Original subtitles

Sell your clothes, rags scrap metal.

You promised to have the job finished by 3 o'clock .

Not finished yet ?

I haven't finished 'cos I haven't started . Your translations are a pain in the neck .

- You sick ? - No, I'm hungry .

We should make 5000 francs .

3 years of university to live by translating

stories of assassinations? - It's a cinch .

Wouldn't a crime take more guts ?

- Crime does well . - Why not 2, or 3 ?

If it does well .

Some old women are useless .

Relieve them of their money... what's it matter ?

What about your mother and your sister.

That's the best answer to your dumb questions.

- You're broke ? - What's that ?

20,000 from my mother.

And you still complain ?

I won't touch it.

Nicole 'll get herself a good match.

Some rich dude.

Some old guy who'll give her lot of stuff.

You'll accept your sister making a shameful marriage ?

- You ask too many questions. I earn this way.

I'll do the job for you.

Have something to eat. Then it'll go better.

Assassinating people's annoying.

And make sure Nicole doesn't marry the old geezer. That'd be a shame.

Monsieur?

Ren� Brunel.

Ah... I was going to call on you. Pleased to meet you.

Won't you shake my hand ?

Doesn't matter. Come in.

I promised Nicole to win your friendship.

By putting a price on it ? How much ?

You can't offend me.

Fat as you are, you aren't thin-skinned .

I'm going to give you back your 20 000 francs.

I sent that amount to your mother for her trip.

- She arrives tomorrow with Nicole. - I know.

I didn't realise she'd sent the money to you.

- Is that a criticism ? - Not at all

If I'd known it put you in a dilemma, I'd have offered my help.

You won't give up on marrying Nicole ?

But she's said yes... almost, anyway.

You expect me to give up such unexpected joy.

Nicole is 18.

It's that youth that won me.

She turns you on, admit it.

I promised Nicole I wouldn't quarrel with you.

And I promised myself that Nicole wouldn't marry you.

Where'd you put the vino ?

In the lunch bag.

- What is it ? - It's me, Ren� Brunel.

- You again ? - I gotta live.

I'm out of cash.

I've brought you a watch.

- Gold ? - Yes.

- Come in.

Show me.

- It's an old style. - It was my father's watch.

But it's heavy.

These don't sell any more.

Maybe it's only plated.

I'm appealing to your good nature.

Everyone knows Madame Orvet

helps the unfortunate. - It's worthless.

- Give me something for it. - 800 francs.

With interest pledged in advance for three months.

The less I give you, the easier it is to pay it back.

What's up with you ?

You've gone all pale and sweaty.

I had a dizzy spell.

680 francs.

That do you ?

I'm being generous.

But i warn you... three months is three months,

not a day longer.

- Do you have 20 francs? -No.

We won't quibble about 20 francs. There's 700 francs.

Today's the 10th of May.

Deadline 10th of August.

You might say "thank you".

And you might close the door after you ?

- What about me ? - Can you pay ?

To have money is one thing.

To have a thirst is another... no connection

Own a bar and you'll know the connection.

Give me a drink... Anything...except water.

And I'll tell you the story of my life.

You wanna bore me stiff.

A Cinzano.

Gents, it'll be a lucky day for him who takes pity

on the bum with an empty glass.

Piss off !

'Scuse me, gents.

Lovers have kind hearts.

They'll have beautiful children...

if they offer me a drink.

Wait 'til we're married.

Leave the customers alone or I'll throw you out.

Your health, gents.

Your very good health.

Youse with the full glasses.

Monsieur, may God protect you full glass.

That's not His job.

Monsieur, wouldn't you like to offer a glass of wine

to Pierre Marcelin ?

Bad husband, unworthy father,

hounded for drunkenness

and scared to go home.

Silence is consent.

Your good manners deserve a word of explanation.

I left my family to go on a little trip.

It's 6 days since I left the house

taking our last franc with me.

Who is that guy? He's funny.

Not for me. If you knew his life.

Is he a bum ?

His wife is sick and his children are hungry.

No kidding ?

So would it be too much

to ask for another bottle ?

- I don't have any money for that. - Just my luck.

So, where to now ?

You always have to go somewhere.

But where ? Where do you go ?

- I ask you. - Go home.

And once again face Th�r�se, n�e Michaux,

who first was married to Captain Favier?

Just go home without making a song and dance about it.

Would you come with me ?

Th�r�se is weak in the chest.

She coughs, she spits blood.

I can never criticize her.

You could explain to her

that my illness is drunkenness,

and who's to blame for an illness ?

And don't we all have to endure

what is God's will ?

Young man, you've got a heart

and an education,

can't you tell Th�r�se

to feel sorry for me ?

Weakness isn't a vice.

But poverty, young man, this is the worst of all vices.

That's what swallows me.

Isn't it my luck the house is falling down?

Without the beams I wouldn't recognize it.

You're going up alone.

Ah no. Ren�, if you leave me,

I'll just sit here, in the ground and wait.

- Wait for what ? - I'll wait for waiting for nothing.

Listen, it's not for me to speak... Is your place high up ?

Third floor. But the stairs are rotten like the rest.

Go on...go and hit the hay.

- One more thing I didn't tell you. - Next time.

I don't deserve your friendship if I've hidden the worst.

I haven't mentioned Lily.

- Who's Lily? - My daughter.

- The first. Yes...Lily... - How old is she ?

