The Hurried Man (1977) - full transcript

Mr. Niox, please.

On behalf of Mr. Freeman.

It is really whole?

Complete, Mr. Freeman.

Collated by Thomas
from the National Library.

And we can get it out of France?

- Nothing against.
- So nothing prevents

your selling it to me.
- Yes!

Sorry?

I do not want to anymore.

Listen,



I did a three week study,

I came from Washington for it
and now you don't want to sell.

Come on! One million dollars for
a manuscript is unprecedented!

Mr. Freeman...

It is not a manuscript.

This is THE manuscript.

Do you know a lot of
14th century manuscripts

made for the King of France?

How much do you think the
GNP of the United States is?

The GNP?

Gross national product.

1268 billion 600 million dollars.

So there's nothing unique
about your million, Mr. Freeman.

Now let's talk business.



How many royal manuscripts
from the fourteenth Century do you know of?

I know one, you hold it in your
hands. And it's mine.

How much then?

Where did I put it?

You opened it this morning.

But I opened it, moved it...

Answer!

There's one billion in it!

Hello? Landeau?

Yes. Pierre? All right!

In a good mood, as usual.

A little trip in Egypt made him relax.

Ah, the Carpaccio painting? Yes...

Landeau's on the phone
The Carpaccio, still interested?

Yes, he is.

He would like to see it again.

But anyway, it's too expensive.

- Yes, I'll tell him...
- I remember!

I threw it under the bed.

- Hi, did you sleep well?
- All right.

I'm happy to see you.

Mr. Niox!

I would like an answer.

Come, my dear friend, I will explain.

Come on, come on. Mr. Freeman,
Kathia, Kathia, Mr. Freeman.

Get dressed!

Look and admire.

In Liechtenstein, it takes
thick armor-plating to house this treasure

For me, a humble trader,
a briefcase is enough.

The minutes of
Ravaillac's confession

implicating the King of Spain...

Gold cutlery which belonged
to Fran?ois the first.

Go ahead, take a look.

- So what?
- So, dear Freeman,

to tear away the manuscript
from my collection.

in which it would
leave a painful hole,

you must do better and more.

OK. I get it.

You're leaving already?

Here!

Be nice.

Mr. Freeman, you're
not leaving until tomorrow?

Yes?

Well, you take Kathia with you.
As a gift.

No thanks.

I already regret selling you
the manuscript.

You see? He doesn't
want you, but that's o.k.

he wouldn't have
known what to do with you.

No! You keep it,
for the humiliation.

- Well, I don't care.
- I do.

Yes?

Who?

Miss de Bois-Ros?, you know her?

This is the name of
the seller of the house.

- His daughter?
- What does she want from me?

Say I'm not here.
Hold the line!

Enough?

Enough.

- Dear Freeman.
- Dear old friend...

Yes!

Mr. Niox?

Indeed.

I got your address
from the notary.

Mr. Freeman, Placide Justin,
Miss...

Miss de Bois-Ros?.

De Bois-Ros?!

I bought this nice old house from
her father. A lot of renovation work!

- May I?
- Yes.

You will have to come and see the
house when everything is repaired.

- You're going to be late.
- Late?

You're having dinner with the
curator of the Stockholm museum.

I had forgotten!

Miss, I was delighted to meet you.

Leave your address,
Placide will phone you.

He will.
Probably sooner than you imagine.

The simplest thing is that I leave
the name of my mother's lawyer,

President Dalseul.
He had advised me not to come.

So, why did you come?

To see the face of the man
who was cynical enough

to coerce a dying man
into selling his house..

I thought people like you only existed
in Balzac's novels.

So you think I acquired
this house unduly?

Not unduly but unlawfully.

My father was under a prohibition process.

See the civil procedure code.

Cancel the curator, I have
to work with mademoiselle.

Do you always eat so fast
or do I make you nervous?

Ah, frankly, I've never
seen anyone eat so slowly.

I'd like to have more champagne.

- Wine waiter?
- You need him to serve me?

Slowly!

Champagne is fragile.
My father taught me that.

Did he?

You don't need the waiter
to hold my hand?

You don't want to have sex
right now on the seat here?

You only like whores, it's obvious.

They offer themselves for an
agreed price whereas you...

- Whereas me?
- You offer without offering

and refuse to quote your price.

You don't know what you want.

I want Justice.

- Let's be simple, Miss...
- Edwige.

I only call whores by their first name.

Let's talk about the house.

Let's talk about it.
I paid for your house.

To a man who could not
sell his property.

It's the notary's responsibility.
He should have told.

The card for mademoiselle.

Would Madame want to taste the
Norwegian green almond souffl??

- I've never had it.
- It's delightful.

We crush the fresh almonds...
- Very well.

Your thing takes a long time?

You're in a hurry?

If you are in a
hurry, you will have

to wait before
entering your home.

President Dalseul is a winner,
he told me that anyway,

if we plead, there will
be at least 12 years.

How old are you?

I? 40.

A bit tight if you have
decided to plant olive trees there.

You took the money!

The amount of the cheque, yes.
But the backhander...

went to my father's mistress.

