Beauty and the Devil Page #2

- You've no proper situation?

No, my situation

is anything but proper.

- What is it?

- A suspicious man prowling about.

What's in there?

- Nothing. Everything's in order.

- Where is he then?

Don't worry.

He's gone.

- I knew I'd see you again.

- You did?

The cards told me.

You don't believe in cards

or in palm-reading?

- None of that.

- Don't you believe in anything?

Oh, yes.

I believe in the devil.

It felt as though

someone were watching us.

- Satan isn't as bad as you think.

- Be quiet!

If you know so much, tell me

what will happen to me.

What an odd hand.

It's as though your life stopped

and started again.

It looks as though the heart line...

What's your name?

Marguerite.

You're very young.

I'm nineteen.

Don't laugh.

You're not a lot older.

When I have your hand in mine,

I believe it.

Go to sleep now.

The dogs will guard you.

Guard him well, Sultan.

See that no one harms him.

Good night, Sultan.

Good night.

On my rounds, I saw this door

open so I went into his laboratory.

- I found this mess.

- There's been a fight.

They're the Professor's glasses.

Just between ourselves,

he was a little odd.

He claimed it was possible

to make gold.

- Gold?

- Yes, sir, gold.

That's the motive for the theft.

Or the murder.

The young man seen at his home

was attracted by the gold.

Be quiet!

They're jealous of me.

They just wonder who you are.

That's for you to tell them.

Who are you?

You haven't even told me.

I don't know myself.

Before we met,

what did you do?

I've forgotten who I was

before I met you.

You'll forget me too.

You saw it in my hand?

Henri, there's a wound in your hand.

There's blood.

It's a dried blade of grass.

You'd let that scare you?

I feel I'm going to lose you.

I'm as free as air. Who could

take me from you?

Henri, where are you?

Come and show us

what you can do.

Just watch me.

That's him!

Ladies and gentlemen,

are you happy? I am!

I'll tell you my secret.

Long before you were born...

...in a country

you'll never see...

...a philosopher you don't know

called Plato...

...shut men in a cave to explain

the earth's secrets to them.

Later...

...another man you don't know

in a country you'll never see...

...the astronomer, Newton...

...flew off among the stars...

...in order to tell men

the secrets of the heavens.

But the philosopher and

astronomer were wrong!

So says a third scientist...

I, Henri!

You need only know one secret -

the secret of youth.

It's the secret of happiness.

The secret of joy!

The secret of pleasure!

Come in and see for yourselves.

Roll up.

Was that you laughing?

It's him!

It's him all right.

You were seen stealing money

from Faust's house.

Since then, Professor Faust

has not been seen.

- Where's the body?

- What body?

Professor Faust's!

You killed the old man

after a savage attack.

Here is the evidence!

And the body.

You burned the body

right here...

...in that stove!

Mephistopheles, he who

laughs last laughs longest!

Gentlemen, I have finished.

Everything proves that man's guilt.

He keeps promising a disclosure

that will prove his innocence.

But we're still waiting.

We have suffered a terrible loss.

Faust was an eminent scientist.

The luminary of our age.

Justice demands...

...the only appropriate sentence.

Death!

Has the accused anything to say?

Yes, Your Honour!

I wish to say something

I hesitated to reveal...

...until the last moment.

But I can wait no longer.

As the prosecution said,

no one knows who I am.

No one knows my name.

Don't you find that strange?

The time has come for me

to reveal the infernal...

Yes, the infernal plot

that has brought me here.

We'll see who

has the last laugh.

You want to know what happened

to Professor Faust?

I'll tell you!

As incredible as it may seem...

...Professor Faust is alive.

He is here.

- Where have you been?

- Travelling.

A very long way from here.

You might thank me.

I didn't call you.

Why did you come back?

We don't like our affairs

talked about in public.

You wanted to force me to sell you

my soul in exchange for my life.

You've defeated me,

I admit it.

You're now free to enjoy

youth's pleasures...

...whilst I have to put up

with your rheumatism.

No hard feelings.

You know where to find me.

Rector.

Yes, young man?

That man isn't Professor Faust.

If you want to know,

I'm Professor Faust.

The fellow's mad.

Where are you going to sleep?

Youth is so thoughtless.

I can't give you gold, I haven't

made any. But here's some money.

Always glad to help.

You're too kind, Professor.

Yes, it's a failing of mine.

Dinner is served, Professor.

Dinner? What a good idea.

I hadn't thought of that.

You've changed since your travels.

- For better or for worse?

- For the better.

- Where's the wine?

- You drink now?

I want wine, the best!

I've heard all about foie gras,

creamed mushrooms, and lobster.

Now I want to taste them.

Life's short. Let's enjoy it!

Good morning, Professor Faust.

Good morning, Rector.

Our joy is shared by the Prince.

The Prince wishes to see you

at once. A carriage is waiting.

The Prince's wish is my command.

You forgot your glasses!

I forgot my glasses.

Professor Faust, Your Highness.

Be seated, Professor.

I like to think...

...that your mysterious absence

and return are related...

...to your work.

Correct, Your Highness.

I've worked a lot lately.

Only you can save us.

Our coffers are empty.

See what we pay with?

Paper!

An excellent idea, Your Highness!

Soon this paper will have no value.

We need gold.

To work, Professor!

You're tired? Have you never

worked before?

- All my life.

- Doing what?

Drive on.

Make way for the Princess.

Back to work.

Hurry up!

I feel the time is near

and we'll soon have gold.

- God willing.

- What was that?

God willing.

You've changed. In the old days,

you had these odd fears.

What fears?

That making gold was -

how shall I put it? - diabolical.

Really? You and I know

the devil doesn't exist.

But we mustn't tell anyone.

- Take that and go.

- And my money?

You want money too?

I'll pay you!

You called me?

Sorry, I thought

I heard you call.

Just say the word and

I'll let you in.

You don't just help yourself here.

Serve me then.

You must pay first.

Gold!

A gold coin. I'd forgotten they

existed. Where did you find it?

It fell from heaven.

Don't you want it?

Yes. Let's see if it's real.

What's that?

Sand!

Play the conjurer with me

and you'll be in trouble.

Don't worry. The gentleman

is my guest.

Come on, let's enjoy ourselves.

Life is short.

I'm such a poor alchemist. I make

gold and it turns into sand.

Your good health.

You know much more than me.

I've read your experiments.

You were almost there.

The man who can make gold

can do anything.

Let's drink to eternal science!

You're scared of drinking with me?

Neither you nor your master

scares me.

To your good health.

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