A family's desperate gamble on the Pope's visit leads to financial ruin.
Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
The Unfair Closure
Georges and Renée lose their pub to a cheaper competitor. Georges takes odd jobs selling washing powders and water cleaners to support the family.
Key Events
Pub Closed by Competition — Georges and Renée close their pub due to unfair competition from a cheaper rival. Characters: Georges, RenéeLocation: Original neighborhood pub
Odd Jobs for Income — Georges sells washing powders and water cleaners to make ends meet. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Local markets
The Airport Gamble
Georges secretly visits a pub near the airport and learns of the Pope's upcoming mass. He signs the lease, betting on a flood of visitors.
Key Events
Secret Pub Viewing — Georges secretly visits a remote pub with a real estate agent. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Pub near Sint-Denijs-Westrem airport
Pope's Mass Discovery — Georges learns Pope John Paul II will celebrate mass at the airport. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Sint-Denijs-Westrem airport area
Lease Signed for Cafe Derby — Georges signs the lease, betting on visitors to the Pope's mass. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Cafe Derby
Flanders Expo Construction — Flanders Expo is being built nearby, promising future growth. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Sint-Denijs-Westrem neighborhood
Dreams of Riches
Georges and Renée plan the market and dream of retirement. The committee's reversal is dismissed as a minor setback.
Key Events
Strategic Location Realization — Georges realizes the only route to the event passes his pub. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Cafe Derby
No Competition Nearby — Georges learns there are no competitors and the committee won't sell food. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Cafe Derby
Visitor Optimism — Georges estimates half of 120,000 visitors will drink at his pub. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Cafe Derby
Market Planning — Georges and regular customers plan a market with food and souvenirs. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Cafe Derby garden
Retirement Dream — Georges and Renée hope to retire and secure their children's future. Characters: Georges, RenéeLocation: Cafe Derby
Committee Reversal — One week before the event, the committee announces it will sell food. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Cafe Derby
The Barrier Disaster
On the day of the mass, safety barriers block the lane to Cafe Derby. Georges confronts the gendarmerie but cannot remove them.
Key Events
Committee Reversal — One week before the event, the committee announces it will sell food. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Cafe Derby
Stubborn Confidence — Georges remains confident visitors must pass his pub anyway. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Cafe Derby
Mass Day Arrives — The day of the Pope's open-air mass finally arrives. Characters: Georges, RenéeLocation: Sint-Denijs-Westrem airport
Barriers Block the Lane — The lane to Cafe Derby is closed with safety barriers. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Lane towards Cafe Derby
No Access to Pub — No one can reach the pub or the market due to the barriers. Characters: Georges, RenéeLocation: Cafe Derby
Gendarmerie Confrontation — Gendarmerie refuses to let Georges remove the barriers. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Lane towards Cafe Derby
Blame and Counter-Blame — Georges blames the committee; they blame the mayor and city council. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Cafe Derby
Financial Ruin
The fiasco leaves Georges with massive debt, unable to pay rent or buy new stock. The family's dreams collapse.
Key Events
Blame and Counter-Blame — Georges blames the committee; they blame the mayor and city council. Characters: GeorgesLocation: Cafe Derby
Financial Ruin — Georges is left with over 500,000 Belgian Francs of debt. Characters: Georges, RenéeLocation: Cafe Derby
Unable to Pay — Georges cannot pay the rent or afford new stock. Characters: Georges, RenéeLocation: Family home
Story Breakdown
The Unfair Closure — Georges and Renée lose their pub to a cheaper competitor.
Forced Shutdown — The pub closes due to unfair competition.
Struggling for Income — Georges sells washing powders and water cleaners.
The Airport Discovery — Georges finds a pub near the airport and learns of the Pope's mass.
Secret Pub Visit — Georges views the pub without Renée's knowledge.
Pope's Mass News — John Paul II will celebrate mass at the airport.
The Lease Gamble — Georges signs the lease, betting on the Pope's visitors.
Signing the Lease — Georges commits to Cafe Derby hoping for quick riches.
No Competition Assumption — No nearby rivals and the committee won't sell food.
Market Preparations — Georges and regular customers plan a market in the pub garden.
Garden Market Stalls — Stalls sell food, drinks, and souvenirs.
Retirement Dreams — Georges and Renée plan to retire and secure their children's future.
The Committee's Reversal — The committee announces it will sell food and drinks after all.
Annoying Announcement — Georges is annoyed but not worried.
Visitor Optimism — Georges trusts that visitors must pass his pub.
The Barrier Disaster — Safety barriers block the lane to Cafe Derby on mass day.
Blocked Lane — No one can reach the pub or market.
Gendarmerie Refusal — Georges cannot remove the barriers for security reasons.
Financial Collapse — The fiasco leaves the family in debt and despair.
Massive Debt — Over 500,000 Belgian Francs owed.
Unable to Recover — Rent unpaid and no money for new stock.
1985. Georges is a born market vendor. As a driven salesman he sells anything, anytime, to anyone. When he hears that the Pope is coming to Belgium, he smells his chance. In addition to the grounds, where tens of thousands of believers will attend an open-air mass, Café Derby is for rent. Georges is sure to earn a small fortune. But his wife and five children are not convinced. It would be another move in too short a time. But as George puts his mind to something...
