It was 20 May 1937.
News had already slipped past closed doors.
France was preparing to send troops into Spain.
Inside the cabinet wing, Minister Reynaud stormed in with the latest economic projections, concern written plain on his face.
"We cannot finance this. The banks are on edge. The franc is still recovering."
Moreau stood by the window, coat off, shirt sleeves rolled, staring silently over the gardens.
He didn't turn when he replied.
"The cost of inaction is higher."
Reynaud hesitated, then bowed his head.
He left without further argument.
By noon, it was official.
The radio stations received a short communiqué.
"The Head of State will address the nation at 16:00 hours regarding the Spanish crisis."
Across France, everything paused.
In factories and train stations, in bakeries and schools, people turned toward their radios.
Some didn't go to work at all. Families gathered in silence.
Soldiers clustered around base loudspeakers.
