FRANCE: Wedding Party

Buchenwald had taught Mayor Doinel of Brunoy that “there are no good Germans.” For five months he had blocked the marriage of his fellow townsman, swart Achille Nicolo, who had also returned from German captivity, with a German bride-to-be. But the Mayor could carry obstruction no further. The papers of the couple were in perfect order. The Department Subprefect had warned him that he must perform the ceremony.

To Brunoy’s drab Town Hall came the bride, her pregnant body wrapped in a worn rabbit fur coat, and the bridegroom, his shoulders hunched in a ragged overcoat. A disapproving, contemptuous crowd stood in the wedding hall, the long room outside the Mayor’s office. Hate was the chief witness.

The Mayor’s door opened. The bridegroom’s face turned ashen, the bride’s fists clenched. M. Doinel was wearing his baggy Buchenwald uniform, black-&-white stripes with a red triangle numbered 78633. Slowly he read the service. . . . “Will you take for your husband. . . . Will you take for your wife. . . .” Slowly they answered. . . . “Ja. . . Oui. . . .”

It was done. The Mayor handed the newlyweds their marriage certificate. “You recognize this striped suit. . . .” he said in benediction. “It is against my will . . . that I performed this ceremony. You have the wishes of a political deportee.”

Then M. Doinel turned his back. With hate looking on, M. and Mme. Nicolo did not exchange the nuptial kiss. Silently they left the wedding hall. A woman spectator spat.