Every human being
is a universe within themselves.
Floating about
in eternal darkness.
Aimless, lonely...
So lonely.
Or maybe it's just me.
Single room? Double room?
I'm alone.
I don't think your dog likes me.
Eh... I have to be here in the morning.
Eh... It's a café. They have live acts.
Do you know it? -One thing at a time.
Is it far? I have to be there first thing in the morning. It's essential.
Come on.
Bed sheets are changed Monday and Thursday.
If you wish them changed any other day you will be charged extra.
There is no TV in the room.
If required, a TV can be arranged, but it's also extra charge.
That won't be necessary. I'm only staying the night.
No animals, no prostitutes, no unruly, loud or drunken behaviour.
No smoking, no music,
no running or jumping and absolutely no pounding on walls.
This is a respectable establishment.
Come on!
Toilet. The shower is down the hall.
Mind you, don't give us any trouble. Good night.
Good night.
Hey.
Are you afraid of death?
No pain, you know. You mustn't confuse death with dying.
It's not the same thing. Not the same thing at all.
You look pale, my darling. Don't you think he looks pale?
Monchien. It's French.
You may call me Ruth, if you like.
She's Sara.
Coffee?
Oh, I hate this.
Lost his head in the French Revolution.
What are you? A magician?
I know a few tricks. Nothing special.
I get by if the audience are a bit drunk.
How delightful. You simply must show us something.
Do you saw people in half?
Oh...
I have to go.
This is only for this part of the hallway.
Oh, we're so sorry we can't be of more help.
We haven't been outside for years.
Our legs simply won't take the stairs anymore.
And besides, we have everything we need here. Don't we?
Don't start. There's no such thing.
Please. Anything could help.
You could try the oracle. -Don't mind her. She's talking gibberish.
Hm?
Do you mean a psychic person?
You know how people talk.
All stuff and nonsense, I'm sure.
I'm afraid we cannot be of any help to you.
Oh...
Miss.
Hey!
Hey... Hey!
You're just in time.
We have a new guest.
Eh...
I'm looking for some children. I think they came through here.
Here's my little entourage. My leeches. Suck me dry, they do.
I...
Relax, they're quite safe. Give the man some food. Can't you see he's famished?
Oh no, I really need to find my things. I'm running late.
Aurora. Send someone to look for this man's children.
They're not my children. -He has lost them.
Will you excuse me for a moment? Aurora?
That's all right.
Thank you.
Are you a journalist?
No, I...
Isn't she great? I'm writing her biography.
Fascinating material. Did you know she's half a gypsy?
That's probably where she got her artistic drive.
Although, she might just have made that part up.
Well, I really should get going.
Ah.
I'm an artist, but on the whole a lot of my work has nothing to do with art.
Look around you. The little, unimportant things, those are the most essential.
The trick is to recognise what is important.
Miss one detail and the whole concert...
Ruined.
I'm a perfectionist.
I see that you are packing. Are you moving out?
Moving on, you might say.
Off with a blast. Making our getaway.
Getaway? Are you expecting trouble?
Troubles, troubles. Troubles?
With whom? -Getting away?
Lord, no. It's going to be sensational. The tour of the century.
No use running.
You must taste the rabbit.
It's almost a song. Eat, for God's sake.
Why don't you stay, darling?
It's his age. My son is a deeply poetic person.
Come on. Come.
Where are we going?
I really need my things.
Quick, we have to go. - What's going on?
Hurry up, you can't stay here. -What about my things?
You'll have to come back later.
The maestra is going to have her bath. Come on.
Come on, hurry up. Come on. Hurry up. Faster.
Hurry up, come on. Faster.
I have missed my appointment.
Hurry up. We haven't got all day. Get in line.
Get in line, okay? Tempo.
Where's your apron?
Don't just stand here. Get to it, okay? -I'm not...
You need to be here.
Come on, come on. You're behind. -Hurry up, asshole.
They're jealous. But you can't really blame them.
Most people here work for years to get a job like yours.
You swiped it just minutes after you set foot into the kitchen.
Well, I'm not really looking for a job.
It's obvious Melinda has an eye on you. -Who?
The chef's daughter.
No wonder many hard workers feel a bit sore.
They'll get over it.
Well, I don't think she likes me.
