Original subtitles

Eleven thirty, eleven thirty exactly.

We're in Paris, a city where the clocks are always wrong

and never show the same time at the same time.

Imprecision is second nature for Parisians.

Midnight at the Gare de Lyon, that makes it 1am at l'Op�ra.

Four am at the Palais Royal,

2:15 at la Concorde.

1:15 at St Germain des Pr�s, give or take,

Four plus one, four plus two, plus a quarter

It's exactly 11:30 at night,

time for the first tangos in the nightclubs,

the time when, in the theaters, the curtain falls

on the drama's last act,

the time of the last words spoken on cafe terraces,

the time when "The End" appears on cinema screens.

Already the stars have been rewound

and rest until the next screening in their film cans.

That's why they last such a long time.

And here are the spectators leaving darkened rooms,

songs still fresh on their lips,

ears still full of music, hearts still full of poetry,

eyes still full of dreams,

faces still full of sorrow

The public is king.

This evening they've seen some great films, the public.

There, Jouvet. Louis Jouvet in a film in which he plays,

you'll recall, a double role.

That of a crook, and that of an honest man. "Copie Conforme".

Here, Edward G. Robinson.

the Man with the Cigar, Robinson in

a film where he plays a double role.

That of a crook, and that of an honest man.

"The Whole Town's Talking."

Elsewhere, Charlie Chaplin in a film where he plays,

you'll recall, a double role.

That of an honest man and that of a...

Head of State.

"The Great Dictator."

The crowd, here, there, and elsewhere disperses,

satisfied, happy and sated.

- Ah, it's idiotic. - It's stupid, yeah.

Why stupid? Not really.

Look at them, they're charming.

I don't like these derivative stories.

Me neither.

They really insult people's intelligence.

No one looks like anybody else. It stands to reason.

- We must be logical. - You, dear, are like no one else.

- That's why I chose you. - Really?

What I love about you is your personality.

You're one of a kind.

However, this evening,

in the Ballon des Ternes tunnel,

between eleven and midnight...

When can you get the light back on?

We need time to replace the bulb, Inspector.

There we are!

Right, that's better.

What's wrong with you? What are you looking at?

Nothing, but...

But what?

Nothing.

Who are you, anyway?

I'm the maid.

I thought it was obvious.

- The maid? - The corpse's maid.

The corpse's maid.

Well, Doctor, this corpse, what can he tell us?

He has a tale to tell. Three bullets, all fatal.

One in the heart, the two others in the lungs.

He died three times.

What caliber? 7.65?

Looks like it. I believe as much.

And the time of death?

Five, five-thirty in the afternoon.

And you didn't hear anything?

Nothing - not that!

- Where were you? - In my kitchen.

- I was doing the laundry. - And where is the kitchen?

Over there, close by.

So who would believe that you didn't hear a thing?

Three bullets make quite a noise.

Go on, explain yourself.

Fine, I get it.

And you said he was a lawyer.

Yes, but disbarred.

Disbarred since when?

Three years ago, April 6th.

Every 6th April he celebrated getting disbarred with his friends.

- What did he live off? - He gave advice.

His being disbarred gave confidence to his clientele.

You really are a strange one.

You were here during the crime but you didn't see the killer?

I was in my kitchen.

Monsieur came in about 4:30pm. He let himself in.

From then 'til his death, no one rang for me.

- Otherwise I'd have let him in. - You heard him come in?

Actually, yes. He even spoke with someone.

And you couldn't have told me that right away?

A man or a woman?

I have no idea... Monsieur was the only one speaking.

- Yeah. - He shut himself in his office.

Afterwards, I heard nothing more.

Tell me, can we wash our hands?

I suppose the meat wagon will be here soon?

I want to get this autopsy done as quickly as possible.

Tonight's bridge night at home.

Right, this wash basin, where is it?

Straight ahead and on the right, like everywhere.

How long have you been in Durand-Gonzales' service?

- Three years. - Good night, Inspector.

And where did he get you from?

From "La Coupole" in Montparnasse.

What were you doing at La Coupole?

I was getting my license.

And he probably had a mistress.

Yes, one at a time.

Ah, here's Perpignan.

- What are you here for, idiot? - Boss, I -

Look out!

Sorry.

- I want to have a word with you. - Hurry it up.

Yes, what? What?

You're sure?

Right.

Good!

I'll let you go, Moineau. We'll meet in my office in two hours.

Keep going with the inquiry.

Good bye, Inspector.

See you soon, Irma.

M�jean, Commissaire of the 17th.

Yes.

- So? - Here's the body.

I was right, wasn't I?

It's unbelievable, it's like a gag.

Cover him back up.

And the same height, too.

When I tell my wife about this...

- How did he die? - Three bullets.

Strange place to have him killed.

You searched him? - Yes, yes.

This is all he had on him.

J�rome Vidaubon, born in 1901.

Director... Director of what?

Cigarette holder.

His wristwatch, his keyring.

Here... Two sleeper tickets to Bordeaux.

Two transatlantic liner tickets for Vidaubon and F. Colline.

Right, perfect.

Telephone the Medical Examiner, Doctor Morel.

He's staying in the morgue.

His bridge game can wait.

Tell him we're sending him a stiff with a great future before him.

And meet me in Forensics with the dossier on this Vidaubon.

Get going, idiot.

Tell me, Mr. Commissaire...

Drop me at the first bar. I need to make a call.

Then back to base.

For once, the Medical Examiner didn't get it wrong.

Your Durand-Gonzalez was brought d-d-down by a 7.65.

And on that note, I'll take a drink.

The fingerprints, what do they tell us?

Right.

The guy certainly worked with gloves on.

Yes, I see that. We're really in for an uphill task.

But an uphill task means you end up king of the hill.

T-t-that's true!

- Is Perpignan there? - He must in the filing division.

- And so? - It's definitely a...7.65.

That's j-j-just what I thought.

Yes, but for the prints you'll need to come back.

We're not done swimming in fog.

Strange spot to swim, in the fog.

- Ah, there's my idiot. - Yes, I see light in the tunnel!

