Madame Martine Breaks the Rules

K-Gr 2—With a view of the Eiffel Tower outside her window, it's clear that Madame Martine is a Parisian, though she has never visited the world famous Louvre. Her friend Louis, a museum guard, continually asks her to peruse the enchanting artwork and impressive monuments, though she always uses her dog as her excuse for not paying a visit. Madame inadvertently enters the Louvre when her dog dashes into the museum, and Louis takes this unexpected opportunity to offer a hurried tour. They are chased by the guards, and Madame only realizes their true intentions when they are finally caught. While Madame is initially preoccupied with the pooch in her purse, the Mona Lisa's beauty stuns her. The narrative demonstrates the relationship between owner and pooch. "Madame Martine and her dog, Max, lived in a tall, narrow apartment building in the city of Paris. They did everything together." Dialogue provides insight into the adults' personalities. The final scene shows a dramatic view from the skyline as Madame, Louis, and the pup embark on a hot air balloon ride, high above the city streets. Hazy backgrounds saturated in golds and blues highlight the warm glow within the museum's walls and the cool outdoor air. Madame's striking red coat accentuates her starring role throughout the museum grounds.