Topaze Page #8

This year, I assisted all his deals.

He forced me to participate.

You took me for an accomplice.

I'm not an accomplice,

but a victim. Don't be harsh.

There you go,

the secret dramas of high society.

He's the perfect monster.

Yet it's you who threw me

into his clutches.

- Why?

- You didn't understand?

- No.

- What can a woman do

in a dangerous man's power?

Cry, and look for support.

And you chose me?

Why, madam? Tell me.

I don't know.

Yes, you do know.

Tell me!

The first time I saw you,

I was struck by your energetic face.

I thought I read a certain interest,

almost devotion, in your eyes.

I said to myself: "This man is

different, he's simple, intelligent,

"energetic, disinterested.

"lf I had a man like him near me,

I'd feel protected, supported,

"maybe even saved."

Was I wrong?

No! I wish to be worthy

of this immense honor.

Madam, what do you expect of me?

Silence. If you talk,

I'm ruined and dishonored.

Fine, I'll be quiet.

And I want you to stay with me,

I need you so much.

- I'll stay with you.

- Thank you.

- You know the conditions?

- No.

You must accept the post

and re-win Castel-Vernac's trust.

Study him, search for

his weak point. You'll find it.

And when you can strike

without harming me, do it.

I discover a criminal

and I must become his accomplice?

Yes, if you wish to save me!

This debate is Cornelian.

What crossroads!

What conflict of duty!

If only I had time

to weigh the pros and cons.

No, you must act at once,

he's in the next room.

He thinks I'm explaining

the advantages of your complicity,

and possibly offering you a raise

to calm your scruples.

What baseness!

Let him believe

that's what we were discussing.

But to calm his suspicions,

we must show proof of complicity.

Yes, of course. But what?

Yes, what?

What if I shake his hand

when I see him?

Yes, do that. But it's not enough.

What if I gave his papers back?

- Yes, but they must be signed.

- Why?

Your signature means

you're on his side, it'll calm him.

Sit down.

What do we have here?

"The purchase of eight houses,

Rue Judeau,

"for resale to the city,

"which will expropriate them."

Take this pen and sign here.

This is difficult.

For me.

Criminal court...

Criminal court...

Call the police!

Scandal!

Money does not bring happiness.

Ill-gotten gains never prosper.

What is it?

A gentleman is asking

for the director.

Oscar Muche? Tell him I'm out.

Tell everyone I'm out.

I want to see no one.

No one!

Very well.

While you're here,

Mr. Castel-Vernac

does not look kindly

upon the games I tolerate.

He said I should forbid cards,

dominos and backgammon.

Moreover, he does not appreciate

the presence of your young visitors.

He believes them to be suitors.

You can tell him he's wrong.

I have no suitors, Germaine either.

They're kids we meet in the street,

they come here to kiss.

Germaine has a broken heart,

she needs distraction.

That's why she drinks Pernod.

If you try to stop her,

she'll go mad.

I'll talk to Mr. Castel-Vernac,

but until further notice,

don't bring anyone else up.

And no more games.

"The eye was in the tomb

"and looking at Cain..."

Hello, my dear Topaze.

How are you?

As good as can be expected,

I appreciate your concern.

- Where are you dining tonight?

- In my room.

- With a lady friend?

- No, madam.

Solitude and reflection.

- Then you'll dine with me.

- With you?

With Castel-Vernac and some friends.

You'll enjoy yourself.

I would like permission to refuse,

I'd rather see no one.

You refuse?

If you allow me.

Even if I say

I'd like to chat with you?

I've forgotten how to chat,

it'll be no pleasure for you.

What's the matter with you?

Madam, I know everything.

I started working here

almost five months ago,

and 27 days ago,

I learned that you tricked me!

You take me by surprise.

On April 13, at 7:00 at night,

I went to your home,

for you'd invited me.

I waited in the salon

and through the glass door,

I heard a horrifying conversation,

hideous,

but which made perfect sense.

Mr. Castel-Vernac said:

"Darling, why did you invite

the likeable idiot?"

And you answered:

"The likeable idiot is very useful,

"we must cajole him a little."

The likeable idiot, was me!

As for the word "darling",

it clearly explained the nature

of your relation with this man.

If you didn't see,

you deserved that we hid it.

- Hide!

- Hide what?

"That we hide it."

- So you admit it?

- And so what?

And so what? Good Lord!

It only proves one shouldn't listen

behind doors.

I thought you had more tact.

That was a nasty way to learn

what everyone knows.

You dare suggest I'd have accepted

this situation had I known?

You lured me into an ambush.

It was chance that brought you here

when we needed you.

It's because I like you

that I offered and you accepted.

I accepted for a smile,

for your words,

intoxicated by your absurd story

that your beauty made me believe.

But on April 13, I saw reality.

A reality made of mire and mud.

The weight of my acts crushes me.

Hidden in this office,

I feel besieged by the universe.

You lock yourself inside

like a prisoner.

Take advantage of your situation,

see people, go out!

Go out? You think I could look into

the eyes of an honest man?

Even if the eyes of an honest man

were different,

one meets so few of them.

It's true, you look like a madman.

Listen, you're not well.

You need to rest,

I'll tell Mr. Castel-Vernac.

- No, I'll stay here and wait.

- Wait for what?

For that which must come to pass.

Have you denounced us?

No, I don't even have the courage

to do that.

Revealing your indignity

would be to proclaim my infamy.

And how could I denounce you?

You're mad but you say sweet things.

Yes, sweet.

I've been expecting this scene.

I knew you'd learn the truth

one day.

I wondered, with a certain anxiety,

what you would do.

Madam, I lost weight.

That's all I could do.

My friend, at times I truly regret.

You regret nothing,

you obtained what you desired.

A man of straw,

submissive and timorous.

That way you make money

and live in false security

with the one you love.

Come, Topaze, be realistic.

Then why are you with him?

- He gives me an honorable life.

- Honorable?

You're a kept woman.

Like all women.

Husband or lover,

is the difference that great?

- Hello, Mr. Topaze.

- Hello, boss.

Hello, Suzy.

Anything new?

By chance,

- did Mr. Rebizoulet stop by?

- No one's come.

Well, someone will.

You'll treat this affair alone.

I chose an easy one to start with.

And since you're always glum,

it's funny.

- Very well, councilor.

- Rebizoulet

will surely come today.

Rebizoulet is the owner

of the Swiss caf.

In front of his brasserie last year,

our health services built

one of those sheet metal monuments,

known as an outdoor urinal.

A fine idea.

However as the summer advances

and the sun warms,

this structure makes

the outdoor caf unbearable.

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