INT. ARTHUR CHAMBER
( early evening)

Arthur's at his office linking Miss Smith's documents. He gets up when he hears noise.

INT. ENTRANCE HALL

Madame Dupont takes off her coat.

ARTHUR
So ?

MADAME DUPONT
Let's just say it could have been worse...

ARTHUR
Your colleagues ?

MADAME DUPONT
I'm not here to make friends. I just want to do my job.

ARTHUR
(worried)
It wasn't, was it ?

MADAME DUPONT
We'll talk about it later, if you don't mind.

ARTHUR
I wish you could work under the best conditions...

MADAME DUPONT
( changing subject)
How was your afternoon ?

ARTHUR
About that... An education counselor came to see me...

MADAME DUPONT
Yeah, and ?

ARTHUR
What? That's it? That's it? You're not surprised ?

MADAME DUPONT
Her visit was always planned...

ARTHUR
Really ? Why wasn't I informed?

MADAME DUPONT
I told you... But as usual, you didn't listen to me...

ARTHUR
It is possible...

MADAME DUPONT
(Observing the surroundings)
Where are the suitcases ?

ARTHUR
The soldiers mounted them.

MADAME DUPONT
In that case, I'm going up. I'll put my things away. Then I'll have to give you a new phone. Ours are useless here.

ARTHUR
( in a low voice)
Mom...

MADAME DUPONT
( concerned)
What is it ?

ARTHUR
I'm really hungry !

MADAME DUPONT
( reassured)
You are incorrigible...