The Comedians Page #2

In my way.

Don't tell me about your way.

Just be quiet. Be here.

And Angelito?

Oh, he notices everything.

Reports to his father?

Oh, my darling, children watch everything.

It's part of learning.

You wouldn't understand.

You've never had a child.

- Have you sold the Trianon?

- No.

Oh, I'm so glad.

Some day,

I'll need the money to follow you.

Follow me?

Ambassadors come and go.

Just in time for the bloody blackout.

Not very welcoming, is it?

Things were lively in your mother's time,

even though you weren't here

in those days.

Neither were the Tontons.

When shall I see you?

- I can't tomorrow.

- The day after, then?

Yes, if Angelito's better. He's not well.

I'm afraid he's caught a chill.

You see? There was no reason to fear.

Nothing has changed.

No, nothing.

I'd leave Manuel tomorrow

if it weren't for Angelito.

Yes, I know.

Angelito's here to stay.

Joseph!

Joseph!

Joseph!

Joseph!

- Monsieur Brown?

- Joseph, where the hell have you been?

I've got guests who arrive in a minute.

My luggage was left in the hall.

The Minister, Monsieur Philipot,

he came here yesterday.

- What did he want?

- Monsieur Brown, please come quick.

He's done terrible thing.

He came yesterday to hide from Tontons.

I tell him to stay here. He very sick man.

- What happened tonight?

- I hear car.

I think Tontons come.

I say, "Go away double quick."

He say,

"I am sick. Too late to go anywhere."

He run into the garden.

I follow him. Too late.

Where's everybody got to?

Where's the maid? Where's the cook?

They scared. They lock themselves in.

Anyone at home?

Oh, is that you, Mr. Brown?

The taxi left us off at the gate.

I'm sorry I wasn't able to greet you

on the steps of the hotel.

A little domestic problem.

Joseph, would you get

the John Barrymore suite ready?

And be sure there are lots of oil lamps.

- Yes, sir.

- I'm sorry about the lights.

They'll come back on again in a minute.

Your friend Monsieur Pierre

was very helpful at the customs.

- Now, did you go to the embassy?

- I left my card.

- Is that a pool you have there?

- Yes.

The one thing I like

is a swim before breakfast.

Yes, well,

I'll get it filled up during the night.

Now, that's your suite up there.

When the lights are on,

you can see the whole of Port-au-Prince.

Did John Barrymore really stay there?

Well, it's before my time,

but I can show you his liquor bills.

A great talent ruined.

Yes, well, if you'd like to go up,

Joseph will meet you.

If you need anything, just ask Joseph.

- Thank you.

- Oh, dear.

Oh, there we are.

Oh, come over here, dear.

- What a lovely view.

- Yeah.

Look at the harbor.

And that must be our ship.

Surely, that's the President's palace.

It looks just like the White House.

Oh, Mr. Brown,

- has Major Jones arrived yet?

- No, not yet.

Well, we won't wait up for him.

Mrs. Smith is a little tired.

If we could have some hot water

for our Yeastrel.

Certainly. Certainly.

- Good night.

- Good night.

You heard that, Joseph?

Some hot water

for the John Barrymore suite.

Then take the car and ask Dr. Magiot

to get here as soon as he can.

Yeah.

It was thoughtful of him

to choose this spot.

You only have to turn on the water.

Why were they after him?

Over a drink the other night,

he described the President

as a little country witch doctor.

To have a glass too many

is a reckless act in Haiti.

Why did he come here?

I was no great friend.

Too many refugees at the embassies.

The Tontons keep a close watch.

Perhaps he thought an Englishman's home

really is his castle.

We'll have to get

the body away from here.

They can't blame me for a suicide, Magiot.

They can blame you

because he picked your hotel to hide in.

A very neat incision.

We did anatomy together in Paris.

At that time, he wanted to be a doctor

and not a politician.

- Where's the knife?

- Oh, here.

Oh, yes. I forgot.

He was left-handed.

Where can we take him?

There are plenty of deserted homes now

this side of Port-au-Prince.

He was always very careful of his clothes.

What a beautiful morning.

- Has Mrs. Smith slept well?

- Like a top, sir.

Joseph, one of your rum punch specials,

je vous prie.

I have come to read

a little something about you.

About me?

Yes, it's in my column,

"Personalities in Port-au-Prince."

I will translate for you.

Of course,

it sounds more spiritual in French.

"Haiti, always ready

to welcome distinguished visitors

"to her warm bosom,

greets with special ardor Mr. Smith,

"the famous presidential candidate

"narrowly defeated

by Mr. Truman in 1948."

Oh, come, come, Monsieur Pierre.

I had no chance of winning.

It was only a gesture.

Oh, Mr. Smith, you are too modest.

May I help you?

Oh, no, no, no, it's quite all right.

It's quite all right.

I hope you mentioned Mr. Jones.

He's quite a character.

Major Jones. That is a little problem.

There has been a contretemps,

and Major Jones has been detained.

- Who by?

- The police.

There must be some mistake.

Tell me,

have you arranged my appointment

with the Minister for Social Welfare?

Surely, Monsieur Smith.

It will be at 11:00 this morning.

- Then I'll bring the matter up with him.

- That is a good idea.

You'll find Monsieur Jules Csar

a very intelligent man.

Monsieur Philipot, you mean.

Hlas, poor Monsieur Philipot

is no longer with us.

He has passed on.

Passed on?

His body was discovered this morning.

Breakdown.

Pressure of responsibilities.

The President is said to be deeply grieved.

The Minister will see you in a few minutes.

There's a great bustle today.

The Secretary of State

is leaving for New York

to make a protest at the United Nations.

What about?

Two rebels have been captured

in the mountains

in possession

of an American machine gun.

The President should be pleased.

It's probably

the first American machine gun

he's seen in a long time.

They have found it

much too rusty to work,

and some small but vital parts

are missing.

Monsieur Pineda.

Good day, Your Excellency.

Of course, you know Monsieur Brown.

Brown? No.

My wife has told me

a great deal about you.

In fact,

it's strange we've never met before.

Well, we've played

a lot of gin rummy together.

- Your wife is a very good player.

- Really?

I had hoped that she would bring you over

to the embassy one day.

Well, I've only recently come

from New York.

Tomorrow evening, we have a few friends

coming over after dinner.

- You know Dr. Magiot, of course?

- Oh, yes.

Now why don't you join us?

- Well, I'd love to. That's very kind of you.

- Yeah.

Oh, unfortunately, my small son, Angelito,

has got chicken pox.

Dr. Magiot says

it's very contagious at the moment.

- Lf you're in any way afraid...

- Oh, no, no, no, no.

I had it when I was a child. I'm not afraid.

Not afraid?

- The Minister will see you now.

- I thank you.

- Goodbye, sir.

- Brown. Tomorrow?

- Shall we go?

- Good.

I fear that Monsieur Csar,

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