Here's the rap sheet.

Nice face, huh?

Son of Vidaubon Auguste and Cartet Th�r�se.

He's got a big time track record.

Arrested on August 17th, 1928 for a con job.

Released for lack of evidence.

Arrested on July 7th, 1930 for false witness.

A classified case.

Arrested August 2nd, 1936 for fraud.

Case dismissed.

June 1st, '37 for traffic of influence.

Case dismissed. September 2nd, '38 for arms dealing. Case dismissed.

June 1st, '42 for gold trafficking. Case dismissed.

What a track record! Case dismissed, dismissed, dismissed.

My dear Perpignan, I'm leaving Gonzales to you,

- and I'll take Vidauban. - Good.

Besides, the Gonzales business is as good as done.

All done? We don't have the killer yet.

Well you wrap it up.

Ah, that'll be Morel.

Hello, hello. Yes, doctor.

Yes.

Hey, what? How?

He'd just eaten?

What did you find in his stomach?

Foie gras, vodka, champagne, creamed chicken.

Armagnac. That's it?

Well, his liver must have been in a great state.

No, bloated? Like a melon, yes.

Good, thanks. Perfect.

Thanks, Doctor - enjoy your bridge.

Right, kids, I'm off. Have a good time.

Where're you going, Boss?

Vidauban's house, idiot.

Take care. Nothing to the press!

Vidauban is not dead.

M. Vidauban.

Third on the left.

- What is it? - Vidauban.

Every night the same.

I came, I waited for you,

and naturally, you stood me up .

I've left again, Florence.

She who adored you just five minutes ago.

So long.

*In the shadow of the streets

*When evening falls.

*Like a lost dog

*I wander, hopeless.

*I'm looking for a fleeting dream

*but I'll find it again.

*Oh the lonely night feels so long

*Walking the streets...

*And everything's so dark...

*How I loved your body

*pressed close to mine

*His two arms

*which held me so tight...

- Goddamn! - Very heartfelt.

Well, really!

Really, what?

Well, I mean -

And what is your meaning?

It's you?

And that surprises you?

Until proved otherwise, I'm here at home, no?

You couldn't have told me that right away?

You were fixing the place up; I didn't want to disturb you.

So what were you looking for?

You know as well as I do.

Perhaps, but I'd like to hear it from you.

Nothing to say? What were you doing here in the middle of the night?

- Here at your place? - Yes.

- In the middle of the night. - You're not going

to parrot everything I say. Think before you spill the beans.

- Tell the truth. - The truth?

- You talk like a cop. - A cop?

Watch your language.

- A cop! - I take it back.

But take your hat off.

For the last time, what were you doing here?

- J�rome, you know me! - So you say.

Well, there you go. It's all Florence's fault anyway.

You know Florence...

So you say.

Her feet are on the ground but she's never on the level.

Don't try to straighten me out again!

It's in my blood like a bug. Like a second skin.

You get under my skin.

Where were we? Oh yes.

I was to meet Florence at 7pm at Fouquet's.

So I get to Fouquet's. No Florence!

I wait.

One pernod, two pernods, three pernods. Nothing!

Four pernods, nobody.

Not possible.

8pm, I get to Germain's to have dinner, like always.

Sure of finding her there. Florence, nada.

I eat. Stood up for two hours.

I start to smell a rat.

I wait a bit longer.

- One Marc, two Marcs. - Three Marcs, four Marcs.

Excuse me, I get thirsty.

- And then? - And then.

You've got the same record as Florence.

Well, I'm listening. What then?

What then.

At 9:30 I went home.

I went to bed.

And what do I find in the bed, on the pillow?

A man.

No, not even.

A letter from Florence. Allow me.

A strange note.

Excuse me.

My dear Fred,

We have decided, J�rome and I, to leave.

to leave France, to go abroad

to head elsewhere.

No, you read it. I can't go on.

I love Vidauban, alas, and Vidauban adores me.

- She writes well. - Yes, she writes like she thinks and

she thinks how she talks.

"Don't you see, my poor dear, that we aren't made for life together.

"By the time you read this letter, we'll already be far away.

"After what Vidauban has done,

"and what you always figure out much too soon,

"it's better for us to have a little space.

- Well, in any case... - I didn't say a word.

You're right.

"I'm leaving and won't come back.

"No one belongs to me.

"I want nothing more from you, as it's through you that I knew J�rome.

"Much love to you, and thinking only ahead now, Florence."

The bitch!

"PS:

"I rely on you to explain to Lucienne that I had nothing to do with this."

Can you believe this? You see me, Fred Rossignol, consoling Lucienne?

My dear Rossignol...

Well, do you think I'm capable of leaving with Florence?

- Oh yes. - Thanks for the confidence.

But before you got this letter,

did you think there was something going on between me and Florence?

No. Straight up, I wouldn't have waited for tonight to do you in.

What do you mean?

I tell you: I wouldn't have waited for tonight to do you in.

- Understand? - Yes.

I get it.

Only what I want to know

is the reason for your visit.

- I thought you'd taken our stash. - No?

Yes.

- Where are they? - Our dollars? In a safe place.

- Where's that? - Leave that to me.

I'll make it a nice surprise for you.

Say, er, Fred...

Yes.

Florence's letter, you found it about nine, nine thirty. Right?

Yes. It had been there since six, or so the concierge said.

Since nine-thirty, what have you been doing?

Why ask me that?

Guess.

I've thought about it.

Say, J�rome, there's been a fight here!

What happened?

Nothing. Housekeeping accident.

What have you been doing since nine-thirty?

- I was at Charlie's. - Charlie's?

Absolutely.

And at Charlie's...?

He was at the boxing. His bar was closed.

So I nipped over to the St Lazare rail station.

I thought you'd be coming from over that way.

I didn't find you.

So I phoned Orly.

You could have taken a plane.

Did you talk to anyone at the St Lazare station?

Who would I have talked to? What are you really after?

At Orly, who spoke to you?

The line was busy.

I let it go.

Ah, I was forgetting the main thing.

