For Better And For Worse
Chapter 60

Fountain bar.

This evening, Corneille warns his men.

Corneille: the boss is very angry because we lost 20% of his merchandise. He will come to see the facts himself, so we have an interest in replaceing this vigilante and recovering all the drugs he took.

Léon: when will the boss be here?

Corneille: I don’t know but it will be very soon. So we’d better get on with it. Be vigilant and bring me the f*****g vigilante.

So they go off to deal their drugs.

Anti-drug squad.

This morning, Commander Léon brings his share of drugs to the brigade. He will speak to Commander Boris.

Léon: we are approaching the goal, Commander, Gauthier will be able to show up on the scene very soon.

Boris: oh well, are you sure?

Léon: the information comes from Corneille himself.

Boris: when exactly?

Léon: no details on this but you must be ready at all times. I need something I can trigger that can alert you to take immediate action.

Boris: ok, Marlène will take care of making this device available to you.

Léon: well, let it be as soon as possible.

Boris: of course, thank you for what you do.

Léon: It’s not yet time for thanks. Goodbye Commander.

Leon leaves.

On Célestin and Stella’s side, no one dared to take the step. However, they suffer from this separation.

NEW YEAR

Prison.

It is the 1st day of the new year. There is celebration all over the country. However in prison, it is not about celebrating but it is a day where clandestine fights are organized because these fights bring in a lot of money. A guard comes to get Krist.

Guard: 8747, it’s time, take off your clothes!

Krist takes off his coat and the guard sees the medallion on his neck. He tears it off.

Krist: no, give me that again!

Guard: You’re not allowed to wear that here. Go forward!

He brings Krist and Aristide follows them. All the prisoners go to the fighting room. The announcer speaks and talks stuff before introducing each inmate who has to fight. Some mafia bosses as well as businessmen were there. The fights take place in blocks and there are 10 blocks. 1st fight, Bayoko against another inmate. The bets have been placed. At the end of the fight, Bayoko is the winner. 2nd fight, Krist against an inmate. The fight ends in a victory for Krist. But few bet on him.

Krist’s home.

This morning, before going to church, Isabelle advises Stella to go and apologize and reconcile with Célestin first, so she decides to go to his house. In the meantime, Séraphin also advises the same thing to his brother. It’s the new year so we need a fresh start. He also agrees to a reconciliation.

Prison.

On the other side of the prison, the fighting continues. Leo confronts another inmate and emerges victorious. Val confronts another inmate and defeats him.

Célestin’s home.

Meanwhile, Stella arrives at Célestin’s house. Séraphin is in the kitchen so he will open it himself.

Stella: hi!

Célestin: hello.

Stella: can I come in? We need to talk.

Célestin: of course, come in.

She enters and goes directly under the hangar and Célestin joins her. They sit side by side, heads bowed. They’re silent for a moment before they both begin.

Célestin & Stella: I…

Stella: ok, you start.

Célestin: no, you first.

Stella: ok. I know you warned me to never look for you when I knew the truth but I had to see you to apologize, even if there will never be anything between us again. I am sincerely sorry Célestin. I judged and condemned you without being able to give you a chance to explain and defend yourself. I never should have. I ask your forgiveness Célestin, I acted very badly and I am sorry, sincerely.

Célestin remains silent.

Prison.

On the other side of the prison, the fighting continues. While other fighters are in the ring, Bayoko approaches Krist.

Bayoko: You’re doing pretty well, but it’ll take more than that to beat me.

Krist: do you sing about victory before the war? You risk being disappointed my friend. Only one will remain standing and that will be me.

Bayoko (laughing): I admire your self-confidence my friend, we’ll see you in the ring.

Referee: We call the undisputed champion, Ba-yo-ko!

Bayoko: OK, they’re calling me.

He enters the ring to face a fighter whom he beats with a single blow of his shoe. Applause and shouts for him.

Célestin’s home.

Stella worries that Célestin won’t say anything.

Stella: please say something.

Célestin: no, in fact it’s me who apologizes, it’s all my fault. If I had told you about my twin brother, none of this would have happened.

Stella: you may be right, but I’m responsible too. If I had let you explain, none of this would have happened.

