AN ANALYSIS OF CULTURE SHOCKS FACED BY EMILY

COOPER IN EMILY IN PARIS NETFLIX SERIES

RESARCH PROPOSAL

By:

YASINTA PUSPADINI
NIM: 061910050

ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITAS ISLAM LAMONGAN
2023
 APPROVAL SHEET

This is to certify the research proposal:

Entitled : An Analysis of Culture Shocks Faced by Emily Cooper in “Emily
in Paris” Netflix Movie Series
By : Yasinta Puspadini
NIM : 061910050
Has been approved to be examined by the Board of Examiners

Lamongan, 27th January 2023

Advisor I Advisor II

Dr. Uzlifatul Masruroh, M.Pd Dr. Fathurrahman, S.Pd., MM

NIDN. 0013027601 NIDN. 0002066702

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

i
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Alhamdulillahi rabil ‘alamin, the researcher expresses his highest gratitude

to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala for blessing, love, opportunity, health, and mercy to
complete this undergraduate thesis. This undergraduate thesis entitled “ An
Analysis Of Culture Shock Faced by Emily Cooper in Emily in Paris Netflix
Movie Series” is submitted as the final requirement in accomplishing
undergraduate degree at English Department Faculty Of Teacher Training and
Education Lamongan Islamic University. This thesis as a whole discusses the
phenomenon of culture shock and how Emily as the main character copes with it.
In arranging this thesis, a lot of people have provided motivation, advice, and
support for the researcher. In this valuable chance, the researcher intended to
express her gratitude and appreciation to all of them. First, the researcher’s
deepest appreciation goes to his beloved parents, her mother Ilmisiati, for the
endless love, pray, and support, for the phone call every week in order to remind
me to keep going and never giving up.
The researcher presents her sincere appreciation goes to Moh. Nurman
M.Pd as the dean of English Department Faculty Of Teacher Training and
Education Lamongan Islamic University. Also this thesis would not have been
possible without the help, support and patience of my first advisor, Dr. Uzlifatul
Masruroh Isnawati, M.Pd for her supervision, advice, and guidance from the very
early stage of this research as well as giving me extraordinary experiences
throughout the past few years. Then to her second advisor Dr. Fathurrahman,
S.Pd., MM who has helped her patiently finishing this proposal of thesis by giving
suggestion, guidance, and corrections.

Lamongan, 13th May 2023

Yasinta Puspadini

ii
 TABLE OF CONTENT

APPROVAL SHEET...........................................................................................i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT..................................................................................ii
TABLE OF CONTENT ....................................................................................iv
LIST OF APPENDICES .............................................................................. .176
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION.........................................................................1

1.1 Background of the Study.......................................................1

1.2 Problem of Study..................................................................4

1.3 Objective of the Study...........................................................4

1.4 Significance of the Study......................................................4

1.5 Scope and Limitation............................................................4

1.6 The Definition of Key-terms.................................................5

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE...................................6

2.1 Culture...................................................................................6

2.2 Culture Shock........................................................................6

2.2.1 Honeymoon Phase..............................................................7

2.2.2 Culture Shock Phase..........................................................8

2.2.3 Initial Adjustment Phase.................................................8

2.2.4 Mental Isolation...............................................................9

2.2.5 Acceptance and Integration.............................................9

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2.3 How to Cope with Culture Shock.........................................9

2.4 Snopsis of Emily in Paris....................................................10

2.5 Previous Study....................................................................10

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METODOLOGY...............................................12
3.1Research Design...........................................................................................12
3.2 Source Data and Data..................................................................................13
3.3 Data Collection Technique..........................................................................13
3.4 Research Instrument....................................................................................14

3.4.1 Human Instrument (Researcher)..............................................................15

3.4.2 Document.................................................................................................15
3.5 Data Analysis Technique............................................................................15
3.6 Research Procedure.....................................................................................16
REFFERENCES...............................................................................................17

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 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

This chapter containts of background of the study, the statement of the

promblem, purpose of the study, scope and limitation and definition of key

term. All those are disscussed as follow :

I.1 Background of the Study

Culture is when individual lived in a group or society and shared meanings

to others. They have similar thoughts, norms, beliefs, values and behavior. The

similarity of the become an identity of their group or society. As Serrat (2008)

stated that culture is broadly elucidated as the absoluteness ideas, beliefs, values,

and knowledge that become identity of society or group. The identity become the

difference between one group to another. Each group has different culture. It

represent how human interpreting their environment. The statement above

explained that human interpretation lead to identic thought and behavior in a

group or society. According to Nastasi et al (2017) said “Culture is not only a

shared system of meaning, but also an individual system for interpreting the world

and lead to action, and a system that use as a facilitate to communicate with

others.”

Human, as social creatures have to communicate with others to share

ideas, informations, messages. And it improve the quality of life. When

communicate to others culture sometimes can made an idividual experienced

misunderstanding. Because the language or the way other speak different. Even

1
 2

when people move to a new place it's not just about misunderstanding, but it

leads to culture shock. a new place with new habit, rule, language, food make

them uncomfortable. Hurn & Tomalin (2013) explained that culture shock

happen when individual enter new environment and adapted hardly to new

environment that is not same as theirs. Naeem, Nadeem & Khan (2015) stated

that variety reactions such as confusion, anxiety, frustration, exhilaration,

isolation, inappropriate social behavior, and even depression can caused by work

with a new culture.

The impact of culture shock on each of people would be differently. Each

individual has their own way and time to cope with culture shock. People who

prepare everything like learn language, try to know how the culture of the place

they want to go, they adapted to the new environment easily. Whereas people

who have no preparation when enter the new place, they adapted hardly. They

take times to adapted. And the way people adapted would be different. there are

people who follow the culture in the new place, there are people who stay with

their belief. Arifin, Y. (2014) explained that one of solution to cope with culture

shock is try to learn the culture itself. By Learning, the comprehension of culture

will improve. And when it comes, people accept or tolerate the new culture.

Learning is process. Individual who face culture shock experience ups and

downs until at some point they finally decide to deal with culture shock. The

processes of culture shock are honeymoon, culture shock, initial adjustment,

mental isolation, acceptance and integration.

To expand and acquaint culture need products to offer. There are so many

kinds product of culture and one of them is movie. According to Casseti (1999:
 3

73) said that specific culture create cultural artifacts named movie. The ideas.

Values from movie reflect to the culture itself. It turns out give effect to member

of the culture. Along with Casseti, Cook (2007: 87) define movie (also known as

films or motion picture) as a tool to communicate. Audio and visual aspects was

use in movie to tell stories or help people learn about new ideas. There are so

many kinds of movies about cross culture that lead to culture shock. One of them

is "Emily in Paris" created by Darren Star in 2020. The researcher interested in

analyzing culture shock that happen in 'Emily in Paris". The researcher chooses

"Emily in Paris" for some reason. First, it because the newest movie about cross

culture and the story is fresh and unique. It tells about a woman name Emily

Cooper who has unpredictable job in Paris, she has no preparation but she really

happy to go to Paris. Paris is her favorite city. She really want to go there. But,

unfortunately her life there is not fun as she thought. Second, the researcher

interest in how Emily cope with her culture shock.

This movie series contain of two cultures (American and Parisian). And

the researcher interested to compare between the culture in Emily in Paris and

culture that relate to Indonesian context.

This study will explore more about culture shock experienced by Emily

Cooper and her way to cope with her culture shock. "Emily in Paris" is a Netflix

series consist of 10 episodes directed by Andrew Fleming, Zoe R. Cassavetes,

Peter Lauer, Steven Fierberg and starred Lily Collins, Ashley Park, Philippine

Leroy-Beaulieu, Lucas Bravo, Samuel Arnold, Camille Razat, and Bruno

Gouery.

There are the importances of learning cultural shocks such as: increase
 4

cross culture understanding and lesson to enrich our perspective about life. So,

the researcher expect the readers get positive things to learn.

I.2 Problem of Study

Based on description above, the problems are:

1. What are the processes of cultural shock faced by Emily Cooper in

"Emily in Paris"?

2. How does Emily cope her culture shocks?

3. How does the Emily culture shock relate to Indonesian Context?

I.3 Objective of the Study

Based on problems above, the purposes are:

1. To describe the adaptation processes of culture shock faced by Emily

Cooper in movie series "Emily in Paris".

2. To describe Emily's way to cope with her cultural shocks.

3. To describe Indonesian Context that relate to Emily’s cultural shock.

I.4 Significance of the Study

Theoretically, through this analysis, it contributes some useful information

and clear understanding about culture and cross culture communication.

Practically, it can be used as reference for student who want to go abroad

to study. For the teacher it can be used as additional material references for cross

culture understanding lesson. And for the next researcher who have interest to

study about culture shock, this study can be used as additional literature to
 5

conduct the similar topic.

I.5 Scope and Limitation

The scope of this study are the cultural shock process in entering new

place how Emily as main character cope with her problems and How does

Emily’s cultural shocks relate to Indonesian context. And the limitation of

this study is Emily in Paris season 1 that contain of 10 episodes.

I.6 The Definition of Key-terms

To avoid misunderstanding, there are several key terms that must be

clarified. The definition of key terms are:

1. Hurn & Tomalin (2013) explained culture shock happen when individual enter

new environment and adapted hardly to new environment that is not same as

theirs.

2. Emily in Paris is the title of the movie.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter reviews the underlying theories of the study. The writer takes

some theories concerning her study. They are:

Culture

Some different categories of cultural concepts might occur. According to

White (2013), the concepts of culture are subjective culture (mental software)

culture as a set of meanings, and culture as a system of behaviors. Culture

considered as a symbol of totality behaviors and thoughts in specific context.

As Nastasi et al ( 2017) said “Culture is not only a shared system of meaning,

but also an individual system for interpreting the world and lead to action,

and a system that use as a facilitate to communicate with others.” At

collective level people’s shared beliefs, values, and behavior reflected to

culture.

The way human interpret the world is different to another. The differences

become an identity of society or group. According to Hofstede (2001), “what

makes members of a group or society different from one another is the

collective programming of the mind.”

2.1 Culture Shock

Hurn & Tomalin (2013) explained that culture shock happen when

individual enter new environment and adapted hardly to new environment that is

not same as theirs. Feelings of confusion may occur during living in an

6
 7

unfamiliar place or culture. As Naeem, Nadeem & Khan (2015) stated that

variety reactions such as confusion, anxiety, frustration, exhilaration, isolation,

inappropriate social behavior, and even depression can caused by work with a

new culture.

Living in a new place can be a pleasant experience that gain insights into

the new culture, and become an opportunity to explore novelty things. However,

at some point, it will make you feel alone and lost. questioning the decision that

already made to live in a new place. Culture shock is a common phenomenon

and, though it take time to deal with. Culture shock is more than simply people

not used to host culture rules, norms, behaviors, and experiencing new foods,

fashions. Even after people feel comfortable with the host culture, they can

experience another phase of culture shock.. The point of culture shock is things

that are unpredictable and unpleasant. The impact on individual's identity can be

different from another. It can be a sudden and deep impact on some people

(Cupsa, 2018). There are five phase of culture shock wich are Honeymoon

Phase, Culture Shock phase, Initial adjustment, Mental Isolation Phase, and

Acceptance and Integration Phase.

Picture 1.1 The W-Curve hypothesis model (Gullahorn & Gullahorn, 1963)
 8

2.2.1 Honeymoon Phase

The Honeymoon is the first phase of Culture Shock. It is the exhilarating

phase when people are enchanted by all the interesting and different things about

their new life – from the sights to the lifestyle, and to the cultural habit. All

aspects as expected. Even if it’s not, at this stage they're not paying attention to

it. Because more good and exciting things happen to them. People find language,

food, and fashion in their new environment overwhelmingly interesting. At this

stage, the decision to move seems like the best decision ever made and an

exciting experience.

2.2.2 Culture Shock Phase

The culture shock phase is characterized by confusion, frustration, and

anxiety. There is no specific timeframe for experiencing this phase. In some

people, it can happen earlier after the honeymoon phase. The feeling of hope,

excitement, and interest slowly fades away. Because some things are not as

expected. In this phase, people start to face some difficulties and challenges that

make them feel uncomfortable, offensive, and disconnected.

Little things can be offensive. people question themselves and start to

compare. As simple as before, they had lots of friends, but now they don't even

have friends for lunch. at this point, the feeling of missing their hometown occur.

These symptoms often appear and cause minor health ailments as a result of the

decision to move. They feel everybody is against them and do not want to be

friends anymore. people express feelings of confusion, discontent, sadness, and

even anger.
 9

2.2.3 Initial Adjustment Phase

In this phase, people start to understand and familiar with host's lifestyle and

habits. People's lives in the host culture start to get better gradually. They cope

with some things that they can't deal with before. In this phase, people may still

experience some difficulties. But they start to learn the language or made a few

friends with locals to help them understand the host culture.

2.2.4 Mental Isolation

After being in a new environment for some months or years. The feeling of

homesickness occurs. People start to miss their friends, family, food, social

status. Especially if the social status they had in their hometown is not realized in

the new place. In this phase other difficulties may or even may not challenge

them. However, facing problems in this phase makes them feel inadequate and

lose self-confidence.

2.2.5 Acceptance and Integration

Every individual handled recovering from culture shock differently. It is

influenced by our backgrounds, circumstances, strenghtness and weakness. As

long as people learn, the positive effects of cultural adjustment such as self-

development in confidence, motivation context, and increased cultural sensitivity

will happen. As people gradually begin to feel more comfortable in their new

environment, they will feel more like expanding their social networks and

exploring new ideas. They will feel increasingly flexible and objective about

their experience, learning to accept and perhaps even practice parts of the new

culture while also holding onto their own cultural traditions.

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2.3 How to Cope with Culture Shock

People who are trapped in this situation of shock are not stuck in this shock

permanent. Every people different, and each takes their period and adopts their

approaches to cope with this condition. Some people can manage up more fastly

than other people; some cannot cope at all. There exist many elements within the

personal, making adaptation smooth or difficult in the new country. They could

be personality factors, self-efficacy, individualism and collectivism, traits,

Emotional intelligence (EQ), ethnicity, social and emotional assist, and many

more.

2.4 Snopsis of Emily in Paris

Emily in Paris is a woman named Emily Cooper (played by Lily Collins)

who comes from the Midwest, United States. She got an unpredictable job and

should move to Paris. Working on the marketing team of an agency, The

differences of culture make Emily faced some challenges in work, relationship,

and friendship.. Watching Emily in Paris will remind you of fashion -themed

films and the luxury life in them because this series is made by Darren Star, the

man who worked on Sex and the City . The series also features Paris as a world

fashion center where various clothes from the famous fashion lines can be seen

in it. The audience's anticipation is also felt, seen from the Instagram account

series @emilyinparis which has 107 thousand followers. This account is filled

with the activities of Emily Cooper's character who wears various fashionable

clothes.
 11

2.5 Previous Study

The previous studies which have been conducted by the researcher, for

example :

Dien Ratna Budiati (20013), entitled An Analysis of Heinrich Harrer’s Culture

Shocks in The Movie “Seven Years in Tibet” found that there are several kinds of

culture shock : belief shock, language shock, knowledge shock, social system

shock, food shock.

Cicik Kelamdari (2012), entitled A Study on Cultural Shocks Experienced by

Elizabeth Gilberth in “Eat Pray Love” Novel by Elizabeth Gilberth. The result of

discussion shows that the way to solve culture shock are learning language and

making friend with people around.

All the previous studies above indicate that there are some students who

analyzed culture shock in literary work. However, the writer does not find any

students or other people who ever analyzed Emily in Paris’ culture shock
 CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METODOLOGY

This chapter concerns on the research methodology. It focuses

on the method used in conducting this research. This third chapter

discusses research design, research location and time, source data and

data, data collection technique, research instrument, data analysis

technique and research procedure. Hence, those are concisely

elaborated in the following parts:

3.1 Research Design

Research design plays an important role in conducting the

research including collecting the data. Research design concerns on the

researcher’s involvement in planning on the way to understand a

phenomenon based on its context.

Qualitative research design is employed by the researcher to

attain some information and obtain a deep comprehension regarding the

phenomenon that comes about in a number of people. As defined by

Creswell (2014), qualitative research signifies an approach in terms of

investigating and apprehending the essence that a number of people or

groups in referring to the problems that human beings encounter.

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 13

Accordingly, by this method, the researcher try to explain the social

phenomenon of culture shock experienced by Emily Cooper in Emily in

Paris. In this research, the researcher uses descriptive qualitative.

Descriptive qualitative is a research uses descriptive data such as the

words of the written or oral for the people that can be observed. The

data are obtained the researcher from movie and some books. A series

movie and several books are used as reference relate to the purpose of

this research.

3.2 Source Data and Data

In this case. The object of the research is taken from Emily in Paris

Netflix Series. The movie series created by Darren Star in 2020.

Because of limited time, the researcher only focus to analyze season 1.

So the researcher chooses ten episodes which have culture shock to

analyze.

3.3 Data Collection Technique

“Data are the smallest or lowest entitiesor recorded elements resulting

from some experience, observation, experiment, or other similar situation”

Roberrt K.Yin (2011:130). Data collection information that is obtained trough

 14

experience, experiment, and observation and this may consist of numbers, words

and pictures. There are several types of data collection techniques.” The potential

data collection activities are interviewing, observation, collecting, and feeling”

Roberrt K.Yin (2011:130). In this research, observation technique used to collect

the data. And the important data in this research is movie, and other data is

several books used as reference to espouse this research. The books that is used

the book contain cross-culture and culture shock. The following is the

arrangement of collecting data:

1. Watching, observe and understanding contain of Emily in

Paris Netflix Movie Series.

2. Choosing and selecting data.

3. Collecting data dealing with the purpose of the study on the

movie.

3.4 Research Instrument

Research Instrument is the important tool in collecting data process.

Creswell (2014) stated that Qualitative researchers collect data themselves

through examining documents, observing behavior, or interviewing participants.

They may use a protocol an instrument for collecting data but the researchers are

the ones who actually gather the information. They do not tend to use or rely on

questionnaires or instruments developed by other researchers. From statement

 15

above the conclusion is that a researcher becomes one of the instruments in a

research. The human instrument is the primary instrument and others such as

documents, interviews etc are the secondary instrument.

In this research, Human Instrument and document are selected by

researcher as research Instrument. Both Instruments will be elucidated below:

3.4.1 Human Instrument (Researcher)

Researchers as human instruments in qualitative research have important

role to ensure the credibility of research results. As Creswell (2009) point out the

idea that skill or ability of researcher is the important factor to determine the result

of process to making conclusion in qualitative research. The data in this research

are interpreted because uses qualitative as its method. And the one who can

interpreting the phenomena is human or researcher.

3.4.2 Document

Ary (2010) stated that document analysis is a method that used in visual or

written material that focused on analyzing some characteristic of materials, such

as movie, song, novel, book, television show and etc. To conduct this research,

the document uses as instrument because the researcher analyzes phenomena in

movie.

3.5 Data Analysis Technique

The final step after collecting the data is researcher starts to analyze data.

The data will be explained and conclude in this step. Descriptive qualitative used

to analyze data that are collected by researcher. The next term of analyzing areas

follows:
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1. Analyzing the data

The researcher analyzes the data culture shock that have

been collected by the researcher from Emily in Paris

movie. The researcher analyzes the data to find the result

from this research.

2. Concluding and summarizing the data

Finally, the researcher concludes and summariries how

Emily solve her culture shock, what stages of culture shock

in Emily in Paris movie and what kind of Indonesian

Context that relate to Emily’s culture shock.

3.6 Research Procedure

Research is an orderly and systematic procedure, and this procedure can be

presented sequentially starting from the first step of identifying the problem to the

final step of writing research results. The steps are as follow :

1. Identify a phenomenon to explore

The researcher selected an phenomenon name culture

shock that still relate to education. This phenomenon

happen to student that learn in a new environment

frequently.

2. Select a movie to research.

The research subject in this research is Emily in Paris

Netflix Series. The researcher choose Emily in Paris

Netflix Series because this movie contain of

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phenomenon that researcher want to analyze.

3. Collecting the data

To collect the data the researcher watch Emily in Paris

three times or more with the noted scene of the scene to

be analyzed, read the script of Emily in Paris and

research for it.

4. Analyze the data

After collecting data The researcher analyzes the data

about culture shock that have been collected by the

researcher from Emily in Paris. The researcher analyzes

the data to find the result from this research.

5. Reporting the data

In this step the researcher making a framework as the

result after analyzing. An report the result on the

finding.
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REFFERENCES

Arifin,Y. (2014). Culture Shock and Indonesian Students of Al-Azhar University in Cairo,
Egypt. (Unpublished Journal). Indonesia University of Education
Ary, D et al.2010. Introduction to Research in Education. Canada:Thompson Wadsworth
Budiati, Dien Ratna.2013, An Analysis of Heinrich Harrer’s Culture Shocks in The Movie”
Seven Years in Tibet”. Thesis. Malang: UMM Press
Cupsa, I. (2018). Culture Shock and Identity. Transactional Analysis Journal, 48, 181-191.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03621537.2018.1431467
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (3rd
ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Creswell, J. w. (2014). RESEARCH DESIGN: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed
Methods Approach. In (4th ed., Vol. 4, Issue 1). California: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Herrman, C. S. (2016). Culture Theory Matters. SSRN Electronic Journal, December 2008.
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2744912

Hurn, B. J. & Tomalin, B. (2013). Cross-Cultural Communication: Theory and Practice.

Palgrave Macmillan: United Kingdom

Irwin, R. (2007). Culture shock: negotiating feelings in the field. Anthropology Matters, 9(1),
1–11. https://doi.org/10.22582/am.v9i1.64
Kelamdari, Cicik. 2011. A Study on Cultural Shocks Experienced by Elizabeth Gilbert in
“Eat Pray Love” Novel by Elizabeth Gilbert. Thesis. Malang: UMM Press
La Brack, B. (2015). Theory Reflections: Cultural Adaptations, Culture Shock and the
“Curves of Adjustment.” NAFSA: Association of International Educators, 1975, 3–6.
http://www.nafsa.org/_/file/_/theory_connections_adjustment.pdf

Lambert, V. a., & Lambert, C. E. (2013). Qualitative Descriptive Research: An Acceptable

 19

Design. Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, 16(4), 255–256.

http://antispam.kmutt.ac.th/index.php/PRIJNR/article/download/5805/5064

Naeem, A., Nadeem, A. B., & Khan, I. U. (2015). Culture Shock and Its effects on
Expatriates. Global Advanced Research Journal of Management and Business Studies
(ISSN: 2315-5086)Vol. 4(6) pp. 248-258. http://garj.org/full-articles/culture-shock-and-
its-effects-onexpatriates.pdf?view=inline Nasir, M. (2012). Effects of Cultural
Adjustment

Roskell, D. (2013). Cross-cultural transition: International teachers’ experience of “culture

shock.” Journal of Research in International Education, 12(2), 155–172.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1475240913497297

Serrat, Olivier. (2018). Culture Theory. 10.1007/978-981-10-0983-9_7.

Siahaan, S. (2020). Initial Adjustment and Mental Isolation Analysis in the Movie “Anna and
the King.” ANGLO-SAXON: Jurnal Ilmiah Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris,
11(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.33373/as.v11i1.2435

Winkelman, Michael. (1994). Cultural Shock and Adaptation. Journal of Counseling &
Development. 73. 121-126. 10.1002/j.1556-6676.1994.tb01723.x.

Yin, Robert K. 2011. Qualitative Research from Start to Finish. New York: The Guilford
Press.
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APPENDIX 1 TRANSCRIPT SEASON 1 OF EMILY IN PARIS

EPISODE 1

Emily brings her can-do American attitude and fresh ideas to her new office in
Paris, but her inability to speak French turns out to be a major faux pas.
Run complete.
Automated voice: Well done, Emily. Five point three miles. Forty-one minutes.
Eighteen seconds faster than yesterday. Good effort. ( exhales ) ♪ We're gonna
make it home ♪ ( indistinct chatter ) ( gasps )
Emily: Madeline, you're in Adweek.
Madeline: What? Where?
Emily: Right here, under "Movers and Shakers."
Madeline: Ah!
Emily: "Chicago-based Gilbert Group expands international portfolio with
acquisition of French luxury marketing company Savoir. Gilbert Group vet,
Madeline Wheeler, named director of marketing for Franco firm."
Madeline: Yes! I am here to prove that a master's in French does not go to waste.
Emily: This is going to be amazing for you.
Madeline: ( sighs ) I have been dreaming of moving to Paris forever. I mean,
French men, they love older women, you know? Look at their president. He's
young. He's hot. He married his schoolteacher.
Emily: ( laughs ) Ooh, I just emailed you my thoughts on the presentation for the
new IBS drսg. It's a social initiative to add meditation to your medication. If you
like it, you can pitch it later. Uh, you know, for your last hurrah.
Madeline: I want you to pitch it.
Emily: Seriously?
Madeline: Seriously. The client has to start getting comfortable with you.
Emily: I don't want to step on your toes.
Madeline: You're not. You're stepping into my shoes. You're ready, okay? This is
an opportunity for both of us. Come here. Try this.
Emily: What is it?
Madeline: De L'Heure. It's the latest fragrance from Maison Lavaux. Mm. I'll be
handling them, their account in Paris. What do you think?
Emily: It's like wearing poetry.
Madeline: (snaps fingers) I'm gonna use that. Hm. Oh, that smells really wei...
Does that smell weird to you?
Emily: No, just floral.
Madeline: But... I'm gonna be sick. Uh... I'm gonna be sick. ( retching ) Oh.
( vomit splashes ) Oh.
Emily: Uh... ( Madeline coughing ) ( energetic instrumental music plays )
( patrons chatting excitedly )
 21

***
Emily: Hi, babe!
Boyfriend: Hey. Oh.
Emily: Mwah! ( patrons cheer ) ( Emily squeals ) Yes! What happened? Bote just
smacked a walk-off grand slam, two outs left in the bottom of the ninth.
Emily: Oh, my God!
Boyfriend: Hell yeah! Yeah! Cubs are goin' to the playoffs, baby! ( Emily squeals
)
Both: Mwah! Can we get a couple of beers here?
Emily: White wine, actually. Anything French, if you have it.
Server: For sure.
Emily: I have some crazy news. Madeline's pregnant.
Boyfriend: Madeline?
Emily: Mm-hm.
Boyfriend: Like, your boss, Madeline? Thought she was too old to get pregnant.
Emily: Well, so did she. Until she got completely nauseous sniffing this perfume
she was planning to promote. She went to the doctor this afternoon.
Boyfriend: Wow. So, who's the dad?
Emily: Oh, well, there are a few candidates. She was having a lot of going-away
sеx.
Boyfriend: Hey. Go, Madeline.
Emily: Mm-hm. Mm! But now that she's pregnant, she's decided she's not gonna
take the job in Paris.
Boyfriend: So, there goes your promotion?
Emily: Not exactly. They still need someone there. Like, American eyes and ears
to help with the whole transition. So they asked me if I would take the job... for a
year.
Boyfriend: What? In Paris?
Emily: (chuckles) They said that if I did that they'd guarantee me senior brand
manager when I'm back.
Boyfriend: Huh. ( sighs )
( mellow instrumental music plays )
Emily: So, the apartment there is already all set up, and there's a relocation bonus.
And just to explore the idea, here's a spreadsheet I made for the next year. Weeks
when you might be able to come to Paris, times I can come back to Chicago,
taking into consideration vacation and sick days.
Boyfriend: Wait. You're serious?
Emily: I know it's crazy, but when will we get a chance like this? It'll be an
adventure.
Boyfriend: Unless I missed something, you don't speak French.
Emily: Fake it till you make it. (chuckles ) ( boyfriend sighs ) You look worried.
Boyfriend: Oh, I'm not worried. It's the French who should be worried. ( Emily
chuckles )

***
 22

In Paris
Man: Uh, Emily Cooper?
Emily: Yes.
Man: Hey. I'm Gilles Dufour from the rental agency.
Emily: Hi. Bonjour.
Gilles: Bonjour. ( chuckles ) I've got your keys. Apartment 501.
Emily: Merci. Avec plaisir. ♪ I say, "Oui" ♪ ♪ You say, "Merci" ♪ Hi. ♪ A s'il vous
plaît ♪ ♪ Goes a long way... ♪
Gilles: The building is very old. It doesn't have an elevator.
Emily: ( panting ) Okay. It's charming. ( grunts ) ♪ Je ne sais pas ♪ ♪ Excusez-moi
♪ ( Emily continues panting ) ( sighs ) ( groans ) Is this it? ( panting )
Gilles: It's on the fifth floor. This is the fourth floor.
Emily: Uh, I just schlepped up these bags five flights. This is the fifth floor.
Gilles: ( Gilles sighs ) In France, first the ground floor, then the first floor, then
the second floor, and so on.
Emily: That's weird.
Gilles: Non, c'est normal. ( grunts ) ( Emily grunting, sighs ) Et voilà. Your
magnificent chambre de bonne.
Emily: Chambre de what now?
Gilles: Chambre de b... Um, it means, uh, the room for the housekeeper. The top
two floors were typically reserved for the servants. The space is small, but the
view... ( bright instrumental music plays ) ( gasps ) ( car honks in distance )
Emily: Oh, my God, I feel like Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge!
Gilles: You've got all of Paris at your feet. There is a wonderful café just down
below. A friend of mine is the manager.
Emily: Wow. So, ça va?
Gilles: It's good?
Emily: ( takes a deep breath ) Oui. Oui. Très good. Très wonderful. ( chuckles )
Gilles: Great. Are you hungry? Would you like to have a coffee or...?
Emily: Oh, actually, I have to get to my office.
Gilles: Oh. Maybe you want to have a drink tonight?
Emily: I have a boyfriend.
Gilles: In Paris?
Emily: In Chicago.
Gilles: So you don't have a boyfriend in Paris. (both chuckle )
Emily: Can I just get my keys, s'il vous plaît?
Gilles: Yeah. Um, my number is on the card if you need me for anything, and in
case you change your mind.
Emily: I won't. ( both chuckle ) Bye-bye, now.
Gilles: Yeah.
Emily: ( exhales ) ( Takes a photo with a view behind ) (Post it on Instagram
@emilyinparis ) “ #roomwithaview”

***
At Savoir
Emily: Hi. Hello. Uh, bonjour. I'm Emily Cooper from the Gilbert Group in
 23

Chicago.
Coworker: You are? ( chuckles ) I'm sorry. I don't understand.
Emily: Oh. ( purse unzips ) I'm going to be working in this office. ( using her
phone to translate ) Translator: Je vais travailler dans ce bureau.
Coworker (Julien): Ah. ( Calling someone ) ( in French ) The American girl is
here. ( Emily chuckles )
( coworker sighs ) ( the boss of savoir coming her name is Sylve )
Sylvie: ( In French ) Bonjour. I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow.
Emily: ( Confuse )
Sylvie: How was your journey here? The new apartment and everything? (in
French)
Emily: ( in English, chuckling ) You lost me at bonjour.
Sylvie: Oh. Yeah, I was told the American coming here spoke French.
Emily: Oh, that was Madeline.
Sylvie: Oh, so you're not Madeline.
Emily: Uh, I'm Emily. Emily Cooper. And I am so excited to be here.
Sylvie: Well, that's very unfortunate. ( sighs softly )
Emily: Excuse me?
Sylvie: That you don't speak French. It's a problem.
Emily: Well, I'm going to take a class, but... ( American accent ) ...je parle un peu
français already.
Sylvie: Well, perhaps it's better not to try. ( knocking on door ) Oh, Paul. May I
introduce Emily, the American girl who's come to work with us? This is Monsieur
Brossard, he's the founder of Savoir.
Emily: Ah. Emily Cooper. (He kiss her on the cheeks) Oh.
Paul: Hello. ( Emily chuckles ) It is so nice to meet you, Monsieur Brossard. It's a
pleasure. Welcome to Paris. So, you've come to teach the French some American
tricks?
Emily: I'm sure we have a lot to learn from each other.
Paul: But your experience is not with fashion and luxury brands, hm?
Emily: True. Most of my experience has been in promoting pharmaceuticals and
geriatric care facilities.
Paul: In Chicago.
Emily: Yes. I mean, oui. ( scoffs )
Paul: I was in Chicago once, and I ate the deep-dish pizza.
Emily: Ah. That is our specialty. We take a lot of pride.
Paul: It was, uh, dégueulasse. How you say?
Sylvie: Disgusting. ( Paul chuckles )
Paul: Like a quiche made of cement.
Emily: Uh... Oh, no, you must have gone to Lou Malnati's.
Paul: And the people are so fat. Why are they all so fat?
Sylvie: Well, perhaps from the disgusting food.
Emily: True, we are in the midst of an obesity epidemic. In fact, Merck was one
of our biggest clients. They make a diabetes drսg that we marketed the heck out
of. Sales went up 63 percent
Paul: So you create the disease, then you treat the disease, and then you market
 24

the treatments of the disease.

