Marianne walks into the cell block escorted by a MATRON. INMATES whistle at her as she walks by. She is brought to Augustin's cell. Augustin walks over to the bars to speak with her. His face has a healing black eye and some cuts.

MATRON

(to Marianne)

You have five minutes, Mademoiselle.

She walks away.

AUGUSTIN

I'm glad you came today, Chérie.

MARIANNE

I wanted to know how you were doing.

She reaches through the bar to stroke his cheek.

MARIANNE

You look pale.

AUGUSTIN.

I haven't gotten much sun lately; this place ain't exactly San Tropez.

MARIANNE

If this place is San Tropez, they can keep it.

She notices the bruise and cuts on his face.

MARIANNE

What happened to your face?

AUGUSTIN

(Defensive)

Nothing, I just had a fall down the stairs.

MARIANNE

You don't get bruises and cuts like that from a fall.

AUGUSTIN

How's your friend Manon? Is she feeling better?

MARIANNE

Don't try to change the subject. Who did this to you?

AUGUSTIN

A guy named Camille.

MARIANNE

Did the guards do anything?

AUGUSTIN

No. Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself.

He reaches through the bars to stroke her cheek.

AUGUSTIN

Anyways, What are you doing today?

MARIANNE

I have work in a few hours.

The Matron returns to escort Marianne out of the cellblock.

MATRON

Time's up!

Marianne gets up on her tiptoes and kisses Augustin on the lips through the bars of his cell. She blushes. He is tempted to deepen the kiss but resists.

AUGUSTIN

See you soon, Chèrie.

MARIANNE

Don't forget to write.

The Matron leads Marianne out of the cell block.

INT. LA PREMIÈRE ÉTOILE, DINING ROOM- AFTERNOON.

The little bell attached to the front door rings as Edmond swaggers into the cafe. Marianne walks over to the table where he situates himself to take his order. She is taken aback when she notices that it's him but composes herself.

MARIANNE

(Trying to be polite)

What can I get for you?

EDMOND

The potato and leek soup and a glass of citron-pressé.

MARIANNE

Alright, be right back with your drink.

MARIANNE begins to walk off but Edmond stops her.

EDMOND

I heard you've been going to see some con at La Santé Prison.

MARIANNE

Yes, what's it to you?

EDMOND

Aren't you a little young to get involved with someone like that? How old are you? Sixteen?

MARIANNE

I turned nineteen back in October.

EDMOND

So this convict found the glass slipper? No...more like stole it.

MARIANNE

Why did you come here to bother me, Edmond?

EDMOND

Haven't you realized that you're wasted on Augustin Lerou? A dainty little thing like you needs someone who can take care of her. Do you think he can take care of you?

He grabs her wrist and puts his hand on her shoulder. She pushes him away.

MARIANNE

You're unimaginable. You get fresh with me while Mathilde, your wife, is in the other room and when I said no, you tattled on me to my aunts. And now you go and act like you only looking after my best interest.

EDMOND

You're dirty and no one decent will ever want you.

Marianne slaps him.

MARIANNE

And you can go to hell for all I care.

Manon, who is walking out of the kitchen, rushes over to intervene.

MANON

Monsieur, you better leave if you know what's good for you.

EDMOND

It's she who doesn't know what's good for her.

He tips his hat to the girls and begins to walk out the door.

EDMOND

Nineteen years old and all grown. up.

MANON

Marianne, we can ask people to leave if they get out of hand but we can't hit them.

MARIANNE

(giggling)

What would people say if they knew Marianne d'Aubrey took a swing at him.

The two girls get back to work.

INT. LA PREMIÈRE ÉTOILE, DINING ROOM- NIGHT.

It is near closing time at the cafe and is empty. Marianne looks tired and anxious to go home. She is sitting at a counter and waiting for customers to come in. "Brother, Can You Spare a Time?" sung by Bing Crosby plays on the radio.

Faucherie and Hélène walk in. Hélène is wearing an expensive looking fur coat. They two of them sit down at a table. Marianne brings them a basket of bread and stifles a yawn.

FAUCHERIE

(to Marianne)

Past your bedtime, Little bird?

HÉLÈNE

What time does this joint close?

MARIANNE

(yawning)

Ten.

She pulls her pad of paper and a pencil.

MARIANNE

What can I get for you?

FAUCHERIE

We'll start off with a bottle of Burgundy.

