Séverine is haunted under childhood memories. Those include one in which a man appears to touch her in an iappropriate manner. Séverine goes to the brothel. The place is run by Madame Anaïs. That afternoon Séverine gives service to her first client. At first, she does not want to have sex. But then, she responds to the "firm hand" of Madame Anaïs. Séverine then receives the name "Belle de Jour" She has sex with the client. Séverine stays away for one week. She then comes back to the brothel. She begins working from two to five o'clock each day. Later, Séverine returns to her husband in the evenings.