Conversation · René Arnoux

"I do not approve of this abuse of power nor your redistribution efforts." His features stiffen. "That's not the Revachol I fought for. Here..." He hands the sandwich to Gaston.

The man looks at his partner with suspicion, then his eyes light up, he pockets the sandwich and chuckles. "Merci beaucoup, Capitaine Arnoux!"

"Hopefully it will finally take your fat ass to the other side of a cardiac arrest, Gaston." His words are slow and deliberate. "This doesn't mean anything. Doesn't change anything."

You can feel the jolly man pull back. This hurt. More than he was ready for.

"He's right, you know?" The lieutenant nods towards René. "We're supposed to protect people -- not take advantage of them. Now wrap this up."

"No reason, never mind." (Keep the sandwich.)

"I like playing in the dark. Sharpens your nocturnal instincts... Feels like being on recon again."

"Your munching has ruined my concentration!"

"Vigilance, officer!" He salutes you. "What can this old carabineer do for you?"

"Can you please stop whining for one second and let me take the shot."

"René, you are the angriest man in the world."

Grab the ball and show them how it's done!

Better observe them first.

"See? Your munching and complaining have ruined my concentration." The man throws a metal ball toward a smaller, wooden ball in the sand, missing it by a metre.

"Ah, mon dieu! The pain in my back is unbearable. I can't even say if it's in my back or hip anymore. Feels like it's in both!" He tries to measure the throw.

"I hope you pass out from it, you goddamn jellyfish. Men like you are the reason this nation is sinking." Standing tall and proud, he looks at his partner with disgust.

Trying to throw something as close to a predetermined point as possible... measuring... this must be the age-old game of pétanque.

Shush! Ignore them! They don't know what they're doing. They're old! You are letting down yourself and the team. Get in the damn game already!

Wait, what team?

Does it matter what team? Pick a team, any team, the blue team -- you're letting them down! GET IN THE GAME AND THROW THE GODDAMN BALL!

I'm on it, coach!

EYES ON THE BALL, DINKY WINKY!

Why are you so mean to me?

Could the objective of the game be to throw the metal ball so it lands by the wooden ball?

"I'll leave you to it..." [Leave.]

"A moment of your time, fellows." (Don't get involved in the game.)

"Sure, officer. I am René, René Arnoux, and my specially abled partner here is Gaston Martin. How can we help you?" The man in the uniform stands before you tall and proud.

You're such a wuss!

"Have you no shame," the man says to his partner, "whining about your back every time you bring out the measuring tape?"

"René, you're a man with a fork in a world of soup. Please... let's just try to enjoy the game, alright?" This one's still chewing on his sandwich.

Look. Look! In his hand, going into his mouth! The sandwich, it's hauntingly beautiful!

"I'm trying to, but you keep breaking my concentration. You're old, I can see that. We're both old. Now stop grabbing your ass like it's a girl."

These manly men are playing balls. This is a ball game. Grab a ball and play it. Don't ask questions. Shoot first, ask questions never.

Alright, I got this -- ball time!

That's the spirit! Don't even waste your breath asking about the game. They wouldn't know anyway. They're way past their prime.

Shouldn't I ask what game it is first?

No, you got this! There's the ball -- you're the game!

"René, you're a man with a fork in a world of soup. Please... let's just try to enjoy the game, alright?" The other one is eating a big sandwich.

"We're still waiting for a replacement for the boule you sent sinking."

"Watch out, Gaston..." He points at you. "It's Inspector Oaf. Come to throw more of our stuff into the sea, officer?"

"Offic... argh..." He rubs his chest and spits. "Goddamnit... pull yourself together, René." He turns to you. "What do you want?"

This man seems to be experiencing a mild to medium level of congestive heart problems, either due to narrowing of the arteries or high blood pressure.

Judging by his attitude -- probably the second one.