All language subtitles for Shoot the Pianist (Tirez sur le pianiste) (1960) ENG. subs

SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER

From the novel DownThere by
DAVID GOODIS

I don't know how to thank you.

I ran into this streetlight
like an idiot.

I've gotta run.
She still waits up for me. Come on.

- How long you been married?
- Eleven years.

I wish I were married too.

- You say that like you mean it.
- I do.

It has its good points.

We almost didn't make it at first.

I'd watch her over breakfast,
wondering how to get rid of her.

But then I thought, “Where do you get
these ideas?” and I found no answer.

- A question of freedom, maybe?
- Yeah.

I met her at a dance.

Had a helluva time
getting to know her.

She hadn't been around much.
And you know Paris.

I'll bet there are more virgins here
than in any other city.

Proportionally, at least.

But listen -
that's not why I married her.

Why, then?

I got used to her.
We had good times.

I don't know you,
and we may never meet again,

so all the more reason
to be frank.

Sometimes it helps
to spill your guts to a stranger.

There's some truth in that.

I ended up having feelings for her.
First time that ever happened.

We went together for a year.

One fine day, I went out
and bought the wedding ring.

It always happens like that.

Not always.

I think I really fell in love with her
two years later.

She was in the hospital
having our first kid.

I remember standing
next to her bed,

just looking down
at her and the baby.

I think that's the moment
it really started.

How many kids you got now?

Three.

A perfect number.

Yeah, they're great kids.

I turn here,
so I'll say good-bye.

Take care, now.
- I sure will.

Thanks. And good luck!

CHARLIE KOLLER
DANCING NIGHTLY

- Hi, Edouard.
- Call me Charlie. And wait there.

You're a strange bird.

Four years since we last
saw each other,

and you'd think
I'd just gone around the block.

See this? It's so dark out,
I ran into a pole.

Someone after you?

Not the cops,
or I wouldn't get you involved.

So you came to get me involved?
Forget it.

Fido must have grown.

Things okay money-wise?

I'm getting by.
Just don't count on me for anything.

I don't want to get involved,
you hear?

How's the family?

- Everyone's fine: Mom, Dad -
- Richard?

Oh, you know,
always up to something.

But we miss you and Fido,

so I started thinking -

When they started chasing you.

Charlie, you gotta help.
I'm in a real fix.

So you come to me!
Who's after you?

Two guys.

We pulled a job, these two guys
and Richard and me.

They tried to play rough
and gyp us out of our share.

So Richard and I kept the loot
and ditched them instead.

Great.

What do they look like?

One wears a hat,
the other a cap.

They're not brothers
but they look alike,

and they both smoke pipes.

Evening, Charlie.
How are things?

What the hell are you doing here?
You're throwing your life away!

- All right, all right.
- No, it's not all right!

You look great
behind that piece of junk.

You deserve a concert grand
in a packed hall

before a cheering crowd,
so what gives?

- I can't be in two places at once.
- What a laugh!

The world-famous artist
can't even afford a jalopy.

Somethings screwy there.
- Okay, okay.

Just shut up.

Look at him, the concert pianist
pounding out honky-tonk!

For chris sake,
get this guy a grand piano

with some candlesticks!

Where are those candlesticks?

Listen, pal, pipe down!

I want everyone to hear.

They're too busy dancing.

That's the trouble with the world.
Nobody can be bothered.

Drop it, Plyne.
He's sick.

Who is he, pal?

I thought I made it clear:
Don't get chummy with me.

Call me mister.

Okay, mister, who is he?

Maybe my dear little brother
is ashamed of me.

He's an artist, my friend.
And his name's not Charlie.

It's Edouard.
- Shut up!

He never mentioned a brother.

Yep, four kids in the family,
all boys.

What do you pay Charlie for?

To play piano, of course.

So he's paid to play,
not spill his guts.

You want a guy to talk,
it'll cost you.

Like digging a well -
the deeper you go, the more it costs.

Sometimes it costs so much,

you just give up.

You're very alluring...

and I'm lured.

What luck! I just now decided
to get married.

You're the first one I'm asking.

Who says I'm single?

It can't be! The Abominable Snowman
there is your guy?

Was my guy, though we haven't
officially broken up.

Besides, I don't even know you.

- Charlie's big brother.
- No kidding.

I just love Charlie.

And how about me?

It's too soon to tell.

You'll have to excuse me.
I've got customers.

Is my chest that exciting?

- You bet. I'm a doctor.
- Sure you are.

Not the best crowd tonight.