MARIANNE

Any particular vintage?

FAUCHERIE

Whatever you've got.

Marianne goes and grabs a bottle of wine and brings it over to them.

MARIANNE

Have you decided what you're going to eat?

HÉLÈNE

What do you recommend?

MARIANNE

The chicken cassoulet here is excellent.

HÉLÈNE

Then we'll have that.

Marianne writes their order down and goes over towards the kitchen. She yawns.

FAUCHERIE

Long night, Marianne d'Aubrey?

MARIANNE

How do you know me?

FAUCHERIE

I make it my business to know people, especially when they are as pretty as you.

MARIANNE

And who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?

Faucherie takes her hand and kisses it

FAUCHERIE

Bruno Faucherie, at your service, Mademoiselle.

MARIANNE

Augustin told me about you.

FAUCHERIE

So we have a mutual friend.

MARIANNE

One who you got put in jail.

Hélène is looks surprised that Marianne would talk back to him but gives a smile of grudging respect.

FAUCHERIE

I hope you don't hold that against me.

MARIANNE

Augustin made his choice freely. He knew the consequence.

FAUCHERIE

Well, Little Bird, we're going to get him out.

MARIANNE

You're joking with me, certainly?

HÉLÈNE

No dear, that's why we came here, to talk to you.

FAUCHERIE

I got the poor boy locked away, the least I can do is break him out.

The COOK behind rings the bell behind the counter: "Order Up!"

MARIANNE

Excuse me, I'll be right back.

She goes and brings back a large dish of cassoulet which Faucherie and Hélène tuck into.

MARIANNE

Why would you want to talk to me?

Faucherie puts a forkful of cassoulet into his mouth and then wipes the sauce on his face with a napkin.

FAUCHERIE

You've been visiting Augustin at La Santé, haven't you?

MARIANNE

Yes.

FAUCHERIE

Then they would recognize you there and a sweet looking little thing like you wouldn't look suspicious. If you snuck in a message for him, no one would suspect a thing. You'd do that for me wouldn't you, Little Bird?

He strokes her cheek with one of his fingers.

MARIANNE

For Augustin, I will.

FAUCHERIE

Good little bird. Plan to go visit him a week from today but before then, stop by the Green Goblin the night before.

Madame Océane behind her tobacconist counter.

MADAME OCÉANE

(to Faucherie and Hélène)

Madame, Monsieur, we close in ten minutes.

(to Marianne)

Marianne, you can go home.

Faucherie kisses Marianne's hand.

FAUCHERIE

Good night, Little Bird. See you in a week.

HÉLÈNE

Good night, dear.

Marianne goes to grabs her coat to leave.

INT. CINEMA, AUDITORIUM-AFTERNOON

Marianne is sitting in an auditorium watching a romantic melodrama. In the film, a beautiful STARLETTE (20s) is sneaking a pistol into prison for a handsome LEADING MAN (30s), who is locked up in a cell. The couple embrace through the bars of the cell and in the process, she slips him the pistol.

INT. CATHARINE'S FLAT, DRAWING ROOM- AFTERNOON

Catharine is sitting in her drawing room, waiting for guests to arrive. Agnès walks in, wearing a black armband on the sleeve of her shirt with three white arrows pointing downwards to the left and a red circle which reads "Partie Socialiste: S.F.I.O." Catharine notices it.

CATHARINE

(scolding)

Take that off!

Agnès ignores her. The doorbell rings and the two go to answer it.

INT. CATHARINE'S FLAT, ENTRANCE HALL- AFTERNOON

Catherine, followed by Agnès, goes to answer the door. In walk Mimi, Mathilde, and Marianne. Agnès help them with their coats and hats.

MIMI

When are the Prideauxs expected?

CATHARINE

Any moment now.

MARIANNE

Who are the Prideauxs?

MIMI

Old friends.

Agnès hangs up coats and hats. Catharine notices that she's still wearing the armband.

CATHARINE

Agnès, what did I tell you about taking that thing off.

INT. CATHARINE'S FLAT, DRAWING ROOM- AFTERNOON

The five women have been sitting in the drawing room for several minutes. Catharine's maid ushers in Charles and Adèle. Catharine rises to greet them.

CATHARINE

Right on time.

CHARLES

Hello, Catharine.

CATHARINE

(icily)

Nice to see you as well.