Well, that proves my point.
She's bound to react like that when she's really fond of someone.
She's... she's smitten with you. Anyone can see that.
Well, I really should get going.
Why? This is a good place.
You're doing good for yourself here.
Maybe you want to be a junior assistant all your life, but I'm going places.
I have well-grounded hopes that they will be promoting me to spooner soon.
Maybe even next week.
And from there it's a short way to sorting, then blending...
And finally, if I work hard,
I might even make it to whisking by the end of next year.
I'm... I'm just passing through.
Early shift tomorrow. Don't be late.
- Come on in. - Maybe just one.
Hey. Wake up.
Giddy up, lazybones. We have to go or we'll be late.
Come on. Yeah, there you go.
Oh dear.
Whose shirt is this? -Give me a hand here.
Where's my suit? This is outrageous.
I'm going to call the front desk and make a complaint.
First my luggage, and now I'm...
What are you doing?
How do you think you lost your suit in the first place?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. He would have done the same thing.
Yeah, perfect.
Did you hear that?
It's a springing water pipe most likely.
There seems to be some trouble with the water system lately.
There's nothing to worry about.
Time to go.
Shhhh.
Respect. That is the issue here.
Can you tell me what this is?
It's an egg, sir.
Precisely.
Few people grasp the significance and potential in that word.
It's easily underestimated. But look at it.
A perfect shell
protecting a whole world of potential within.
It can stay inside
or we can bring it out.
But, oh... You need vision for that. Hm?
How many years
do you think it took me to acquire the level of virtuosity and expertise
I have today?
35 years.
35 years of hard work, heart,
unconditional love and worship.
Yes, worship.
But the fascinating thing is that I still keep discovering new ways
to use this unchallenged queen among ingredients.
Do you understand the importance of what I'm telling you here?
- Yes. - Hm-m.
I like you.
You have potential. Oh. I saw that straight away.
Hey.
What's this?
Oh, the chef wanted me to read up on eggs.
He gave you these? -He likes me.
What... What was that?
Did anybody hear that?
It's occupied.
Go away.
Are you him?
What do you mean? -Is it true what they say?
Are you the liberator?
What? -There's not much time.
You have me mixed up with someone else. I'm just passing through!
I'm not the one that you want.
I'm no one.
Rise and shine.
God, you look a mess. Come on. Hurry up.
I don't feel good.
What you need, is some breakfast. -I need to leave. I...
There, there. Get it all out, yeah.
Those darn brats. Vandals.
I don't understand why they're not just thrown out
along with their good-for-nothing parents. Just look at it. It's a disgrace.
What does it mean?
You don't take that nonsense seriously? -I don't know what it means.
Nasty little pranksters. Remind me never to have children.
Come on.
How long have you worked here? -Seven years.
In that time, how often did you go out?
A couple of times, probably? I don't remember.
There isn't much time for that if you're serious about the job.
You know what it's like.
Do you know the way to the exit? -Which one?
Any exit.
You haven't been out at all, have you?
Well, of course I have.
What's the importance anyway? Who cares?
You should be thinking of more important matters.
Listen, I've been reading a bit about fermenting eggs lately.
The Chinese are masters on the subject. The book is a bit long-winded,
but rewarding nevertheless.
You should read it. It has opened a whole new perspective
on the egg yolk for me.
I've come to tell you that I am leaving.
Please call the front desk and have the manager...
I understand your impatience. Really, I do.
You suffer from the impatience of the young.
You don't want to wait. You want to go places, now.
Not feel constricted or held down. I understand that. But you see...
A genuine and natural talent like yours
must develop slowly.
I firmly believe that. It must grow with time.
Not be pressed, but be allowed to flower at the right moment,
like a good wine.
What game are you all playing?
What do you want from me?
I'm not special. I'm not the one you want.
Oh, but you are special.
Oh, I saw that right away. Hm.
Believe me, I'm completely ordinary. I'm...
I'm no one.
Kindly show me the way out.
Here's what I'm going to do. Talent like yours needs challenges.
I realize that. So I have decided
to move you to the whisking department.
No.
Is this what you want?
Please.
What are you doing? -You can't leave now.
You're crushing an old man's dream. His very hopes.
We are on the same side, believe me. Be patient. Have faith.