- 18. - Say no more. I understand.

Up you go.

- Ren� ? - What ?

I got a weak heart.

Let me rest a bit.

My head's spinning.

I could tell you that I started drinking

to forget what happened to Lily.

No. Quite the opposite.

From seeing the desperate need of money,

from hearing the little ones cry,

that's what's made her do it.

I can see her coming home one day

with 3 000 francs.

What should a loving father do ?

Scream and shout and kill someone? Kill himself ?

You know what I did, Ren�?

Yes. You've said nothing and taken the money.

Yes.

But I swore before God

that I wouldn't drink again.

And I started.

Lily too ?

For sure.

Don't I disgust you ?

Not at all.

But what will God think of all this ?

Why would He be more stupid than me ?

That's what I think.

God will forgive all us drunks.

I see it now, all the wretches like me,

from every country, every colour,

Standing before Him, trembling with fear.

And God smiles at them.

"Do you bunch of bastards have no shame ?"

You finished crying on the stairs ?

Th�r�se. Don't leave me.

Come on.

I'll come back if you don't scream too much.

That would need strength I don't have.

Kids asleep ?

That's the only thing that doesn't cost money.

And food ?

How've you managed ?

Lily's come every day.

And I, n�e Michaux, I've eaten that bread.

That's all there was.

I rather you insult me.

I've been spitting blood.

But I still do the laundry.

The kids only have one blouse. I do them again every night.

How'm I going to stand all this choking emotion?

Oh, if I can do it...

If the Captain knew how you treated his wife,

he'd come and thrash you.

"Captain"? He ditched

his wife. - Liar !

He held my hand.

And the other held his cards.

You're lying !

He sold your piano.

He sold your carpets. He sold the portrait

of your father. - Not true ! You're lying !

- Papa?

Papa?

- You've woken them up.

Papa, where've you been ?

I had to go to work.

Are you staying with us ?

I won't leave you any more. Dominique, Pascal, come here.

Let go your father or the captain will come and whip you.

Have no fear. Papa will protect you.

You'll run off to the bar, where you can hide your cowardice.

You two will do what I say.

Not contradict mama.

Dominique, just take a look at your dear little father.

It's just a lump of filth.

And, Pascal, look carefully at your father,

so drunk he can barely stand on his feet.

He's the one killing me.

You see, they don't respect me any more.

A monster, a worm.

There's the father the heavens have given you.

And one day he'll come home and find us dead,

all three of us dead.

It's best I leave.

You see how I'm treated ?

But where can I go ?

That's the big problem.

Madame...

You'd be better to go lie down and sleep.

At least for today, it'd be over.

- And tomorrow ? - It'll be better, I swear.

Listen to him,

that's my friend.

He came to tell you to trust me.

And sleep.

Good night.

Thanks for taking pity on Pierre Marcelin.

OK.

- Ren�? - What?

If you ever need a friend, just say the word and I'm there.

Careful of the stairs. They're rotten.

Pierre? Pierre?

Lily?

It's me your friend.

- Going for a walk ? - I'm looking for a girl...Lily.

You a client ? No.

You'll be happier with me.

- I'm looking for Lily. - At the end of the quay...the last one.

- Are you Lily? - That's not funny.

- It's no joke for me. - Lily's the last one.

Lily?

Sorry, I don't recognise you.

We haven't met. I brought your father home.

But he fell down the stairwell. He was drunk.

And the only thing he could still say was your name.

Come on.

Your father told me about you. I've seen his wife and the kids.

- I took to him right away. - He was unhappy.

Madame Brunel, I'm Jean Fargeot.

Is Ren� sick ?

No. He's been held up by some urgent work.

Really...work ?

He'll come and see you this afternoon.

Thank you, you're very kind. I'm always rather worried about him.

My daughter and Monsieur Monestier.

- Where are my bags ? - I've given them to the porter.

Excuse me for flirting with your mother.

There's a photo at Ren�'s place of you and your mother.

I've looked at it so often, I recognised you immediately.

The letters always mentioned you.

I've known you for a long time, too.

- So we're a couple of old friends. - Already !

If Ren� hasn't come to the station, was it to avoid Monestier ?

Frankly, that was it, yes.

Is he's always so headstrong,

with those bursts of anger and awful silences ?

Always.

Are there times when Ren� scares you ?

Thanks.

- How're things Ren�? - OK.

Same as always.

All the same, where've you been ?

- Your hands hot. - I've been walking.

All was well at the station. I escorted your sister...

That is, her and her mother to their hotel.

- They've got a nice place. - Monestier's so generous.

- Was he there ? - Yes.

Your mother thought you must have been sick. But Nicole understood. She was fine about it.

I had a long chat with your sister... In fact, both your sister and you mother.

Your silence really bugs them.

Suddenly, a crazy letter telling about big success stories.

- They didn't believe it ? - Put yourself in their place.

Your middy, Ren�.

Now, about Nicole.

If Nicole marries Monestier, it's a bit because of your mother,

and a lot because of you.

I'll go and see them this afternoon. Come with me.

You'll see if Nicole hesitates.

- You want to ring them first ? - No.

I promised them I'd warn them.

- Can I call them ? - If you want to throw away 30 francs.

- A token. Take the booth at the back.

Thanks.

It's gold weighing 20 grams... 3,000 francs...a bargain.

