Arabesque Page #2

I didn't mean

to interrupt your threat.

- If I'm not finished by 8:00-

- Then you'll be my guest for dinner.

I see.

And if I should happen

to run just a smidge over?

You'll find this house

a very comfortable place to work in, Mr. Pollock,

however long it takes you.

- Hello.

- Hello.

Hello.

Hello, hello, hello.

What are you doing?

Oh, these English crosswords

are devilish, don't you think?

You're an American.

Yes, sir. Indeedy-do, ma'am.

I don't meet many Americans.

Actually, I don't meet

many people who are dressed like that either.

Do you like it?

Would you do me up, please?

Ah, ah.

Oh.

Can you manage?

Well, I- I always

tremble when I'm happy.

I take it that you're a houseguest here.

Why do you take that?

One doesn't usually

arrive for high tea dressed in a nightie.

One also isn't a houseguest in one's own house.

Oh, it's your house.

I got the impression it was

Mr. Beshraavi's house.

Nejim gives that impression

with everything he borrows,

but, I assure you,

it is my house, and he's the guest.

Would you care

to stay for dinner?

I'm afraid that

our little street urchin has already invited me.

How bothersome.

You are working on the cipher,

aren't you?

Let's not talk about work.

Let's talk about you.

Please, listen.

I don't know what Nejim has told you-

There you are, Yasmin.

I hardly expected to find you here.

- In her own house?

- In the library.

Yasmin has so many talents,

she has practically no time for reading.

I'm sorry to tell you this,

my dear, but Mr. Pollock is as poor as a church mouse.

- Will you come

and change for dinner? - Excuse me.

Those slippers

are absolutely beautiful, my darling.

Are you wearing them for my benefit?

Of course, Nejim.

Mr. Pollock does not have

your exotic refinements.

He prefers nighties.

She said it, I didn't.

Mr. Pollock...

some Bedouins are in the habit

of saying to their guests,

I am not one of them.

Delicious, Beshraavi.

What is it, squab?

- Lark.

- "Lark"? Good heavens.

They've been soaked in honey

for eight days.

What about you, Mr. Pollock?

Or is the prospect too exotic?

I trust you'll notify

my next of kin.

Go on, Mr. Pollock.

Courage.

Oh, I am sorry.

That's all right. I've always had a sweet tooth.

I hate being clumsy.

I despise it.

But you never are, my dear.

This is the first time

I've seen you be so gauche.

You've dropped something.

Well... so I have at that.

What do you suppose it is?

It looks like a little

piece of folded paper, doesn't it?

Let's see if there's

anything written on it.

Was that you?

I'm terribly sorry.

Let's see if there's

anything written on it.

There is something

written on it.

Don't keep it a secret.

What is it?

It's a prescription.

I suffer from indigestion.

All those dry books

I try to digest.

Perhaps we can have it

made up for you.

There's an all-night chemist

just around the corner.

Don't bother.

No bother.

One of the servants-

It would be for them. It's absolutely unnecessary.

I think I'd better be

getting back to work.

The dinner

was delicious...

and... that was

quite a lark.

Well-

He certainly was strange,

even for an American.

I'm sure you and Mr. Beauchamp

have business to discuss,

so I'll develop

a splitting headache before your talk gives me one.

Good night, Mr. Beauchamp.

Good night, Miss Azir.

When are you going

to let me show you around my bank?

The moment I find myself

in need of refinancing.

You, I'll see later,

no doubt.

Beauchamp,

you've been oozing good fellowship all evening.

When a banker oozes,

someone's in a lot of trouble.

Let us have

your bad news.

I was too discreet

to mention it in front of your guests,

but do you know

what they've been saying about you on the exchange?

Your brokers gossip

like old Arab women at the well.

They say that

when Prime Minister Jena arrives the day after tomorrow,

he's going

to sign the treaty.

They say the treaty specifies

Anglo-American finance...

in return for a promise

your country uses English and American tankers.

They say your ships

will be laid up for good.

That's what they say?

If they go on saying that, old boy,

by the end of the week,

your shares will be down ten points.

Don't worry.

There will be no treaty signed, "old boy."

I happen to have

in my employ a most dependable soothsayer.

Psst. In here.

Now then, Miss Azir,

I wonder if you'd tell me

what this is all about.

Call me Yasmin. At least while you're in my bathroom.

Now then, Yasmin,

I wonder

if you would tell me what is going on?

Professor Ragheeb didn't fall out of any window.

They murdered him!

Beshraavi?

I doubt if it was him personally.

How do you know?

What difference does it make?

They killed him,

and they'll kill you too. You'd better keep out of this.

Me?

Why should Beshraavi

have anything against me?

He needs me to decipher the inscription.

And when you've done it?

Good point.

The message is much

too important...

for anyone he doesn't own

to know about it.

What about you?

Lock, stock and barrel?

This is ridiculous.

We're in England,

a civilized country, right in the middle of London.

Over there is Regent's Park.

There's the zoo.

Over in Buckingham Palace,

the Queen is probably playing Scrabble.

He can't own anyone here.

Everyone has his price.

How much, Mr. Pollock?

$30,000.

I did not settle so cheaply.

Why should you care...

what happens to me?

I care about all things

that live, Professor.

$30,000 in exchange

for your old age is a very bad bargain.

Do you know-

Who is it?

Yasmin, why have you

locked the door?

Yasmin...

can you hear me?

I was about to take

a shower, darling.

You know how I despise

locked doors.

Forgive me, Nejim.

People who lock doors

generally have things to hide.

Would you care

to search me?

Would I find

your thoughts?

Well?

Darling, don't ask me

to speak with my mouth full.

You know, at dinner,

just for a moment,

I thought that you

deliberately knocked over that plate...

and smuggled a note to Mr. Pollack.

Imagine.

That really is

extraordinary.

Jealous? You?

I'm jealous of your thoughts, Yasmin.

I'm jealous of everything

I can't see or hear. Your shower's still running.

I'll turn it off.

No, take your shower.

Maybe I won't tonight.

I'm so sleepy.

In that case, please do.

I want you wide awake.

There now.

Wasn't I right? Isn't that refreshing?

You might say that.

You feel wide awake now?

Yes, but I wish I weren't.

You sound very tense,

my love. Turn around.

Let the water

run down your back.

It soothes the nerves.

I don't think it would.

- Nejim?

- Yes?

Why is Mr. Pollock

working on that inscription?

It's a business matter, my love.

It would only bore you.

- What was that?

- I dropped the soap.

Would you like me to pick it up for you?

Oh, no, no, I-I'll manage.

Somehow.

Have you got it?

Yes, darling. It's all right.

Extraordinary sensation.

Perhaps it was the way

he looked at you.

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