Charles gestures to Adèle.

CHARLES

You remember my wife, Adèle?

ADÈLE

Nice to see you again, Madame Mathieu.

CATHARINE ignores her offered hand and goes over the maid.

CATHARINE

(to the maid)

Would you bring the tea, the pastries, and the sandwiches?

The maid goes into the kitchen to fetch the refreshments. Catharine gestures over to Mathilde, Marianne, and Agnès.

CATHARINE

(to Charles)

These are my daughters, Mathilde and Agnès, and my niece, Marianne.

Each of the girls gives Charles and Adèle a nob in greeting. Charles and Adèle take their seats: Adèle on a sofa between Catharine and Mimi; Charles in an armchair next to Marianne, who is sitting on another sofa with Mathilde and Agnès. As Charles sits down, he rubs his knee and appears to be in pain.

MARIANNE

(concerned)

Are you alright, Monsieur?

CHARLES

I'm alright, it's just that this damp weather is making my arthritis act up; a wound from the Great War, you see.

MARIANNE

Where were you wounded?

CHARLES

Verdun.

MARIANNE

My father died at Verdun.

CHARLES

I'm sorry for your loss, Mademoiselle.

MATHILDE

(scoffing at Marianne)

Your father was a shiftless nobody who only married your mother because she had money.

(to Agnès)

Why else would a man have married Tante Madeleine?

MARIANNE

At least my father didn't sleep right and left and betray my mother like yours did.

The maid brings in a tray of cucumber tea sandwiches, madeleines, and pastel-colored macarons. Catharine brings in a kettle of hot water and a glass teapot which she puts on a table in front of her guests. She puts a flowering tea bud inside the pot and then ceremonially pours in the hot water. The tea bud blooms. The guests help themselves to the refreshments.

CHARLES

(to Mathilde)

Mathilde, you're mother tells me that you were in Naples recently. What did you think of Italy?

MATHILDE

I liked it a lot, Monsieur? Mussolini's public works projects are getting things back up and running over there.

Agnès rolls her eyes.

CATHARINE

Agnès, don't roll your eyes!

AGNÈS

Mussolini is nothing but a posturing buffoon and I'm starting to think that Hitler in Germany isn't any better.

MATHILDE

Well, at least they're not impotent and useless like our politicians. Your grand ideas are very well but we need strong leaders to get us out of this depression. Italy and Germany were a mess before Mussolini and Hitler came to power and we could use someone like them here in France. The Italians and the Germans have jobs and their governments are strong enough to hold everything together."

AGNÈS

Last time I checked, no one is this room was doing too badly.

Marianne picks up a madeleine and begins nibbling at it. Charles leans over towards Mimi.

CHARLES

(to Mimi)

Is that her?

They both look over towards Marianne.

MIMI

Yes.

CHARLES

My little girl.

MIMI

Pretty, isn't she?

CHARLES

She's beautiful.

The maid returns to clear the table. Marianne stands up and helps her.

MARIANNE

Please, allow me.

CATHARINE

(to the maid)

Would you please go and pick up some bread and olive oil for dinner?

MAID

Yes, Madame.

MARIANNE

I'll take care of the dishes.

The maid leaves the room. Marianne begins to carry the dishes and trays into the kitchen.

CHARLES

I'll help her.

He picks up the rest of the dishes and follows Marianne into the kitchen.

INT. CATHARINE'S FLAT, KITCHEN-AFTERNOON

Catharine's kitchen is pristine and white with a floor tiled in a colorful geometric pattern.

Marianne is washing dishes and singing. Charles walks in and listens to her.

MARIANNE

(singing)

East Side, West Side, all around the town. The tots sang "ring around rosie," "London Bridge is falling down." Boys and Girls together, me and Mamie O'Rourke, we tripped the light fantastic on the sidewalks of New York.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Charles is moved by her singing.

CHARLES

Sidewalks of New York, I admit it's not the first I would imagine a French girl singing.

Marianne is startled.

MARIANNE

Oh, it's you, Monsieur.

CHARLES

I brought the rest of the dishes.

MARIANNE

Thank you.

CHARLES

Where did you learn that song?

MARIANNE

My mother used to sing it to me. She said my father taught it to her.

CHARLES

Did your mother tell you a lot about him?

MARIANNE

She told me a lot of fairy tales about how he died fighting for France and how handsome he was. She said that he was the handsomest man she'd ever seen and made him sound like some sort of film star.