The other night
was first-class quality.

Look at that!

Interesting.

Or just bizarre.

See you later, Charlie.

- Christ, they're here!
- It's your problem.

- I'm done for!
- The back door! Go!

The dame was named Frances

We all called her

The Raspberry

The sergeant was to blame

He was lame

In the brain

She served beer in a bar

Not far from the Loire

A tart, she was not

Beer was all we got

You'd have to have cheek

To pinch her cheek

She was right from Antibes

What a blight!

A blight on the Berry

That's fate, tit for tat

She was native Antibean

Closer than Carribean

Closer than Caracas

Or the Congo?

I don't know

The barrier of language

My ardors assuaged

The wench, she knew French

Her eyes, they sizzled

My passion, it fizzled

I'm anti-Antibean

Despite myself

What a blight!

A blight on the Berry

That's fate, tit for tat

Her measurements were meager

No wonder she was eager

To be adding extra padding

At the Beauty Institute

Ah! Ah! Ah!

By the Loire are beauticians

Who can add to your bosom

No surgical dangers

In Angers

For old gents and pretty maids

Attributes are custom-made

But for those who can't rejuvenate

What a blight!

A blight on the Berry

That's fate, tit for tat

Seeing her new measurements

Added to my torments

Ogling her plunging neckline

I gave her the old line

“Permit me to keep abreast

Of what's on your chest“

She ran away like a stranger

So I quit

I'm not fit for a dog

In a manger

The moral

A blight on tit for tat

And dame's fate is the berries!

They must have gone
out the alley.

They didn't look like killers.
Just wanted to talk business.

You can guess what kind.

When your brothers get mixed up in
something, big dumb Chico takes the fall.

Come on, wish him good luck
while there's still time.

Good luck.

Good night.

She's really got her eye on you.

Who does?

Lena.
Thought you'd like to know.

Thanks anyway.

Too bad you're not interested.

I wish she looked at me like that.

If I'm in the way, I can leave.

Don't worry.
I'm not her type.

In fact,

I'm nobody's type.

See you tomorrow.

Come now.

I'm just a big lug,

and too dumb
to make women forget it.

Could it be glands?

No, it's not my glands.
Just my ugly mug.

Don't be afraid of women.
They're not poisonous.

You don't really believe that.

I can see you've been
through the wringer too, my boy.

So what?

I bet I even know what's eating you.

You're shy and scared.

Scared?

That's right.

Scared.

I'm scared.

Shit, I'm scared!

You okay, pal?

I'm scared.

Who were those two guys?

No idea.

I'm going to bed.
Life goes on, after all.

Hey, Mr. Charlie.

I didn't want anyone else to hear.

Can you lend me some dough
until tomorrow?

Sure.

Here.

Walk with me a ways.

I don't like walking home
alone at night, Mr. Charlie.

Just call me Charlie.

Okay. Then you call me Léna.

Why Léna?

From Héléne to Héléna
to just Léna.

It'll look odd if you don't talk.

Say something, anything,
or she'll think you're scared.

She's no fool. She knows silence
and romance go hand-in-hand.

She's the quiet type.
Not stuck-up - just serious.

No cheap jokes for her.

It'd take something really funny
to make her laugh.

What's so funny?

That face!

Listen.

You know those guys after your brother?
- No, why?

I think they're following us.

Look here.

Where'd they go?

They must have taken off
that way.

Lousy luck!

So long.
I'm going home.

Come on.

She felt you against her,
but she didn't move away.

So she's willing -
but to do what?

Who knows?

Suggest getting a drink
to buy some time.

Don't mess this up.
Take it easy.

“We can't just say good-b ye.
Let's have a drink. ”

No, more subtle.

“I bet you're thirsty. Me too. "

Want to get a drink -

Probably just as well.

Think of something else.
Is Art Tatum talented?

Or Errol Garner?
Yes, garners got talent'.

Or Juno Manse? You can't say.
You don't even know him.

It's me - Clarisse.

Evening, Charlie.

You still sleep in the raw?

It's better for you.

Reminds me of my skeleton number
at the carnival.

My first gig
after running away from home.

I lay inside a coffin,
practically naked,

and with a flick of the mirrors,
you could see my skeleton.

Even doctors fell for it.

Then I sprained an ankle.

It's tough being an artist.

- Want me to stay?
- I don't know.

- I'll put it on your tab.
- No, thanks.

Okay, I won't insist.

I'm going.

Don't be sore.

Take off that pretty dress.

Close Fido's door.

Isn't all of me pretty?

