The Crook Page #5

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of seeing your boy again.

"The bank would thus be

solely responsible...

"for the death of your son.

"No police investigation

is to be undertaken...

"during this period of 24 hours.

"Otherwise we will have no choice...

"but to put the boy to death."

Naturally there's no signature.

And if you hadn't noticed, the letter

was composed on an office labeler.

I believe it's called a Demo.

Gentleman, let's get down to work.

You must be aware that we can't afford

to leave this room...

until we've made our decision.

Since time is short, we have to act fast.

Mr. President, surely you can't be serious.

Do you know of any bank

that would give in to such blackmail?

I'm absolutely opposed to it.

A child's life hangs in the balance.

If we were to give in to their demands,

we would set a dangerous precedent.

Before long, no one would be safe.

Up till now, these kidnappings,

these abductions...

have plagued only the children of the rich.

Soon they'll be kidnapping anybody.

May I call your attention to just

one passage of this letter?

"Should the bank refuse

to pay the ransom...

"you would not have the slightest hope

of seeing your boy again.

"The bank would thus be

solely responsible...

"for the death of your son."

The bank.

The stockholders will meet

at the end of the month.

Why don't we put the question to a vote?

Mr. Alexandre,

the stockholder's meeting is in two weeks.

The ransom has to be paid today. Tonight.

Jacques, you are jeopardizing your position.

It's not my position which is in jeopardy.

It's the bank's reputation.

I'd be curious to see your face tomorrow.

What if they don't pay?

Do you have a bank account?

Yeah, First National.

Imagine the First National

in the same situation.

The bank won't pay. The boy is killed.

What do you do?

Change banks.

They won't like it if you change banks.

Our problem is 50 million French people,

and not merely one kidnapper.

Come in.

And among these 50 million French people

are our own customers.

- The afternoon paper, sir.

- Thank you.

I'd say that the afternoon paper

has put the problem very clearly.

"The European Bank of Credit

in the face of public opinion."

"Daniel's father earns

"Ransom of 5 million old francs demanded."

"The life of a child in the hands of a bank."

And as the secretary's trying to deal

with the mountain of telegrams...

and a hopelessly snarled switchboard.

The board of directors

met in closed sessions...

to decide what course of action to take.

Neither the president of the

European Bank of Credit...

nor his board members needed reminder

of the furor their customers would cause...

by the mass withdrawal of their deposits

if the ransom of little Daniel was not paid.

The bank's president

personally broke the news...

of the board's decision to us

just a few moments ago.

In a voice choked with emotion,

he announced...

that in a spontaneous

and humanitarian gesture...

the bank would meet the $1 million demand.

He declined to elaborate further...

and concluded the interview

with these words:

"It is our sincere hope that Daniel

be returned to his family."

And it is our hope to have good news...

of his safe return on our 11:00 broadcast.

- Go into the caf and ask for...

- That one there?

Yes. Ask for two orange sodas.

No, two cherry sodas.

Two cherry sodas.

One for you and one for the dog.

Ask for two straws.

Your father and mother will come for you.

When will they come?

They're gonna come right away.

But I won't have time to give him a drink.

Sure, you'll have time to give him a drink.

Don't worry.

- Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Uncle Simca.

- Be good.

- Bye.

So long, little Simca.

Don't forget now...

when his nose is warm, it means he's sick.

You'll have to watch out for him.

- But if his nose is cold...

- You can call anytime.

Tell your mom and dad

they can bring you whenever you like.

Hello, yes?

A little boy just walked into your caf.

Do you see him?

Yes.

The boy's name is Daniel Gallois.

He's the one they've been looking for.

Give him a hot chocolate

and some cookies...

then phone the boy's parents...

at Longchamp 45-85.

Hello?

What's your name, son?

Daniel Gallois.

Away, away, sailor

Good evening.

How is Daniel?

Happy as he can be. He's all right.

It's been the most fabulous Christmas

he ever had.

Why have you kept me waiting?

Well, you see, I was held up...

by the caf owners, the reporters,

and the police.

What were the police after?

Nothing to worry about.

A description of the car.

I gave them the license number,

as you told me to.

Okay.

Where's the money?

It's on ice.

What about mine?

Yours is on ice, too.

But we agreed I was to get my share tonight.

I changed my mind.

Why?

Tomorrow they'll print the numbers

of all the bills in the newspapers.

It would be suicide to use that money

for at least six months.

In a little while, you'll quit the bank...

because of your health, your heart.

You'll quietly slip out of the country.

Only then will you get your money.

What proof do I have that you're not lying?

None.

But you might give me a little advance.

You've been broke for 40 years.

You can wait another six months.

Really?

I already told you, it's on ice.

But that's not what we agreed.

What we're agreeing to right now

is that you'll get your money in six months.

Forget it.

That wasn't what we agreed upon.

What we did agree to

was that your wife would be in on it.

What difference does it make

if my wife was in on it or not?

A big difference.

Get lost, Gallois.

Fast.

Did everything work out?

Yes.

He was too jumpy.

I thought I'd better scare him a little.

I hope I didn't scare him too much.

- Is there any beer?

- Yes.

No, don't get up, I'll get it.

What are you doing?

I'm checking that you hid it properly.

You know, I have some good news.

- Taking up cooking?

- Jerk.

Is it good news for you or for me?

For both of us.

Is it me who'll have to play Santa Claus

next Christmas?

Why didn't you tell me before?

Are you happy?

Very.

Really!

"The European Bank of Credit

pays ransom and saves child.

"Daniel is back home again.

"Little Daniel saved, France salutes

the European Bank of Credit."

Gentlemen, thanks to you,

what could have been a big tragedy...

has turned out to have a happy ending.

We thank you, gentlemen.

We're all grateful to you.

Moreover, the news we've received from

all our offices is excellent.

It seems that hundreds

of prospective customers...

have turned up at our teller windows

to show their gratitude.

Consequently, we might say

that the generous gesture...

which you have made

is very likely to be richly rewarded.

Now, gentlemen, we've arranged

to have you meet someone who's here...

and who would like to say

a few words to you.

Mr. Gallois?

Come right in.

I would like you to meet Charles Gallois...

the happy father who has something

to say to us, I believe.

Gentlemen...

I would like, on behalf of my wife...

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