The Sheltering Sky Page #2

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Feel quite wretched today.

I suspect the malaria is coming back.

He looks just like

that young murderer...

that went about slicing up little

children. Remember?

I think the murderer, his appearance,

is more wholesome.

- What revolting water.

- Then don't drink it, you sissy.

I'm so tired of all your talk

about dirt and worms. Don't drink it!

Nobody cares either way.

They are both monsters.

She's a travel writer. Guidebooks.

But they own that Mercedes. And they

do happen to be driving to Boussif.

Oh, God! How awful!

We'll have to choose between tortures:

taking the train or driving with them.

I wouldn't suffer over the choice

before they give it to you.

- Great! Another omen.

- Oh, not again.

Useless.

Yes, please, I would like...

yeah, kebab with some...

What was all that about with Tunner?

It looked as if he'd slept in my room.

I didn't want Tunner to know

that you hadn't been back last night.

- Is that objectionable?

- No, it's considerate.

Except you haven't said

why he was there.

You haven't said

what you did last night.

And you haven't asked me.

And I'm not going to.

I'm sure they're going to ask us.

And I'm terrified of trains.

I hate choices.

Rather than try to ease whatever

tension might rise between them...

she determined

to be intransigent.

It could come now or later,

that much- awaited reunion...

but it must be all his doing.

You were right. The young monster

woke me up.

He says they're leaving

in about an hour to Boussif.

And joy of joys,

they've asked us to join them.

I knew it.

It's much faster by car.

Probably 5 hours instead of 11.

Probably a lot safer too.

Certainly a lot more comfortable.

The trains are hellish.

- Why is it so dark out?

- It's not dark. It's beautiful.

There is one slight problem.

They can't take all three of us.

Well, that settles it then.

We can't leave Tunner.

What do you mean? He's not our guest.

We don't have to be with him, do we?

You don't have to, no.

You mean, you do?

I'm not leaving Tunner

to go off in that Nazi car...

with that redhead

and that criminal.

- Little criminal?

- He gives me the creeps.

But you can do exactly as you like.

I'm going on the train with Tunner.

Kit, you're terrified of trains.

Yes.

But now I've made my mind up.

To go with Tunner?

Yes.

Can you read in this light?

I'm just looking at the pictures.

I'm sorry. It's just that I get

very nervous on trains.

Now, listen...

I want you to forget about

all that stuff.

I am here to make sure

nothing happens to you.

They search our rooms, they steal

our things and they eavesdrop.

I'm sorry. Who does all this?

The Arabs! They are a stinking

low race with nothing to do but spy.

They hate us all. So do the French.

They loathe us most.

- I find Arabs very sympathetic.

- That's because they're servile.

- Once you turn your back...

- Once, in Mogadore...

Shut up! Who wants to hear

about your stupidity?

- Mother!

- How dare you speak to me like that?

You need a good smack on the face,

that's what you need.

How about some medicine

for the nerves?

Not champagne?

Oh, Tunner. Tunner!

- Just what the doctor ordered.

- We're saved.

- Port would have a fit.

- Yeah, well, Port isn't here.

Oh, look! A burro!

It reminds me of Spain.

That's a horrible country.

- Full of soldiers, priests and Jews.

- Jews?

They run the country, of course.

Only in Spain they call themselves,

"Catolico, Catolico!"

- No, we must make it last.

- Why?

Because it's magic.

It can stop a train.

Well, I've got lots of magic.

Is that a man singing?

Hard to tell.

Drink up.

- I think I was never meant to live.

- Now, Kit...

You're nervous.

It's why I got champagne.

Nothing's that important, you know?

Relax, take it easy.

- Who was it said...?

- No, Tunner!

No. Champagne, yes. Philosophy, no.

Gracious! Aren't we picturesque?

Yes, well, your presence

completes the portrait.

- Has your lovely wife arrived safely?

- Yes. She came in last night.

- But I haven't seen her. She's asleep.

- Of course.

We're off to Ain Krorfa tomorrow,

poppet.

Apparently, there's

a fairly decent hotel there.

- Not as grand as this one, of course.

- Grand?

My dear Mr. Moresby,

this is positively luxurious.

They say it's the best hotel

from here to the Congo.

From now on, there's nothing

with running water.

Nothing at all.

Mr. Moresby?

Mind if I join you?

Pretty damn dull, isn't it, Boussif?

Even worse with Mother Lyle around.

I was wondering,

could you lend me something?

Just a little. Say 10,000 francs?

Five thousand perhaps?

As a loan, of course.

I'm not one of those stupid people who

think all Americans are millionaires.

It's just that my mother's mad.

She won't give me a penny.

So, what am I supposed to do?

Even 500 would keep me in smokes

for a fortnight.

I'd never get it back.

And I haven't got it to give away.

I can let you have 300 francs,

if that's any use to you.

I notice you smoke the local tobacco.

Fortunately, it's very cheap.

Oh, my God! Tunner!

Tunner!

Wake up!

- Wake up, Tunner!

- What? What is it?

- You're in my room!

- Hi.

- Hi. Get out of here.

- Jesus.

- What time is it?

- It's almost midday. I don't know.

What happened?

I can't remember anything!

- Tunner, I'll see you later.

- Yes, you will.

- Tunner! Any champagne left?

- What?

Champagne. I'm in a panic.

- Last one.

- Thanks.

Tunner, do I snore?

Snore? No.

- Hello.

- Hello.

Oh, Port and Kit

Oh, Kit and Port

I love you, Port and Kit

I love you, Kit and Port

- Will you trade me if my chain slips?

- No.

If Tunner didn't take such long

siestas, I'd never be alone with you.

I think he's in love with you.

- Port, don't be silly.

- Sillier things have happened.

The way he hangs around

making inane conversation.

The way he looks at you

when he fingers his DDT can.

What else?

- The way he counts your luggage.

- He counts yours too.

- It's not the same.

- Hey, look.

Someday they'll kick

the French out of this country.

Well, with trousers like that,

who can blame them?

Can you make it to the pass?

Hey, wait! Wait!

- Bye!

- Wait!

Wait!

You know, I miss times like this...

places like this,

more than anything in the world.

I know you do.

And this is what I wanted to show you.

This place.

Yes.

Come on.

Here...

the sky is so strange.

It's almost solid.

As if it were protecting us

from what's behind. Look.

What's behind?

It's nothing. Just night.

I wish I could be like you,

but I can't.

- Maybe we're afraid of the same thing.

- No. We're not!

You're not afraid to be alone.

And you don't need anything.

You don't need anyone.

You could live without me.

You know that, for me,

loving means loving you.

No matter what's wrong between us,

there can never be anyone else.

Maybe we're both afraid

of loving too much.

Let's leave here.

Okay.

Okay.

Pearl Harbor, Tunner.

We're being attacked!

Jesus!

Well, that's it then. On to Messad!

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