On the way, I went by your garage.

The boss told me that Florence had come by looking for your car. At ten.

- At ten pm? - Yeah.

On that point I had no doubt.

You'd left together.

At eleven-thirty, where were you?

If you think that at eleven-thirty, I knew that's what the time was.

Is that all you have to say?

- What? - That Florence sent for your car.

It's all the same to me, I have all the documentation.

Yes, but it's as good as forged.

You can't let the police know.

- Hello, hello! - Well, how are you?

Yes. Who is this?

You still haven't been murdered?

Of course, from time to time.

Why?

I'll pass on the good news.

Hello, hello!

It was Lucienne?

No. Some guy who wants to kill me.

Now who could that be?

There you have plenty of options.

I've always said I wouldn't want to be in your shoes.

So, I'll see you in the office tomorrow?

- Or I'll pick you up at Lucienne's? - At the office.

- Same time? - Yes, about the same time.

- Bye, J�rome. - Bye.

Hello, is that you, Perpignan?

OK, idiot,

I'd like you to come over here and take some prints.

Yes, Vidauban's place.

And be discreet about it.

And there's also some blood.

I'd really like to know where this blood came from.

What?

My plans?

I've been Vidauban for a half hour now.

This fits me like a glove.

It's just my size.

Goodbye, Jo.

You've been waiting for me a while?

Five hands of cards.

- How are you, Marie-Louise? - Fine.

- Well? - One moment.

Now we're all set. Well?

- Well nothing. - You don't have the dollars?

No. Word of honor.

- What happened? - Nothing. Vidauban was there...

- Vidauban was there? - Word of honor. He was there.

And let me tell you,

I had good reason to believe otherwise.

You saw Vidauban, in his place, tonight?

Let him tell his story. Go on, we're listening.

Nothing to tell. I let myself into his apartment. Nothing. Silence. Night.

Living room, empty. Chest of drawers, empty.

At that moment, I turn around. Vidauban!

That's it. Curtain.

He didn't ask you what you were doing there?

Yes, I told him the truth.

What I thought it was, anyway. And that I'd come to look for

- the dollars. - His reply?

The dollars are in a safe place.

He showed them to you?

No, he didn't show them to me.

What?

- What do you take us for? - For who? Give me a decent drink.

Instead of suspecting me.

You, still there?

I can't go back home right now. My wife's with Albert.

Oh right, today's Monday.

Yes. Same again.

Lock up as you go out, will you?

I want it with water.

And a little ice.

Is that it?

I want a cigarette.

I prefer Gauloises.

That's it for today?

No, I need a light.

There you go.

Thanks.

And the ashtray.

And the buyer?

What buyer?

The one Vidauban claimed to have up his sleeve.

The man with twenty million.

He talked about him.

I gave him until Saturday to get me the cash.

Saturday before midday, I want to see on this table

either the Roosevelts or the twenty large. Or else...

- Or else what? - Or else I'll have my way.

I've had men shot for less than that.

You with your due process!

You have a down payment on Vidauban, get it? You answer for him, ok?

If he gets it into his head to vanish into the fog

his death will be your death.

A simple formality.

We'll miss you.

For sure.

At the end of the day, you're a good guy.

Don't you think, a good guy?

I've already forgotten him.

Oh, come on, remember,

he was called Rossignol.

In the land of the gangster, he was like a little king.

Only he was dethroned.

Very classy. Charlie, look at me. Just one word for you.

Once again.

Either you get your dollars or I get Vidauban.

He struck me as very strange, Vidauban.

How so?

I felt like I was at the cinema. I don't know, like...

I was watching a dubbed film.

Hello? Yes.

No, he's not in.

Not back yet. What?

No, Mr. Durand-Gonzales isn't back yet.

But I already told you no.

Not back yet. That surprises me.

If Gonzales double crosses us, I'll straighten him out.

He wouldn't dare.

He'll pay us for work he did for someone else.

Nice. What should we do now?

Call him again in fifteen minutes.

- Maybe he's already at "La Terrasse". - Maybe.

What?

Yes, I'll give the message to Mr Vidauban.

Yes, as soon as he arrives.

Yes, sir. Count on me.

I won't let you down.

No, no. N-O-R-D-

Very good.

If you don't get the check tomorrow, M. Vidauban

will take good care of you.

I'll tell him. Goodbye, sir.

Mr Peign� says he needs your check first thing tomorrow

or you'll see how he takes care of you.

- Very drole. - Yes.

Mr Charlie called seven times.

Oh yes? What does he want?

You know full well.

Yes, well, tell him that

I'm travelling.

He'll definitely believe that.

What is it?

Nothing.

L�one, leave us.

- Florence... - What?

No news.

That's not possible.

I nipped over to her mother's.

It wasn't her mother. Florence, yet again, lied to me.

The woman I saw was just her namesake.

Your visit must have surprised her.

No, she tries to pass herself off as Florence's daughter.

To make out she's younger, you know?

Isn't that the truth.

I've been thinking.

I think that Florence's sister is her mother.

That she wants to regain her youth.

Florence's family reunions must be very interesting.

Flo... I just hope she gives me some sign of life.

We'll find her in less than 48 hours.

We? Who's this we?

We? You, me, them, they...

Whatever you say.

By the way, if I may ask, the dollars...?

I've already told you. In a safe place.

- And where's that? - If I told you,

it wouldn't be quite so safe.

Be careful, J�r�me. I saw Charlie last night and he's getting stressed.

So give him a sedative.

He's getting stressed and Bouture's getting a fever.

20 million! No getting past it, that's serious cash.

A word of advice.

Sort it out as quick as you can with Charlie and Bouture.

- If not... - If not?

They'll shut you out, shut you down.

It's Florence.

Hello, Florence?

Ah. Yes, it's me.

Hello.

What, gone? Since last night?

You're crazy.

But he's here, right in front of me!

Hold on, I'll hand you over.

It's Lucienne.

- Lucienne. - Yes, Lucienne. Take it.

Hello?

She hung up.

- She thought you'd vanished. - No.