Emily: Well...
Sylvie: Perhaps stop eating.
Paul: There is no money in that.
Emily: True. Cigarettes cause diabetes and cancer.
Paul: Yes. ( chuckles ) Well, smoking is a pleasure. And without pleasure, who
are we?
Sylve: German?
Paul: ( chuckling ) Exactly right. ( Emily chuckles ) All of the brands we market
here, from perfume to cognac to couture, are all to do with beauty and refinement.
Emily: Mm-hmm.
Paul: Perhaps you have something to learn from us, but I'm not sure if we have
much to learn from you.
Emily: With all due respect, I have been sent here for a reason, so if you wouldn't
mind, I would really like to share some of my ideas about your social media
strategies.
Paul: You mean the Twitter and the Snapchat?
Emily: Yes. And the Instagram.
Paul: Ah, by all means. ( Paul chuckles softly )

***
At Meeting Room in Savoir
Emily: First, let me apologize for speaking English. I did Rosetta Stone on the
plane, but it hasn't kicked in yet. ( Paul sighs ) (a woman stand up and walk out
from meeting room)
Sylvie: Oh, Patricia doesn't speak English. Please continue.
Emily: For those of you who haven't met me, I'm Emily Cooper, and I'm so
excited to be here in Paris. I'm looking forward to getting to know each and every
one of you and, likewise, having you get to know me. Your name, monsieur?
Luc: My name is Luc.
Emily: Yes, Luc?
Luc: Why are you shouting?
Emily: ( sighs, quietly ) Sorry. ( Luc grunts ) Your company works with some of
the biggest brands in the luxury sector, from Chanel to YSL. And that makes
Savoir, your company, or, if I may be so bold, our company, a brand in itself. But
to build a brand, you must create meaningful social media engagement. May I ask
who's responsible for your social media here?
Julien: Patricia.
Emily: Makes sense. ( inhales sharply ) Anyway, it's not just about the number of
followers. It's about content, trust, interest, and engagement.
Luc: Excuse me, but the French are masters of social media.
Emily: True. But Americans invented it, which is why I hope to become a
valuable member of your team by adding an American point of view to your
fabulous French clients.
Julien: ( in French talk to Sylvie ) It's a disaster.
Sylvie: Paul.
 25

Paul: What?
Sylvie: Who is that girl?
Paul: It was one of the terms of the sale. They send us one of their people.
Sylvie: ( boss sighs ) How long do we have to put up with this?
Paul: ( sighs ) Well, until she decides to leave. ( boss sighs )
Sylvie: Quoi? With me as her boss, we'll see how long she lasts.
Paul: Right, I have to go.
***

Emily : It's amazing, isn't it? The entire city looks like Ratatouille. (video call
with her bf)
Boyfriend: It's beautiful.
Emily: So beautiful.
Boyfriend: Ah. Hey, how was the first day?
Emily: Great. Okay, maybe a few things got lost in translation. It took them a
minute to realize I was me and not Madeline, but I really feel like I could be a big
asset here.
Bf: Hey, look what I got.
Emily: Thank God! You're gonna love Paris. I don't want to spend another day in
the most romantic city in the world without you.
Bf: I'll be there soon, okay?
Emily: Hurry. I miss you already here. Mwah.
Bf: Mwah. Bye.

***
Emily: (Emily enters the dark apartment ) Ugh, seriously? ( sighs ) God. Okay.
( sighs ) Come on. ( grunts ) This can't be happening. Come on. ( gasps ) (open the
wrong room) Sorry, I... I thought this was my apartment.
Gabriel: Fifth floor? This is the fourth floor.
Emily: Fifth floor. Right. Merci. ( chuckles ) Uh, I'm Emily. Emily Cooper, your...
your new neighbor.
Gabriel: American?
Emily: Oui. From Chicago.
Gabriel: Gabriel, French, from Normandy.
Emily: Oh, I know that beach. Saving Private Ryan.
Gabriel: What?
Emily: D-Day? Uh, anyway. ( both chuckle ) Hm. Uh... Nice to meet you,
neighbor.
Gabriel: Enchanté.
Emily: Bonsoir. ( giggles )
***
At bakery before go to office (Day 3)
Emily: ( in French ) Good morning, miss. Uh... Ah. ( slowly ) Une pain au
chocolat.
Baker: (tell Emily the correct pronunciation) Un! Pas "une". Un pain au chocolat.
Ça sera tout? Un euro quarante. (Emily pay it) ( coins clatter ) Eh ben, on n'est pas
 26

rendu.
Emily: Merci. Have un bonne journée. Une!
Baker: Pas "un". Une bonne journée!
Emily: ( in English ) Oh, my God. (amaze of the taste) (take her phone to take
boomerang)” “butter + chocolate = <3”
In front of office
Emily: Sylvie, it's Emily. Um, are we closed today, or is there a national holiday I
don't know about? 'Cause I've been hanging around here for two hours and...
Julien: What are you doing?
Emily: I've been here since 8:30.
Julien: Pourquoi? We open at 10:30. ( Emily sighs )
Sylvie: Bonjour! (come to office at 11.15)
Worker: Bonjour!
Emily: Hi Patricia. I'm wondering if I can share some ideas I have about how we
might enhance our social media engagement. I'm so excited about the potential
here.
Patricia: Je comprends pas.
Emily: Oh. (use her phone) Translator, in French: Patricia, I'd like to share some
ideas about how we might enhance our social media engagement.
Patricia: Non, non. ( walk out from Emily )
***
Emily: ( in English ) Do you wanna have lunch?
Sylvie: No, I'll have a cigarette.
(Emily ask Luc and other worker to have lunch with her)
Luc: Uh, I have a... bad stomach.
Julien: ( clicks tongue ) I have a previous engagement.
***
At Park
(Emily sit on the park chair) (eating bread) (The childrens make her bread fall)
Emily: Ow. Excusez-moi! ( sighs )
Woman: Laurent! Sybil! ( in Mandarin ) Apologize to the lady! ( in French ) I'm
sorry. Can I buy you another one?
Emily: ( in English ) Sorry, I don't speak French.
Woman: Ah, American?
Emily: Yes. But did you think that I was French?
Woman: Honestly, no. I was being polite. You... look American. Are you from
Indiana?
Emily: Chicago.
Woman: Oh. I was close. I went to junior high in Indianapolis.
Emily: Oh, cool. No way! Why?
Woman: Mm-hm. Ah, long story. Very boring. ( chuckles ) The story and...
Indianapolis. But the girls, they look like you. Nice.
Emily: Are those your children?
Woman: No, I'm their nanny. ( in Mandarin ) Laurent! Stay where I can see you.
( sighs, in English ) I'm teaching them Mandarin.
Emily: How long have you been here?
 27

Woman: Uh... almost a year. From Shanghai. But my mother's from Korea.
Another long, boring story.
Emily: Do you love it?
Woman: Uh, yes, of course I love Paris. And the food is so delicious.
Emily: Mm.
Woman: The fashion, so chic. The lights, so magical. But the people... so mean.
Emily: I mean, they can't all be mean.
Woman: Oh, yes, they can. Chinese people are mean behind your back. French
people, mean to your face.
Emily: Mm.
Woman: But you're on vacation here, so...
Emily: Oh, no. Actually, I work here. I have a job with a French marketing firm.
Woman: Seriously?
Emily: Yeah.
Woman: Well, so you know.
Emily: Well, I just started.
Woman: Oh. Do you have any friends in Paris?
Emily: Uh, no. Um... but my boyfriend's coming next week to visit,
Woman: so... Are you lonely?
Emily: No... uh... Sometimes. ( chuckles softly )
Woman: Give me your phone.
Emily: Uh... Okay, so here's my number.
Woman: If you're lonely, you text me, we have dinner. I'm Mindy.
Emily: Emily. Nice to meet you.
Mindy: (kiss her cheeks) French people do this. Oh. Mwah. Mwah. ( chuckles )
Sybil! Laurent!
The Kids: ( in French ) You're not my mother! I want an ice cream!
Mindy: Ugh.
(Emily take a photo and post it onInstagram) “ #Battle Royale at Palais royal”
(Emily see her work partner have lunch together)
***
At Office
Sylvie: Bonjour, la plouc!
Julien: Bonjour, la plouc! ( Paul chuckles )
Luc: Bonjour, la... ( mutters )
Emily: Bonjour! ( in English ) What is "la plouc"?
Julien: Oh, um... It's a little term of endearment, like, um, mon petit chou, la
plouc... Nice. ( chuckles ) Don't worry about it.
Emily: Hm. Translator on laptop: La plouc. Translator: The hick. ( Emily sighs )
Man: Bonjour. Vous attendez quelqu'un?
Emily: Sorry, I don't speak French.
Man: Oh, I'm sorry. Um, is the seat free?
Uh, yes... yes, please. Yeah.
Man: Yeah? Okay. Thank you. (take and move the chair)
Emily: (sent a message to her bf) “so romantic.... wish you were here”
Bf : “In a meeting. Call later?”
 28

Emily: “ Definetely. Miss You.” (post a selfie on Instagram) “So romantic I may
be falling in love with myself”
( scooter motor whirring )
Luc: Ah, Emily.
Emily: Ah... Luc! Hi.
Luc: I... I just want to say I am sorry for this. I... I do not agree to calling you "la
plouc." And... I can, uh...?
Emily: Y-Yes. ( Luc takes a deep breath, clears throat )
Luc: You know...( inhales ) Uh...?
Emily: Mm, I'm good.
Luc: Ah? Okay. You know, we are all a little afraid of you.
Emily: What? Afraid of me? Mm-hm. How?
Luc: Y-Your ideas. They are more new. Maybe they are better. ( chuckles ) Now
you are here, and, uh, maybe we feel we have to work harder, make more money.
Emily: It's a balance.
Luc: Ex... Exactly. A balance. And I think the Americans have the wrong balance.
You live to work. We work to live. Yes, it's good to make money, but what you
say is success, I say is punishment.
Emily: But... I enjoy work... and accomplishment. It... It makes me happy.
Luc: Work makes you happy?
Emily: Yes. I mean, it's... it's... it's why I'm here. For work. And look where it's
brought me. To this beautiful city.
Luc: Maybe you don't know what it is to be happy. ( chuckles )
Emily: Or maybe that's a little arrogant.
Luc: Ah. You came to Paris and you don't speak French. That is arrogant.
Emily: Hm. More ignorant than arrogant. ( sighs )
Luc: Well, let's call it the arrogance of ignorance.
Emily: I'm sorry if I offended you.
Luc: Oh, I'm not offended by anything. ( Emily chuckles softly ) I see you
tomorrow, Emily. Mm-hm? Ah. Don't be early. Hm? ( chuckles softly )
(edit her caption on Instagram) “Lonely in Paris“
Bf: Oh, hey. There you are.
Emily: Is everything okay?
Bf: Yeah, I just finally got home from work.
Emily: It's 3:00 a.m. here.
Bf: Oh... whoops. It's 7:00 p.m. here. Uh... What are you doin'?
Emily: Sleeping.
Bf: I miss you so much.
Emily: And I miss you too. Hello? Doug?
Bf: Oh! Get naked with me.
Emily: Are we having cybersex?
Bf: Well... if you insist.
Emily: Hold on. You better not be recording this.
Bf: No. Never. Oh, wow. You are so beautiful.
Emily: Mm, thanks.
Bf: Uh, so, um... ( exhales ) ...you do you, and... I'll do me.
 29

(A few minute later and blackout)

EPISODE 2

Male voice on App: My name is Mark.Translation to French: Mon nom est

marc.
Male voice on App: I cannot speak French. Translation to French: Je ne parle
pas français.
Male voice on App: Could you please say that again? Translation to French:
S’il vous plaÎt, pourries-vous répéter?
Male voice on App: Please slow down a little bit. Translation to French:
Veuillez ralentir. veuillez parler un peu plus.
(Post a photo @emilyinparis) “Chiseled Abs”
Emily: Oh, jeez. [sigh] I did it again. I’m really so sorry.
Gabriel: Emily, do you want to live in my apartment?
Emily: (scoffs) Come on, even you have to admit that the floor numbering
here makes absolutely no sense. (chuckles)
Gabriel: You are very wet.
Emily: What? Oh. (chuckles) Yeah, um… I just ran five miles, but I don’t really
know what that is in kilometers.
Gabriel: Can I get you a glass of water? It’s a long way to the fifth floor.
Emily: Nah, I have to get to work, but, um, I promise I won’t bang on your door
again. [chuckles]
Gabriel: No problem. Bang any time.
Emily: (chuckling awkwardly) You’re funny.
Gabriel: (Chuckles softly)

***
Julien: Bonjour, la plouc.
Translator in French: [Go fuck yourself]
Julien: (chuckles) I think I like you.
Emily: French is such a funny language. Why is it “la plouc” and not “le plouc”?
Sylvie: I guess it depends on the plouc you’re referring to.
Emily: Look, I know that you all aren’t that happy to have me here.And my
French use some work.
Sylvie: A little bit.
Emily: Okay, It’s basically merde. It’s basically shit. But I have some
ideas about marketing De L’heure that I’d like to share with you.
Sylvie: De L’heure. (correcting the pronunciation)
Emily: ( imitating slowly ) De L’heure.
Sylvie: De L’heure.
Emily: De L’heure.
Sylvie: De L’heure.
Emily: (sighs, slowly) De…L’heu-re.
Sylvie: De L’heure.
 30

Emily:De L’heure.
Sylvie: De L’heure.
Emily: De. L’heu-re.
Sylvie: I don’t think that’s the account for you.
Emily: I studied the marketing plan before I got to Paris. It’s weak.
Sylvie: Oh, how so?
Emily: You’re piggybacking off the ad campaign. Very little social engagement. I
know you’re about to launch, and you’re keeping me out of the loop.
Sylvie: True.The party is tonight.
Emily: Tonight? What…What? Were you gonna tell me this, uh, ne.. never?
Sylvie: Listen, I…don’t agree with your approach. You want
everything to be everywhere, accessible to everyone. You want to open doors. I
want to close doors. We work with very exclusive brands. And they require
mystery, and… (scoffs)…you have no mystery. You’re… You’re very… very
obvious.
Emily: Maybe I am. But… I do understand what it means to be on the outside
looking in. I have a perspective that you will never understand because, no, I’m
not sophisticated or French, and I don’t know how to look like you. That
slouchy, sexy, “je ne sais quoi” thing. [“I don’t know what” thing.] But I am
the customer that wants it… and you’re not because… you’ve already got
it, and…and you don’t even know how you did it.
Sylvie: So, you want to go to this party?
Emily: Bien sûr. [Sure.]
Sylvie: Fine. Be there at eight.
Emily: Wonderful. Any tips on what to wear?
Sylvie: Not that.
***
Sylvie: Oh, there you are. Stop eating. Why are you eating?
Emily: I’m sorry. It’s just so good, and I’m so hungry.
Sylvie: Well, have a cigarette.
Emily: I don’t smoke.
Sylvie: Of course you don’t.
Emily: Well, they will kill you.
Paul: Bonsoir, Sylvie.
Sylvie: Oh. Paul.
Sylvie, Paul: Mwah. (kiss on the cheeks)
Sylvie: Ça va? [How are you?] Ouais. [Yeah.]
Sylvie: Antoine! Ça va bien? [Antoine! Things are going well?]
Paul: Emily, quelle métamorphose! [Emily, what a metamorphosis!] Trê
belle. [Very beautiful.]
Emily: Oh, merci. [Oh, thank you.]
Paul: Emily has just arrived from, uh, America.
Antoine: Oh. Antoine Lambert. And my wife, Catherine. Enchanté. [Nice to meet
you.]
Emily: Enchanté here as well. [Delighted here as well]
Paul: Antoine, of course, owns maison lavaux, and he is the best nose in France.
 31

Emily: Well, it’s… it’s very symmetrical.

Sylvie: (laugh)
Antoine: Not literally my nose. A nose is what we call the perfumer, the one who
composes the scent.
Emily: (chuckles)
Paul: Emily unfortunately does not speak French.
Emily: (chuckles softly)
Catherine: And why did you come to Paris?
Emily: To bring an American perspective from a marketing point of view.
Antoine: Hm. And how do things look from that point of view?
Emily: I think you have an amazing, sexy product that could practically
induce pregnancy
in older women. I mean, it’s part of the reason I’m here.
Paul: Sorry? (chuckles)
Emily: (chuckles) Uh, yeah…Never mind. Sorry. It’s a long story.
Antoine: Please. I’m curious.
Emily: Well, I think we can do much more on social. Last year at my
company, we marketed a vaccine to help combat the chikungunya virus. And
saturated the web with such gorgeous content. We were actually
responsible for increasing tourism in the Virgin Islands
by 30 percent. If you googled “tropical beach,” “vacation,” “paradise,” or
even “topless beach selfies,” you were directed to our product. Oh, and the best
thing is we can track everything. Who have used what, when, where, and for how
long.
Catherine: What is she saying? (scoff)
Paul: Juliette from Marie Claire is waiting to talk to you. Please.
Antoine: Interesting ideas. It’s nice to meet you.
Sylvie: Are you crazy? You don’t talk about work at a party?
Emily: He asked me.
Sylvie: Well, then You change the subject. You know, we’re at a soirée [we’re at
a evening party], not a conference call. Oh, mon dieu! [Oh, my god!] (sighs)
Emily: (Sighs)
***
Bartender: Mademoiselle. [Miss.] Bonsoir. [Good evening.]
Antoine: How are you enjoying Paris?
Emily: I love it. I mean, who wouldn’t, right? I’m sorry if I was talking too much
about work. Sometimes I just get a little over enthusiastic, and, uh, I know it’s a
party. Cheers.
Antoine: Santé. (Cheers.) You’re not wearing the perfume.
Emily: Not yet. I’m sorry.
Antoine: Here…Try a little here.And… right here. It suits you.
Emily: Ah, it smells really good~! I’m just not usually a perfume girl.
Antoine: And why not? It’s like wearing beautiful lingerie. Makes you feel more
confident.
Sexier. Happier. And, of course, with the right chemistry, it can be an aphrodisiac.
Emily: I will keep all of that in mind for our marketing materials. User experience
 32

is key.
Antoine: Mm-hm. And how do you experience it? What does it smell like to you?
Emily: (sniffs) Gardenia.
Antoine: Mm-hm.
Emily: Leather. Musk. And a little bit like sweat… (chuckles)…although that’s
probably me.
It’s like wearing poetry.
Antoine: Génial. [Awesome.] I love it. Like wearing poetry. Exactly. Perhaps you
wear it and see how you feel? And how other men feel around you? Or other
women. As you please.
Emily: I usually please men. Uh, prefer. I usually prefer men.
Antoine: Ah. Well then, you need to find yourself a nice French boyfriend.That’s
the best way to learn the language. In bed.
Emily: I have a boyfriend. In Chicago.We’re basically engaged to be
engaged. He’s… He’s coming here soon.
Antoine: I’m not sure that’s gonna help with your French. I’m very happy to have
an American on my team. We will learn from each other. (smacks lips) Expensive
sex.
Emily: Excuse me?
Antoine: That’s what it smells like to me.Expensive sex.
Emily: Well, better than a cheap date.
Antoine: (chuckles) I look forward to working with you. And to get to know
you, Emily.
Emily: Hm.
***
Next Day at Office
Julien: Bonjour, Emily.
Emily: Bonjour, Julien.
Paul: Hey. Very successful party last night. Antoine was impressed with you. He
would like you to work on the account.
Emily: Really?
Paul: Yeah.
Emily: (sighs) That’s great. I thought maybe I was too enthusiastic.
Sylvie: Oh, I would… I would love the help on the account, but we discussed
that Emily was gonna work on Vaga-Jeune.
Emily: Uh, what… what’s Vaga-Jeune?
Paul: Uh, suppositoires.So that the vagina can become mouillé [wet].
Emily: I’m sorry?
Sylvie: Suppositories to promote vaginal wetness in older women.
Paul: Because the weather in the vagina when the lady is older…
Emily: Isn’t so “moye” anymore. I… I get it.
Sylvie: Mouillé. [Wet.] Très bien. [Very well.] So you learnt a new word. So,
Emily will work on this for now?
Paul: Oui, oui. [Yes, yes.] It’s an important product. A necessity. So first, you
start with the necessities, and then you move to the luxuries.
Sylvie: Yeah, exactement! [Yeah, exactly!] And your experience is with
 33

pharmaceuticals, so
this makes total sense.
Emily: Of course.
Paul: Good.
Sylvie: Good. Oh, also… I think perhaps last night you were a little too
friendly with Antoine.
Emily: What? No.
Sylvie: Mm, he seemed very friendly with you.
Emily: I think he was just being French.
Sylvie: (chuckles) And you find him attractive?
Emily: Yes. No! No. He’s married. I met his wife.
Sylvie: Hm. So you do find him attractive.
Emily: He’s a client. A married client.
Sylvie: Exactement ! [Exactly!] And his wife is very nice and a very good friend
of mine. I will send you all the materials for Vaga-Jeune.
Julien: (quietly) Something you should know. (whispers) Sylvie is Antoine’s
mistress.
***
Emily’s message: Hey, It’s Emily from Chicago.
Mindy’s message: Who? Just kidding. Hi! Comment ca va? [How are you?]
Emily’s message: Were you serious about dinner?
Mindy’s message: It’s Paris, everyone’s serious about dinner.
Emily’s message: How’s tonight?
***
Mindy: You never flirt with another woman in front of your mistress. It’s worse
than doing it
in front of your wife.
Emily: They were in the same room, to be precise.
Mindy: Oh. Then they probably know each other. I’m sure they’re friends.
Emily: Really? You think Antoine’s wife knows about his affair with Sylvie?
Mindy: Of course~! I’m sure she approves.
Emily: Why?
Mindy: Nobody wants to have to have sex with the same person forever. I bet she
has a lover, too.
Emily: Okay, my head is just completely spinning. They’re all
in it together?
Mindy: (laughs) I think it’s probably tolerated more than discussed.
Emily: But I don’t get it. What’s the point of being married if you’re gonna cheat
on your spouse?
Mindy: Uh, maybe after you’re married for 20 years, you might feel differently.I
mean, the French are romantics, but they’re also realists. Ah!Cute alert! How do
you know about this place?
Emily: I live right down there, and every time I pass by, it’s packed.
Mindy: Ah. bon appétit~! [Ah. Enjoy your food~!
***
Emily: Santé. [To your health.]
 34

Mindy: Santé.
Emily: So, what brought you to Paris?
Mindy: Mm. At first, business school. My father insisted, and he’s used to getting
his way. Uh, he’s the Zipper King of China.
Emily: The Zipper King?
Mindy: Yes. And also many other kinds of… fasteners. He’s got the world by the
balls.
Emily: (chuckles)
Mindy: Literally. And, um, well, it’s his dream to have his only child, me, take
over the family business.
Emily: Well, what’s your dream?
Mindy: Just anything but that. But ever since I was a child, I was obsessed with
the idea of living in Paris. Um, so I enrolled in school here and… dropped out.
I’m used to getting my way, too.
Emily: Merci. So that’s why you became a nanny?
Mindy: Yes. Because when my father found out, he cut me off.
Emily: Ow. I’m sorry. That’s harsh.
Mindy: No. No, no, no, it’s wonderful. I mean, I’d… I’d much rather have my
freedom. Otherwise I’d be living a very predictable life in China. You know, it’s
funny? I grew up with nannies, and now I am one.
Emily: Well, I’m very glad you’re here.
Mindy: Mm-hm.
Emily: Ugh! This steak isn’t cooked at all. Um…
Mindy: Ooh.
Emily: Excuse me! Pardon…monsieur? [Pardon…sir?]
Waitress: Oui. [Yes.]
Emily: Uh…I ordered this medium, and it’s…it’s still kind of bloody.
Mindy: Elle aimerait son steak mieux cuit, s’il vous plaît. [She would like her
steak done better, please.]
Emily: Uh, yeah. What she said?
Mindy: Yeah, just make sure to never order the “ris de veau”.
Emily: What’s that? Rice with veal?
Mindy: No.See, that’s what I thought? I think it’s brains or balls, but it tastes like
ass.
Waitress: Thechef telsl that the steak is correct.
Emily: Um, well, correct for him but not correct for me.it.
Emily: Ah…Maybe you suggest he cook it longer?
Mindy: I’ll take yours, you take mine.
Emily: No no no. Come on. The customer’s always right.
Mindy: See, no. Here the customer is never right.
Emily: Well, maybe I’ll educate the chef a little bit about customer service.
Mindy: You think you’re gonna change the entire French culture by sending back
a steak?
Emily: Gabriel?
Gabriel: Emily.
Mindy: Mindy~!
 35

Emily: Wait, you’re the chef here?

Gabriel: Oui. [Yes.] Is there a problem?
Mindy: Well, you–
Emily: No! No. I love it. Everything is perfect.
Gabriel: You haven’t touched it. You know, I’d be happy to burn it for
you, but promise me you’ll try it first.
Mindy: Yeah~ try his meat, Emily.
Emily: (eat) Hm.Mm! mm.Mm! It’s surprisingly tender.
Mindy: Tender.
Gabriel: See? I knew you’d like it if you gave it a chance. Bon appétit,
ladies. [Enjoy your meal, ladies.]
Emily: Hm.
Mindy: Bon appétit [Enjoy your meal] [chuckling] I’d “bone appétit” him.
(Both laugh)
***
@emilyinparis 5643 followers: “ A little “Bonjour” goes a long way ”
Emily: Hey! You must be at the airport by now.
Doug: I packed, I… took a week off of work…And then I thought, “What am
I gonna do there all day?”
Emily: What? Uh, I…I don’t know. (chuckles) See the sights? I mean, Paris
is kinda famous for its sights.
Doug: Yeah. Alone. While you’re working.
Emily: Well, our lunches are pretty extensive here.I mean, I could spend three
hours with you in the Louvre in the afternoon and no one would miss me, you
know. (chuckles)
Doug: (sigh)
Emily: Wait, is this about the Cubs?
Doug: No.
Emily: Because we can watch the playoffs on a Slingbox. You won’t have to miss
a game.
Doug: That’s… That’s not what this is about.
Emily: Well, what is this about?
Doug: I don’t know how to do long distance.
Emily: (chuckling) Well, you start by getting on a flight. I…I… I thought we’d
figured this all out.
Doug: No. You had this figured out. And I’m sorry if I
don’t fit into your spreadsheet, but…I like our life in Chicago.
Emily: This is Paris! (sigh) Wait. Are… Are you not, like, coming here…ever?
Doug: I think you should come home.
Emily: Or what? We’re over? [chuckles] I can’t believe this. You know what?
You can keep your precious air miles and spend it on some away game and stay in
Chicago for the rest of your life. Because… Because this city is filled with… with
love and… and romance and light and beauty and passion and… and sex! Which
are clearly things that mean nothing to you.
Doug: Whoa, whoa. Wait, I’m sorry. Are you still there? I… I think I lost you. I
don’t–
 36

Emily: Yeah. You did.

Doug: Wait, wait. E– Emily, wait. Emily…
Emily: No, I’m done waiting.I gotta go.
***
@emilyinparis 5734 followers: “Paris is weeping”
Julien: Bonjour, Emily.
Emily: Bonjour.
Detect Language
Jeune
Young
Emily: Young vagina. Hm. I guess everyone wants one. The irony of menopause
Just when you have the timeto really explore your mature, adventurous, sensual
self…The vagina goes on strike.
Detect Language
The Vagina goes on strike. > Le vagin se met en greve.
Detect Language
The Vagina > Le vagin
Emily: Are you kidding me? Why is the vagina masculine?
Sylvie: Pardon?
Emily: Why is it ‘le vagin’, and not ‘la vagin’?
Sylvie: Oh, you mean ‘le vagin’. Oh, I don’t know. It just is.
Maybe it’s because it’s something a woman owns and a man possesses.
Emily: Your language is seriously effed up. (sigh)
@emilyinparis 5811 followers: “The vagina is not male!”
***
Emily: (sigh) This was a big mistake. I… I should never have come here.
Mindy: No! It’s good you came. Better than wasting another minute on a
man who won’t leave Chicago.
Emily: I feel like Alice Through the Looking Glass. It’s like up is down. I’ll
never learn the language or understand anything here.
Mindy: (sigh)
Emily: Do you realize this city is laid out in circles? Like they deliberately
designed it to confuse us.
Mindy: It’s an illogical culture, but it’s a beautiful one too~? Better to just let
it wash over you.
Emily: Yeah, but that’s just it. I’m worried I might drown.
Mindy: (sigh)
Emily: Maybe I’m just not cut out for this city. You know, I thought it was gonna
be an adventure.
Mindy: And it is. Maybe an even better one than you imagined.
Emily: I just never pictured myself here alone.
Mindy: You’re not alone.
Emily: (sigh)
Mindy: You have a friend here now. Paris is the most exciting city in the world.
And you never know what’s gonna happen next. Laurent! in Mandarin [Get away
from that fountain! Now!] Little shit.
 37

Emily, Mindy: (laugh)

Mindy: You’ll be fine.
***
Élysée Palace
Bruni’s massage: Brigitte, you have to see this!!
Butler: Madam Macron.insta.com “Le Vagin n’est pas masculin!” (The vagina is
not maile!)
Macron’s Re Twitte : Exactement! [Absolutely!]
Luc: In French [Well, that’s it. The end.]
Paul: (chuckles) (In French ) [I’m really going to miss you.]
Luc: In French [Yeah, right.] [You’ll forget about us as soon as you’re in
the South of France.]
Sylvie: (In French) [Sold off and abandoned, that’s us.]
Paul: (In French ) [Nothing’s going to change, you know.]
Sylvie: ( In French) (chuckles) [What about the girl?]
Paul: [What about her?] [Is she really that bad?]
Sylvie: (sigh) [She’s tiresome.]
Luc: [Well, at least she’s hot.] [Uh, sorry, but…]
Paul: [Honestly, it could have been worse.] [I think she’s all right.]
Sylvie: [It’s okay for you.] [You’ve got your check.][You…]
(Cell Phone Vibrating)
Paul: [Oh, come on…] [You know me.] [Oh, fuck!]
Sylvie: [What?]
Paul: [I’ve got a message from the CEO of Vaga-Jeune.]
[Brigitte Macron has just posted something on her Twitter account about their
product.]
Luc: [What?]
Paul: [It came from Emily’s Instagram account.]
Julien: Oh, wow.
Sylvie: [Huh? Brigitte Macron?]
Paul: [Brigitte Macron.] [The client is delighted.]
Sylvie: [“The vagina is not male.”]
Julien: [That’s for sure.]

