanak ancestors.
In France, they say I'm Kanak, as if I've no French ancestors.
I want both!
Or just leave me be.
I live near the Prefect of Police.
This is his residence.
Nice building.
The building opposite has a blind wall.
Nobody can see into his apartment.
It's here.
Where are you taking us?
To my room, and higher still.
To see what goes unseen.
This is my nest.
You poor thing, it's not very big.
It's home and I'm happy here.
And I have a beautiful view. Come on.
Take my hand. I don't want you to fall.
Here we are.
What follows is ugly to behold.
A direct view of the prefect's living room.
What hideous décor!
But what does it matter?
An all-fours!
They're sitting on women!
The Prefect of Police and his staff
belong to the Master-Men sect.
So, we can't rely on the authorities.
We should bring together Sarah Bernhardt,
Louise Michel and Madame Curie
to come up with ideas.
A sweet notion, Dilili, but alas
there are stars whose paths do not cross.
My dear Sarah,
Dilili has persuasion.
The young heroine only had to ask.
How could I not grasp the opportunity
to meet my two other heroines
Marie Curie and Louise Michel?
Three joys befall me at once.
Being reunited with my beloved pupil from afar,
with my dear Sarah Bernhardt,
of such talent and whose deeds I'll not forget,
and meeting Madame Curie.
Marie Sklodowska, what a joy
and how encouraging that you exist
and that you've come.
Thank you, Louise Michel.
I'm not sure I can be of use in this council of war.
But no human being could refuse such an invitation.
I came to Paris to study what my country refused to teach girls.
There must be no going back!
To think that men
could force my daughters to walk on all fours!
And you too.
And the police side with them.
Not all the police.
Yes, many do a worthy job...
The cats here are huge.
Watch out!
It's only Justinien,
my cheetah.
When the police fails, there's the army.
The army!
Bloodthirsty morons who accuse and kill innocent people!
That's more the doing of its Chiefs of Staff.
Not all officers agreed.
Yes, the lieutenant-colonel involved in "the affair"
was fortunately reinstated...
Sometimes, I don't understand a thing!
Perhaps I will later.
When the time comes he won't be in Paris.
The Lt.-col. is often in Vienna at the Mahler's,
he loves music.
A man of many qualities.
The bloodthirsty general will be in London,
thanks to Emma Calvé and Queen Victoria,
leaving the way clear for the lieutenant-colonel.
And he and his soldiers will crush the Master-Men.
But no!
The lieutenant-colonel cannot act alone,
he must receive orders.
Then the President of the Republic must give them to him.
Of course,
no half measures.
I'll invite the president over, he can't refuse me,
and I'll explain it all to him.
It's a done deal!
We're having a cuddle.
But we'll not wait any longer to free the girls.
In a fortnight's time, they'll fly with us!
It's time!
Santos-Dumont and his workers have excelled.
He must be already on the roof.
- We're ready! - What is that outfit?
Outfit? Well, it's not a ball gown...
Risking your life is no excuse for shoddy dressing.
Paul, darling, see to that, please.
You must impress the girls to lead them out,
before meeting the parents, if all goes well.
You know Paul Poiret? No, not yet.
He works for other couturiers, but not for long.
I'm happy to meet you.
- Don't write, I'm dressing you! - I'm writing your name.
Voilà!
So pretty!
Take this. Wear it in your hair after victory.
Now she's trussed like a chicken,
I'd throw her into the sewer to see how she likes it.
- Lebeuf! - Don't worry.
I had to say it, but I won't do it.
Poor woman.
Wake up! Wake up!
We're leaving, escaping, back to mum and dad.
Run to the chimney!
On your own two feet!
Never again on all fours!
Up you go, they're waiting.
Your turn. Hurry, go!
They're coming!
Hello, sweetie!
Come, take a seat.
Come, little one!
This way. Take your place.
Pretty flower.
Take your seat.
Climb!
Hurry!
Hello, gift from heaven.
- Take my hand. - Hello, hummingbird.
- That way. - Hello, my coconut candy.
- Follow me. - Come, little star.
What?
Grab on, girls! Go! I'll take the last one!
Raise the balloon!
Sun and rain
Day and night
Flowers and fruit
He and he, she and she
She and he
You and me, them and us
Those from here, those from there
Big and small
All as one...
The diners in the Eiffel Tower will be amazed
as will your parents waiting below.
And I will sing for you,
girls once mistreated,
girls now returned.
Santos-Dumont, of course.
But that's Emma Calvé!
And her pretty little friend.
The little brown girl, Orel's friend!
Yes, indeed! It's Dilili!
With all the other little girls,
free at last!
Champagne.
What joy!
The little girls have returned!
The world is again complete!
Mummy! Daddy!
Madame!
I am the leading impresario in Paris.
Lay that on every night and you'll make a fortune!
My good man,
I made my fortune long ago.
Some things are unique, but last for ever.
It was Dilili who freed us.
She escaped, but she came back to free us.
- Dilili is courageous! - Dilili is generous!
- Thank you, Dilili. - Dilili, thank you.
But I wasn't alone!
No, you are no alone.
Sometimes life proves to be
quite satisfactory indeed.
And it's only just begun!
END
All the people who made this film also thought about their little girls:
You may wonder, what of the Master-Men sect?
Well, the lieutenant-colonel worked wonders.
The villains were locked up,
the women were freed
and learned to walk again.
Some even learned to dance.
A few elderly women chose to remain on all fours.
I gave them a wing of my castle in Languedoc.
At least they have fresh air and a splendid view.
Lebeuf was reunited with the woman he'd seen in the underground city
and had her forget all the ill men had done to her.
As for the little prisoners, they can now meet who they like,
go to schools that educate them
instead of making them walk on all fours.
And for each special occasion I offer them a colourful dress.
Sun and rain
Day and night
Flowers and fruit
He and he, she and she
She and he
You and me, them and us
Those from here, those from there
Dusky and pearl
All as one
Sun and rain
Day and night
Flowers and fruit
He and he, she and she
She and he
Sultans and beggars
Thieves and kings
Witches and fairies
All as one
Sun and rain
Day and night
Flowers and fruit
He and he, she and she
She and he
Mums and dads
Babies and granddads
Girls and boys
All as one!
Sun and rain
Day and night
Flowers and fruit
He and he, she and she
She and he
Fair and frightful
Wise and foolish
Big and small
All as one!