Mambo #3

In "Le despote," Richard Wibaux—driven by ambition and consumed by work—relies on his devoted secretary Betty to manage every detail of his life, from his wardrobe to his social calendar. When his promotion hinges on appearing married, he asks Betty to choose a bride, setting off a quiet, bittersweet chain of events as she prepares him for a reception meant to cement his new role. The story unfolds with quiet tension as Richard’s world narrows to duty, and Betty’s hopes for a future with him hang in the balance.

Susie Tellier tries to reclaim her sleep after a late night with a boyfriend, only to find her quiet evening disrupted by the persistent noise from her upstairs neighbor, M. Denoze. As she attempts to unwind with warm milk and a book, the disturbance makes her wonder if there’s a way to find peace in the just-right balance between her own needs and those of the people around her.

In "Un garçon dans mon arbre," Stephanie finds herself torn between her affection for a cherished tree and the encroaching promise of progress. When a lumberjack named Régis Carlier arrives to cut it down, her words—spoken in frustration—echo in ways she never expected, setting off a chain of quiet consequences that ripple far beyond the forest’s edge.

In the quiet countryside of 1978, Virginie stumbles upon a stranger fleeing a passing train, leading to an unexpected arrival at her uncle’s farm. As the man settles in and earns the family’s trust, Virginie finds herself drawn to his quiet charm—yet something about him remains just out of reach. When she uncovers a hidden bag of money in his room, the mystery deepens, stirring questions she can’t ignore.