Yes, since last night. Call her back.

Well I...no.

Since she hung up on me.

You two can be so annoying.

Always picking up the pieces...

Hello. Hello, Lucienne?

Wait a moment, ok?

Hello, Lucienne. J�r�me's sorry.

He can't come to the phone right now. He's busy

with two clients.

But he told me to tell you

that he'll be at "Dragon d'Or" tonight at nine.

What? Do I seem like someone who's messing around?

But of course. Formal wear.

Understood. See you soon, Lucienne.

There, I've sorted it all out.

And no more standing up.

A woman who adores you.

Lucienne!

- You don't know her, she's an angel. - Yes.

She doesn't know you either. You're a romantic.

- You'll have to introduce us then. - Idiot!

Where are you going? J�r�me!

J�r�me!

- L�one. - Yes.

- If Florence telephones, tell him... - Understood.

- Good evening, Mr Vidauban. - Good evening.

Good evening, Mr Vidauban.

Madame will be right back.

- I thought you were dead! - Well.

- What? - Nothing.

Madame chose cold chicken and salad.

Yes. Well I'm starving and need to feel replenished.

Caviar, pepper steak, side salad.

- We'll see about dessert later. - Thank you, sir.

- Perrier-Jouet, as usual? - As usual.

- Caviar! - I love it.

So you didn't leave with Florence?

What good does it do to talk of such things?

- Regrets? - Why not?

You surprise me.

No, I think the idea of leaving with her, living with her...

It made you sick, right?

Yes.

What happened? Explain to me.

Nothing. I looked at her and thought about you.

I saw the way things were and didn't leave.

Mr Vidauban is wanted on the telephone.

If you'll excuse me.

Don't hang up, he'll be here in a second.

There you are, Mr Vidauban.

Hello. Hello?

They hung up.

- Sir had his conversation? - Yes, thank you.

- Many thanks, Mr Vidauban. - Don't mention it.

It was worth it.

Her sister.

The blonde there, who is she?

Oh Mr Vidauban, you can't fool me every night!

- Who was it, Florence? - I don't know, we got cut off.

You were right not to leave with her. Rossignol's not to be trifled with.

I wouldn't have given two cents to be in your shoes.

You reckon he wouldn't think twice about shooting me?

You know him better than I do. He's done it before.

You could have let me know you were ok. I was mad with worry.

No?

With a hand like yours.

My hand?

Your life line is severed.

Meaning?

Meaning:

Water. Water will kill you.

I said to myself: they'll take a boat, get shipwrecked and

they'll be eaten by sharks.

Boater today, bait tomorrow.

Light me a cigarette.

Forgotten how to open the cigarette holder you used yesterday?

Just distracted.

What's with you today?

What's with you? You're pouting!

- Fancy a samba? - No, not tonight.

- Why not? - Because I'm enjoying your company.

If I'd said that as we danced, you'd think it was the samba talking.

Confiding my desire. That I was overwhelmed by your touch.

I'd rather tell you more calmly.

You should have said that yesterday.

I couldn't do it yesterday.

I wasn't aware of it yet.

- Is that true? - It's up to you.

Everything you're thinking could come true.

You know the girl who's dancing, there, with the big guy.

- The blonde with the hairdo? - Yes.

Never seen her before. You?

No, me neither.

What is it? You're pouting!

Mr Vidauban, you're wanted on the telephone.

I'm not available for anyone.

Hello. Hello, what?

You again. I told you he's not back yet.

- What? - Right, Irma, tell me another one.

Tell your Gonzales that we've had enough.

Tell him we'll be coming.

If we haven't heard from him by tomorrow we'll pay him a little visit.

Understood?

The bitch. She hung up.

I think there's nothing we can do about the cash.

Lights.

Forget where the light switch is?

- What are you waiting for? - I'm looking at you.

- I'll get you a little whisky. - OK.

Make yourself at home.

You're beautiful.

You really are an extraordinary man.

And you really are very special.

And who's also...

A real person.

Lucienne, you must believe me.

I love you.

You've certainly changed since last night.

What did you do after I left?

Nothing, I came home.

What time was it?

I don't recall. I felt so helpless.

Eleven, midnight?

Eleven, midnight.

A little more whisky?

A little more whisky.

What are we drinking to?

You pick.

To my desire.

Without desire, love is a verb that's passive, neutered.

And there we are.

You really like me?

And more besides.

Come.

- J�r�me... - Yes.

All of a sudden you love caviar,

something you've always despised.

You no longer know how to offer me a cigarette from your own case.

A holder you showed me how to use.

You used to love to dance

and now suddenly don't.

The lifelines in your hand have suddenly changed

so much so that your destiny is rewritten.

You didn't like your whisky straight up.

You left me yesterday, forever.

J�r�me...

You're not Vidauban.

So,

who are you?

First off, I'm very clumsy.

And what else?

I'll tell you the rest.

- Can I have a little more whisky? - Please do.

Listen carefully.

I'm listening.

It's very simple.

- Cigarette? - Thanks, I'm all set.

You're not very customer-friendly.

Oh, you cops...

Who told you I'm a cop?

- I look like one? - No, I just sense it.

I'm a spaniel, I sniff out cops at a hundred meters.

Nicely done.

- You know your work? - Not bad, thanks, and you?

You picked a strange spot.

I prefer men in cars to men on foot.

Were you here last night?

If I were here last night...

- Between eleven and midnight. - And if I were?

When a guy was shot.

Oh yes, I was in my bathtub.

Just like in the movies, the guy was history in no time.

- By who? - By who?

- Do you speak French? - Yes, when it's spoken politely.

Could you do me the utmost courtesy of replying?

And if you don't, I'll be obliged

to haul you off in a police van,

unworthy for a girl of your quality.

Fine, a woman fired the shot.

- Even though she was driving. - What kind of car?

American. Really flashy,

with a spider hood ornament.

- Your card. - For what?

Give me your card.

Thanks for the information.

What a mug.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

Were you here last night when that passerby was shot?

Know what happened like I saw it all.

