The Ice Rink

The director (after a while)

And what are you doing now? (Pause) I think you have a bicycle shop in Brussels, no?

Eddy Merckx's response.

Silence.

They both nod.

Eddy Merckx takes something out of his bag, in laundry wrapping.

Eddy Merckx

I brought you the jersey I wore on the Luz-Ardiden leg.

The director

It's for me?

Eddy Merckx

Yes, it's for you, I was asked to present it to you.

The director gets up, opens the jersey with his arms stretched out in front of him to admire it.

The director

Thank you very much, It's very kind. I'll put it on right away. (He removes his jacket and pulls the yellow jersey over his shirt) But you shouldn't have washed it, it would have been more valuable...

Eddy Merckx

No, with the sweat, it wouldn't have held up, it would have mildewed.

The director

I was joking.

He sits back down.

Silence.

The director

What do you say, Eddy, shall we go back and join the others?

56. INT. ICE RINK - DAY

On the ice rink, Eddy Merckx and the director discreetly join the crowd.

The Lithuanian trainer is just finishing a speech.

The Lithuanian trainer has finished.

He is applauded.

Before giving up the microphone, he invites the director to come join him and say a few words, sing a little song.

The interpreter translates his comments.

The director, in his yellow jersey, politely declines the offer, says that he does not know any little songs.

The Lithuanian spokesman says something in Lithuanian.

The interpreter

He says... spicy song...

The Lithuanian spokesman nods approvingly, eyes gleaming.

The director (politely)

No, no, I don't know any.

The Lithuanian spokesman insists, says something in Lithuanian.

The interpreter

He says... when you were a student...

The director

No, no, I assure you, I just know slogans, I can only remember slogans from that time...

The interpreter explains to the Lithuanian spokesman.

The Lithuanian spokesman approves, is delighted, hands the microphone over to the director.

The director takes the microphone, hesitates.

The director

Listen, I don't know... (Starting to chant) In the schools... the polytechs... Soisson, Saunier, did not give in, only together can we win! (He gains confidence) In the schools... Come on, all together...the polytechs... Soisson, Saunier, did not give in, only together can we win! All together now, once more from the top. In the schools...

Everyone (in chorus)

The polytechs!

The director

Soisson, Saunier, did not give in, only together can we win! In the schools...

Everyone (in chorus)