Nadar Elevating Photography to Art

The other day, I pulled off another smart trick... I had set up a firm with a capital of ten million francs to exploit top boots in cardboard ... I had placed only eight shares worth a petty 1200 francs... I called together my eight shareholders and held forth in something like the following manner: "Ah! Good-day ye strolling gentlemen, how handsome you are, how fine you seem!" I promised them more cheese than bread, I gave them a 50% dividend, I warmed them up a bit and let them simmer... The following day they couldn't get hold of my shares fast enough, I placed all of them and at the next meeting I said: "The last time I did the books I made a mistake. I forgot to take into account the price of the cardboard and its fabrication. You must return the dividend I gave you, I'm going to hold it back... I put down nothing and kept back the r

Un Guichet de théatre.

Robert Macaire at the restaurant. - My God!... By the most appalling error my friend and I forgot to take some money this morning... As you don't have the honor of knowing us, may I offer you as collateral for the 6 francs, 25 centimes we owe you these ten shares of the newspaper La Presse, or perhaps my friend's hat. - I would really prefer your friend's hat!

Croquade Divers

Robert Macaire, business agent. Yesterday I made a mistake when I said that your business is in good shape. It's detestable. The government owes you five hundred thousand francs, it's true, but the debt hasn't been recognized, there's a forfeiture today, you won't have a penny. However, come to think of it, there's Mr. de St. Bertrand, a rich capitalist, an imbecile, sell him your interests for a hundred crowns, that'll be a splendid deal... (aside) and not expensive.

The Grand Stairway of the Palais de Justice

Robert Macaire, barrister. - My dear Bertrand, give me a hundred crowns and I'll get you acquitted right away. - I've no money. - All right, give me a hundred francs. - I haven't got a penny. - You don't even have ten francs? - Not a farthing. - Then give me your boots, and I'll plead extenuating circumstances.

The Grand Stairway of the Palais de Justice

The Shareholders' Meeting. It definitely seems the business is on the right track.... since the director asks us to put in another 500'000 Francs!

The Grand Stairway of the Palais de Justice

Robert Macaire business agent. - By the devil! It's really admirable of you to break your back to pay off your debts, my good chap, wipe them out at once! - But how? - Good heavens! Bring me your books, I'll put them in order, it's my specialty, we'll settle for a few liabilities, a large number of assets, we'll assemble your creditors, we'll offer five percent to be paid over ten years, you won't give them anything during the ten years, in ten years' time you'll start again, your creditors will be dead, the debts forgotten and nobody will say a word about it.