Jack the Ripper Page #2

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Yes, and I learnt a lot there.

It was the most important lesson of my life.

Were you there a long time?

Yes, I was. I gained a lot in India,

and I also lost something - my eyesight.

That's when I learnt to identify

the scents of oriental spices for sauces-

mint, kokum, curry...

With this man, I also felt that I was

able to identify his various scents -

sweat, expensive soap, top quality fabric.

And another very special odour,

one that even you would be able to detect.

- Alcohol.

- Indeed I would. On you, for example.

That would be too easy.

It contained 90% alcohol,

and it triggered a surprising reaction.

I felt as if I had been

transported back to India.

It was the smell of a rare tropical plant

which you only find in the greenhouses

of botanical gardens here - Aechmea.

- Inspector...

- Yes?

I... I'm sorry,

but you can't treat people like this.

I'm in a hurry. Annette is alone in the shop,

and the young thing is inexperienced.

I must go back

before she does something stupid.

- Miss Higgins, please sit down.

- I have waited long enough.

- If you want to ask me something, do it now.

- You saw the murderer?

I saw an abductor. A girl in the arms

of a short, dubious guy, a midget.

I mean, I only really saw blurred silhouettes

because it was dark.

- The night was pitch-black and foggy.

- But you didn't hear a scream first?

I heard three screams -

a quiet one, a loud one, and a very loud one.

And then the shouts. That must have been

the blind man. He kept shouting, "My child."

- Did you assume that the girl was dead?

- Well, she'd stopped moving.

And even when he suddenly lifted her up,

she didn't make a sound.

- Describe that moment in detail, please.

- But I've already done that.

All right. Would you recognise

the murderer or abductor, if you saw him?

- Yes and no.

- What do you mean?

There's a chance of 50% that I would.

I'd be able to say if it wasn't him,

but I'm not sure if I'd be able to say if it was.

You can't be too careful on this point.

And now I must get back to my shop.

Oh, by the way, it's a needlework

and wool shop at 31 Old Compton Street.

If you send your wife to my shop,

I'll give her a special price.

I'll have to get married

sooner than I had planned.

- You're at the right age, young man.

- May I ask if you're married?

No, I'm a few weeks past the right age.

- Can I go now?

- Sure.

Thank you. See you later.

Pas de bourree, to the front and to the side,

and the fifth position.

And pas de bourree, and front and side,

and the fifth position.

Pas de bourree and reverence.

Well done, Cynthia.

Don't forget the arms.

The arms are everything.

Stop, Ludmilla. You snap at the barre

like a dog snaps at a bone.

You're supposed to float like a snowflake.

Fourth position.

Stretch your foot. Mind your port de bras.

What about the knee, Cynthia?

You know what pains me the most -

bent knees and wooden arms.

Oh, khorosho. Your boyfriend, Anthony.

Get away from the barre.

Fifth position, please.

- I didn't think you would come.

- Didn't you? Why not? We're not enemies.

- So we're friends, then?

- Yes. As you wish. It's up to you.

- Well... What's the reason why you're here?

- I'm not sure. Everything and nothing.

- I'd like to... Can I talk to you?

- Not now, in the middle of a class.

- What will the others say?

- It's always the same.

All you care about is ballet. I come last,

and I have to put up with so much.

You don't think about anything

other than your tour, anyway.

And I'm sitting here,

supposed to find the killer.

- Don't start all that again.

- You find it ridiculous, I know.

Look, we agreed to split up,

so it would be better if we didn't

see each other for the time being.

Yes, I know. But it's hard.

- Because nothing's right at the moment.

- Yes, of course.

You're like a child.

You saw me as a kind of mother figure.

I never felt like your lover.

That wasn't good for me.

But if you have problems at work,

you're welcome to discuss them with me.

You're looking for Jack the Ripper?

Continue your declaration of love later.

I need Cynthia.

- When will you be done?

- I think it will be a late night tonight.

- I'll pick you up.

- All right.

Come here.

What was I, then?

I was a good mother to you, wasn't I?

What the punters paid

supported both of us.

You and me, my son, my little idiot.

Darling.

You peeped through the keyhole.

If you hadn't done that, I would still be alive.

But the man had already

made up his mind.

Come on.

Take your chance.

You're a darling. I focused

all my attention on you.

Your father will have to pay too,

as soon as you have paid,

or he will hit me.

The fact that you have seen me now

makes everything much easier.

It means that you can do it too.

Come on, my pretty boy,

I'm inviting you. We'll do it.

I'll do a particularly good job on you.

No.

- Who is that? Oh, did I scare you?

- It's me, Mrs Baxter.

You're not going out at this hour, are you?

- It's very urgent.

- No case can be that urgent.

- The patient can wait ten minutes.

- I have to go.

I'll do what I can to stop you.

I can't stand by

and watch you go out every night. I will...

Give me that. You have no right

to interfere in my affairs.

But, dear Doctor, what's wrong with you?

You're completely different.

Let me suggest something to you. We'll

have a cup of tea and you can relax a little.

Please sit down.

Doctor, you should sit down.

Just a moment.

Some lemon?

- Doctor, I asked you something.

- Yes?

- Would you like some lemon?

- I'll leave it up to you.

All right, my dear.

There you are. I'll have a sip as well.

Here we are.

Now tell me, Doctor,

do you like it here in my house?

It's all right, you can admit it.

I know it's not very luxurious.

- That doesn't really bother me.

- I'm glad. So, you're happy here?

If you, well...

If you could afford to rent a better place...

...would you stay here with me?

- Yes, of course. Why?

I was thinking of our conversation yesterday.

I seem to have been

a little too insistent that you take it easy.

I think that I have feelings

of true friendship for you, my dear.

- Yes.

- You are such an extraordinary person.

But even you need friendship,

affection and warmth, not to mention love.

Do you really want to live without all that?

A man who is as interesting,

attractive and generous as you -

I know you don't want to admit it - should,

despite his readiness to make sacrifices,

think of his own life sometimes,

and not just the lives of others.

Yes.

Of course.

Just a little sip.

Damn you, you stupid old b*tch!

Please forgive me. I'm a little irritable.

It's because I'm overtired.

You meant well. I was wrong.

Why are you afraid of women, my friend?

Hello, mister.

Yes, I meant you. Don't run away.

I won't hurt you. I just want to

accompany you. You can't deny a lady that.

- Sorry, I don't have time.

- Oh, you're worried that you'll have to pay.

- All right, if you insist.

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