- Why didn't you say anything? - No one asked me.

- She was in a car? - Who's this 'she'?

- It wasn't a woman driving. - Are you sure about that?

Two of them, there were.

The car - what type?

Nothing special.

And you're sure there were two men inside?

Like I see you now, Inspector.

Fine, well you helped me out.

I know exactly what I wanted to know.

- What are you reading there? - Nothing much.

Tacitus!

Odd choice.

You're a night watchman?

Yes, but I used to be a philosophy professor.

Oh yes, and after that?

Not much. I had troubles.

The Deadly Decoy.

- Come again? - The Deadly Decoy.

We've given our dresses the names of the year's literary hits.

- How drole! - I'll Spit on Your Grave,

Rouse the Corpse, Slug on the Tongue,

- Doves Must Be Knifed. - How charming!

And this dress's name?

I Shot a Cop.

I Shot a Cop.

Ah la la! We'll sleep well tonight.

Who with?

You saw all the Picassos?

If I had a mug like that I'd stick it in my fridge.

These Black Marketeers we have to deal with...

I'll never accept them.

Next war, I'll work the black market. No more busting my ass.

We'll see what we'll see.

Let's go, Fran�oise, Nelly, Simone, we're off!

Charming, this dress!

Miss...

- Ma'am? - What's the damage for that one?

How much? 150,000 francs.

- Not too pricey. - No.

Kill All The Uglies.

Kill All The Uglies.

And we've found the car.

- Where? - C�te Basque. Florence must have gone to Spain.

Florence in Spain? She can't get by without Paris.

As you say. Vidauban had lots of money on him.

Florence wanted to leave alone,

leaving us Vidauban's remains at the depot.

Florence didn't have it in her to kill someone.

Anyone could be a killer. Just like I could be Vidauban.

By the way, do you know who's the one they call Guigui?

I'm sorry. The customer back there with her husband

just bought that dress. She wants to meet you.

The Negress Killed the Barman.

I've decided to take: I'll Spit On Your Grave

Slug on the Tongue, Stabbing the Doves.

That one I adore. And then,

Kill All the Uglies.

Right you are, Ma'am. Excellent choice.

See? - Josette,

can you take Ma'am to changing room?

Silence! Police!

Everyone back in the room.

- What does this mean? - Must be National Security.

Now they're invading my turf.

This is inconceivable!

I'm a friend of the Minister for the Interior.

Me too. Get going, we'll chat when we interrogate you.

Stop them, do something!

This will ruin everything.

If Vidauban's killer is here, I can't stop them from arresting him.

Wait.

You there. Get going along with everyone else.

Let me explain-

Be quiet and listen. You'll all be fine.

Is it cops or robbers?

I don't know, maybe both.

Silence, shut up!

Silence!

You there, I said hurry it up!

And now, ladies and gentleman, my friends and I will have the pleasure

of passing among you.

Give us everything you have:

wallets, jewels, money, loose change, etc. etc.

The telephone's been cut, the doors are locked.

Resistance is useless.

We count on your goodwill, your generosity

to avoid any bloodshed

and other regrettable incidents.

EXPORT-IMPORT VIDAUBAN Manager

L�one, quickly, ask for J�r�me on the telephone.

- What is it? - You've read the papers?

- "Hold-up in High Fashion" - Yes, at Lucienne's.

At our Lucienne's?

Strange lads...

Hello? Don't go.

Hello, J�r�me?

Yes, it's Rossignol. So, you read the papers?

Yes, so?

Who, Lucienne?

One moment. What is it?

- Mr Victor. - What about Mr Victor?

He's over there.

Show him in.

I'm coming. Wait for me.

You were right. Yesterday was the day

to get to work at Lucienne Designy's.

You were right to insist.

It went off well, right?

No technical slips ups?

Impeccable.

J�r�me, I'm not ambitious.

But jobs like that, I just want you to set up

two like that a week.

It's such a cushy gig.

It's just housework: easy to do, goes down easy.

What's more fun is having

the feeling of doing honest work.

You show up, go to the cash register.

And you come down the big staircase.

Jobs like that, you get two at most in your life.

You'll find others, no worries.

- No worries... - Well there we might have a glitch.

The women, you never know, they always get to shrieking.

But there, nothing. Such silence!

You could have heard a pin drop, it was like a leap of death!

You were perfect.

I know my job.

The secret, you see, J�r�me,

is knowing your limits.

Dad always said to me:

Victor, don't get above yourself.

You're no brain, you're a right arm.

The day you find a brain,

your fortune's made.

You're my brain. I tip my hat to you.

We complete each other.

A brain without a right arm is as worthless

as a right arm without a brain. - Yesterday,

when you challenged me. That was real brainwork.

Thanks to you, no one can say we were in cahoots.

- No, no one. - Strangers, never seen each other before.

True, never seen each other before.

And the payoff, no punches pulled there, right?

Just between us, how was my right hook?

A little much, still a little much.

That's what Tonia said, the last time I roughed her up.

Afterwards she said to me my right hook was a bit much.

So what happened to you day before yesterday at "Dragon d'Or"?

Day before yesterday at "Dragon d'Or"?

Yeah, she told me she'd hit you, right?

True, she slapped me.

I said nothing. I couldn't start a scandal

the night before a big job.

There it is, there's the brain!

Me, I would've shaken her down, called it all off.

Never lose your head, Victor, especially when you don't have one.

I don't know, I don't want to know what there is between you and Tania.

You know me. About women, I'm agnostic.

You, you're a Don Juan, each to his own!

Oh yes, you can't just be a brain all the time.

Right. But Tania, I tell you...

you're not her type. Now, let's talk seriously.

I believe this time, there'll be no appeal for you.

This time, it's the maximum sentence!

- No. - Yes, yes!

You're greedy but you know how to say 'when.'

When I told my friends about your part in all this,

right away they cried for help.

Ah, they exaggerate.

That's what I told them: Be reasonable.

Who set up the job, prepared the ground?

- Right, who? - Who brought Lucienne in?

J�r�me! Am I right or wrong?