It's a good working dress.

I don't have to bow and scrape
for customers.

“How much?“

“Three thousand.
Take it or leave it.”

I don't push the goods on anyone.
It's a free country.

I'll go behind here.
- Right. I might get ideas.

I prefer pretty clothes
to the sexy ones some girls wear.

Aren't my clothes always pretty?

Very.

No, really. Very pretty.

The girls always ask
where I buy them.

Pretty, aren't they?
400 francs - a bargain.

What do I know
about your panties?

Are you nuts?

No, just a prude.

A prude?

More like a prune!

Good one, huh?

Is pussycat hurt?
ls my pussycat mad?

Pussycat's not mad, just tired.

I even saw it on TV:
Pussycats are tired these days.

I'm sleepy,
and I prefer old-fashioned undies.

TV is like a movie theater

You can go to right at home

Move over.

This is how it's done
in the movies.

I saw Torpedoes in Alaska
at the movies this afternoon.

Any good?

John Wayne showing how
the USA only wants peace.

Well, well.
The Yanks are just like me.

You making fun of me?

I'd never do that, baby.

Give me a drag.

Hey, I thought
you were the shy type!

You never heard?
Shy people can be bold too.

Clarisse, back to your room.
Fido's gonna wake up. Quick!

Sure, I'm only fit to cook him
dinner every night.

Don't start that.
Pass me my trousers.

- What are you looking at?
- Nothing.

Zip me up, will you?

Go on home.
See you tonight.

Fido.

Time to get up.

Hurry up.
You'll be late.

Bye, Charlie.
See you tonight.

- Hello, Charlie.
- Have I had the pleasure?

I'm Ernest. He's Momo.

We'll give you a lift.
- I'll walk.

No need for that.

- Just to show him.
- He already knows.

- Maybe he's not sure.
- All right.

Coming with us now?
- Yeah, now I am.

- What do you think of our pal, Momo?
- He looks tough. You?

Me too.
We think you're tough.

Is 50,000 enough?
Give us a figure.

I don't need much money.

- Maybe he thinks we don't have it.
- Right. Show him the package.

Not very smart
carrying that much around.

Enough talk.
Where were we?

He refused the money.
Let's try something else.

Look, we only want to talk to him.
We won't hurt him.

Who?

I thought we agreed to be up front!
You know we mean your brother!

Put us in touch with him.
Take us to the farm.

- He could be away.
- I doubt it.

Momo, get in back.
Here's our mutual friend.

The waitress.
“Mrs. Charlie," you might say.

No need for introductions, eh?

- Where are we going?
- Ask your boyfriend.

- He's not my boyfriend.
- We're paying his brother Chico a visit.

That man with the black eye?

They've done their homework.
First they find out he's my brother.

Then they get our addresses.

- How?
- I think I know how.

We'll tell you.

We had a drink
with your boss this morning.

The ugly ape made us pay
through the nose.

Fifty smackers.

Twenty-five for Charlie's address,
25 for hers.

He's a greedy, suspicious slob.

What a mug -
and how he stroked that wad!

Plyne, the fat pig!

- Ernest, watch the road!
- Who's driving here?

You are! But be careful!

True. We must keep
our charming hostages safe.

You had time to pass that car!

He's waiting for you to pass.
- Do you mind?

- If I had the wheel!
- Around your neck?

- Don't get excited.
- I'm not.

If there's one thing I can do,

it's drive a car.

I can make a car
do anything I want.

- Except pass.
- You want me to blow my top?

No, just keep your eyes on the road
and stop ogling the chicks.

You'll kill someone
one of these days.

Fitting vengeance for my father.

He got run over
crossing the street.

He was watching the women,
not the cars.

Got his eye on a short skirt,
and down he goes.

- The old guy was a dirty old man!
- I must take after him.

I've got an eye for the moment

the Wind's gonna lift a skirt,
or some nice legs gonna board a bus.

Do I shock you?
- Not at all.

I've met bastards before.
I'm learning something.

I tell you:

No matter what women say,
they all want it.

Want what?

It's just like he says:
They all want it.

And I say let 'em have it!

- But I've got nothing against women.
- I can see that.

I love 'em all,
precisely for what they are.

But they insist on talking before
and especially after,

just when a man
wants out of there, alone.

If I may, on the subject of women,
my father used to say,

“lf you've seen one,
you've seen 'em all.”

When I first lay eyes on a woman,
it's like a thunderbolt.

I'm in love.
I want marriage, babies.