Really ? Go see Madame Orvet No. 51...3rd floor.

Nobody answered.

- If Death got her, he's the first

she didn't cheat.

She's gone to collect her rents. She'll be back at 6 o'clock

- Wait til 6.

I need the money right away.

- I like to help,

but that sort of thing never works out.

Say, Gustave,

tell my pal I left and I'm going at 4.

Tell him to pay for my drink.

I'll tell him.

So ?

So I'm going to pour you a glass of white.

And you can wait til 6 to pull your swindle.

- You tell me nothing

about yourself, your health, your work. I worry about you.

- Are you happy ? - Don't worry yourself, mama.

Loving your children means worrying about them.

And I love you and Nicole so much.

And when I saw you you were so pale.

Are you eating properly ? Are you sleeping enough ?

I know how you are.

I've got somebody who bugs me.

I went to see Monestier yesterday. Didn't he tell you ?

it was more tactful to be quiet about that.

Because you're tactful ? Me ?... I can't afford to be.

I ask you :. what earthly reason

would Nicole have to marry you?

I have my reasons.

I'm talking to Monestier... it's for him to reply.

Antoine.... you promised me.

I'll stay calm.

You're here because of your dough.

Nicole's marrying you because of your dough.

You gotta admit it.

- Ren�, aren't you ashamed ? - Nicole's just a kid !

She's got it in her head that Monestier's a bit of good luck.

She'll reply "yes" to the mayor.

And that night she'll have to sleep with him.

Ren� !

Get off my back !

And you...take a look in the mirror.

In 10 years you'll be an old man.

Mama, you haven't got the right to sacrifice your daughter.

Even if you have sell the last stick of furniture.

I refused Monestier's money. I hocked my watch, to eat.

What about your work ?

I take things as they come.

Giving Nicole to Monestier... Look at him. What a handsome son-in-law !

I grant you that, but I'll answer the rest if you let me speak.

So tactful, so generous, so full of dough !

Your swank doesn't impress me in the slightest.

Go on...throw your cup in my face !

- I promised Nicole... - Come on...put up a fight !

Ren�. Ren�.

I'll come back when I can kick him out.

Forgive him for that outburst.

I never thought he'd dare...

...be so outspoken ? I don't blame him.

I know I'm not young and I've never been handsome.

So why get offended when he says it ? I accept it.

There's no need for you to fall out with Ren�.

You've been very nice about it. And R�n�'s been a pig.

I've managed to stay calm, but I'm still upset.

I'd like to retire now.

- I'll come and see you tomorrow ? - Fine.

I don't know what to say to you any more.

A good reason to say nothing at all.

Au revoir, Nicole.

This stuff you've seen here...

- Ren� warned me. - And you kept quiet ?

May I suggest something ?

Well I certainly don't know what to do any more.

Nicole, despite hardly knowing you this morning,

I've got myself mixed into some very personal matters.

I trusted you right away.

So don't marry Monestier at any price.

- Who's there ? - A friend, Ren� Brunel.

- You again ? - I've brought you a gold chain

with a cross.

- Is the cross gold too ? - Good chance.

Come in.

You weren't in this morning.

- Had errands. So where's this cross ?

I didn't want to lose it. I put it i a box.

Why's it so tightly wrapped up ?

I don't know about wrapping packets.

I could strain my eyes untying these knots.

Don't you have a knife ?

Cutting string's unlucky. This isn't stolen is it ?

Students aren't thieves.

We learn our Roman law, civil law,

and human rights.

- You're going to

damage the door.

It's not key-locked. It's latched from inside.

- So what ? - So someone's inside.

But if she doesn't want to open, that's her business.

- Could you go down to the concierge

and ask him to come up to the third floor ?

Mama told me to hurry.

...

You've got to come up and see.

- It's not the first time she's refused to open.

If I had to go up every time...

- I was told she'd be there at 6 o'clock

I rang and rang and nobody answered.

And then I saw that the bolt was pushed inside.

I thought that most important.

And I can't stress enough

how odd that seems.

No point ringing any more.

We'll have to force the lock.

Look at that !

Whadda you want with me ?

My father's dead.

Have you seen him ?

Was your stepmother banging her head against the wall ?

She put feathers in the kids' hair

and sent them singing down the street.

She accompanied them banging on a pot...

as my father's funeral mass.

Why'd you come here ?

I found 20 000 francs. Did you lose them or give them away ?

It's money that disgusted me. No need to thank me for it.

You get used to money that disgusts you.

It works the same as any other. You weren't too hasty ?

Keep it, and God 'll reward me.

Of course. You felt sorry for my drunken father

and you've given a helping hand. So, any time...

So any time Ren� Brunel, the bad son,

the bad brother, needs someone to feel sorry for him,

you'll be there with a helping hand.

That's it.

You know, that around here,

there's only poor people and bad housing.

In all this misery,

Madame Orvet made her nest egg. That shows what she was.

So what happened didn't surprise you ?

How many times have I seen people coming out of her place

swearing to have her hide.

Really ? So they come in here

and freely tell you how she screwed them ?

At times...not always.

It'd be useful to know about those who came in recently.

Oh, you know... it's only mouthing off.

If I could remember every conversation...

You only half-listen and you forget it.

- Exactly. - Gustave?

Black coffee.

To Madame Orvet's health.

Coming up, Ren�.

Doesn't look like she was a friend of yours.