You must give this house back to us.

"To us".

It's not just me,
there's also my mother

and my sister.

- Send me the bill at the hotel.
- Of course sir.

- Is the castle on fire?
- No, excuse me,

staying in one place
for hours makes me sick.

- I blame you.
- For the House?

No, for the dessert.

Where are we going?

I dunno.

We could have stayed at the restaurant.

No.

We must move! Life is movement!

Where can I drop you off?

Here!

All right, we'll leave it at that.

Yeah right! Farewell miss.

Will you give us back our house?

No, miss.

When will you call me Edwige?

When you tell me your price.

Expensive.

Very expensive.

Here is the person in charge, Minister.

Who discovered these priceless
treasures in the heart of Africa.

- Thank you.
- And...

You found these objects yourself?

Yes. It was not easy.

- Sorry.
- After you.

I had to convince the tribal chiefs.

- May I?
- After you.

It is, so to speak,

of the fundamental deities,
of the fetishist religion.

- Very pretty.
- This is a necklace...

Michel?

Philippe!

- Excuse me.
- Please do.

Mr. Niox?

Beautiful!

- Allow me to congratulate you.
- Thank you, sir.

I am the son of Prince Nyamb?,
from the Hafi tribe,

not far from the village
where you found these objects.

Unbelievable.

Though my late father was a connoisseur,

he was unaware of the existence
of these treasures.

Your father was a collector?
He owned a lot of items?

Good ones and bad ones.

But there is this
piece of a quality,

allow me to tell you,

infinitely more beautiful
than those exhibited here.

And... possibly it would be for sale?

The English insist on getting it.
My brothers agree.

I'd rather keep it.
But... reason wins out.

I might be leaving for London tomorrow.

Listen, dear friend,
do nothing without consulting me

Here! My card...

Be kind enough to come
and see me tomorrow morning,

before 11 a.m., at the George-V hotel.

And you think they are more
beautiful than those in the exhibition?

I have no opinion, I saw nothing, but...
that's what he says.

Why not? I have to see.

Here he is!

Ah, that's it?

Have you thought about your price?

I did a lot better.

Coffee?

No.

Is under curatorship?
What does that mean?

President Dalseul will explain.

We took it to court.

I'm going to Mas Vieux
tomorrow, do you want to come?

I have an appointment with my lawyer.

Again? You don't need a lawyer,
you're much more efficient.

Wait, you haven't seen anything yet.

What do I do with this?

Keep it... for the record.

Edwige...

If I was smart, I would move here.

I would take some rest.

I've been fooling around for 20 years.

I am wealthy, very wealthy.

- You have a crazy life.
- With, at the end, a sarcophagus.

Not even. Even worse,
at the P?re-Lachaise cemetery.

At my age, my father had four children.

You see, this house is a sign.

- I have to marry it.
- The house or the girl?

You called her lawyer?

Yes, but it's useless,
the procedure is instituted.

You have to see the family.

Mr. Niox!

There is a problem where
we want to put the water-cistern.

A cut stone, a sort of cube...

I tried to unearth it, but I can't!

Let's go and see.

It's Romanesque.

Pure romanesque.

Try to move this

No, no, not with the pick.

Mr. Niox, there's one more here.

Slowly. No more pickax, no
more pickax, no more shovel,

nothing. For each column
uncovered, I triple the hours.

I am Capricorn, right
at the entrance of Virgo.

I'm getting into the most
favorable triangle of my life.

A few weeks ago, the golden mask.

8 days ago, the shack.
And today...

a true Romanesque cloister.

You forget the negro, pal.
He's just sent me the photographs.

If it suits us, he is ready to talk
to his brothers.

But they want to be paid cash
because of the political situation.

As for him, he wants a 5%
commission,

to be paid in Paris.
Without his brothers knowing.

Four!

Say, they're awesome.

At first glance,
they're better than mine.

We have to see.

Aren't you going to bed?

No. I'm staying here.

Antoine! Come give me a hand!

All right!
We'll leave when you tell us.

It's the negro.
Your thermos is there.

Yes?

There's a Paris-Nyamb? twice a week?
It's perfect.

OK. We'll wait till
we hear from you. Thank you.

Goodbye, prince.

See ya!

He calls me "pal".

I say "goodbye " to him,
he says "See ya" to me.

I hate familiarity.

- Hi, son
- Hello, Mr. Mayor.

Hi everyone!

Hello, Mr. Mayor.

- Hello, Mr. Niox!
- Hello, Sir. You know me?

Let me introduce myself:
Mr. Servier, mayor of Saint-Agupine.

- Hi, Gaston.
- Hello, Mr. Mayor.

Your mayor and general councilor.
At your service.

Hello Mr. mayor.
Some coffee?

No, thank you,
I already had mine.

Oh my... Oh, gosh...

Oh! How beautiful it is!
Incredible!

Oh, poor Bois-Ros?!

He didn't know there was a treasure
hidden under his house.

It's wonderful!

Pure romanesque!
As beautiful as in Fontfroide.

Somewhat more beautiful, I'd say.

Are you an archaeologist?

