The Razor's Edge Page #7

pinstripe of an American gentleman.

You know that Isabel and Gray Maturin

are here with their two children?

Are they? I didn't know.

I've only just arrived in Paris.

- They were wiped out in the crash.

- Yes. I heard that.

Poor Isabel even had

to sell her jewels.

And Gray tried to get a job,

but it appears there was no business.

The result was a nervous breakdown,

and he suffers

from the most frightful headaches.

He couldn't take a job now,

even if he could get one.

Oh, I am so sorry.

I couldn't allow them

to live like pigs.

Isabel without a maid

and no governess for the children,

so I've lent them my apartment here

until Gray can get back on his feet again.

You're the most generous creature

in the world, Elliott.

[ French ]

Nonsense. If I'm taking care

of them, it's because, well...

Noblesse oblige, you know.

Can I drop you somewhere?

What about having

a spot of lunch with me?

I'm expecting an old friend of yours.

I was not aware that I had any old friends

in Paris. And even if I have, I assure you,

nothing would give me less pleasure

than to meet them at this time of day.

Come along. Jump in.

We're meeting at the Dome.

I dislike being hustled.

To the Dome.

And what about you?

Were you hurt in the crash?

"God tempers the wind

to the shorn lamb."

I happened to be in Rome

in September, '29.

My friends strongly advised me

to sell my American securities.

I very sensibly took their advice.

So when the crash came,

you were sitting pretty.

An Americanism, my dear fellow, which I

see no occasion for you to use, but, uh...

it expresses my situation

with a good deal of accuracy.

In fact, I was inspired to sell short,

and made

what you would probably call "a killing."

-[ Snickers] You're a downy old bird, Elliott.

- I have a flair.

I do not like the propinquity

of the hoi polloi.

- Oh! Hello.

- Larry.

- Larry? I thought you were dead.

-[ Chuckles] Sorry to disappoint you.

I'm delighted to see you, Larry.

Where have you sprung from?

India.

-[ French ]

-[ French ]

If you gentlemen will excuse me, I will now

leave you. I find I have an engagement.

- Good-bye, my dear fellow.

- Good-bye.

- Good-bye.

- Good-bye.

[ Patrons Laughing ]

Did you know Isabel

and Gray are here?

Really? Where are they staying?

In Elliott's apartment.

Their children are with them.

I must look them up.

If you don't want to

scare them out of their wits

and drive their two little girls into

hysterics, you better get a haircut.

- That would be a good idea anyway.

- They've had rather a bad time.

The Maturin Company was wiped out in the

crash, and Gray had a nervous breakdown.

Poor Gray.

Oh, I am sorry to hear that.

- What did you do in India?

- I learned something about myself.

I was very happy there.

[ Door Closes ]

- Mr. Maugham, sir.

- Yes, I know.

Hello. Good to see you again.

Isabel told me

she talked with you on the telephone.

Would you tell Mrs. Maturin

Mr. Maugham's here.

Sorry you're under the weather.

It's just one of those things that comes

and goes. I can't seem to get rid of it.

I thought if I came over here,

the change might do me good.

Hello.

- Mr. Maugham.

-lsabel. This is a pleasure.

- How are the children?

- Oh, wonderful.

Growing by leaps and bounds.

- How is it now, dear?

- Oh, I'm all right.

If you'll excuse me, I always

feel such a nuisance when I'm like this.

- Do you want anything, dear?

-[ Quietly] No.

- Sure?

- Mm-hmm.

Poor boy.

Pity. I was hoping

you and Gray would dine with me tonight.

Oh, I'd love to.

But he really suffers.

- You look very well, Mr. Maugham.

- I am very well.

Larry hasn't arrived yet?

Larry?

Yes. He lunched with me today. He said

he would drop in on you this afternoon.

Larry in Paris?

Where has he been?

-India.

- But I didn't know.

I didn't know

he'd been in India.

Do you realize I haven't

laid eyes on him for...

For years.

- Did you tell him we'd lost all our money?

- Mm-hmm.

It's funny when you

come to think of it,

that we should have exactly

the income that Larry had

when he wanted me to marry him,

and I wouldn't because

we couldn't possibly live on it.

And now I have

two children besides.

I don't think you're

so terribly to be pitied.

-[ Girls Singing "Frre Jacques" Haltingly]

-[ French ]

- Excuse me.

-[ Singing Continues]

[Continues In French ]

- Mr. Darrell.

- Oui, Monsieur.

IsabeL

- Larry.

- Hello, Isabel.

Larry.

Oh, Larry, I can't believe it.

- Where did they go?

- Who?

Oh, the brood.

Come on, babies.

Come on, darling.

Come back.

Ah, come here.

[ Laughs] What's your name?

- Joan.

- Joan. And how old are you?

- Seven.

- Seven!

This is Priscilla.

Seven.

It has been a long time.

Yes. A long time.

It's a lovely brood.

Where's Gray?

In the library.

Run along, darlings.

- Hello, Larry.

-[ Isabel ] Come in and see Gray.

Gray, look who's here.

- Hello, Gray. Don't get up.

- Larry. I am glad to see you.

Sorry you caught me like this.

Blinding headache.

Yes.

Mr. Maugham wants to

take us all out this evening.

I thought we'd dine and do the town.

Do you feel up to it?

Well, that's very nice of you,

Mr. Maugham, but I'm afraid not.

- Larry'll go. Won't you, Larry?

- Oh, poor Gray.

Now, you sail on, all of you.

Don't let me spoil your evening.

Wait a minute.

- Would you let me see if I can help you?

-[ Chuckles] How?

- I mean, I, uh...

-[ Coin Rattling ]

I might be able to help you help yourself.

- All right.

- Here. Sit down.

- What are you going to do?

- Wait.

What's this?

It's an old coin from India.

Here.

Close your fingers tightly on this,

palm downward.

Now, don't fight me.

Don't make any effort.

Just squeeze the coin

with your closed fist.

Before I count 10,

your hand will open

and the coin will drop out of it.

One, two, three,

four, five, six,

seven, eight,

-nine...

-[ Coin Hits Floor]

I didn't let that coin drop.

It fell out of itself.

It's not important.

I just thought

it might give you confidence in me.

Why?

You'll see. Here.

- Got it?

- Mm-hmm.

- Excuse me. Here.

- What do you want me to do?

Come back in the corner and sit against

those cushions.

- Get comfortable.

-[ Sighs ]

- Are you comfortable?

- Think so.

- Have you got a watch?

- Yes.

Palm downward.

Thank you.

In 60 seconds,

your eyelids will grow heavy,

so heavy,

that you will be obliged to close them.

Then, you will sleep

for another minute.

At 6:
45, you will wake up,

and you will have no more pain.

No more pain.

[Whispering ] Believe it or not,

he's falling asleep.

- You learned that in India.

- There's nothing miraculous about it.

I merely put an idea into his head.

He's doing the rest himself.

- I did doze off.

-ls your head better?

I don't know.

Could be.

You did something.

What did you do?

I didn't do it.

You did it yourself.

- Did I?

- Of course.

That's a new one. A moment ago my head

was splitting wide open from here to here.

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