CHARLES

I imagine he was.

MARIANNE

Don't patronize me, Monsieur.

CHARLES

I heard what that painted up little mix said earlier and I want you to know that none of it is true, not one word of it! This I can tell you for certain.

MARIANNE

You knew my father?

CHARLES

I knew him very well, Darling.

Charles takes Marianne's hands in his. This makes Marianne uncomfortable and she tries to get away.

MARIANNE

Go away... leave me alone! You're scaring me!

CHARLES

Darling, please!

MARIANNE

Don't call me Darling!

Marianne breaks away from him and leaves the kitchen.

INT. CATHARINE'S FLAT, DRAWING ROOM- AFTERNOON

Marianne and Charles come back into the drawing room. Both of them look upset but try and fail to hide it. Catharine, Mimi, and Adèle suspect that something is wrong. Marianne goes back to where she had been sitting before. Charles goes over to Catharine and Mimi.

CHARLES

(to Catharine)

I'm sorry, Madame but my wife and I have to leave.

Adèle looks confused but follows him out of the room.

INT. CHARLES'S CAR- EVENING

Charles and Adèle are sitting inside of his spacious black Ford automobile. He is driving; she is sitting in his passenger seat. Things look tense between them. Adèle looks as though she is trying to keep something in.

INT. PRIDEAUX HOUSE, LIVING ROOM- EVENING

Charles and Adèle walk into their elegant Art Deco living room which is done up in pale shades. They had their hats and coats to a BUTLER. Adèle sits down on a sofa, lights a cigarette, and blows a cloud of smoke.

ADÈLE

You should be ashamed of yourself, Charles Prideaux. She's young enough to be your daughter.

CHARLES

She is my daughter.

ADÈLE

(scoffing)

Don't be ridiculous.

He sits down on the sofa next to her.

CHARLES

I'm telling the truth; it's a long story.

ADÈLE

Let's hear it then.

She blows a cloud of smoke in his face.

CHARLES

Those two women that we had tea with today, they had a sister named Madeleine, who died a number of years ago of consumption. Madeleine and I were married and had a daughter named Marianne, that blond young lady we met today. You remember me telling you that I spent some time in a German prison camp during the war?

ADÈLE

Yes.

CHARLES

When I was finally able to come back, everyone believed I was dead. Madeleine herself had died and her sisters were taking care of Marianne. I figured she would be better off with them, believing the fairytales her mother must have told her. I had nothing, what could I have done for a little girl?

ADÈLE

Why didn't you tell me about any of this?

CHARLES

I didn't think it mattered. I never thought they'd come back into my life.

Adèle puts a sympathetic hand on her husband's shoulder.

INT. HÔTEL VERTE, MARIANNE'S FLAT- NIGHT.

Marianne is sitting at her bay window. She is wearing her red dress and is staring thoughtfully out onto the street.

FAUCHERIE V.O

Plan to go and visit him a week from today, but before then, visit the Green Goblin the night before.

Marianne goes over to her dressing table and puts on her makeup: brow pencil, eyeliner, rouge, mascara, lipstick. There is an element of preparing for war in all this.

She goes into the kitchen area of her flat and takes a sip from a glass of wine that is on the counter. She opens a drawer and pulls out a sharp kitchen knife, which she stores under her skirt, strapped to her leg by her garter.

Back at her dressing table, she puts on her black hat. Throwing on her coat and grabbing her handbag, she leaves the room.

INT. HÔTEL VERTE, HALLWAY/STAIRWELL-NIGHT

Marianne walks out of the front door of her flat and down the hallway to the stairs.

INT. HÔTEL VERTE, FRONT HALL-NIGHT

Louise is standing in the front hall, rocking her baby son to sleep. Marianne walks in.

LOUISE

And where are you off to?

MARIANNE

I'm going to meet with a friend of mine.

LOUISE

You're all dressed up, does this friend happen to be a man?

MARIANNE

Yes.

LOUISE

Well, be careful then.

Marianne waves goodbye to Louise as she walks out the door.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

EXT. THE GREEN GOBLIN, FRONT ENTRANCE- NIGHT.

Marianne's destination, The Green Goblin, is a green painted cafe building with chalkboards on the outside walks with the menu and the day's special written on them, red awnings, and red tables and chairs on the outside patio. It looks bright, loud, and almost surreal.