Yes, a bit. In Provence,
everyone is an archaeologist.

And who told you, Mr. Mayor?

Who told me?
There are no secrets in Saint-Agupine!

Well... Say, we'll have to classify it all.

I have ideas.
The land above, there...

it belongs to my brother.

He is a public works contractor.

So we could perhaps make a
large parking lot, and even a motel.

You know, a motel?

There is a shortage of rooms
around here.

- A motel?
- Yes.

Here?

Don't you realize how lucky you are?

They'll come from Cannes, Marseilles...
New York to see this!

No!

What do you mean? No?

Here it's my place.
I don't want it

to become a meeting point
for Sunday walks.

You want to keep it all for yourself?

- Certainly.
- Oh yes, but say...

These excavations belong
to the National Heritage.

I don't give a shit about
National Heritage, Mr. Mayor.

But what about the visitors?

The people who will
come, you piss them off too?

Not but I won't invite them
to my wedding night.

What does it have to do with it?

Nothing but that's the way it is.

Yes, but you haven't got any choice.

The land above belongs to my brother.

And the stream that feeds this property

comes from there.

Do you understand?

Got it!

He is crazy!

- He will fill it all?
- Looks like it, yes.

- Where's the phone?
- In the entrance hall.

What are you doing?

But do you realize
what you are doing?

Do you think this is your place?

- You don't have the right!
- Placide!

Yes!

We've got a plane
ready to take off in an hour.

To go where?

Where does your mother live?

What are you going to do?

End it.

We have to be firm,
you will support me.

There are 4 minutes left.
He's behind the door.

He gave me 10 minutes,
he won't give me 11!

What does he want?

The house, me... everything.

- Edwige...
- The lawyer isn't that sure.

He said to me: "Threaten
without breaking the bridges."

Oh dear!

Calm down, mom, calm down!

Hello.

My respects, madam.

- Charming house.
- There is nothing here

that could interest
connoisseur like you.

Yes, madam, one thing.

Something without a price.

The atmosphere.

I bought Le Mas Vieux in good faith.
I like it now.

And I'd have a hard time parting
with it. I'll buy it from you.

Buy it from me?
But you've already bought it.

Yes, I bought it from
Monsieur de Bois-Ros? but

in order to put an end to a dispute
which would poison our relationship,

I brought 200,000 francs
in cash as compensation.

- 200,000 francs?
- That's 20 million, mom.

And you offer it like that?

Yes, madam, like that.

Say no, mom.

I forgot to introduce Marie to you.
My sister Marie.

If I understood well,
the sum does not seem enough.

It's not about money.

I don't want to lose this house.

But in that case,
what do we decide?

These young ladies are resilient.
I congratulate you, madam.

Well, let me deposit
the sum in question here.

Think about it,
see with your daughters and

let me know your decision.

What happened to you?
I thought you never gave in.

A strategic withdrawal,
which will enable us to spend

the weekend together in Venice.
We leave tomorrow at 10.

Why are you doing this?

Because I want to have sex with you.

- For 20 million?
- For 20 million.

The answer is no.

Marry me.

It's yes.

One more word, madam.

I have the honor, Madame de Bois-Ros?,

to ask you for the hand
of your daughter Edwige.

The suite per il signore Niox!

Thank you sir.

Prego.

You'll see, the living room is sublime!

Non mi ricordo.

Last time, the gentleman only
stayed three hours

You remember because I left hurriedly.

It was because of the ladywho was with you.

- How was she?
- Very charming.

More charming than I?

Signore Niox, I hope
you will like the room...

- Who is it?
- Luggage.

Very good! Here!
Thank you!

Bravo! Here!

Who is it?

The chamber maids.

The last time you came here,
you only stayed three hours. Why?

I don't really remember. I think
it's because her French was bad.

You don't like foreigners?

She was French,
but on arrival she said

she had to go "to the W.C."
It's an expression I can't stand.

We have enough to withstand a siege.
Seven days changing three times a day

plus two ball gowns.

How long shall we stay?

It's up to you to decide.

Are you sure you love me?

Sure.

Even after you've made love with me?

It depends on you.

All right!

It's all right!

I'll do it!

- What is it?
- Cable for Mr. Niox.

- What's going on?
- It's a telegram.

- Shit, shit, shit and shit!
- What?

Is the 16th today?

- Departure from Orly this afternoon.
- What, you're leaving?

The concierge, please.

I thought you'd given
no one your address.

It's that wonderful story
I told you about.

You know, that black prince,
the masks...

A unique opportunity.

Concierge? Yes, first
plane to Paris, direct, please.

1 p.m.? Reserve two seats.

Yes that's it. Send me
the porter in five minutes

and prepare my bill.
Thank you. Mr. Niox. That's it.

I think we broke
your girlfriend's record:

2 minutes 45 seconds.

An opportunity presents itself,
an item, a painting, I can't resist.

- I see.
- You see nothing at all!

Money, things, I don't care.
It's the game which is fun.

The moment when I buy.

Because selling is not fun either.

What fascinates me is buying.

It is true.
You bought me,

from my mother, and at quite
a high price, I must admit.

