3:50 p.m, Claude-Nicolas-Ledoux square, Denfert-Rochereau, Paris,14th district.
An old woman is sitting by herself on a bench. She wears jewels and high heels. I find her to be touching. I sit by her side. She asks me (in english) :
Are you parisian ? French ?
Yes
Are you parisienne ? Non ?
Yes. Are you ?
Parisienne, I am.
I keep on dancing. She says (in french) :
Rubbish, are you really parisian ?
yes.
Well… real parisians don’t behave this way ! No… I am sorry.
When the dance is over, I speak to her. She tells me :
– I use to be a dancer, a tango dancer, but I don’t go anymore. There is to much vulgarity, even at The Champs-Élysées : mini skirts for women and jeans for men. I loved dancing, I miss it. There are many pictures of me, but I don’t go anymore, to much vulgarity. Paris isn’t Paris anymore.