Topaze Page #12

- Say something!

- My God!

Madam, that's all he can say.

It's surely a misunderstanding.

- You're incapable of this.

- You wanted proof.

Come on, think about it!

Without me you'd be with Muche!

I taught you everything.

You made 7,684,000 francs.

No student ever gave me that.

I simply can't believe it.

You're an honest man!

I had esteem and affection for you.

Yes, affection!

I can't believe you'd do this

to me for money,

it's too painful.

You're hurting yourself.

Suzy, tell him he's hurting himself.

Come on, I'll give you 10%.

You see, Rgis, I saw you at work

and I judged you.

You're uninteresting.

You're a crook, yes that you are.

But a little one.

Your deals have no ambition.

Fifteen sweepers,

thirty manhole covers,

ten dozen enameled spittoons.

The game isn't worth the candle.

As for speculations

such as urinals on wheels,

that's not business, it's poetry.

No, you're just a small fry,

stay in politics.

That's it, same as the chimpanzee.

That's all you can think to say.

What can you say to a bandit?

You're a bandit!

You're not a man.

And you, madam, please be quiet.

- Are you his accomplice?

- You know I'm not.

He'd never have had the audacity

without you.

Go on, admit you're behind it.

I've been wise for a while.

You won't get away with this.

I haven't paid you enough?

- That's the height of vulgarity!

- Oh, vulgarity!

If you want to shout,

please do it elsewhere.

- You wore rabbit when I met you.

- How crude.

She wore second-hand hats.

I forbid you to speak like that

to a lady. Leave!

We'll see who has the last laugh.

I'll be back.

- I'll go to the public prosecutor.

- I doubt it.

- You've ridiculed me.

- That's true.

I expect your attitude to change.

We'll talk later.

You talk crudely to a woman

because you fear a man.

I find you despicable.

- Madam...

- Leave, sir!

- What do you think?

- Go on.

- I could use physical strength.

- Go ahead.

- But I'm not a brute.

- You said it.

I'll make you pay for your boasting.

- Meanwhile, I'll laugh.

- That's it.

He's shown his true face.

He'll soon make poor excuses to you,

which you'll accept with a smile,

to keep your honor.

I find you impertinent.

Perhaps too much.

I get the feeling

you've lost your head.

You think this displays intelligence?

No, authority.

- A display that will cost you.

- Why?

The agency in itself is worthless.

It made money

because Rgis was behind the faade.

From now on, there's me.

You!

What will you do alone?

Ask what I've already done.

For three months now,

I've worked for myself.

I've made interesting acquaintances.

And I've made money.

When the Morocco deal...

- Is that serious?

- There's nothing more serious.

5,000 hectares, limited companies,

4,000 incorporating shares for me,

sold on the market.

You've changed.

For the better?

Maybe, but not for me.

- How's that?

- I had shares here.

By stripping Rgis,

you're stripping me.

I had an 8% cut.

It's up to you to keep it.

On what grounds?

I owe you much.

And I still need you.

I thought you were a big man.

No, not yet. I'm missing something.

- What?

- The dazzling sign of success.

An elegant well-known mistress

to escort me

and receive my guests

in tasteful surroundings.

- I think you're moving a bit fast.

- How's that?

I know how Topaze works,

I helped make him.

Which is why I allow myself

to give you some advice.

It's your advice I'm asking for.

I'd like your opinion on my choice.

If your choice is made,

it's too late to ask me.

Who is it?

- Guess.

- Do I know her?

- Very well.

- Brunette or blond?

- Blond.

- Small?

Average height.

- Pretty?

- Very pretty.

But moreover,

distinguished and refined.

In her blue eyes

burns formidable intelligence.

It's for this reason

that I chose her.

- Did I do well?

- Surely.

But maybe she's mocking you?

Who knows?

Maybe she doubts your future?

She'd be wrong.

Prove yourself further before

making proposals that could shock.

You think so?

She'd put you in your place.

On this point I think you're wrong.

I think I should speak to her

as soon as possible.

Too bad for you.

Her lover left,

she's only waiting for the word.

I find you vain and pretentious.

Go ahead, try your word.

- Try now, it'll amuse me.

- Very well.

- Passy 4352.

- What?

Odette?

The baron left her yesterday.

I ran into her, we had tea together

- and it seemed to me...

- Oh, how stupid.

Why play this little comedy?

What did you hope for?

Nothing. What can I hope for?

You knew me too poor and too dumb.

I'll never win your heart.

I'll always be "the likeable idiot".

- Likeable...

- But idiot.

Know what we could do?

- Yes, I do know.

- Don't be silly.

I'll hurry home, Rgis is waiting.

You miss him already?

We have accounts to settle!

I'll come back for you

and we'll continue our conversation,

which is not uninteresting,

at the Armenonville.

I'd prefer the Moulin de Micherelle,

the nights are more beautiful.

As you wish. But there's one point

I will not compromise on.

- What's that?

- My 8%.

Topaze! You shaved it?

Yes, you know business.

Am I very different?

You look like an actor

from the Comdie Franaise.

I'm so happy to see you.

A pleasure you might've had sooner

but for so many closed doors.

Did your typists tell you?

They'd always say: "Sir is out."

After a while,

I thought you didn't want to see me.

I admit,

I found that hard to take.

Come on, old friends like us!

Especially since I have

something important to tell you.

- Tell me.

- You know I'm your friend.

A sincere friend,

who's never been indiscreet.

But what I have to tell you

is very serious

for it concerns your reputation.

My reputation?

It pains me to tell you this,

but I heard

people say that your associate

is a mad politician.

One honest man even insinuated

that you knew it, and that you were

involved in doubtful affairs.

- Doubtful?

- Doubtful.

And these rumors were validated

by the press.

A perfectly honest man gave me this,

it appeared in

a serious paper some time ago.

What are your conclusions?

My dear man, I came to warn you.

Carefully survey the affairs

you treat with this gentleman.

And write to the papers

to set them straight.

Thank you, Tamise.

I'm perfectly aware

of the affairs I've treated.

They aren't doubtful.

Not in the slightest.

These affairs are simple riggings

founded on influence peddling,

bribery of officials,

and corrupt practices.

- You old devil!

- I'm not joking.

You want to teach me a lesson.

I admit, I deserve it.

But they sounded so certain,

and this paper...

I don't know if it's because

you look like an actor,

- but I almost believed you.

- You must believe me.

Everything I've done

is against the law.

If society were well designed,

I'd be in jail.

- What did you say?

- The truth.

- Are you mad?

- Not at all.

Then it's true,

you've become dishonest?

Tamise, don't look at me

in such horror.

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