Mindy’s message: Brigitte Macron just retweeted you, bitch!

Emily: Oh, my god.
Paul: Emily! Emily! Come join us. Come!
Emily: (Sigh & smile)
Paul: Elle assure trop. [She assures too much.] Please.
Emily: I guess you saw the post?
Julien: Yeah.
Emily: (chuckling)
Paul: Emily, you have made my last day here quite memorable.
Emily: I’m so glad.
Sylvie: Yeah, well done, Emily.Well, I guess a new chapter at Savoir has begun.
Emily: Thank you, Sylvie.I’m really looking forward to working with you.
 38

Sylvie: To our very own American Vaga-Jeune.

Luc Julien Paul: To our Vaga-Jeune.

EPISODE 3
Emily: (exhales) Hah… (Get a video call from Madeline)
Madeline: Bonjour, Paris! [Hi, Paris!]
Emily: Hi, Chicago.What time is it there?
Madeline: It’s 1:00 a.m. With the nausea, the sore boobs, and enough gas to
launch a parade float, I can’t sleep!
Emily: Well, this’ll give you something to dream about.
Madeline: Aw. Where are you?
Emily: Jogging on the Seine.
Madeline: Ah…! It’s gorgeous. You are living my life. Except for… the jogging
part. And
how’s Doug like it?
Emily: Uh… Doug isn’t actually coming. We’re, um…We’re not together
anymore.
Madeline: What? So you’re single? In Paris?
Emily: So single.
Madeline: Okay, now I’m even more jealous. I mean, your life is croissants and
sex.
Emily: So far, croissants
Madeline: Mm…So, how’s the Paris office treating you?
Emily: Oh, yeah, they’re a fun bunch! Uh, I’m fitting right in.
Madeline: Wonderful. I’ll send the corporate commandments from the Chicago
office. So you can give them an idea of our best practices.
Emily: Great. I’m sure they’ll love to hear those, especially from me.
Man: Excusez-moi, mademoiselle. [Excuse me, Miss.]
Emily: Oh, yeah, no problem. (sigh)
Madeline: Emily. Emily, there’s a man next to you who’s exposing himself. Em…
Emily?
Emily: Oh, my God!
Man:Uh, pardon?
Emily: Um, no. Sorry, that’s my bad. I– You’re peeing, and that’s a urinal, um…
Au revoir to you, monsieur. [Good bye to you, sir.]
Man: Bonne journée. [Have a good day.]
@emilyinparis 7632 followers : #Frenchworkout #Smokin’bodies
***
(Pipes Squeak)
Emily: What?\Oh, my God. Oh, my God. No…! (Panting, sighs) (Groans)
Emily: Ah, madame? Madame. The shower in my apartment just stopped
working. Poof! Just like that…(splutters) …There’s no more water.
Madame: [In French] Why are you out dressed like that? Do you think you’re at
a carnival?
Emily: The shower. Can you come see?
 39

Madame: [In French] I don’t understand. And I’ve got no mail for you.
Emily: Is there something you can do? (Grunts) Oh, hi. Hi, good morning. Um,
Can you please just tell her that the water cut off in my shower?
Gabriel: [In French] The water cut out in her shower.
Madame: [In French] Yeah… and last week, it was a fuse. Why does she break
everything? Can she tell me why she breaks everything?
Gabriel: She wants to know what you did.
Emily: Nothing! Nothing. I was minding my own shower business!
Gabriel: You know, the water is very unreliable in this building. The plumbing is
500 years old. Literally.
Madame: [In French] She’s getting on my nerves. Nothing but problems since
she got here.
Emily: What did she just say?
Gabriel: She’ll call a plumber.
Emily: And in the meantime?
Gabriel: [in French] And in the meantime?
Madame: Le bidet. [The bidet.]
Emily: Yeah, that one I got.
***
Jacqueline, French Teacher: Le verbe “aimer.” [The verb “to like”]
[in French] I like coffee. I like tea. I like sport. I like boots. I like dancing. And I
like Paris.
(Class repeats phrase)
Jacqueline, French Teacher: Bye, everyone. Good job.
Emily: Jacqueline?
Jacqueline, French Teacher: Yeah, Emily.
Emily: Um, any advice on how to get an office full of French people to “aimer”
me?
Jacqueline, French Teacher: You work in an office full of French people?
Emily: Oui. [Yes]
Jacqueline, French Teacher: Wow. That must be… interesting.
Emily: Mm. I’ll tell you all about it.
Jacqueline, French Teacher: Yeah.
Emily: Maybe we can go out and have a drink or something?
Jacqueline, French Teacher: Oui, bien sûr.[Yes, of course.] My rate outside
class is 50 euros an hour.
Emily: Oh…! Bon.[Oh…! Good.] Or maybe not.
Jacqueline, French Teacher: As you want.
Emily: (Chuckles)
Jacqueline, French Teacher: Have a good week~
***
Emily: Bonjour, Sylvie.
Sylvie: Ah, bonjour. (Sighs)
Emily: J’aime those bottines. [I like those ankle boots.]
Sylvie: Merci. [Thank you.] Why are you smiling like that?
Emily: [Chuckles] I’m just saying bonjour. It’s a beautiful day in Paris.
 40

Sylvie: There’s not so much to be happy about. We have a big day. Very
important commercial shoot for De L’Heure. And if you keep smiling like
that, people will think you’re stupid.
Emily: (Chuckles) Okay. I’ll try to stop smiling.
Sylvie: Unless you’re really happy. Are you really happy?
Emily: Well, I just split up with my boyfriend, and the water in my shower this
morning cut off
due to some ancient plumbing issue, so I had to wash my hair in the bidet. But…
c’est la vie. [that’s life.]
Sylvie: Oh…Well, perhaps you can post that on your little Instagram?
#BadHairDay.
***
Sylvie: (Sighs)
Luc: Excuse me, what is this I just received from you?
Emily: Oh, it’s just something I sent from the Chicago office, our corporate
commandments.
Sylvie: Oh, and you’re commanding us to do what?
Luc: “Thou shalt always maintain a positive attitude.” “Thou shalt be on time.”
“Thou shalt praise in public and criticize in private.”
Julien: “Thou shalt avoid workplace romances”?
Emily: And “Thou shalt remember that we are all a team.” And there is no “I” in
team.
Sylvie: Well, the French word for team is équipe.And there’s an “i” in équipe.
Emily: Well, let’s not get caught up on vowels. (Chuckles) It’s about all of
us sharing a global vision.
Luc: Ah. You would like to destroy our French soul!
Sylvie: Well done, Emily~!
***
Emily: Look, I wanna be part of the solution, not create problems.
Sylvie: Well, then, you should listen more and talk less. This is a very important
shoot.
Emily: I’m just gonna be getting some behind-the-scenes for social in the States. I
wanna make sure that De L’Heure gets “de more” followers.
Sylvie: (Chuckles) Well, you’re stating the obvious. That’s what you’re here for.
Antoine!
Antoine: I’appareil. Bonjour!
Sylvie: Mm.
Antoine: Emily. Nice to see you again.
Emily: (Chuckles) Bonjour. I am très excitée to be here.[I am very horny to be
here.]
Antoine: Excitée? [Horny?] Really?
Julien: Um… “excitée” does not mean excited. It means horny.
Emily: Oh, well, not that, then. (chuckles)
Sylvie: Well, you’ll have to excuse her. She washed her hair in the bidet this
morning. (Sighs)
***
 41

Antoine: Has Sylvie told you about the shoot?

Emily: No, she hasn’t.
Antoine: So, we follow this elegant young woman walking to work, and as she
crosses the bridge, she becomes every man’s fantasy and desire.
Antoine: Our tagline is “Dream of Beauty.”
Emily: Well, I feel like I’m dreaming right now. This view is magical.
Antoine: It’s so nice to see Paris through fresh eyes.
Sylvie: (chuckles) Let’s just make sure we don’t see any tourists in cargo pants.
Emily: Um, I’m just gonna grab some content for social. Uh, bonjour. Je suis
Emily from Savoir. [I am Emily from Savoir.]
Serbia Actress: I don’t speak French.
Emily: Me either. Um, okay, good. Do you mind if I ask you a couple questions?
Okay.Where are you from?
Serbia Actress: Serbia.
Emily: And~ what is your dream of beauty?
Serbia Actress: Private jet.
Emily: Okay. Wh–
Staff: Excuse me. We are ready to shoot. Okay?
Serbia Actress: No pictures.
Emily: Oh, merci…beaucoup. [Oh, thanks…a lot]
***
Director: [in French] Cut!
Antoine: What do you think?
Sylvie: J’adore. [I like.]
Antoine: Emily?
Emily: Uh, well, I… didn’t, uh, expect her to be naked.
Antoine: (Chuckles) She’s not naked. She’s wearing the perfume.
Sylvie: (Chuckles)
Antoine: It’s very sexy, no?
Emily: Sexy or… or… or sexist?
Antoine: I… I don’t understand. How is this sexist?
Emily: Well, whose dream is it anyway? The… The… The men or the woman?
Antoine: It’s her dream, of course. To be admired and desired by men.
Emily: But it’s the male gaze.
Sylvie: Oh, mon Dieu. [Oh, my god.]
Antoine: Yes. The male gaze. Exactly.
Emily: I… I don’t think American women will respond to this.
Antoine: What is the problem? Explain this to me. I’m interested.
[in French] Stop everything, please! (To staff) Merci. [Thank you.] Tell me.
What is wrong with the male gaze?
Emily: The men are objectifying her. They have the power.
Antoine: No, she has the power.Because she’s beautiful and she’s naked, which
gives her more power.
Emily: Maybe in her dream, she’s wearing clothes.
Antoine: (scoffs) It’s surrealism. It’s a long tradition in France. Man Ray,
Cocteau…
 42

Sylvie: No, she has no references.

Emily: I’m worried it won’t translate in the States. In today’s climate, it… it could
come off
as politically incorrect.
Antoine: “Politically incorrect”? Is this the Me Too?
Sylvie: “Balance ton porc.” [Out Your Pig. = Me Too.]
Emily: Excuse me?
Sylvie: That’s what they call it here: “Out Your Pig.”
Emily: So you know what I mean, right?
Sylvie: Chérie, I’m a woman. [Sweetheart, I’m a woman.] I’m not a feminist. But
regardless,
it’s her dream to walk naked across the Pont Alexandre III and have men want
her. Maybe it’s not your dream, Emily, but that’s her dream.
Emily: We just need to be sensitive to the way women are thinking now. I… I
wanna protect your brand.
Antoine: And we need to protect ourselves from the morality police. Desire does
not mean lack of respect. In fact, quite the opposite. It is a sign of respect. There
is no bigger compliment. I’m sure you’ve experienced this look of a desire from a
man?
Emily: On occasion, yes.
Antoine: So, you agree. For her, it is a sexy dream.
Emily: It’s open to interpretation.
Antoine: (Chuckles) Voilà. [So.]
Sylvie: (Chuckles) Is this what you mean when you say you want to be part of the
solution?
***
Plumber: (Exhales) Non.
Emily: What do you mean, “Non”?
Plumber: Impossible.
Emily: But why “impossible”?
Plumber: [In French]
Emily: No, wait! Wait! vous, wait! vous. [Wait! you, wait you.] S’il vous plaît. [If
you please.]
(Knocking door)
Emily: Hi. Can you come talk to my plumber? It’s an emergency.
Gabriel: Good morning, Gabriel. How are you today?
Emily: Good morning, Gabriel. How are you today?
Gabriel: Asleep. Thank you for asking. I was having a very nice dream, and this
American girl banged on my door and woke me up. Or maybe I’m still dreaming?
Emily: You’re not dreaming. You’re wide awake. Don’t let him leave until he
fixes my shower.
Gabriel: Où est-ce que ça bloque? [Where is it blocking?] Je comprends pas. [I do
not understand.]
Plumber: [In French]
Emily: What did he say?
Gabriel: He would like some coffee. Uh… and a croissant.
 43

Plumber: [In French]

Gabriel: (Chuckles)
Emily: What did he say?
Gabriel: Oh, um, uh, we were just talking about where we both were when France
won the World Cup. Honestly, you couldn’t walk down the street that day.
Emily: Okay, what about the shower?
Gabriel: He needs a part. But it’s not ordinary, so it could take a few days. Or a
few weeks. Depending.
Plumber: (To Gabriel)Merci. Thank you (To Emily) Merci. Au revoir,
mademoiselle. Thank you. Good bye, young lady.
Emily:Uh, okay, what do I do until then?
Gabriel: Use mine.
Emily: Hmm.
***
Emily: Merci for the shower. [Thank you for the shower.]
Gabriel: La douche.
Emily: What?
Gabriel: (Chuckles) The shower is “la douche.”
Emily: Oh. Well, I had a wonderful, uh…douche.

***
Jacqueline, French Teacher: So, how to invite somebody to a party. You start.
Female Student: [in French] Would you like to go to Jean-Jacques’ party with
me?
Male Student: [in French] I would love to. Would you like to go to Jean-Jacques’
party with me?
Emily: [in French] I wasn’t invited.
Male Student: [in French] Do not be sad. He is only inviting his closest friends.
Jacqueline, French Teacher: Voilà! So!
***
Sylvie: You cost us time and money on the shoot yesterday with your questions.
Emily: Bonjour, Sylvie.
Sylvie: Antoine’s coming in this afternoon to show us the film. I suggest you stay
quiet.
Emily: Did you really not agree with me? Just a little?
Sylvie: I don’t take such a simplistic view of men and women. That’s very
American.
Emily: That’s literally why I’m here: to bring an American point of view.
Sylvie: You’re more like the prude police.
Emily: I’m just trying to imagine a social campaign that doesn’t seem tone-deaf
to the cultural moment.
Sylvie: (Sighs)
Emily: Honestly, I’m only worried about Antoine.
Sylvie: Why don’t you leave Antoine to me? Hmm?
Emily: (Sighs) Hmm.
***
 44

Emily: (receive a gift) (Gasps, sighs) Do you have any idea who put this on my
desk?
Julien: It wasn’t me. Mine doesn’t bend like that.
Emily: (Grunts) I am going out to lunch! A long lunch with wine!
Julien: It’s 11:00 a.m.
Emily: Well, c’est la vie. [Well, that’s life.]
***
Mindy: “Thou shalt always maintain a positive attitude.” “Thou shalt
avoid workplace romances.” You told French people this? No wonder they hate
you.
Emily: Oh, not just this. They disagree with everything I say.
Mindy: That’s the French way. They’re… very disagreeable.
Emily: But I’m an agreeable person. People like me. That’s my strength.
Mindy: And here, they just wanna slap you.
Emily: Exactly.
Mindy: I know.
Emily: I– I can’t believe I’m drinking before noon.
Mindy: It’s okay. This is Sancerre. It’s a breakfast wine.
Emily: You know I mean even in French class this morning, I didn’t get invited to
Jean-Jacques’ party.
Mindy: Uh, what an asshole!
Emily: No, I mean, don’t worry. He’s not real. But, you know…
Mindy: You know what? The Duponts are going to their country house this
weekend. I’m gonna throw you a dinner party at their apartment.
Emily: Will they mind?
Mindy: Not if they don’t know. Oh, and you can invite Sylvie.
Emily: I can cook.
Mindy: Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.
Emily: (Chuckles)
***
Emily: (whispers) Okay, that doesn’t make sense.
Julien: It’s a perfume commercial. It’s not supposed to make sense.
Narrator: De L’Heure. A dream of beauty.
Antoine: So, what do we think? Sexy or sexist?
Luc: (Chuckles) Definitely sexy.
Antoine: I’m asking Emily.
Emily: Uh, it… it doesn’t matter what I think. It matters what your customer
thinks. So
why not let them make up their own minds? Put the commercial on Twitter with a
poll:
“Sexy or sexist?” Get a conversation going. Let the world decide, and make it part
of your campaign.
Antoine: “Sexy or sexist?” Or maybe both. (sighs) It’s a little controversial. I like
it.
Sylvie: Well, finally, Emily, a reason to smile.
***
 45

Sylvie: Oui? [Yes?] Another suggestion?

Emily: No, an invitation.
Emily: A friend is having a dinner for me, -and–
Sylvie: Sorry, I’m busy.
Emily: I didn’t tell you when it is.
Sylvie: Oh, whoops. (sighs)
Emily: Look, I know you haven’t warmed up to me yet, but I promise you will if
you get to know me.
Sylvie: I don’t want to get to know you.
Emily: Okay, fine.
Sylvie: Fine.
Emily: Can I just ask why? (scoffs)
Sylvie: Look…You come to Paris, you walk into my office, you don’t even
bother to learn the language. You treat the city like it’s your amusement park, and
after a year of food, sex, wine, and… maybe some culture, you’ll go back from
where you came. (sighs) So… perhaps we’ll work together. But no, we won’t be
friends.
Emily: It’s tonight at eight. I’ll email you the address.
***
Mindy: [Exclaims] The guest of honor! Mwah, mwah! Oh, you look amazing!
Everyone, everyone, everyone, this is Emily.
Emily: I thought you said it was just a few people.
Mindy: It snowballed. [in French] Emily has just moved here from Chicago
to work for a marketing firm.
Guests: (Continue chattering)
Mindy: Louise! Oh. You know what? Just get a drink. I’ll be right back.
Woman Guest 1: So…
Emily: Ah.
Woman Guest 1: Hi.
Emily: Hi.
Woman Guest 1: How do you like Paris?
Emily: J’aime beaucoup. [I really like.]
Woman Guest 1: That’s good French.
Woman Guest 2: Margaux?
Woman Guest 1, Woman Guest 2: [Talk In French]
Fabien: (Sigh, in French) I never get tired of this view. (chuckles softly)
Emily: Oh. Sorry, I’m the American girl.
Fabien: Oh.
Emily: Emily.
Fabien: Fabien.Very… beautiful, non?
Emily: Oui… j’aime beaucoup. (sighs) [Yes… I really like.]
Fabien: And you’re coming from?
Emily: Chicago.
Fabien: Chicago. Visiting Paris?
Emily: Working. A job.
Fabien: Ah~ [In French] Work, work…
 46

Emily: (Chuckles) And… And…And you travail? [And you work?]

Fabien: Yes, um… (clicks tongue) (in French) I am…a painter.
Emily: (Gasps softly) Ah, artiste. [Ah, artist.]
Fabien: Uh, no… for the buildings. Um… I’m sorry for my English.
Emily: No, I’m sorry for my French. (chuckles)
Fabien: I like your smile.
Emily: J’aime votre…[I like your…]
Fabien: Tatouage. [Tattoo.]
Emily: Tatouage. [Tattoo.]
(Emily, Fabien Chuckles softly)
Emily: J’aime… the moon. [I like… the moon.]
Fabien: La lune. [The moon.]
Fabien: I like… les pavés.
Emily: Cobblestones.
Fabien: I like I les huîtres.
Emily: Oysters.
Emily, Fabien: (Laugh)
Fabien: And I like… tes lèvres.
Emily: My lips. J’aime… your eyes.
Fabien: Les yeux.
Emily: (Quietly) Les yeux.
Fabien: I like… ton cou. [kisses]
Emily: My neck.
Fabien: (whispers) And I like… American pussy.
Emily: Excuse me?
Fabien: I like American pussy.
Emily: And I’d really like to go home now. Alone!
***
Gabriel: Bonsoir. Are you looking for my douche? [Are you looking for my
shower?]
Emily: (chuckles) What I’m really looking for is a drink.
Gabriel: Ah.
Emily: And~ a friendly face to talk to.
Gabriel: So, how do you like Paris so far?
Emily: Why does everyone keep asking me that question?
Gabriel: (in French) It’s natural.
Emily: Okay. Here’s my answer. I like Paris, but I’m not really sure Paris likes
me. And maybe that’s okay. I’ve spent my entire life wanting to be liked.
Gabriel: That’s a pretty miserable goal.
Emily: Exactly. So…I’m gonna give up trying.
Gabriel: Well, there’s just one problem.
Emily: What’s that?
Gabriel: I like you.
***
 47

Emily: Hi, Madeline. Don’t you ever sleep?

Madeline: No, I don’t. I just wanna let you know that your social impressions are
up 200 percent since that Twitter poll went live. Buzz Feed and Jezebel linked to
it in the States.
Emily: Fantastic.
Madeline: But a lot of people don’t like it.
Emily: Did you send me over here to increase brand visibility or be liked?
Madeline: Honey, I think you can do both. Look, now that you’re single, why
don’t you go find some of that French D?
Emily: Actually, I’m on the hunt for one right now.

***
Luc, Julien: [in French]
Emily : I believe you have an expression: “Let them eat cake.”
Luc, Julien: (Laughing)
Luc: Merci! [Thank you!] Mm!
Antoine’s Memo: Thank you for your brilliant idea. Is it sexy or sexist?
Sylvie: We have a meeting… for the Renault account. Exactly five minutes ago.
Emily: I’ll be right there.
Sylvie: Who’s that from?
Emily: Nobody. Just a friend.
Sylvie: Mm-hmm.
Emily: (Sighs deeply)

EPISODE 4

Emily: [in French] I can the flowers? The… The pink roses?
Shopkeeper: Je comprends pas. [I don’t understand.]
Emily: Uh, the rosé rose– The… The rosé roses–
Shopkeeper: Ah, non ! [Oh, no!] Non, mademoiselle. [No, miss.]
Shopkeeper: [in French] Those are not for you. They’re roses from the South.
Emily: Hmm? What?
Shopkeeper: [in French] Here.
Emily: Oh.
Shopkeeper: [in French] These are for you.
Emily: Um, I…
Camille: [in French] She wants the nice roses, not those.
Shopkeeper: Cinq soixante. [Five sixty.]
Camille: It’s five euros sixty, but round it up to six.
Emily: Really?
Camille: Mm-hmm.
Emily: Oh. Merci very much. [Thank you very much.] Thank you. My lousy
French gets me nowhere.
Camille: No. She’s not nice to anyone.
Emily: You’re nice and French and you speak English?
 48

Camille: Of course. I grew up watching American TV.

Emily: Ah.
Camille: And you? Visiting from the States?
Emily: I live here now. Wow. I just heard myself say that out loud, and I didn’t
even believe me.
Camille: (Chuckles)
Emily: Emily.
Camille: Camille. Enchantée. [Nice to meet you.]
Emily: (Chuckles)
Camille: And how did you get so lucky to move to Paris?
Emily: Oh, I work for a big marketing firm in Chicago that acquired a smaller
marketing firm here. I’m kind of like the, uh, American point of view.
Camille: And how do they feel about that?
Emily: A lot like that flower lady.
Camille: Mm-hmm.
Emily: (Chuckles)

***
Camille: You really have to go to Le Marché des Enfants Rouges. It’s in the
Marais.
Emily: Okay.
Camille: You have so many cool places to check out there.Just take the metro to
Filles du Calvaire.
Emily: Ooh. Oh, God, the last time I took the metro, I ended up in the 21st
arrondissement.
Camille: Um, there is only 20.
Emily: Exactly.
Camille: (laughs)
Emily: This city is so overwhelming.
Camille: Relax. Paris seems like a big city, but it’s really just a small town.
You’ll realize
after you spend some time here. Actually, what are you doing tonight?
Emily: Uh, if it’s Tuesday, it must be language class.
Camille: Hmm. I have a better idea for you. I work for an art gallery, and we’re
having an opening tonight.
Emily: Hmm.
Camille: Fun crowd and some people from Chicago.
Emily: Oh.
Camille: Do you know Randy Zimmer?
Emily: The hotel guy? I mean, I’ve heard of him. He’s like the new Ian Schrager.
No offense to the old one.
Camille: Well, he’s looking at art for his new hotel in Paris. Come! It’s at Galerie
de Garipuy, in the fourth.
Emily: Which is next to the fifth?
Camille: Which is just across the river.
Emily: (Groans)
 49

Camille: You’ll get the hang of it! Okay, I have to go.

Emily: Okay.
Camille: Mwah!
Emily: Oh! I’m sorry.
Camille: I’m not. See you tonight, right?
Emily: Ah. (Sighs) Hmm.
@emilyinparis 10.4k followers: # EverythingsComingUpRoses!

***
Building Manager: Ah, mademoiselle. [Ah, miss.] Vos paquets sont arrivés.
[Your packages have arrived.] Vos paquets. [Your packages.] Paquets.
[packages.] American paquets.[American packages.]
Emily: (Gasps) My paquets! [My packages.] Finally.Um, madame, c’est possible
pour…[Um, madame, these possible pour…]
Building Manager: Je suis occupée. [I’m busy.]
Emily: Oh, yeah, okay, no. [grunts] Never mind, then. I got it. I got it.
Gabriel: But who’s got you?
Emily: Okay. There you go. You got it? (Grunting) No worries. Oh!
Oh, my God. (grunts) (sighs, exhales)
Gabriel: You know… we have bricks here in Paris.
Emily: It’s just a few things from home I can’t live without. (sighs) Not that.
That’s from my office.
Gabriel: What kind of business are you in?
Emily: Marketing. (Groaning) Oh, no… My Trader Joe’s organic chunky
unsalted. (groans) My ex.
Gabriel: Sorry.
Emily: Oh, no, him I can live without, but the peanut butter…
Gabriel: You know, you’re in Paris now. I’m sure we can find you something
better than peanut butter.

***
Emily: Mm! Oh, my God! [chewing] I feel like I’ve never had an omelet
before.This was amazing.
Gabriel: You sure you don’t wanna go back to peanut butter?
Emily: No, you’ve ruined me forever.
Gabriel: So, you market lingerie?
Emily: Luxury goods. The lingerie was a gift. From a client.
Gabriel: You must have made him very happy.
Emily: I hope so. Professionally. Wait, that didn’t sound right either. The truth
is the gift is an issue for me.
Gabriel: Why?
Emily: First, he’s married. Second, he’s having an affair with my boss who would
love to see me on the next flight back to Chicago. And three, it’s wildly
inappropriate.
Gabriel: It sounds messy.
Emily: It is. And I hate messes. Even as a kid, I had rules. My peas couldn’t touch
 50

my carrots.I had to have the sauce on the side, and I liked my meat uncut. And on
that note, I’m going to help you clean up before I go.
Gabriel: Oh. Oh, no, no. No, no. [chuckles] It… It… That ruins the pan.
Emily: It’s soap.
Gabriel: Uh, see, that’s the secret to our omelets. We never clean. We let things
season. Those are my rules.
Emily: Okay.

***
Julien: Oh, they’re beautiful. Thank you.
Emily: Hmm. Who’s she in there with?
Julien: Antoine.
Emily: Sounds like they’re fighting.
Julien: You’re a genius.
Emily: What are they saying?
Julien: Basically, she says that he doesn’t appreciate her, and now he’s
threatening to meet with other agencies.
Emily:Oh, God. Uh, I have to do something.
Julien: Uh-uh. No, no. The last thing she needs is you riding in on his perfume
bottle.
Emily: Okay, well, if a client walks right after I got there, there’s only one person
to blame. (Knock on door)
Emily: I hope I’m not interrupting.
Sylvie: Of course you are!
Antoine: The American in Paris. Come on in!
Emily: Uh, I just wanted to tell you that I’m supposed to see Randy Zimmer
tonight.
Sylvie: Who?
Emily: From the hotel group. Your idea! You know, um, to… to have Antoine’s
company create a signature fragrance for their hotels. It could be really big for
Maison Lavaux.
Antoine: Why didn’t you tell me this?
Sylvie: Because we weren’t prepared to mention it yet.
Emily: It’s really cutting edge. Very new. Exciting. It was a great idea, Sylvie.
Sylvie: (Chuckles softly) Hmm.
Antoine: How do you know Zimmer?
Sylvie: Emily?
Emily: Uh, our mutual friend in Paris.
Sylvie: Right.
Emily: Yeah. Anyway, um…I just wanted to let you know that they loved it.
Preliminarily, I mean. So, wish me luck.
Antoine: I don’t think I have to.
Emily: (Gasps) Oh! um…These are for you. Happy Tuesday.
Sylvie: Mm-hmm.
Emily: Bye. (chuckles softly)
Antoine: Smart girl.
 51

Sylvie: Hoo~ [exhales]

***
Emily: Oh!
Sylvie: What do you think you’re doing?
Emily: Julien told me he was taking agency meetings. I was just trying to help.
Sylvie: I don’t need you to come in and rescue me. And I certainly don’t need to
take credit for an idea I don’t even know I like.
Emily: You will.
Sylvie: Don’t be so sure. Oh, and by the way, that little present of yours from La
Perla, who is it from again?
Emily: (Spluttering) Uh, just… uh, my friend. My new friend, Gabriel.
Sylvie: Gabriel? Oh, mon Dieu. [Oh, my god.] You’ve made so many new
friends in Paris it seems, huh?
Julien: Luc and I would like to take you to lunch.
Emily: But I–
Luc: Now!
Emily: (softly) Okay.

***

Luc: What are you up to with Sylvie and Antoine?

