Daily Dialogue — November 8, 2014

Madame Anais: I have an idea. Would you like to be called “Belle de Jour”?
Séverine Serizy: Belle de Jour?
Madame Anais: Since you only come in the afternoons.
Séverine Serizy: If you wish. 
Madame Anais: You look nervous. Relax. You’ll leave at five. Don’t worry. Is someone waiting for you? (plays with Séverine’s fingers) A boyfriend? A husband? I don’t want to be nosy. Kiss me.

— Belle de Jour (1967), adaptation and dialogue by Luis Buñuel and Jean-Claude Carrière, novel by Joseph Kessel

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Seduction, suggested by Markham Cook.

Trivia: “Belle de jour” is a day lily in French, a flower that blooms only by day, as Severine is available only during the afternoons. “Belle de jour” is also a sort of pun, as it reminds us of “belle de nuit”, a euphemism for prostitute.

Dialogue On Dialogue: This is a different type of seduction, not that Madame Anais wants to have sex with Séverine, rather to ‘warm up’ Séverine in preparation for her first encounter as a prostitute.

If you have a suggestion for this week’s theme, please head to comments. It’s good karma!