That rat of a miser. Alive yesterday. Dead today.

Not much difference.

Lot of difference for the rat of a miser.

You wouldn't notice.

That guy's offering the point of view of the bulls rather than the rats.

- You're from the police ? - Yes. Sorry about that.

- Was robbery the motive for the murder ? - Certainly.

- The robber's done a good deed. - Not at all.

There's no dispensation.

He was able to commit the crime, but he panicked.

Just an amateur.

It's easier to ransack chest of drawers

than stick a knife in someone's back.

He hit the front. When your victim's looking at you, it's a tougher proposition.

She didn't yell ?

I don't know. I wasn't there. What would you think ?

Whadda you mean? I wasn't there either.

- Who's he ? - Don't know.

I've seen him 2 or 3 times.

He called you Gustave and you called him Ren�.

Ren�...what?

10 million under the mattress.

You interested in this story ?

Aren't you ?

Well...it's my job.

I've seen more than my share of hoodlum crimes.

What makes this a hoodlum crime?

The sequence of events, the intent...

If he was going to kill to steal, he could have gone for something bigger

a business...

He killed an indefensible woman, that was his choice.

Took the easy road.

Are you suggesting it's easy to kill an old woman properly?

There are lots of horrible details,

the woman under the mat, the blood on the piece of paper...

Someone took all these risks, only to miss 10 million.

That's a point of view, but not that of the police.

Look,

Monsieur Brunel...

Isn't that your name ?

Yes.

Look, you're a cultivated intelligent boy.

- You're a student, perhaps ? - Yes.

So you're full of imagination

and you search your imagination for the reactions of the assassin.

Right. It amuses me. It's a game.

Suppose Madame Orvet was in front of you. Would you have the courage

to take out a knife,

open it, and stab her

"properly", as you described it?

No, believe me. This is the act of a hoodlum.

And I'm sure

we have the killer. - What are you doing here then?

Oh that's how my job works. I'm obliged to conduct an enquiry.

And then that gave me the pleasure of talking with you.

Gustave,

put my coffee on the slate.

Does Brunel a have much of a slate ?

No, 1 000 francs. As a rule, we don't give credit.

Who's that ?

If it's Superintendent Galey, it's for me.

Hang on. It's for you.

Good, good.

That's it. Madame Orvet's killer has been arrested.

- Monsieur, do you like music ? - Rather, I felt sorry for him.

I love accordion. And if you were alone,

and of you had done a terrible thing ?

Have you got a screw loose or something?

- It was shining on the floor. So I picked it up, okay.

But I don't know where it came from.

You knew the old lady was dead.

Everyone in the house knew it.

- You knew she had jewellery ? - No.

- How long had you been working down there ? 2 weeks.

- You'd never gone up to the old woman's place ? - No, never.

You were in a front row seat

to learn her habits.

I didn't pay any attention.

What time did you leave ?

I'd left earlier than usual. I had to wait for a wall to dry.

The concierge saw me and I'd spoken to him.

- You did that on purpose and then you went back. - No

- You were seen.

- That's just not possible.

You were seen on the stairs.

Gently. You'll wear him out.

I know how to get it out of them.

But I'm wary of this type of extraction. Take it easy.

See, we're not bad guys.

You won't be accused of something you haven't done.

I haven't done anything.

That's what we're going to find out.

You saw the old lady come back after she'd been out.

- No. You were on the first floor,

the door was open, and you didn't see her walk past ?

- I wasn't paying attention. - Nobody

is accusing you.

You were there to paint not to watch the locals.

But it's strange she could have passed without you seeing her.

- It's not impossible. - You said not.

- I didn't say not. - We have to know.

- You contradict yourself and you lie. - I haven't lied.

I get it. You were watching out for her.

It was the best time... her rent day.

The knife ? The gloves ?

- Lay off.

You're going to scramble his brains.

Come in.

Some one for you, boss.

I'm coming.

He had the earrings in his pocket that's a fact.

Stay with the facts.

You'll see if he measures up. Take it easy.

So...we'll start again...

without you getting upset.

What time did you finish your job ?

Monsieur Brunel.

I've just been at an unpleasant interrogation that was pointless into the bargain.

To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit ?

I've got some information for you.

- You put yourself out expressly ? - Yes.

I must say that's good of you.

So many people are hostile to us.

I forgot to mention...

You went off in such a hurry,

right at the moment I was told we had the killer,

the boy who's being questioned at the moment. Take a seat.

I actually knew Madame Orvet. Personally.

So ?

She'd often helped me out.

- You weren't alone there. - I was at her place...

To hock a gold watch. I know about that.

That was the day before the crime. What's your point ?

I wanted to point it out, that's all.

May I close the window ?

This noise is quite irritating.

It'll end up driving us nuts.

Both of us.

Somebody like Madame Orvet,

who lives off receiving and moneylending, always keeps accounts.

We've found her record book.

- Are all her customers being summoned ? - Oh no.

I believe more in long, thorough interrogations

than ones full of mistakes.

I've become lazy. I'd rather wait here.

Just what are you waiting for ?

My retirement.

As you've been to Madame Orvet's, does that remind you of anything ?

Take a look.

Go on.

Take off the cover.

Do you recognize it ?

If only that one could talk !

They can only sing.

As luck would have it, your watch was with the stolen items.

Fill out a claim to get it back...

eventually, that is.

- Do you have any other questions. - No.