Emily: Has anyone noticed this is a very dysfunctional workplace?
Julien: I think you’re the one bringing the drama.
Emily: Moi? [Me?] Are you serious?
Luc: She thinks we don’t know.
Emily: Know what? What’s that smell?
Julien: Danger. Sylvie saw that box from La Perla on your desk.
Emily: Yes, it was… (sighs) It was from a friend.
Julien: (Gasps) Quelle coïncidence! [What a coincidence!] La Perla happens to
be Antoine’s go-to place.
Emily: A lot of people go there. It’s famous.
Julien: Luc, help me. [sighs]
Luc: I’ve worked with Sylvie for almost 12 years. She seems scary, but she’s
actually very nice.
Julien: Nice? She stepped on your head to get where she is.
Luc: Well, she’s good at her job, okay? The point is, Antoine was a young, hot
client, and he pursued Sylvie. Hard.
Emily: Well, was he married then?
Luc: Of course.He had a wife, and then he got a Sylvie. And that was all he
needed for a while.
Emily: You guys really aren’t smelling this?
Luc: No. Now, it’s one thing to cheat on your wife with your mistress. It’s
another thing to cheat on your mistress with a young American.
Emily: What?
Luc: Mm-hmm.
 52

Emily: There’s no way. No way.

Julien: Okay, all he’s saying is that if that lingerie wasn’t from your new friend,
and if you’re thinking of starting something with him, think again.
Emily: Ugh, merde! [Ugh, shit!] I stepped in shit.
Luc: Uh, you definitely did.

***
Mindy: Why the hell are you trying to get that woman to like you so much?
Emily: She’s my boss, whose boyfriend, our client, sent me lingerie that I’m
going to return.
Mindy: Uh, it belongs to you.
Emily: And he belongs to his wife and Sylvie.
Mindy: And whoever else he’s bangin’, so why not you? (scoffs) Look, you
haven’t done Paris right until you’ve had at least one wildly inappropriate affair.
Emily: Well, I’m more interested in having Sylvie’s respect.
Mindy: That, you’ll never get. Look, does he wanna buy you clothes and take you
to all the great places in Paris?
Emily: Probably.
Mindy: Then introduce him to me. I don’t give a damn about Sophie.
Emily: Sylvie.
Mindy: Whatever. (To a woman) Merci.
Woman: Bonsoir.

***
Mindy: Oh là là ! [Oh, dear!] Nice gallery. How did you get invited to this?
Emily: I met a girl shopping for flowers in my neighborhood. She saved me from
buying bad roses, told me about some cute brunch spots, and invited me to this
opening.
Mindy: Oh, my God, do you think she was hitting on you?
Emily: What? Uh, not until now. (Gasps) Ooh, there he is.
Mindy: Who?
Emily: Randy Zimmer.
Mindy: Talking to the gorgeous blonde?
Emily: Yeah, that’s Camille.
Mindy: Maybe you should be hitting on her.
Emily: Oh, would you stop!
Mindy: Mm-hmm.
Emily: Okay, wish me luck.
Mindy: Good luck, biche.
Emily: (Chuckles)
Camille: Emily!
Emily: Hi.
Camille: So glad you made it. Oh, so Chicago meet Chicago.
Randy: Oh.
Camille: Randy Zimmer. Emily Cooper. (Chuckles)
Emily: I’m such a huge fan. (chuckles)
 53

Randy: Oh, thank you.

Camille: Emily just moved from Chicago to work here at a marketing firm.
Randy: Ah.
Camille: Did I get that right?
Emily: Perfect.
Camille: Right. So, let’s talk later about that piece you like?
Randy: All right. Don’t forget.
Emily: Thank you again.
Camille: I’m so glad you made it.
Emily: (Chuckles) It’s so exciting that you’re opening a Zimmer hotel in Paris!
Randy: Yeah… uh, November.
Emily: I remember you said in the March 2010 Business Week, when the Zimmer
Zurich opened, that you wanted your flagship here.
Randy: Uh, you, uh, memorized my interviews?
Emily: Yep. When the Zimmer South Beach opened in 2015, you told
Architectural Digest that a good hotel should have an echo.
Randy: Yes. (chuckles) Thank you.
Emily: Uh, so why don’t you?
Randy: Why don’t I what?
Emily: To have an echo, you have to tease all the senses. Not just gorgeous
views, expensive sheets, but… the smell.
Randy: What’s wrong with the smell?
Emily: Well, nothing. There… There is no smell. That’s the point. It’s like
a blank billboard on Madison Avenue. Empty real estate going to waste.
Randy: Go on.
Emily: Well, when you’re selling a house, the one thing you should do is bake
cookies. The smell reminds people of home and warmth and sugar and butter and
a happy place.
Randy: Uh-huh.
Emily: You need some cookies, Randy.
Randy: Are you gonna hand me a cookie?
Emily: (Chuckles) My card.
Randy: Well, that was a nice elevator pitch. I’m here till tomorrow. Show me
what you got, Chicago.
Emily: (Chuckles) Hmm.

***
Emily: (Gasps) Welcome to Savoir.
Randy: Oh, Hi. Thanks.
Emily: Uh, Randy Zimmer, this is Antoine Lambert, the proprietor and master
nose of Maison Lavaux.
Antoine: Enchanté, Randy. [Nice to meet you, Randy.]
Emily: Oh, and this is the head of Savoir, Sylvie Grateau.
Sylvie: Enchantée.
Randy: Enchanté. So, we have the head…and the nose. What does that make
you?
 54

Sylvie: Mouth?
Luc: I thought she was the legs. (chuckles)
Emily: Okay. Um, shall we get started?
Sylvie: Suives moi. [Follow me.]
Randy: Uh, yeah. Merci. [Thank you.]
Antoine: Creating a scent is like writing a symphony.
Randy: Mm!
Antoine: I’ll give you another example. For our current signature scent, De
L’Heure,we started with a simple melody. Top notes of bergamot, mandarin,
vetiver. [sniffing] The middle notes are considered the heart of the fragrance.
Ylang-ylang, Provençal lavender. And then, for some depth and richness, base
notes of indole. Which, surprisingly, has the same molecular compound as merde.
Emily: Did he just say–?
Luc: Shit.
Julien: Your specialty.
Antoine: I know, that sounds crazy, but it’s true. Like in life, one has
to balance the sweet with, um…
Luc: Stinky?
Antoine: Voilà. [So.]
Randy: (Laughs)
Antoine: That’s what makes a parfum compliqué. [That’s what makes a parfum
complicated.]
Randy: Ah. It is an interesting idea, but it’s a…(chuckles) …it’s a big decision,
and I’m leavin’ tomorrow.
Sylvie: Oh, what a pity. Maybe you’ll find a nice perfumer in Chicago.
Antoine: (Clears throat) I want to make this happen, Sylvie?
Sylvie: Are you still a client here?
Emily: Uh, why don’t we all get dinner tonight and keep talking?
Randy: That’s a great idea. I’m up for anything with a Michelin star.
Julien: I’ve got some ideas.
Sylvie: No, no no no. Emily, you’re the expert on everything in Paris, so you
make the reservation and make sure we don’t disappoint our friend Randy on his
last night. Hmm?
Emily: I’m on it. (chuckles softly)
Sylvie: Good.
Randy: Thanks.
***
Man on phone: Restaurant Chez Chloé. Vous êtes à la réservation? [You are on
reservation?]
Emily: Yes. Tonight. Now?
Man on phone: Ce soir? [This evening?] Non, malheureusement– [No
Unfortunately–]
Emily: It’s très important. (sighs) [It’s very important.]
Man on phone: It’s impossible. We are completely booked.
Emily: Yes, I understand it’s completely full. Thank you.
Antoine: Thank you for this wonderful idea. And~ I know it was you.
 55

Emily: We aim to please.

Antoine: That’s good to know. Did my gift please you the other day?
Emily: Oh, um… Yes, it… it was very thoughtful, but, uh…no, it was
unnecessary.
Antoine: Oh, not at all.
Emily: And a tad inappropriate.
Antoine: Ah. According to whom?
Emily: Me. I don’t usually accept lingerie from clients. Especially… married
clients.
Antoine: (chuckles) Is that what you think? You think I bought it for me?
Emily: Yes?
Antoine: I didn’t buy it for me. It was for you. I wanted you to feel sexy and
powerful. A bold woman, unafraid to take on the world. Even Paris. But I
apologize. I understand you may have different boundaries.
Emily: Yes, I… I do. I like to keep things tidy. Professional life and personal
life separate. The Container Store is my happy place.
Antoine: Well, this is the French way. And now that you’re in Paris, you’ll
find that the most wonderful things exist outside of your…[clears throat] How do
you say? Your… box?
Emily: Let’s just keep it to container. (chuckles)
Sylvie: Emily, make a reservation at the Grand Véfour.
Emily: Okay.
Sylvie: Antoine.
Julien: No one can get in there last minute. It’s impossible.
Emily: (Scoffs) She hates me.
Julien: Oui.[Yes.]
Emily: (Sighs)
***
Luc: How did you do this?
Emily: I went online every five seconds until there was a cancellation. All
right. Wait right here.
Manager: Bonsoir, madame. [Good evening, madam.]
Emily: Bonsoir, monsieur. [Good evening, sir.] Um, a table for six
personnes [people], under the name Emily Cooper.
Randy: Well, I’m impressed. I’ve never been able to get a reservation here.
Antoine: Emily is amazing.
Sylvie: Yeah, what would be amazing is if we eventually sat down.
Antoine: Remember the first time I took you here, Sylvie?
Sylvie: Nope. (exhales)
Manager: We don’t have a reservation for that name.
Emily: Uh, yes, you do. Uh, I confirmed online.
Manager: No, I’m sorry. Hmm.
Emily: Okay. See? Here’s the e-mail confirmation. Six people, 9:00 p.m., 08/11.
Manager: Wonderful. We’ll see you November 8th. You’re booked 8th
November. This is 11th August.
Emily: Oh, my God. You reverse the dates.
 56

Manager: No, you reverse the dates.

Emily: Okay, could you–
Manager: Non, désolé, c’est pas possible. [No, sorry, it’s not possible.]
Emily: But it’s, like, really important–
Manager: Bonsoir, madame. [Good night, madame.]
Emily: (Sighs) Okay…

***
Gabriel: [in French] Hello.
Emily: Hi, Gabriel. It’s Emily.
Gabriel: Who?
Emily: Emily! Emily Cooper, your neighbor.
Gabriel: Oh, Emily, hi! It’s hard to hear you.
Emily: Yeah, I’ve got a massive favor, okay? I have a very important client–
Gabriel: Oh, the lingerie.
Emily: Yeah, yeah, and some others. Can you take six?
Gabriel: Uh, tonight?
Emily: Yes, perfect.
Gabriel: No, no, no, no, I–
Emily: I really need your help, Gabriel, okay? My job depends on it.
Gabriel: We’re planning to close in 30 minutes.
Emily: Okay, I’ll see you in 15. Merci. Yes! Ha.

***
Emily: Okay, I have some good news and some great news.
Sylvie: What’s the good news?
Emily: Dinner tonight is actually in the fifth. Personally prepared by one of
the most up-and-coming young chefs in Paris.
Luc: And what’s the great news?
Emily: We’re all coming back to Le Grand Véfour on November 8th for the
opening of Zimmer Paris!
Sylvie: All right. (Takes a deep breath) Great.
Emily: Allons-y! (giggles) [Let’s go!] Okay…

***
Antoine: We need that personality element. Une note de sensualité, une note
d’élégance. [A note of sensuality, a note of elegance.] Une note… une petite
pincée d’érotisme et un peu de romance. [A note… a little pinch of eroticism and
a bit of romance.] I’m thinking, uh, cashmere wood, blooming jasmine, exotic
orchids could be exquisitely romantic.
Sylvie: Oh, of course, for your hotel, you’d want something a bit more coquin.
Randy: Coquin?
Sylvie: Naughty.
Randy: Hmm.
Sylvie: And lucky for you, that’s Antoine’s specialty.
Emily: I just think there’s something so romantic about a signature scent in a hotel
 57

chain. You know, like a perfect marriage.

Antoine: Let’s call it an affair. Much more romantic.
Randy: Exactly. That’s why people go to hotels.
Antoine: Especially in Paris. Randy, you want your fragrance to remind people of
the beauty of the moment they spent together. And that they can revisit again and
again and again.
Sylvie: (Sighs) Yeah, well, fragrances fade over time.
Antoine: Well, one only needs to reapply, and the passion comes flooding back.
Sylvie: From my point of view, Randy, the scent of your hotel becomes an
aphrodisiac.
Randy: Very interesting proposition.
Emily: So many possibilities.
Antoine: So many.
Emily: (Laughs)
Luc: A toast to lovers!
Group: To lovers!
Sylvie: Old and new. (Glass Clink)
Randy: I will drink to that. Okay, Antoine. Let’s nail down the scent. I’ll have my
attorneys contact you tomorrow.
Antoine: Fantastic.
Sylvie: Well, I guess that means you’re staying at Savoir, huh?
Antoine: Of course, Sylvie. I would never leave you.
Emily: I would like to raise our glasses again to an affair of legends: Zimmer
Hotels and Maison Lavaux.
Antoine: Santé. [Cheers.]
Group: Santé. [Cheers.]
Emily: Oh! And here is our brilliant and amazing chef, and my friend, Gabriel.
Gabriel: Bonsoir. Hello.
Antoine: Bravo! Bravo!
Julien: It may not be Le Grand Véfour, but…
Randy: Oh, I’d rather go where no one’s gone and let them follow.You be
careful. We may steal you for the Zimmer.
Gabriel: Well, she has my number.
Emily: Hmm.
Gabriel: Thank you all for being here.
Antoine: Formidable. [Tremendous.] Merci beaucoup. [Thank you a lot.]
Gabriel: Thank you.
Sylvie: So, that’s your new friend Gabriel?
Emily: Yes.
Sylvie: Mm-hmm.

***
Luc: (To Gabriel) Super bon. [Super good.]
Emily: (To everyone) Thank you. (Group chattering)
Emily: Oh! That… That was amazing.
Gabriel: That was nothing.
 58

Emily: No, it was above and beyond. You made me look great out here.
Gabriel: Well, it’s not a hard thing to do.
Sylvie: Shall we go? Oh! Thank you for the meal. It was incroyable. [It was
unbelievable.]
Gabriel: You’re welcome.
Sylvie: And may I just say, you have an exquisite taste in lingerie.
Gabriel: I have what?
Sylvie: You do.
Emily: He really does. Yeah.
Sylvie: Bonsoir. [Good evening.]
Emily: Thank you again. I’ll– No, I’ll see you late– I’ll see you later.

***
Sylvie: Emily… I have to say that you did a good job today.
Emily: Look, Sylvie, I want us to win together. And maybe some things get lost in
translation, but… just… just know that I’m finding my way.
Sylvie: We’re going for drinks. You can join us if you want, but I think you
have better things to do.
Emily: He lives downstairs. I don’t wanna make it complicated.
Sylvie: Oh, sometimes the best relationships are complicated.
Gabriel: Did you forget something?
Emily: I did. (sighs) Good night.

***
Camille: Emily!
Emily: Camille, hi! Wait, this is so crazy. We keep running into each other in this
neighborhood. I just had dinner with Randy Zimmer.
Camille: Here?
Emily: Yeah, no, the food’s fabulous.
Camille: I know. The chef is my boyfriend.
Emily: Gabriel?
Camille: Yes. Do you know him?
Emily: Not really… Um, well, he lives in the apartment right below me, which
is right down the street from the flower market where you and I met.
Gabriel: Do you guys know each other?
Emily: Turns out, we do.
Camille: See? I told you. Paris seems like a big city, but it’s really just a small
town. I’m so happy to see you. Mwah!

EPISODE 5

Emily: Okay, so the chef has a girlfriend, and guess who it is.
Mindy: All I do is play guessing games with the kids. Please, for my sanity, use
your words.
Emily: Camille.
 59

Mindy: The beautiful blonde from the gallery?

Emily: Beautiful and genuinely nice, which shouldn’t be allowed. It’s, like, just
choose one. I wish Gabriel had told me he had a girlfriend before I thanked him
with my mouth.
Mindy: I thought you just kissed him.
Emily: I did.
Mindy: Your English is as confusing as your French.
Emily: Yeah, I feel stupid. In both languages.
Mindy: (Laughs) Look, French men are flirts. Just act normal when you see him.
Emily: But I’m trying not to see him.
Mindy: Oh.
Emily: Which is kind of impossible when we live in the same building.
Mindy: (Chuckles)
Emily: I really like him, and I just thought that he…Ugh. I don’t know what I
thought.
Mindy: (Chuckles) Oh, Bonjour. [Oh, Hello.] Un café s’il vous plaît. [A coffee
please.]
Emily: Um, J’aime le café, les fruits, et un croissant avec le préservatif. [Um, I
like coffee, the fruits,and a croissant with the condom.]
Server: (sighs) Okay, there’s a vending machine for that in the men’s room.
Mindy: (Chuckles)
Emily: What did I just say?
Mindy: “Préservatif” doesn’t mean preserves. You just ordered a croissant with a
side of condoms.
Emily: Oh, my God! No, I don’t want that!
Mindy: She’s gonna bareback her breakfast!
Emily: See, I can’t get anything right.
Mindy: (Laughs) It’s a common mistake. They’re called faux amis. [They’re
called fake friends.]
So, “un crayon” isn’t “crayon.” It’s “pencil.”
Emily: Mm-hmm.
Mindy: “Un médecin” isn’t “medicine.” It’s “doctor.”
Emily: Faux amis, is that, like, fake friends?
Mindy: Yep. Like you and Camille. You’re gonna be friends with her but just so
you can stay close to her hot, hot boyfriend.
Emily: I’m not doing that. And I’m trying to avoid her, too.
Mindy: Oh, good. Look, direct hit coming our way. Incoming!

***
Camille: Hey~!
Emily: Oh, hi.~!
Camille: Mwah!
Mindy: (Gasps) What? Camille!
Camille: I’m so happy that we have the same café.
Emily: You remember Mindy?
Camille: Yes, of course.
 60

Mindy: (Chuckling) Great, oh, yay.

Camille: I’m just grabbing some croissants for Gabriel. I can never get him out of
bed in the morning.
Emily: Aw, sleepyhead.
Mindy:Best kind.
Camille: (Chuckles) Mm-hmm. So chic. But may I? Just, yeah.
Emily: Oh. (chuckles softly)
Camille: Like, you know, French way. On the side.
Mindy: Oh, let me take a photo of you for your emilyinparis account. Wanna get
in? Get in!
Emily: Okay.
Camille: Yeah, sure.
Mindy, Camille: Okay.
Emily: (Laughs)
Mindy: Say, “Amies.”
Emily, Camille: Amies.
Mindy: So cute.
Camille: I will follow you so you can tag me.
Emily: Cool.
@emilyinparis 20.1k followers: with a little help from mon amie
Camille: Oh, my God, you have so many followers.
Mindy: Oh, Emily knows how to make friends.
Emily, Mindy: (Chuckle)
Mindy: You okay? The scarf too tight?
Emily: [Clears throat]
@DuréeCosmetics: Exclusive invitation to Durée’s Influencer Lunch @ Hotel
d’Evreux
***
Emily: (Gasps) Bonjour ! Check this out. Durée Cosmetics just DM’d me on
Instagram. They invited me to their influencer lunch today.
Julien:You? An influencer?
Emily: I know. They must have mistaken me for someone else. But I love Durée.
They were the first lip gloss I ever bought. Well, not actually bought. My friend
Cindy stole it from Target. She’s a teacher now.
Julien: Hmm. Sounds right.
Emily: Oh, it’s at… it’s at the Hôtel d’Évreux? Is that good?
Julien: No, none of this is good. We don’t speak of Durée in this office. They used
to be a client.
Emily: What happened?
Julien: (Sighs) We don’t speak of it, Emily.
Emily: (Quietly) Okay.
***

(Knocks on Door)
Emily: Sylvie, just curious–
Sylvie: It is customary to knock, wait for a reply, then enter.
 61

Emily: (Quietly) Okay.

Sylvie: Busy.
Emily: I just noticed you don’t have a cosmetics company on your roster.
Sylvie: What an illuminating insight.
Emily: Did you ever have one? Bobbi Brown~ Laura Mercier~ Durée~

Sylvie: A representative from Hästens Luxury Beds is coming in tomorrow, and I

expect you to have great campaign ideas.
Emily: Of course. But can I just go back to the cosmetics question?
Sylvie: No.
Emily: (Quietly) Okay.

***
Luc: Bring the Eiffel Tower to bed.
Emily: Huh?
Luc: For Hästens. That could be the slogan.
Emily: They’re Swedish, so using a Paris landmark may not–
Luc: No, no, no, no, no. Not the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower.
Julien: He means the sex position.
Luc: The woman is on all fours, and the two men, one in front, one in back,and
they, uh… How you say “clap”?
Julien: High-five.
Emily: Wait, why do they high-five?
Luc: To make shape. Eiffel Tower.
Emily: Please put your hands down.
Julien: Uh, but then it’s only London Bridge. Not as fun.
Luc: [in French] Yes, that’s true.
Emily: Okay. Well, I would love to stay and educate you on workplace
harassment, but I’ve got a lunch.
Julien: You’re going?
Emily: The event that dare not speak its name? Yes. I just need a one-on-one with
Olivia Thompson.
Julien: Their CMO? (Chuckles) You’re insane.
Emily: Well, they think I’m an influencer. Maybe I can influence them to stay at
Savoir.

***
Emily: Bonjour. I’m Em–
Event Assistant: Oh! (Chuckles)
Guest: Aw! Hi, mon amour! [Hi, my love!] ça va? [How’s it going?]
Emily: Wow, what a cute dog. I love goldens.
Guest: Well, you should follow him. It’s CashmereGoodBoy on Instagram, and he
just hit 100,000 followers. Thank you, my love. Do you have one for Cashmere?
Event Assistant: But of course.
Guest: You know he’ll get jealous.
Event Assistant: Name?
 62

Emily: Bonjour. I’m emilyinparis, and I was invited on Instagram.

Event Assistant: Everyone was. (Sighs deeply)
Emily: Oh…(Chuckling) Um, can I get a big one like Cashmere?
Event Assistant: Oh, let me check. Not enough followers. So now, please integrate
the products in your social media content. We expect a
minimum of five posts. With your tiny reach, make it ten.
Emily: Oh, I’m on it. I’ll give you quantity and quality. Um, can you point me in
the direction of Olivia Thompson?
Event Assistant: She’s about to speak.
Emily: Merci. (Thank you.)
Event Assistant: Next.

***
Olivia: Thank you all for being here. We are thrilled to be sharing this season’s
incredible product range with such global tastemakers. Enjoy lunch and please
remember to tag Durée in your posts so that we can track your social media
impressions. Have fun.
Emily: Miss Thompson, can I please have a moment?
Assistant: May I help you, Miss emilyinparis?
Emily: Bonjour again. I… I’m really here to speak to Olivia.
Assistant: No, no, no. If you want her attention, I suggest you post.
Emily: Très bien. [Very good.]

***
Olivia: Emilyinparis. You created a meme using the Vaga-Jeune post.You
even got Brigitte Macron to retweet you.
Emily: The Daily Mail called it a re-twat. Very proud moment for me.
It’s really nice to finally meet you, Olivia.
Olivia: Likewise. Some creative content today. And your product knowledge is
first-rate. You’re quite the brand ambassador.
Emily: Well, it’s easy when you love the brand, and this was a really great event.
Olivia: I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
Assistant: We saw you eat the wall.
Emily: So, what agency do you use?
Olivia: Oh, we don’t anymore. Agencies are overpriced and antiquated. Now, we
prefer to use
influencers like you. The future of marketing.
Emily: Well, I actually have a master’s in marketing. And I think that I could do
much more for you than this.
Olivia: Really? Such as?
Assistant: Olivia, they are waiting for you at the dermabrasion station.
Emily: Uh, but, uh, I would love to tell you more about it? Could I… Could we
meet later or…?
Olivia: Tomorrow. Lunch. Lucien will set it up.

***
 63

Emily: Oh, bonsoir. [Oh, good evening.]

Camille: Hi. You’re not working?
Emily: Um, I’m working from home.
Camille: You didn’t move to Paris to sit alone in your room.
Emily: Oh, I… I–
Camille: We’re not taking “No” for an answer. Right, Gabriel?
Gabriel: We rarely do.
Camille: We are going someplace really nice.
Emily: (Chuckles softly)
Camille: You will love it.
***
Emily: Wow. This is incredible. Starry Night. One of my favorites. (chuckles)
Gabriel: Mine too.
Camille: Did you know Van Gogh painted it while having a nervous breakdown?
Emily: Uh, no, I, uh… I did not.
Camille: Well, he was in an asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, and this was his
view.
Emily: Well, I guess that explains his crazy genius.
Camille: Let’s lie down.
Emily: Oh, oh… okay, sure. If…
Camille: Oh, wow…
Emily: (Grunts)
Gabriel: I love sleeping under the stars.
Camille: Remember the last time we slept outside?
Gabriel: Yeah.
Camille: We didn’t sleep.
Emily: So, you guys are campers, huh? Never mind. (Sighs) Ah, this is incredible.
I feel like I’m…actually in the painting.
Camille: (whispers) Danielle! Étienne! Excuse me.
Emily: I really like her.
Gabriel: She likes you too.
Emily: I wouldn’t have kissed you if I knew you had a girlfriend.
Gabriel: It’s okay. You didn’t know.
Emily: Well, why didn’t you tell me?
Gabriel: I didn’t know you were gonna kiss me.
Emily: (Chuckles) You… did kiss me back.
Gabriel: It is a normal reaction, no?
Emily: I guess. I…Well. I just thought that you felt…Ugh. It doesn’t matter now,
so…Clearly, it was just me, and I made it all up in my head, so…forget it.
Gabriel: Forget what?
Emily: The… The kiss in your kitchen.
Gabriel: I don’t remember. It must not have been very good.
Emily: Well, it wasn’t. Unmemorable, in fact.
Gabriel: Then it’s forgotten. We will just go back to being neighbors who have
never kissed.
Emily: That’s all we ever were.
 64

***
Client: In London, Rome, and New York, huge crowds watched Tilda Swinton
sleep in a box. Why? (Extra Because she can make anything interesting.
Sylvie: Yes.
Group: (Chuckles)
Sylvie: But also because watching the act of sleep is intoxicating. We watch our
babies sleep. We watch our lovers sleep. And now…as Parisians window-shop on
the Champs-Élysées, they’ll see two gorgeous models sleep and spend the whole
day on a Hästens bed. An unflinching but flattering life portrait of luxury.
Client: Hmm. I like, but not love. I feel like I’ve seen it before.Do you have any
other ideas?
Luc: Bring the Eiffel Tower–
Sylvie: No.
Emily: May I?
Sylvie: If you must?
Emily: Our dreams transport us to magical places that we try to capture in film,
music, and art. But we only dream when we sleep deeply. The superior quality of
Hästens beds allows us to dream our best dreams,but why must that only be in our
bedrooms? Why can’t it be under the stars? We should be able to fall asleep
anywhere. Let’s harness the power of social media and ask people to come sleep
with us. Stage the bed in the most irresistibly Instagrammable spots in this
beautiful city: the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Louvre. And post photos of real
people, not just models, sleeping and dreaming. All thanks to Hästens.
Luc: Perhaps even under the Eiffel Tower. (chuckles) High-five?
Emily: No.

***
Olivia: I am so glad you were at our event, Emily. You are the best type of
influencer. One that doesn’t realize the influence they have over others.
Emily: Well, you know I love Durée.
Olivia: I do. DURÉE APPOINTS @EMILYINPARIS AS NEW BRAND
MANAGER
Olivia: What do you think?
Emily: Oh. Uh, no. No, no, no, um…I’m sorry, Olivia, but I can’t be your brand
ambassador.
Olivia: You’re under contract with someone else?
Emily: Well, yeah, kind of, um…You see, I had a bit of a unfair advantage at your
lunch. I’m a marketing executive at Savoir, and I think you should come back.
Olivia: Savoir? This was a very clever way to get a meeting.
Emily: Well, we’d be very clever for Durée.
Olivia: I fired your agency. They’re a very expensive dinosaur.
Emily: Expensive? Yes… but you get what you pay for.
Olivia: (Scoffs)
Emily: And it’s different now. I work there.
Olivia: Does Sylvie Grateau?
Emily: she does.
 65

Olivia: (Chuckles) Then it’s not that different.

Emily: Those influencers at your lunch didn’t care about your brand. I
respect what they do, but
they’re driven by self-promotion and swag bags. We could promote Durée more
creatively and intelligently than they ever could.
Olivia: You’re wrong, Emily. You could be more successful as an influencer.
Emily: (Chuckles) Again, I’m…I’m not an influencer.
Olivia: Well, you’re clearly under the influence of this city. You’re high on
Paris, and your followers are falling for that. (Sighs) We’re keeping our marketing
in-house. But this has been, uh, interesting. Look after yourself, Emily. I know
Sylvie won’t.
***
Sylvie: Emily!
Emily: Yes?
Sylvie: Is this the American way to overpromise and underdeliver?
Emily: Excuse me?
Sylvie: Klara from Hästens wants to do your outdoor bed idea, and now she
expects their bed to be in le Louvre. So maybe you can find a nice spot for the
mattress under the Mona Lisa. Good luck.
Emily: We can figure that out. This is great news, though.
Sylvie: Oh, is it? ‘Cause you already look quite busy.
Emily: They invited me as an influencer.
Sylvie: And you thought going was a good idea?
Emily: I was hoping to win them back.
Sylvie: And what makes you think we want them back? If you’re their new arbiter
of taste, we want nothing to do with them. Companies hire Savoir to raise their
standards, not lower them.
Emily: Sylvie, we’re on the same side.
Sylvie: It’s not you personally. It’s everything you stand for. You’re the enemy of
luxury, because luxury is defined by sophistication and taste, and not by
emilyinparis. (Sighs) Your social media is a problem for us.
Emily: I don’t think you understand its value.
Sylvie: Oh, well, I think I do. You worked for Durée for free, right? How does
that look to the brands that actually pay us to represent them?
Emily: Okay, so what do you want me to do?
Sylvie: (Chuckles softly) Delete your account. Hmm?
***
Mindy: That’s censorship.
Emily: I know.
Mindy: She can’t force you to delete your social media. Get your dad’s lawyers
involved.
Emily: My dad doesn’t have a lawyer. He breeds Weimaraners.
Mindy: Hmm. Yeah, you have to delete it. Gimme. (Gasps) Oh,when you dropped
your crepe.
Emily, Mindy: #OhCrepe~
Emily: Ugh. I’m not sure who I am in this city without emilyinparis.
 66

Mindy: (Scoffs) Ask Camille. She’s liked every one of your posts.
Emily: Oh, I know. She’s, like, the nicest, coolest…French person I know.
Mindy: I thought that was Gabriel.
Emily: No, he’s just the hottest…male. And a problem I can’t solve tonight.
But one that I can is saying goodbye to my account. So, one last story?
Mindy: Let’s send it off with a bang.Tchin-tchin!
Emily: (Chuckles)

***
Emily: Whoop, whoop!
Mindy: Thank God.
Emily: And after 90 minutes of being on hold, they finally transfer me to the
permit department, only to say, “Pas possible.”
Mindy: Pas possible! Pas possible!
Emily, Mindy: Pas possible!
Mindy: Everything is pas possible. It’s the French motto.
Emily: Yeah, well, it turns out the only person who is able to put a bed in the
Louvre is Beyoncé.
Mindy: (Laughing]) Yeah, duh. Beyoncé’s worth far more than the Mona Lisa.
Emily, Mindy: (Laugh)
Emily: Aw!
Mindy: I thought you’d like it. It was voted the prettiest street in Paris…
Emily: Mmm.
Mindy: …and is referred to as… “rulle qui va au bout.” Which means, “the road
which leads to the end.”
Emily: Ah. It’s perfect. It’s perfect. One last one?
Mindy: Let’s do it.
Emily: One last one. Okay.
@emilyinparis 20.8k followers : Au Revoir, Emily in Paris X

***

Gabriel: You’re out late.