I care about you like
I never cared about anything.

Make love to me.

Quick, we're leaving in an hour.

See you soon, prince.

Sir! Sir!

Departure for Nyamb?,

Air France flight 755, immediate boarding
gate 50.

Sorry, my prince,
I'm not leaving.

But it's impossible, Mr. Niox.

You will create a diplomatic incident!

Pierre...

I have something to ask you.

I don't want
to live in a hotel anymore.

Well... buy an apartment.

There, like that, right now?

Like that, right away.
Lets' go!

No, Pierre...

I buy the apartment.
You are leaving.

I want you to.

Come on, go!

Gentlemen, your boarding passes.

This way.

Departure to Nyamb?,
Air France flight 755,

immediate boarding

gate number 50.

Pierre!

Do you have preferences for the apartment?

Carte blanche!

Gentlemen, step forward!

Welcome to our young republic.

Welcome, gentlemen.

My brothers.

- Nothing to declare?
- Leave them. They are our guests

Forward the luggage.
Gentlemen...

May I know where we're going?

We're almost there.

Sir... The gentlemen are here.

My respects, sir.

Which one is Pierre Niox?

That would be me.

You are charged with
theft of national property

and illegal export of works of art.

According to article 447, the penalty
is 3 to 5 years in jail

You should know that no one in this
country has the power to pardon.

There is also a fine
of 5 million French francs

to which must be added, Sir,
the return of the imported items.

You are the
accomplice of these gentlemen?

I'm the instigator.

I introduce myself.

Andr? Dubois, inspector general
of the fine arts administration.

Take them to the central jail.

I want my embassy to be informed.

You are here in a democratic country.

As soon as the charges have been brought,
you can choose a lawyer.

We have some excellent ones.

- You're not eating?
- Holy shit!

Four more days here and I'll go nuts.

You really don't want to
contact the Foreign Affairs?

To become the laughing stock
of the whole world?

I'd rather die!

Africa!

Hello? Paris?

Ah, hello, Mr. Cultural Attach?.

You got the masks back?

They're at the embassy?
Great!

Oh, here, one or two
formalities, and these gentlemen

will be able to return to France
by the end of the morning.

That's right.

The weather here?
It is very mild.

38 degrees.

That's it. Goodbye,
Mr. Cultural Attach?.

So?

So, the amount of the
fine is 2,652,700 francs.

There is also 80.08
francs for living expenses.

That's out of the question,
these gentlemen are our guests.

So it will only cost

2,652,700 francs.

Mr. Niox, please.

Great!

Gentlemen, it's not over yet.

Mr. Pierre Niox, allow me,

at the end of this too short ceremony

to present you with the insignia
of Commander of our National Order

for service rendered to our country.

Without you, this wonderful exhibition
could never have taken place.

You managed to weave even tighter

the links which unite
our Republic and France.

On behalf of our President,

I name you commander
of the national order.

And you, Mr. Placide
Justin, who have contributed

so skillfully to this endeavor,

the President names you Knight.

And you, so smart, you
didn't suspect anything.

No.

This Dubois, what an actor!

And his commission which he demanded
behind his brothers' backs.

No thanks.

You're not eating?

I have a mask on my stomach.

Some more champagne?

Yes a lot. We've been
deprived of it for four days.

You were on a safari?

... yes.

Photo or animal?

Uh... animal.

Buffalo or elephant?

Idiots, miss. Idiots safari.

We were even killed, both of us.

You have in front of you
two well stuffed idiots.

Today he is mine.

Here, you are at home.

Say...come and see.

This is an 18th century woodwork.

They repainted it.
We just have to sand it.

I would like to know why you insisted
on my leaving.

The prince had slipped me an envelope.

- Seriously?
- You don't like when I speak seriously?

Answer.

One falls in love with a guy,
and insist on changing him.

When he has become another,
one says: "I don't like him now"

You want to change me
a little, don't you?

When I was little,

we were often taken on picnics.

We would sit in a field,
unfold a large tablecloth

pick flowers.

And at the end of the field,
there were fast trains.

And from inside the trains,
people were looking at us.

I was very unhappy.

Why?

Because I wasn't on the train.

And now?

Now, I'm on the train,
and I don't want to stop it.

Mr. Placide makes told us to say

that if Monsieur needs him,
he will be at home.

Thank you, Julien.

What's that?

"Miss de Bois-Ros?".

"These masks are for you.
with Placide's respects"

Those masks are yours.
Why would he offer them to me?

You'll explain.

Yes. When you brought back these masks
from Africa, I was frightened.

All these masks in a hotel room,
in your mess, with all those people

No!

So I went to a founder's,
to Dentu's

He made casts.

And when the masks had to be returned,
I had the copies delivered.

Tell me, you bastard, if
there hadn't been this story,

you would have told me
of your little casting business?

Wouldn't you have been tempted to keep
the real ones and give me the fakes?

You are suspicious.

I save you $ 500,000
and that's the way you thank me?

Placide, you're the greatest!

I am your pupil.