But once they start gabbing,
I just want to lay 'em

and leave 'em.

- Nice attitude.
- Sorry, it's just how I am.

I gotta say, you do everything
to get us males excited.

Why the lipstick, the nail polish,

the tight-fitting bras,
the short skirts?

Why the high heels?
Why wear stockings?

Why not wear socks, like us?

Yeah, a girl looks great
in kneesocks.

A real tease!

Once all my underwear was dirty,

so I tried on my sister's silk panties.
What a feeling!

No wonder they always want it!

We men wear pants,

but in their dresses,
their thighs are always touching.

It must be torture for priests.
Right, lovebirds?

Priests wear long drawers,
jerk face.

The light's red, damn it!

Now we're done for!
We'll do the talking, okay?

Open up!

The door!
Help me, damn it!

Anything wrong, Officer?

Turn off the engine and get out.

I can explain.

Your papers.

He's an awful driver, Officer.

He goes crazy in traffic.

Coming, dear?
We've had enough.

Let's catch a bus.

- Don't look at me!
- So long, Charlie!

See you later.

- Sure, drop by. We'll be waiting.
- See you soon!

- “See you soon," they said.
- Don't worry about it.

Don't worry. Right.

And I suppose those were
cap pistols they had too.

She took your arm
just like that.

My God, she's taking you
to her place.

This way.

Let me lead the way.

Don't stare at her legs.
It isn't proper.

Watch the steps or you'll fall.

Or look at the walls,
though they're pretty cruddy.

Now Charlie plays the piano at Plyne's,
but there was a time when he didn't.

Isn't that right, Edouard?

There was a time...

There was a time...

Excuse me.

Do you have caramel custard?
- No, it's crossed off the menu.

- So I see.
- Check, please.

- Too bad.
- Excuse me.

- What time are you off?
- I'll have a look.

Miss, please!

Coffee, sir?

Here.
Take this for your trouble.

It's too beautiful.

But you thought to yourself,
“Not for two years of happiness. "

We never accept gifts
from customers, sir.

- Has that guy been coming long?
- The last few days.

I've seen him somewhere before.

You know what I'd like?

Quit your job at the restaurant.
- Your piano lessons aren't exactly -

Don't make fun
of my piano lessons.

You used to like them.
- It's true. Remember?

“Mr. Edouard, perhaps I could learn.
I know I'm slow, but -”

“Don't say that, miss.
You're not slow at all.

It's just that the piano -”

“I just love my lessons.
They take up all my afternoons."

“You really like the piano, miss?”
“Oh, yes, Mr. Edouard."

Tell me.

You really want me around
all the time?

It's more than that.
Much more.

I know,
and I feel the same way.

It gets stronger every day.

I recommend the special.

Allow me to introduce myself:
Lars Schmeel, impresario.

- Edouard Saroyan.
- I remember.

You're a pianist.
You came to see me a year ago.

That's right.

I was too busy to give you much time.
Forgive me.

- I understand.
- Life can be crazy.

May I?
- Be my guest.

Would the gentlemen
care to order?

I should explain:
This is my wife.

Nice to meet you, little lady.

We play this little game
of waitress and customer.

A splendid game -
you both win!

You're very lucky, my friend.

You're very kind.

Let me redeem myself.
Come to my office tomorrow.

With whom did you study?

Old Zeleny.

- What are you sulking about?
- I'm not.

Yes, you are.
You were in a good mood in the car.

Then you suddenly stopped talking
as if I'd said something.

It's nothing you said.
I just realized you weren't listening.

You pretend to, but you don't care.
“He's talking away, so he's happy."

You're thinking about tablecloths,
furniture, dressmakers.

I'm telling you
what I liked about the concert,

when I catch your look that says,
“Keep talking, buddy!"

I'm not done!

I'm fed up, you hear me?
This is no life for an artist.

Maybe I'm not a real artist,
but people gotta believe in me

so I can become one.
I'm not asking for much, damn it!

Think it doesn't take all the patience
I've got to live with you?

And the brilliant conversation
you make.

Mention Hemingway and it's
“I hear he has all my records.”

“So-and-so didn't like
my last recital.”

“Smith told Jones
I was the tops.”

“Should I accept this offer,
decline that one?”

“What's John Doe think of me?”
“Did the concierge see me on TV?”

My God, you repeat
everything ten times.

I have to act
like I've never heard it before.

You think this is
any sort of life?

Isn't it getting to be a bit much?

I'd rather you were more smug,

more sure of your talent.

At least I'd have some peace.

The slightest criticism
crushes you.