Emily: You’re out late.
Gabriel: Just closed the restaurant. Oh. Five, two, one, three. Like an upside-down
pyramid. (Door Buzzes)
Emily: After you.
Gabriel: No, please, I insist.
Emily: I insist.
(～♪)
Gabriel: It wasn’t just you. I felt it too.
Emily: (Sighs) Good night, Gabriel.

***
Sylvie: Yes, of course. Of course. Emily, bring me your phone!
Emily: Sure.
 67

Sylvie: Show me the last picture you posted.

Emily: Uh, I can’t. I shut it down like you asked.
Sylvie: Well, reactivate it.
Emily: I don’t understand. You said– Fine.
Sylvie: Oh, that’s Place Dalida, right?
Emily: Yes. What is this about?
Sylvie: Klara, that Nordic witch from Hästens, called, and she wants to stage the
bed there.
Emily: That’s–
Sylvie: I’m not finished.
Emily: Okay.
Sylvie: She wants you to post there first.
Emily: Why me?
Sylvie: Yeah, I’ve been asking that question since you arrived. I assume it’s to
draw a crowd and encourage others, like those followers of yours, to post from
there too.
Emily: Wow. Sure, but…what do you want me to do about my Instagram
account?
Sylvie: Well, I guess you’re an influencer now. But only for our clients. You win.
Emily: We’re on the same side.
Sylvie: Yeah, right.
***
Photographer: Thank you.
Emily: Merci.
Photographer: You’re welcome.
Camille: Emily?
Emily: Oh, salut! [Oh, come!] Come!
Camille: What is this?
Emily: It’s a social media installation for Hästens beds. They’re one of our biggest
clients, and I thought of the idea after our night at Van Gogh.
Camille: Mm.
Emily: You inspired me.
Camille: I did?
Emily: Mm-hmm. I wanted you to be the first to see it. I’m calling it “Dormir à la
belle étoile.”
Camille: Mm! “To sleep under the stars.” Emily, your French is getting better.
Emily: Well, that’s because I have French friends now.
Camille: Yes, well, I was relieved to hear from you, you know. You seemed a
little tense
when you left the other night. It’s Gabriel, isn’t it?
Emily: Uh, what… what do you mean?
Camille: Just that, I mean, I know he can be unfriendly before you get to know
him. But give him time. He will warm up to you.
Emily: If you say so.
Camille: Mm. I’m so glad he has a nice neighbor like you. I hope the three of
us can be friends.
 68

Emily: Me too. So, do you wanna get in bed with me?

Camille: Mm, I thought you’d never ask.
Emily, Camille: (Chuckle) Okay.
Camille: Cheese~~~
Emily: Cheese. It’s so comfy.
@emilyinparis : #getinbedwitus

EPISODE 6

Emily: (Sighs) They were at it all night.

Mindy: Frenchmen never get tired of having sex. It’s like docking them in a
Lightning port.
Emily: My battery’s dead, and I have a huge day at work.
(Cell Phone Chimes)
Mindy: Ugh! I can’t believe this.
Emily: Mm, what?
Mindy: Stop this shit now, asshole! Send voice note to Dad.
Emily: That’s how you talk to your dad?
Mindy: The Zipper King? His third assistant will soften the tone when she reads
it. He’s bribing me to come home. Again.
Emily: With what? Oh, my God, a BMW?
Mindy: And the house behind it.
Emily: He’s giving you a house?
Mindy: Yeah. Right next to my parents’ place. All I have to do is go home, join
his trainee program, and start dressing like Angela Merkel.
Emily: And you’re giving up all that to be a nanny? Do you really like Paris that
much?
Mindy: Yes, I do. But also, I can never go back to China.
Emily: Why not?
Mindy: (Scoffs) Well, first of all, there’s the life my parents have planned for
me.Um, marry the right guy, live on the right street…and also, ahem, there is this.
♪ I’m gonna swing… ♪
Emily: Oh, my God, you were on Chinese Idol?
Mindy: We call it Chinese Popstar.
Emily: That’s so cool.
Mindy: I choked in front of billions of people. Not millions,
billions.
Emily: Ugh.
Mindy: (Sighing) And when they found out who my father was, I became a
meme.
Emily: Oh, boy.
Mindy: I was so mortified, I had to get out of China ASAP. And so I gave up, and
I came here and went to business school like my dad wanted me to. And I failed at
that too.
Emily: Well, of course you did. You’re a singer.
Mindy: Was a singer. I had my shot, and I blew it.
 69

Emily: No, you get more than one shot, Mindy.

Mindy: In China, you only get one kid.
Emily: You need to get back out there. Just find a stage and get your groove back.
Mindy: (Laughing) You’re so cute. But, you know, the wonderful thing about
Paris is that nobody judges you for doing nothing. It’s practically an art form here.
You know what? We actually have a name for it? Um, they call us “flâneurs.”
[Um, they call us “strollers.”]
Emily: You’re not a flâneur. [You’re not a stroller. ] You’re in hiding.
Mindy: And what more fabulous place to hide?
***
Emily: Hey. You said we had to wear all black.
Julien: Mm, I said you had to.You’ll blend in perfectly at Pierre Cadault’s couture
house. However, I have no interest in blending in. Emily, I’ve been
dreaming of meeting Pierre Cadault since I was 12 and stole issues of French
Vogue from my mum’s beauty salon. He’s a legend.
Emily: Oh, I know, Julien. I did my homework. I know all about his feud with
Valentino, his affair with Elton John, and his pet iguana, Evangelista, that
apparently won’t die.
Julien: Actually, the iguana has died five times. They just replaced it and called it
by the same name.
Emily: No!
Julien: Yes.
Emily: (Gasps) Oh! Hey, Sylvie, um…Did you see my e-mails about social
strategy?
Sylvie: Pierre Cadault detests social media,but his manager knows he needs it to
compete. If we get the account, that’s something to discuss in the future. So
today, just observe, admire, and try to disappear, hmm?
Emily: Won’t be a problem. I wore all black.
Sylvie: That’s not black. That’s off-black.
Emily: (Scoffs)

***
Dominique: Since the 1800s, only design houses chosen by the French Federation
of Fashion may refer to their work as “haute couture.” Pierre Cadault is one of
them, of course. Uh, Monsieur Cadault does not chase trends. He’s… He’s an
artist. Even now, he’s offered his talents to design costumes for the new ballet this
week at the Paris Opera.
Sylvie: Oh! Ah! Sublime! [Oh! Ah! Gorgeous!]
Worker: II… II arrive! [He is coming!]
Julien: Hold my hand. Okay, let it go.
Pierre: (sighs) Dominique, I wish you wouldn’t show the costumes. They’re not
ready!
Dominique: Oh, Pierre. Oh là là ! [Oh, dear!] They are more than ready. They
elevate ballet. The team here from Savoir was just saying so, n’est-ce pas? [isn’t
it?]
Pierre: Oh, yes. The Instagrammers.
 70

Sylvie: Oh, no, Monsieur Cadault. [Oh, no, Mr. Cadault.] It’s the honor of my
career to be here.
Julien: Of my life.
Pierre: Hmm. And you?
Emily: Uh…um…Beyond honored. (chuckles) I… I mean,uh, I’ve always…um,
admired your work. And being here, it’s just fabulous.
Pierre: “Fabulous”?
Emily: You… Your… Your couture is… is a confection.I could eat your clothes!
(chuckles)
Pierre: (Grunts) Ringarde! [Nerdy!] Ooh! Ah!
Dominique: Oh, Pierre! Pierre!
Sylvie: (Gasps)
Emily: Wait! What happened, guys? What does “ringarde” mean?
Julien: It means “basic.” He called you a basic bitch.
Emily: What? Because of my bag charm? (grunts)

***
@emilyinparis 22.3k followers: Basic? Polling : Yes, Bitch / No, Hunny. Not my

lucky charm
Thomas: Do you think he’s her son or her lover?
Emily: Oh, um, I… I was just…watching to see if the Caesar salad is really worth
20 euros.
Thomas: She’s forceful. Bit controlling. Like a mother.
Emily: And now she’s feeding him…like… a lover. Oh, God, I hope. (Laughing)
Thomas: Loser buys the next bottle of wine.
Emily: You’re so sure you’re right?
Thomas: I’m a professor of semiotics. It’s, uh–
Emily: Study of symbols.
Thomas: Hmm.
Emily: I have a master’s in communication.
Thomas: Then you know it’s my job to read such things. Signs, people. Thomas.
Emily: Emily. So, how are we gonna know who wins this little wager?
Thomas: I guess we have to sit here until they reveal themselves. What are you
drinking?
***
Emily: And then, for the rest of the day, no one would talk to me at work.
Thomas: Well, for one thing, it’s a bit ringard to call someone ringarde.
Emily: Right? I’m not saying I’m cool…
Thomas: You’re sitting at the coolest café in all of Paris. At least, historically.
Emily: Really?
Thomas: This was the home of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.
Everybody in Paris
flocked to see them.
Emily: I read Second Sex in college. Most of it.
Thomas: But did you know that, for the longest time, the café across the street,
 71

Les Deux Magots, was the cool place? Hemingway and Picasso, they used to
drink there.
Emily: And what happened?
Thomas: Sartre and de Beauvoir decided it was too bourgeois, and they fled to the
Café de Flore ’cause it was empty, and suddenly…
Emily: Café de Flore was the cool place.
Thomas: When two things are next to each other, we’re… forced to compare
them. Café de Flore et Deux Magots.
Emily: Or “ringarde” and “cool.”
Thomas: You are not ringarde.
Emily: (Chuckles softly) Wait! What? Who’s that third guy? (laughs) Now we’re
never gonna know who won the bet.
Thomas: I don’t care about the bet. I just wanted to keep talking to you.
Emily: (Chuckles softly) Well…we could talk someplace else?
Thomas: Someplace cooler?
Emily: (Chuckles softly)
(～♪)
Emily: Oh… okay. Yeah.Oh, my God!

***
Thomas: All your books are in French.
Emily: And good morning to you. And they’re not my books. They came with the
apartment.
Thomas: (Takes a deep breath) I have a rule. If I go home with a girl, and she
doesn’t have her own books, I cannot make love to her.
Emily: I have my own books. They cost too much to ship from Chicago,so I
download them
on my iPad.
Thomas: Then, show me your iPad.
Emily: Why?
Thomas: So I can make love to you again with a clear conscience.
Emily: (Chuckles softly)

***
Emily: Are you sure you don’t wanna use my shower?
Thomas: I don’t want to wash you off yet.
Emily: (Chuckles)
Thomas: Please tell me we’ll see each other again tonight.
Emily: Oh! Okay, sure.
Camille: Bonjour!? Who is he?
Emily: A professor I met last night. I’ve… I’ve never done anything like that. For
all I know,
he could have been a murderer.
Camille: Hmm. I thought I heard a couple of “petites morts [little death]“, so…
Emily: A couple of what?
Camille: Um, little death? It means “an orgasm.” And it sounds like you died at
 72

least twice last night. (laughs)

Emily: Oh, my God, I’m petit mortified. [I’m little mortified.] Oh, “little deaths”?
Why do you call it that? It sounds so morbid.
Camille: No, it’s not. It’s like, um…it’s so intense that you die, and then you are
reborn as a new person.
Emily: Hmm.

***
Emily: (Sighs)
Julien: Well, if it isn’t la belle ringarde. [Well, if it isn’t the beautiful nerd.]
Emily: Ugh. Could you not?
Julien: I said “belle.” [I said “beautiful.”] Okay, “ringarde,” I cannot deny.
Emily: Look, I’m not basic. In fact, I went home with a philosophy professor last
night.
Julien: That’s worse than basic. It’s boring.
Emily: It was not boring. He quoted Rimbaud to me, and it was hot. The only
thing my ex ever quoted was Game of Thrones recaps.
Julien: (Chuckles) America, it sounds like a prison. Anyway, I guess this poetry
man explains why you’re late for once.
Emily: No. Sylvie e-mailed me that I didn’t have to be in until 11:00. What
meeting’s happening in there?
Julien:(inhales) For the Fourtier account.
Emily: The watch account? I’m leading social for that. Did Sylvie tell
you why they’re meeting without me?
Julien: Definitely not. However, I’m feeling uncomfortable right now, so I’m
leaving.
Emily: (Scoffs)

***
Emily: Is there a reason I wasn’t invited to the Fourtier meeting this morning?
Last week, you told me to prepare a deck.
Sylvie: Luc, can you please tell Emily she’s not leading social media for Fourtier
anymore. She’s on a luxury brand quarantine.
Luc: Okay, I will tell her.
Emily: I’m right here. Is this about Pierre Cadault?
Sylvie: And tell her, also,I don’t need to hear her moaning around the office all
day. She can go.
Luc: Yes, I will tell her.
Emily: I didn’t do anything wrong.
Sylvie: Oh, well, make sure she knows what a quarantine is.
Luc: Sure.
Emily: It means the same thing in English!
Luc: (Grunts)
Emily: It was one client, and we knew Pierre Cadault was a long shot.
Luc: (Whispers) Yes, but he was Sylvie’s long shot. She’s talked about signing
him as long as I’ve been at Savoir.
 73

Emily: (sighs) Well, do you think there’s any way to see Pierre again and explain?
Luc: And what would you say? Go ahead. Pretend I am Pierre.
Emily: (Cears throat) Monsieur Cadault, please allow me–
Luc: Ringarde! [Nerdy!]
***
Emily: I can’t believe I got demoted because of an accessory.
Mindy: At least you have a hot new male accessory.(Chuckles) How’s that going?
Emily: Crazy. Like, three petits morts in one night. [three little death in one
night.]
Mindy: Aw! You learned a gross new phrase.
Emily: I did. He refused to shower afterwardsbecause he wanted a reminder on
him. Is that weird?
Mindy: Sexy. Although that’s probably why the metro smells like PBO during
morning rush hour.
Emily: Public BO?
Mindy: Pussy BO.
Emily: (Gasps) Mindy!
Mindy: What? Have you taken the metro? (laughs)
Emily:(Sighs)
Mindy: Sorry. I get très[very] nasty when I’m exhausted,and thanks to you, I was
up all night.
Emily: Why me?
Mindy:I went down a drunk rabbit hole of googling jazz clubs in Paris. I don’t
know~
I figured that if I was going to try the singing thing again,I might as well do it
here, where no one knows me.I saw that there is an open audition at Crazy Horse.
Emily:Well, that’s not so crazy.
Mindy:I’m not going.
Emily: Why not?
Mindy: Because I still have Chinese Popstar PTSD.
Emily: That’s… That’s, like, p for “post-traumatic,” right?
Mindy: Emily, yes.
Emily: Okay. Well, you just…You need to get over it and sing.
Mindy: Honestly, sometimes I don’t think I’ll ever sing again.
Emily: What about for me?
Mindy: Maybe– I don’t know. Not right now.
Emily: Why not right now? No one’s paying attention?
Mindy: You want me to sing right now?
Emily: Yes.
Mindy: There are people.
Emily: So? Just pick any song that you want. I’m not gonna judge you.
Mindy: Hmm.
Emily: I’m not judging.
Mindy: (Groans) Fine, okay. I can’t look at you.
Emily: All right.
Mindy:I’m gonna st– Here, you take this.
 74

Emily: Oh, okay.

Mindy: Gonna stand far away, not look at you.
Emily: Okay.
Mindy: (Groaning)What do you want me to sing?
Emily: I don’t know. Whatever you want.
Mindy: (Singing) (Crowd Cheers)
Mindy: Okay, okay. Merci.
Emily: No one was paying any attention. Don’t worry.
Mindy: (Laughs)
***
Emily: Bonsoir. [Good evening.]
Thomas: Hmm.
Emily: Oh! [chuckles]
Thomas: A gift.
Emily: Delta of Venus.
Thomas: It’s very sexy. Shall we go upstairs and read it, or are you not letting me
in?
Emily: If we go upstairs now, we’ll never make it to dinner.
Emily: Hmm. Better to have something to look forward to, anyway.
Gabriel: Hey.
Emily: Oh.
Camille: Hey~ Emily.
Emily: Hi. (chuckles)
Camille: Mwah! Mwah! Oh, introduce us to your friend?
Emily: Oh, uh, this is Thomas. Thomas, this is my friend Camille and… and her
boyfriend, Gabriel.
Gabriel: Yes, we’ve heard you. We heard… of you.
Emily: Um, Gabriel is, uh, the chef at a restaurant across the square.
Gabriel: Yeah, except tonight, another chef is gonna cook for us at a great little
tapas place in the tenth.
Camille: Yep. Oh! You should join us?
Emily: Oh, no, we wouldn’t wanna crash your dinner.
Camille: Please, it would totally be fun. Please.
Thomas: I love Spanish wine. Why not?
Gabriel: Why not?
Emily: Yeah. Okay, great. Um… it’s a double date, then. (chuckles)
Camille: Yay!
Emily: Yay. (chuckles)
Gabriel: (Chuckles) Great.
Camille: Um, it’s this way.
***
Emily: Oh, this area is so pretty. What’s it called?
Gabriel: Canal Saint-Martin.
Thomas: It used to be gritty and authentic. It is a shame how popular it’s
gotten.None of the charm it had before.
Gabriel: I still like it.
 75

Thomas: Uh, it’s Euro Disney compared to what it was. Did you both grow up in
the city?
Gabriel: No.
Camille: Gabriel’s from, um, Normandy.
Gabriel: I grew up on a farm in Brionne.
Camille: His whole family raised money so he could attend cooking school here.
They are so proud of my guy.
Emily: Oh, I love that.
Thomas: Well, the two of you have something in common. Neither from Paris.
Emily: (Chuckles softly…)

***
Gabriel: Cigarette, anyone?
Thomas: I’d love one, thanks. I’m surprised. All the chefs I know roll their own.
Gabriel: Well… Well, now you know one who doesn’t.
Camille: Hmm.
Emily: Gabriel, you… you picked a really great wine.
Gabriel: Oh, thank you. It’s a small organic producer from Rioja.
Camille: Gabriel knows his wine inside and out.
Gabriel: Except for champagne. That is Camille’s specialty.
Camille: Oh, only because of where I grew up. My family has a
little château[castle] in Champagne. It’s called Domaine de Lalisse.
Thomas: Hmm. Domaine de Lalisse?
Camille: Mm.
Thomas: I’ve never heard of it.
Camille: Well, it’s, um, small. But we don’t have to talk about that. That’s so
boring.
Thomas: Yeah, I agree. So dull, talking about wine. It’s like conversation about
the weather.Far more interesting to drink it. No?
Emily: (Chuckles)
Gabriel: Bien sûr. [Sure.]
Camille: (Chuckles softly)
***
Thomas: I don’t think Gabriel likes me.
Emily: (Sighs) What makes you say that?
Thomas: I could just tell that he’s jealous that I’m with you.
Emily: (Chuckles softly) I don’t think that’s true.
Thomas:(Moans) Who can blame him?
Emily: (Chuckles) We just have to try to be quieter tonight.
Thomas: Sure. Whatever you say. (moans softly)
Thomas, Emily: (Moaning and panting overhead)

***
Le LAC DES CYGNES
[SWAN LAKE]
COSTUME DESIN: PIERRE CADAULT
 76

Sylvie: (Sighs)
Emily: Hey, girl! Sorry. Won’t do that again. I have something for you. Well, two
things, actually. I thought that you and I, or you and whoever, could go to opening
night of the ballet for another shot at Pierre Cadault.
Sylvie: Don’t mention his name to me ever again.
Emily: That was a box! (sighs)
Julien: What are you doing?
Emily: I don’t know yet, but I didn’t come to France to be demoted.
Julien: After tonight, you may be deported.
Emily: (sighs) Hmm.
Emily’s Text Message: [To Thomas] Come to the ballet with me tonight?
Thomas’ Text Message: Absolutely. I’ll meet you after my class.

***

Gabriel: Emily, hi.

Emily: (Chuckles)
Gabriel: Where are you off to, so dressed up?
Emily: Oh, I… I have tickets to the ballet.
Gabriel: Oh, with, uh, Thomas, I presume.
Emily: Yes.
Gabriel: Hmm. I see. Well… enjoy.
Emily: What is it?
Gabriel: I didn’t say anything. Sounds like an interesting evening.
Emily: Do you have a problem with him?
Gabriel: I’m sorry, but I think he’s a snob. An asshole masquerading as an
intellectual. I know his type. Maybe… Maybe you can’t tell since you’re not from
Paris–
Emily: You’re not from Paris either. Sorry, I…That’s not how I meant it.
Gabriel: Fine. I just think you’re wasting your time on a guy who doesn’t deserve
you.
Emily: (Sighs)
***
Thomas: Emily.You look beautiful in that dress. (kisses) But not as
beautiful as you look without it.
Emily: Well, you’re looking pretty handsome yourself.
Thomas: There’s just one problem here. Did you know they were
performing Swan Lake tonight? Is this a joke?
Emily: What?
Thomas: Well, the last time I was here, it was for Boléro, a masterpiece. Uh,
Swan Lake is for tourists.
Emily: Or is it on the cusp of being cool again, like café Deux Magots?
Thomas: Hmm. Clever, trying to use my argument against me, but evidently, you
missed the point of what I was saying.
Emily: Okay. Well, I would like to find Pierre Caudault and try to talk to
him, so maybe you can endure it until then.
 77

Thomas: You’re here to ambush Pierre Cadault? So now we have a bad ballet and
an awkward encounter with an overrated designer to look forward to?
Emily: Oh, my God, you are a snob. (scoffs)
Thomas: Uh… excuse me?
Emily: You really just don’t like to like anything, do you?
Thomas: “Snob,” the last refuge of the simpleminded.
Emily: “Simpleminded”?
Thomas: Uh, simple but beautiful. How about you go and I’ll meet you afterwards
and I’ll treat you to some amazing sex? I think we’d both like that better.
Emily: Thomas, since you’re a professor of signs, I’m sure you won’t have any
trouble recognizing this one. (middle finger)
Thomas: That’s more of a gesture.

***
Emily: Monsieur Cadault. [Mr. Cadault]
Pierre: Do I know you?
Dominique: (Chuckles) It’s the ringarde from the marketing firm the other day.
Emily: Emily from Savoir.
Dominique: Excusez-moi, mademoiselle. [Excuse me, Miss.] It’s a private box.
Emily: I… I just came here to apologize for the other day,for offending you,
and… and to let you know that…you’re right. I am a basic bitch with a bag
charm. In fact, do… do you wanna know why I got that bag charm? Because my
friends and I were obsessed with Gossip Girl. We all wanted to be Serena van der
Woodsen in her gorgeous, crazy-expensive couture. But the only thing we could
afford from any of those designers was a clip-on bag charm from a outlet mall in
Winnetka. (chuckles) So… yeah. I guess that made us pretty ringarde.
Dominique: Mm-hmm. I’m calling security.
Emily: You think ringardes don’t respect designers? We worship designers so
much that we spend all we’ve saved on a dumb accessory just to feel like we’re
somehow on your runway. You may mock us…but the truth is…you need us.
Without basic bitches like me, you wouldn’t be fashionable.
Pierre: (Sighs) I can’t believe it was Dan.
Emily: What?
Pierre: Gossip Girl.We watched the entire series to find out…it’s Dan.
Emily: (Chuckles)
Usher: Mademoiselle, sorry. [Miss, sorry.] This box is only for VIP guests.
Emily: It’s fine. I don’t belong here anyway.

***
Sylvie: You did go to the ballet last night, didn’t you?
Emily: I, uh…
Sylvie: I just got a call from Pierre Cadault’s office.
Emily: I’m so sorry.
Sylvie: He wants to meet. He insisted Gossip Girl be there. I can only assume
that’s you. (chuckles)
Emily: Oh. Well, that’s… that’s good, right?
 78

Sylvie: Mm.I don’t know how it happened. I don’t want to know. But I need you
to be…(sighs, clicks tongue) …less.
Emily: How about you do you, and I’ll do me? (Chuckles)
Sylvie: And how about a one-way ticket back to Chicago?
Emily: Less. Got it. A lot less. [Mouthing silently]

EPISODE 7

Emily: A little retail therapy before work?

Sylvie: (Sighs) Unlike you, Emily, I don’t have much time for shopping. And I’ll
be away next week.
Emily: Ooh! Is it a work trip? Or a girls’ trip? Femme voyage? [Woman
traveling?]
Sylvie: No, actually, it’s a none-of-your-business trip.
Emily: Oh, we have those in America, too. Well, you deserve a vacation. And you
can count on me to make sure everything runs smoothly while you’re gone. Oh, I
could help with the Fourtier flagship party this week?
Sylvie: Oh no, no, no, no. I don’t need another problem right now.
Emily: Well, given that there’s an American actress hosting the event, I just
think that you should be utilizing the American in your office.
Sylvie: You really think you’re up for the task?
Emily: Absolutely.
Sylvie: Très bien, [Very well,] then you babysit the actress, but don’t come to
me with any stupid questions. If you’re doing it, you should be saving me time
and energy.
Emily: On it.

***
Julien: I have Brooklyn Clark’s travel itinerary and her talking points for the
party. Sylvie says this is your problem now.
Emily: “Problem”? I love her. I’ve seen all of her movies. I can’t believe Sylvie’s
letting me do this. She’s in a good mood because she’s going on vacation.
Julien: (Whispering) Yes, to St. Barts with Antoine. But you didn’t hear it from
me.
Emily: Emily pretend like never heard it all.
Luc: Heard what?
Emily: Mm, just that I’m running point for Brooklyn Clark at the Fourtier launch.
Luc: Pfft.
Emily: You’re not a fan? She’s a big movie star.
Julien: Yeah, in America. In France, she is so-so.
Luc: Her genre of movies are seen as a little bit foolish.
Emily: Really? Why?
Luc: American romantic comedies, they are so dishonest. Here, we like more of
a French ending.
Emily: Which is what?
 79

Julien: Tragic.
Luc: More like life. He dies or loses a limb. Or she prefers to be a lesbian, which
happens.
Julien: Yeah, happy endings are very American.
Emily: But they give you hope, and the hero wins in the end. Don’t you want to
see the hero win?
Luc: No, I want to see life, the hero tortured for his love, and the actress naked.
Emily: But don’t you wanna go to the movies to escape life?
Luc: Thinking you can escape life is your problem. You can never escape life.
Never.
Julien: Welcome to the French ending.

***
Emily: Bonjour. I’m here to see Brooklyn Clark.
Receptionist: We don’t have anyone here by that name.
Emily: Really? I was told that she was here.
Receptionist: No.
Brooklyn: Uh, it’s fine, Ratatouille. She’s with me. Are you coming? You have to
use the alias. I’m under Marie Curie. Or Marie Callender. Which one’s pie?
Emily: I’m Emily Cooper from Savoir. I’m such a huge fan of yours. I wanted to
tell you that now in case I blurt it out middle of a conversation.
Brooklyn: (Chuckles) You’re so sweet. Do you have any weed?
Emily: Um, not on me. (Chuckles) Actually, marijuana is highly illegal in France.
Brooklyn: Oh. I’m just kidding. (chuckles)
Emily: (Chuckles)
***
Emily: Oh, my God. Okay, so I thought that we could go over the agenda for the
Fourtier party?
Brooklyn: Thank God. First off, I have nothing to wear.
Emily: Uh, yeah. (Chuckling) I can see that.
Brooklyn: I mean, usually, I just, like, unzip whatever they send to the hotel,
which is how I ended up in that atrocious romper at the VMAs.
Emily: What? No, no. You… you… you looked great.
Brooklyn: I looked like a camel-toed toddler.
Emily: Well, um, I have a connection, um, at Pierre Cadault.
Brooklyn: Oh. Isn’t he dead?
Emily: No, no. He’s definitely alive.
Brooklyn: Ah. I love that for him. Feels a little dusty for me, though.
Emily: Uh, no, he’s not dusty. He’s sophisticated, he’s classic and certainly never
designed a romper.
Brooklyn: (Chuckles) Yeah. I mean, I see your point.
Emily: (Chuckles)
Brooklyn: Give me your phone, Bucket Hat. Just text me the details
tomorrow. I’m free from three to five. Oh, and don’t tell my fat publicist. I hate
her.
Emily: (Hesitates) Uh, great. Okay, sounds like a plan. Um, but, really, about this
 80

Fourtier agenda…
Brooklyn: I’m so sorry. Can you give me, like, 15? I have to masturbate after a
long flight.
Emily: Kidding? Okay, well, I’ll… I’ll just, like, put this on the table, then, for
you. Okay.
Brooklyn: Thanks. You’re the best.

***
Mindy: Oh, my God, I can’t believe you saw Maid of Dishonor’s boobs.
Camille: Wait, who?
Emily: One of Brooklyn’s most popular movies. You know, the one about the
widowed wedding cake baker who all the grooms fall in love with, and then we
find out that they’re actually ghosts?
Camille: Oh, yeah. That was stupid.
Mindy: Uh, I cried. It was so sad. They were ghosts.
Gabriel: Hey, guys.
Camille: Hey~!
Gabriel, Camille: Mm.
Camille: Tu travailles trop, chéri. [You work too much, honey.]
Gabriel: I know. I’m exhausted. What are you guys talking about?
Mindy: Oh, Emily saw a movie star naked today.
Emily: Almost naked.
Gabriel: Cool. Who?
Emily: Brooklyn Clark. She’s hosting this party for Fourtier. They’re our client.
Actually, you guys should come. It’s gonna be super fancy, and I control the guest
list.
Mindy: Ugh, damn, I can’t. Nanny duties in Provence all weekend.
Camille: Yeah, me too. I mean, I have to go to Brussels and meet a collector. But
Gabriel is in town. You should go, honey.
Emily: No pressure.
Gabriel: Oh, sure. Sounds fun.
Camille: And also, you need to celebrate. Can I tell them the news?
Gabriel: Oh, there’s nothing to tell.
Camille: Okay, Gabriel’s boss has finally agreed to sell him the restaurant.
Mindy: What? Congratulations!
Emily: Oh, my God! That’s huge! Yay!
Camille: So he will be able to do everything he wants to do with the place.
Gabriel: Except that’s not what’s happening, Camille. Uh, I can’t afford it. The
down payment alone is completely out of my reach.
Camille: Yeah, but my parents are happy to loan him the money, so it can work,
actually.
Gabriel: I have to get back to the kitchen.
Emily: Is everything okay?
Camille: Yes, it’s fine. It’s just, um, Gabriel really wants to buy this place, and,
um, getting help is the only realistic way it’s going to happen.
Mindy: I hear you, but mixing family and money is tricky. I know firsthand. Oh,
 81

I’m super rich. No, really.

