INT. MIMI'S FLAT, KITCHEN-AFTERNOON

Mimi, wearing a smock over her dress, is arranging some gourmet tea sandwiches cut into neat, crustless squares, on a tray. Next to it is another tray of pretty little cakes. She has taken special care to make them look nice: the tray of sandwiches is decorated with roses made from tomatoes and each of the cakes is adorned with a sugared lemon slice.

EXT. MIMI'S BUILDING, BACKYARD-AFTERNOON

It is a balmy, Indian summer afternoon.Catharine is sitting in a long, narrow yard behind the building where Mimi lives. The yard is shaded by several trees and the walls which enclose it are covered in ivy. The space is taken up by potted plants and wrought iron tables and chairs. One of the tables is set for a meal with a nice jacquard tablecloth and napkins, silverware, porcelain plates, and crystal glasses. In the center is a vase filled with lilies of the valley. Set up next to the table is an artist's easel with a half-finished painting. Underneath it is a box of paints and brushes.

Catharine is sitting at the table set for a meal, reading a magazine and appears to have been waiting awhile. 

Mimi comes into the backyard through a walkway which runs alongside the house. She is carrying the trays of sandwiches and cakes and puts them on the table where Catharine is sitting. Catharine picks up a pocket watch which is hanging from a silver chatelain hanging from her waist.

CATHARINE

We told her to be here around three o'clock; it's nearly four. She's almost an hour late.

Mimi begins to pack up her painting supplies and move them out of the way of the table.

MIMI

I wonder what's keeping her.

Mimi picks up the half-finished painting and props it up against a wall to dry in the sun.

MIMI

Would you run inside and get the pitcher of gin fizz I made? It's in the icebox.

Catharine gets up and goes inside. 

INT. MIMI'S FLAT, KITCHEN-AFTERNOON

Catharine opens up the icebox and takes out a pitcher of cocktails. The telephone rings and Catharine goes over to answer it.

CATHARINE

Hello?

EDMOND V.O.

Good afternoon, Madame.

INT. DANTON HOUSE, LIVING ROOM-AFTERNOON

Edmond is sitting in a gaudy art deco style living room which looks like something out of a magazine or a store display.

CATHARINE V.O.

Edmond, what is it?

EDMOND

I thought you'd like to know where Marianne is right now. 

EXT. MIMI'S BUILDING, BACKYARD- AFTERNOON

Mimi is sitting at the table, trying to resist the urge to take a sandwich or cake, and waiting for Marianne to arrive. She has removed her smock and is wearing a nice chiffon dress.  

Catharine comes out of the building, practically foaming at the mouth with anger. She looks like an animal whose young has been threatened. She puts the pitcher of cocktails on the table.

CATHARINE

That shameless little hussie!

MIMI

What's the matter?

CATHARINE

I just found out why Marianne's been late. Apparently, she's been seeing some petty criminal who went on trial today. We allowed her to live on her own. We allowed her to take that job and what does the little good-for-nothing do with our trust? Fool around with some convict. I'd like to know how someone like that got anywhere near her.

Marianne comes in from the walkway and goes over to where her aunts are sitting.

MARIANNE

I'm sorry I'm late, I...

CATHARINE

Don't give us any excuses, young lady!

MARIANNE

Excuse me?

CATHARINE

How was the trial you went to today? Did that little punk you've been seeing get locked up for good?

MARIANNE

How did you...?

CATHARINE

Edmond called and told us about how he overheard you planning on going to a trial today for someone named Augustin Lerou.

MARIANNE

And did your precious son-in-law tell you about what happened on the night he just so happened to overhear this?

CATHARINE

How did you meet this boy?

MARIANNE

You meet all sorts of people working as a waitress.

CATHARINE

Your poor mother, God rest her soul...

Catharine makes the sign of the cross.

CATHARINE

What would she think of what you've been doing?

MARIANNE

She'd think I was doing the right thing. When I met Augustin, I thought he needed someone to be nice to him.

CATHARINE

Not too nice, I hope.

MARIANNE

I go to mass every week and listen to sermons about helping those in need. I was in prison and you came to visit me, and all that.

CATHARINE

(sarcastic)

From the mouths of babes.

Marianne looks towards Mimi for sympathy and support. Mimi gets up out of her chair.