Forgive me.
It's just my jealousy talking.

No, everything you say is true.

I think about it too,
but what can I do?

I'm not the guy for you.
- Don't say that.

It hurts too much.

You lucky stifi'! What a triumph!
You and your wife must be ecstatic.

But your press conference
was a total flop.

Reporters come running
to see the rare bird,

but they can't get
a word out of you.

Shyness is a disease.
It can be cured.

Luckily, I'm doing your work for you.
Look here in the gossip pages.

“Lars Schmeel,
Saroyan's manager, told us,

'I love beauty in all,
regardless of gender.”'

HOW TO CONQUER SHYNESS

HOW I GOT OVER MY FEAR

Now, Edouard,
you'll never escape from me again,

thanks to this masterpiece
that I can contemplate every day.

How's Thérésa?
- Tired.

She's always tired.
- Too much travel? Life on the road?

- No, it's me.
- Do you two argue?

We used to, in the beginning.
Now it's much more serious.

You can tell me everything.

- She's through with me.
- Come, now.

You don't believe it.
I couldn't either at first.

It's like she's struggling
with something.

I can tell.

For example, we'll be talking,

when suddenly she turns
and walks out of the room.

If I try to stop her, she locks herself
in her room and doesn't answer.

That's where things stand.
It's over.

- Did she tell you that?
- She didn't have to.

I think she began to despise me
when I became successful.

I think it's all a misunderstanding.

Bring her to the cocktail reception
later and I'll talk to her.

I'll try.

Listen, I've come to take you
to the party.

Please leave me alone.
Go away.

I've had enough!

Why are you shouting at me?
You never used to.

I didn't mean to.

It's all right.
After all, you can shout if you like.

I'm making you unhappy, aren't I?

I know it's wrong,
but I can't help myself.

Lost in the night, you can't stop
the shadows from closing in.

It gets darker and darker.

There's no way out.
You don't know what to do.

I think there's
only one thing I can do.

Say good-bye and go.

All right, I'll tell you.

You must know.

It's better to tell...
to confess.

Confess?

I made a mistake.

I did a terrible thing.

But now you're a famous pianist,
and I'm glad.

I gave you your chance.

Lars Schmeel.

It was a few days
before you signed the contract.

He came to the restaurant.

Not for coffee.

Not for lunch either.

To make a business proposition.

At first I don't understand.

It's like some kind of riddle.

I ask him what he means.

He looks at me as if to say,

“You don't get it? Think about it.
You'll figure it out."

I lay awake all night
thinking about it.

He came back the next day.

You know how a spider works?

It was like
he'd cut me in two.

As if my heart were one thing
and my body another.

It wasn't Thérésa
who went with him.

Just her body,

as if I wasn't there.

I was with you.

I was leading you
onto the concert stage.

He'd rented a room
near the restaurant that afternoon.

Then one evening
you tell me the news:

The contract is signed.

Afterward, when he came
to the restaurant,

he was a customer
like any other...

ordering a meal.

I thought, “That's over and done with.
Now you can be Thérésa again."

But it's strange.

What you did yesterday
stays with you today.

I look in the mirror.

Do I see Thérésa?
Your Thérésa?

There's no Thérésa...

anywhere.

Just a dirty old rag.

That's why I won't
let you touch me.

Not this filth!

Go to her, bow your head,
get down on your knees.

Quick, before it's too late,
think fast!

If you walk out that door,
she'll be all alone. Don't do it!

WIFE OF FAMED PIANIST
PLUNGES TO HER DEATH

You disappeared
and started over.

Edouard Saroyan
became Charlie Koller.

You visited your brothers in the snow
and asked them to let you have Fido.

One day you ended up at the bar.

They were happy to have you
sweep out the old dive.

There was a beat-up wreck
of a piano in the comer.

You couldn't stop looking at it,
looking away, looking back again.

One day you asked Plyne -

Mind if I play a bit?

- You?
- I think I can play it.

All right.
But it better be music.

Who is Charlie Koller?

All we know is
he's the piano man

who's raising his kid brother
and who minds his own business.

Your music brings in the locals
every night, and the joint takes off.

Plyne hires more help
and musicians.

Victor, on drums,
grins all the time for no reason.

His brother, Frangois, is on bass,
with his long, hairy hands.

And then there was me,

watching you the whole time,
but you never noticed.

On my birthday, when I said,
“Everyone gets a big kiss,”

it was so I could kiss you.

I saw you looking at me...

so I looked back.

What were you thinking last night,
walking me home?