I have such great hopes for you, you know.
Please. Oh, please.
Trust me.
Anton.
Do you think I'm stupid?
What?
'What?' You've been planning this all along.
You're on your way up, and you don't care who you tread on.
You mean this job?
I... I don't care about this job.
The chef basically threw it at me.
Look, if you want, I'll mention you to the chef.
I don't need your hand-outs, mister.
Come on. Where would I be without you?
I'd probably be without any pants.
We need a drink.
I probably wouldn't have any clothes on at all.
I wanted to talk.
Have you seen the furniture? -Yeah, they must be cleaning.
No, no. They're not cleaning. Listen. I hung up a thread last night.
I had a theory. At first I thought it was absurd,
but I kept thinking about it. It was bothering me.
So I had to test it. But how? A thread.
And then I wake up and there it is. -There's what?
How many people are in this hotel? We have to warn them.
You're one weird guy in the morning.
I understand that it's hard to believe,
but you have to listen. I will explain.
Can we walk while you explain it?
I don't want to be late. -No, no.
In the evening the line was taut, in the morning it was slack.
You understand what that means? I was right.
We don't have time for these kind of games. Stop being ridiculous.
No, no. Look, look, look, look.
Anton.
Look out!
Get out of the way! Move!
What's happening? -The place is shrinking.
Do you have any idea of the cause of the problem?
No, I have no idea.
The best thing we can do, is stay calm and plan ahead.
I think we should divide the kitchen staff into two groups.
Send the smaller group out to look for the cause of the problem
and the rest of us spread out and search for the exit.
Then we can certainly inform all the guests as we go
and we can evacuate everyone in an orderly fashion.
What? Evacuate? What are you talking about?
Well, the building is under enormous strain.
Who knows how long it's going to last. We have to send people out immediately.
What people? -The kitchen staff. Everybody.
Have you gone mad? What time is it? -A quarter past seven, sir.
We are horribly behind.
Guests are calling in complaints that their breakfast hasn't arrived.
You have to admit that breakfast is not as important as people's lives.
Less important? The reputation of this kitchen is at stake.
Our lives might be at stake. Dead people do not eat breakfast.
So you are threatening me? Do you want to take over this kitchen?
You're not listening to me. You're not understanding what I'm saying.
I'm not questioning your authority.
I still sway the sceptre around here.
You are nothing without me behind you!
You're wasting time. Listen, everybody! -Don't you dare.
I can't do this on my own. You're forcing me to do this.
The hotel is shrinking.
I have proof. You can see it for yourselves.
Look, the measurements are off. Your routines are different.
You're hitting things, you're bumping into each other.
You can tell what I'm saying is true.
We're running out of time! Together we have a chance!
Why do we have to go? -Yeah, send the dinner department.
I've heard enough nonsense. Back to your posts!
You're going to listen to him immediately.
He's misleading you!
He's not saying what we need to do. Wake up. Together we have a chance!
You're fired, you hear me? Fired. Get out of my kitchen!
Are your lives worth nothing? Are your lives worth nothing?
Get this man out of my kitchen. Now! Get him!
Put me down! Put me down!
Listen. Listen. You're making a mistake!
Thank you so much, young man. How very nice to see you again.
I don't know what we would have done if you hadn't come by.
Are you moving out?
Oh. Lord, no. What a thought.
No, no, no. We are simply rearranging the furniture.
It no longer fits in the room.
You are that nice young man who was looking for the reception.
So nice to see you again. Did you find it, dear?
No. -Well, that's odd, isn't it?
Don't start that again.
There used to be some talk
of the presence of the divine here at the hotel.
We French like the mysterious. -Mm.
Nonsense, of course.
I did mention that we are French? Hm?
Yes.
♪ sans regrets, sans remords ♪
♪ engage la danse avec moi ♪
♪ la la la ♪
I'm not beat yet!
Hi there, doggy dog. Hi.
Where is the exit?
Yes? Where is the exit? Show me the exit.
Come on.
You know where the exit is, you stupid dog.
Hello?
Anybody there?
What do you want?
Who are you?
So you're here.
Mm.
Who put that stuff up in the hallway?
I'm not the liberator.
Hey. Stop.
Enough!
We have to mark every corridor. This is very important.