MIMI

The best thing that could have happened is that they locked him up and if you had any sense you'd know that.

Mimi puts her hands on Marianne's shoulders.

MIMI

Look me in the eyes, Marianne d'Aubrey, and tell me that you won't waste another second thinking about that boy. You deserve much better than Augustin Lerou. Now, let's not let this spoil a nice afternoon.

She gives her sister and niece a warning look before gesturing for them to sit down at the table. Marianne reaches for the tray of sandwiches and tea cakes.

MARIANNE

Egg salad sandwiches and lemon cakes, my favorite.

The three women settle down to have their tea as if nothing happened. 

INT. HÔTEL VERTE, MARIANNE'S FLAT- NIGHT

Marianne is sitting at her bay window seat. She has a box of stationery with her: She is using the box to write a letter on. Johnny is curled up by her side and is snoring.

MARIANNE V.O

Dear Augustin, I visited the St. Michel fountain on my way to your trial and made a wish that things would work out for you. I guess St. Michel wasn't listening...

INT. LA SANTÉ PRISON, CELL BLOCK-NIGHT

Augustin is sitting on his cot, reading Marianne's letter. He looks pale and has dark circles under his eyes.

MARIANNE V.O.

I wish I could be there and tell you everything I have to say in person. I never thought I would miss you but my heart breaks when I think of you being locked away for fifteen years...

INT. LA SANTÉ PRISON, MESS HALL- MORNING

Augustin is sitting at one of the long tables in a large hall which is filled with other PRISONERS. He pulls Marianne's letter out from where he had been keeping it in his shirt.

MARIANNE V.O.

Feel free to write to me when you feel lonely and I'll come to visit you whenever I can. Warmest regards, Marianne.

Camille and a couple of his FRIENDS approach Augustin, who quickly stashes the letter in his shirt.

CAMILLE

(taunting)

Hey Lerou! Who's the letter from?

AUGUSTIN

Mind your own goddamn business.

Camille's friends pounce on Augustin. One of them holds back Augustin's arms while he struggles to break free. The other pulls the letter out of Augustin's shirt and hands it to Camille.

CAMILLE

(reading aloud in a prissy voice)

Dear Augustin, I visited the St. Michel fountain on my way to your trial and made a wish that things would work out for you. I guess St. Michel wasn't listening...

Augustin spits in Camille's face.

INT. LA SANTÉ PRISON, CELL BLOCK-NIGHT

Augustin is kneeling on his cot, holding a piece of paper to the wall with one hand and writing with the other.He has the beginnings of a bruise over one of his eyes. The sounds of a guard making the rounds of the cellblock are heard in the distance.

AUGUSTIN V.O.

Chérie, it's so frightening and lonely here but when I read your sweet letter, it made me feel less afraid and alone. I can't think straight right now. I'll write more tomorrow after I've gotten some sleep.

GUARD V.O

Lights out!

The lights turn off and the cell block turns into a nightmare world of shadows, bangs, clangs, and creaks. Augustin lays back on his cot and stares off into the darkness. 

EXT. LA SANTÉ PRISON, PRISON YARD- MORNING

The inmates of La Santé are in the prison yard to watch an execution. There is a guillotine at the far end of the yard. A BOY (early 20s) is lead by GUARDS towards the guillotine. The boy's MOTHER and SISTERS watch the scene with tears. Augustin is among the crowd.

AUGUSTIN V.O.

They brought us into the prison yard today to watch an execution. A boy was put to death for killing his stepfather. The story is that the boy's stepfather used to beat his mother and sister, so I guess the bastard had it coming.

The boy's head is put in the headlocks of the guillotine. The blade falls and the crowd gasps.

AUGUSTIN V.O.

The boy was the same age as me. It's strange to think of someone your own age dying.

INT. LA SANTÉ PRISON, SHOWER ROOM- NIGHT

Augustin is shaving in front of a sink with a mirror. The sound of water drops from the showers echos in the distance.

AUGUSTIN V.O.

My plan is that I'm going to be a good boy and get paroled in a few years for good behavior. Good luck with that, you think, but I promise I'm done with being stupid. Best wishes, Augustin.

A shadowy figure, Camille, appears behind Augustin in his reflection.