Did you like me
right from the start?

Remember that night you told me -

When I took your arm, I was afraid
you'd think I was too forward.

I wanted so badly
for you to take my hand.

You know, I've got a feeling
Plyne is crazy about you.

You're nuts!
That's all I need!

It's true.
He told me so himself.

After all,
he's a man like any other.

I love you because
you aren't like the others.

You don't play the ladies' man
or the tough guy.

You're shy.
You respect woman.

Don't you believe it.

Deep down
I'm just like the others.

When I was rich and famous and
women recognized me in the street,

I'd stare at them shamelessly,
as if wanting to undress them.

Since most of them stared back
and seemed to enjoy it,

I got bolder and bolder.

But if it was a decent girl
and she looked away,

I felt ashamed.

I'd never let anyone treat my mother
or wife or daughter like that.

Where there's a will, there's a way.
We'll go quit Plyne's place.

We'll be free
and work as a team!

I'm going to wake you up.
You'll be Edouard Saroyan again.

What for?

Not what for - who for.

For me and you.
For us.

I was an orphan.
I'm used to fighting.

You'll work, audition,
give concerts.

Charlie's dead!
Long live Edouard!

Be an angel
and go buy me a pair of stockings.

Then we'll go
tell off that swine Plyne.

Get “Scandals” in size two.

Tangerine's my shade.

All I ask of a man
is to tell me when it's over.

Not one ever has.

When you don't love me anymore,
tell me.

Wait, I'll fix your eggs.

I don't like the white,
just the yolk.

There's a customer for you,
Miss Clarisse.

Why doesn't he come
during working hours?

Tell him to find someone else.

The sidewalks full of 'em.
What nerve!

He insists on you.
He made that very clear.

He's clean and well-dressed.
A nice-looking man.

All right, I'm on my way.

There's sugar, yogurt and fruit.
I'll be back in a flash.

This is the gentleman.

I'll be right back, Fido.

Hello, miss.
Where do we go?

This way, honey. You look familiar.
Haven't you been up before?

No, miss.

- You have money?
- A little.

Hey, honey, where are you going?

Damn it! What's going on?

- Ernest!
- I'm coming.

Fido, don't go with them!

Damn you!

Filthy creeps!

Kidnappers!

My carriage.

- So we're really quitting?
- Don't get cold feet.

Let me handle it.
Just watch Plyne.

Here they are.

- Think you're on vacation or what?
- I got up late.

And then we took a drive,
and then we took a walk.

Together?

Yes, together.
You want a diagram?

Why not? I'm curious.
He's usually by himself.

Even with someone else around,
he's by himself.

We came for our pay.
And by the way, we're quitting too.

That's all I need.

Crap from the customers,
and now from the help too!

Did you hear that?

Charlie,
where you been hiding out?

I looked everywhere for you. Those
two guys last night got me worried.

Where could he hide?
They had his address, and mine too.

I know nothing about this.

Ask this joker you live with.

You call this living?

- Shut your traps, both of you!
- You shut yours!

Those guys came here this morning
and shelled out for our addresses.

You sold them?

Meet Plyne,
the double-crosser!

It wasn't like that.

Plyne's been a bastard,
but she's torturing him.

He sees her every day
and wants her, but not a chance.

Even now, she's laying into him,
but he can't tear his eyes away.

She's going too far,
but what can I tell her?

That's he's not so bad?
A poor slob who never got anywhere?

It's all true,
but there's no point.

It's none of your business.
Nothing is.

Just take your place
at the piano.

You can't help Plyne
or anybody else.

You're out of it now.
For you, nothing matters anymore.

- Take back what you said.
- Screw you!

Feel my muscles, Léna.
I'm not just anybody.

This is bullshit!

She's right.
It's bullshit!

“Screw you,” “bullshit” -
such filth from such a lovely mouth.

Why don't you keep yours shut,
you fat pig!

As sure as you see me here,
I'm gonna kill you.

- I don't see you. You're too short.
- Your loss, you bitch!

Charlie, you sleep-walking?

Just leave her alone.

Okay, sure.
It's you I'm after now anyway.

You bastard,
you touched her!

Admit you defiled her.
I'll break your neck!

Let's stop this.

You're not angry?

- Let's forget it.
- No way.

Someone must win.
- Say I chickened out.

No, the ladies saw me run out.

I can't back down now.
I've got to show them.

I don't want people believing
everything she said.

I don't love Léna anymore.
She used words unworthy of her.

If she had a soul,
she wouldn't have been so vulgar.