I'll make you a proposal... since you came to see me.

I'd like to pay YOU a visit.

- Investigation of the premises ? - Such big words. No.

- Just a quick glance. - Do you have a warrant ?

I always have a blank one. It saves time.

Are you going to let us in ?

The door's always open.

Do your stuff, Noblet.

Make your declaration and we'll be all finished with you.

- You got a pen ? - Yes...but how... ?

"I the undersigned declare that I pawned a gold watch

"with madame Orvet..."

Date and signature. Easy.

Napol�on... unusual in a young person's place.

Sport and the movies are more likely.

So you admire Napol�on ?

He had a great contempt for human life.

Not his own life, of course. 5 million slaughtered,

you don't think that's too many for one man ?

You're influenced by professional bias.

It's curious that a single crime concerns the police,

but a mass crime is a matter of history.

I'm no historian.

You looked behind the sink?

Someone knocked.

I can choose whether to answer.

Nobody said otherwise. Come in !

- Am I disturbing you ? - No. Not me...

...maybe these gents... who are looking for jewellery.

There's none here.

I'm Antoine Monestier, antique dealer of 18 Rue de l'Archev�ch�.

I offer to vouch for Ren� Brunel, who is a friend

and soon to be a relative.

That's very good of you but we're all finished.

I'll personally attend to your watch declaration.

You'll let me know ?

I doubt if you'll get it back until we have the killer.

But as soon as he's been arrested, we'll notify you forthwith.

Excuse me.

Are you involved

in this murder ? - I'm feverish and sick.

Go away, Monestier.

Nicole told me she wanted to think about it.

If she thought about it, she'd say no.

- You're being humble. - Clear-headed, rather.

About others, too.

Any change-of-mind from Nicole is all due to you.

I don't have much to brag about, but that, yes.

I was expecting you to deny it.

That you'd attribute such a beautiful sacrifice beyond love and pleasure,

to Niclole.

- You're despicable, Monestier. - Yes.

I am rather despicable. But I've been somewhat hurt by all this.

It's been a struggle.

With such a sacrifice, all that's left is to try and save face.

My decency makes me despicable without cheating.

Ren�, I need Nicole.

Or young girl and ever younger girl,

will follow, and I'll end up in trouble.

Nicole's said no. She's been saved. Get out of here !

And if Nicole were lost instead ?

I came earlier and you were out.

The door was open.

Don't worry about your watch. I found it.

A little family secret.

Get out of here, or I don't know what will happen !

You won't bring it up again ? No you won't... ever.

You just need to tell Nicole to marry me.

- Monestier, you're... - Despicable, yes.

You're getting repetitive, my friend.

It'd not fair,

when I offer you my friendship

and all the help you need. No ?

No violence...excellent.

That shows you've understood the situation.

Ren�, you and I were meant to get along.

I don't give a damn about Madame Orvet.

To set your mind at rest, I'll let you into a secret.

You know my wife committed suicide.

Well, I was of some assistance in her suicide.

To marry Nicole, I needed to be a widower.

Should you denounce me to the police. Based on what ?

Hearsay ?

Getting old is painful.

But when you kill someone, you'll never forget it.

And I didn't leave a watch lying around.

You don't want

to shake my hand on it ?

No ?

You amuse me, my boy.

My little crime seems despicable to you. And yours admirable.

Is pride perhaps your guilty pleasure ?

Enough for today. Think about it.

Then you'll see Nicole and tell her

that I've earned your esteem.

But don't leave it too late.

I so like your sister, and that gets me worked up.

Monestier's always looking for old furniture for his shop.

He knew Mama had a beautiful desk.

He came to the house and he came back several times.

Because of the desk ?

In the end he paid Mama 4 times the going price.

And afterwards he offered it to me.

It's nice to be rich.

He invited us to dinner. That's how it came about.

And you'd marry him ?

I don't know any more.

It was like I lived in a fog. Everything was hazy.

Now ?

"Now"? The sun's come out.

What are you two up to ?

- I was saying I had no money,

Nicole was dazzled... she thought it was wonderful.

Oh, my children. You've only known each other since yesterday.

You said "My children" ?

Happiness can come out of the blue.

- Oh, think about it a moment. - We've just decided

not to think about it.

- Madame, do you know English? - So ?

Starting tomorrow, I'm translating a detective story.

"The Crime that Pays", it's called.

Stories of rapes and killings,

can make your fortune.

I swear he's quite crazy !

Ren� could have had the job... But he can't stand blood,

and crime disgusts him.

- So...?

She's dead.

I beg your pardon.

Don't you read the papers ?

So it was you who rang upstairs ?

You're the only one who's rung.

What's you expect ?

That Madame Orvet would eventually come and open the door ?

Aren't you supposed to be staying in the office ?

Bit in the office, and a bit here.

It makes me get some fresh air.

Tell me...I've just read an article. It's signed with the initial "B".

The author divides men into 2 groups :.

one group is destined to obey,

and the other, men of genius who can flout the law.

I wrote that article.

Obviously I was aware of that.

Now that I have the pleasure of your company

I'd like you to show me which laws

we can happily ignore.

We have to rise up against the law so as to create a new one.

- Ah. - Those great men

who imposed their views by killing.

And how does one recognize these men of genius ?

I'm a down-to-earth sort of person,

but don't you think that to avoid mistakes,

these exceptional men should be made to wear

a uniform or some insignia ? So we can recognise them.

