The Comedians Page #9

One ex-officer can't do much.

If I had 50 of my old commandos,

I'd take over the country.

Young Philipot is trying to train men

in the mountains.

Well, that chap's got courage,

but the attack on the police station

was amateurish.

They need someone like you to lead them.

How could I? I'm shut up here.

I think I could arrange your escape, Major.

They'd shoot him

if he set one foot outside this house.

There are 5,000 Tontons.

Five thousand.

What a thing it would be, wouldn't it?

Yours truly riding into Port-au-Prince,

seizing the palace,

a provisional government,

recognition by the powers,

and then the job done,

I'd slip quietly away.

No fuss, like Lawrence of Arabia.

You'd have to be ready

at a moment's warning.

The Tontons search every car.

You can trust me to have thought of that.

Scarlet Pimpernel stuff.

You'd come?

Just signal me D-day.

This is childish.

It won't be just shoe black

and Angelito's toy pistol.

You're 50 points down, Doctor.

Better take your revenge while you can.

With pleasure, Major.

Your deal.

Philipot will be at the rendezvous

each night for three nights running,

a village cemetery

20 kilometers beyond Gonaives,

- between 1:
00 and 3:00 in the morning.

- So you'll go tonight?

If the amputation today goes well.

I can't delay it.

From our operation, I may never return.

I've warned Jones. He's standing by.

- Think the plan will work?

- It has to.

- You think he's really worth the risk?

- I don't know. Do you?

Anyway, we can't find better.

Magiot, why don't you get out

while it's still possible,

forget Jones and Philipot?

- Is that what you do?

- I don't believe in causes.

The role of cynic

doesn't really suit you, Brown.

I don't believe in playacting either.

You imagine because you've lost one faith,

you've lost all?

You're wrong, Brown. There is always

an alternative to the faith we lose.

I have no faith in faith.

Good luck tonight.

Wait until I've finished.

He died very quickly.

Everything he had on him is here.

There's a photograph of a woman.

Perhaps you know her?

Oh, yes, I knew her very well

for a short time when I was a child.

She was my mother.

Do you mind if I keep this?

Of course.

I'm sorry. I did my best.

I wish I could say the same.

Magiot couldn't make it.

You mean it's all off?

No, it's on. I've come in his stead, that's

all. Now, you know what you have to do.

We have to watch it tonight.

Blackout's late.

- Typical.

- Okay.

I'm scared to hell. There's no denying that.

Wipe the lipstick off your face.

What...

Where's Dr. Magiot?

I can't tell you now. I've come instead.

- But do you know what to do?

- Yes.

You've been crying.

I've been happy with Jones here.

I'll miss him.

More than you missed me

when I was away?

You were coming back.

At least you said you were.

I'm not sure whether you ever did.

You've got what you wanted.

Come and finish your job.

Stop!

I didn't hear you.

What have you done to my car?

You've searched it once.

You see?

What are you waiting for?

Don't I rate a kiss as much as Jones?

I'm taking the same risk.

Yes, but I don't like your motive.

Have you slept with Jones?

You've been asking me that question

for days, haven't you?

All right, then. The answer is yes.

Yes, I have slept with Jones.

You okay?

Awful cramp in the left leg.

- Can I have a snifter?

- It's in there.

- Shall we make the rendezvous on time?

- I doubt it.

You'll probably have to keep under cover

until tomorrow night.

It's the life.

I've often dreamt of something like this.

I thought it was the life

you were always used to.

- Not as comfortable as the embassy.

- I think I'm ruined in my vitals.

- How did you get on with Martha?

- She's a wonderful girl.

- She seemed very fond of you.

- Oh, we got on like a house on fire.

Sometimes I wished I were in your shoes.

Perhaps she's not your type.

They're all my type,

but she was something special.

- You know she's German, don't you?

- Those Fruleins know a thing or two.

Manuel.

You've come back.

- Yes.

- But it wasn't gin rummy this time.

I realize that.

No.

Jones is gone.

Yes, I know.

And Papa Doc will know also.

This is the end of our life here, Martha.

That's worse for you than it is for me.

For me, it's just the end

of a second-rate diplomatic post.

You were happy with me in Rio,

weren't you?

Yes.

It won't be Rio this time.

Perhaps it...

Well, who knows?

They can't give me anything much smaller

than Luxembourg, can they?

I'm sorry.

I don't want you to be unhappy.

I wish I hadn't lied tonight

of all nights.

It doesn't matter.

I don't mean you. I can always lie to you.

You always forgive, don't you?

I'm sorry.

Manuel, I'm afraid.

Well, when one's afraid,

it's best not to be alone.

- That was some bump, old man.

- Yeah.

God, it's black. Are we nearly there?

I think so. It's difficult to tell.

- Can I have another drop?

- Drink what you like.

Well, we better finish it

before we join the boys.

It wouldn't go far with them.

I thought you'd reserve it

for the officers' mess.

No, thanks.

I'll wait to take my drink when

I get back to Port-au-Prince tomorrow.

- And what's your alibi?

- The Tontons?

Well, I'll tell them they searched my car

before I left.

And I'll stop in Gonaives on the way home

and do some marketing.

Tell me, how did you get on with Pineda?

Fine. I wasn't stealing any greens of his.

I thought perhaps you were.

Martha doesn't sleep with him anymore.

How do you know?

Old man, there are questions

a gentleman doesn't ask.

You mean, she was a good lay?

Remarkable.

- The front axle's gone, all right.

- Good Lord.

- Well, surely, it can't be much further.

- No, no, it's not very far.

Magiot said it was a cemetery

20 kilometers from Gonaives.

- The doctor's lucky it's not his car.

- Yes.

Front axle's gone, all right.

Nothing but shanks' pony now.

- Something wrong with your feet?

- It's just a shoe that pinches, that's all.

- Give me your kitbag.

- No, no, no, old man.

I'm just a bit out of condition, that's all.

- I'm worried, old man.

- What about?

I talked a lot of nonsense in the car.

The whisky went to my head.

We're there.

No one here.

We're two hours late.

- What do we do now?

- Try and get some sleep.

Philipot will come back tomorrow night.

I think we'll hide out here.

I wish I had a gun.

What about your unarmed combat?

It's a bit rusty.

What about you?

Well, at daylight, I shall go back to the car.

A village bus will pick me up

or a patrol wagon.

Even if I'm arrested, I have my story.

You've risked an awful lot.

The game's turned serious now.

What game?

I understand why people want to confess.

Death's a bloody serious affair,

like a decoration you don't deserve.

Have you so much to confess?

We all do, don't we?

Oh, I don't mean to a priest or God.

To whom?

Anyone.

If I had a dog here tonight,

I'd confess to the dog.

Well, yes, a dog has to keep your secrets.

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