She's a slut!

She's not a girl,
she's not a woman.

A woman is pure,
delicate, fragile.

Woman is supreme.
Woman is magic.

To me, woman has always
been supreme.

Charlie boy -
sorry for getting familiar -

but Charlie boy,
you're about to die!

Go back inside.
It was just an accident.

- Someone's there!
- Shit, I forgot the light!

Must be the police.
I'll go.

Look, his eyes are open.

Move.

Don't push. I've got legs.

Then use them.
You're worse than a drunk.

I dropped the knife to show him
I wasn't serious.

Then he started choking me.

I found the knife and meant
to nick his arm to make him let go.

He moved
and caught it in the back.

- Wanna bet?
- On what?

- They'll buy it.
- No, the police will want proof.

It was me.
They won't look any further.

- You can explain.
- Sure - by mail.

Go get Fido
before the cops get there.

Fido!

- What do you want?
- You scared me!

Sorry.
I'm looking for Fido Saroyan.

Fido's gone!
Those two bastards kidnapped him!

You're drunk!

Damn those dogs!

- Fido sounds like a dog's name.
- It means “faithful.”

The milk trick was good,
but we won the second round.

Here's a tip:
Never leave the door open.

My pop used to say, “lf someone
knocks, assume it's a murderer.

If it's just a robber,
you'll be happy."

- How's school?
- So-so.

- What's your best subject?
- Natural science.

I was no good in any subject.
Work gives me a migraine.

I'm making up for all my ancestors
who overworked,

all those generations
of hard-working men.

Here.

Thanks. I prefer snuff.

You put tobacco up your nose?
Disgusting.

It's great, especially in the morning.
The first pinch is always the best.

- What's that?
- A musical lighter.

- That's great.
- Show him your watch.

Look.

And I've got a gadget that rings
when the parking meter is up.

Is that it?

A new Snorkel-brand pen
from America

with automatic refill
and retractable nib.

A fiber belt from Oceania.

A hat for the tropics.

My suit's from London,
made of Australian wool.

I have vented shoes
of Egyptian leather.

I've got so much stuff

I could puke.

My scarf looks like silk,
but it's really metal.

A really flexible metal.

It's Japanese. Feel it.

- It's not metal, it's cloth.
- It's Japanese metal!

No, it's not.
It's not even Japanese.

- I swear it's the truth.
- No reason to lie about it.

If I'm lying, may my mother
keel over this instant!

- Okay, I believe you.
- You should.

It's me - Léna.

Come along,
and don't make noise.

Oh, my head!

Shit!

Wait. I'll have a look.

Damn it!
The cops are still here!

- What about Fido?
- I'll tell you later.

All clear.

I borrowed a car.

- From whom?
- My landlady.

- You must be on good terms.
- I know where she leaves the key.

Can you make it?
Hold on to me.

It's all true, Officer.
Just ask the neighbors.

You know how it goes.
One thing leads to another.

The cops?

They really grilled me.
They're at the neighbors' now.

You may need this.
- I'll call from the road.

- Fido.
- I'll explain later.

You got the bottle?

Here.

Have some.

I'm still thirsty.

I was a prize jerk not to see it.

They went from Chico
to me to Fido.

The abominable Saroyan brothers
are in the soup again.

She's conking out again.

For the third time!

What a crate!
We'd do better in a pushcart.

- What's wrong with it?
- How should I know?

- We'll have to push.
- Come on.

Can you see?
- Yeah.

Look where you're heading!
Hold it straight.

Come on, push!

Careful.
You're veering to the side.

Funny thing, an engine.

- What about that? Or that?
- Don't touch.

- Does the radio work?
- I don't know. Try it.

Off in the distance
far from the violins

Far from the shepherds too

Dressed in knightly garb

Forty of the king's jesters

Painted in brightest hue

And angels

Hovering over us

There on the horizon

When my love turns to hate
you'll be sure to know

When my love turns to hate
I'll wear a cap as I go

When you stop loving me
I'll make it very plain

When you stop loving me
my hair will hang free

My love now wears
her hair piled high

In every kind of weather

His head is bared for me

Stop.

- We're not there yet.
- I said stop!

What are you doing?

We split up here.
Take the car back to your landlady.

Look at me.

Parting would be easier
if she'd let you drink the whole bottle.

Turn left at the crossroads.

I know the way.

What are you waiting for?

She knows you want her to stay,
but it can't be.

Thanks for the ride.

- Hi, Richard.
- Well, well.

You here alone?
I heard a car.