At times,
you're a real pain in the arse

but all that is counterbalanced
by a some degree of...

innocence.

I don't know why,
looking at them earlier,

I started to like them less.

And with good reason.

Here!

Look!

Copies?

These are the real ones.

And those at the George-V?

Copies.

The Africans'ones?

Copies.

No, don't worry, I didn't have time to
have a third cast made.

Are you sure you didn't
want to con me too?

I thought about it.

You knock down the partition for me.
I want direct access

on the kitchen and
the breakfast area.

These two windows, you
make them bigger.

I want to be able to
dive into the Seine.

The ceilings will fall!

We need IPM's.
Here too.

Light! Enlarge!

I'll give you a quote and
prepare a great place

to show your collections!

My collections! I have no collections.

Don't listen to him. He has a collection,
a nice collection of shoes.

- 55 pairs.
- But in this case, the paintings?

I buy, sell, search and
find some, but I don't have any!

In any case, I need the
apartment finished in a month.

A month!

The 18th century woodwork.
You don't touch it.

You leave it as it is.

If you want a stooge
to call the suppliers

and... watch your repair works,
I'm not the man for you!

Good day, sir!

Come on, boys.

He is the 5th decorator who jumps ship.

- I'm not the one who'll tell Edwige.
- Where is the phone?

It's been six months
since your express wedding

six months of outbursts,
of surprise travels

She is tired, in my opinion.
And she wants to stop,

- stop in her house. You get it?
- What the hell is she doing?

I dropped her off at her mother's
at 11am!

Always her mother!

She lives at her mother's, because
the apartment is not finished.

Hello Madam. Is Edwige...

- Edwige is in bed.
- She is sick?

- No. She is resting.
- I'm coming.

But... Pierre!

If you go to bed at
7pm, it means you're sick.

- Not for us!
- For me, yes.

She looks terrible!
You ask too much from her.

Leave her with me tonight!

Mom feels alone.
Why do you mind for one night?

Come! I want you!

He wants me!

I wonder what you would do if you
had to wait 9 months for a child.

I would do like everyone else,
I would wait.

I doubt it.

You're right. I think I
would try to push nature.

I would do lots of plans for the kid,
that way, I would try to...

When is it due?

I'm going to ask you the impossible.

Granted!

Will you be patient?

No trampling.

No crying out if I'm late.

No flooding all the police stations
with phone calls. OK?

No yelling at my mother.

No throwing away the toaster because
it is not toasting fast enough.

Is that all?

What's this?

Finally, the only thing
installed here is this telex.

Damnit, he's selling it!

What is he selling?

The most beautiful Etruscan vase
ever unearthed

More beautiful than the one
in the New York Metropolitan.

- Placide! They're selling it!
- What? The vase?

Yes! And Pierre Niox will have it!
You hear me?

Pierre Niox will have it!

I've waited 20 years.

20 years since it slipped through
my fingers because I was broke.

The message!

The sale takes place on March 15.

You will be busy on March 15th.

You are insufferable.
You know this vase by heart.

I saw it 20 years ago!

- It was not changed.
- What if I had changed?

Not a chance unfortunately!

Do you want me to help you?

It's the most beautiful vase in the world.

You will never have it, Pierre.

Why?

You know why.

The biggest museums will be there.

You don't have a
quarter of their resources.

I want this vase, Maurice,
do you understand?

And I'll find the money..

Why are they selling the vase?
The heirs are very wealthy.

They're dogs who only like money.

Not like the old Mittois.
He didn't buy it for love of money.

These things never work!

Come on, faster!

You'll win a couple of seconds.
What's the use?

Minutes.

Yes...Yes.

No. It's his secretary.

Yes. The Copenhagen Museum.

Yes. Hello, Mr. Curator.

No. I'm his secretary.

Yes, we know.
You're interested in the vase?

We were talking about it with Mr. Niox.
What does he think?

He is somewhat guarded.

Yes, he's somewhat reserved.

He finds it perhaps...
perhaps of too late a period.

In any case, Mr. Niox is perplexed.

Not perplexed, my dear curator,
not at all.

For me, this vase is from the
6th century, from the finest period.

I will buy it at any cost.

Sorry?

Several of us will try.

Well... we'll see!
See you soon.

I don't understand.

This guy trusts your knowledge,
and instead of discouraging him,

talking nonsense,
you labour the point.

And you provoke him.

Here!

It's sweet but what's the occasion?

No reason.

I drove past a flower market.

The flowers are pleasant,
but only if you kiss me.

How long has it been?
Five months?

Listen, it was four yesterday
and it hasn't changed.

I've just been to Cochin Hospital.
I saw Machelard.

Are you worried?

It's not worth alerting
the whole medical body

because we're having a baby.

- You're funny.
- No, that's not the point.

I needed information:
he confirmed what I thought.

Nine months are absolutely excessive.

I would even say... abusive.

What?

Absolutely.

A child is medically
finished at seven months.

It has its organs, its limbs...
everything.

The rest of the time, he dawdles.

He what?

He dawdles.

He's... He's getting fat.

He grows up a little, tires the
mother and... he pisses the world off.

You're kidding!