Camille: (Chuckles, gasps softly) Oh, my God. Am I being that annoying
girlfriend just right now?
Mindy: No, no. Come on, no.
Emily: No, you’re being supportive.
Camille: Okay, you know what? Maybe it’s good for Gabriel and I to have some
time apart this weekend. Just make sure he has a fun time at the party, okay?
Emily: I’ll do my best.

***
Brooklyn: Hate. Eh. Helen Mirren. Yeast infection. Studio 54. Oh…! This bitch is
coming with me. (Clerk）Follow me.
Brooklyn: Oh, I don’t need underwear to try these on, right?
Mathieu: Mathieu Cadault. Pleasure. Well, you are every bit as beautiful in person
as in your movies.
Emily: Really? Which one’s your favorite?
Mathieu: (hesitating) Uh, uh, The, uh, Beauty– Beaut– Love… Love? bre–ness??
Emily: Busted.
Mathieu: You’re not Brooklyn Clark?
Emily: Emily Cooper. I work at Savoir, the marketing agency Pierre hired.
Mathieu: (Scoffs) My uncle may have jumped the gun. He doesn’t make those
kinds of decisions.
Emily: His name is on the door. If he doesn’t, then who does?
Mathieu: Me. I’m his head of business affairs. Okay, my uncle, like many brilliant
artists, can be a victim of his own whims. I’m not sure we actually have a deal
here.
Emily: Hmm. Oh, I’m sorry. I thought that he wanted to be relevant and sexy and
appeal to a young consumer. Chuckles softly My bad.
Brooklyn: Emily, get in here! I need a normal’s opinion.
Emily: Be right there! CELINE’s been begging for Brooklyn, but I steered her
here. Obviously a big mistake. I’m so sorry to have wasted everyone’s time.
Mathieu: All right. We’ll give your company a one-month trial to create a social
media presence for us. But, please, please, nothing cliché. My uncle is very
particular.
Emily: Oh, I know. He chose me personally.
Brooklyn: Hello~?
Mathieu: One month. And I want a memorable post of Brooklyn in Pierre’s dress.
Emily: You’ll be getting all that and more. Excuse me.

***
Photographer: Brooklyn! Brooklyn!
Sylvie: [in French] Hmm. Very elegant. She’s wearing Pierre Cadault?
Emily: She is. And I made it happen.We’re going to cross-promote on both
brands’ social accounts. Synergy!
Sylvie: (Sighs) Put your hand down.
Julien: I have Michel from Fourtier with the waiver.
 82

Michel: Bonsoir. [Good evening.] Will you please sign this?

Emily: Oh, it’s all in French, Julien. What am I signing?
Julien: Yeah, they just need someone from Savoir to sign the insurance waiver for
the two million euro watch.
Emily: (Quietly) Okay. Mm-hmm.
Michel: And this one.
Emily: Yep.
Michel: Thank you. And this one.
Emily: Hmm, wow.
Michel: I know. And the last one.
Emily: Whew. And okay.
Michel: Have a good evening.
Julien: Merci beaucoup. [Thanks a lot.]
Emily: (Gasps) Oh, no. Look!
Photographer: Antoine! Antoine! —
Emily: (Softly) Antoine and his wife.
Julien: Yes. I saw them. [in French] Good evening and good luck.
Emily: (Gasps) Wait, wait! Do you think Sylvie knows?
Julien: I don’t plan to be around to find out.
Emily: (Sighs)
Sylvie: (Laughs)
Emily: Um… can I talk to you?
Sylvie: What is it?
Emily: Antoine’s here. With his wife.
Sylvie: Yes, they were on the guest list. Do you have a problem with that?
Emily: Oh! Then everything’s okay?
Sylvie: Didn’t I tell you not to come to me with stupid questions? Just do your
job, Emily, please, mm-hmm?
Emily: (Sighs)

***
Emily: You good with the speech?
Brooklyn: Be cool. The hottest guy at this party’s walking over here. How’s my tit
game?
Emily: What? Uh… strong?
Brooklyn: (Laughs softly)
Emily: [To Gabriel ] You made it.
Gabriel: Yes, of course.
Emily: Gabriel, this is Brooklyn Clark.
Gabriel: Enchanté. [Nice to meet you.]
Brooklyn: Mm! Down, boy. (Chuckles) Does he party?
Emily: Uh, how about you do the speech, and we’ll worry about the partying?
Brooklyn: (Sighs) You sound just like Cankles.
Emily: Who’s Cankles?
Brooklyn: My fat publicist. Keep up. (scoffs and chuckles)
Gabriel: So, this is America’s sweetheart, huh?
 83

Emily: Maybe she has jet lag?

Gabriel: (Laughs)

***
Guest: Hi.
Brooklyn: [To guests] Hi, nice to meet you. Yeah, It’s two million dollars. Can
you believe it?
Gabriel: Your work is very glamorous.
Emily: This event is. I was really on edge about it, but so far, everything’s going
really well. Quick, put your arm around me.
Gabriel: What?
Emily: Please. Now?
Antoine: You look stunning.
Emily: Oh, thank you. You remember Gabriel?
Antoine: Of course. The chef from the restaurant. Memorable night.
Gabriel: It was for me too.
Antoine: Oh, I’m in trouble here.
Emily: Oh?
Antoine: My wife has her eye on a very expensive watch.
Emily: Oh.
Antoine: She’s discussing a discount with Sylvie.
Catherine: Antoine, what do you think of the rose gold?
Sylvie: Oh, it really compliments her skin.
Catherine: So kind, but I’m really not sure I need it.
Sylvie: Oh, It’s so beautiful. No, she must have it.
Antoine: Catherine, you remember Emily from Savoir?
Catherine: Yes, of course I do. Nice to see you again. Antoine speaks so highly of
you.
Emily: Oh, that’s so nice to hear.
Sylvie: Oh! Chef Gabriel!
Gabriel: (Chuckles)
Sylvie: Oh! Mm! Unforgettable.
Gabriel: (Chuckles)
Catherine: Oh, you all had dinner.
Antoine: We were just entertaining a client. His “tartare de veau” helped close the
deal.
Catherine: We should come and have dinner at your restaurant sometime. Maybe
after we get back?
Antoine: Back from where, chérie? [Back from where, dear?]
Catherine: (chuckles) Antoine thinks he’s so good at keeping secrets, but his
assistant accidentally copied me on an e-mail for the hotel booking. You can stop
pretending, chéri? [You can stop pretending, dear?]
Antoine: (Chuckles)
Catherine: (Chuckles) He’s surprising me with a trip to St. Barts next week. Mm!
Sylvie: (Inhales sharply)
Catherine: Merci beaucoup. [Thanks a lot.]
 84

Gabriel: Fantastic. I hear it’s very beautiful.

Antoine: What a shame. Now the surprise is spoiled.
Catherine: One can never spoil St. Barts. (Chuckles) Have you ever been there,
Sylvie?
Sylvie: Me? No, never. Never, but I’m sure you two will have a wonderful time.
Ex– Excuse me.
Emily: Uh, sorry.

***
Brooklyn: Oh, my God, you’re here?! And you brought a snack. Uh, do you have
cash?
Emily: Brooklyn, you can’t just leave without telling me.
Brooklyn: I said bonsoir. That party was over. Come on, girl, let me buy you a
drink.
Emily: You just said you didn’t have any money.
Brooklyn: Oh, right. He’s buying. (chuckles)
Emily: Great. Okay. Just one fun drink, and then we have to get out of here.
Gabriel: Just one?
Brooklyn: Honey, look around. We didn’t come here to be who we are back
home. We came here to lose ourselves and find adventure. This isn’t just a drink.
We’re not just at a bar. “We’re on the precipice…
Emily, Brooklyn: …of the rest of our lives.”
Emily: I can’t believe you quoted your movie.
Brooklyn: You quoted it too, babe. Skol!
Patrons: Skol!
Brooklyn: (Laughs)

***
Brooklyn: God, I just live for trap music, you know?
Emily: (Slurring) Totally. (Chuckles) Are you okay?
Brooklyn: Oh, yeah. I just took something to help me relax. You see? I’m
relaxed and horny~~! Whoo!
Emily: I… I think she took Molly.
Gabriel: What?
Emily: I think she took Molly.
Brooklyn: Oh, she did! And now she gotta pee.
Gabriel: She’s fun.
Emily: She’s not supposed to be that fun. She’s voicing Mother Goose in a Pixar
movie!
Gabriel: Well, it’s a good thing no one’s paying attention here.
Emily: Yeah. At home, she’s the good girl, but here…
Gabriel: She can get away with everything.
Emily: It’s just Paris. It’s not some alternate universe where rules don’t apply.
Gabriel: Well, you don’t come to Paris to be good.
Emily: Uh… um…
Gabriel: (Chuckles)
 85

Emily: I’m… uh, I’m sorry. I should– I’m gonna– Um, I’m gonna ca– I’m gonna
text Brooklyn, and we should get out… get out of here.
Missed Call:
Michel from Fourtier
Missed Call:
Michel from Fourtier
Missed Call:
Michel from Fourtier
Missed Call:
Michel from Fourtier
Emily: Oh, my…Oh, my God! Um…
incoming Call: Michel from Fourtier
Emily: Ah! Hello? Hello?
Michel: Miss Cooper? It’s Michel from Fourtier, remember?
Emily: Oh! Hi! Hi, is everything okay?
Michel: I think there was a miscommunication. We needed the watch back as
soon as the party was over, which was over two hours ago.
Emily: Oh, you did? Um, uh… well, don’t worry. The watch is with… is with
Brooklyn, and she’s here with me.
Michel: And… And where is that?
Emily: In a club. Uh, it’s more like a bar. Uh, it’s a restaurant? Honestly, it’s just
a little loud.
Michel: Well then, put her on the phone!
Emily: Uh…She’s in the bathroom right now, but, um, I will have her call you
back ASAP.
Michel: I beg your pardon? What?
Emily: Bye! Bye-bye!
Michel: [in French] Hello? Bitch! (Call disconnects)
Emily: We have to find Brooklyn and get out of here, now!

***
Emily: (Panting) Brooklyn? Brooklyn? (Woman panting and moaning)
Emily: Oh! Um, sorry. You’re not Brooklyn. She’s not in the bathroom.
Gabriel: The bartender hasn’t seen her, and the bouncer has no idea who she is.
Emily: She’s gone. (gasps) I’m so screwed. (sighs)

***
Emily: The only thing to do is go back to the hotel and pray. Okay, so the Uber
was two minutes away, but now it’s seven minutes away. I mean, how is that even
possible? Oh God! Now he’s 12 minutes away! Why is he driving backwards?
Gabriel: Cancel it. I have a better idea.
Emily: (Sighs)

***
Emily: Bonsoir. We need to be let up to Marie Curie’s suite.
Receptionist: We have no such person.
 86

Emily: (Sighs) Marie Callender?

Receptionist: No.
Emily: Marie Antoinette?
Receptionist: No.
Emily: Marie Osmond?
Receptionist: I’m sorry, there’s no one under any of those names.
Emily: She must have changed her alias. Come on, you know who we’re talking
about!
Receptionist: Please lower your voice, or I’ll have to ask you to leave.
Gabriel: Est-ce qu’on peut attendre au bar? [Can we wait at the bar?]
Receptionist: Oui. [Yes.]
Emily: What did you ask him?
Gabriel: Come on, before they kick us out.
Emily: (Sighs deeply)

***
Gabriel: You have to stop beating yourself up. She ran away, and you’re here, and
you’re going to fix it.
Emily: But I’m not this person. I’m the girl who shows up, not the girl who makes
bad decisions.
Gabriel: You’re not the only one making decisions here.
Emily: Well, I’m the only one who’s getting fired tomorrow.
Gabriel: Maybe losing your job wouldn’t be so bad. Take a year to travel. Eat
good food. Fall in love.
Emily: Gonna have to let me eat for free at your restaurant.
Gabriel: I’m not gonna have a restaurant. (sighs)
Emily: What about the loan from Camille’s family?
Gabriel: If I take money from them, they own me. I don’t wanna be owned by
anyone. I…Even if it means putting my dreams on hold for a while.
Emily: It’s better than seeing them go out the window. (Cell Phone Vibrating)
Emily: (Sighs) Bonsoir.
Sylvie: Emily, why are the Fourtier people calling me at 2:00 a.m. asking me
about Brooklyn Clark and a two million euro watch?
Emily: Sylvie, I am handling it.
Sylvie: Mm-hmm. I see what you’re handling?
Emily: (Gasps) Merde! [Shit!] (Sighs)

***
Emily: (Sighs) She ditched me at the club. She was definitely on something, and
she changed her alias, so I can’t get to her room.
Receptionist: Bonsoir, mesdames. [Hello, ladies]
Sylvie: We need to get into a room, and I think you know which one.
Receptionist: It would be my pleasure to help you, but as I’ve told your
associate, the privacy of our guests–
Sylvie: A girl could be dead in that room, and not just any girl, an American girl.
A very famous American girl with over 14 million Instagram followers. So how
 87

do you think that would make you look?

Receptionist: That is quite a leap.
Sylvie: Yeah, but if it’s correct, you’ll have a PR nightmare on your hands. Not
just the hotel’s hands, your hands. Is this job really that important to you? Are
you willing to be destroyed over this?
Receptionist: (Sighs) Follow me.
Sylvie: Hmm.
Emily: Mm.

***
Emily: I think I hear music. Or voices. That’s a good sign. (Sighs) Should we
knock? (Card reader Beeps)
Emily: Oh. Or not.
(～♪)
Sylvie: Brooklyn!
Emily: Brooklyn?
Brooklyn: (Gasps)
Man: Oj, jävla skit! [Oh, fucking shit!]
Sylvie: Where is the watch?
Emily: Excuse me.
Brooklyn: You can’t just barge in here. I’m calling my lawyer. This is beyond.
Man: Hallå, vad fan är detta som händer? [Hello, what the hell is this happening?]
Brooklyn: Just stop talking. Your voice is crazy.
Emily: Oh, it’s on the nightstand.
Sylvie: Oh, let me do it.
Brooklyn: I was gonna bring it back.
Sylvie: (Scoffs) I wasn’t gonna wait all night for you to come. Pfft. Unlike him.
(Grunt)
(Camera Shutter Clicks)
Brooklyn: Hey, don’t post my tits!
Emily: I’m not!
Brooklyn: Bucket Hat, wait!
Emily: Stop calling me Bucket Hat!
Brooklyn: I’m sorry. I can’t remember your name.
Emily: (Scoffs)
Brooklyn: Still friends?
Emily: (Scoffs)

***
Sylvie: (Sigh)
Emily: Can I say how amazing that was? (Chuckles) You were a total badass, not
taking anybody’s bullshit. I’m… truly in awe.
Sylvie: Guess I just needed to vent. [sighs]
Emily: Are you happy? With him?
Sylvie: Do you really believe most people are happy all the time?
Emily: (Chuckles softly)
 88

Sylvie: Course you do.

Emily: I don’t know, I just think that… you could have more. You could
have 100% of somebody instead of–
Sylvie: I… I don’t want 100% of anyone, and I don’t want anyone to have 100%
of me. Even if you’re committed or married, that never happens anyway. It’s a…
[sighs] It’s a fairy tale. Bad movie.
Emily: Do you really believe that?
Sylvie: You believe in happy endings, don’t you? The knight on the white horse is
gonna come and save you from everything?
Sylvie: (Sighs) (Elevator Bell Dings & Doors Open)

***
Sylvie: Oh, I see why you think the way you do.
Emily: He’s not my knight.
Sylvie: Mm-hmm. But he’s here. Good night, princess.
Gabriel: I just wanted to make sure you got home. Or, if you’re hungry, to a little
crepe stand in Montmartre. It’s the best place in the city to watch the sun come up.
If you want.
Emily: If I want? Of course I want. (chuckles) But I also want more than that. I’m
not somebody who can share a crepe. I need the whole crepe.
Gabriel: Emily–
Emily: I don’t think we should see each other any more. It’s not good for any of
us.
Gabriel: I was just offering you a ride home. A sunrise.
Emily: (Chuckles softly) Thank you again for your help. I can get myself home.
Good night, Gabriel.

***
Julien: Almost 200,000 likes. Not bad.
Emily: Do you think it’s too risqué[risk] for Pierre Cadault? (Cell Phone Chimes)
Julien: Not according to Mathieu. He just DM’ed you.
DM @MathieuCadault: I think you made Pierre Cadault sexy again.
Emily: Hmm. Turns out I was just risqué[risk] enough.
Sylvie: Hmm.
Emily: Okay, I’m not gonna apologize again for last night. Even though I’m very
sorry.
Sylvie: You know you’re doing it now?
Emily: I’m stopping. Anyway, I was just thinking that since you’re free now…
what about a girls’ trip this weekend? St. Barts is a little outside my budget, but
maybe… Disneyland Paris?
Sylvie: Get out of my office.
Emily: Okay, yeah. Didn’t think so.

EPISODE 8
 89

Camille’s Text Massage）

Can we get lunch today?
I need to talk to you about
something important.
（Emily）
Oh, no.
***
Emily）
She knows, right?
（Mindy）
[sighs]
Knows what, though?
I mean, what did you really do?
（Emily）
I’m now,
kissed him twice.
（Mindy）
First one doesn’t count.
（Emily）
Well, the second one
more than made up for it.
（Mindy）
So don’t do it again?
（Emily）
It’s not that easy.
Every time we’re in the same room,
it’s all we can think about.
It’s like a fog sets in with him,
and neither of us can see straight.
（Mindy）
You can’t punish people
for their thoughts.
I’m from China.
We’ve tried.
（Emily）
I think I should just move.
I feel so guilty.
I like Camille so much.
（Mindy）
If she knows,
she probably just wants
to get it out in the open.
Just go to lunch
and maybe avoid
anywhere with steak knives.
（Emily）
 90

What?
（Mindy）
Sushi’s safe.
Or anywhere that’s Asian.
Although if she’s mad,
a chopstick can puncture skin.
Don’t ask
how I know that.
（Emily）
Can we hang this weekend?
I need to
not be home.
（Mindy）
Ugh.
My friend Li
and her five bridesmaids
are in town.
Wedding dress shopping.
（Emily）
That sounds fun.
（Mindy）
Yeah, um…
（Emily）
Wait,
why won’t a weekend
with your friends be fun?
（Mindy）
They’re always fun,
but their heads would explode
if they knew I was a nanny.
（Emily）
They’re your friends.
I’m sure they’ll understand.
Maybe you should just tell them.
（Mindy）
Maybe you should just tell Camille
you’re obsessed with her boyfriend.
Sorry.
We’re going clubbing tonight.
Please come.
I need a
witness to my fake life.
(Cell Phone Chimes)
（Camille’s Message）
How’s 1PM for lunch?
（Emily）
 91

[sighs]
Well, text me details for tonight.
I have to plan
lunch with my executioner.
***
Camille）
[Takes a deep breath]
I have something
a bit awkward to ask you.
I talked to Gabriel about it.
（Emily）
Oh, well,
what did he say?
（Camille）
He said
I shouldn’t bring it up.
（Emily）
Well then,
maybe you shouldn’t.
（Camille）
Well, I need you to be honest.
（Emily）
Okay.
Uh, just say
whatever it is that you need to.
（Camille）
[Clears throat]
Would Savoir be interested in
taking on my family’s champagne house
as a client?
I know we’re probably
smaller than your usual clients, but–
（Emily）
Oh, my God!
[Splutters]
Yes!
Of course!
（Camille）
Yes!
So,
my brother and I finally
got Maman[Mom] to meet with a firm.
But it’s her family’s company,
so she’s so protective.
But since we’re friends…
（Emily）
 92

[Chuckling] We are.
We are.
We… We’re…
We’re totally friends.
（Camille）
So come to the
château[castle] with me
this weekend.
I’d love her to meet you
and hear any ideas you have.
Otherwise,
I will have to drive down
all alone.
（Emily）
Oh.
Gabriel’s not coming with you?
（Camille）
No, he has to work.
And also,
he’s still upset
that I asked Maman[Mom]
for the loan of his restaurant.
（Emily）
I… I thought
that he didn’t want you to.
（Camille）
He never wants help,
especially when he needs it.
He’s stubborn.
（Emily）
I mean, I… I do get it.
He wants to build
something of his own.
（Camille）
Don’t let me talk about him
all weekend.
To the château[castle].
You will come, yes?
（Emily）
Okay, yeah.
I… I…
I can pitch it to Savoir
this afternoon.
（Camille）
Fantastic!
（Emily, Camille）
 93

[Chuckle]
***
Sylvie）
I never heard of them.
Can they afford us?
What was their revenue last year?
（Emily）
I’m not sure.
（Luc）
The market is very saturated.
What’s the brand identity?
（Emily）
I…
I don’t know.
（Sylvie）
[Scoffs]
Do you know
anything about them?
（Emily）
My friend’s parents own it, and
she asked me
to consider them as a client.
（Julien）
How are you friends
with a champagne heiress?
（Emily）
She’s dating my friend,
my neighbor.
（Sylvie）
Oh, the one you went home with
from the Fourtier party.
（Emily）
I didn’t go home with him.
（Sylvie）
The chef
from the Zimmer dinner.
（Luc）
Ah, Emily’s boyfriend, no?
（Julien）
Nah,
she just has a crush on him.
（Emily）
I didn’t say that.
（Julien）
You didn’t have to.
（Sylvie）
 94

So now
you’re going home with his girlfriend
to meet her family?
（Emily）
I’m just
meeting with a potential client.
（Luc）
[in French]
Bullshit.
（Emily）
I can just tell her
that Savoir isn’t interested.
（Sylvie）
So you gonna let your sex life
determine business decisions?
（Emily）
We never had sex!
（Sylvie）
Well, maybe, you should.
You’re so tense.
（Emily）
[Sighs]

***
Li and Bridesmaids）
Plane! Club!
Another club!
Another club!
Bus! Another club!
No sleep!
Drink, bitch!
(Glasses Clink)
（Emily）
Ooh, your friends are wild!
（Mindy）
Maybe too wild.
[To friend]
Here,
you should drink some more water.
（Shay）
Water?
Oh, we’re in Paris, bitch.
[heaves, retches]
Oh, God.
Oh, my God.
（Mindy）
 95

Oh, Shay.
Okay, okay.
Well, I guess
you’ll get to know Shay
a little bit more later.
But this is Li.
I cannot believe
you came all the way to Paris.
（Li）
Well, you wouldn’t
come to Shanghai,
so we’ve had to
bring Shanghai to you.
（Mindy）
Em, this is Li, the bride.
（Li）
The bride
and her best friend.
（Emily）
Oh, Li.
（Mindy）
Li.
（Emily）
Li~, Li, Li.
Right.
Oh, no,
she’s told me so much about you.
Too much, in fact.
I feel like
I know you.
（Li）
That’s so nice to hear.
You know what
she hasn’t told me.
Anything about her life in Paris.
（Mindy）
[Chuckles]
Okay, yeah.
（Li）
Yeah.
(Group Cheers)
（Emily）
Oh!
Um, are we getting more champagne?
（Li）
We are!
 96

Excuse me!
I will serve.
(Group Exclaims)
（Emily）
Wait,
we don’t get to drink it?
That’s so expensive!
（Mindy）
Relax, they’ll buy more.
（Li）
Drink, bitch!

***
Emily）
I overpacked.
I’ve only been
to one winery in Wisconsin,
and it had a paintball course.
I wasn’t sure
about the dress code.
I wanted
to look professional but casual.
（Camille）
You’re not
going on a business trip.
You’re coming home
with a girlfriend.
We can all squeeze in front.
（Emily）
“We all”?
Oh! uh…
[chuckles]
Gabriel’s coming.
Yay~
（Camille）
He finally
got a weekend off.
（Gabriel）
Hi.
Haven’t seen you
in a while.
（Camille）
Squeeze in.
It will be tight,
but it’s only
for a few hours.
 97

（Emily）
Um…
（Gabriel）
Uh, you…
（Emily）
Yeah…
[mutters]
[chuckles]

***
Camille）
Everybody okay?
（Gabriel）
I’m fine.
（Emily）
Totally great.
My butt’s asleep,
and I can’t feel anything.
(～♪)
（Emily）
So
what else should I know?
Why didn’t your mom like
the other firms?
（Gabriel）
She hates outsiders.
（Camille）
That’s not true.
She’s going to love you.
And so is my brother.
（Gabriel）
What are you doing?
（Camille）
Ignore him.
My brother’s finishing business school.
Maman[Mom] wants us
to take over the vineyard one day.
He might join us
this weekend.
I think you will like him.
（Gabriel）
Oh, yeah,
did you get Maman’s approval?
Will she allow it?
（Camille）
She tried to
 98

fund your restaurant.

You wouldn’t allow it,
so be nice to her this weekend.
They adore him, Emily.
You will see.
（Gabriel）
Oh, yeah.
You will see.

***
Camille）
[Exclaims]
Mm, darling~!
（Louise）
[in French]
Flowers go next door, please, Isabelle.
Oh, my darling!
（Camille）
Ça va?
[How are you?]
（Louise）
Bien, et toi?
[Good, and you?]
（Camille）
Oui, ça va.
[Yes, fine.]
（Louise）
Hello!
So you must be Emily?
（Emily）
Bonjour.
Thank you so much for having me.
（Louise）
Yes.
Ça va, Gabriel?
[How are you, Gabriel?]
（Gabriel）
Ça va?
[How are you?]
（Louise）
Bon.
[Good.]
[in French]
I didn’t go to the market.
Too much to do.
So you’ll go.
 99

Allez, viens chérie!

[Come on darling!]
（Gabriel）
[in French]
Of course.
（Emily）
Oh, the château is so beautiful!
I’d love a tour.
（Louise）
[Chuckles]
We don’t give
tours of the château?
We live here.
（Camille）
[in French]
It’s an American custom
to show off your home to visitors.
（Louise）
[in French]
Really?
Does she want
to see our bins too?
（Camille）
[Chuckles]
（Louise）
But if you’d like
a vineyard tour,
there’s one in 30.
Just follow the road signs.
[in French]
I want to show you something
in the office.
（Emily）
Oh, did I just catch “bureau”?
Does your mother
wanna talk business now?
（Camille）
Oh, no,
we have all weekend for that.
Don’t worry.
Um, show her around?
Maybe the pool?
（Louise）
Yeah.
（Gabriel）
Come on.
 100

I’ll take you.

（Emily）
Oh, I can find it.

***
Emily）
[Gasps]
（Gérard）
Bonjour~~!
[chuckles]
[ in French]
You must be Emily.
（Emily）
Oh, my God.
Um… hi.
（Gérard）
I forgot
you don’t speak French.
Uh… my name is Gérard.
[in French]
The champagne father.
Le champère. [laughs]
（Emily）
[Chuckles]
（Gérard）
You see?
Because in French,
“père” means–
（Emily）
Father!
Yep, I got it.
Uh, I remember that one.
（Gérard）
May I offer you a glass?
（Emily）
No!
No, uh, I…
I mean, no, merci[Thanks].
Um, I’m just
looking for my room.
（Gérard）
Oh, okay!
Of course!
I’m gonna show you.
（Emily）
I’ll just
 101

give you a minute.

Okay?

***
Emily）
[Groans]
（Gabriel）
So
did you meet Gérard?
（Emily）
Yeah.
Thanks for the heads-up.
（Gérard）
Gabriel!
（Gabriel）
Gérard!
（Gérard）
Bienvenue.
[Welcome.]
（Gérard）
Can I get you a glass?
（Gabriel）
Maybe when I return.
Louise is sending us to the market.
（Gérard）
Yeah,
you are seducing us
with another of your delicious meals, eh?
[exclaims, chuckles]
Emily,
have you tasted
this man’s “coq au vin”?
（Emily）
I definitely have not.
（Gérard）
I tell you,
when it hit my lips,
I was ready to propose to him.
（Gabriel）
Um, we should get
going to the market.
（Gérard）
Yeah, yeah.
Okay, okay.
Do as my wife says.
She’s in charge.
 102

Take the bikes!

It’s a
beautiful day for a ride.
（Emily）
Great.
（Gabriel）
Great.
（Emily）
[Chuckles]

***
Emily）
I think I’m gonna
go on the tour.
Sample some product.
（Gabriel）
There’s plenty of champagne
in the house.
We can have a glass
before we go.
（Emily）
I want the full experience.
I came here to work.
（Gabriel）
You’re not coming with me?
（Emily）
On a romantic bike ride
to a picturesque country market?
Great idea.
Why don’t we
just do it in the barn?
（Gabriel）
They don’t have a barn here.
The wine cellar
is pretty nice, though.
I’m joking.
（Emily）
I’m not laughing.
（Gabriel）
You’ve been
avoiding me for a week,
and now this.
It’s just a farmers market.
You think we cannot keep
our hands off each other
for an hour?
 103

（Emily）
I think I like the odds
when my hands are somewhere else.
（Gabriel）
I think you’re overreacting.
We can be friends.
（Emily）
I feel we’ve made it pretty clear
we can’t just be friends.
（Gabriel）
But we live on
top of each other.
（Emily）
You’re proving my point.
（Gabriel）
So what?
We just stop speaking?
What do we tell Camille?
（Emily）
We don’t tell Camille anything.
We just have to be friendly.
（Gabriel）
But not friends?
（Emily）
Yes.
（Gabriel）
Can you
make me a list of rules?
‘Cause it’s a little complicated.
（Emily）
Okay, fine.
I’ll make it easy.
You go to the market,
I’ll go on the tour,
and everybody keeps
their hands to themselves.
[sighs]
***
Timothée）
…and that brings us
to the subtler step
in the whole process, le remuage.
Each bottle is turned
a tiny bit each day, like this,
to collect,
in the neck, the dead yeast cells.
 104

A professional remueur
can handle
tens of thousands of bottles
in a single day.
It is a
delicate and precise skill.
Who wants to try?
Mademoiselle, how about you?
[Miss, how about you?]
（Emily）
What?
Me?
No.
No, no, no, merci.
（Timothée）
[in French]
And an American, too.
Perfect.
Please come.
Don’t worry,
I won’t embarrass you
in front of the British.
[laughs] Just kidding.
Everybody take a rack, please.
So we’ll make a game,
and the first one
to turn all the bottles
one-quarter turn wins.
Are you ready?
Ready, set, go!
(～♪)
（Emily）
Yeah!
（Timothée）
Ah! Congratulations, American.
You just won the first taste.
Everybody
will have one, of course.
And…
a la reine des remueurs!
[to the Queen of Remueurs!]
（Emily）
a la reine des remueurs.
[to the Queen of Remueurs.]
（Woman Guest）
I think you’re just
 105

supposed to taste it, dear.