I made the bed, you had just had to lie down in it.

Exactly. They got it, they backed down.

One,

Two,

three,

four, five

and five, ten.

Five million, there you are!

I unloaded all the merchandise at Loriette's.

- Where? - You know, Loriette's.

- Oh yes! - Definitely a good head start.

- 500 to 600 bills. Right? - Right.

- Not a word to Rossignol. - What do you take me for?

- Such a gossip. - Oh, say...

I was forgetting, if you have something to say to me,

I've moved. My address is

6, Gaston Leroux. Invalides 12-12.

6, Gaston Leroux. Got it.

- What is it? - Mrs Lucigny.

Show her in.

You, go this way and leave by the service staircase.

- You'll hear from me. - I hope so.

Hello, you!

I really have no luck, my jewelry box was stolen.

- When did you realize? - Last night, after you left.

All my jewelry.

When did you see them last?

About a month ago.

Come with me.

There you go.

Vidauban had put it to one side to take with him,

to remember you by, probably.

- I don't believe it! - It's true.

And it was him who instigated that raid last night.

- No! - Yes!

I got his share: 5 million.

Victor, the gun man, just left.

- You have a car? - A taxi's waiting for me.

Drop me off at the office, I'll tell you about it in the taxi.

So you saw Lucienne?

What did she make of it? I wish I could have been there.

- Why so? - Well, for my work.

From a technical point of view it's interesting.

And Florence?

Still nothing.

You dealt with St L�onard ? - No, not yet.

I'll be back.

You have nothing else to tell me?

Why ask me that?

No reason at all.

Understood.

You're very smart.

I was going to tell you. Lechirac gave me your share.

300,000.

You took your time getting that out.

You didn't let me get a word in edgeways!

You're sure it's really 300,000?

Yes, I just said so.

- Think harder. - It's all thought through.

You can be a real nitpicker.

Let's see, five...

and two, seven...

That's funny.

I misplaced your 100,000 bills.

Well.

You see? Thinking always makes us richer.

Hello, hello?

Hello, Bouture.

Yes, my little Bouture.

What?

And the dollars?

Eh?

In 48 hours it'll all be settled.

You, Charlie.

Rossignol.

Everyone will be paid off.

Yes, my little Bouture.

No, Bouture. See you soon, Bouture.

What is it?

- There's a bargeman. A bargeman!

Yes. He wants to speak to Mr Rossignol.

Show him in.

Mr Rossignol.

That's me.

What is it?

It's a bit delicate. I want to give you something.

- What thing? - The thing that led me here.

I do the Paris-Le Havre run. Yesterday, on my barge, a little after Vernon,

before we arrived at Port-Vilay,

I spotted something odd floating by.

It was drifting strangely.

Anyway, to cut to the chase:

it was a hat.

A woman's hat.

And a dress, a woman's dress.

And wrapped in an envelope tied to the dress,

there was a letter.

Here it is.

And the hat.

And the dress.

You read it.

"Life with you was a bad joke.

"I've laughed enough.

"Dying is still the best way to get rid of you.

"When you read this letter only my soul will remain,

"finally free of this lovely body on which you feasted.

"Farewell,

Florence."

Irma!

Irma!

What's all this?

Gard�nal.

Making a phone call?

Instead of trying to revive me?

So my corpse left you cold.

Calling the funeral parlor to get your commission.

Not at all, I was calling the emergency services.

You calling the emergency services!

Tell me another!

That's like a fly begging for fly paper.

Well whatever you're up to, kiss me.

Instead of standing there rooted to the spot.

You're not even going to ask after me?

Not curious at all?

- I'm just like all the others. - I thought you drowned.

All the more reason! My darling...

I'm so good natured, I want to kiss you.

I'll kiss you.

- You're back with Lucienne. - Lucienne?

Your mouth tastes like raspberry.

Raspberry?

Yes, I know the lie of the land.

Lucienne's lipstick, I picked it out for her. On purpose!

To know if you were still seeing her.

You didn't even break up with her.

You and your word, nothing in common.

No, we're one and the same.

If I promised you a breakup, I'll break up.

- What did he do? - Who?

Rossignol, when he got my little keepsake.

Acted like a widower.

- He was sad? - Very much so.

- And you? - I was even worse off than him.

- But why kill yourself? - Why do people kill themselves?

He must have some notions. That's why I killed myself,

especially for that.

If it's for that.

You promised me a honeymoon, us leaving together.

I got our boat passage ready, wrote to Rossignol that we were through.

Overconfident, I sent that letter off right away.

One hour before leaving, you phoned me

to tell me: all bets are off, everything's on hold.

And when I tell you, What am I supposed to do now?

Where do I sleep? You replied to me:

Wherever you like. Then you hang up on me.

So in revenge you come here and smash the place up.

All that? No. I didn't want to burn my bridges.

- And if I'd been there? - You couldn't have been.

- And where was I? - Where you told me.

Where did I tell you?

I even phoned Rossignol anonymously to tell him where to find you.

I said to myself: He'll go smash his face in.

But think about it. Rossignol's no tough guy.

Not his style, no way.

The proof's that you're still alive.

What are you looking for in my bag?

Three bullets are missing from the chamber.

- Three bullets? - Three bullets.

What do I care?

You don't find that odd?

- You know better than to think I used it. - Really?

It's your revolver!

I brought it to kill myself. But at the last moment, I chickened out.

I was frightened I'd mess it up. That's why I drowned myself.

It was safer.

Tell me, the night you came here and smashed the place up.

- So? - No one was here?

No, my dear.

However I found traces of blood.

I cut my thumb smashing the mirror.

- What time was this? - I don't know.

8pm? 9pm?

No, later than that.

Between 11 and midnight, surely.

Why ask me that?

- To know. - To know what?

To know who killed J�r�me Vidauban.

What are you saying?

To know who killed J�r�me Vidauban.

I have the information.

If the registration's right, the revolver was bought at 8 Magenta Blvd.

8 Magenta Blvd.

And where are you on this?

No mistake. It was with the three missing bullets that he was killed.