I want this child.
It could be here in 3 months.

I would see it, I would
have it, you understand?

I would have it.

What are you doing?

What's the matter?

You're sick, pal, really sick.

A son! A child of mine!
How I can wait 9 months?

- What do the other do?
- They die

without doing a quarter of
what I'd achieved at ten.

- How sad!
- Listen!

All this frightens you because it's new.

Because your mother and your
grandmother waited 9 months.

You want to do like them.

You remember your picnics
you got bored watching the trains?

That was their 9 months.
It was tradition, habit.

I don't have time to wait 9 months.
I go full speed.

I must live.

Where are you going?

That, pal, you will never know.

I will make my child
at my own pace.

Until then, please forget me.

She is with you, I know.

She isn't, I assure you!

Pierre!

Ah! Already here.

Well, I lost.

Edwige said you would be there
within 30 minutes and I said 3 hours.

Where is she?

- I lost 100 francs.
- Where is she?

She's very busy.
She's preparing a child for you.

She needs to have
some peace, you got that?

To see her again,

leave her alone!

She's still my wife!
What's becoming of me?

She asked you to take her place?

Yes exactly.

What?

But it's not a good deal!
I am a virgin.

As virgin as can be.

And you don't make me
want to take the plunge!

Ah, Pierre.
Maurice just called.

Freeman is trying to buy the
vase before the sale.

Hurry up!

There is another flight at 5:20 pm.
It's no use...

I will have it.
We still have 5 minutes.

All right!
Once there, what will you do?

- What's necessary.
- That tells a lot!

I'll convince the heirs that if they wait
for the sale,

they'll get much more
than Freeman's offer.

It's not sure.

My rhetoric will convince them.
You'll see!

Watch out!

In the meantime, hire a detective
to follow each member of Edwige's family.

She's cheating on you?

Of course not. She is in hiding.
I want to know where.

Who must they follow?
The mother? The sister?

Everybody. The mother, the
sister, the maid, the dog, everything.

- 116, Lyons.
- Boarding gate is closed

Sir! Sir!

All right!

Blood pressure is somewhat low.
You're exhausted.

But that was to be expected.

You find a way,
you give me a stimulant

I have a plane to catch.

Where exactly
did you feel the pain?

- Here?
- Yeah!

Higher!

You're really fit! No fat!

Not like you, you can't say the same.

Full of coq au vin and Beaujolais.

There? It must be the stomach.

You eat too fast.
You must have an air pocket

We'll do a fluoroscopy.

There is an air pocket,
but it's not that huge.

I'll do an electrocardiogram
to be safe.

Don't move.
It'll take two minutes.

It's ready?

Yes, I'll start.

What can my heart
have to say to you?

Are you going to leave me
tied up for long?

Tell me, before the airport accident

did you feel pain when making an effort?

when running or going up stairs?

No. Why?
What's the matter?

No...
there's stuff on your electro...

Stuff?

What stuff?

Problem with our coronaries.
You must be hospitalized.

- Are you kidding?
- Not at all.

Coronary insufficiency.

You're probably having
a threat syndrome.

Threat of what?

A heart attack.

Are you sure?

No, I'm not sure.

But it's likely.
So I'm keeping you under surveillance.

Anticoagulants and the whole caboodle.

Handle things as you want
but I won't go to hospital.

I should get you to sign a waiver.

All right. Where do I sign?

Listen to me: you go home
and you go to bed.

You'll get an injection every 6 hour.

I'll send a nurse with medicine.

You mustn't leave your bed.

Come into the office,
I'll write a prescription.

Might I take my plane afterwards?

Dear Freeman!

- What a surprise!
- You and your little games...

I'm starting to be really fed up!

Coffee? Whisky? I was about to...

What did you tell the Mittois?

The Mittois, what are they?
A secret organization?

- A religious sect?
- Listen, we agreed:

I prepared the contract.
When I come back, all falls down.

They're waiting for the auction.

They are absolutely right: in their place,
I would have done the same.

And strange coincidence,

I hear that you came to
see them in the meantime.

- Simple courtesy visit.
- Niox, we'll get this vase.

No, Freeman: I'll get it.

You're no match.

Regarding this vase, Freeman,

I have something that neither you
nor any museum in the world have

which is irresistible:

passion.

And you intend paying the vase with it?

The Mittois are waiting for

something much more concrete.

Don't wave your dollars
in my face, Freeman:

it's ugly

and it's crude.

Passion allows everything, Freeman:

it is the weapon and the
strength of the lonely man.

Against a single determined man,

your commissions and your
advice are useless.

A man alone is indivisible...

consistent

and voracious.

Sorry...

I will have this vase, Freeman

I will have it because all of me
is determined to possess it

Against that, your dough and your schemes
don't stand a chance.

See you on March the 15th, Freeman.

You are insane.

Completely. And happy to be.

I don't like you, Freeman.
Never come back.

You are no better
than your private detectives

and you are wasting your time.

- You were to call me on Thursday.
- Stop having me followed.

I kept my promise:
that's why I had to do it myself.

Hey, since I'm here,
at least report back to me.