（Emily）
Oh, whoops. [laughs]
（Timothée）
No, it’s okay.
We’ll continue
to the tasting room, please.
This way.
[Laughs]
（Emily）
Sorry.
（Timothée）
No, you paid for the tour.
（Emily）
Actually, I didn’t.
My friend’s family owns the place.
（Timothée）
Oh, you’re my sister’s friend?
（Emily）
Emily.
You’re Camille’s brother.
（Timothée）
Ouais.
[Yeah.]
I am Timothée.
（Emily）
So you’re gonna
run all this one day?
（Timothée）
Maybe someday, yes.
I’ve been working weekends here
since I finished collège.
（Emily）
Looks like it’s gonna be
in good hands.
Not fast hands, but–
（Timothée）
[Chuckles] Okay, I see.
Oh, please, have more.
You know, the bottle costs
just the same
whether you drink it or not.
And
if you’d like
a refill at any time,
just tap me on the shoulder.
 106

***
Gabriel）
Et voilà.
[There you go.]
It was a good day
at the market.
（Group）
Ooh~
（Camille）
Wow.
It looks
spectacular, mon amour.
[spectacular, my love.]
（Gérard）
Emily,
you must taste his “aubergine”.
（Emily）
“Aubergine”?
（Gabriel）
Uh, my eggplant.
（Emily）
Oh, um, I’m allergic,
so probably best not.
（Louise）
Beautiful job, Gabriel.
（Gabriel）
Oh, thank you.
Bon appétit, everyone.
[Enjoy your meal, everyone.]
（Louise）
Mm!
（Emily）
Mm!
Wow! This…
This chicken is–
（Gérard）
I told you.
His coq is the best.
（Emily）
It…
It really is delicious.
（Louise）
Mm!
It’s so juicy.
（Gabriel）
 107

Well, since you didn’t

get to try my eggplant,
at least
you’re enjoying my coq.
（Emily）
Oh, I’m gonna have
some more champagne.
（Camille）
Emily In Paris
（Louise）
[in French]
Gérard, serve her.
（Emily）
Oh, I can pour it.
It’s fine.
（Timothée）
Women are not supposed
to touch the bottle
at the dinner table.
I know, it’s silly…
and it’s old-fashioned,
but so is my mother.
Just tap my foot under the table
when you’d like a refill.
（Louise）
How was the tour, dear?
（Timothée）
Fine.
We went through
more product than usual, though.
The guests
were very thirsty today.
（Emily）
Louise,
your champagne is so special.
I’m glad I got to
really appreciate it.
（Louise）
Good.
（Timothée）
Yes, she certainly appreciated it.
（Emily）
The point is
that I have some marketing strategies
that I would love to discuss.
（Louise）
 108

[Chuckles]
The other thing we don’t do
at the dinner table
is talk-business.
（Camille）
Maman has so many rules.
（Emily）
Oh, rules are good.
I like rules.
They force us to behave.
To rules!
（Camille）
Sure.
Yeah.
To rules
（All）
To rules.
（Timothée）
Gabriel, dinner is amazing.
（Louise）
Agreed.
He really should have
his own restaurant, shouldn’t he?
（Camille）
Maman.
[Mom.]
（Gabriel）
Well, that’s, uh,
the goal, someday.
（Louise）
Of course.
Just not with our help.
（Gabriel）
It was a very generous offer,
but one I can’t accept.
（Gérard）
Gabriel…?
When a woman wants
to take care of you,
you let her.
Look at me?
Have you met a happier man?
[chuckles]
（Gabriel）
I have to, um,
take in the soufflé.
 109

Excuse me.
（Camille）
[in French]
Just let him be.
（Louise）
Okay! Okay.
（Emily）
Uh, Timothée,
would you mind
getting a picture of us?
Drinking champagne in Champagne.
（Camille）
[Laughs]

@emilyinparis
21.7k followers
Drinking champagne in Champagne!

***
Mindy’s Message）
Looks like you and Camille
are getting cozy.
（Emily’s Message）
Gabriel here too.
All a little too cozy.
（Emily’s Message）
How’s bachelorette
weekend?
（Mindy’s Message）
Nuts!
（Emily）
[Chuckles]
（Mindy’s Message）
Shay is planning a big surprise.
She’s about to live stream.
（Mindy’s Message）
Check it out, @crayshayy
（Mindy’s Message）
Her last surprise was kidnapping
us on a yacht.
（Emily’s Message）
HAHA. Will do.
（Emily）
[Chuckles]

Cheering)
 110

（Mindy）
I thought the itinerary said
we were doing The Peninsula tonight?
（Li）
Well, change of plans.
There’s a performer we have to see.
It’s kind of the reason
we came to Paris.
（Party MC）
And now,
on our legendary stage,
we have a special guest.
A fallen idol from Shanghai
who has come to Paris
to rise from the ashes.
（Mindy）
Li, I would love to,
but I…
I haven’t sung in forever.
I… I’ve been so busy
with business school–
（Shay）
Oh, my God,
we know you’re not in business school.
（Li）
And we know
that you’re a nanny.
（Shay）
Mm-hmm.
（Li）
And that your parents
cut you off.
（Mindy）
Uh…
why didn’t you say anything?
（Shay）
Bitch,
why didn’t you say anything?
（Mindy）
I don’t know.
I…
I guess I thought
you wouldn’t understand.
（Li）
Mindy,
the only thing I don’t understand
 111

is why you are in Paris and not singing.

（Mindy）
Well, I–
（Li）
You’ve been
wanting to be a singer
since we were kids.
（Mindy）
Li, I would love to–
（Li）
Good!
Because Shay paid
a ton of money for the stage time.
（Mindy）
What?
（Shay）
Yeah,
you’ll thank me later.
（Mindy）
Well, um, what song?
（Li）
You know what song.
（Mindy）
No. No. No!
I butchered that on Popstar.
I’m not–
（Li）
Then do it
right this time.
Go!
（Party MC）
Please welcome, Mindy Chen.
(Group Chanting)
（Group）
Plane! Plane! Club!
Another club! Another club!
Bus!
Another club!
No sleep!
Sing, bitch!
（Mindy）
Bonsoir.
[Good evening.]
No, I actually really don’t wanna…
（Li）
You can do it, Mindy!
 112

（Mindy）
[Singing]
（Emily）
Oh, God!
(Crowd cheering)
（Emily）
[Chuckles]
（Group）
To Mindy!
（Camille）
[in French]
…you’re ruining
my relationship with Gabriel.
Mom, I’m fed up of you
always trying to control everything!
（Louise）
He’s crazy to refuse the money.
It’s nonsense!
（Emily）
Ah…

***
Mindy’s Friends Cheering on cell Phone)
（Timothée）
I wondered where you were hiding.
（Emily）
Not hiding,
just couldn’t sleep.
（Timothée）
Ah.
Because you heard
everyone fighting in their rooms?
Would you like a coupe?
（Emily）
Okay,
maybe I’m hiding.
A little.
（Timothée）
I have a motorbike.
Should we run away?
（Emily）
That’s always a bad idea.
（Timothée）
No?
You ran away from home?
Now you live in Paris.
 113

Not too bad.

（Emily）
[Sighs]
I didn’t run away.
I moved here for work.
（Timothée）
Oh.
So they forced you
to come to a country
where you don’t speak the language.
That’s a bad idea.
（Emily）
No,
I wanted to come,
but I wasn’t running.
I had a nice job,
a nice boyfriend,
nice friends.
It was…
Oh, my God,
I ran away.
（Timothée）
[Laughs]
Yes.
It sounds so nice.
（Emily）
It was, but
everything was already laid out.
I mean, there were
no decisions left to make,
even wrong ones.
I always knew
what was gonna happen.
（Timothée）
And now?
（Emily）
And now
I know nothing.
Everything is new
and confusing and,
honestly, kind of scary.
（Timothée）
Yes, [Chuckles]
but you love it, no?
[chuckles]
Oh, slower.
 114

You’re supposed to savor it.

Okay.
（Emily）
Let me try again.
I thought that champagne
was supposed to be served in a flute.
（Timothée）
Yeah, flutes are
a more practical choice.
But coupes are sexier.
They were modeled
after Marie Antoinette’s breasts.
They are the
ideal size and shape
to deliver pleasure.
(～♪)
（Emily）
[Breathing heavily]
Slower, slower,
you’re supposed to savor it.
（Emily, Timothée）
[Panting]

***
Cell Phone Chimes)
（Emily）
[Groans]
（Camille’s Message）
I have a surprise when you

come down for breakfast!

（Camille’s Message）
Come down when you’re ready!
（Camille’s Message）
Are you okay?
（Emily）
[Groans]
Oh, shit.
（Gabriel）
Hey!
（Camille）
Emily!
（Emily）
Ah.
Bonjour.
（Camille）
 115

Mwah, Mwah.
This is Théo.
（Théo）
Nice to meet you, Emily.
Camille told me
wonderful things about you.
（Emily）
Oh, do you work for the company?
（Camille）
Oh, no, he’s, uh,
the brother I talked to you about.
（Emily）
Um…
But…
But I thought
that I met your brother yesterday at the,
uh, on the tour and at dinner?
（Camille）
Oh, Timothée?
He’s 17.
（Emily）
[Chuckles] But… But…
But he said
that he finished collège, and–
How could a 17-year-old
be out of college?
（Théo）
You’re thinking of “université.”
In France, it’s, uh…
how do you say, “junior high.”?
（Emily）
[Scoffs]
That is needlessly confusing!
（Timothée）
Bonjour, mon américaine.
[Hello, my American.]
Mm.
Oh.
Sorry for that.
I bite too hard.
（Camille）
Oh, my God.
（Emily）
You said you wanted me
to meet your brother.
Okay?
 116

And I didn’t know he was–

I was drinking
a lot of champagne.
（Camille）
[Laughs]
（Louise）
Emily, come with me.
（Camille）
[Whispering]
Oh, shit.
（Emily）
I didn’t know.
（Gérard）
[Sighs]

***
Louise）
I need you to be honest with me.
You and my son–
（Emily）
I had no idea
how young he was.
Camille told me
that she wanted me to meet her brother.
And…
And he was such an expert
about champagne.
（Louise）
Stop talking, please.
I don’t care about
any of that.
I need to know,
is my son a good lover?
I worry
for my children’s future.
It’s a mother’s job.
And my little boy–
（Emily）
Oh, my God.
Please tell me
this wasn’t his first time.
（Louise）
Oh, dear,
did it seem that way?
（Emily）
What?
 117

No.
No, no, no.
He was gentle and…
and sweet.
Wait. [chuckles]
I’m sorry, um…
How much detail
are you looking for here?
（Louise）
His father
finally passed down
something helpful.
[sighs]
My husband is a fantastic lover,
but beyond that,
he is as useless
as this surplus of grapes.
Thank you, Emily.
I will call you a car
to the train station.
I imagine you wanna run away
from this bomb you exploded.
(Phone Dailing)
（Emily）
Uh, hold on.
I came down here
to pitch you Savoir,
and you’ve dodged me
all weekend.
（Louise）
Okay.
You know about the surplus.
（Emily）
Mm-hmm.
（Louise）
We need to find new buyers
or else
pour it all down the drain.
[sighs]
How do we do that?
(Friends Cheering on Cell Phone)
（Emily）
That’s how.
A bottle to sip
and a bottle to spray.
You make the same amount
 118

whether or not they drink it, yes?

We could make your brand
the official spray of Paris.
Or anywhere, really.
（Louise）
I can hear my grandmother
rising from her grave to strangle me.
（Emily）
Um, you’re worried about legacy.
Understood.
That’s your job.
How about we create
a second label
for the spray campaign?
（Louise）
But what to call
something so useless?
（Emily）
What about “Champère”?
（Louise）
[Chuckles]
I’ll consider it.

***
Camille）
Maman said
she was really impressed
with your presentation.
（Gabriel）
Oh, the whole family was impressed.
（Emily）
[Groans]
Camille,
I’m so embarrassed.
（Camille）
Don’t be.
I knew we’d
get you into the family
one way or another.
I just didn’t know
it would be so quick.
（Emily）
I promise,
now that we’re working together–
（Camille）
No, Emily,
 119

it’s really fine.

I can’t control
who you get into bed with.
（Emily）
Is this gonna be weird?
（Gabriel）
No, we’re all adults.
Except for Timothée.
（Camille）
[Laughs]
（Emily）
Oh, grow up!
（Gabriel）
But I’m already
far too old for your tastes.
（Emily）
[Grunts]

EPISODE 9

Chicago, IL
（announcer）
The Cubs have done it!
(Patrons Cheering)
（Sylvie）
So that’s your
plan for her champagne?
（Emily）
Yep.
I shipped a box of Champère
to my favorite bar in Chicago,
and people went bananas.
（Luc）
Like apes.
（Emily）
We market Champère as a spray.
Champagne showers
don’t just have to be
for pro athletes after a big win.
They can be for everyone.
We’re making
extravagance accessible.
（Sylvie）
And very American,
to be so wasteful.
 120

（Luc）
Actually,
the tradition began in France
with Formula 1 drivers in the ’60s.
But now we use it
to make bikinis wet.
（Sylvie）
Well, thank you, Luc.
So
when do we meet these clients?
（Emily）
Well, Camille invited us
to an art opening
at her gallery in the Marais tonight,
and there will be lots of champagne.
（Sylvie）
I’ll wear a raincoat.
（Emily）
Well, um…
（Julien）
Sylvie,
Antoine called again.
（Sylvie）
Unavailable.
（Emily）
I think he’s calling
about the scent for the Zimmer hotel.
（Sylvie）
Unavailable!
（Julien）
Oh, and, uh,
Judith Robertson from the
American Friends of the Louvre
called for you.
（Emily）
For me?
Any idea what she wants?
（Julien）
[Chuckles]
A new friend,
I suppose.

***
Judith）
[in Texas accent]
Thank you so much
 121

for meeting me, hon.

Hey,
are you familiar
with the American Friends of the Louvre?
（Emily）
Googled it.
But to be honest,
it’s just so nice to sit down
with an American friend of anything.
（Judith）
Oh, don’t I know.
Sometimes
I just long to hear that “r” sound.
（Emily）
Oh, I know.
It’s like
the French “r” can’t be bothered
to come out of their mouths.
（Judith）
[Chuckles]
Try having a name
like Robertson.
Every French person
dry heaves
just trying to pronounce it.
[in French accent]
Judith Robertson.
（Emily）
My name
sounds like an airline.
Emily Coop-air.
Fly me.
[laughs]
（Judith）
[Laughs]
Well, that’s the price we pay.
[chuckles]
I’ll get down to brass tacks.
I know
that you work for Pierre Cadault.
I’ve been
following you on Insta.
Do you think
that Pierre would donate a dress
to be auctioned for the AFL?
（Emily）
 122

Well, first of all,

Pierre is wonderful
and… and very charitable,
but, um, well, he’s also
very particular about his image.
（Judith）
Oh, of course.
I mean, it’s gonna be
a big to-do.
It’ll be a
whole lot of press coverage.
（Emily）
Well, wow. [chuckles]
Um,
from a marketing point of view,
I don’t see
how that couldn’t be good
for his brand,
so I’ll definitely ask him.
（Judith）
Très bien.
[Very well.]
（Emily, Judith）
[Laugh]
(Glass Clink)
（Judith）
Let’s order.
（Emily）
Oh.
It’s all in English.
（Judith）
Oh, honey,
this is Ralph Lauren’s place.
They’re not even allowed
to speak French here. [laughs]
（Emily）
[Sighs] What a relief.
[Gasps, whispers]
Look, a cheeseburger.
Ooh.
Do you mind?
It just looks so good.
[Quietly] Okay.
(Camera Shutter Clicks)
@emilyinparis
24.9k followers
 123

# CheeseburgerinParadise
（Judith）
[Chuckles]
The irony of how a french fry
can make you feel so at home.
（Emily）
[Sighs]
Mm!

***
Cell Phone Ringing)
（Mathieu）
Emily from Savoir,
how are you?
（Emily）
I am good,
thanks, Mathieu.
I was wondering
if I could come by the atelier
to discuss something
with you and Pierre?
（Mathieu）
He’s working nonstop
with Fashion Week so close.
But I can meet you
for a drink tonight,
if you’d like.
（Emily）
Oh, I’m going
to a gallery opening
with some friends.
（Mathieu）
Text me the address,
and I’ll see you there.

***
Camille）
I’m so excited to meet
this scary boss you always talk about.
（Gabriel）
Oh, I’ve met her.
She’s not so bad.
（Emily）
Ooh, she scares most French people.
There she is.
Sylvie!
 124

Luc, you came!

This is Camille.
（Sylvie）
Oh!
Enchantée.
[Nice to meet you.]
Very nice to meet you.
（Camille）
Enchantée.
（Luc）
A pleasure.
（Camille）
Ah, thank you. [chuckles]
（Sylvie）
Yeah, we are really looking forward
to representing your family’s champagne.
（Mathieu）
Emily.
（Emily）
Hi. [chuckles]
（Sylvie）
Oh, Mathieu Cadault,
honoring us with his presence.
（Mathieu）
Emily asked me to meet her here.
（Sylvie）
She can’t stop working, can she?
（Emily, Camille）
[Chuckle]
（Camille）
So, guys,
let’s see some art.
（Emily）
Please. [exhales]
（Camille）
Follow me.

***
Camille）
[Chuckles]
So this is a
new artist we just signed.
（Mathieu）
Hmm.
Interesting.
（Luc）
 125

I find this very sexual.

（Emily）
Really?
（Camille）
Yeah, he’s right.
The artist told me
this piece was, uh,
all about her last love affair, so…
（Luc）
Of course.
Look at this slit.
Obviously,
it represents her vagina.
And the four colors chosen
were very intentional.
Red is blood.
The yellow is urine.
And… and so on.
（Emily）
So what does the white represent?
（Sylvie）
[Scoffs]
She’s been pitching
an entire beverage campaign
based on ejaculation, and
she doesn’t know what the white is.
It’s the spray, Emily.
（Luc）
[Laughs]
（Camille）
[Laughs softly]
（Sylvie）
Oh, Mathieu,
I’m so honored
to work with Pierre.
Please tell me
everything about his new collection.
（Camille）
What’s going on
between you two?
（Emily）
Who?
（Camille）
You and Mathieu.
（Emily）
What?
 126

Nothing.
（Camille）
Don’t you see
the way he looks at you?
（Emily）
He’s a client.
（Camille）
Who cares if he’s a client?
He’s, um,
handsome, wealthy,
and he’s the heir of Pierre Cadault.
（Gabriel）
How do you know all this?
（Camille）
How do you not?
I mean, he’s in Voici and Paris Match
all the time dating some celebrities.
（Emily）
Ugh, God.
Really?
（Camille）
Yes, Emily.
He’s perfect for you.
（Gabriel）
Oh, because he’s rich
and he dates celebrities?
（Camille）
Because he’s successful,
and he’s got his life on track.
（Gabriel）
A track paved with money
he hasn’t had to work for.
（Camille）
Oh mon Dieu, Gabriel.
[Oh my God, Gabriel.]
Struggling isn’t the only way.
（Emily）
Guys,
this conversation is ridiculous.
[chuckles]
He’s a client,
not a boyfriend.
（Camille）
Mm-hmm.
（Mathieu）
Lovely gallery,
 127

but I’d better get out of here

before I buy something.
（Camille）
[Chuckles]
（Mathieu）
Shall we have dinner?
（Camille）
Uh, there is a wonderful bistro
just around the corner.
（Emily）
Anywhere quiet
where we can discuss business
is good.
（Camille）
Mm.

***
Emily）
Mm, this is so good.
（Mathieu）
It’s my
favorite crepe stand in Paris.
（Emily）
It’s funny
how every culture has its pancake.
（Mathieu）
Uh… [scoffs]
You can’t compare
our crepes to your pancakes.
I mean, no contest.
We win.
（Emily）
Well, you haven’t tried mine.
（Mathieu）
You’ll have to
make them for me sometime.
（Emily）
[Chuckles, gasps]
Oh, look,
I’ve read about this.
It’s Grey Space, the designers.
They’re releasing this
limited edition hoodie.
It’s 900 euros.
（Mathieu）
Oh, the streetwear guys
 128

from the States.

They have a show
at Fashion Week, right?
（Emily）
Yeah.
And they’re doing this whole thing,
not releasing
the location of their show,
and, of course,
it’s making everyone wanna go.
[sighs]
They’re good at
getting noticed.
（Mathieu）
I can see that.
（Emily）
So, um,
how’s Pierre’s collection coming along?
（Mathieu）
Hmm, it’s always
a challenging time of year,
but at this point,
I know how to manage the moods.
（Emily）
How long
have you worked together?
（Mathieu）
Since university.
But I moved in with him
in London
when I was 13.
It wasn’t
the most stable childhood.
But every day
was something new.
（Emily）
You and I
are so different.
（Mathieu）
Oh, is that so?
（Emily）
Yeah, I grew up in the suburbs,
in the same town as my parents,
and went to high school
where my mom was the math teacher.
Every day was the same.
 129

I didn’t get on a plane

until I was 12
and hadn’t been to Europe
until now.
Ugh, God,
you must think
that I am so boring.
（Mathieu）
Oh, I’m not bored at all.
Are you?
（Emily）
No.
（Mathieu）
Ah.
（Emily）
Okay, so,
the American Friends of the Louvre
are hosting this big charity event
and asked if
Pierre would donate a dress.
（Mathieu）
Oh.
Is that how it works?
We pay you,
and you come in and
ask for favors?
Oh, all right.
Come by the atelier tomorrow,
and we’ll see if
there’s a dress that works.
（Emily）
Oh, thank you.
I really appreciate it.
（Mathieu）
All right.
（Emily）
Okay, well,
I should be heading home.
（Mathieu）
All right.
Well, good night, Emily.
（Emily）
[Chuckles]
We’ll talk soon.
（Mathieu）
Yep.
 130

Bye.

***
Emily）
[Groans]
（Sylvie）
That was strange
to see you last night
with Mathieu Cadault.
（Emily）
Why?
（Sylvie）
Well, if I recall,
your corporate commandments
were very specific
about not mixing business with pleasure.
（Emily）
We were just
meeting at the gallery
to discuss Pierre.
He’s donating a dress
to the AFL auction.
（Sylvie）
AFL?
（Emily）
American Friends of the Louvre.
（Sylvie）
Oh, God,
the last thing the Louvre needs
is more friends from America.
（Emily）
It’s gonna be a big event.
There’ll be a lot of press.
We’re all invited.
（Sylvie）
[Sighs]
（Julien）
Sylvie,
this just arrived for you.
（Sylvie）
[Sighs]
Send it back.
（Emily）
What was that about?
（Julien）
[Whispers] Antoine.
 131

（Emily）
Ooh, can you translate this?
I don’t–
（Julien）
It’s a cliché
in any language.
He wants her back,
and she is…
（Emily）
Unavailable.
Did they break up?
Can they break up?
（Julien）
Open it.
（Emily）
No.
（Luc）
What’s going on?
（Julien）
Antoine sent a gift to Sylvie,
and she won’t open it.
（Luc）
Ah, give it to me.
（Emily）
Luc, what are you doing?
（Luc）
[Gasps, chuckles]
（Emily）
Mm!
Beautiful earrings.
（Luc）
Nah, not for the ear.
For the nipple.
（Emily）
What?
No.
No. No! No.
（Luc）
You think you know Sylvie, yeah?
（Julien）
[Chuckles]
（Emily）
But, no, but…
but those are
really earrings, though, right?
 132

***
Emily）
Hi, Judith~
[Gasps]
What a great turnout.
（Judith）
Oh, yes, ma’am.
We have
a lot of Louvre lovers here.
[Gasps]
And they’re all gonna have
their eyes on that Pierre Cadault.
（Emily）
Oh, Sylvie,
this is Judith Robertson.
Judith,
this is Sylvie Grateau, my boss.
（Sylvie）
Enchantée, Judith.
[Nice to meet you, Judith.]
（Judith）
Oh, it’s so
nice to meet you, Sylvie.
Thank you so much
for lending us this one.
（Sylvie）
Oh, well, you can have her
for your permanent collection.
（Judith）
[Chuckles]
Why are there
exterminators here?
（Sylvie）
Oh, it’s Paris,
there’s always a rat somewhere.
（Emily）
No, they’re not exterminators.
They’re a designer duo
called Grey Space.
American
and very avant-garde.
（Sylvie）
Oh.
That’s another word
for ugly.
I’ll leave you two.
 133

（Judith）
You know,
I am usually the one
that sticks out
like a sore thumb here.
I always go to the market
in my yoga pants
and my favorite Cowboys sweatshirt,
but, honey,
this look takes the cake!
（Grey Space 1）
Well, thank you.
（Emily）
Let me guess.
Ghostbusters?
（Grey Space 1）
[inhales sharply] Oof.
No, workwear.
It’s our spring collection.
（Judith）
Well, I think it’s cute.
（Grey Space 2）
Oh.
Is this your event?
（Judith）
Well, it wouldn’t have happened
without this lady.
Honey,
she has hooked us up
with the pièce de résistance.
（Grey Space 2）
Pierre Cadault.
That’s why we’re here.
（Emily）
Oh, cool.
I work for the marketing firm
that reps Pierre.
Have you guys
ever considered taking on a team?
You’re growing so fast,
I imagine you’re not
as hands-on as you’d like.
（Grey Space 1）
Well, we do
our marketing in-house.
（Grey Space 2）
 134

And we manage
to stay pretty hands-on,
but thanks.
（Judith）
[Gasps]
Oh, damn,
we have a problem.
（Emily）
Oh, what…
what is it?
（Judith）
There are thunderstorms in Dallas.
（Emily）
Why is that a problem?
（Judith）
Well, Amanda and Frank Carrouth’s plane
got delayed.
She was supposed to wear the dress,
and her oil-billionaire husband
promised he’d bid on it.
（Emily）
Oh, merde.
[Oh, shit.]
（Mathieu）
Well, that doesn’t sound too good.
（Emily）
Oh, no,
everything’s fine.
We just kind of lost our model.
Oh, Judith,
this is Mathieu Cadault.
（Judith）
Oh, I know who he is.
Pleasure, hon.
（Mathieu）
Likewise.
（Judith）
Oh, you must have
a dozen models on speed dial
we could ask for a last-minute favor.
（Mathieu）
What’s going on?
（Judith）
We need someone
to wear Pierre’s dress
for the auction.
 135

（Mathieu）
I have the perfect person.

***
Auctioneer）
And now
we’re going to sell
a private tour of Château Margaux.
And I’ll begin with 5,000 euros.
5,000,
on my left, at 5,000.
7,000.
Thank you, madam.
At 8,000.
It’s against you, madam, now.
8,000 euros,
last chance.
I shall sell it now
for 8,000 euros!
Sold!
Thank you so much.
(Crowd Applause)
（Auctioneer）
And now,
we’re going to come
to the last lot
of this evening’s auction.
We are going to sell a dress
made by the great, great Pierre Cadault,
who happens to be here tonight!
(Crowd Applause)
（Sylvie）
Emily!
（Mathieu）
She looks beautiful, doesn’t she?
（Pierre）
Of course she does.
She’s wearing Pierre Cadault.
（Judith）
Oh, honey,
Amanda Carrouth
could have never squeezed into that dress.
（Pierre）
Who?
（Auctioneer）
And we will start the bidding
 136

at 10,000 euros.
10,000.
Yes, 10,000 euros.
10,000.
12,000.
14,000.
16,000.
18,000. 18,000.
20,000.
New bidder at 22,000 euros.
At 22,000.
（Pierre）
That’s bizarre.
Those designers
are bidding on my dress.
（Mathieu）
You should feel flattered.
They’re fans.
（Judith）
Oh, my God,
and they’re driving it up.
It’s at 35,000!
Oh, man!
[whoops]
I am getting goosebumps.
Feel.
（Sylvie）
Oh, I trust you.
（Auctioneer）
It’s your bid, sir.
At 38,000 euros.
Sold!
Thank you very much.
Congratulations!
(Crowd Cheers)
（Emily）
Congratulations, guys.
I’m so excited~!
（Pierre）
[Screams] Ahhhh!!!!!!!!!!
（Judith）
[Gasps]
（Pierre）
What have they done
to my dress?
（Mathieu）
 137

Publicity stunt.
(Camera Shutters Clicking)
（Pierre）
[Sobbing]
(Crowd Groaning)

***
Emily）
[Sighs Deeply]
(Cell Phone Chiming Repeatedly)
27 MISSED CALLS
4 NEW TEXT MESSAGES
（Mindy’s Message）
Girl, what happened?!
（Mathieu’s Message）
How are you holding up?
（Judith’s Message）
Call me!
This is gonna be bigger for
the Louvre than that Beyoncé video.
（Emily）
[Exhales]
(Knocking on Door)
（Emily）
[Sighs]
（Gabriel）
Hey.
Um… I went to the market
earlier this morning, and
I always grab a paper.
（Emily）
[Sighs]
Oh, God,
is there no other news?
（Gabriel）
Seems like
it was a pretty big deal.
Do you want
me to translate the article for you?
（Emily）
[Grunts]
No, I lived it.
I really, really
don’t wanna go into work today.
（Gabriel）
Don’t.
 138

Skip a day.
Stay here.
（Emily）
[Chuckles softly]
I wish I could.
（Gabriel）
Me too.
（Emily）
Well, thanks for checking in on me.
（Gabriel）
Of course, I, um…
I hope the rest of your day
doesn’t make the news.
（Emily）
[Chuckles softly]
Oh. [Chuckles softly]
You guys
just kiss so much here.
[chuckles]
[Grunts]
***
@thegreyspace
7.2m followers
Making a mark
X Grey Space
（Sylvie）
This is bad.
（Emily）
Nothing I’ve read
has been negative
towards Pierre.
They’re all saying the same thing,
that it’s the old guard versus the new.
（Sylvie）
Oh, ’cause you think
being referred to
as “old” is positive?
（Emily）
Well, there is a way to spin this.
Pierre’s account had a ton
of new follower notifications today,
and we’ve already acquired
100,000 of Grey Space’s
7.2 million followers overnight.
Pierre’s part of the conversation
more than ever.
 139

（Sylvie）
But what is the conversation?
If we lose this client,
even Chicago will want
to get rid of you.

