Trans-Europ-Express

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- Hi Jean, hi Michelle.

- Hi.

It's a terrific train.

- What's this? - We should set a

film on a train like this.

Yes, why not?

We could call it "Trans Europ

Express". It's a good title.

- Fine. What's the story?

- Drug trafficking.

Something exciting, with fights,

violence, rape, you know.

- Good, let's start at once.

You have your tape-recorder?

- I'm ready.

- Here we go.

At the Gare du Nord in Paris,

a drug trafficker

receives from his accomplice a

suitcase with a fake bottom

in which he is to transport from

Belgium a few kilos of cocaine.

Then he boards the Trans-Europ-Express

going to Antwerp.

But the police, always on the alert,

have followed our man.

Hardly has he entered his compartment,

he is attacked by three policemen

armed to the teeth.

Here let's remind ourselves that

drug trafficking represents

a not insignificant part of the

national revenue,

some 0,17% of the total of

import operations

carried out by private companies...

- I need a suitcase.

- Certainly, what type?

The trafficker model, with a false

bottom to hide the drugs.

Just kidding.

THE MAN WHO DIED FOUR TIMES.

I'm sorry, are you waiting for

Father Petitjean?

No, I know that he is not back

from his trip yet.

I have some news of him.

Petitjean is drinking beer at

the station bar.

Thank you, but beware of false news.

Is he crazy, that one?

What is he looking for?

- Didn't you recognize him?

- It's Trintignant.

Of course. What about using him

for your film?

- Yes, for instance.

- What name will you give him?

- Elias.

- Isn't there a better name?

- No, I'm sorry, his name is Elias.

- His first or last name?

- It's a nickname.

- But what's his name in real life?

- In real life I don't know.

- That's a good start.

To recap:
in the beginning your Elias

has an empty suitcase.

- Why did he buy the sugar?

- The suitcase was too light.

- He's taken nothing else for the trip?

- No, he didn't have the time.

He left on sudden orders.

- Whose orders?

The trafficking organization.

But do drugs really get transported

in this way?

- Obviously, if that's what's he does.

- Who?

Elias.

- So what next?

- Where was I?

The other suitcase.

"At the Gare du Nord in Paris,

a drug trafficker

receives from an accomplice in

exchange for the suitcase he's bought

an identical suitcase with a false

bottom to transport from Belgium

several kilos of cocaine."

And then?

Then he boards the train and

looks for a quiet seat.

Who is this girl with the glasses?

Must be an agent of the rival gang

sent to steal the suitcase.

But why? It's empty.

Yes, that's true.

- What is she looking for?

- The coke, can't you see?

But that's impossible.

You just said that he was going

to Antwerp for the pickup.

She probably does not know that.

The rival gang should know in which

direction goes the trafficking.

So she is not from a rival gang.

She is an amateur detective...

- And where has he gone?

- I don't know, the bathroom.

Why would she search his suitcase

in the first place?

OK, let's forget it.

Passports, please.

Thank you, madam.

Thank you.

It's equally absurd for her to

steal the suitcase.

Why would it interest a rival gang

or a detective

or anybody else?

So she must be a kleptomaniac,

a train thief.

She took the suitcase by chance,

not knowing about the fake bottom,

and she has nothing to do with

the drug trafficking.

Shall we continue?

This stolen suitcase story doesn't

work and it gets us nowhere.

OK, as you like.

And the cocaine is also

off the mark.

In Antwerp it would sooner be

diamonds.

A diamond is created in three

main stages:

cutting, shaping and polishing.

The cutting is done with discs

glazed with powdered diamonds.

The shaping is achieved by

rubbing together

two freshly cut diamonds.

Abrasives are used for polishing.

There are 4 kinds of diamonds: brillant,

briolet, pendloque and table.

Let's compromise. I keep the drugs

and abandon the theft of the suitcase.

- Would you like to sit here?

- Yes, thank you.

- Where do we begin?

- The customs part.

Belgian customs.

Anything to declare?

Elias safely arrives in Antwerp

with his trick suitcase.

He moves fast.

I want a room, please.

Are you going for a walk?

It's a very interesting town.

You must be waiting for

Father Petitjean.

No, I know that he is not back

from his trip yet.

If you want news of him, be at 8

sharp tomorrow at Zeuter Terrace.

Could you give me an advance on

what you owe me?

If you have no use for the scarf,

give it to me.

Are you looking for something,

sir?

Will you buy me a drink?

- You are not very talkative.

- I'm in a hurry.

Liar, you've been hanging around

for a quarter of an hour.

- That's why I am late.

- Where are you going?

- Who was the guy you spoke with?

- A vice cop.

He asked me if I have seen any

prostitutes around here.

- And you, what do you do for a living?

- I'm an assassin.

- Professional?

- No, amateur.

Semi-professional, actually.

- You're funny.

- You don't believe me?

I do. Why can't there be

funny assassins?

Do you know who that guy is?

He is also a vice cop.

No. He is an actor dressed as

a cafe owner.

Do you want to go to my place?

I'm good, you know.

- No, I'm not interested.

- What interests you then?

Rape. Only rape.

All right. But it's more expensive,

naturally.

- Why don't you wait in the window,

like others? - I'm not a whore!

I am a nice girl from a good family.

You came with me to tune the piano.

Open your purse.

Give it to me.

Did you have fun?

It wasn't bad. You fight a bit too

much, but still not bad.

- You're fairly good-looking.

- Thank you.

- Are you from Paris?

- Why do you say that?

Your jacket has a Paris label.

- When did you notice that?

- Just now when you took it off.

What are you doing in Antwerp?

Sightseeing.

Why did you give that man

your scarf?

I'm a travelling salesman.

You don't trust me.

I could be useful.

I know lots of people here, in

all kinds of occupations.

- What's your name?

- Jean.

Mine's Eva. Do you like it?

That guy you gave your scarf to,

I know who he is.

He sells coke.

In your place, I'd be careful.

They are not straight, that gang.

They hire couriers and then they

give them to the cops to avoid paying.

I'm not interested in those tales.

They guy lost his scarf and asked me

if it wasn't his that I was holding.

He explained where he lost it.

Alright. Good for your.

But if you want to get in on

a serious deal, just tell me.

Don't forget the name - Eva.

Is that your wife? It's the time

for the wife photo to come out.

Is that enough?

There is something absurd here.

Why does your Elias receive

fragmentary orders,

from meeting to meeting,

never getting anywhere?

No, it's easy to understand.

He is a new agent.

The organization wants

to test him first.

So they watch him carefully before

trusting him with the goods.

- And the whore subplot? What is

she doing there? - She is not a whore!

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