Un monsieur flegmatique

Overview

The story follows an absurdly calm and indifferent man whose every action is extreme yet executed with total composure. When his doorbell breaks, he shoots a mirror to summon his valet. On a walk, he shoots down a window that drops on a man’s head, lights a cigarette in front of an oncoming car, and hijacks a cab at gunpoint. At a hotel, he breaks dishes, tips a waiter who spills soup on him, and leaves wearing another guest’s coat. Even when stabbed by robbers, he calmly removes the dagger and hands it to a policeman. Returning home, he shoots open his door, but his composure is finally tested by mosquitoes. His valet catches and powders each insect, astonishing his otherwise unflappable master.