***
Emily）
Hey, guys.
Remember me?
The person you covered in paint yesterday?
（Grey Space 2）
The girl in the dress.
We’d hoped you’d see that
as performance art.
I mean, that was the intention.
（Emily）
Oh, yeah.
No, it felt more like
I was being punked
by a couple of jackasses.
（Grey Space 2）
We’re sorry.
We really are fans of Pierre’s.
（Emily）
I don’t think
he sees it like that,
but there is something you can do
to change his mind.

***
Knocking on Door)
（Pierre）
Entrez.
[Come in.]
Ah, Emily, dear.
How are you?
Come in.
Sit.
Alexa, vous arrêtez!
[Alexa, you stop!]
（Emily）
I’m so sorry
for what happened at the auction, Pierre.
（Pierre）
You do not need to apologize.
 140

We both
took it in the face
last night.
[sighs]
Would you like a crème brûlée?
（Emily）
Ah, oh, no.
No, thank you.
（Pierre）
No, no,
not to eat.
You just, uh… [splats]
Try it.
It’s very satisfying.
（Emily）
[Laughs softly]
Oh. [chuckles]
That’s fun.
Um, but…
but
what I think might actually help us
is…
is if we shift our perspective.
（Pierre）
Emily,
I know why this happened.
I used to see my clothes
on the most beautiful women in Paris,
and now I dress old ladies.
And they’re all dying.
My audience
is getting smaller and smaller.
That’s why they mock me.
（Emily）
That’s the thing.
They’re not mocking you.
They’re celebrating you.
Voilà !
[So!]
（Pierre）
Why is my logo
on that piece of shit?
（Emily）
It’s a collaboration.
Grey Space
wants to do a sweatshirt
 141

with your logo on it.

They wanna take Pierre Cadault
into the world of streetwear.
（Pierre）
Well, he doesn’t want to go.
（Emily）
Pierre, I’m telling you,
everyone will want this hoodie.
（Pierre）
Who is everyone?
I don’t even understand this.
（Emily）
Grey Space
think of fashion as a concept.
The idea that who we are
is constantly evolving.
So they take
something that already exists
and they add to it.
And people like them
because they don’t follow the rules.
They’re fearless,
and they’re taking down
the barriers to fashion.
（Pierre）
Fearless is starting from zero
and making something
that is all your own.
Fashion is not about a concept.
It’s about looking beautiful.
Any woman who wears this
looks awful.
The world’s gone crazy.
Huh!
This is the revenge
of la ringarde.
Fashion respects
the people who wear it.
This is disrespectful!
（Emily）
You are completely right.
And I should not be here,
telling you what fashion is.
But…
But Grey Space admire your work.
They wish
 142

that they could do what you do.

You are the original.
（Pierre）
Maybe I’ve been
a copy of myself for too long.
And now…
I find myself
at my darkest hour.
[sighs]
You may go.

***
Mathieu）
How did it go?
（Emily）
[Sighs]
I think I made it worse.
He said he was
at his darkest hour.
（Mathieu）
Oh, my God,
the man thinks he’s Churchill.
（Emily）
I’m so sorry, Mathieu.
What can I do?
（Mathieu）
Hey.
Do you know what the French do
when things are at their darkest?
When the bombs were falling
during World War II,
Do you know what they did?
（Emily）
Hid?
（Mathieu）
No.
They made love.
（Emily）
I’m not sure I’m that French.
（Mathieu）
Yet.
Now, if you’ll excuse me,
I still have a fashion show to produce.
 143

EPISODE 10

Mindy）
I love fashion,
but God, I hate
Paris Fashion Week.
[in French]
We haven’t ordered yet!
（Emily）
I’m not loving it either.
Pierre Cadault is still spiraling.
He won’t let us into the atelier.
How do I promote a show
if I can’t see the clothes?
（Mindy）
Ugh. I’m sorry, Em.
Do you wanna hear
some good work news?
（Emily）
Mm. Please.
（Mindy）
Remember the drag club I sang at?
（Emily）
Mm-hmm.
（Mindy）
They offered me a job emceeing.
It’s just two nights a week,
but they want me to sing.
（Emily）
Mindy, that’s fantastic!
Wait, they know
that you’re not a drag queen, right?
（Mindy）
I mean, I think so.
（Emily）
I’m kidding.
（Mindy）
[Laughs]
I just need the Duponts
to give me the nights off,
but I can’t tell them why.
They’re so conservative.
(Cell Phone Chimes)
（Mathieu’s Message）
Meet me by La Pause.
ASAP.
 144

（Emily）
Oh. Sorry,
it’s Mathieu Cadault.
Hope this means
it’s good news about Pierre.
（Mindy）
Uh, I hope this means
you’re gonna kiss him again.
（Emily）
I tell you too much.
（Mindy）
I love it.
Wait, are you leaving?
[in French]
I’m still sitting here!

***
Emily’s Message）
I’m at La Pause but
I don’t see you.
（Mathieu’s Message）
I said “by La Pause.”
Look outside.
（Emily）
You said a drink.
（Mathieu）
And I meant it.
(Camera Shutter Clicks)

***
Emily）
So is a boat ride on the Seine
your go-to move to impress a girl?
（Mathieu）
[Scoffs]
I get on the boat
whenever I have a problem.
It gives me a fresh perspective.
（Emily）
What’s the problem?
Is it Pierre?
（Mathieu）
He’s still reeling
from Grey Space.
He won’t show me or anyone
the new collection.
 145

（Emily）
You haven’t seen it yet either?
But the show’s in three days!
Ugh!
Oh, my God,
this is all my fault!
（Mathieu）
Hey.
He’s being dramatic.
That’s his job.
Come,
I wanna show you something.
（Emily）
What?
（Mathieu）
My actual
go-to move to impress a girl.
***
Emily）
Wow. [chuckles]
Okay,
I can see
why this is your move.
（Mathieu）
Is it working?
（Emily）
I can’t believe you live here.
This view is so beautiful.
（Mathieu）
I couldn’t agree more.
（Emily）
[chuckles softly]
(Ringtone Playing)
（Mathieu）
Sorry.
Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry–
（Emily）
No. [chuckles]
（Mathieu）
Ah, mais oui.
[Ah, but yes.]
Mais oui.
[But, yes.]
Sorry.
(Phone Ringing)
（Mathieu）
 146

[Sighs]
（Emily）
What is it? [scoffs]
（Mathieu）
It’s the landline. [sighs]
Nobody has the number
except for Pierre.
Excuse me.
Sorry, sorry.
（Emily）
No, no.
Of… Of course.
（Mathieu）
Allô?
[Hello?]
[in French]
What?
No, no no no no no.
I’m on my way.
I’m on my way.
Don’t move.
I’m on my way.
（Emily）
What happened?
（Mathieu）
He wants to cancel his show
at the Fashion Week.
（Emily）
What?
Oh, my God!
（Mathieu）
I have to go down there.
Hopefully,
I can talk him out of it.
（Emily）
[Sighs]
（Mathieu）
I’ll call you
when I know more?
（Emily）
[Chuckles]
（Mathieu）
To be continued?
Lock up
on your way out, please.
 147

***
Sylvie）
Well, yes.
It’s gonna be perfect
at the front row
of Pierre Cadault’s.
Thank you. Merci.
Oh, Emily.
Bonjour.
I’m so glad to see you.
（Emily）
You are?
（Sylvie）
Yes.
I got your e-mail
with the list of influencers
to invite to Pierre’s show,
and I agree
it’s time to shake things up.
（Emily）
Yes, um, about that.
I–
（Antoine）
Ladies.
Bonjour.
[Hi.]
Sylvie.
Could I see you privately?
Please?
（Luc）
Good.
Everyone’s here?
（Sylvie）
Yes.
（Luc）
Okay.
We can begin.
（Sylvie）
Hey, your new account manager says
it’s time to start the meeting.
（Emily）
Just… one minute.
[chuckles]

***
Luc）
 148

The Zimmer Paris will open

in just two weeks,
and with it,
the Maison Lavaux boutique,
featuring the hotel’s signature scent.
[snaps]
（Emily’s Message）
Hey Mathieu
（Antoine）
[in French]
Are we ever going to talk?
（Sylvie）
[in French]
We’re talking now.
Listen to Luc.
He’s very talented.
（Emily’s Message）
Any news?
（Luc）
Emily?
Could we
pay attention to the presentation?
S’il vous plaît.
[Please.]
（Julien）
Oh, my God.
（Luc）
Excuse me.
I am speaking.
（Julien）
No, this is an emergency.
Women’s Wear Daily just tweeted
that Pierre Cadault is canceling his show!
（Sylvie）
What?
No, that’s not possible.
（Emily）
Are you sure?
Last night, Matt said
he could talk him out of it.
（Sylvie）
“Matt”?
What were you doing
with Mathieu Cadault last night?
Why didn’t you tell me this
the moment you found out?
 149

(Cell Phone Vibrates)

（Sylvie）
Is that Matt?
Give me the phone.
（Antoine）
Oh, god.
（Sylvie）
Allô ?
[Hello?]
Mathieu?
（Emily）
Sylvie!
Please wait.
（Julien）
You will never believe this.
（Mathieu）
Pierre forfeited the venue.
（Sylvie）
Et pourquoi ?
[And why?]
（Mathieu）
The new collection’s ready.
He won’t show it.
We tried a
run-through this morning,
and he just screamed,
“Ringarde ! Ringarde !”
at every single piece.
（Sylvie）
Ringarde ?
[Nerdy?]
Okay, well,
please tell me if there’s any change,
and take good care of your uncle, Mathieu.
Do you have any idea
of what you have done?
（Emily）
Me?
（Sylvie）
You convinced Pierre
to donate a dress that got destroyed,
which shook his confidence so badly
that now he won’t show
at Paris Fashion Week
for the first time in three decades.
And if that wasn’t enough,
 150

you slept with his nephew, Matt!

（Emily）
That last part isn’t exactly true.
（Sylvie）
So now
we have a fashion designer
without a fashion show,
which is almost as meaningless
as an American who doesn’t speak French
at a Parisian marketing firm.
（Emily）
Sylvie,
let me just talk to him.
（Sylvie）
You are fired.
Get out of my office.
Clear out your desk.
Don’t show your face here
ever again.

***
Luc）
Are you okay?
（Emily）
No.
Sylvie just fired me.
（Luc）
Oh, is that all?
（Julien）
We thought someone died.
（Emily）
Nope.
Just my career.
（Julien）
No, it’s impossible
to fire someone in France.
（Emily）
What?
（Luc）
Oui.
[Yes.]
The bureaucracy takes months.
（Julien）
Years.
Simply abandon your self-respect,
come in once or twice a week
 151

to move papers around your desk,

and don’t make eye contact with Sylvie.
（Luc）
Ouais.
[Yeah.]
My friend got fired
from a law firm.
He was so angry
that he threw his phone into the Seine.
They couldn’t reach him
for weeks to complete his termination.
And then, they relaxed.
He’s a partner now.
（Julien）
We can throw your phone
in the Seine, if it helps.
（Emily）
Please don’t.
Thank you, guys.
I wouldn’t
have lasted here a week
without you.
（Luc）
Emily,
we will never desert you.
Never.

***
Gabriel）
[in French]
All I do is
think about you.
I thought
it would make you happy!
（Camille）
[in French]
You’re so selfish!
（Gabriel）
[in French]
No, you’re being selfish, Camille!
How can you say such a thing?
I have to work.
（Camille）
[in French]
That’s all you’re good for.
（Gabriel）
 152

Bonsoir, Emily.
（Emily）
Hi, Camille.
Is everything okay?
（Camille）
Well, not really.
（Emily）
Well, what happened?
Can I help?
（Camille）
Gabriel found a
restaurant he can afford.
（Emily）
Isn’t that good news?
（Camille）
The restaurant
isn’t in Paris, Emily.
It’s in Normandy,
where he’s from.
（Emily）
What?
He…
He’s moving to Normandy?
（Camille）
Yes.
Next week.
（Emily）
Next week!
Wh–
Uh, why are we
just finding out about this?
（Camille）
He just told me.
（Emily）
I don’t believe it.
I mean, I’m shocked.
Not more shocked than you, obviously.
You must be très[very] shocked.
（Camille）
I’m actually
really pissed off.
（Emily）
Ah, me too!
For you, I mean, it…
[Splutters]
What is he thinking?
 153

（Camille）
I don’t know.
Either he expects me
to move across the country
and leave my whole life behind,
or this is his way
of breaking up with me.
（Emily）
[Sighs]
I’m so sorry.
（Camille）
I’m just gonna go
to my parents’ house and, um…
I need
to think about all this, you know?
（Emily）
I understand.
And I’m here
if you need anything.
[chuckles softly]
（Camille）
I know.
（Emily）
Yeah.
（Camille）
I know.
Thank you, Emily.
[sniffles]
You’re such a good friend.
[softly] Yeah.
（Emily）
[Sighs]

***
Emily）
So were you ever gonna tell me?
Or just
leave me a note?
“Hey, going to Normandy.”
“Have a nice life.”
（Gabriel）
The deal came together quickly.
（Emily）
And you
never discussed it with Camille?
（Gabriel）
 154

She was always going to say no

to Normandy, or to anywhere
after I declined her mother’s loan.
But, you know, I grew up there,
and it’s a great opportunity.
I always dreamed
of a restaurant in Paris, but–
（Emily）
Sometimes your dream
is somewhere you didn’t expect it to be.
I get it.
I mean,
I thought Chicago was it for me,
and now here I am,
saying goodbye
to one of my first friends in Paris.
I just can’t imagine this city
without you living downstairs.
And without your omelets.
I’m really gonna miss
your omelets.
（Gabriel）
[Sighs]
They will miss you too.
（Emily）
I am excited for you.
You have a
picture of the new place?
（Gabriel）
Of course.
It’s next to a restaurant
with two Michelin stars
that is very popular.
Too popular, so I thought,
whenever people can’t get in–
（Emily）
They come to the place next door.
（Gabriel）
“The place next door.”
I should call it that.
（Emily）
[Chuckles]
（Gabriel）
Here, take a look.
It is humble but
quite charming.
 155

（Emily）
Hmm.
Seems like
the perfect fit for you.
（Gabriel）
Uh, and
this is the dining room.
I want to take out the bar.
And, well,
the kitchen is a bit small,
but once everything’s in place…

***
Julien）
Bonjour.
[Hi.]
（Emily）
Bonjour.
[Hi.]
（Sylvie）
What are you doing here?
Do I need to fire you again?
（Emily）
No. Um…
But I have outstanding clients,
and until the paperwork is filed,
I still have a duty
to them and to Savoir.
（Sylvie）
Julien, would you please
bring me a copy of the paperwork
so I can close this matter?
（Julien）
Mais oui, Sylvie.
[But yes, Sylvie.]
（Sylvie）
Thank you.
I’ll handle your clients’ needs.
But if you insist on coming here,
just get out of the way, hmm?
（Luc）
Sylvie!
I need
to talk to you about Maison Lavaux.
I do not think
it is the right fit.
 156

（Sylvie）
Why not?
（Luc）
Me and Antoine?
You know how is it
when you put
two alpha males together.
Somebody’s
going to get killed.
[roars softly]
（Emily）
Um, I…
I’d be happy to help.
（Sylvie）
But
you no longer work here.
（Luc）
Maybe just until
we find a better solution?
（Sylvie）
Fine.
It’ll keep you busy
until the termination is complete.
（Luc）
You’re welcome.
（Emily）
[Chuckles softly]
[sighs]

***
Julien）
This just came for you,
and I think you should see it.
（Emily）
Did you open this?
（Julien）
You are very indignant
for someone who does not work here.
（Emily）
Grey Space
took over Pierre’s old venue.
（Julien）
Oui.
[Yes.]
What a slap in the face.
(Cell Phone Vibrates)
 157

（Emily）
Matt, I just got an invitation
from Grey Space.
（Mathieu）
Pierre got one as well.
（Emily）
Really?
They’re dancing on his grave
and inviting him to watch?
That’s so insulting.
（Mathieu）
It’s despicable.
He is manic.
Oh, and
he wants to see you, now.
（Emily）
Okay. Um…
Tell Pierre I can make it
to the atelier in 20 minutes
if I hurry.
（Sylvie）
Excuse me?
You’re not going anywhere.
You’ve done quite enough
to ruin Pierre Cadault’s career.
（Emily）
He requested me personally.
（Sylvie）
[Scoffs]
Well, I’m coming with you.

***
Pierre）
Ah! Gossip Girl!
Elle est arrivée!
[She arrived!]
（Emily）
Bonjour, Pierre.
[Hello, Pierre.]
（Emily）
Comment ça va ?
[How is it going?]
（Pierre）
Mm.
Très bien.
[Very well.]
 158

I have
something you must see.
Come.

***
Pierre）
Emily,
I was about to show a stale,
lifeless collection.
I have been sleepwalking
for too long.
And now…
I wake up!
HA HA HA HA HA [laughs]
（Emily）
[Gasps]
Pierre!
Oh, it’s amazing!
（Pierre）
But you inspired it!
（Sylvie）
Yeah,
it’s very original, Pierre.
（Pierre）
The future of Cadault.
（Sylvie）
Oh.
（Pierre）
And I want the world to see
this immediately!
（Mathieu）
But the show is canceled,
so that presents a bit of a problem.
（Sylvie）
I love the idea, but
we can’t stage a show
with one dress.
（Pierre）
I shall make a dozen.
Right now!
（Mathieu）
You forfeited the venue yourself.
（Pierre）
Then find me another one!
（Emily）
I’ve got an idea!
 159

If it’s one-tenth
as brilliant as this dress,
you’ll be the toast
of Fashion Week.
You work on the clothes,
we’ll work on the venue.
（Pierre）
Mm.
Merci, Emily.
[Thank you, Emily.]
And now,
everyone out!
[Shouts, laughs]

***
Sylvie）
So what’s your grand idea?
（Emily）
Well, I haven’t thought of it yet.
（Sylvie）
God, you’re insane!
And so is he.
That explains everything.
（Emily）
Well… [sighs]
There must be
something we can do.
（Sylvie）
Yeah, sure.
We can call back
everyone we disinvited
and tell them to come
and look at one dress
in a venue we can book in a day!
（Emily）
See?
Easy.
（Sylvie）
Ugh.
No designer
will ever want to work at Savoir
after this disaster.

GREY SPACE FASHION WEEK

TAKEOVER!
（Emily）
 160

Ah!
Look at this!
Grey Space
is hijacking Pierre’s venue.
（Sylvie）
More empty stunts.
That’s all
anyone cares about anymore.
（Emily）
We need to look at things
from a different perspective.
（Sylvie）
Yeah, but there’s no way
we can find a venue.
（Emily）
I think we might already have one.
（Sylvie）
[Sighs]

***
Cell Phone Vibrates)
（Emily）
Hey, Min, what’s up?
（Mindy）
Hey, did you get my texts?
（Emily）
No, I didn’t.
Sorry.
I’ve been buried in work
since I got home.
（Mindy）
Oh, good.
You’re here.
(Knocking on Door)
（Mindy）
[Panting] Hey~
You don’t have an elevator, do you?
（Emily）
No, what…
what’s going on?
（Mindy）
Could you help me
with the rest of my bags first?
（Emily）
Sure.
[Grunting] Oh, okay.
 161

（Mindy）
Okay.
So I did what you said.
I took the job,
told them
I would make myself available
on Tuesdays and Friday nights,
and then avoided the question
of gender expression
with a coquettish laugh.
（Emily）
Okay.
I was kidding about that.
（Mindy）
And the Duponts fired me!
（Emily）
I thought it was really hard
to fire people in France.
（Mindy）
[Sighs]
It’s a lot easier
if you’ve overstayed your visa illegally.
I don’t know.
（Emily）
[Sighs] Well…
You can stay here
as long as you need.
（Mindy）
You are the best, Em.
I cannot thank you enough.
I’m gonna
buy you so much wine.
（Emily, Mindy）
Mm~!
（Mindy）
Wait, this is gonna be
so much fun!
(Knocking on Door)
（Mindy）
Oh, you know, um, can I–
I’m just gonna
change in there.
（Emily）
Okay.
（Mindy）
Can I just claim a drawer?
 162

（Emily）
There…
There’s just one drawer.
[chuckles]
（Mindy）
Cute!
(Knocking on Door)
（Emily）
Uh, okay.
[Grunts]

***
Gabriel）
Hey.
（Emily）
Hi.
（Gabriel）
Um, I brought you a
going-away present.
（Emily）
I think I’m supposed to
get you one of those.
（Gabriel）
Oh, uh, right.
Well, I thought you might like
to have this.
（Emily）
Really?
[chuckles]
Thank you.
（Gabriel）
And also,
if you’re not doing anything
tomorrow night,
it’s my last night
at the restaurant.
（Emily）
[Chuckles]
Tomorrow?
Wh– Why so soon?
（Gabriel）
You know, why wait
to start my new life?
（Emily）
And you and Camille…?
（Gabriel）
 163

We want different things right now.

And, uh… we need
to be free to do them.
（Emily）
What does that mean?
（Gabriel）
Well, she’s not coming to Normandy,
and I’m not staying in Paris,
so we will just go our own ways.
（Emily）
In America,
that’s called a breakup.
（Gabriel）
Yeah.
We…
We call it that here too.
（Emily）
I’m sorry.
（Gabriel）
It’s okay.
It’s just, uh… life.
（Emily）
All right. [sighs]
Um…
Thank you for the pan.
I promise I’ll never clean it.
（Gabriel）
[Chuckles]
Merci.
[Thank you.]
Um, I’ll see you at the restaurant.
If you can.
Bonsoir.
[Good night.]
（Emily）
[Sighs]
（Mindy）
Hot chef
is leaving Paris?
And he’s single?
（Emily）
You heard all that
from the bathroom?
（Mindy）
These walls are made
of straw and horsehair.
 164

It’d be harder not to listen.

What happened?
（Emily）
He’s buying a restaurant in Normandy,
and Camille doesn’t wanna move,
so he’s going alone.
（Mindy）
That’s it?
Em, you’ve been
mooning over each other
since you got here.
You have to–
（Emily）
I have
a lot of work tonight, okay?
（Mindy）
Got it.
I’ll be super quiet.
（Emily）
[Chuckles]

***
Sylvie）
How did Grey Space
get such a turnout?
（Mathieu）
Nervous?
（Emily）
Too scared to be nervous.
It’s gonna work.
It has to.
（Reporter 1）
Pierre! Pierre!
[in French]
Why did you cancel your show?
（Reporter 2）
Pierre! Pierre!
Are you here to see Grey Space?
（Pierre）
No.
You’re here to see Pierre Cadault!
[Laughs]
(Crowd Cheering)
（Pierre）
[Laughs hysterically]
（Julien）
 165

Oh, my God!
（Emily）
[Cheers]
（Crowd）
Pierre Cadault! Pierre Cadault! Pierre Cadault!
Pierre Cadault! Pierre Cadault! Pierre Cadault!

***
All）
Santé!
[Cheers!]
（Sylvie）
À la tienne.
[Cheers]
（Mathieu）
Bravo.
（Luc）
Paris Match:
“Pierre Cadault takes over Fashion Week.”
（Mathieu）
Whoo!
（Julien）
Yeah!
Daily Mail:
“The old guard is back”.
“The new guard is ringarde.”
（Emily）
Yeees!
（Pierre）
Daily Mail is appalling.
But I will frame that.
（Group）
[Laugh]
（Gabriel）
Thank you for being patient.
We’ve never been this busy.
（Emily）
Well, I tagged the restaurant
on Pierre’s Instagram stories
when we got here.
Sorry for the avalanche.
（Sylvie）
What?
Oh, merde.
[Oh, shit.]
（Catherine, Antoine）
 166

Bonsoir.
[Good evening.]
（Sylvie）
[Gasps] Catherine, Antoine!
What brings you here?
（Catherine）
Well, I follow Pierre Cadault
on Instagram.
（Pierre）
Ah, merci.
[Ah, thank you.]
（Catherine）
So when I showed Antoine this restaurant,
he said,
“Well, I know that place.”
So here we are.
（Sylvie）
Well, you’re right on time.
It’s the
chef’s final night in Paris.
He’s moving to Normandy.
（Antoine）
Are you serious?
（Catherine）
Incroyable!
[Unbelievable!]
What luck!
Antoine has been promising
to take me here for weeks now.
Huh, chéri ?
[Huh, darling?]
（Sylvie）
Oh, he’s full of promises, isn’t he?
Oh, excuse me.
So sorry.
Hmm.
（Catherine）
So, Emily,
I heard that you’re in charge
of Maison Lavaux now.
（Emily）
It seems so.
（Catherine）
I’m so pleased.
I think you will be a
much better fit for my husband.
 167

（Emily）
Right.
Uh, professionally.
（Catherine）
Whatever you wanna call it.
[whispers] I approve.
（Antoine）
Uh, chérie ?
[Uh, darling?]
Our table is ready.
（Catherine）
Lovely to see you.
Au revoir.
[Good bye.]
（Julien）
Au revoir.
[Good bye.]
Bonne soirée.
[Have a nice day.]
（Catherine）
Bonne soirée.
[Have a nice day.]

***
Emily）
I can’t believe
how happy Pierre looked tonight.
（Mathieu）
Mm-hmm.
You are a genius.
（Emily）
Pierre is a genius.
I just pulled off
a publicity stunt.
（Mathieu）
Regardless,
I would like to celebrate
with you properly.
（Emily）
Hmm.
（Mathieu）
Have you ever been to…
say, Saint-Tropez?
（Emily）
Never.
（Mathieu）
 168

What about this weekend?

（Emily）
I’d love to.
（Gabriel）
[in French]
Bye.
See you soon.
（Guest）
Merci. Au revoir.
[Thanks. Good bye.]
（Gabriel）
Merci. Merci.
[Thank you. Thank you.]
[in French]
Drive carefully.
（Antoine）
The most promising chef in the city
is leaving?
Paris was not what you dreamed?
（Gabriel）
Not exactly.
I…
I love Paris.
And
I love this restaurant.
Actually,
the owner wants to sell, but…
[sighs] …it’s too expensive.
（Antoine）
That’s what investors are for.
（Gabriel）
[chuckles]
I had an offer, actually.
My girlfriend…
Ex-girlfriend’s family.
（Antoine）
Mm-hmm.
（Gabriel）
But it was too…
（Antoine）
Compliqué ?
[Complicated?]
[chuckles]
My wife’s family
invested in my business
when I began, so…
 169

I understand.
You leave your girlfriend,
you lose your restaurant.
（Gabriel）
[Sighs]
I don’t think there’s anything left
for me in Paris, anyway.

***
Emily）
Pierre decided to call it a night?
（Mathieu）
Of course not.
I just put him in a car,
and he is going to crash
a Grey Space event at Caviar Kaspia.
I told him
we’d meet him there.
（Emily）
[Gasps]
（Mathieu）
Ah, the chef!
Dinner was excellent.
And congratulations
on your new place.
（Gabriel）
Merci.
[Thank you.]
Um, are you leaving?
（Mathieu）
One more party
before we put Fashion Week to bed.
（Gabriel）
Oh.
Sounds, uh, fun.
（Emily）
Actually, I was thinking
I’m probably just gonna go home.
（Mathieu）
Oh.
（Emily）
Is it Okay?
（Mathieu）
Of course.
We have all weekend to celebrate.
（Gabriel）
 170

Well, uh…
[sighs]
thank you…
for making my last night
in Paris so… memorable.
（Emily）
I was just returning the favor.
（Gabriel, Emily）
[Chuckle]
（Emily）
Well… um…
good night, Gabriel. [chuckles]
And good luck.
（Gabriel）
Au revoir.
[Good bye.]
（Emily）
[Chuckles]

***
Emily）
Gabriel!
Hello?
Gabriel!
[sighs]
（Gabriel）
Emily?
（Emily）
I… I just, I…
I didn’t want
that to be the last time
that we saw each other, and I’m–
I’m gonna miss you
so much, and I, uh–
(Door Bangs)

***
Gabriel）
I’ve thought about this
so many times.
（Emily）
[Chuckles]
I’d be lying if I said
I hadn’t thought about it too.
And…
it was incredible.
 171

But you’re leaving.

（Gabriel）
[Chuckles]
It’s just Normandy.
（Emily）
No, I know, I know.
It’s…
It’s not
that I can never see you again.
It’s just…
I don’t think I should…
ever see you again.
（Gabriel）
Oh.
And…
what if I wanna see you again?
（Emily）
Well, then
we’d both be hurting someone
that we care about a lot.
（Gabriel）
[Sighs]
（Emily）
We never
really had a chance.
But at least, now,
we have this one perfect thing.
And I feel like I’m dreaming
and I’m about to wake up.
（Gabriel）
Well…
let’s not wake up just yet.

***
Emily）
[Gasps]
Bonjour, Sylvie.
I just talked to Pierre’s publicist.
He’s doing an interview
with French Vogue tomorrow.
I was thinking–
（Sylvie）
Please, for once, just listen.
About our conversation the other day,
I’ve decided not to file
your termination paperwork.
 172

（Emily）
Oh.
Really?
（Sylvie）
[Scoffs]
You have potential,
but you lack polish.
So if you are to remain at Savoir,
I won’t be so easy
on you going forward.
Understood?
（Emily）
Understood.

***
Mathieu’s Message）
Booked the 6PM train Friday
to Saint-Tropez.
（Mathieu’s Message）
Sound good?
（Emily’s Message）

Can’t wait
（Antoine）
Emily!
Hi.
（Emily）
H– Hi! [chuckles]
Wow.
You must have really enjoyed
your meal last night.
（Antoine）
I’m here for business.
You?
（Emily）
Oh, I just live
right down there.
（Antoine）
That’s convenient.
（Emily）
Excuse me?
（Gabriel）
Hey.
（Emily）
Oh!
Uh, I…
 173

I thought you were

leaving this morning.
（Gabriel）
Uh, so did I.
（Emily）
So, uh,
what’s the champagne for?
[chuckles]
Your last hurrah?
（Antoine）
Quite the opposite.
I could not bear to see
Paris lose its most promising young chef.
（Gabriel）
Antoine wants to back me
in the restaurant. [chuckles]
（Emily）
In… In Paris?
（Antoine）
Of course.
Gabriel belongs here.
He’s too talented
to be banished to Normandy.
（Emily）
[Chuckles softly]
(Cell Phone Ringing)
（Antoine）
My wife.
Excuse me.
（Emily）
So you’re staying in Paris?
（Gabriel）
Yes.
（Emily, Gabriel）
[Chuckle]
（Gabriel）
Oh, don’t worry.
You can keep the omelet pan.
（Emily）
[Chuckles softly]
（Gabriel）
I’ll go
get another glass.
（Emily）
[Chuckles]
(Cell Phone Chimes)
 174

（Camille’s Message）
I just heard from Gabriel.
He’s staying in Paris.
（Camille’s Message）
Can we talk???
（Emily）
[Sighs deeply]

END
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