Balzac's house, 1845
It's 1845, in front of Balzac's house in the 16th arrondissement. Although the author is renowned and very much in vogue, he has one flaw: he never pays his debts! Two creditors, Paul and Sarah, are assigned to track him down and make sure he pays his debts...
SARAH: Come on, let's hurry! We don't want him to see us coming!
PAUL: Are you sure this is the place? It says "Monsieur Breugnol" on the letterbox...
SARAH: Yes, I'm sure! That's the pseudonym he chose to escape our vigilance.
PAUL: Honoré de Balzac won't be able to escape us this time. His debts won't pay themselves.
SARAH: He may be a famous author, but he stole everything!
The two creditors silently approach the house in the 16th arrondissement to apprehend the fraudulent author, who is constantly running away from his creditors to avoid having to settle his debts. As they push open the door, they hear a creak and see the opposite door close.
PAUL: Was it him? Where has he gone?
Hurriedly, Paul and Sarah enter the house and search their eyes for the movement they've seen. Paul leans over the desk, where books, broken quills and a freshly opened letter lie.
PAUL: Look what I've found! A note addressed to Balzac:
"My dear friend, I am very unwell. Come and see me at the Ravoux Inn in Auvers-sur-Oise, 2nd room. I know I'm going to die there. I didn't even make it to posterity. Please, come and make my passing sweeter. - VG."
Who's VG?
SARAH: I don't know. But we've got an address! Let's get there!
The two creditors, on the trail of their elusive author, hail a cab and jump in. As they pulled up in front of the house, a familiar silhouette appeared.
SARAH: Look, there he is! We'd better hurry!
Throwing a few coins at the driver, Paul and Sarah jump out of the moving car and rush after the man.
PAUL: We've got you!
As Balzac hears their voices, he turns around, looking surprised, holding a strange machine in his hands. A flash of light blinds the creditors, who are thrown to the ground.
Photo credits : Tripadvisor