The Battle of Algiers Page #8

The soldiers are chatting among themselves and looking at the posters.

A soldier stops because he sees something moving on the other side of

the fence.

He points to it and shouts, but not in time.

MACHINE-GUN FIRE INTERRUPTED BY SINGLE SHOTS.

The soldier falls, the others remain motionless, unbelieving. They

begin to run and scatter and look for cover.

An Algerian appears on top of the fence. He moves like a cat, and jumps

from the other side.

His invisible companions continue to shoot. He is unarmed, and runs to

the dead soldier. He grabs the machine gun and retraces his steps. The

action takes place in a second.

By now the soldiers too are shooting, but it is too late.

32POLICE STATION. CHEMIN AIN-ZEBOUDJA. OUTSIDE/INSIDE. DAY. 9:10 A.M.

A police station in the Casbah, a small prefabricated one-story

building.

At the main door there is a police guard. A group of five Algerians is

approaching. They are talking among themselves, and gesticulating.

BUZZING.

The policeman enjoys watching them, then asks what it's about. All five

of them answer him at once, trying to outdo one another.

The policeman has to shout to make them keep quiet. Then, assuming a

very humble behavior, they enter silently. The oldest among them speaks

in a mournful voice. He seems to be crying and asks the sergeant

something.

The policeman calls a colleague, and tells him to accompany the

Algerians. Four of them go with the policeman, while another remains in

the waiting room, saying that it is better because he is afraid of

losing his control.

Then he begins to explain the reasons for the quarrel: it concerns a

will. The old man is his grandfather, but he has recently remarried.

Then from inside is heard ...

MACHINE-GUN FIRE.

The policeman reacts quickly and tries to draw his gun. But the

Algerian is faster and fires point-blank.

The four reappear. One of them is wounded. All of them are armed with

revolvers, and carry at their sides a machine gun and two sub-machine

guns that they have taken from the armory. Other cries and shots are

heard behind them.

All five of them run out in haste.

33RUE MARENGO. OUTSIDE. DAY. 9:45 A.M.

Another police station. Two policemen are chatting in front of the

entrance.

A black Renault is passing by at a walking speed, then slows down

almost to the point of halting completely.

The right door opens and there is a burst of machine-gun fire. One of

the policemen has been, hit, and grabs the other so as not to fall.

Another burst of ...

MACHINE-GUN FIRE.

The two policemen fall down together. The car motor is accelerated, the

tires screech and the Renault shoots forward.

A military jeep arrives from the opposite direction, crashes into the

car and blocks its escape.

An Algerian flees and is pursued. Another descends from the auto with

his hands raised.

The soldiers shoot and kill him.

34AVENUE DU 8 NOVEMBRE. OUTSIDE. DAY. 1:10 P.M.

A large garage with workshop and filling station. In front are some

automobiles and a military truck.

A scooter with two Algerian boys passes by, rumbling noisily along the

road. Then at full speed, it makes a sharp turn, retraces its steps and

turns again. The boys seem to be showing off for fun.

Meanwhile, the employees of the garage are leaving their work since it

is lunchtime. The attendant at the gasoline pumps is left alone.

The scooter stops in front of the high-test gasoline pump. The attendant

is a European, an elderly man, who approaches them holding in one hand

some bread he has just unwrapped. He detaches the pump handle of high-

test, and asks how many gallons.

One of the Algerians points a revolver at the attendant, and tells him

to pour out the gasoline on the ground all around. The other,

meanwhile, goes to the other two gasoline pumps, detaches the handles,

and fastens them in an open position in order to empty them of

gasoline. He uses two pieces of iron that he has brought with him to

clamp the handles open. He stretches the pump hoses as far as they can

go toward the garage and the parked cars.

The gasoline flows all over the large square. The two youths are again

on the scooter; they tell the European to move away. They have soaked a

rag in gasoline and they light it.

The gasoline continues to flow from the two open pumps. The European is

by now far away, the scooter is already moving away, and at the same

time, the boys hurl the lit rag into the square. It immediately bursts

into flames.

35COMMISSIONER's OFFICE. INSIDE. NIGHT.

The night of the same day, in an office of the police commissioner's

headquarters. On the desk, photos of the day's terroristic attempts are

piled in a heap. An employee is in front of his typewriter.

The Assistant Commissioner is about forty years old, very robust. His

face is somewhat wide, ordinary, and with heavy features. He leafs

through the photos while speaking on the telephone. It is a very warm

night, and the window of the office is open. From outside is heard

the SOUND OF TRAFFIC.

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER

(on telephone)

Yes, sir, but they haven't received a

search-warrant yet. Rue d'Isly? We

followed them for a while, but then we

lost track ... Yes, sir, but it is in

another precinct. No, it wasn't in

theirs ... There are some suspects for

rue Marengo ... No ... the judge hasn't

given permission yet. He is requesting a

formal investigation first. Yes, sir,

yes ... Yes, sir, yes -- But we haven't

enough men. Of course, I understand ...

If it were possible, sir, you should ...

but the Commissioner can't ... in ... But

couldn't you ... Alright, sir ... We'll

let them cut our throats then!

He slams the receiver angrily and begins to dictate his report. His

voice is harsh, filled with rancor.

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER

Time:
3 P.M. Attempt at homicide against a

Patrol of the 3rd B.P.C. Place: Luciani

street at El Biar. Weapon: Revolver 7.75.

Victim:
A soldier wounded in the right leg

and groin. Hospitalized. Assailants:

Unknown. ... Time: 3:35 P.M. Homicide.

Place:
Chopin Street, opposite number 20.

Weapon:
P.M. 38. Victim: Private

second-class Dare Jackie, born March 12,

1931. Deceased. Assailant: A moslem.

Height:
five feet and seven/eights

inches. Light colored clothing. Probably

escaped in Simca. License plates unknown.

Time:
Four minutes past 4 P.M. Homicide

and attempt at homicide against patrol of

border guards. Place: Intersection between

Consular Street and General Laquiere ...

Wait a minute ...

The officer stops speaking, takes a glass from his desk, and goes near

the window. On the ledge, there is a bottle of beer, left there

evidently to keep it a bit cool. He takes it, fills his glass and

drinks.

Then he speaks in a lowered voice, while looking outside, without even

giving any directions to the employee who waits with his hands poised

about the keyboard of his typewriter.

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER

I want to see the newspapers tomorrow. If

they're still talking about pacification

of our Moslem brothers!

He returns to his desk.

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER

Where were we?

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