Célestin: you saw them making love and you thought it was me. In this case, we don’t want to listen.

Stella: Anyway, none of us are innocent so please know that I’m sorry.

Célestin: I accept your apologies Stella and to tell you the truth, know that I love you more than anything and this love is so strong that nothing can break it but also know that our love cannot survive if we do not communicate . My father always told me that love only needs two essential things: communication and trust. If there is a problem, we have to communicate to try to replace a solution, otherwise we will crash. With that, I also apologize to you and as they say, love forgets everything.

Stella: thank you very much Célestin, I did not imagine that things would be so simple, I am very happy that you have forgiven me so I also accept your apologies.

Célestin: thank you, do you agree to a new update?

Stella: yes, completely agree.

Célestin: let’s now try not to make the same mistakes again. Our mistakes help us to correct ourselves, to improve ourselves, so let’s become better.

Stella: Yes. I love you.

Célestin: I love you too.

They k**s when Séraphin, who was looking for his brother, arrives.

Séraphin: brother, breakfast is ready.

Célestin: we’re coming.

He goes back inside and they get up to follow him.

Célestin: shall we go out this evening?

Stella: Okay, with pleasure.

They go to have breakfast and Célestin makes the introductions. Stella apologizes to Séraphin for hitting him. He accepts her apology and everything returns to normal.

Krist’s home.

This morning, Doctor Roger visits Isabelle. She comes to open it for him.

Roger: hello Isabelle.

Isabelle: what are you doing at my house?

Roger: it’s the 1st day of the year Isabelle, that’s not a good way to welcome me.

Isabelle: Happy New Year, doctor. Now go!

Roger: thank you my queen, I just wanted to see you and wish you a wonderful year. Goodbye my queen.

He has not yet left when Séverin arrives.

Prison.

The fights continue, the bets increase as they go. Krist has attracted attention, people are starting to bet on him and they are not disappointed. He emerges victorious from a fight with one of Bayoko’s men. He lets Bayoko know that he has his eye on him with a wave of his fingers. Having seen that Krist is starting to attract attention, Francis approaches him after a fight in which he always wins. On the other side at Célestin’s, he decides to accompany Stella home.

Krist’s home.

Séverin arrives and meets Roger. He greets Isabelle and they exchange k****s.

Séverin: what’s going on, is this gentleman bothering you?

Isabelle: no, he was already leaving.

Roger: who is he Isabelle?

Isabelle: how does that concern you?

Séverin: and who are you?

Roger: I have no explanation to give you.

Isabelle: ok, ok, let’s calm down. This is Doctor Roger, he stopped by to wish me a happy new year. Doctor, this is Séverin, a very good friend. He also stopped by to wish me a happy new year.

Séverin: obviously! Happy New Year to you Isabelle.

Isabelle: thank you. Now I’m asking you to leave because I’m getting ready to go to church.

Séverin: Exactly, I’m coming to accompany you.

Isabelle: no, that’s not necessary.

Célestin and Stella arrive at the same time.

Prison.

Meanwhile in prison, the fighting continues. Leo fights a guy from Bayoko. He did it dirty, which made his boss angry with him. Emerging victorious from the Ring, Bayoko approaches him.

Bayoko: you know how to fight but we’ll see if you can hold up against me.

Leo: don’t be in a hurry my champion, everyone has their turn at the hairdresser.

Krist comes to congratulate his friend.

Krist: you surprise me Leo.

Leo: I’m aiming for the summit.

Krist: that’s good but only one will remain standing and…

Bayoko: that will be me.

Krist’s home.

Célestin and Stella come to see what is going on in front of Isabelle’s house.

Célestin: hello, I am Master Célestin, what is going on here?

Isabelle: nothing master, I receive a lot of happy new year wishes.

Célestin: ah, it’s good to think of the people who matter to us.

Roger: exactly master. Good year.

Célestin: thank you, same thing!

Roger: okay, I’ll leave you, have a good rest of the day.

Roger gets back in his car to leave; Séverin follows after him. Célestin wishes Isabelle a happy birthday and wishes them a good day before leaving. As for them, they enter and discuss their reconciliation before going to the church.