Nothing To See Here, Move Along...Please?

A quiet corner in a small village in the southwest of France.  A white Ford Escort pulls up at the stop sign on a slight hill and, attempting to make a left, stalls.  A blue Audi pulls up behind her, too close.  The Escort stalls out again and rolls back a little, as the Audi inches even closer.  The driver in the Escort, still trying to get the hang of driving a manual transmission car, is becoming a little frantic at this point.

A cyclist in full regalia approaches at the opposite stop sign and waits expectantly for the Escort to make its turn.  The Escort driver gestures to the biker to GO.  The Audi also gets the idea, passes the Escort and drives off. 

Yonder comes a family on foot.  Grandpa, grandma, uncle in a wife-beater, mom, dad and three kids.  Grandpa gestures towards the most exciting sight any of them have seen in months: a Ford Escort stalling, restarting, and stalling again at the corner.  They gape, first in confusion, then enjoyment.  They send someone back home to get Greatgrandfather, and maybe bring some snacks and lawn chairs.

Because the white Escort is still trying to get into first gear and make the left.  Now there is an ancient Renault with a redfaced farmer breathing down her neck, and a Berlingo van behind him.

The driver of the white Escort is sweating, pressing the clutch, pulling and releasing the hand brake and trying to get the car into first and around the corner without rolling backwards into the farmer.  He finally goes around the Escort, making sure to curse loudly and gesture out the window.

A crowd is gathering across the street.  A couple of guys from the PMU cafe have gotten wind of the situation and are busy taking bets on whether the Escort will make the turn.  The sweat-soaked driver is screaming at the Berlingo to go around her.  Her boyfriend in the passenger seat offers helpful suggestions. When she finally bursts into tears he offers to drive.  They both jump out of the car, switch places, and drive off to a round of applause from the spectators.

This performance will be repeated later this evening, possibly.  Better get there early.