And something else :. who will decide which individual

is to be part of the common herd or the elite ?

Who?... Nobody. All this is vague and a rather infantile.

Finally...

Look up there.

On that new ceiling.

- That stain there? - That's Madame Orvet's blood.

I suppose you came to be alone.

So I'll leave you alone.

What are automatons ?

They're dolls who dance and play to the music.

If you like, I can show you.

Don't look left. Monestier's there.

- Alone ? - No with a little girl.

The way he's holding her is really sick.

Take me away. I don't want to see him.

Stay here and order something.

- Where are you going ? - I'll be back.

- Really ? - For sure. Sit down.

Waiter, a vanilla ice-cream.

I see with pleasure how tenderly you gaze,

taking in the young man's advice,

and his hand.

Nicole warned you. She's got every right.

She goes dancing, she's got the right. But have you seen your brother ?

Not today.

Well, I saw him this morning.

He's got himself into trouble with the...

You aren't aware... ?

I don't know anything.

You neither ?

What are you getting at ?

You dance...as is your right. You look into his eyes.

And all the while...

May I sit ?

...policemen are searching Ren�'s room.

"Policemen" ? Why ?

A lady's dead, murdered. And Ren� knew her very well.

Could the police suspect him ?

Yes. Obviously a mistake, but all very nasty.

They gotta have proof.

For sure. The policemen are looking for it

while you dance.

I was the only one there to give Ren� any support.

The police can't have anything on him.

So all's well. What are we worried about ?

Good night.

Antoine?

You know something more ?

Not in front of him. He's not one of the family.

I'd hate to ruin your evening.

- Come tomorrow to learn some more. - She won't be going without me.

So be it.

You must excuse me. I like to dance too.

What'd he mean ?

He sees he's lost his last chance.

He trying to upset you and get back at you.

You think so ?

So that about Ren�...?

- Quite impossible. - You sure ?

I'm alone and...

You don't always have to be alone.

You don't always have to stay quiet when you want to scream out.

Your father said :

"The tragedy is that we must always go somewhere. "

And I don't know where to go any more.

Everything'll be better in the morning.

Someone killed a woman with a knife.

It was me.

You need to tell someone ?

So you've told them.

I only stabbed her once

But I wasn't killing her.

I was killing myself.

If you're hiding out you can stay at my place.

Nobody ever comes in here.

It's my refuge.

I'm thirsty.

I only have water.

Do you want to talk or do you want to keep quiet ?

Talk.

Loudly or softly ?

God's not on my side, eh ?

It's better he doesn't have such relationships.

Me, for example.

It was me who killed the old lady.

You want any more water ?

Don't you want to know why I killed her ?

If it makes you feel any better, tell me.

I killed the old lady to rob her.

You had 20,000 francs on you. You gave them away for nothing.

You aren't a thief.

So I did it as a protest.

I couldn't allow so much injustice.

I wanted to make an heroic gesture of protest.

Killing an old woman who couldn't defend herself ?

That's right...

that's not it.

Then I did it from cowardice.

I could continue my studies

giving lessons, and doing translations...

And from laziness, I suddenly wanted to be...

And yet, I haven't touched that money, or jewellery.

And I never could.

No. It must be something else.

I could say that I wanted to save a sister that I loved too much.

That'd touch their hearts.

It's not that either.

Maybe I'm insane.

No. But I was alone.

My imagination was off in every direction.

Lily, I killed that woman for very clear reasons.

I dare say undeniable reasons.

I don't know what they are any more.

I try to explain, but I can't.

Killing has two requirements :

that which kills and that which dies.

The killer knows why he's there, why he strikes.

But she throws him into total confusion, with her eyes, with her blood.

And the crime also becomes just about the one who dies.

And in the dreadful details, the simple motive behind them

gets lost.

I've killed the old lady and I don't know why.

Lily, look at me.

What should I do ?

Go and tell them what you've done.

- Tell who ? - You know very well.

They'll get rid of some of your burden.

They can't do more.

- And afterwards... - After ?

It'll be in God's hands.

I don't believe in God.

The cops have no right to interfere with something so personal.

I know what they're better at than you are.

But it's the first gesture of submission.

Once your hands are tied, that's all the contact you'll need to make.

I'm not so crazy as to speak to them.

I'll fight... deny it ...get out of it...all okay.

Lily, I'd like to go ...

far away,

but not alone any more.

And if you wish...

Leaving the kids, their mother half crazy,

while we're hounded by the police and by the old woman ?

The old woman too.

You've lost your life, Ren�. I've given mine away.

We're like two corpses, staring at each other,

waiting to come back to life.

Lily, isn't it possible to start again ?

What do you want two corpses to start again as ?

When I was a little girl,

my father told me a story...

Strange I remember it.

"Lazarus was in his tomb,

"and the sisters cried.

"Nobody could do anything : a dead man's place is in his grave.

"Then HE came.

"And HE said : 'You only have to,

"'believe in me.' HE called Lazarus,

"and Lazarus rose."

HE can call me. I'll listen.

But Ren�, you'll stay deaf.

Nobody will call you.

- Go down on your knees. - I don't believe !

My big sin is not my crime, it's my pride.

To be a man who stands up... and doesn't go down on his knees.

So, watch...

What are you doing ?

To each his own faith, Lily.

