The Crook Page #4

---

when does it start?

That's not on tonight, sir.

There's no contest tonight?

No, it was the live broadcast tonight.

The Europe contest is on Thursday.

- That's all for tonight? It's over?

- That's right, sir.

My wife answered the phone.

At first, we thought it was a joke.

There was a lot of music.

A lot of music, and a man's voice.

There was a man's voice

and a woman's voice.

- There were two voices?

- Yes, there were two voices.

There was a man's voice

and a woman's voice...

and there was a lot of music.

And they said, "Hold on, please."

And I figured it was some kind of joke.

And then after that...

they asked us, "Is this your phone number?

"Because if this is your telephone number,

then you're the winners.

"You're the lucky winners,

and you've won a new car."

You've just won a brand new car.

And we only had half an hour.

We were supposed to be there

with the phone payment.

- We were supposed to take a taxi.

- I see.

- With the thing.

- What thing?

With the thing,

so they'd know it was our phone.

With the receipt.

The inspector would like

to see you upstairs.

See what he wants.

I don't have time right now.

Why did they want the receipt?

Because they picked our telephone number.

They had your number,

but why did they ask you...

Because we won.

I suppose it was to show it was us.

Because we won. We...

Because it was our telephone.

We won a car with the phone.

The kid, too. They had a car for him.

I see. A sort of lottery?

That's right, that's what it was. A lottery.

It's a lottery. They even made us say,

"Thank you, Simca."

"Hooray for Simca."

Yes, all three of us.

And because we had to hurry,

we went downstairs...

and took a taxi to the Olympia.

And when we arrived at the Olympia...

we even brought my portable radio

so we could follow it.

The Sacha Distel show.

We were listening to it in the taxi.

Why Sacha Distel?

Because Sacha Distel

was the star of the show.

He was the one who was on.

But who told you it was Sacha Distel?

Was it the voice on the telephone?

But we told you.

I'm not making myself clear.

And when we got there,

the Distel show was on.

At the Olympia, Sacha Distel.

And afterwards...

And after we got there...

They said we'd be on Europe Number One.

It would be after the show.

Then these two voices told you

over the phone...

that Europe Number One was organizing...

a contest at the end of a show?

- Yes, the Sacha Distel concert.

- And so the two of you went there.

- No, we took the kid.

- I see.

- We had to take him along.

- You had to take him?

Yes, we did.

Why did you have to take the child?

Under what pretext?

So they could give him a car, too.

I see, because he won a car in the contest.

- They had a car for him, too.

- How old is your boy?

- He's five.

- Five and a half.

Yes, it's clear we're dealing

with professionals who set you up.

They telephoned you and got you

to come to the Olympia, they...

- What on earth for?

- Obviously they're after a ransom.

If we don't pay, what'll they do to our son?

- You have private means?

- No, we haven't any means.

I'm a working man.

- Where do you work?

- I work in the bank.

How much do you make a month,

if you don't mind my asking?

I get 150,000 francs a month.

I mean, 150,000 old francs.

That's 1,500 new francs.

Do you have any wealthy relatives?

No.

- Do you?

- No.

No possible inheritance?

No.

Do you have any enemies?

Anyone you consider an enemy?

No.

Enemies who would kidnap...

It's our duty to consider

every possible motive, sir.

As difficult as this must be for you,

you must help us, because...

It can't be for money!

No question, it's money they want.

But we don't have money.

It can't be for money. It just isn't possible.

Are you involved in politics?

- Of course not.

- No.

And besides, even if we were...

Here we go, a kidnapping.

Clear the way, stand back.

Get back, do you hear?

Let them through. Clear the way.

Stand back. Let them through.

Have you got a message for the kidnappers?

Move along.

How old is the child? Boy or girl?

This is for television.

Boy or girl?

Right this way, please.

Are you the father?

If you have a message for the kidnappers,

we'll broadcast it on television.

All right, I want to tell the kidnappers...

that we don't want any harm

to come to our little boy...

that we'll give them all we've got...

that the police will not prosecute them...

and that they should give him back to us.

And please don't harm the boy.

- That's enough.

- How old is the boy?

Did you get a good look at the kidnappers?

At what time did it happen?

The car! Get a close-up.

All right, I want to tell the kidnappers...

that we don't want any harm

to come to our little boy...

that we'll give them all we've got...

that the police will not prosecute them...

and that they should give him back to us.

And please don't harm the boy.

- That's enough.

- How old is the boy?

Did you get a good look at the kidnappers?

At what time did it happen?

The car! Get a close-up.

What a drag.

You watch him, will you?

Hey, Martine.

Yes?

You know something?

He's a nice kid,

but he wears the hell out of you.

Getting old, Grandpa.

That's the first and last time I kidnap a kid.

After he packs all that away,

I hope he goes to sleep.

- What's he doing?

- Being a pest.

Parents tricked into giving child

to kidnappers

No, thanks.

Hello? Yes.

No, nothing new yet.

Hold on, will you?

It was just delivered!

They just delivered a letter.

Leave them alone!

Look at that.

Only a minute ago.

Hold on, we may have something.

Is it the first contact they've made with you?

Look, it's hard enough, leave us alone.

How much do they want?

Do they want to be paid in dollars?

Can you tell us the contents of the letter?

We just received a letter.

Yes.

No, it was delivered.

Wait, I'll read it to you.

"Madam, your little boy, Daniel,

is very much alive and well.

"No harm whatsoever has come to him.

"He's receiving the best care."

"Madam, your little boy, Daniel,

is very much alive and well.

"No harm whatsoever has come to him.

"He's receiving the best care.

"We have only one reason

for taking your boy:

"To demand a ransom.

"We have set the amount

of this ransom at $1 million.

"We know very well

that you and your husband...

"are not in a position

to pay such a large sum...

"but your husband is an employee

in one of the largest banks in France...

"and it is this bank you will ask

to pay the money.

"A period of 24 hours will be allowed...

"in which the European Bank of Credit

will make its decision...

"with regard to the money in question.

"By the end of this grace period, you will

receive all the information necessary...

"concerning the manner in which

the money is to be handed over to us...

"and how your son will be returned to you.

"Should the bank refuse

to pay the ransom...

"you would not have the slightest hope

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes