Monsieur Verdoux Page #8

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- What's wrong?

- I think it's the cocktails.

I'll have a beer.

Thank you. Where's Bismo?

Excuse me.

M. Varnay.

Is there anything wrong?

No. I was just admiring your flowers.

Oh! Well, over on this side

we have our lovely bluebells.

- Ah, the campanulas.

- And over here are the primroses.

Of course, the genus Oenothera.

- Oh, what's wrong? Are you ill?

- Cramps.

They attack me ever since India.

Oh, well. Let me get you something.

- It'll pass soon.

- The minister's here.

- Tell him to wait. Can't I help?

- No, no. Please.

- Bismo.

- Hello.

- Mme Bonheur.

- Pleasure.

- Take good care of her.

- Well, you just leave that to me.

Oh, John. Oh, how do you do.

The minister's arrived and Henri's

taken with cramps. Look after him.

Well, let's see what we can do

for M. Varnay.

He isn't here.

He must have recovered.

Possibly you'll find him

at the punch bowl?

Come on, we'll go see.

- What are you lookin' for?

- Huh?

- Have you lost something?

- I dropped my sandwich.

- What kind was it?

- Just an ordinary sandwich.

A slice of bread between some meat.

- White or rye?

- Er, yes.

Stay here

and I'll get you another one.

Thank you.

- He isn't here.

- Oh, there he is.

Excuse me. Stay right here.

- What's the matter?

- Cramps.

The worst attack I've had in years.

- I'll take you into the house.

- I prefer to stay here.

Friends.

The great moment has arrived.

Please come into the house.

You can't go through a ceremony.

I'll take you inside.

I'd like to stay in the garden.

The air will do me good.

Ah, there you are.

I didn't quite understand.

Did you want white or rye?

Rye.

You certainly have

a beautiful place here.

- Wonderful.

- Thank you.

I'm comin'.

I'll have them delay the ceremony.

If you lie down

maybe the pain will go.

- You go and tell them.

- I'll get you into the house.

- I'm feeling better.

- I'm not going to take any chances.

Come along.

I wish you'd let me stay

in the fresh air.

No, no.

Ten minutes rest will do you good.

The thing is muscular.

It attacks the serratus magnus.

- What was that?

- Nothing at all. Go ahead.

Varnay.

- Henri.

- Beloved. See you later.

Varnay.

M. Varnay.

Varnay!

This M. Varnay seems to be

our man alright,

but he must have several aliases.

I can't believe it.

It's too bad he didn't jilt Thelma.

You're to be congratulated.

I knew it was the same man

the moment we read it in the papers.

We don't even have a photograph.

- But I'd know him if I ever saw him.

- So would I.

- What was his last address?

- The Hotel Splendide.

He moved.

I know. He seems to have

moved from everywhere.

What business was he in?

He said he was an explorer

working for the International

Geographical Society.

It would be a good idea

to call them up.

He's on his way to the North Pole

by now.

There is no such organization.

However, we must keep a lookout.

This is to be confidential.

Not a word to the press,

as it would jeopardize

our investigation.

Hello? Hello?

Yes, yes, yes. What?

I said, we have to foreclose.

You can't. My wife and child.

We need the money. We can't wait.

Listen, give me ten minutes.

Just ten minutes.

Good. I'll call you back.

Reaumur 6572.

Hello. Balong & Company.

This is Henri Verdoux.

Sell everything I have at once.

Are you mad?

You were wiped out hours ago.

Come here.

Yes, you.

- Hello, Mr Philanthropist.

- Philanthropist?

You took me to your apartment

one rainy night.

- Really?

- Yes. After feeding me

and giving me money,

you sent me on my way

like a good little girl.

- I must have been a fool.

- Hey.

- Oh, shut up. Where are you going?

- Nowhere.

- Get in.

- Thank you.

To the Caf Royal.

Now I shall ask you to feed me again.

I'm afraid that will be difficult.

I'll have the pleasure

of feeding you.

Thank you.

I wanted to meet you again.

I even went to your store,

but you had moved.

I haven't lived there in ages.

I still think you don't remember me.

But why should you?

There is every apparent reason

why I should.

The night we met

I was just out of jail.

Shush, the chauffeur.

Of course. Your invalid husband.

- Oh, you remember that?

- Something I shall never forget.

But you, and all this. What happened?

The old story, from rags to riches.

My luck changed.

I met a munitions manufacturer.

That's the business

I should have been in.

Yes, it will be paying

big dividends soon.

It's nice seeing you. You'll never

realize what your kindness meant.

Kindness is a convenient thing

at times, my dear.

However, tell me about yourself.

I prefer to talk about

something pleasant.

- You for instance and this...

- And what?

What sort of a chap is your friend?

In many ways, very kind and generous.

- But in business, quite ruthless.

- Business is a ruthless business.

- Do you love him?

- I thought you didn't believe in it?

Everyone needs love.

Something's happened. You seem to

have lost your zest for bitterness.

Perhaps I have no more use for it

since I've given up the fight.

There's always something

to fight for.

- For me, there is nothing.

- Nothing?

Soon after the crash,

I lost my wife and child.

Oh, I'm sorry, I never realized.

However, they're much happier

where they are...

than living in this world

of uncertainty.

You have changed. I can see that.

Since the loss of my family,

I seem to have awakened from a dream.

- What do you mean?

- I was a bank clerk once.

My existence

a monotonous rhythm.

Day in and day out, counting money.

Then the rhythm was broken.

I lost my position.

What followed was a numbed confusion.

A nightmare in which

I lived in a half dream world.

A horrible world.

And now I've awakened.

I wonder if that world ever existed.

You went through a bad ordeal.

Don't allow it to take hold of you.

It hasn't. Despair is a narcotic.

It lulls the mind into indifference.

But that's giving up life.

We must all give it up

sooner or later.

- Yes, but not before our time.

- Why?

Must you know the reason

for everything?

It might help a little if we did.

Life is beyond reason.

That's why you must go on.

If it's only to fulfill your destiny.

My destiny!

Why would anyone want to go up

in the Eiffel Tower at night?

That was Phoebe's idea.

She has her way.

- How many?

- There'll be five.

This way, please.

- I'd like to eat now, I'm hungry.

- We'd better wait.

They'll be hours yet.

We can have a drink.

What do you want?

Vermouth.

- Two Vermouth.

- Oui.

Let's dance.

- What?

- Thelma's husband.

- Where?

- Behind you.

You're right. It is.

- You're stepping all over my feet.

- I can't help it.

Oh, Thelma. Poor Thelma.

Pull yourself together.

I'm phoning the police.

- Don't leave. He'll murder me.

- Keep your eye on him.

Don't let him out of your sight.

If he leaves, follow him.

You look tired.

You need someone to look after you.

- I must take you in hand.

- You're very kind.

Merci, Madame.

Thank you.

Cab, sir?

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