Ripley's Game Page #2

of one of our lovely local hotels.

You're an arrogant bastard.

Always was, always will be.

- Why was he here?

- He wants me to kill someone.

- Why did he ask you?

- Because I can.

I know you can, silly.

You can sew too.

- Why does he want this person

killed? - I assume he's desperate.

His restaurants are failing,

his nightclub's in freefall.

He's involved in some

squalid turf war.

You can't do that. Run off

to Berlin to assassinate people.

He's a fantasist,

I'm not as assassin.

- How was the party?

- Smashing.

I knew you'd hate it.

Isn't it sad about him?

- Who? - The picture framer.

He's got leukaemia.

- Is drunken pomposity a symptom?

- No.

He's just English.

He's very ill, Tom, he's dying.

It's a shame.

Is it?

Reeves?

I've been reflecting on your problem.

Your talent search.

I might have come up

with someone.

He's as innocent

as a newborn lamb.

I think under all that soft,

white fleece, he might be capable.

- Jonathan Trevanny.

- My name's Peter Wister.

I work for a European

head-hunting agency.

We offer highly lucrative

short-term contracts.

I'm terribly sorry,

you've made a mistake. I'm a...

I'm a picture framer.

I have a small shop.

- No. No mistake. I can assure you.

- How did you get my name?

Can we meet for coffee at

the Cipriani about twelve noon?

I promise you it will be to your

considerable financial advantage.

Organized crime wrecks the lives

of millions of innocent people

and we need to do something about it.

- What exactly are you after?

- The job will take two days.

Then we pay you 50 grand.

- How much?

- 50,000 dollars. Guaranteed.

For two days?

What's the work?

To kill an extremely evil man.

To kill? What?

There's absolutely no risk.

Wait a minute,

this is some sort of a joke.

You think this is a f***in' joke?

This ain't "Candid Camera".

I'm being straight with you.

A f***ing joke!

I'm sorry. But you've definitely

got the wrong person.

- I don't think so.

- Where did you get my name?

We done a search.

If this isn't a joke, it's a mistake.

Please forget you ever met me

and I promise I won't say anything

about this to anyone. All right?

50,000 dollars is a lot of money.

You have a beautiful son.

And you're f***in' dying

of chronic myeloid leukaemia.

- What?

- It's like I said before.

We do our homework.

If you change your mind,

I'll be here for a couple of days.

- Hello.

- Tom, he's a wanker.

You wanted an innocent,

they come together.

- So he's going to deliver?

- Of course.

- What did you offer him?

- 50,000 dollars like a wanker.

- Double it. I'll pay the difference.

- You have 50,000 dollars?

Are you okay?

- You look pale.

- Just a bit shaky.

What's wrong?

I bumped into a total stranger

who knew I had leukaemia.

- The whole world knows.

- It's a small town.

Yes, I know.

- You shouldn't be ashamed of it.

- I didn't say I was.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

- Oh God, I'm sorry.

- It's okay.

It's okay.

- I'm scared.

- I know.

I just wish

everything were different.

I wish you didn't have that job.

We need the money.

Look... please.

- I apologize for upsetting you.

- Then please leave.

When you come to Berlin, I can get

you to see a top specialist,

absolutely no obligation!

I don't need

another second opinion!

Twice in my life doctors have said

I was dying. But I'm still here.

Look at me.

I'm still here.

I've been authorized

to increase the original offer.

100,000 dollars.

Look... I'm sorry.

Thank you very much for your time.

Please call me.

- Hi. Can I give you a ride?

- No, thanks.

- I'll drive.

- I like to walk.

Indulge me.

- Thanks for the party. How are you?

- Fine.

It's none of my business,

but I know you're not.

I'm sure it can't be easy

to talk about it.

No, it's not

as a matter of fact.

- I did just want to say...

- Thanks. There's not much to say.

- Do you have a specialist?

- Yes. Dr Gianni.

- Where is he?

- Here.

- Here in the clinic?

- Yes.

Oh, I see.

- They're a competent team.

- I'm sure.

- He's a beautiful little boy.

- Thank you.

If I had a little boy like that,

I'd do anything for him. Anything.

- It's what I'm trying to do.

- I'm sure you are.

- Thanks for the lift.

- Cheers.

I didn't realise

the occasion the other night.

Happy birthday. They're a mixture.

Who knows what will come up.

That's the beauty of planting things.

Thank you.

Take care.

I've been thinking of something

someone at the clinic said to me.

I might go and see this man.

I think you should.

Daddy, are you going away for ever?

- Not quite yet.

- But Mummy said you will.

Mummies may be right.

But not this time.

All finished?

"Closed until Monday"

- Is Jonathan away for long?

- No, not long.

- Where did you say he'd gone?

- To Berlin.

I don't know how much you...

How much l... drink?

Bathe? Work out?

- How much you know of his condition?

- Nothing, I'm an innocent.

He has chronic myeloid leukaemia.

My God, I'm so sorry.

Thank you. This opportunity for him

to get a second opinion

came up at

this research foundation.

He doesn't talk about it,

but I know he's angry.

He's angry because he'll probably die

soon, while we go on living.

He's angry to be so young.

He's angry that he might not see

Matthew grow up.

And you? Are you angry?

Sometimes.

I love him completely but...

there's a part of me that will be

glad when it's all over with.

And that's a terrible thing to say.

I don't think you could even say

anything that terrible. Or think it.

What you feel isn't terrible at all.

Jonathan is fortunate to have someone

like you, and I imagine he knows it.

- How was it?

- The exam? Thorough.

- When do you get the results?

- In the morning.

Dr Wentzel's one of the best.

I don't like doctors myself.

This is what we're going to do.

Get your results in the morning,

then you can tell me what you want.

A:
I can drive you to the airport.

Or B:
we can do the other thing.

The other thing.

Yeah.

Meet me here at 9 o'clock.

Then you can get

a plane home 100 grand richer.

It's your decision.

I'll see you tomorrow.

So?

How was your evening?

Not without interest.

- And how did you play it?

- By ear.

Well I hope.

A nice...

steady rhythm?

I didn't play the whole piece.

No.

Why not?

Turn over and I'll tell you.

No way!

I want to know now.

Turn over and I'll tell you.

Was she too easy?

Turn over and I'll tell you.

Now tell me.

I have your test results. They don't

appear to tell us anything new.

After the bone marrow transplant,

you went into a partial remission.

And then lapsed

to the chronic phase.

These latest tests only show

what I think you already know.

Your situation remains grave. So...

..what do you want of me?

- A future.

- I can't give you that.

It is, I fear, not in my brief.

- How long will you stay in Berlin?

- Not long.

- I wish you luck.

- I may need it.

- How much have you given me?

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