- Sure? - Certain.

- What do you say to that? - Whose is it?

Your client's, Durand-Gonzales.

Gonzales killed Vidauban?

No, idiot, think about it.

Gonzales was killed between 5 and 6pm in the afternoon.

And Vidauban between 11 and midnight.

So what?

So it was Vidauban that killed Gonzales,

six hours before getting killed himself.

How odd! So the two cases are connected?

Connected.

Magnificent! All in the heart. Reload?

Do it, reload.

No need to wrap it up, I'll put it in my bag.

- As you like. - Thanks. Goodbye, sir.

Ma'am. My compliments to your husband. - I absolutely will!

- Now you're sure that- - Certain.

We'll see, remember!

You bought two revolvers, same brand and same caliber.

One for you, one for madame.

I tell you it was Vidauban who had the dollars!

You won't find them. Scoundrels,

you're all scoundrels!

We don't care about Vidauban.

It's Gonzales, your boss, who interests us.

Right Migrain?

Gonzales or the dollars.

Where's Gonzales, huh? Where is he?

He's not ready to come back.

We'll wait, we're not busy.

Right, baby?

And how. If he's not back tonight we'll camp out here.

I'm not going without seeing him..

- Say where he is, we'll let you go. - With his family.

With his family? I don't think so, sweetie, he hates them.

- He doesn't want to live with them. - He's isn't living with them.

It's a get-together, a nice reunion!

But they don't tell me anything.

- What does he do with his family? - He takes a break.

- Where are they, his family? - They're with him!

Where?

I'm asking you where!

Idiots! How much did he promise you, Gonzales, for killing Vidauban?

That's our business.

And you think he'll pay you now?

He was meant to pay us that night.

We had a meeting at the new Ath�nes.

He could have given us something to go on.

- He couldn't have. - And why couldn't he?

Because, by that time, he was already far away.

Seeing as he was murdered

at 5:30 in the afternoon.

It's not true, you're lying.

If Gonzales had been killed, we would have heard about it.

It was announced in three lines. I have the cutting from the paper.

- Let's see it. - Let me go.

Tell us where it us, we'll let you go afterwards.

In the ledger.

- Well really. - And it was Vidauban who killed him.

Before being killed himself in your tender care.

- Vidauban? - Vidauban!

And where did Gonzales hide his stash?

- Vidauban took it all. - And if we put your feet to the fire?

- Rape me while you're at it. - That's not our style.

Idiots, why was he murdered?

For fun, for a joke?

You haven't got a little stash of your own, by any chance?

My little Savings Bank.

- Money never interested me. - Go on, go on..

Never! Now let me go, my back hurts.

And don't forget that there's still the little matter of Vidauban's corpse...

And if he starts to smell bad,

that smell might just waft its way to the police.

And the police don't always have a stuffed-up nose.

Don't waste your breath. We have nothing to fear.

Not at all! We aren't the ones who killed Vidauban.

- It was the Pope! - We got here too late.

He was already stone cold.

When we were going through the tunnel, a car overtook us.

And someone inside fired.

You get me?

And now we're going to take a little trip.

To find out what Vidauban got up to between 6 and 11.

- Those dollars are out there somewhere - Somewhere else, or here.

- Goodbye, Irma. - Let me go!

Let me go!

Bastards! Filth! Murderers!

You won't get the dollars, you won't get them! Help!

That's fine, lads. Let's go, I get it.

All done!

Listen to me, Victor.

So far I've gone easy on you. Don't take that for granted.

If you keep refusing to respond, I'll have to break out the big guns.

I'll get nasty. And when I'm nasty I lack tenderness.

Have you seen as many assholes as I have?

- Yes, this here is asshole headquarters.

I have nothing to say.

The information booth is closed.

You refuse to tell us about Vidauban.

I don't know Vidauban. I have nothing to say about Vidauban.

You don't know Vidauban?

I don't know Vidauban.

When did you last see him?

- Who? - Vidauban.

Never heard of him.

Give up, you'll never get inside my head.

My bark's just as bad as my bite.

And besides I don't know Vidauban.

And what's this Vidauban for? Where do you get it, at the drugstore?

A bottle of vidaubans, does it come in drops or as pills?

Victor, you never went off half-cocked before. I warn you.

- Everything ok? - Very good.

- Had him here for long? - No, a quarter of an hour.

What the hell are you doing here?

What the hell are you doing here, I asked you.

Who says we're on intimate terms?

Who do you take me for?

Come on, J�r�me, what gives? No kidding!

He's losing it. I'm Inspector Carrel.

You're not...

Who?

Nothing.

I must be dreaming... or drunk.

Or I'm crazy. Maybe all three.

Yeah, his pupils clearly aren't working.

Special Infirmary.

Someone wake me up. I want to get off.

No need to push it. He knows nothing about Vidauban's death.

- You think so? - I'm pretty sure.

We still need to know who killed Vidauban.

You really think so?

And so?

Very nice.

Yes. For a dead guy he can certainly handle himself.

I wasn't dreaming the other night. Was that really his body?

Yes, he doesn't look like a body. He looks like a dirty trick.

What do we do?

First we think.

Yes. Barman, same again.

So, answer me simply with a yes or a no.

Is it yes, is it no?

What you're asking is extremely serious.

I know.

- It's funny. - What's that?

I know that my life depends on my answer.

Your life and the rest of it still to come.

- My freedom also. - Very much so.

Come on, a little courage. Yes or no?

No. No, not no, yes.

Yes, you love me? I adore you.

- When do we start? - Right away.

I don't want to let myself go, there's lots of people here, but

I want to kiss you passionately on the mouth.

I'd really like that.

And also a little bit behind your ear.

I love it!

Vidauban!

How can I help you?

You can get up, nice and easy, and leave with my friend, Migraine.

- Really? - Yes.

Let's go and take a little stroll around the block.

We'll talk about Gonzales.

Meanwhile, I'll take care of the lady.

With pleasure.

Dear friend...

After all that, I'd rather chew the fat with you.

It's Vidauban that killed Gonzales.

