Reunion in France Page #7

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I was thinking of me and my kind

and our destiny...

...to have at least

what we've always had.

To live as we've always lived.

You were right about me the first time.

Don't let anyone ever tell you

you're not human.

Herr Hauptmann Schiller.

What are you laughing at?

A story my governess once told me...

...about a big tiger

who swallowed a littler tiger...

...who swallowed a littler tiger

and so on.

Where are you going?

After the biggest tiger I can find.

To my mind, there was never a painter

so typically French as Renoir.

His colors exist only

in the French countryside.

If his models could speak,

it would be only in French.

You speak of France

as if it were your country.

It is. This Renoir came

all the way from Vichy, in appreciation.

I suppose they couldn't dig up

the customary 30 pieces of silver.

I'm sure, Michele, you haven't come here

to continue your regeneration of me.

I assure you that...

What was that?

- Beethoven's "Fifth. "

- I know, but from where?

From London.

I make it a point never to miss

the British broadcasts.

Next to Hans Christian Andersen,

they are my favorite fairy stories.

Isn't listening to them a capital offense?

Except for a select few who

couldn't possibly be affected by them.

I see.

I suppose...

I suppose you are wondering

why I've come here.

Since you are playing Joan of Arc,

I assume you intend to assassinate me...

...in the hope of being sainted.

On the contrary.

I've come because I've decided

to drop that halo.

It isn't because it's unbecoming,

I find that it just doesn't fit.

So?

You aren't being helpful,

making me do the talking.

Well, it's your halo.

You said you thought

I should leave France.

I'd like to now, very much.

Why this sudden

startling change of mind?

- You were very much for it this afternoon.

- You were very much against it.

How would you like to go?

A plane won't be easy to get right now.

I thought you could have

one of my cars released.

Yes, perhaps, but drive to Lisbon?

- Then you will need someone, a chauffeur...

- Yes, I had something like that in mind.

There's an American student, a friend

of a friend of one of the salesgirls.

Interesting people

you have been meeting.

- He wants desperately to get home.

- I've never met an American who didn't.

Why doesn't he just go?

It seems he's lost some of his papers

and it may take months to replace them.

Michele de la Becque, champion

of the poor, protector of the oppressed.

Robert, if you'd only talk to him,

you'd see for yourself.

- Can it be you have always been like this?

- I can't remember what I was like.

The perfect French lady of your class.

Apparently, if you scratch a French lady,

you'll find a Frenchwoman.

Apparently.

You were such a perfect

French gentleman, Robert.

What a pity I haven't been scratched.

Yes, isn't it a pity?

You'll find an apartment at the Atlanta.

The Atlanta's an old favorite

of yours, isn't it?

- Anything in your room you'll like?

- Nothing I can't send for.

It'll help if you're pleasant to those enemies

with whom you will come in contact.

- I understand.

- To whom you'll be obligated for passage.

I will outdo Monsieur Laval.

That much won't be expected of you.

However, it might be well

if they thought that...

- If we were still...

- Naturally.

It won't be easy.

They have sharp eyes and sharper minds.

I shall be in the full flush of love,

Robert, I promise you.

Happily for me,

I won't find it as difficult as you.

I know. You love me.

How simple and happy everything

would become if you loved me too.

Yes, wouldn't it?

- Pat, this isn't the time or the place.

- I don't know what time it is anymore.

And I can't think of a better place.

The Bois de Boulogne,

with the stars and the swans.

The swans have been eaten by now.

- Oh, Pat, we're late. What if we're seen?

- What if we are?

I wish you'd stop being so gay

and romantic and American about this.

- We've got to get you out of France.

- Mike, aren't you in love with me?

Don't answer that.

I won't. No, Pat.

- Still Cortot, isn't it?

- What about Cortot?

Well, I've been mademoiselle's chauffeur

for almost a week now.

- You know how we hired help gossip.

- What about him?

- For one thing, me no like.

- But you hardly know him.

I hardly know Hitler.

I don't get it, Mike.

Why'd you give up your job and friends?

Why did you go back to that quisling

and his Nazi pals?

Because they can get us out of France.

Us?

The only reason you're going

is for me to get out.

- Isn't that so?

- Yes.

Well, that isn't something you'd just do

for a casual friend.

- Lf you get caught, you're in line

to be shot. - Yes, I suppose so.

You could stay here and live off

what's left of the fat of the land.

Instead of that, you risk your life to get

one bomber pilot out of France.

Why? Why, Mike?

Because you're important

to France and I'm not.

Women don't figure that way.

You're in love with me.

- Pat, I'm not.

- You're a cockeyed liar.

You must believe me. L...

Could you tell me whether this road leads

to the west gate of the city?

- Yes, it does.

- Thank you so much...

...and please pardon the intrusion.

Have a good German cigar, young man,

from Hamburg.

My compliments.

Do you think we can go on

and meet Monsieur Cortot now?

At once, mademoiselle.

Cognac.

- Well?

- In my experience...

...chauffeurs have always ridden in front

of an automobile.

And if he's a student,

he has little to learn.

Get to the point.

I saw them together earlier this evening.

The car was parked.

They were sitting in the back together.

I intruded at an emotional moment.

- Did you get a good look at him?

- Yes.

- What do you think?

- Yes.

I'll let you know.

Back so soon, Robert?

We were doing nicely without you.

Yes, the general was being very amusing

about the destruction of Warsaw.

It's refreshing to meet someone

who wants to laugh.

There is so little laughter in the city.

But there are so few Germans like you

who make us laugh.

Robert, you are an idiot to let her go,

even for a little while.

Lisbon is filled with men

much more attractive than you.

It's the acid test.

If she keeps her promise to return,

I'll never be afraid again of losing her.

And permitting that young American...

...to return home might prove

to be very clever of me.

He seemed so grateful, perhaps he'll

correct some of the misapprehensions...

...the Americans have about us.

Oh, I'm sure he'll do his best

to correct a lot of things.

My colleagues, in search of diversion.

You remember Herr Windler,

don't you, Michele?

Of course I do.

- He's that very good friend of yours.

- Herr Windler's only good friend is himself.

Good evening, mademoiselle. Excellence.

Monsieur Cortot,

may I join you for a moment?

Delighted.

It's pleasant seeing you again.

It must be satisfying,

living at home once more.

But I'm not. I'm staying at the Atlanta.

So? A first-rate hotel.

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