Arch of Triumph Page #7

You didn't call me for days,

so I had to call you.

Come.

How do you like it?

It's nice.

Large and nice.

Do you know how it works?

- No.

- Oh, it's wonderful.

It plays for hours,

and I can lie here and listen

and watch it getting

dark outside and dream.

Do you like it?

Come, you haven't seen the rest yet.

One feels quite different

in an apartment.

Different than in those

dreary hotel rooms.

Yes, you're right.

Well, that's nice to have

had a look at all this.

Ravic, you're not going?

Yes, Joan. For good.

What are you saying? Why?

This whole place should tell you why.

Who's been talking to you,

telling you things? Morozov?

No one had to tell me anything.

I know, because I have this apartment,

because I don't work

at the Sheherazade any longer,

Morosov starts imagining things,

and you fall right in with him.

- Stop it.

- That a person can be somebody,

and make something out

of herself, that's a bit...

Now stop your nonsense.

Are you going to beat me, too?

I just wanted to stop that babbling.

Do you think I'm calm just because

I came in here calmly?

What do you think I've been doing

for the past three days?

I've been waiting for you.

I didn't have your telephone number.

I didn't think I had to know it.

I didn't have your address.

I didn't think I had to know that, either.

For three and a half months

I didn't see you.

Well, I don't think

I missed you as much then

as when you kept away

from me for one day.

My thoughts were constantly on you

in my room at the hospital,

everywhere.

I sat with Morozov

and pictured you walking in.

But you didn't come.

I stared at the phone until I could have

smashed it on the floor.

But you didn't call.

Then everything became clear to me.

I knew you wouldn't come,

only I hadn't wanted to believe it.

You had made sure of me,

then you could afford

to take your time.

There was someone else.

Not only someone else,

but another life, as well.

This life, that you want me to share.

So, you'll break it off and go.

As simple as that.

You didn't want to know anything,

and I loved you for it.

And now... now you come

and reproach me.

What do you want of me, anyway?

What rights have you?

None. I thought you had come back.

Well, didn't I?

You came to me,

but you did not come back.

Ravic, listen to me.

While you were in Switzerland, I waited.

I waited, and there was nothing.

Then, one day, someone came...

who wanted me.

Nothing but me.

Wholly and forever.

It was like a landslide,

which one laughs at in the beginning.

Then, suddenly,

there's nothing left to hold onto...

when one can't resist any longer.

Don't you understand?

Oh, yes.

I knew.

I knew it.

It's quite easy to understand.

Beside you, he's nothing.

I knew that the minute I saw you.

I know I must break with him, but...

I need time.

L... I can't do it right away.

You see how generous he has been.

I didn't know if you

would ever come back.

We were to be married.

Oh, Ravic, help me.

How can I help you?

By leaving you alone?

No, I mustn't lose you!

I can't lose you!

Then what do you want me to do?

Give me time.

Wait for me.

Wait for you?

Yes, wait for me.

I'm a refugee.

It's my profession to wait,

to keep alive and wait.

You'll come again, Ravic?

Don't think about it.

Take your time.

You'll find out for yourself.

Good evening, sir.

Bring me hors d'oeuvres

and a bottle of your driest wine.

- Yes, sir.

- Leave the menu.

Good evening, sir.

Ja. Telephone this number.

Ask for a Mr. Himmelstrutz.

- Give him this message.

- Yes, sir.

And bring me a package

of Oziri zigarette.

Gold tip.

Mr. Himmelstrutz, please.

Mr. Himmelstrutz?

This is the chasseur at Fouquet's.

I have a message for you

from Mr. Haake.

Sorry. We have no Chesterfields.

Um, Laurents, Green.

A package of Oziri cigarette.

Gold tip.

Brandy, please.

Yes, sir.

Ravic.

Don't you recognize me anymore?

How do you happen to be here?

Aren't you going to ask me to sit down?

No. I'm waiting for someone.

You must leave me alone.

Not until I've seen what she looks like.

Who?

The woman you're waiting for.

Don't do that.

Now I will wait.

Then sit somewhere else, please.

But why are you doing this, Ravic?

You promised to wait for me.

You yourself said it would take time,

and it has only been two weeks.

Only two weeks.

Well, I didn't come here by accident.

I was looking for you.

Ravic, I must see you alone.

- No.

- It's important.

- I must talk to you.

- Don't be a child.

I'm going to leave him.

Yes, yes. You told me.

But I'm afraid.

He threatens me.

Hmm? What was that?

- He threatens me.

- Who?

Oh. Oh, I see.

I'm in danger.

He can be vicious, Ravic.

Oh, you're not even listening to...

Wait. Just a moment.

- No.

- One second.

No.

Sorry I'm late.

Doesn't matter.

I'm going home.

It was unavoidable.

Permit me, please.

Permit me, please.

There is no other table.

Sit down, please.

Good morning!

I saw you while I was still inside.

I spotted you at once.

Oh, the scar.

It is a mark from a German student course.

So you are German

or so you have studied in Germany.

Correct?

Correct.

It is my business

to know these things.

- Cognac.

- Yes, sir.

That is one good thing

they have here, is cognac.

Otherwise, all is decadent.

These people here only wish for lazy life.

Do you live here?

Yes.

Long time?

Quite a while.

Permit me.

Ivon Haake.

Holn.

- Von Holn?

- Yes.

You must know Paris well.

Fairly well.

I do not mean the museums.

I know what you mean.

- May I offer you a drink?

- No, thank you.

I'll stick to this one.

So.

Chic.

These people here know all about that.

But these are nothing

compared to this woman

you were talking to now.

You saw her?

Good acquaintance?

Yes.

Just that.

It is difficult here

to meet a woman like her.

It can be arranged.

So.

This woman is French?

Italian.

With a few other races mixed in.

Not bad.

Naturally, at home, we cannot have that.

But here...

Here you are a tourist.

You understand!

Thank you, Herr Haake.

Do you have, uh...

much contact mit refugees?

Some.

We appreciate you know

certain informations?

We even pay for this.

Herr Ivon Haake,

you're not suggesting that...

Naturally, between men like you and me,

that is out of the question

unless it is a matter of honor.

- Waiter.

- Yes, sir?

No, no, no, no, no.

Allow me.

In Paris, you're my guest.

Ten francs.

- You must go?

- Thank you.

Well...

I thought I would

stroll about a bit tonight.

So?

You know.

There are things here for tourists

to see and learn.

Tonight. Oh, what a pity.

I must go to Berlin tonight.

I was just waiting here for two friends.

Our baggage is already at the station.

But maybe next time, huh?

I'll be back here in a few days.

I could call you up then.

Where do you live?

Uh, at the Prince de Galles,

just across the street.

Prince de Galles.

Are these your friends?

Just on time.

Auf Wiedersehen, Herr von Holn.

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