Otherwise we'll be checking corridors endlessly.
I wish there was a faster way of doing this,
but as it is, I'm afraid, this is our... our only chance.
We don't have a lot of time. Let's hurry.
Yeah! Wooh!
Oh. Hi. Hey... Wait. Stop.
Stop, stop, put that back.
That's my toothbrush.
How long have you been here?
Where's my food?
Okay...
If you're going to stay here
we must have rules. If you need food
you must bring your own supply.
And don't touch my
things.
So we're supposed to sit here and starve while you eat?
You ate my food, there is no food left.
Found the exit?
No.
No, there's no room, there's no room.
No, no more people. Don't let anybody else in. No more people.
Okay. Come on in, come on in.
Be my guest.
You can still come back, you know.
The chef hasn't been the same since you left.
Come on.
But don't you say anything crazy, okay?
We'll pretend everything's fine and it all never happened.
Pretend nothing happened? Look around.
I don't know what you mean.
You're all insane.
Is no one interested in what actually is going on?
What about the truth?
You think you know the truth.
But why is your truth better than mine?
Answer it!
Not at all. Of course not. That's most certainly a mistake, Madam.
Okay, thank you, Madam. Later. -No, no! Hello, hello?
Who was that? -The manager. Who else would it be?
It's her line.
Why would you do that?
I... just... picked up the phone.
What's wrong with you?
You idiot. You idiot!
What are you shaking that man for?
It was just a phone call.
You should be happy he picked up in the first place.
We're not your receptionists.
I was waiting for that call. -Then you should've stuck by the phone.
How was he supposed to know?
You might as well cut all of our heads off.
What's wrong with you? You're an idiot. Don't... No. Get up!
Get up, you idiot. Get up! Get up!
I'm... God... I'm okay. I swear I'm not going to do anything.
It's all right. It's okay. It's okay.
You know, we didn't need an exit until you came.
It's my fault now, is it? -Calling yourself a liberator.
I didn't call myself anything. I'm not even supposed to be here.
Some say you're part of the problem. -Oh...
That's just great.
That's just... that's just great.
Hey!
Come here!
Out, out, out, out, out!
Out!
There you are.
See? I knew I was right. I told you I was right.
You look absolutely awful.
Is much damage done?
Things have been switched around,
but I think I can repair it.
Sabotaging parasites.
Did you know that among the ladies of the court of Louis the XVI
coffee was quite the rage? They used to gather together in large numbers,
drink coffee, smoke opium and let all the canaries loose. Coffee?
No, no, thank you.
Every minute I stay here, more of my work is being rubbed out.
Get him!
What is all that noise?
I'm never going to get out of here. Even if I knew the way
they'd never let me get to the lobby. Listen to them.
Have another piece of chocolate cake.
Oh really, you are such a baby.
It is naive to assume that just because you came in by way of the lobby
means that that is also the way out.
What do you mean?
Just that the way in is not always the way out.
And vice versa, naturally.
Yeah...
Maybe.
Maybe I overlooked something.
Maybe the exit
is in here.
Oh. No. It's not in there.
Maybe the exit is in here.
No, it isn't!
Maybe the exit is in here.
No! Maybe it's in here.
Magnificent.
Unspeakable. Hideous.
Is this what you meant? Is this the way out?
Maybe.
What do you mean, 'maybe'? You are not going down that thing.
We have never seen it before. - It looks dangerous.
It's like nothing I'd expect.
Come with me. -We are quite comfortable where we are.
Thank you.
YELLING You can't stay here, this is insanity.
Coffee?
Coffee.
Move! Break it down!
What do you want from me?
- It's the oracle. - Oh, the oracle...
Hail to the liberator! -Hail.
Can you show me the way out?
What is it you want?
You're tired.
I can feel it.
You can't hold out much longer.
What do you want from me?
The oracle, the oracle.
You need to be free, too.
The oracle, the oracle,
the oracle.
The oracle, the oracle...
- Stop. Stop it! - The oracle.
You're killing it. You're killing it!
Go away. No! Get away from there! Get back!
Get back! Get back! No!
- Murderer! Murderer! - Is this right?
Is this right?
It all seemed so important at the time.
I can't think of why now.
Miniscule particles, clotting together,
seeking comfort.
What lies beyond the universe?