She's fine.
The child turned.

Turned! He moved?
He's just like me!

No, it's normal in the 7th month.

That's all?
No answer to my letter?

No.

Tell her that her
husband had a heart attack

and his wife was not with him.

It is true?
Should I tell her?

Do you believe
everything you are told?

I think she loves you.

So?

You are crazy, Pierre.
You're not going to part with all this

It took you 20 years...

How much?

You know what it's worth.

It's huge.

It's not half the price
of the vase though.

You underestimate your possibilities.

Old fox...

I know what
you can get out of my small stash.

Come on... sell all this.

And the other half?

I'll find it!
I will sell your apartment,

mine, the Bois-Ros? house.

I will borrow money,
but I'll get this vase,

Hear me? It's mine. It...

Pierre!

I want some water.

I'm okay.

No heart condition anymore?

No time for that!

- How is Edwige?
- You didn't get my letter?

I did,
but I like you to tell me about her.

She is like a woman who is
8 months and 15 days pregnant.

No message today?

Yes. She asked me to tell you

that she misses you
more and more and that...

- And?
- It is not easy.

Make a little effort.

That she kisses you everywhere.

At times, I really don't understand
my sister.

I might be able to explain.

You won't have an affair
with your sister-in-law.

I don't like playing the repertoire.

You love Edwige?

Strange question!

Your museum is gruesome.

- I don't think so.
- It is!

Will you be able to love this child?

It will be a boy.

To elude this?

Death?
I don't give a damn about death.

I screw it.
I'll take care of it when it comes.

When you were 10, you didn't cry at night
thinking about it?

No, I had other things to do.

- The women.
- Among others.

You're pretty pleased
with yourself, aren't you?

I wonder why.

What did you do in 40 years

except accumulating dough?

A bunch of money you
don't even care about

and that you are ready to
exchange for a vase.

A vase?

Mittois' vase?

A dream, if you prefer,

which you're interested in
because you don't own it yet.

- but as soon as you have it...
- I will have it.

you will look elsewhere.

You are incapable of taking the time
to love something or someone.

Take time? Why?

We don't take the time
to love: we love, that's all.

Love stops you?
Me, it revives me.

It's like a journey.

It's the journey that
counts, not where you go.

Have you ever thought about that?

Only since I met you.

- I hate myself.
- Why?

You thought this kiss was
to Edwige? You're wrong.

It was to you.

It's easy.

Don't believe that.

You are glad?

Overjoyed.

The Washington Museum sent Freeman.

You don't stand a chance.

Capital error.

Big museums have huge budgets

but limited by their
boards of directors.

Mine is ridiculous but limitless.

You are going to ruin.
I should have you locked up.

They would quickly get
bored in the sales rooms.

They would come and get me quickly.

- Thank you!
- See you tomorrow.

What do you mean?
Certainly not.

You're not coming to the sale?

You think I'm a beginner?

Who is your bidder?

- Placide?
- You will know soon enough.

Want to know what will happen
if you get your vase?

- No.
- You will take it home,

sleep with it, at lunch time
put it in your dining-room.

After lunch, you will examine it closely

- Yes!
- At midnight, you'll have looked it over

After you'll never watch it.

- It's obvious.
- So what?

So what? You forgot
what comes next, buddy.

After the sale, what happens?
telexes, phone calls...

I vanish for a couple of weeks.

You say that I won't sell the vase
or that I might

offer it to the Louvre Museum.

When I come home,
they're all there,

on the landing, their tongues hanging.

All I have to do is bend down
and pick up.

Hello, Beno?t?
Hello, Placide speaking.

I would like a table for Mr. Niox.

13:30!

At 1:30 p.m.
Yes, for one.

As close to the phone as possible.

Is that so?
Very well thank you.

It's even better: you will
have a phone on your table.

I still don't understand.

The sale is at 2:30 p.m.
You won't have finished lunch.

Hence the telephone!

S?bastien, at what time
do you open the doors?

14:15, Mr. Niox.

- Placide will be there at 2.
- All right, sir.

At 2 p.m., you take a place here.

You call the restaurant,
I pick up and we block the line.

At 2:20 p.m., you give
me a physiognomy.

Dutertre will be in the room.
He will update you.

- Who will bid up?
- Vivien.

- Ah well...
- He's my secret weapon.

From here, I'll see

and I will hear, but I won't know
who's bidding for the others.

Dutertre will Know.
You will see him.

- 1 finger: Mildenstein.
- Two, Steven.

- 3, Freeman.
- 4 fingers, Fritz.

Mr. Niox, you're being called
from the car. It's urgent.

St Joseph's maternity hospital.

St Joseph maternity?
Oh, for God's sake!

Pierre Niox here.

A son!

3 kg, what does it mean?

That he weighs 3 kg, I understood,
but what does that mean?

That he is in good health.
What about the mother?

It went well?

Thank you, miss. I'm coming.

- Mrs. Niox, please.
- Room 37,

First floor.

Pierre!

- How is he?
- Sorry?

The baby! how is he?

I... I haven't seen him.

Are there any complications?

- No. No...
- What about Edwige?

- I didn't go into the room.
- But why?

Come, Marie, I need you.

You don't need anyone.

I do. Today, I do.

Come, I'll explain.

You will excuse me,
but your son, by now,

I don't find him beautiful.

Is that peeling normal?

And his being red?

It's normal, yes.

You're offended?

A little.

Have you heard from Pierre?

His sale starts in an hour.

He will get his vase.

Yes.

And you, he got you?

Almost.

I don't know what's going to happen.

But I know that if he
wants me, he will get me.

I should have told you earlier.

Why? No.

I loved Pierre because
he is a man who moves.

That's also why I'll lose him

But you didn't hope
you'd keep him for a while?

Never.

So this one, what is it?

A souvenir?

Oh no! More than that...

If I had a normal husband, he would
be here with flowers and a silly smile.

And he would kiss me.

So?

So kiss me!

Hello, Mr. Niox.

- Hello.
- Hello, Mr. Niox.

Ladies and gentlemen,
we are now selling lot number 15,

a painting from the
Russian school of the 17th century

depicting the banks of
the Neva, in Saint Petersburg.

Despite the anonymity of the painting,

the subject being of outstanding rarity,

we start at 200,000 francs.

We start at 200,000 francs.

Yes, it's super-full!

Looks like a world championship.
Freeman is in the front row.

Fritz in the third one

Stieben, at the 6th or 7th one.
He hides as usual.

- Mildenstein?
- Didn't see him.

Typical of him!

Who is he fooling?

As for you,
everything is all right?

Yes. From here, I pass on

to Dutertre who will

convey to Vivien.

320,000.

340,000.

The offer is on the left, at 340,000.
No one to overbid?

360,000 francs!

Freeman is looking for you.

He hasn't seen me yet.

- He must ask himself many questions.
- Poor Freeman!

385,000.

Wait, hold on!

Dutertre spotted Mildenstein.

He's at the back of the room.
-390.

It will be hot!

Well, listen, don't move.
I'll phone again at 2:45.

All right, pal!

I'll wait until 2:45 and, if all
goes well, at 2:50, we'll see.

- A dessert, Mr. Niox?
- Coffee.

We now present lot number 23.

A Greek vase from the 6th century BC.

Maybe even from the 7th.

Of a style practically never seen before.

Even more original by
its shape than the crater vase

recently acquired by
the New York Metropolitan Museum

We start at 10 million francs.

Ladies and gentlemen,

for this probably unique item,

we'll start at 10 million francs.

Is the sum of 10 million making you
dizzy or is it the item itself?

6th century before Jesus Christ.

10 million francs.

All right, well...

Let's say 8 million.
We'll start at 8 million.

I have a taker at 8 million.

- 9.
- 9 million.

9.1 million.

Pierre?

That's it, here we go!

For now it's Freeman versus Fritz
and Stieben

9,300,000 francs.

- 9.5
- Nine million five.

- 6.
- 9.6 million!

- 9.7.
- 9.7 million!

9,800,000 francs.

9,900,000 francs.

10 million.

We are at 10 million!

Fritz gives up.

Freeman and Stieben remain.

Mildenstein?

Still not moving.

He will move.

10,250,000 francs. On the left!

10,750,000.

11 million.

Mildenstein has entered!

13 million.

13 million francs!

15 million.

15.5 million.

15,500,000 francs!

17 million.

We are at 17 million francs!

Stieben is giving up.

18,100,000 francs.

19 million.

19 million!

100 more!

19,100,000 francs.

19,200,000 francs.

Mildenstein, 19 plus 200.

20 million.

Freeman, 20 million.

20 million francs!

We are at 20 million francs.

Mildenstein stops.

Your go now!

All right!

Are we giving up?

Nobody outbids the
20 million offer?

Another coffee, sir?

No one outbids?

- 21.
- 21 million!

We are at 21 million!

21 million!

We are at 21 million.

Please, speak slowly because
I don't speak French very well.

- 21 million, sir?
- Yes, 21.

Our little Vivien is doing very well.

He's a good recruit.
You should have made him work sooner.

We are therefore
at 21 million francs.

22 million.

Freeman, 22.

You push.

I have 22 million in the first row.

23.

23 million!

We are at 23 million.

Anyone to outbid this offer?

- Giving up?
- Freeman gives up.

That's it! In 20 seconds, it?s ours.

The young guy was very good.
I'll tell you.

You're glad?

No one outbids the 23 million bid?

I will therefore knock down
at 23 million.

24.

24 million!

We are at 24 million.

Are we giving up?
Aren't we outbidding the 24 million?

No regret?

25.

25 million!

2.5 billion old francs!

That's it, you'll get it!

Pierre?

I will knock down...

I knock down!

Pierre!

Pierre!

A doctor, quickly!

Miss... please!

Hello, Pierre?

Hello?

Hello? Hello?

Hello! Hello!

Hello. Who's speaking?

Hello...

Get me Mr. Niox,
please, we've been cut off.

- Are you alone on the phone?
- Yes, why?

Because Mr. Niox died

barely one minute ago.