After the peaceful, caulked atmosphere of the room, the noise, light and smells grab the two creditors by the throat.

SARAH: What kind of witchcraft is this?

FEMME: Could you please get out of the way? I'm trying to take a picture!

Sarah and Paul are jostled and pulled backwards by the crowd. Confusion shows on their faces.

Hundreds of people crowd round a café, many wearing berets and dipping their croissants into their cups. They all repeat the same gesture, taking photos of themselves in the same situation.

PAUL: I don't understand...

A young girl passes by them, very cheerful.

WOMAN: It's beautiful! Just like Emily in Paris!

SARAH: What happened?

PAUL: I don't know... These people are all dressed so strangely.

WOMAN: Excuse me... Can I take your picture? I love your French style!

Paul and Sarah, stunned, turn to the girl they had just seen, who is looking at them, waving a small rectangular object in front of their faces.

SARAH: What?

WOMAN: Thank you! Don't move, it's perfect!

A little stunned, the two creditors look at the crowd gathering around them. Suddenly, Sarah grabs Paul's arm.

SARAH: Look! There's our man!

Balzac is indeed walking through the crowd. But at Sarah's cry, he turns and flees. The two creditors rush after him, but the crowd blocks them.

PAUL: Look what he's thrown away!

Paul picks up a piece of paper, on which Balzac's tight handwriting has traced a train timetable.

SARAH: Train departs: Vincennes, October 12, 1960, at 1:10pm.

PAUL: 1960? But that's impossible.

SARAH: We have to go to Vincennes on October 12, 1960? But ho...

Just as she finishes her sentence, a flash bursts from the machine she's still holding in her hand. The crowd, reproducing Emily's gestures, doesn't even notice that two people have evaporated. Direction 1960!

Photo credits : Office de tourisme, Hôtel Jardin de Villiers