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Part 1: Elise Maurinier
● Elise decides to rent a studio near a prison.
● Her sisters thought she was crazy.
● Sam Louis transferred to Alsace.
○ Everyone knew from the press and televisions.
○ Put away for life in Ensisheim (central prison)
● Elise doesn’t understand why she is leaving.
● She has been acting like this since the trial ended.
● Her sisters suggested she see someone.
● She says she’s been seeing Doctor Simonin for four months.
○ Shows a business card.
○ Sisters checked qualifications.
○ Sisters are relieved and calmed.
○ He approves her move (a fundamental step in her recovery, she’s sick).
○ 2 sessions per month in Rue de Vaugirard.
○ Sisters approve of move now.
● She is a translator.
○ Can work anywhere.
○ Done over the internet.
● It’s been 5 years since the incident.
● Elise no longer feels impulse towards anyone.
● She’s been bathing in a pool of insensitivity.
● She’ll keep her current apartment in Paris for when she returns.
● She got some money from the trial (she’ll be financially stable).
● Has trouble saying the incident.
● Her sisters support her.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
,—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 2: Studio Apartment
● Elise moves into a furnished studio (neither tasteful nor charming), reeked of economy.
○ Located on Rue Steinberg.
○ White granular walls.
○ Chipboard cupboards.
○ Pine chairs and tables.
○ Linoleum floors.
○ 3 lamps with no decorative function.
○ Glass toilet lid.
○ Plastic shower.
○ Low couch with inconsistent cushions.
○ Slatted bed.
○ Hospital dishes and cutlery (knives didn’t cut, forks didn't poke).
● Elise blames herself for getting this apartment.
● There were beautiful places available but instinct pushed her to choose this dismal place
(her instinct to suffer).
● Advantages of her studio apartment:
○ Overlooked a garden/field surrounded by hedges.
○ A black tomcat sometimes strolled there.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
, —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 3: First Visit
● After two weeks (Saturday), she felt ready and requested to see Sam Louis.
● Before, she had walked past the prison to tame her fear.
● Prison was initially a church.
● Many women are waiting to speak at the prison.
● Prison housed those who’ve been convicted for thirty years and more.
○ Included the worst of the worst.
○ Names have been uttered on radio stations and televisions.
○ Faces invaded by newspapers and screens.
○ One could sometimes hardly recognize them.
● Sam Louis was the most famous inside.
○ Had murdered multiple victims.
○ Made headlines.
○ Everyone knew who he was.
● Fame always came from excess talent or excess barbarity.
○ Normality does not call for fame.
● Nobody understood Sam Louis’s attitude:
○ Well-mannered.
○ Sociable.
○ Coherent.
○ Confessed to his 15 murders without providing an explanation or feeling any
remorse.
● Guard called for Elise Maurinier (embarrassed, women questioned her relationship).
● Elise sees Sam:
○ She smiles at him, he smiles back (reflex).
○ Stared.
○ Elise asks how he is.
○ Sam wonders why Elise is here (same as before in Paris).
○ Elise says she was transferred here for work (lie which he believes).
● Elise describes Sam:
○ Fleshy shoulders.
○ Bulging bust.
○ Neither ugly nor beautiful.
○ Fat.
○ A pervert, murderer and rapist of 15 women.
● Sam intrigued Elise.
● Sam is afraid of being beaten up by prisoners (puts on weight).
○ Known as a serial killer before a sexual criminal (gains respect).
○ Sam laughs and grins at Elise during conversation to shock her.
● Sam asks why she is here again.
● Elise confesses her dismay and lack of reason for visiting Sam.
● Elise gets angry, stands and points at Sam (who is he to say what is healthy/unhealthy).
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