Scene 7

«We have a video», said Mercier, pressing a button on the remote-control lying before him on his table. The TV sprang to life and on the screen they could see a rat dancing around in a kitchen. «Ratatouille»: Maille had seen the animation film twice before. While the rat rode over a bit of cheese, Mercier paced nervously up and down in front of the TV set. «We know what he wants: 50 million and a recipe.»
«A recipe?»
«Yes, a recipe. Tomato sauce with broccoli.»
«Excuse me?»
«Tomato sauce with broccoli. It is a recipe that our president Samson Godet is supposed to have obtained from his lover, written on a photo that shows her naked.»
«And how does it taste?»
«How should I know? How does it interest me?»
«Why tomato and broccoli?»
«Ms Soussent means that is Godet's governmental program: red with green highlights.»
«Ah, she is informed as well»
«I have called her in, as a woman, so to say.»
«Godet is divorced, isn't he? I did not know that he has a lover.»
«He does, but nobody knows that. Nobody other than Dr Hing, by all accounts. How should I request Godet for something that he cannot have officially?»
«That is certainly a problem.»
«Yes, as also is the 50 million.»
«Why does Hing want the recipe?»
«I haven't a clue. Perhaps he is perverse.»
«And how does he know about the President's lover? I mean perhaps he has cooked up the whole story.»
«Maybe. Only, how do we make sure about that? In any case, he seems very well-informed. As for the recipe, only we had no inkling about it. And I know for sure what kind of underwear Godet wears.»
«And what does he wear?»
«Maille! That was a metaphor.»
«Aha.»
«Godet knows about the demand for 50 million – but we have yet told him about the demand for the recipe. I did not know how to. Do you understand now that we must proceed with utmost speed and caution? We must find Koslow before I have to explain to the President about the recipe business.»
«Of course, Monsieur Mercier. Can I see the video?»
«Ah yes, naturally.»

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