The Architect's Conversion by Will Collins

Author:Will Collins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Architect, humour, satire, France, French Riviera, housing, rally, festival, politics, art centre, competition, CAD, computers, Morris Minor, cat, brutalist, curry, retro, demonsration, avant garde
ISBN: 9781782344872
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited
Published: 2012-11-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty One

If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.

Albert Einstein

The English contingent meet with Christine at eleven thirty in the lobby of L’Auberge. As directeur culturel of Le Coq Rouge, she needs to be present at the lunch time meeting, as she not only has to protect the interests of the company, but also has the authority to take major decisions.

Jean-Michel drives us along the tortuous coast road, expertly avoiding oncoming vehicles overtaking on the hairpin bends. Le Forge is only a few kilometres outside St. Julien, situated on a hillside where the restaurant terrace has the most stunning view of a sweeping bay, with pine trees dotted throughout the rocky slopes that ease down to the beach. The dining terrace is shaded with a vine covered pergola, and brightly covered parasols. Two dining tables have been put together in the best location on the terrace.

Serge and Emmanuelle are already there. After extended greetings involving endless hand shaking, embracing, and lots of kissy kissies, we take our seats. There is no seating plan, and Bianca is sitting opposite Emmanuelle.

The aperitifs are ordered, and Bianca is more than happy to accept Serge’s suggestion of a Kir. She is on a very sharp, but seemingly enjoyable learning curve.

With everyone settled, Serge outlines his proposition. Kevin’s video of The Gliding Nun has become an unexpected and unprecedented success. This prompts Christine to observe that whereas being a cult icon is one thing, she doesn’t want it to become too mainstream. That’s not what Le Coq Rouge’s cultural policy is about.

Serge explains that funding is available for a full length feature film, one of the sponsors being Le Coq Rouge. It is essential that that the original surrealistic feel of the piece is maintained, therefore although Serge would be the main director, Kevin would be his number two.

Marlene, as the original innovator of The Gliding Nun script, and given her supposed knowledge of French medieval history, would be paired with a French script-writer to cater to an Anglo-French audience. On the basis of my acclaim as both architect for La Baguette and the Art Centre, not to mention The Crooked House, I would be given the contract for the set design.

‘Now we come to the role of The Waif, imprisoned in the house of ill repute’, says Serge, with an uneasy glance at Emmanuelle.

‘Ah am ideally suited to this role, given mah experience in the adult art genre,’ declares Emmanuelle with a dismissive flourish in Bianca’s direction.

‘No one is disputing your ability to play a part in a whore-house,’ says Serge sharply, ‘but the character needs to be innocent and waif-like.’

‘I’d like y’all to know, that is well within mah professional capabilities,’ she replies defiantly. ‘It is one of mah many personas.’

Ignoring her, Serge goes on, ‘Every one is of the opinion that Bianca played her part superbly in Kevin’s video, and if she wants it, the part in the full length film production is hers.’

I think Bianca must already have started acting lessons.

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