Mine...I kneel before human poverty

Ah... How have you been since yesterday, Monsieur Brunel?

Do you shake the hand of a guilty man ?

I don't have any rule about it. Sit down.

That's all, thanks.

Sorry for having disturbed you,

but I wanted to ask you an absurd, even ridiculous, question...

- What time is it ? - I don't understand.

It's quite straightforward... I asked you the time.

Superintendent... I don't know.... 11...11.15.

That's what I was thinking.

I thank you...that's all.

Every day,

I receive heaps of anonymous letters.

And in this package I found this.

"Superintendent, to solve the Orvet case,

"call in Ren� Brunel and ask him the time.

"Yours faithfully etc etc."

That mean anything to you ?

As I'm a conscientious policeman...

- Hey. - Yes ?

- We're there. - He confessed ?

We got him.

Well, bring him in.

You see how strange this is.

Madame Orvet's killer has finally confessed.

So it's you who did the job on the old lady ?

- Yes, it's me. - Well, sit down and tell us about it.

- He told you to talk. - It was me.

- You were watching the stairs

from the apartment you were in.

You spent 8 days planning your hit. Tell us !

I was watching the stairs.

You went down beforehand. You spoke to the concierge.

- You crept back up. - I crept back up.

And the blood,

tell us about it.

The blood was running. I got some paper to blot it up.

I had gloves.

Just like these officers said.

The fun part about this job is the unexpected.

The twist of a knife or a twist of fate. What about the jewels ?

I got scared and threw them all in the river.

Except for earrings you kept to get drunk on.

Yes. To get drunk.

Boss, he signed everything

without us touching him. He signed that too.

How many hours of questioning ?

It took time, but we went gently. He ate, smoked.

A patient job.

- How many were you ? - Four.

Let him get some sleep.

Come on old chap...all over.

Now that it's all sorted out...

...well, we did our best.

Why are you lowering the curtain ?

So we won't be disturbed.

I'd rather leave.

I'm not going to force you to stay

We can see each other somewhere else, but not at your place.

As you wish.

Nicole?

I told you the police suspected Ren�,

They only suspected him.

But I have the proof.

You still leaving ?

Lock the door yourself. Take it.

I don't owe you anything.

May I ask you to give me back the key?

Thank you. Should you like to come upstairs?

- May I offer you a drink ? - No thanks.

I'm thirsty. May I... ?

If Ren� did such a thing, he must have had a reason.

Yes. From a cramped room, driven by overweening pride...

But he's a nice boy, and he's eaten by remorse.

So the police will arrest him ?

That depends on me.

And on you, in turn.

So he can still be saved ?

Very easily.

He can go to Switzerland, to resume his studies there.

I've 5,000 dollars I'll give you...

on condition...

Give me that money without condition.

That'd be a lovely gesture, but I can't do it.

Give Jean up.

That's no longer possible.

And it's no longer possible for me to give you up.

One of us has to make a sacrifice.

But I love you as much as John does. Leave him, it won't kill him.

- But if I should lose you... - You already have.

I've written an anonymous letter to the police.

You're despicable.

The moment I show sincerity, you throw that word at me.

You've got two days to agree to marry me.

If you go back to Fargeot, Ren� faces death.

I was warned not to trust you, but I did.

Thanks for that friendship. Otherwise it has to be paid for.

Paid for in cash.

Give me the key.

I've brought little girls here, and I've had them...

for a piece of cloth, some chocolate...

I want to save your brother... and you won't do it ?

Never.

You're too delicate

to enjoy my weight on top of you.

Open the drawer.

DO WHAT I TELL YOU !

Last night I wanted to kill myself, and I couldn't.

I may be despicable, but I'm a coward.

Take it. It's the first decent thing I've done.

Now you're the stronger one. Defend yourself.

You don't think I'll shoot ?

What are you waiting for ?

You'll save Ren� and give me peace.

If you take one step...

Ren� does a better job.

Take the key.

Are you wounded ?

It's nothing. Go...quickly !

'You've come too late'

You scared me,

- with your notice. - Just let me be, Monestier.

Even if I've brought you a nice present ?

Neither blackmail nor generosity will get you Nicole.

I've tried both and neither worked.

Your watch is worthless now.

You're saving my life.

I'm saving you from the police... that's not the same thing.

They've got nothing on either of us.

yesterday I wanted to drown myself, but I couldn't.

There's no need now.

The watch was the only evidence.

It's not any more.

Beware. A crime is only successful

if you can live with it.

But we've both killed for nothing.

That leaves bitterness and discomfort.

- Remorse is for losers? - Exactly.

If I got Nicole by any means at all, I'd be happy.

But I've lost her.

There are other girls.

There are other moneylenders than Madame Orvet.

- Feel like starting again ? - No.

Like your spring has broken ?

And I'm at odds with myself, and can't stand myself any longer.

That, my friend, is worse than trouble with the superintendent.

Adieu.

- Has he killed himself ? - No.

- So who came too late ? - You did.

On the contrary, I think I've come too early.

Excuse me.

I was passing by

and I decided to pop up and see you.

To ask me the time ? I hocked my watch.

It was stolen and dumped in the river. You gonna bug me for long ?

Aggressive, confident...

Like Napol�on on the eve of Waterloo...

but now it's Rivoli.

I'm starting to understand you. Your games don't impress me any more.

If it amuses you, whadda you wanna to know ?

