Playing with Fire Page #2

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you get an injection straight away.

- But how?

- Luckily there's a doctor.

Don't be surprised...

It's a new social service.

- There won't be a scar?

- Absolutely not.

It's the kind of merchandise

that customers want intact.

I must have lost my purse

when I ran just now.

Don't worry.

You won't need it now.

Clear off!

This isn't for you.

One:
You have been weighed

in the balance, and found wanting.

Two:
you have lost the opportunity

to save your happiness

and your power.

Three:
your empire, and the flesh

of your flesh will perish in flames.

Are you working on the house?

No, I don't know what's happening.

Carolina, could you ring please?

- The lady rang?

- Yes, Matteo.

What's that racket?

A thousand apologies.

But it was only a minor

incident from ancillary life.

I allowed myself to take steps

to violate Maria,

but the cat interfered

inappropriately.

Again!

If Sir will permit,

I'll go and take action.

I'm sorry to have been so...

clumsy.

I had to slander

that innocent feline.

- Got it?

- I'll be more careful.

Now there's a guy there.

Behave yourself properly.

At least with him.

I'll do my best.

And do it well

if you don't want trouble.

Here's all that we know.

A non-existent kidnapping,

a huge ransom to be paid,

a secret appointment

at the most visible place in Paris.

And no specific threat?

No.

Then it's all a joke,

without a doubt.

But it's best to be careful, however.

You should place

Miss Carolina in a safe location.

No, I'd rather stay at home!

And safe here.

I'll get some Italian bodyguards.

- The house...

- Is the least secure of shelters,

It's obvious.

Given that the kidnappers

know you're here.

We must find a place

where nobody would think to look.

An insane asylum... a prison

a political party...

Or a brothel.

Just an idea!

I have a friend, completely trustworthy,

who runs a sort of...

Clinic.

A place of rest

for exhausted feminists.

It's... calm, discrete,

classy, you know.

Importantly, the bodyguards watch

always over the safety of the clients.

whom the director of the house

knows personally... and intimately.

Away from Carolina,

I wouldn't feel comfortable.

Naturally.

But it's not your

peace of mind that counts.

But the protection of her body.

Of her body...

It's important that

Carolina leaves immediately.

Erika my friend,

is right now in Paris

and could accompany her.

Is this place far from Paris?

No, not too far.

For extra precaution,

Carolina will dress as a man,

In one of your suits.

No, it would be too big.

Better one of mine.

By chance, I've one

in my suitcase.

Since I don't have time

to go home and change.

I understand that these

precautions will seem ridiculous,

But we can't risk anything,

when it's a matter,

not of saving a soul,

which can always be repaired

but that of a young body.

Yes, we must save her young body.

I hesitated at first.

I made some objections...

But finally I accepted.

Your empire, and the flesh

of your flesh... will perish.

- Can you give me a shirt, please?

- Yes, Maria.

This one here, Miss?

- Yes, Maria.

Come in.

- It's perfect.

- As if it were made for you.

I'm afraid the jacket

might not fit so well.

Matteo, would you call a taxi?

Sir doesn't take the car?

No.

I prefer a taxi.

We need a moustache.

Nothing easier.

Ah, a false one!

Naturally.

What'd we do without makeup?

- You didn't know?

- No.

Oh Miss, you look adorable.

- No, hands off, Maria.

If Matteo and the cat

don't satisfy you

I'll leave you Mr. Frantz!

Have fun.

Did you hear what Miss said?

Oh really...

Must I do everything myself?

I'll give you a hand!

Not now, it's not the time.

I feel embarrassed.

With the eyes of the public

staring at us.

- I'm used to it.

- But I'm not.

Kidnappings.

How romantic.

Unfortunately

it's no longer what it once was.

In olden days, fair beauties

were abducted by horses.

Raped by swans,

seduced by snakes.

Torn apart by bulls...

pleasures past, unfortunately.

Times change.

- Swans? And how did they do it?

- I'll show you.

I admit that it was full

of attention and kindness.

and love was made

in a way technically correct,

but nothing more.

As a memento

I took the gold chain,

that Carolina always wears

around her waist.

and that she had

forgotten to put back on

after removing it

to put on her trousers.

'What I didn't understand

is if it was

Frantz disguised as woman

or a woman disguised as Frantz.'

Don't say anything.

You're waiting.

Madame, will be down.

Here, my Lady,

your new, little pupil.

A first class purchase.

Carolina De Saxe,

Erika Von Eigher.

Needless to say,

that this is a false name.

Thank you for the welcome.

Don't thank me.

The pleasure will be all mine.

The young lady should

change out of her disguise.

That is no longer suitable

to her circumstances... now.

Although, maybe...

on second thoughts...

You will find a dress to fit you

on the couch in the lobby.

Hurry, now.

'The pleasure will be all mine.'

You can tell.

Look at me, however,

working in this film.

One of these days I'll get bored,

and send them all...

Come on.

In here it's so much larger

than it seems from the outside.

Yes, it wasn't easy to manage it.

And also...

Very strange.

Who are those girls

dressed in black?

The guests of the house.

Why dressed in black?

It's the rule.

To distinguish them from the maids,

who wear white.

Why are they so still?

They're resting.

Well then, will I also

always have to...

wear black?

- And all these doors?

- There are many rooms.

- What do they mean, these photos?

- Only what you see. Only portraits.

And this is your room.

Is she a good pupil?

If she's not docile, don't hesitate

to punish her. Cruelly.

It's already been done.

See the effects. Reverence...

I am yours, Ma'am.

Uniform of the house.

Get up.

Is she a real whore?

Here's a certificate to prove it.

Where's her beat?

Palais Royale.

And... her price?

Third category, Sir.

Unwrap it.

Immediately, Sir.

Yes, seems fresh.

I'll have it

with a salsa rossa.

and flamb au cognac.

Very good, Sir. And the serving?

Would you like it sliced?

If it's home made.

And is it tender?

Naturally Sir.

Add a little something as precaution,

so that it rises properly.

Unnecessary. But,

I'll do as Sir wishes.

I've everything needed here.

The doors, corridors,

photographs, keys.

The names on the doors.

My own photo,

and my own name.

I wanted to close the bolt,

but it had been unscrewed

during my absence.

My legs were weak

and my mouth dry.

I saw a bottle

on a tray,

which seemed to be

water for the night.

I drank a full glass.

But I soon realized

I'd made a big mistake.

I beg you, Sir, hold back

from performing an irreparable act.

That would put in danger,

her that God was putting

under your protection.

No acts of violence

in this sacred place.

Come on, let's hurry.

Come in.

Hello baby.

Isn't it locked?

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