Casablanca Page #7

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LASZLO:

I must find out what Berger knows .

ILSA:

Be careful.

LASZLO:

I will, don't worry.

He rises and goes off.

We see Ilsa's troubled profile.

While Corina sings, Sam gives a worried glance in Ilsa's

direction. Ilsa watches him.

At the bar, Berger sips a drink. Laszlo walks up and

casually takes a place at the bar next to Berger.

LASZLO:

Mr. Berger, the ring, could I see

it again?

BERGER:

Yes, Monsieur.

LASZLO:

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(to Sacha)

A champagne cocktail, please.

Laszlo takes the ring and looks at it.

BERGER:

(in a low voice)

I recognize you from the news

photographs, Monsieur Laszlo.

LASZLO:

In a concentration camp, one is apt

to lose a little weight.

BERGER:

We read five times that you were

killed in five different places.

LASZLO:

(smiles wryly)

As you see, it was true every single

time. Thank heaven I found you,

Berger. I am looking for a man by

the name of Ugarte. He is supposed

to help me.

Berger shakes his head.

BERGER:

Ugarte cannot even help himself,

Monsieur. He is under arrest for

murder. He was arrested here

tonight .

Laszlo absorbs the shock quietly.

LASZLO:

I see .

BERGER:

(with intense devotion)

But we who are still free will do

all we can. We are organized,

Monsieur, underground like everywhere

else. Tomorrow night there is a

meeting at the Caverne du Bois. If

you would come...

He stops when Sacha brings the drink to Laszlo.

Corina finishes her song, and the crowd applauds quite

enthusiastically.

Ilsa sits alone at her table.

42

ILSA:

(to waiter)

Will you ask the piano player to

come over here, please?

WAITER:

Very well, Mademoiselle.

Renault comes up to the bar near Berger and Laszlo.

RENAULT:

How's the jewelry business, Berger?

BERGER:

Er, not so good.

(to Sacha)

May I have my check, please?

RENAULT:

Too bad you weren't here earlier,

Monsieur Laszlo. We had quite a bit

of excitement this evening, didn't

we, Berger?

BERGER:

Er, yes. Excuse me, gentlemen.

LASZLO:

My bill.

RENAULT:

No. Two champagne cocktails, please.

SACHA:

Yes, sir.

Sam wheels in the piano to Ilsa's table. On his face is

that funny fear.

Ilsa herself is not as self-possessed as she tries to

appear. There is something behind this, some mystery.

ILSA:

Hello, Sam.

SAM:

Hello, Miss Ilsa. I never expected

to see you again.

He sits down and is ready to play.

ILSA:

It's been a long time.

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SAM:

Yes, ma'am. A lot of water under

the bridge.

ILSA:

Some of the old songs, Sam.

SAM:

Yes, ma'am.

Sam begins to play a number. He is nervous, waiting for

anything.

ILSA:

Where is Rick?

SAM:

(evading)

I don't know. I ain't seen him all

night .

Sam looks very uncomfortable.

ILSA:

When will he be back?

SAM:

Not tonight no more. He ain't

coming. Uh, he went home.

ILSA:

Does he always leave so early?

SAM:

Oh, he never... well...

(desperately)

he's got a girl up at the Blue

Parrot. He goes up there all

the time.

ILSA:

You used to be a much better liar,

Sam.

SAM:

Leave him alone, Miss Ilsa. You're

bad luck to him.

ILSA:

Play it once, Sam, for old time's

sake .

SAM:

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I don't know what you mean, Miss Ilsa.

ILSA:

Play it, Sam. Play "As Time Goes By."

SAM:

Oh I can't remember it, Miss Ilsa.

I'm a little rusty on it.

Of course he can. He doesn't want to play it. He seems

even more scared now.

ILSA:

I'll hum it for you.

Ilsa starts to hum.

Sam begins to play it very softly.

ILSA:

Sing it, Sam.

And Sam sings.

SAM:

You must remember this,

A kiss is just a kiss,

A sigh is just a sigh,

The fundamental things apply,

As time goes by.

The door to the gambling room opens. Rick comes swinging

out. He's heard the music and he's livid.

SAM:

And when two lovers woo,

They both say I love you,

On that you can rely,

No matter what the future brings,

As time goes by.

Rick walks briskly up to the piano.

RICK:

Sam, I thought I told you never to

play. . .

As he sees Ilsa he stops short. Sam stops playing.

Two close-ups reveal Ilsa and Rick seeing each other.

Rick appears shocked. For a long moment he just looks at her.

Sam prepares to move the piano away.

45

Renault and Laszlo approach the table from the bar.

RENAULT:

(to Ilsa)

Well, you were asking about Rick and

here he is. Mademoiselle, may I

present --

RICK:

-- Hello, Ilsa.

ILSA:

Hello, Rick.

RENAULT:

Oh, you've already met Rick,

Mademoiselle?

There's no answer from either.

RENAULT:

Well then, perhaps you also

ILSA:

-- This is Mr. Laszlo.

LASZLO:

How do you do?

RICK:

How do you do?

LASZLO:

One hears a great deal about Rick in

Casablanca .

RICK:

And about Victor Laszlo everywhere.

LASZLO:

Won't you join us for a drink?

RENAULT:

(laughing)

Oh, no, Rick never --

RICK:

-- Thanks. I will.

Rick sits down.

RENAULT:

Well! A precedent is being broken.

46.

Er, Emil!

LASZLO:

This is a very interesting cafe. I

congratulate you.

RICK:

And I congratulate you.

LASZLO:

What for?

RICK:

Your work.

LASZLO:

Thank you. I try.

RICK:

We all try. You succeed.

RENAULT:

I can't get over you two. She was

asking about you earlier, Rick, in a

way that made me extremely jealous.

ILSA:

(to Rick)

I wasn't sure you were the same.

Let's see, the last time we met --

RICK:

-- It was "La Belle Aurore."

ILSA:

How nice. You remembered. But of

course, that was the day the Germans

marched into Paris.

RICK:

Not an easy day to forget.

ILSA:

No.

RICK:

I remember every detail. The

Germans wore gray, you wore blue.

ILSA:

Yes. I put that dress away. When

the Germans march out, I'll wear it

again .

47

RENAULT:

Ricky, you're becoming quite human.

I suppose we have to thank you for

that, Mademoiselle.

LASZLO:

Ilsa, I don't wish to be the one to

say it, but it's late.

RENAULT:

(glancing at

his wristwatch)

So it is. And we have a curfew here

in Casablanca. It would never do

for the Chief of Police to be found

drinking after hours and have to

fine himself.

Rick and Ilsa look at each other.

Laszlo signals the waiter

LASZLO:

I hope we didn't overstay our welcome.

RICK:

Not at all.

WAITER:

(to Laszlo)

Your check, sir.

Rick takes the check.

RICK:

(to waiter)

Oh, it's my party.

RENAULT:

Another precedent gone. This has

been a very interesting evening.

I'll call you a cab. Gasoline

rationing, time of night.

Renault leaves.

LASZLO:

We'll come again.

RICK:

Any time.

ILSA:

Say goodnight to Sam for me.

48

RICK:

I will .

ILSA:

There's still nobody in the world

who can play "As Time Goes By" like

Sam.

RICK:

He hasn't played it in a long time.

Ilsa smiles.

ILSA:

Goodnight .

LASZLO:

Goodnight .

RICK:

Goodnight .

Rick and Laszlo nod goodnight to each other. Laszlo and

Ilsa start to the door as Rick sits down again and stares

off in their direction.

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