- A friend brought me.
- I see.

Sorry, but we're all
on a short fuse up here.

Some guys are gunning for Chico.
He must have told you.

He's here?
When did he get here?

This afternoon, half dead
from hitching and running.

He's better now, catching a snooze.
He ate enough grub for four.

Aren't Mom and Dad here?

- We moved 'em down to the village.
- Are you nuts?

You think I enjoyed it?
I like them too.

We've got nice old folks.
Never a pain in the ass.

But they're not bullet-proof!

No visitors?

So we got here first.

What a Knucklehead, that Chico.

Don't stick up for him.
He always botches everything.

If jackasses could fly,
he'd be squadron commander.

- He was in a jam.
- He's always in a jam. You know why?

'Cause he always messes up!
- It's not his fault I killed a guy.

- What?
- That's right.

Yesterday evening.

We're in a nice fix.

Those two guys have snatched Fido.
Meanwhile, the cops are on your tail.

But hey, you know what?

I'm happy to see you again.

- Likewise.
- “Me too,” as the Brits say.

Is that coffee I smell?

Damn it!
“Boiled coffee, spoiled coffee!”

I tell you, a guy goes stir-crazy
after a while

when he can't move freely.

You hate waking up in the morning,
feeling like a prisoner.

At first Chico and I
had some good laughs.

We thought it was funny.

I'll wake Chico up
and tell him you're here.

- You're here?
- Yeah. How's the shiner?

Okay.
Doesn't hurt anymore.

What's that?

The loot.
That's what I went to Paris for.

They're new bills,
all marked and numbered.

Gotta come up with a good scheme
to unload them.

Richard and me, we'd gone straight
and got a good, honest job.

At an exchange house.

One day these two guys
stick us up.

We laughed

and said we could teach 'em
a thing or two about stick-ups.

So they said,
“Then how about a four-way split?”

Richard and I
looked at each other.

It was too good to pass up,
so we took off with the two guys.

We thought we'd lay low up here.

Well, right off, right in the car,
they started griping.

“It's too far.”
“What's with all the snow?”

So we dumped them
and kept the bundle for ourselves.

Now they want our hides.

We should have
bumped them off first.

Like Charlie here.
He killed some guy.

No shit!

It can't be.

I gotta say,
I'm glad to hear it.

Now you're just like us.

Remember the slingshots?

What slingshots?

And those characters
in the limousine who came for you?

The young prodigy.
The 14-year old virtuoso.

To take you to the old man
at the music school?

Yeah, Zeleny.

And as we drove
through the woods,

you two bombarded
the car with rocks.

The guys in the car
didn't know who you were.

But the dame with the blue hair
and dark glasses asked who you were.

I said, “Who? Those boys?”

She said, “Those aren't boys,
they're wild beasts.

And what did you say?

“Those are my brothers, ma'am.”
She quickly changed the subject.

She talked about the academy
and my great teacher and all that jazz.

Rocks kept bouncing off the car
the whole time,

as if you and Richard
were talking to me,

telling me I was bound
to come back someday for good.

Back to the wild beasts.

You had to come back, Charlie,
'cause we're all alike -

you, me, Richard, even Fido.

Listen, let's hit the sack.

Chico, you're on watch.

Go on to bed. I'm not sleepy.
I want a smoke.

Then I'll leave this with you.

Man's best friend.

So now you ire a killer
in a family of thieves- No problem!

Only there is a problem:
all this craziness.

Where did you and your brothers
get it from?

Not Mom, not Dad. Must have
skipped a generation or two.

It can resurface
after hundreds of years.

Some Saroyans long ago probably
did some crazy things

and then hid out,
like us now.

It'd make a good poem.
A comic one, of course.

And this useless gun?

“I 'II leave this for you.
Man's best friend. "

He says that to me,
who hates guns!

- Where's Fido?
- No sign of him.

We had it figured wrong.
- We're leaving. I'm taking you back.

- And the cops?
- You can stop worrying.

You're cleared. Self-defense.
The neighbors backed your story.

You threw the knife down,
but Plyne tried to strangle you.

You only meant to jab his arm.
It was an accident.

I'd never have thought.
Where's the car?

Over there. Come on.

I have to tell them first.
Wait for me.

You'll come back?
You swear?

You know...

“When my love turns to hate,
I'll wear a cap as I go.”

Goddamn it!

Hell, it's snowing!

Not like that, honey.
You'll break the glasses.

Like this.
And set them down gently.

Charlie, meet the new waitress.

Charlie, the piano player.