The Mask of Dimitrios Page #3

to her.

Oh, that's all right.

You wished to see me,

messieurs?

Reporter:
We should

be honored

if you would sit

at our table for a moment.

Of course.

Leyden:

Thank you, madame.

Champagne.

Waiter:

Yes, madame.

I've not seen you

before, monsieur.

I've seen you,

but not here.

You going to write about me

for the paris newspapers?

So you'll stay and see the rest

of my entertainment?

We are trespassing

on your hospitality

to ask for some

information.

Information?

I know nothing of

interest to anyone.

Your discretion is

famous, madame.

This, however,

concerns a man,

now dead and buried,

whom you knew over

15 years ago.

You pay me the most

delicate compliments,

monsieur.

15 years?

You can't expect me

to remember a man that long.

Me hardly dared to hope

that you'd remember,

but if a name means

anything to you,

it was dimitrios.

Dimitrios makropoulos.

Get out.

Both of you.

I don't like you in here.

But, madame-

get out!

Sit down.

You think i want

a scene in here?

If you will explain

how we can leave

without standing up,

i shall be grateful.

Are you

a policeman?

Oh, no, he's not

with the police.

He's a writer of books.

He seeks information.

Why?

He saw the dead body

of dimitrios in istanbul

and he's curious

about him.

He's dead.

You're sure he's dead?

You actually saw

his body?

It was found

in the bosporus.

He'd been stabbed.

Did he have

any money on him?

Now i shall never

get it back.

Wait...

come with me.

Madame?

Bring it to my room.

Dimitrios...

july the 15, 1923.

That's when the money

became due to me.

He promised faithfully

he'd pay me.

You're sure

there was no money?

No. Even

his clothes

were cheap

and shabby.

I would've sworn

he'd become rich.

Dimitrios was not a man

one forgets easily.

I've known many men

but i've been afraid

of only one

dimitrios.

Voiceover:
I will remember

the first time i ever saw him.

I'd just returned

from a drive with a friend.

Until tomorrow then.

Where to now,

monsieur bostoff?

Home.

- Hello.

- Hello.

You have kept me waiting

long enough.

I want my money.

I want it right away.

I haven't got it.

I'll have it for you in a day or two.

And i who have been

a hotel keeper for 17 years

should believe a story

about a check?

It's coming.

I don't know what's held it up.

Tonight i'll send

a telegram.

With what?

I thought you'd

lend me 10 leva.

I would as soon

throw the money into the street!

There are things about

this hotel the police would like to know.

The fire hazards,

the broken stairs-

you think you can

intimidate me?

My place is open

to the police at all times.

They are my friends!

You cheap crook.

It is

i who will call the police.

I'll have you

arrested for fraud.

120 leva by

tomorrow morning,

or the police

will come.

Understand?

Irana:

Who is it?

What do you want?

You've got the wrong place.

I live in the room

next door.

I've seen you

around, but-

how dare you!

You got any food?

What?

Something to eat.

You really are

hungry?

Would i ask a woman

for food if i weren't starving?

Irana, voice-over:

He was hungry and homeless.

I fed him and gave him money.

He paid me back

in his own peculiar way.

Yes?

It's me-

dimitrios.

Oh, go away.

Open up,

it's important.

No, i've done all

i'm going to do for you.

Yeah. But i want

to pay you back.

I've got 2,500 leva

to give you.

2,500 leva?

Are you crazy?

Look under the door.

Got 1,500 more to give

you if you let me in.

1,000 you have,

another 1,000, and 500,

and 2,500 for me.

You were starving,

and now-

now i'm paying you back

for that crust of bread you gave me-

a very good payment.

Where did you get

this money?

There's plenty more

where this came from.

I called on

monsieur bostoff this morning.

You didn't.

I asked him for the money,

and he gave it to me.

I only had to mention

your name.

You blackmailed him.

How could you?

He loved me.

He was a funny,

fat little man,

but he loved me.

I'm not fat or funny,

but i love you.

You love me.

You blackmailed

bostoff to show your love.

It costs money to love.

If he loved you,

why didn't he take you out of this hole?

A girl as beautiful as you

should have the best.

Jewels, furs,

a fine apartment.

I'll get them for you.

By blackmail?

What are you thinking

about?

Wine.

What about the wine?

I like it.

I must be crazy.

Why?

To love you.

What's wrong

with that?

Everybody stay

where you are.

Have your

papers ready.

Your passport.

Dimitrios makropoulos.

Your name is familiar.

You're a member of

the c.m.u.

There's no law

against that.

No, not yet.

But we do not like

foreigners who belong to

so-called "bulgarian

patriotic societies."

Come along.

You're wasting

your time.

I've a great deal

of time. Come along.

Irana, voice-over: Dimitrios

stayed in jail only long enough

to get in touch with

a man he knew,

someone to whom

he would not introduce me.

Man:
You understand that

i have watched for you.

Yes, i understand.

The moment i withdraw

my guarantee,

you will be deported

to greece.

All right, all right.

I said i'd do the job,

monsieur vaxoff.

But it's difficult work,

and the price is-

the price is quite

high enough.

Irana, voice-over:

I knew that this important friend of dimitrios

had secured his release

for a purpose.

But what that purpose was

i did not know

until a few days later,

when all bulgaria

heard of it.

Dimitrios!

What's the matter?

The police will be here

at any moment.

You must tell them

i've been here all day.

What have you done?

There's no time

for that now.

Who is it?

Yes?

How long has he

been here?

All afternoon,

but i don't see that

that's any business of yours.

You'd swear

to that in court?

Naturally.

What do they mean?

I'm a greek subject,

but my passport

is in order.

I don't understand.

I'm not without

friends in sofia.

Perhaps you know

monsieur vaxoff?

Mr. Vaxoff?

Of the eurasian credit trust?

I see.

Dimitrios,

what happened?

It'll be in

all the papers.

An attempt was made to

assassinate the premier- stambulisky.

Not you.

Of course not.

However, i'll have to

leave town for a while.

How much money

have you got?

Money?

But i thought you-

i'll need

1,000 french francs.

I know you've got it.

I've given you plenty.

Why don't you get it

from your important monsieur vaxoff?

Because they'll be

watching him for a while.

I'll send you the money

back in a week...

with interest.

That's the last time

i saw dimitrios.

If you will excuse me,

messieurs,

it's time i returned

to my guests.

You see,

i know nothing about dimitrios

of any interest.

It was of great

interest, madame.

I'm very thankful.

Won't you allow me

to pay you

for the drinks,

madame?

If you like.

No. I have

a superstition

about money being shown

in my private room.

You can pay the waiter

at your table.

Thank you.

Good night, madame.

Utterly without scruple.

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