Arch of Triumph Page #3

First virtue of hotel employees

is discretion.

Indiscretion is only for gentlemen.

Lieutenant Navarro,

aide-de-camp to Colonel Gmez.

The colonel requests you

to drink a glass of wine with him.

We are about to play game of chess.

You did a service for Colonel Gmez

some time ago.

This match must not be postponed.

Oh, no. It's for the championship.

What service did you render

this tin soldier?

I prescribed a laxative for him.

A fascist in the same situation

would have prescribed

for a Democrat a poison.

What's this? From a Russian?

No. Oh, I told you about her.

So she's the one.

Yes.

It's a busy day, eh? Come in.

I'm Captain Gonzales.

We are leaving tonight

to join the glorious army

of Generalissimo Franco.

The colonel would like to drink with you

to Spain and Spain's army.

Captain, I'm not a...

a Spaniard.

We know that.

You are an Austrian.

That makes you German.

Germany and Spain are friends.

Please give our regrets

to Colonel Gmez,

but the results of our game

must be cabled tonight

to New York and Calcutta.

We expected you to decline.

We only invited you

because you are with the doctor.

Don't you think we've had

about enough of this?

Yes, Colonel.

I think the simplest thing

is that you go back to your friends.

Thank you.

Thank you for promoting me

to rank of full colonel.

Well, I knew, of course, that you were

only a miserable lieutenant-colonel,

but it seems unbearable to me

that you shouldn't have

the same rank as this Gmez.

Have you, uh...

Have you seen her again?

No.

Uh. This, of course, is a cry for help.

Hmm. I suppose so.

Go see her, Ravic.

Why?

Well, because the colonel says so.

All right, all right.

I'll go and see her tomorrow.

Colonel Gmez.

This will be discussion

between two colonels, a short one.

- Gentlemen...

- Make no statement.

It will only cause conflict.

Now get out.

You should've got out

long ago, you know...

to Spain, to fight.

Germans and Italians

have fought for you there instead.

I am unable to challenge you.

I am leaving Paris tonight.

The fee for your consultation.

No. One moment.

One moment, please.

That is to sober you up! Now get out!

And remember in the future

not to throw money,

you medieval idiots!

Get out!

Get out, get out!

You.

If only you were not illegal,

I could've committed

magnificent damage.

God bless your eyes.

- And yours.

- Right.

The lady's in her room.

Uh, what's the number?

I don't remember her name.

Madou.

Oh, yes, yes. Joan Madou.

I don't think it's her real name.

Why don't you think so?

She registered as an actress.

Oh. I knew an actor

who called himself Gustav Schmidt.

His real name was Alexander Maria,

Count of Zambona.

Nowadays, so many things happen.

Mmm, so much does not

actually happen.

Thanks, but for me, it's enough.

For me, too. 27, you said.

Yes, sir.

Come in.

I hope I'm not disturbing you.

No. Please come in.

Won't you sit down?

Was this here when you moved in?

I had it put there.

I hate a bed...

in the daytime.

Were you going out?

Later.

Nowhere in particular.

I don't know anyone

except the proprietor, the waiter,

the chambermaid, and you.

It's time you got out of here. Come.

We'll have something to eat.

It's good to sit this way.

You came to me out of pity,

but it means a great deal to me.

Have you thought about

what you're going to do?

No. Not yet.

Well, the porter told me

that you were an actress

when I asked for your name.

You had forgotten it.

Yes. Well, no.

Uh, I'd left the slip of paper in my hotel.

You remember it now?

Yes. Joan. Joan Madou.

I'm not a good actress.

I've only played small parts.

In Italy.

Are you Italian?

My mother is Italian.

My father was Romanian.

My mother is still in Italy, I think.

Have you done anything else

besides small parts?

Some singing.

Do you speak any Russian?

No, but I sing in Russian.

Gypsy songs.

It might be easier.

I know someone who may help you.

Who?

Someone very important.

Colonel Boris Morosov.

He's a doorman at the Sheherazade.

Some doormen can do a lot.

Come out of that rain

and kiss me, you doter.

Doctor, I'm surprised to see you here.

I forced him, Boris.

This is my first night back in Paris.

Thank the stars I'm with you again.

Katya, you have a Russian soul!

Why did you have to be born

in that Boston?

Nature went mad that day, Boris.

You have not been around

since you sent me

this Joan Madou. Why?

What is the matter with her?

She's alone and hates it.

I'm alone, and I intend to stay that way.

What's the matter, Ravic?

Do you know that woman?

No.

Good evening.

You're alone.

Yes.

Oh, please. Do sit down.

I'll do it.

Uh, bring another glass, please.

This is vodka.

I don't know if you drink it.

We drank it at the Belle Aurore.

That's right.

I haven't heard that for a long time.

Well, shall we go on with this, or...

- What was it we drank?

- When?

The first night.

It was the warmest thing I've ever had.

Where did we drink it?

In that little bistro near the Arch.

Where the waiter had a woman

tattooed on his arm.

Oh. Now I know.

It must have been Calvados.

Apple brandy from Normandy.

Uh, waiter, have you Calvados?

Uh... no. Sorry.

No one ever ask for it.

You see?

This place is too elegant.

Well, the simplest thing would be

to go to that other place again.

I'm through for the evening.

Fine.

Waiter.

Check, please.

Thank you.

- Flowers?

- No, thank you.

Cab, monsieur?

- If you please, Colonel.

- Yes, sir.

Mother? Roses.

Tonight I love you.

Thank you, Colonel.

What's the joke?

The joke, my boy,

is that man is great in his intentions

but weak in carrying them out.

Therein lies our misery

and our charm.

God bless your eyes.

- Good night.

- Good night.

Drive on.

That's it.

That's where you sat the last time.

You still remember?

Perfectly. I never forget anything.

Do you remember what we drank?

Calvados.

Right. We'd like to repeat it now.

We'll see if it has the same taste.

Double.

You ordered double Calvados then.

You know, you're gradually

giving me an uneasy feeling.

Do you remember

how we were dressed?

Raincoats.

The lady wore a basque beret.

It's a pity you have to be here.

You belong in vaudeville.

I used to be. Circus.

I told you before.

This gentleman has a bad memory.

He's an expert at forgetting,

just as you're an expert at not forgetting.

Perhaps not, after all.

Does it taste as good?

Better.

Want another?

Would you like to leave?

Waiter.

These are what you had the last time.

Are they?

Yes, he's right. Laurents, Green.

You see? The lady has

a better memory than you have, sir.

That's yet to be proven.

- Thank you.

- Good night.

Good night.

I'll take you to your hotel.

Taxi.

I'm afraid the gentleman was right...

about memory, I mean.

Here.

Thank you.

Oh, Dr. Gunther.

Alvarez. Jaime Alvarez.

Don't you remember?

Remember now?

On a kitchen table.

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