Marianne walks inside.

INT. THE GREEN GOBLIN, DINING ROOM-NIGHT

The inside of The Green Goblin looks like something out of a cabaret scene painted by Van Gogh or Toulouse-Lautrec: garish colors and lighting which makes the people inside look pale, sick, and hungover. There's a black and white checkered floor, walls painted either deep green or deep red, and gilt-framed mirrors reflecting everything into infinity.

Faucherie is sitting at a table close to the MAITRE D's podium.

FAUCHERIE

(to the Maitre D)

Excuse me, has a pretty little blond, about eighteen, come in?

MAITRE D

I don't think so.

Marianne walks in and overhears Faucherie's conversation with the Maitre D. She walks up to Faucherie.

MARIANNE

My nineteenth birthday was back in October.

Faucherie gives her a mercilessly charming smile.

FAUCHERIE

Nice to see you again, Little Bird.

MARIANNE

Likewise, Monsieur Faucherie

He puts a hand on her arm. She tries not to recoil.

FAUCHERIE

Come upstairs, and we'll discuss what we talked about last time.

He leads her up a poky flight of stairs. She reaches through the fabric of skirt and grabs the hilt of her knife for security.

INT. THE GREEN GOBLIN, UPSTAIRS HALLWAY- NIGHT.

Faucherie leads Marianne down an uncomfortably narrow hallway. The hallway's dim lighting and double rows of identical doors make it seem like it stretches on forever. They stop several doors down the hall on the right side.

INT. THE GREEN GOBLIN, RED ROOM- NIGHT

Faucherie brings Marianne into a small bedroom, just big enough for a double bed with a crimson bedspread and a dresser with a cheap lace runner. There is a red carpet on the floor and a small window with lace curtains which looks out onto the street.

The two of them hang up their hats and coats. Marianne sits down on the bed and looks out the window. Faucherie sits down next to her.

FAUCHERIE

Pretty little bird.

He kisses her cheek. She flinches.

MARIANNE

So what's the plan?

FAUCHERIE

You pay Augustin a visit tomorrow and smuggle in a message for him.

He pulls a folded piece of paper out of the pocket of his suit coat. She takes it from him and puts it in her hand bag.

FAUCHERIE

My men will come and get him tomorrow evening. Once he is free, you will harbor him for the night.

MARIANNE

Tomorrow's New Year's Eve, there'll be police everywhere.

FAUCHERIE

Don't worry, Little Bird. The new police commissioner is an old friend of mine. No one's touching a hair on Augustin's pretty head.

Faucherie puts a hand Marianne's thigh and toys with the hem of her skirt. Marianne fidgets in discomfort. His fingers find the knife hidden under her dress.

FAUCHERIE

Now what's this, Little Bird? I thought we were friends.

MARIANNE

(gulping in fear)

I brought it in case of danger.

FAUCHERIE

Smart girl.

He slides the knife out of her garter and places it on the bedside table. His fingers then dance across Marianne's thigh, tickling her. She giggles, despite herself. He puts his hands on her waist and kisses her. She squirms in his arms and tries to pull herself away from him.

FAUCHERIE

What's the matter, Little Bird? I don't bite, unless that's what you like.

He playfully nibbles her ear and whispers something to her. His hands begin to undo the buttons of her dress. She tries not to scream and cry as he lays her down on the bed. He then begins to laugh.

FAUCHERIE

(chuckling)

Please make yourself decent.

Marianne sits up and redoes her buttons.

FAUCHERIE

Poor thing. Disappointed, are you?

MARIANNE

No...

FAUCHERIE

You're a pretty little thing, Augustin's lucky to have you, but I don't take advantage of little girls who don't know what they're doing.

MARIANNE

The why did you ask me up here?

FAUCHERIE

To see if you would, silly little bird.

EXT. THE GREEN GOBLIN, FRONT ENTRANCE- NIGHT

Faucherie and Marianne walk out of The Green Goblin. He takes her hands and kisses it.

FAUCHERIE

Goodnight, Little Bird. Fly home to your nest.

MARIANNE

Good night, Monsieur Faucherie.

FAUCHERIE

Remember what I told you?

MARIANNE

Go and visit Augustin tomorrow. Sneak in a message and harbor him for the night.

FAUCHERIE

Good little bird.

They walk off in separate directions into the night.