Arch of Triumph Page #4

A temporary field hospital.

At Aranjuez.

A little white cottage in an almond grove.

Yes, yes, I remember.

Oh, Alvarez, this is Miss Madou.

How is the leg now?

I can bend it completely.

It was good enough

to take me over the Pyrenees.

- It's all right.

- It's all over now.

Those of us who can are getting out.

- You're lucky to be here.

- Yes.

- Where are you staying?

- Here.

Beds, Doctor. Real beds.

It's a nice hotel.

Just got in this morning.

How are things here?

Oh, fine. The frontiers

are guarded by mere words.

The enemy will never break through.

- Same all over again.

- Maybe.

Would you like a drink?

Not now. There are things I have to do.

But we'll meet again.

You've hardly said a word

since we left the hotel.

Is it because of that man?

He called you Gunther.

- Yes, I know.

- Why did he do that?

Is your name Gunther?

My name is Ravic.

But he knew you.

Joan, names are unimportant.

Never bother yourself about names.

What's the matter?

Nothing. I'm happy.

I told you I'm in love.

Have you been happy often?

Have you?

Not often.

When was the last time?

Why do you ask me?

Oh, just to ask something.

Two years ago.

It didn't last long.

Why not?

He made terrible scenes.

He didn't understand

I no longer loved him.

One never understands that.

You would understand.

But then I would always love you.

You're different.

Everything with us is different.

He wanted to kill me.

They always talk about it,

but they never do.

You wouldn't want to kill me.

Your conversation

is becoming more human.

For a moment,

I was pretty frightened.

Because I love you?

Oh, we won't start that again.

We won't start what again?

Has anyone you loved ever told you

that he no longer loved you?

Yes.

What did you do?

Everything, but it didn't help.

- I was terribly unhappy.

- For long?

A week. About a week.

That's not very long.

It's an eternity if you're really unhappy.

I was so filled with unhappiness

that nothing else existed.

And, if nothing else exists,

there is nothing left

with which to compare it.

All one can do is to start to live again.

What are you thinking of?

Of how dangerous you are, Joan.

I'm not dangerous.

The fact that you think that is part of it.

- You must be tired.

- No, I'm not tired.

- Been walking for miles.

- You didn't answer my question.

What did you do in Spain?

- Cut off legs.

- That's no answer.

What kind of an answer do you want?

- A true one.

- I gave you a true one.

Something in you is closed, Ravic,

and you won't let anyone or anything in.

You're imagining things,

and I need a drink.

Let's sit here.

- Good evening.

- Coffee.

- Coffee and brandy.

- Very good, sir.

You drink too much.

Possibly.

Ravic, I'm in love.

I throw myself into it without a thought.

I love you and I'm happy.

I'm never cautious.

I'm never afraid of...

of saying what I feel.

But you put up a barrier.

There's something in you that resists.

What is it?

Ravic!

Ravic? Ravic, what is it?

You must tell me.

I'm sorry, Joan. I'll get you a cab.

I have something to do here.

Please go home.

Taxi!

- Will I see you later tonight?

- No.

Perhaps not for a few days.

But why, Ravic?

You must tell me why.

I can't talk about it.

All right.

Please, don't be angry with me.

How could I ever be angry with you?

Hotel de Milan.

- Hakke?

- Yes. I lost him.

On the corner of Avenue Georges V

and Champs-Elyses.

So. So the chances of meeting him

are not everywhere the same.

I intend to look everywhere.

Hey. Ravic, hey.

If you are destined to meet this man,

you will meet him.

Keep your eyes open everywhere.

Be prepared for anything.

But otherwise,

go on living as if you're mistaken,

or you'll drive yourself crazy.

Thank you, Boris.

No, no, no.

Don't take the gun.

You'll get only trouble.

Don't run any risks.

Don't be hero for nothing.

Hey! You must go, eh?

Yes.

Don't shoot unless you are sure

you can escape, eh?

This is your chance.

Don't worry.

Oh, Boris, please. Put out the light.

Oh. Yes.

Good morning, Mr. Ravic.

Miss Madou didn't go to work tonight.

She's been in all evening.

She's paying extra

for burning her lights all night.

Can't sleep in a dark room, she says.

Thank you.

You came back because of me.

Yes, Joan, because of you.

Only because of you.

I don't ask anything more.

Only that you love me.

I do. Without love, a man is dead.

- I love you!

- A dead man on a furlough.

Don't leave me again.

Love me, love me, love me.

Ravic, we've got to get out of this.

We must get away from this hotel,

away from the nightclub,

away from the town.

Yes, we'll go away, we'll go away,

where the sun is.

We'll wash the rain away.

Wash the past, too.

To Cannes or Antibes.

- Have you ever been there?

- No.

Then we'll go.

Have we any money?

Some. But in two or three weeks,

we'll have enough.

I have to open the stomach

of someone of importance.

He'll provide the rest of the money.

We'll live, Ravic, we'll live!

We'll live. Only time dies.

Look, I haven't a thing to wear.

I saw you come out of the water.

How could you?

Then I covered my eyes.

It was like Venus rising from the sea.

I didn't want to be struck blind.

Now I am blind.

Now I have my sight back.

- How was the water?

- Cold without you.

- But good?

- Yes, yes. Good.

How long can we stay?

We'll find out tonight at the casino.

Have we been winning?

Not enough.

Oh, Ravic, I wish I could

have this life always.

- You find that superficial, don't you?

- No.

It is superficial, but we've had

so little of that in our wretched lives.

In a few days, we'll go

back to Paris, to...

to that nightclub where

nothing ever changes

and to life in a dirty hotel.

It was dark before,

and it will be dark again.

Here comes Tinzy and Nugent.

Oh, they'll go away again.

We promised to go sailing with them.

Oh. Well, then. Go with them.

They're your friends.

Not my friends. They're yours.

You've known them longer.

- Ten minutes longer.

- Well, longer anyway.

- All right.

- Never mind.

Go if you want to.

Tell them I have to work.

You told them that yesterday.

Why is that all women love

these idiotic conversations?

You want to go for a ride?

Well, I have no boat.

Life is short.

We're only here for a few days.

Why should I persuade you

to do what you'll do anyway?

All right, you've persuaded me.

Good. I'll stay on this rock.

I'm beginning to feel like part of it.

You're not a rock.

You're a block of concrete.

Alex!

Monsieur is lucky.

Where's the beautiful lady tonight?

Tonight, the beautiful lady

is behaving like a beautiful lady.

Do you feel lucky?

Do you?

Not a chance.

The beautiful lady is here.

Will you please put that

on number 6 for me?

- All right.

- Thank you.

Ah, you are idiots.

Choose your side, Joan.

- Were you going to drive off without me?

- No.

You were going to leave me behind

with those idiots.

Where are you going?

Nowhere. Just for a drive.

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