Once she arrives, Diouana is overwhelmed with cooking and cleaning for the rich couple and their friends. They treat her harshly, give her few breaks, and Diouana is confused as to her role. She thought that she would be caring for the children as in Senegal, and would be able to go outside and discover France. Yet, in France, her character is trapped inside the apartment, cooking and cleaning the house - a clear contrast to her previous life in Senegal where she spent much time outdoors. When Diouana works, she wears a fancy dress and heels. The mistress of the house tells her to remove them, telling her "don't forget that you are a maid". At one of the couple's dinner parties, one of their friends kisses Diouana without her consent, explaining "I've never kissed a black girl before!"