- Not possible. - Yes.

And it's Gonzales that killed Vidauban.

- You might say they returned each other's compliments. - No!

Yes! He didn't kill him personally,

he was already dead.

He ordered his death through two specialists.

Migraine and 'Baby' Tambaud.

So, Migraine and 'Baby' Tambaud.

Yes. Craftsmen for that kind of thing.

But why did he want Vidauban rubbed out?

Vidauban left the dollars with Gonzales for safe keeping.

Gonzales was after a ten percent commission.

Is that all?

He thought he could snag all of it.

Don't you think you need to clean up your act?

This stray dog thinks she's a pedigree.

You came here to squeal on Migraine and 'Baby' Tambour.

A dirty business to bring before such refined company.

Everything about this smells rotten.

- But... - Shut up, copper!

Who is this man?

But it's...Inspector Carrel.

You know me perfectly well. You're the one who stole

Vidauban's dollars from Gonzales.

Me? Well really!

Here they are.

I found them at your place, one hour ago.

Fine. Fair enough.

You told Vidaubon that Gonzales stole his dollars.

And Vidauban got rid of Gonzales. You played them both for suckers.

You knew that, a few hours later,

Vidauban would in turn get his from Migraine and 'Baby' Tambour.

A well handled set-up

Left along with the dollars, you'd retire to the countryside.

And you'd end up a grand dame somewhere in France.

You'll have a showy funeral.

I never wanted to end up a grand dame.

- Do you have a cigarette? - No smoking here.

Thanks.

You know what they're up to, Migraine and 'Baby' Tambour?

- What, what are they doing? - A nice hand of cards.

- With Vidauban and Gonzales. - No!

- Really, they're dead? - Exactly right.

- Impossible. - Yes, only

before taking indefinite vacation, 'Baby' Tambour spilled the beans.

He knew a lot of things.

My dear Irma, I fear that for several years now

your activities have not exactly been low profile.

I don't care, I need a break.

And besides I like solitude.

Solitude is freedom.

Yes, so people also say about work.

But don't go! What about Victor?

- Victor? - What shall we do with Victor? He confessed.

- He confessed to what? - That he killed Vidauban.

It wasn't him, idiot.

I deserve all the more credit for making him confess.

You can stop the interrogation. I've already filed my report.

The case will soon be closed.

The killers are dead. The public interest is served.

Well I'm straight out of luck.

The one time I get a guilty man to confess, he's innocent.

- What a job. - It's dirty business, no fun at all.

I'm through. I quit.

- You're not going to quit! - Yes!

You're not going to quit, what will you do?

Ah, you'll open an agency?

I will love and be loved.

Good luck, Perpignan.

Very happy to have known you, Irma.

- Say! - What?

The dollars, they're fakes.

I don't think so, my dear Irma.

This fabric will be perfect for a wedding dress, no?

Don't you think it's a bit flimsy?

No, no - once it's lengthened out, matched with a train, it'll be perfect.

Oh yes, you're right.

I need to ask the suppliers, I'm sure they can get us more of it.

- It'll be so chic! - Yes, my duck, very chic.

Hello? Yes.

From whom? Ah, how are you?

Fine, yes.

Yes.

Here? That's an extraordinary idea!

Yes, yes. Dinner for two, it'll be great.

At least you're in a good mood.

Bravo, me too.

Yes.

Yes.

You're really very kind.

Yes, I do believe you!

Believing you is all I ask of you.

Yes, see you soon.

Hurry up, bring all that along, we're through for today.

- We're running behind. - We're not that late.

Be more regal than the queen, it'll all work out. Good night!

Annette! Annette!...

You see that a well informed businesswoman can still know nothing

about matters of the heart.

- How well did you know him? - In a very superficial way.

Around his friends' houses, cocktail in hand.

He showed me off like a tycoon.

He had a certain quality, a charm.

Could I have realized that he wasn't what he seemed?

And then?

And then nothing. An affair.

An affair between a man and a woman, two grown-ups.

Have half with me.

Gladly.

It was only much later that I learned...

One night he came here. He urgently needed

a significant sum.

Excuse me.

Hello?

Yes.

Ah, hold on, sir.

It's for you.

One moment, sir.

Hello? Yes.

Ah, it's you, idiot.

What's that? No, no!

Tell Chautard I'll see him tomorrow.

He's crazy.

Yes, yes, everything's fine.

Ah yes, about that, it had slipped my mind.

I found the killer.

Which killer? Vidauban's.

You'll see, it'll all work out.

Don't be discouraged.

That's how the job goes.

You think it's all wrapped up, you're closing the case, when

all of a sudden - boom! - the game is up

without you having had a proper turn.

Eh? Oh no, it's a secret.

No, no, no. I'll tell all tomorrow.

No, you're barking up the wrong tree there.

Yes. No, it's not a man, it's a woman.

Yes. What? No. Until tomorrow then.

Good night, idiot.

A little champagne?

Gladly, yes.

So you've found the killer.

You didn't know?

- You hadn't told me. - Well, I must have forgotten.

The key was finding the gunsmith where the killer bought the revolver.

That must have taken some thought.

You know, the gunsmith's testimony, always the key.

Can I know who it was?

There it is.

You're taking me away right now?

I have a meeting with the judge

between 11 and midnight.

Well I'll go and get ready.

Pleased with yourself?

Well, yes, sort of.

You gave a subtle performance. The adoring inspector.

In our work, all tricks are allowed.

Besides, the party isn't over.

The game goes on.

What a great promotion you're going to get!

Oh, promotion! Well first of all I'm on a mission.

Next, I've picked a good lawyer.

He's waiting for us.

It'll be five years on probation.

And then...

If I testify in favor of the accused,

since I know my Vidauban so well, it'll be an acquittal.

So, in the judge's chambers, between 11 and midnight,

perhaps we'll get you out on bail.

Go get dressed up.

And make yourself beautiful.

Thank you.

- I was going to tell you what happened. - No need.

I love you, you love me, we love each other.

Subtitles (c) Cinephage and Nottsforest @KG 2011