Topaze Page #11

the car for you at 7:30.

You're dining with us tonight.

We'll talk business

and I have a surprise for you.

First, here's a check

for 500,000 francs.

Mr. Castel-Vernac owed you 435,000,

but he rounded it up.

This was very generous of him.

Now you will give me back the key

to the bank safe.

I cancelled your power of attorney.

You relieve me

of a great responsibility.

It's not out of distrust,

but to relieve you of a worry.

I want to put you, Mr. Topaze,

fully at ease.

I'll relieve not only of one worry,

but all your worries.

You weren't born for business,

you've no gift.

- We can't have them all!

- But you do have one.

That's for teaching.

I just ran into Miss Muche...

- Where?

- At the office.

She was with her father,

she's a teacher.

They praised your talent.

I felt remorse for having deprived

education this long

of such a fine teacher.

I have a friend,

the principal of a free school.

He offered you a post for

a monthly salary of 40,000 francs.

And three months paid vacation.

Now for the surprise.

What's this?

This is for me? It's official?

Your diploma is inside.

I propose a toast

in honor of our friend,

high school professor

and officer of the Academy.

You look thoughtful.

Is it the emotion?

No.

You want to get rid of me?

In our common interest,

it seemed to me the only solution.

You're not happy here.

No, I wasn't happy.

Until now, I only did

stupid, childish things.

But I don't want to teach,

I want to stay with you.

Are you seeking a small indemnity?

No, boss. Not a small indemnity.

A big one then?

Maybe he's not as stupid

as he seems.

Your position

is not as strong as you think.

Blackmail won't work.

Blackmail!

I wasn't thinking of that.

Tell me what you want.

I want to stay here!

- What for?

- To prove myself.

Prove yourself?

I thought you already had.

You have visions, you hear talking

street sweepers,

you attract the police...

I was unaware of many things

I'm only starting to grasp.

Today brought revelations.

Which ones?

Life isn't what I thought,

you were right.

Everything proves it.

This food, this wine,

these furnishings,

this atmosphere, this charm.

I'd easily get used to it.

Shall I receive Mr. Rebizoulet?

I hope this decision

isn't due to a glass of champagne.

If I must drink others,

I'll resign myself.

Give him another chance.

Sober, he's dangerous.

I'm asking you.

You'll wear your ribbon

for confidence.

My ribbon?

This is truly the ultimate honor.

It's not a prank?

The diploma is in its casing.

Read it!

"From the Minister

of National Education

"to Mr. Albert Topaze, engineer,

"for exceptional services."

Show Mr. Rebizoulet in.

He has nerve,

I said I'd be here at 2:00.

If he's held up,

he could at least phone.

As far as you're concerned,

he has an excuse.

He didn't know you'd be

at our meeting.

What?

I've been at every meeting

for eight months!

Of course, but you were there

as a spectator, or by chance.

He knows your presence

isn't necessary.

I guess you're right, I'd best go.

I didn't dare ask, but I'd rather.

I wouldn't like to think

you're waiting for him.

You're right.

You'd be happy if I left.

I'm not that stupid, darling!

What do you mean?

You wanted to hide the Morocco deal?

What Morocco deal?

You look guilty. You deny it?

I don't know what you mean.

Your dishonesty proves

you intended to keep my share.

But I don't understand.

You're unaware

of the Morocco concession?

Land with marble quarries,

lead deposits and oak forests?

It's news to me. Who told you?

It'd be hard to ignore,

the deputy's here every day.

You think I didn't see the map

marked in blue?

- You must think I'm an idiot.

- The map?

I didn't even notice!

Nothing's worse than hypocrisy.

Nothing's worse than this story

I know nothing of.

Then why shouldn't I stay?

Listen, it's simple.

Topaze has become very proud lately.

He's taking himself too seriously.

When I'm alone with him,

I let him ramble on,

but I fear your presence

will excite his vanity.

If he exceeds my patience

I'd be obliged to dismiss him.

- It might be best for him.

- You pity him?

Maybe.

You're afraid of him!

Me? Afraid of an employee?

In any case, your employee

isn't afraid of you.

No, he's no longer afraid of me.

And it's your fault.

- My fault?

- Under the pretext

of reassuring him,

you came here too often.

You even went so far

as to advise him on clothing.

A badly-dressed agency director

arouses suspicion!

Yes, but now when I need him,

he's always at his tailor's!

Or at the pool!

And you did worse.

What's that?

You taught him about food!

- I only invited him a few times.

- Twice a week.

You taught him fine cooking.

Now he has the intelligence

and energy of a well-fed man.

It was the same

with my mother's chimpanzee.

When she bought him, he was skinny,

stunk of poverty.

I never saw a monkey

so affectionate.

We fed him coconuts,

stuffed him with bananas.

He grew as strong as an ox

and beat up the maid.

We had to call the firemen.

I'm going to tighten the reins.

How dare this shabby character!

This unfortunate supervisor...

I inform you

that it's quarter-to-five.

We've been waiting for two hours.

- This is incredible...

- One moment, please.

Done! I'm delighted to see you.

- What brings you?

- July's payment.

It's September 4.

Madam, you incarnate grace,

whereas payments

are hard and dry things.

I beg you,

do not let me hear a voice so pure,

for it will make our poor figures

sound ridiculous.

What can I do for you? Figures?

Yes, let's talk figures.

I'll give you my viewpoint after.

I'd be delighted to hear it.

For the month of July, I owe you

- 970,000 francs.

- That matches my figure.

Does that include the Morocco deal?

What is this?

- It's personal.

- What do you mean?

- I mean none of your business.

- Mr. Topaze...

- What's going on?

- It seems clear to me.

What?

Let me explain, please.

- A cigarette?

- No, thank you.

Dear friend,

I have a little calculation for you.

This agency has made profits

of 7,684,000 francs in six months.

This office cost

700,000 for the lease

and 900,000 for furnishings:

1,600,000 altogether.

Compare these two figures: 7,684,000

and 1,600,000.

- I don't see the point.

- It's very important.

This comparison proves

that you made a very good deal,

even if it were to end.

Why would it end?

Because I intend to use this office

for my business.

From now on the agency is mine.

Any profits belong to me.

If I have any dealings with you,

I agree to pay a 6% commission.

No more.

I always told you

Topaze was a comedian.

If you find it funny, wonderful!

I didn't dare hope.

You think you're owner?

I am owner.

The agency is in my name.

The lease is in my name.

The place is legally mine!

- That would be theft.

- Take it to court.

I've seen crooks,

but rarely such cynicism.

Flattery won't help.

You can't just take this!

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