Topaz Page #3

Better than that.

I am from the island of Martinique.

- That makes us practically related.

- Good.

Here is my little one.

How do you propose

to get up there?

Oh, I think I will be a reporter.

I am loaded with press cards.

Who do you think I ought

to work for tonight? Ebony?

- Playboy? Jersey City Post Ledger?

- Ebony.

Oh, I think they identify better

with Playboy.

- Ebony.

- Oh, man, are you square!

OK. Let's go.

Oh! One tiny matter.

The money.

Benny, work on this cross, will you?

And don't brighten it up too much.

I'll try not to.

Where will you be?

Along here. Across the road.

- Watch yourself, Philippe.

- It's the best thing I do.

What do you want?

I have an appointment with

Senor Parra's secretary, Uribe.

Go ahead.

Oh, there he is now.

Thanks.

I said no. Now, go on.

Rico told me he would see us.

He told us he would see us

this morning.

I tell you tonight he will not!

Now, get out! Both of you!

- Who are you to tell us to -?

- I said he will not see you!

- Rico! It's me, Matteo Gomez!

- And Tomas Bosch!

- Rico!

- Get out, both of you!

Where are those papers now,

exactly?

In a red leather case, on the floor

next to his desk. Locked.

If I get Parra away from his desk

for an interview,

can you get the case

and bring it here?

- He won't give you an interview.

- Then I've failed.

But I am not going to fail

in your bathroom. Come on.

Wait one minute.

- Who is he?

- It is alright, Hernandez.

- Please.

- Get out! Get the hell out of here!

Fools! Do you want

to get us all arrested? Get out!

But, Rico, you said you wanted

us to show that we are not afraid.

So you are going to bomb

the Statue of Liberty? Imbeciles!

- Get out!

- Seor Parra!

I wonder if I could have

a few minutes of your time?

- Who are you?

- Wait one minute.

Comrade Rico,

this man is from Ebony magazine.

If you will speak to him for a minute.

I give no more interviews.

What is the matter?

Are you anti-Negro?

Leave him alone.

There are no colour bars in Cuba.

We're a free and democratic nation.

All men... are comrades.

Then you will talk to me.

After what American newspapers

said about the Cuba delegation?

I am not the American newspapers.

I would like you to come out

on the balcony with me.

Let me photograph you

waving to our people.

To my people. Will you do that?

- What will you print about Cuba?

- Whatever you tell me.

One statement

to go with the pictures.

- What is this?

- This is my camera.

- It is a funny little camera.

- It does very good work.

- How about one this way?

- Keep waving, please. Keep waving.

- I think you have had enough.

- Just two more, please. Two more.

Thank you, Seor Parra.

What do you want me to say

to go with the pictures?

Tell your people

we are a small country now.

But soon...

very soon...

we will not be afraid of anybody.

Not of anybody.

Good!

Then something is happening.

No, I did not say that.

- Only write what I say.

- Of course.

Thank you, Seor Parra.

- Comrade!

- Comrade.

Comrade.

Fernando. I want two copies of this.

Fernando. Where is the red case?

Uribe took it.

Uribe? Why? He has no key.

I have the only key.

Hernandez.

Have you got your gun?

Come with me.

Excuse me.

Give me your gun.

Come with me!

There he is!

Sorry, Seor.

Alright, Benny.

I'll finish it.

- Is it OK?

- It looks fine.

Does Ren d'Arcy know

that you are going to Cuba?

Yes, of course.

- Does Paris know?

- I assume so.

Andr, I don't want you to go.

I am afraid for you,

for your career, for your life.

I've got to.

I promised. I started all this

and I am going to finish it.

Let the Americans

do their own dirty work.

They can't - they have no network

in Cuba since the Bay of Pigs.

All their agents are dead or in jail.

And so they asked you?

Yes.

It can be no-one but you?

I want it to be me.

Those papers we photographed

the other day in New York,

scared the hell out of them.

Not just the Americans - me!

I have got to see what the Russians

are up to in Cuba.

There is a woman in Cuba,

isn't there?

Named... Juanita de Cordoba.

Where did you hear that name?

Where else? From Claire d'Arcy,

who got it from her husband,

who got it from your French office

in Havana.

I don't want that name used,

mentioned, ever.

Why? What is she to you?

She is in the Cuban underground.

She sometimes works for me.

Ah... What else does she do for you?

Nicole! She is the head

of the network in Cuba.

I shouldn't tell you these things!

It is dangerous to talk of her,

even to know...

But I do know, that's the trouble.

I wish I didn't.

I know that you go to Cuba

four or five times a year.

And that...

she is beautiful.

I go to Cuba four or five times a year

because it is my job.

That's all.

Now, I don't want to talk about it.

Will you come down with me?

Goodbye.

Nicole!

You'd better wait.

I'll send the boy out.

Give him my overnight case

and the typewriter.

And... take this... and the

suitcase in the back to the residence.

What time will you be in Havana

tomorrow?

I will call you

when to send a car for me.

- Juanita.

- Hello.

- Seor Parra.

- Monsieur Devereaux.

You are back soon.

I am always happy

to return to Cuba.

I am sure you are.

And to come here

to pay my respects.

- I am happy to see you, Juanita.

- Thank you.

Nylon things from the United States.

I hope your government won't mind.

I didn't inform Customs.

And...

how are things in Washington?

Routine. Nothing exceptional.

I was in New York

only 24 hours ago.

Oh? How were things in New York?

See any good shows?

No. Routine. Nothing exciting.

Will I see you tonight?

No, not tonight.

You will be at the rally tomorrow?

- Fidel expects you.

- Mm-hm.

- Is there a rally tomorrow?

- Mm.

I would like to listen to Castro.

I am sorry we can't have you with us

on the platform.

No, no,

I like to be part of the crowd.

Seor Devereaux.

- Get my things, will you?

Monsieur Vata knows which ones.

Yes, sir.

I am very glad to see you, sir.

- Please take those in for me, Tomas.

- Yes, seora.

You sent no word.

I tried to phone you

from Mexico City between planes.

Didn't the office call?

Less than an hour ago.

When he was here.

You picked a hell of a time to come.

Security is tight.

- The island's crawling with Russians.

- I know.

I have come to take a look at them.

And what they're up to.

I haven't been able to send

any information to Miami in weeks.

Well, I am here now to do all I can.

So, Rico Parra is still your faithful

companion and protector?

And landlord.

Did he come to...

collect the rent?

How is your wife?

- Maybe we ought to start again.

- I think we'd better.

I don't get this.

The French don't give a damn

what the Russians do in Cuba.

The Americans do.

That's going to be tough.

Cuba is locked up.

The Russians have us like this.

I am going to need help

from your organisation.

No use.

Most of my people are in hiding.

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