Your impression of what the housepainter said.

Honestly ?

I'm being straight with you.

Surprising as it may seem, I don't believe what he said...

With more time, you would have got even more amazing confessions.

But you'd probably finish up without a solution.

Do you know what he risks, if you don't come to his rescue?

It was up to you to stop the questioning.

What if i was letting it go on deliberately so as to put the murderer of Madame Orvet

in an awkward situation ?

So find him. Call on his finer feelings !

- That's just what I'm doing. - Then...

...you know who it is ? - It's you.

You play the same game with me as your offsiders.

This one's more subtle, but it's the same game.

Luckily I have strong nerves. And I say it's all shit.

The victories of Rivoli, Austerlitz, Wagram

still ended with his exile to St Helena.

If I killed Madame Orvet, prove it.

If you're sure of it, arrest me.

If only to make you sleep easier, yes.

I saw you on the point of confessing.

I am a policeman who doesn't need a confession, but evidence.

And it's you who'll give it to me.

- Are you out of your mind ? - Maybe.

It only remains for me to wish you a peaceful night,

without thinking about the ones in prison.

What if I ran away ?

You'd come back. You can't live without me.

Your passion's to be unhappy. See you.

Just in case you do decide to run off...

in all decency,

leave me some proof to get that poor little painter off the hook.

Thanks in advance.

I'm the last one.

After me, there's nobody else.

- What's your name ? - Lily.

You are the last person I'll have seen on Earth.

You have pretty eyes and beautiful hair...

You're just the sort that does it for me. But it's too late.

It's all set up !

Lily, I've got money on me, some lovely dollars.

But where I'm going, they don't take dollars. You take them.

Buy yourself clothes, hats, ribbons...

- Where'd you get all that ? - Make of it what you want.

For me...ever more questions more problems...

It's all over for me, Lily.

There are 5,000 dollars. And you didn't know this man ?

No. He seemed to be suffering.

He disappeared, then I heard a shot.

An amazing thing happened to me too.

There was some evidence against me and now that evidence has gone.

With this money, we can go and live in Switzerland.

We have to leave tonight, Lily.

- You have the money, you can leave. - Without you ?

Yesterday we were lost but now it's all changed.

- It's a miracle. - But you don't believe in them.

I believe in luck, in fate. The tide has turned !

You wanna go back to your beat ?

Am I supposed to turn myself in ? You must be mad !

- Take the money. - You want us to stay here,

bashing our heads against the wall ? I want to live.

I'll never interfere with your belief.

Take your strength wherever you can, but don't turn it against us.

One small chance has come to us. It'd be terrible to throw it away.

What you see as a chance, I see as something else.

By hiding the evidence and giving you the money,

God has given you the freedom to choose :

to save yourself, or the one who's now in prison for you.

God's done nothing for me. The watch came back by chance.

You don't really need me. You just need the 5,000 dollars.

Take it, along with your luck.

Okay, I've been wrong. But so are your reasons.

I don't want to get worked up arguing any more.

I'm tired.

If you won't come with me, I'll go alone.

"Alone"? So how will you manage to leave the old lady ?

Wherever you go she'll be your travel companion.

Shut up.

It's always the same thing.

You'll have to choose between her and me.

Ren�, it's you !

Mama, I've come to tell you...

- You aren't staying ? - No, I'm in a hurry, I really am.

But I got to see you and touch you.

That's enough to keep me happy for days.

Aren't you hungry ?

No, no, I... Oh, Mama.

Don't worry darling. I won't press you for answers.

You're so intelligent and I can never follow your reasoning.

I've made a decision once and for all :

whatever you do is alright with me.

I have to leave, Mama.

"Leave" ? Far away ? For long ?

I don't know.

But wherever you go, you'll have a position,

a job, won't you ?

I'll write to you.

Won't I be able to reply ?

Mama, people are going to say things about me :

don't believe them, don't listen to them. You'll read my name

in the papers,

but don't read them.

You'll be in the papers and you don't want...?

No. Sit by the fire, believe nothing, hear nothing,

thinking of me as before,

and loving me as before.

Before what, Ren� ?

Mama, I... Someone's waiting for me.

I have to leave.

But Nicole, who's left with Jean

is going to ask why you've left.

Stay in your corner, smile

and think of me tenderly.

Look, I'm crying. It's all too sudden.

I'll be alright in the morning.

I won't read anything, I won't listen to anything. I'll wait for you.

Will it be long, son ?

Perhaps...yes.

So I'll wait as long as I can.

I must go.

Yes. Go my darling.

Keep yourself warm. The nights are cold.

You told her ?

I couldn't, no.

You can still choose.

Come in.

Superintendent, I've come to make two statements.

Yes, two.

The easiest thing will be to start with the first.

I want to make clear my contempt for the police.

They are charged with maintaining order :

the rich in their privileges, the poor in their misery.

I'll never accept that.

And the second statement ?

Well, I ...

Excuse me, I...

It wasn't Andr� Lesur who killed Madame Orvet.

I've brought the proof.

I hocked my watch and next day I got it back.

I took it back later.

- "Later"? - Yes, yes, later.

Thank you. And as contemptible as we are,

we'll record that you have come to get Andr� Lesur

out of a difficult situation voluntarily

Believe me, Monsieur Brunel, there must be order.

Your hands

Subtitles by FatPlank [RLB] for KG