At the same time, on the first floor of the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development, Johnny-Loup Picotin entered the minister's office without knocking. A layman could have seen it as a mark of disrespect for his boss, the always dashing Clotilde Moulière, but it was not. It was part of the protocol she had established when she arrived, Boulevard Saint-Germain.

"Madam Minister, can I disturb you?

"Do you have to play dumb? It annoys me. We reserve the fuss for public performances.

"Sorry, but I like protocol. It's valuing all this stuff... The golds of the Republic...

" Comedy, go! You're really a sissy! When I think we slept...