Topaze Page #5

I'm not retaining you!

Is it true,

Topaze corrects your homework?

- Yes, it's true.

- Why?

Because I hate doing it.

And if I find some imbecile

who's willing to, I see no harm.

I don't reproach you for that,

the principle is not condemnable.

But why does the idiot do it?

Because I lead him on.

- You give nothing in exchange?

- Nothing!

Then why does he think you love him?

- He wants to ask for your hand.

- Let him ask.

How would he dare

if things hadn't gone further?

Tell me, what's between you?

- Nothing, he makes eyes at me.

- That's all?

- He tried to kiss me.

- Where?

In his classroom.

In a classroom! If the children saw

and told their parents!

Do you want to chase away

our last students?

The cook will do that.

Answer me!

Rather than dishonoring your father.

- There's nothing between you?

- Of course not.

- Who do you think I am?

- Then come with me!

The lady will not listen to me

before I find my mistake.

But there is no mistake.

I can't invent one.

You're the disgrace of my school!

You give private lessons

in secret for free,

you announce new students

who refuse to enroll,

you refuse to find errors

when parents demand it,

- you rig your examinations...

- Headmaster...

In addition to stupidity and deceit,

you add scandalous lechery!

Me? Miss Muche!

In this very classroom,

before your horrified students,

didn't you dishonor my daughter?

Me? Ernestine?

To spare the school,

I won't call the police,

but you can collect your pay

at once.

As of 10:
30 this morning

you are no longer employed.

Come on, Ernestine.

Headmaster? Mr. Muche!

Me, dismissed?

It's dreadful.

A day of misunderstandings.

The examination is postponed

Rgis, you're joking.

No, darling,

I have a million for you.

I want one and a half

or you'll never set foot here again.

One and a half,

that's a big present.

It's not a present, it's my share!

I do nothing for it, maybe?

No, you give me precious advice.

But if the mayor voted

my street sweeper machines,

it's because I voted

his underground urinals.

- A bit of respect, please.

- What do you mean?

I don't like you

talking about urinals.

Tell me clearly you want

to swindle me out of my share.

I need it very soon.

I promise you,

I have no liquid assets.

The street sweepers

will bring in 1 0 million.

1 0 million gross! I have expenses.

On top of the usual bribes,

I have to pay the union 800,000.

Why? The sweepers should be happy.

Those who use the machines, yes,

not those who're laid off.

- Why laid off?

- These machines

will cause 220 layoffs.

That's what allowed me

to get the vote.

I must compensate the personal

or there will be trouble.

Then there's the press,

and... my wife.

Your wife what?

I'll have to buy her a car

or a mink.

I didn't realize you told your wife

about your frauds.

I don't tell her a thing,

she reads the council minutes.

Then she demands her share.

If you spoil your wife,

you can't refuse your mistress.

- Look at the balance sheet.

- I don't care.

- I'll have to pay you myself.

- That's what you're here for.

- That was a mean thing to say.

- Is it yes or no?

It's yes!

Mr. Roger Gatan de Bersac.

Bring him to my office.

Very well, sir.

- New business?

- No, the sweepers.

The bid closes tomorrow,

it's not settled?

- Yes, but he hasn't signed.

- He refused?

He couldn't, his arm's been

in a sling. Dislocated ligament.

What's this nonsense?

An accident.

His starter was stuck,

he tried to crank start it

and that was it.

- Honey, you were taken for a ride.

- A ride?

This gentleman playacted

to postpone signing.

He's here now.

- On what conditions?

- Five percent, as usual.

- Don't count on it!

- Is he up to something?

We have to finalize it tonight.

If I were in his shoes,

I'd ask for 35%, he'll want 30%.

If the bastard tries that,

he won't get away with it!

Calm down, darling.

It's not the moment to shout.

Let's see what can be saved.

Avoid any outbursts of insults

which will only ruin things.

Be calm and distinguished.

If you can.

- Mr. Gaston's in his room?

- Yes sir, waiting for you.

Thank you.

- Hello, Mr. Topaze.

- Hello, madam.

You need something?

This morning,

you asked if I could give Mr. Gaston

Iessons two hours a day.

I wanted to say,

if your proposal still holds,

I'm ready to accept.

It's impossible now, his father's

coming to take him home.

Very well, madam.

Are you disappointed?

This morning you told me

you didn't have time.

True, madam,

but since 10:
30,

I have much more free time.

Mr. Muche reduced your hours?

Yes, he reduced them.

In fact, he reduced them to nothing.

He pays you to do nothing?

That is to say,

he reduced my wages proportionately.

- That was a mean thing to say.

- Is it yes or no?

He threw me out.

How unfortunate. It wasn't my visit?

No, madam.

Merely a series

of incredible misunderstandings.

May I give one last lesson

to Mr. Gaston?

Of course, he's waiting for you.

I'll give him a farewell dictation.

Perfect.

OK, drop it.

Considering our differences,

I think this discussion is over.

What? You're leaving?

- One million.

- A million?

- He demands one million.

- And he offers me 300,000.

300,000 isn't much,

but a million is enormous!

Enormous!

If that's not a madman's claim,

what is?

The madman will depart.

Madam, allow me.

Come on, you can't lose this deal

because you're in bad moods!

Let's have a drink.

"And one of his officers...

"of his officers

"known...

"known for his bravery

"and its severity", comma...

Rgis, shake the cocktails.

- May I ask a question?

- Of course, madam.

Why this sum? Until now

your demands were more modest.

You took 5%

for the school heating units.

Yes I took 5%, but I was,

pardon the expression, a sucker.

A sucker who got 450,000 francs.

And you, 7 million. Compare.

For God's sake,

who's the town councilor? You or me?

You avoid the point.

Not at all!

Would the council have voted

the installation without me?

Not on your life.

We'd just bought brand new stoves.

We had to smash them

with sledgehammers!

Even if we needed steam radiators,

- would we have come to you?

- Why not?

You didn't even know what they were!

You wrote "gladiator" five times

in your report.

- I've all the more merit.

- That's true.

But all you do is lend your name.

That's right.

That's right!

- Don't be unfair, it counts.

- Especially my name.

Roger Gatan de Bersac.

Since yesterday, I'm treasurer

of the Gay-Lussac circle.

Which proves

my reputation has integrity.

And integrity costs money

because it's hard to find.

I've known people with integrity

who took 4%.

Yes, people with no standing.

I must demand sums

that correspond to my standing.

When I met you, you had debts.

I got you back on your feet.

- That's what you say.

- And how!

Your car? The wood cobblestones.

Your studio?

The slaughterhouse lighting.

Your mistress's mink?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes