The Scapegoat (1959) - full transcript

You intend to stay long in France,
Mr. Barratt?

I don't know... l didn't know
there was any restriction...

apart from money.

I thought you might have forgotten
your passport expires next month.

No, I hadn't forgotten. Thank you.

- You have nothing to declare.
- Nothing.

Nothing whatever.

Nothing to declare.

You can't declare an emptiness
in the heart.

What would he think of me if I'd said,

"Only a few personal belongings
and a blank life?"



A madman at the worst,

a self-pitying eccentric at the best.

Oh, I dread the holidays,

although I've spent them always
in the France I love so well...

a teacher of the french language

who has no idea what he's looking for.

Jacques!

Back at last.

I'm afraid there's some mistake.

How was Paris?

Villain.

All right, as you wish.

Seek, and you shall find.

Knock, and it will be opened
unto you.



It seems I have knocked,
and the door has remained shut.

God wants me no more than man.

And yet,

1 don't quite believe that.

1 don't behave differently,

nor do I look so different
from other men.

If 1 did, why should that man
in the market square

mistake me for someone else?

A lonely man dramatizes life
for himself.

F must learn not to do that.

Nothing in the past
to be particularly ashamed of,

nothing in the future.

Perhaps a man has to be empty...

before he can be used.

Used for what?

God knows.

- A cognac, please.
- One moment, sir.

- Madame.
- Thank you... Wait.

- Give that to the gentleman, please.
- Yes, madame.

The lady asked me
to give you this, sir.

One moment, sir.

There being nobody to introduce us,
one of us must break the silence.

- There are two of us.
- Undoubtedly. Look.

Gentlemen.

In view of this coincidence,
may a stranger offer you a drink?

A comparative stranger,
I suppose we should say.

- Charming. Don't you think?
- Most interesting.

- What will you drink, brother?
- Cognac.

Two cognacs... twin cognacs.

Do you think we'll grow up
to look like them?

It seems simpler to let ourselves
be taken for twins

than try to explain what we
ourselves do not understand.

Do not understand, indeed.

You couldn't, perhaps, be the devil?

No.

I didn't think you could be.
I thought I'd better make sure.

Could you, perhaps?

I'm afraid not.
It's nothing as simple as that.

With the compliments
of the little ones.

No. Cognac... Don't you think?

Oh, I think so. Yes.

I never drank much at home,

- but this is rather an occasion, isn't it?
- It is, rather.

Heaven knows the odds against
such an encounter.

- Enormous. - Large.
- Astronomical.

And not worth the trouble.

- To astronomy.
- To astronomy.

I haven't laughed so much for years,

not since...
I can't remember when.

In fact, looking back, it almost seems
I never laughed at home.

How odd.

Not really.
There's very little to laugh about

in the common room at
a provincial university.

I didn't mean that was odd.

Twice, talking about things at home,
you've spoken in the past tense.

You just said, "I never laughed."

Before that, "I never drank."

Did I? I wasn't conscious of it.

I suppose I feel about it
in the past tense.

Aren't you planning to go back?

I don't know.
I'm not planning not to.

I'm just not planning.

It would make no difference,
really, if I didn't.

For a term or so in the common room,

in the middle of that
dreary red-brick arguing,

someone might say,
“I wonder what's become of Barratt.”

And soon it would be,
"I wonder what became of Barratt."

My landlady would look after my cat.

She's largely alienated
its affections already.

Traitorous animals, cats.

You're not married?

No, the situation... never arose.
I thought once it might, but it didn't.

Relatives?

Some second cousins
in Westmoreland.

- I suppose you really are there.
- Oh, yes.

Prove it.

Oh, steady. Fair enough.
You're there, all right.

- Too much so.
- How?

Oh, it's not at all interesting.

Why, sure it is. Come, I've done
all the talking about myself.

You'll make me feel I've imposed.

Very well. How shall I put it?

Just as you have too little life,
I have too much.

It's hard for me
to believe how that could be.

If you tried it, you would know...
l have a 16th-century chateau,

badly in need of repair
and modern plumbing.

I have a title of the same antiquity,

equally lacking
in modern conveniences.

O the 15 century,

when the franc was
25 to the pound.

I have a family business
which runs at a loss

but which cannot be closed

because that would throw
faithful employees out of work.

But those are all things.

Life consists of people.

People.

Very well...
l have... no, no. I can't bear it.

Let us just say that there are
too many... and more than enough.

Too much or too little...

there seems nothing in life between.

Still, I don't know that I wouldn't prefer
your surfeit to my own lack.

I wonder if you would.

I'll see if they have a room.

My key.

No call in the morning.
I may sleep very late.

Will you bring me up
a bottle of champagne?

Open it, please.

They haven't a room free,
but mine has two beds,

so if you wouldn't mind sharing...

- I don't like to intrude.
- It's no intrusion.

Much simpler than trudging
elsewhere.

It's trying to rain. I thought so.

So...

It's not exactly a palace...

but men have fared worse.

I'm rather drunk.

On such a noteworthy occasion,

that should cause neither surprise...
nor regret.,

I'm not regretting it in the least.
First time in years.

That sort of thing's frowned
on in our common room.

Unlike some universities...

college port and drunken dons...

plain living and high thinking for us.

Thank you.

Good night.

I took the liberty of ordering us
a nightcap.

There's no liberty whatever.

Oh, silly fellow's only brought
one glass.

Well, not worth
disturbing him again.

I'll use a glass from the bathroom.

Is champagne all right...

on top of all that brandy?

The very thing.

It's always as well to finish up
with something lighter.

Tell me tomorrow...
if I have misled you.

- To tomorrow.
- To tomorrow.

I can't remember
when I last cared whether or not...

I saw tomorrow.

Excellent champagne.

I don't suppose I ever shall now...
..care,

Come now, Mr. Barratt.
I'm sure that in the morning...

things will look quite different.

Hello.

Come in.

Ah, you're awake, sir.

- What is this game?
- None, sir.

I was worried
at your sleeping so late,

but they told me you'd given
instructions not to call you.

- I had given instructions?
- Yes, sir.

Because the ladies were worried,
I telephoned St. Gilles

and said you were detained on urgent
business. I hope I did right, sir.

- You didn't do right at all.
- I'm sorry, sir. I didn't know what to do.

No... and how could you?

Thank you.

It's not mine, but seeing
he's taken my things...

- Shall I run your bath, sir?
- We better begin at the beginning.

My name is Barratt,
B-A-R-R-A-T-T...

and I teach the french language
at an english university.

I met your employer last night,
purely by chance,

and we're alike as if we were twins.

Yes, sir. Quite, sir.

Look. I'll show you.

You see?

Yes, it's a remarkable likeness, sir.

You have a headache, sir.
I'll get you your cure.

This is clearly a matter
for the police.

While I'm having my bath,
you telephone the police

and tell them to send
a responsible officer here at once.

Yes, sir. I understand.

No, doctor, he seems in good health
apart from the delusion.

Yes, Ill do my best.

Very good, doctor. Until later, then.

Well?

There seems to have been
some mistake, sir.

- Oh, there does, does there?
- Yes, sir.

I was going to speak to the police,
I had the shock of my life, sir.

It was my master, speaking from
St. Gilles, asking to speak to you.

I explained you were bathing,
and he said not to trouble you,

but to ask you to drive with me,
and he would explain everything.

That seems a very cavalier way
of dealing with the situation.

I suppose it's the only
way to clear things up.

You'd better stand by.

When I've received an explanation
from your employer,

I shall want to return
to I. Mans at once.

Very good, sir.

Unless he has my car here...
look in the garage...

3 Morris Minor, XY 866.

With a GB plate, naturally.

Yes, sir. Naturally, sir.

In which case, I shan't need your car.

Ah, there you are.

- Thank you, Gaston.
- Well, where is he?

I want to talk.

I don't want to talk about anything.

I want to see this man who's
played this ridiculous joke on me,

hear his explanation,
receive an apology,

- reclaim my luggage, and go.
- Yes, yes...

May we have a word first in here?

The ladies are in the drawing room.

Now, let's have a look at you.

Sit down, please, and cross your legs.

What is this farce?

If you'll just sit down...

I have no intention of sitting.

I've come here to see
the owner of all this.

- All in good time.
- No, at once!

Very well. If you insist,
come with me.

There. There he is.

- This is a madhouse.
- No, no. It's not as bad as that.

- Shall we sit down and talk calmly?
- Calmly?

I'll listen to an explanation, but
you cannot expect me to be calm.

These hysterical outbursts don't
alleviate the schizophrenic delusions.

Oh, do go on.

When she received the telegram,
your wife was very disturbed.

What telegram?

The telegram from the
doctor you visited in Paris

explaining that you were
subject to fits of delusion

that you were somebody else.

I am somebody else.

That was before you were located.

Fortunately, by the
time Gaston telephoned,

- I was on the spot.
- How very fortunate.

Quite. I therefore instructed Gaston
to humor you and bring you here

to meet the person you
thought you were not,

and by this simple confrontation...

But you have confronted me
with nobody!

Exactly. Thus making it clear

that there's no one to confront
you with except yourself...

and leading to a reintegration
of the two supposed personalities.

It merely needs your cooperation.

I like that. I am to cooperate with you
in pretending I am somebody else...

or rather, that I am somebody else
who thinks he's me. Is that it?

Broadly, in nonmedical terms.

Well, broadly, in nonmedical terms,
I tell you my name is John Barratt.

Papa! You're back! You're back!

You look better than one might expect
after two weeks' debauchery in Paris.

- Did you enjoy it?
- I never enjoy Paris much.

Of course not. You went on
business to save the foundry.

Business can be very tiring.

- You've had your hair cut differently.
- Have I?

Yes. It's nowhere near
so distinguished-looking.

- I'm sorry.
- I don't mind, really.

We were beginning to think
we should never see you again.

Heavens, that reminds me.
Granny wants to see you.

- She's in a beastly temper.
- So am l.

- Where is she?
- In her room, of course.

- Come with me?
- Why? Are you frightened?

- I do believe you're frightened.
- Well, I am, rather, yes.

I'll come to the top of the stairs.

She says she's sick
of the sight of me.

She doesn't mean it, really,
but I'll keep out of her way.

Is that you at last?

It is I.

My wicked boy.

My pussycat.

Am I not even worth a kiss?

Never before have I been
so fussed over,

unless it was in the cradle,

never before so welcome...

welcome in what appears
to be a madhouse.

Let her talk.

Maybe there will be a clue
in what she says.

Living the life you have doubtless
been leading, you might look worse.

Tell me about Paris.
Tell me every detail.

No, don't.

I don't want to hear. I won't forgive you
for staying away so long.

There's something I must explain.

Later. Later. Lie to me later.

Entertain me now.

This house is so boring
when you are away...

Francoise weeping,
Blanche praying,

and the child mooning around
like an unwanted mouse.

I am not who you think I am.

Ha ha! I know. I know.

You've had a nervous breakdown.

I was worried at first
when the telegram arrived...

but then I thought to myself,

“I know my boy. I know my pussycat.”

It is a delicious invention,

a clever excuse for neglecting people
and forgetting things...

though I hope you did not use it
as an excuse to forget my present.

You didn't forget my present?

I don't know if he did or not.

Don't play cat and mouse with me

when you know how much
I need it now.

Don't torment me! I've been waiting
all day long for you to come back,

and now I can't wait any longer.

Where is it? Where is it?

Where is it?

I heard from outside...
l haven't been listening.

Our mistress s ill.
You'd better fetch the doctor.

It's not the doctor can
give her what she needs.

You have brought it?

I don't know.

Gaston's unpacking your things.
I just went along to look.

All in order, sir.
I put the parcels on the desk.

Is this it?

This?

To mother with love... morphine.

What an attentive son.

Well, that's one bit
of the jigsaw in place.

- Can I pour your whiskey, sir?
- No, thank you.

Whatever do you knock for?

Suppose it's all part
of this silly charade you're playing.

Madame, you're going to have difficulty
in accepting what I say is true,

but I beg you to do so.
I am not your husband.

Oh, aren't you? Then why are you
wearing his clothes?

That is a long and complicated story.

Then don't tell it. I hate long stories...

especially lies.

This is not my suit, not my tie.

These are not my cuff links.

Well, then why are you
wearing them?

Why are you speaking
with his voice?

Why are you looking at me
with his eyes?

You think I don't recognize
those cruel eyes?

Now, tell me a lie about Paris.

How was the Eiffel Tower?

I bet even you couldn't think of a lie
about the Eiffel Tower.

Would you bet?

Would you?

Francoise, my dear,
you must be calm.

Calm? When he teases me like this?

Except that it's not teasing.

Teasing's what children
do in innocence.

I assure you, Francoise...
and I speak professionally...

Jacques quite genuinely
believes he is somebody else.

I suggest you keep out of this.
You only make things worse.

- Indeed, I do not.
- Indeed, you do.

The truth is quite simple,
as the truth normally is.

It's as simple as this. I am not Jacques...
whatever the name may be.

I merely look like him.

Tell us straight out
what game you're up to...

what selfish end you're after.
Well give it to you right away.

Then we can stop playing
this silly farce.

I'm not up to any game.
This is the truth.

Truth is a word that has
no meaning when you use it.

When you speak, every decent
word becomes a monster,

until I feel like a child
in a nightmare.

I'm the one who's in a nightmare.

What did I do to deserve this?

Francoise, you mustn't torture
yourself. You must go and rest.

Jacques and I
will discuss this problem.

Look.

Get back at once.

Will you come up and talk to me,
or shall I come down?

I'll come up in a minute.

Hurry. I'll count to 50, and if you're
not here, I really will come down.

1, 2...

3, 4.

5.,

67,809, 10.

17, 18, 19, 20...

28, 29...

0, 41, 42...

48, 9.,

50!

Oh, you're just in time.

Do sit down. You're out of breath.

It's very wrong
to frighten people like that.

I don't frighten people. Just you.

Do it again, I shan't take any notice

then you'll have to jump,
and serve you right.

Serve you right, too... make an awful
mess, and you'd have to clear it up.

Bloodthirsty little brute.
And talking of bloodthirstiness.

What's that?

It's the martyrdom of
Saint Sebastian.

I got bored with one
aunt Blanche gave me,

so I thought I'd do something
more modern.

Who are these?

They're the secret police.

What secret police?

Just secret police.

And that's for you
when I pray for you.

What do you pray for me?

Oh, I pray that
whatever good you have done...

whatever evil you have suffered

gain for you the remission
of your sins

and increase of grace
and the reward of eternal life.

Thank you. Any particular sins?

No. I don't think
any particular ones.

Did you have a good trip, so
you won't have to go away again?

It's difficult to say.

If you do, I probably
will jump out the window.

Do you think you could go
to sleep now?

I should think so.

I've had insomnia. I expect it will be
better now you're back.

- Good. Well, good night.
- Good night.

- Shall I turn out the light?
- No. I think I'll read for a bit.

Enough's enough.
It's not an adventure anymore.

It's taking the shape of a nightmare...

his nightmare, not mine.

1 call it quits.

Man or devil,
I made no bargain with him.

I'm free to go.

I beg your pardon, sir.

You'll sleep much better
if you undress and get into bed, sir.

I shall sleep as I am. I'm tired.

Even so, it's worth making the effort.

Are you married? Have you a family?

No longer, sir.
Not since the germane were here.

I see.

Sir?

Perhaps I'm lucky.

When people have wives and children,
they have responsibilities.

Responsibility to whom?

To this unhappy household?

Is it my responsibility

because fate has made me
look identical with another man?

Am { my brother's keeper?

We met by chance.

Chance.

- Good night, sir.
- Good night, Gaston.

Come in.

Good morning.

I wonder how often Gaston's been told

to keep this cigarette box full.

Jacques.

Yes?

Well, it's very gratifying to find you
so completely yourself again.

Completely myself, thank you.

Yes. Well... during your absence,
I've done my best

to look after the problems here,

but it has been a responsibility.

Because it's such a responsibility,
I've decided to assume it.

Come in.

- Good morning, sir.
- Good morning, Gaston.

On the table, please.

If we may discuss
the various problems...

If we may discuss
the various problems later.

Forgive me, but I can't
bear company at breakfast...

Except, of course, female company...
and that not always.

Thank you, Gaston.

Good dog... Good boy! Back.

Come on.

Maldoror!

Where are you going?

I was going for a stroll.

I'll come with you.

Funny Maldoror
getting in such a state.

He's usually quite good with you.

When are you going to let me
read that book?

Which one?

The one you named Maldoror after.

When you're a bit older.

You always say that.

Why are you dressed like this?

Can't you guess who I am?

Joan of Arc.

Right.

Yes, I thought
I'd be Joan of Arc today.

Saint Theresa's too fatiguing
to be very often.

Besides, on days when I'm very
conscious of wishing I was a boy,

Joan of Arc's more suitable.

Why do you wish that today?

I don't know.

Something to do with you being back,
I suppose.

I know you'd rather I was one.

What makes you say that?

Well, Aunt Blanche
keeps telling me.

Then Aunt Blanche
keeps telling you nonsense.

I wish I could help.

I much prefer you as you are.

That child will grow up a savage.

You don't teach her even
elementary good manners,

like being punctual for meals.

I'm sorry.

Where is she anyway?

Making herself presentable.

That'll be an agreeable change.

Good morning, Jacques.
Nice to see you after so long.

Good morning.

And how was Paris?

Oh... cold.

I mean the contract.
Did you see Tiseau?

No, not Tiseau.

Naturally, we at the foundry
are anxious to know.

I make it a rule never to discuss
business at table... Thank you.

We're all anxious to know.

Sorry I'm late.

Your father was late, too.

I know. We were walking together.

I happened to see these,

so I thought I'd save you the
trouble and bring them down.

Happened to see?

Anyhow, I thought
I'd save you the trouble.

Most kind of you.

Shall I hand them around?

Oh, please do.

"M.N." That's me.

You'd have thought having two initials,
I'd have had two presents, really.

Greedy.

"E" That must be for you, mother.

Thank you, darling.

And "B." That's for you,
I suppose, Aunt Blanche.

I'm sorry, cousin Aristide. There
doesn't seem to be anything for you.

I wouldn't expect it.
I always get cigars at Christmas.

May I?

Of course. I'm as curious as you are.

Oh, thank you! Thank you!

It's wonderful!

So long as you're pleased.

People always say,
"it's just what I wanted"

when it really isn't, but it really is.

Come on. I want to see what yours is.

Whatever is it?

What does it look like?

It looks like a toy.

Perhaps that's what it is.

You don't give toys to grownups.

I can't think why not.

May I look?

Yes, if you like.

Oh, put it down, please.

You hadn't forgotten.
Oh, how silly of me. I'm sorry.

What tune is that?

It's a tune your father and I
used to know long ago,

before you were born.

Jacques, you're mad.
You must have had it made specially.

Hardly anyone knows that song
except us.

Must have been shockingly expensive...

but thank you.

How beastly of me,
when all the time...

So long as you like it.

Like it?

Aunt Blanche, do open yours.

Don't you think you'd better sit down,
get on with your lunch?

You've seen our presents,
so you ought to let us see yours.

Yes, do sit down
and have your lunch.

Shall I open it for you?

If you like.

Smells terribly rich.

There's a card with it, too.

"If you don't like it, you can always
sprinkle it on the horse."

What horse?

Sit down at once.

It's very rude to read things
written to other people.

"Other people" is about right.

I wish someone would explain
about the horse.

It's a joke of your father's. You mustn't
ask people to explain jokes,

especially when they've gone wrong.

I've been doing some rather careful
thinking about our output figures.

I'll come to the foundry after lunch,
and we will discuss everything there.

To the foundry?

Why not?

Oh, no reason.

With no disrespect to your administration,
I think perhaps I've been a little neglectful.

The men, of course, will be delighted.

Good. Then Ill come this afternoon.

But you can't. It's Wednesday.

So it is Wednesday.

You know the only thing that makes
my music lesson tolerable...

is you driving me in Villedieu.

How stupid of me to forget.

You seem awfully forgetful
since you came back.

Well, come afterwards,
about a quarter past 4:00.

She was right.
You are getting forgetful.

Thank you.

Better get it out of the house,
I thought.

Perhaps.

Give the horse a pat from me.

Let's play a game.

I'm a stranger who's never
driven into Villedieu before,

and you have to tell me the way.

Sounds a very stupid game to me.

Not as stupid as you might think.

Which way to turn here, for instance?

Oh, very well. If it amuses you.

Right.

If I survive, we'll meet here as usual.

In how long?

Are you still playing that game?

An hour and 10 minutes, of course.

Well, Jacques de Gue,
I'm in your shoes.

1 have assumed your clothes
and your responsibilities,

and in a curious way,
I'm grateful to you.

It's everything f've lacked...

people to need me,
a home, a purpose.

But I can't get into your mind.

You escape me.

What am I supposed to be here for...

to solve your problems for you,

or is it to let you be elsewhere?

That will teach you.

I apologize
if I appear to be trespassing.

Trespassing?
On your own property?

Teach you to treat me like you did
the other evening, I meant.

Oh, I can explain.

You can explain anything.
You ought to have been a politician.

Two weeks away, and never a word.

Then a post card...
Notre-Dame by floodlight, at that...

saying, "meet me at our bar in I. Mans".

Qur bar, indeed.

Here.

When I get there, what happens?

The other evening...
l wasn't feeling quite myself.

Very much yourself, if you ask me.

It's when you behave well that
I start worrying

there must be
something wrong with you.

Well, don't stand there looking as
if you've never seen a saddle before.

Hang it up!

Why I should worry, I don't know,
or why I should be lonely.

Plenty of men would treat me
better than you do.

One of these Wednesday afternoons,

you'll come here
and find that I've gone,

gone off with a millionaire

or a lion tamer from
a traveling circus.

I don't care which, so long
as it takes me away.

A traveling circus would be restful
after life with you.

Well, seeing you're here,
you might as well come in, I suppose.

Why I stay on here
I just don't know...

stay on here, hidden away,
for your occasional pleasure

in a corner of a small country town,

when there is Paris and all
the world waiting unexplored.

But I do know why... Don't I?

And you know... Don't you?

Because I love you,

and you pretend to love me...

pretend not very well,
but with a great charm...

Though not somehow today...

let me hear you pretend.
Say you love me.

I shan't believe it,
but I like to hear it.

What do you want me to say,

that I love you as much
as I have ever done,

that I love you the same
as always?

Always? There is not such a word...
shouldn't be, anyhow.

Don't say you love me always,

say you love me now.

What's this?

"If you don't like it, you can always
sprinkle it on the horse."

Oh, yes, of course.

It's a present for you.
I wasn't sure if you'd like it, so...

What are you talking about?

You know perfectly well it's
the only scent I ever consider using.

Just a joke.

Odd.

It's like a joke
when it's in your handwriting,

but not when you say it somehow.

But thank you.

And for the proof that you
did think of me at least once.

At least once.

How often, truly?

At least once a day, I should think.

Liar.

Never mind. It's a pretty lie...

pretty like the flowers, like the scent.

And how did you find the mausoleum?

The house?

What else? You seem to have
only half your wits today.

The other half's preoccupied...
with the mausoleum.

Is it worse than usual?

Frankly, I don't know...
About the same, probably.

It's just that I feel less fitted
to deal with the problems.

You've got to.

It's expected of me, I know.

It's time I went to meet the child.

Thank you for reminding me.

I wish I hadn't.

So do l.

Meanwhile...

Meanwhile... meanwhile I'm here.

Then?

Then until then. Next Wednesday...
before, if possible,

for who knows when that circus
will come to town?

- What are you thinking about?
- Nothing in particular. Why?

It looked as if it were
something in particular.

- Just circuses, I suppose.
- That was last week, anyhow.

Here we are.
Punctual to the minute.

Sir, you are welcome.

Monsieur Lacoste,
our works manager.

Oh, how foolish of me...

making introductions
as if you were a stranger...

not that you aren't, almost.

I feel like one.

It's been a long time, Mr. Jacques.

How long, in fact?

14 years.

As long as that?

You better assume
that I know nothing.

Explain everything to me
as if to a stranger.

Everything is as it was.
Our kind of work doesn't change.

Even so.

Everything, that is to say,
except the profits.

You will take a glass to celebrate?

- To celebrate what?
- The new contract.

Who said anything
about a new contract?

You didn't exactly say anything,
but your visit after so long...

I took the liberty
of intimating to the men...

The men were very pleased.
It's been a worrying time.

It still is a worrying time.

Doubtless, but if we all
pull our weight...

Well, what is it?

I was just thinking
of cousin Aristide's weight.

That's not very polite.

It's of no consequence... fair comment,
even. All this sedentary work.

- You really won't?
- No, thank you.

- Lacoste?
- Thank you, no.

I think I will. I need a little digestive.

Blanche's luncheon
was excellent but lavish.

Most days, I content myself
with a sandwich at my desk.

- How many men do we employ?
- How many is it, Lacoste?

42... plus 12 pensioners, of course.

Old Matterin died last week,
but his widow remains.

I must acquaint... reacquaint myself
with all the problems involved.

If you're talking about problems,

I'll go watch the glassblowers
If Mr. Lacoste doesn't mind.

- Does Mr. Lacoste mind?
- Not in the least.

I'll come with you.
I must check on the Dijon order.

I won't disguise the fact
that I am faced with a problem.

I'm in no doubt about that.

All I can say is
150 years is a long time.

We... the men...
will do anything to help.

I'm sure, but outside,
where the customers are,

well, things change in 150 years.
We have mass production, for instance.

One would think there would still
be a market for quality work.

One would think so... hope so.

- Your mother has asked for you, sir.
- Recently?

Every 10 minutes for the last hour.

Every 10 minutes for the last hour.

Good evening.

I almost thought you might be late.

Don't know what
you're smiling about,

when I've been imprisoned here
reading this trash.

Trash!

Sit down.

I open with pawn to king's fourth.

Where have you been?

I took the child to Villedieu
for her music lesson.

And your own... was that interesting?

Mine?

Your lesson in conversational
italian, you idiot.

There's nothing I don't know about.

People try hiding everything from me,
but they're wasting their time.

Well, are you going to move or not?

What else?

Or did you stay
learning italian until now?

I went to the foundry.

What will that blather Aristide
do for a living once we've shut?

I hardly talked to him.

I talked to... Lacoste.

Decent little man, if I remember.

Hard on him, on all of them,
but there's no other way.

There will have to be.

I've decided to renew the contract,
even on unfavorable terms.

You've decided?

I've decided.

It would be too great
a hardship for them.

What about the hardship on us?

We must manage.

Manage? How can we manage?

Oh, I must concentrate
on this game,

or I shall faint.

Queen's knight to bishop's third.

What's happened to you
while you've been away?

It's almost as if you were
a different person.

I am... as I tried very hard to explain.

Have you gotten mixed up in politics?

You can't condemn people to starve.

We can starve.

You can condemn us to starve...

so long as all those
socialists at the foundry

have enough to eat.

Bishop to rook's fourth.

If you wish to indulge
this sentimental fad of yours,

the solution is in your own hands.

Namely?

Have a son, of course, you fool.

Pawn to queen's knight's fourth.

Clever.

Well, then there's only one other way
the settlement can become untied.

Common little ironmonger
of a father of hers

had it all tied up so tight.

What other way?

Clause 14, paragraph 2.

Yes?

May I come in?

Yes, come in.

I thought you'd see me
when you got back.

I got caught playing chess.

How is she today?

Sulfurous.

Anything in particular?

Everything in general.

We had an argument
about keeping the foundry open.

Oh, that... Tell me...

- do you like these earrings?
- Very pretty.

- I did love my musical box.
- I'm glad.

You knew I would, didn't you?
Sorry I was beastly last night.

- Oh, it's all right.
- It's not all right.

I shall feel beastly
till you show you forgive me.

Show you forgive me.

What's that you're hiding?

I'm not hiding anything.

Oh, why are you reading this?

There's something I wanted to verify.

Verify! As if you didn't know.

I'll read it to you,
though I know it by heart.

You didn't know I had a copy, did you?

- Papa said I ought to.
- Oh, Francoise.

Here it is...
Clause 14, paragraph 2.

“In the event...

of the said Francoise Amelie Elaire
dying without male issue,

the endowment shall
pass in equal shares

to her surviving female issue
and such issue's legal guardian.”

Legal guardian... That's you.

Papa always said that clause
was like inviting you to murder me.

He said it as a joke,
but it stopped being a joke now.

It's not a joke at all.

I'm going to write
to the stonemasons

now while I'm still alive,
and I'll have them carve.

"Clause 14, paragraph 2"
on my tombstone.

That will give people
something to talk about.

- Francoise, my dear, please listen...
- Except I shan't have a tombstone...

I'll be buried in your family vault
among your horrid family.

- Listen to me.
- Yes, I listen.

Well have the lawyers
draw up a new agreement

so that money can't come to me,

appointing whom you like
as the child's guardian.

But you can't alter it.

Well see. Whatever
can be done, well do.

You don't wish me dead.

I wish you to be happy.

- Well send for the lawyers.
- It's not that that matters.

It's just trying to believe
what you're saying is true.

None of that matters.

Nothing would matter
if only you loved me.

Oh, if only you loved me.

I'll never learn to play the piano
if I try for a hundred years.

Just think, a hundred years
of Wednesday afternoons.

I sometimes think

that's what hell must be really like...
not flames and things,

just going on being
bored for ever and ever.

You're probably right.

But I forgot.
You don't believe in hell, do you?

In that kind of hell, yes.

“The worm that dieth not.”

Oh, well. See you later.

Come and help!

Look at those.
Aren't they wonderful?

- Good?
- Good.

Best, you should have said.

There's something
I must say to you.

In the midst of all the other
problems at the mausoleum,

it's been going to and fro
in my mind all the past week.

And in mine.

You don't know
what I'm going to say.

I do.

Not all of it,
but the essential part I know.

I don't know who you are,

but I know who you are not.

I don't feel I know much more myself.

I won't listen unless you promise
beforehand it won't make any difference.

Promise.

Nod your head if you promise,

otherwise go away
without saying anything.

It's so impossible that
after the first shock

I found it easier to accept than
if it were merely improbable.

It's so far away from
ordinary human experience,

I can accept it like
one accepts a dream.

A dream?

In a dream, ordinary
behavior ceases to operate,

but nothing surprises you.

10 days ago, I didn't know
this room or you existed.

Now it seems perfectly
natural to be here.

It seems perfectly natural.

It's madness to question
the rightness of a dream,

but... you must forgive me
for saying this.

A week ago, when you
put your arms around me,

it was him you were loving.

Now you say it's me.

Forget for a moment
that you and he look exactly alike.

You look alike,
but you are different.

It is perfectly possible
to love two people

at the same time
for different reasons.

It's only in storybooks
that it is otherwise.

So...

How are we different, he and I?

No. I shouldn't ask you that.

It does no harm provided
that I break no confidence.

He's... fierce where you are gentle,

cruel where you are kind,

selfish where you are not.

That's how I first knew...

when I saw that you worried
about other people.

I didn't immediately know.

It just seemed odd at the time,
but something started in my mind

which during the week
became the knowledge...

that this impossible thing
had nonetheless happened.

I wish I could accept it as easily.

Precisely. I accept.

I accept whatever happens
like I accept sun or rain.

I accept your being here
like I accept food from the soil.

So far, so good...

but my mind staggers
when I think ahead.

Don't think ahead.

Think as far ahead as it takes
that bird to fly out of sight...

No more.

No more.

Afternoon, sir.

Just seeing that everything
is all right for tomorrow.

Care for a shot?

No. We're on our way to the foundry.

Let's watch for a moment anyway.
Do go on, Mr. Fournier.

- Ready.
- Ready.

Pull.

Well done.

Your father's the only man

to have three pheasant dead
in the air at the same time.

Do you remember, sir?

- Ready.
- Pull.

Three pheasant dead in the air
at the same time,

and I've never handled a gun
in my life.

If 1 shoot tomorrow,

the whole charade, campaign...
Call it what you will...

is exposed and ruined.

But if I injured my hand,
I couldn't shoot, could 1?

You hurt yourself!
I saw you burn yourself.

Is it bad?

How does that feel?

Much less pain, thank you.

Any chance of my being able
to shoot tomorrow?

Good heavens, no.
Not a chance in the world.

Well, that's that, then.

Bad luck it should happen
the day before the match.

I'm very grateful to you.
May I offer you a drink?

Thank you.

Would you mind helping yourself?

- [I have one, too.
- A very small one.

The injection I've given you
doesn't mix with alcohol.

A small one, then.

Hello. What are you doing here?

In case you forgot, I thought
I'd say good night to you.

That was a very kind thought.

How's your hand feeling?

Better, thank you.
Dr. Aloin gave me an injection.

I did this for you.

Oh, thank you.

"Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego
in the burning, fiery furnace."

Very comforting.

I think you were very brave.

No, I wasn't. It was automatic.

You drop something, then you
snatch it up without thinking.

You didn't do it without thinking.
I saw the whole thing.

I admire you very much
for doing it.

I don't know
what you're talking about.

If you'd rather not talk about it...
atonement's a very private thing.

I oughtn't to have been inquisitive.

I'll get you a drawing pin.

Thank you.

- Good night.
- Good night.

I just wanted to say
I admired you very much.

That's all.

Oh, it has been
a nice afternoon.

- Hasn't it?
- Thank you.

- Excuse me, sir. Can I have a word?
- Yes, Gaston.

Will you have a look at the car?
There's trouble with the gearbox.

Excuse us.

There was a telephone call, sir,
from Villedieu.

The lady said
she must see you urgently.

- You'll have to drive me in.
- Yes, sir.

I'll get back as soon as I can.

- What's the matter?
- What's the matter?

- You sent for me.
- I did not.

I'm delighted to see you, but...

Gaston said he spoke to you.

He must have gone mad... or psychic.

I was thinking of you... a lot.

I was thinking how much
I'd love to see you...

and here you are.
I don't understand it.

Let's not try to understand.

Fate or the telephone operator
has made a beautiful mistake,

and we are together...
when we might have been apart.

I always knew you were cruel,

but somehow there were
shreds of kindness mixed up in you,

like the peel in marmalade,
which I could pick out and nibble

and pretend they were food
enough to keep alive on.

Now the only possible use
I can be to you is to be dead.

There's no point in keeping me alive.

Please don't upset yourself.

Get out! Get out!

Get out and leave me to die!

Who did you speak to
on the telephone?

The lady, sir.

You're absolutely certain?

I took it to be the lady, sir.

I see... or rather, I don't see.

Do you know whose car that is?
Not Dr. Elience's, but that one.

The police inspector's from Villedieu.

What is it? Is something wrong?

I'm afraid so.

Jacques, you must prepare
yourself for a shock...

A great shock.

Marie-Noel?

No, it's not Marie-Noel...
It's Francoise.

I'm sorry to have to tell you.
She... she fell from her window.

She was dead when we found her.

When? How?

About an hour ago.

We had no idea where to find you.
You couldn't have done anything.

I was visiting your mother.

I was with her... with Francoise...
in a matter of a minute,

and nothing could have been done.

Francoise.

In the circumstances,
I had to telephone the police.

Inspector Rigot from Villedieu
came at once.

Permit me to offer
my condolences, sir.

Thank you.

Where is she?

She's... in there.

Does the child know?

I'm afraid the child found her.
Happily, she didn't see her fall.

Nobody saw her fall.

Where is the child?

She's in her room.
Your sister Blanche is with her.

Who's that?

It's me... father.

Please do not regard the
proceedings as an inquest,

but rather as an informal meeting
to establish certain facts...

50 that I need not trouble you again.

For the purpose of
recording her testimony,

I shall attend in the
bedroom of the countess,

who is, alas, bedridden.

I am not bedridden.

Furthermore...

Even if I were,
I would not consent

to a troop of petty officials

making a playground
of my apartments.

Steady!

I can manage, I can manage

if this cripple here
would just stand on her feet.

Well, young man,
what do you wish to know?

May I, on behalf of my
colleague and myself,

observe that the
melancholy of this occasion

is mitigated by the sight
of you in better health.

On behalf of the French Republic
if you wish,

but I am in no way
in better health,

so get on with your questions.

First, I would like to hear

from the last person to
see the deceased alive.

From my preliminary information,

this was the little girl,
her daughter.

Your preliminary information
is incorrect.

I saw the deceased
after the child did.

As I was walking along the corridor
toward my daughter-in-law's bedroom,

the child came out, called good night,

and went upstairs toward her room.

So you need not trouble the child
with your questions.

That was what time?

I have no idea.

I'm not in the habit
of walking about my own house

making notes of what time
I do things,

as if I were boiling myself an egg.

What was the subject matter
of your talk with the deceased?

Family matters.

In what spirits
did you judge her to be?

In excellent spirits,

better than I had seen
for some time.

She had been in low spirits
recently, then?

Most women tend to be
in low spirits

after a recent miscarriage.

Quite.

You saw no sign of depression?

None whatever. Quite the reverse.

To sum up... you saw nothing
to make you suppose

she might take her own life.

An unthinkable supposition.

I thank you.
That was admirably clear.

Just simple facts.

It would need an idiot
to make them anything but clear.

Now, you, sir, were not in the house
at the time of your wife's death.

No, I was not.

May I ask where you were?

I was in Villedieu.

He was not in Villedieu.

He was in her room.
I heard him talking there.

This is nonsense.
I was in Villedieu.

Did you see anybody there,

talk to anybody
who can confirm that?

It's not that I doubt your word.

Simply, we have a direct
conflict of evidence.

Somebody must be
making a mistake.

Corroborative evidence
would settle the matter.

My business in Villedieu
was of a confidential nature.

Perhaps I may ask you
further about it in private.

In public or in private,
he will lie to you.

He was in her room.

He murdered her.

Ask him about the terms
of the marriage settlement.

If you will wait
until I ask for your testimony.

I will not wait.

If you please, sir, may I speak?

I think I can help.

- Have you any objection?
- None. On the contrary.

Very well, then.

I drove my master into Villedieu.

He couldn't drive because of his hand.

I drove him into Villedieu,

waited for him...
and drove him back.

And when we got back here,
Madame was already dead.

Your car was already here
as we drove in.

That is so. Yes.

They drove away... they drove back.

What does that prove?
What did he do in the interim?

They're in league,
he and his lackey.

How much has he promised
to pay you for your lies?

I am a simple man, miss Blanche.

I have no education.

I know how
to drive a car and clean shoes.

I do not know
how to tell lies or take bribes.

It was simple, Jacques de Gue.

A likeness, a chance in 10 million,

an astronomical figure
gave you an alibi...

or a scapegoat.

How can you? How can you?!

I wondered
if it could tell me anything.

It can tell you nothing
you don't already know.

It's horrible.

It's melancholy.

They wouldn't listen to me.
They believed you and not me.

I'm not going into all that again.

Well, I am. I'll go on
until someone listens to me.

I'll go to the police in Paris.
You can put me in an asylum,

but I'll go on writing
and telling people.

I'll tell them how I heard
you talking in there,

how I heard you singing that song
as you did after your honeymoon,

how I heard her laugh
then scream.

You heard someone
singing that song?

I heard YOU singing it.

Hello?

Hello. How nice to hear your voice.

Who is there?

A stranger.

A comparative stranger,
1 suppose we should say.

I thought you'd be surprised.

Not entirely.

Let's stop exchanging polite nothings.

I'd like to have a talk with you,
and not on the telephone.

When? Where?

Where is a problem.

Why not at the foundry,
about 11:00, say?

Very well, at 11:00.

Come in.

There's nothing to be afraid of.

Sit down.

Well, this is nice.

Let me have a look at you.

You've put on a little weight, I think.

All that good country food.

And of course, you've changed
the way you comb your hair.

I thought we'd talk in here.
So much cleaner than Aristide's office...

Pompous old idiot, but a heart of gold.

Trouble is, the gold
comes from my bank account.

You haven't lost your voice,
by any chance.

No, I have plenty to say.

Splendid. Let's have a drink first.

I happen to know
where Aristide keeps his brandy.

Not for me, thank you.

Truly? I remember you rather
welcomed a glass of brandy.

However, as you wish.
You won't mind if I do.

Well, now.

Tell me about your stewardship.
Have you enjoyed it?

I wouldn't say I enjoy.
It's been interesting.

It's been most kind of you to assist,

but now I'm here
to relieve you of the burden.

I'm not anxious to be relieved.

I didn't think my family
possessed that much charm.

In fact, to put it quite clearly,
I refuse to be relieved.

Of course, the situation has radically
changed in the last few days.

The money released
as a result of my poor wife's death

does possess a certain charm.
I see that.

The money doesn't interest me.

You can't mean you love
my somewhat bizarre relations

for themselves alone.

I've come to know them,

to like them to varying extents
in their differing ways.

I've seen their problems
and have made...

attempts to help them
deal with them.

I never thought they
could inspire missionary zeal.

I assure you... warn you
I mean every word I say.

Come now, Mr. Barratt.

This is getting beyond a joke
and becoming an imposition.

You've had three weeks
masquerading as a french nobleman,

and now it is time for you
to change back

and return to your provincial university.

And if I refuse?

I shall have to compel you.

Please don't be surprised.

I'm not in the least surprised...
at a murderer being so equipped.

Do tell me...

whose murder?

Clause 14, paragraph 2.

I don't think I need elaborate.

But...

just supposing
I had murdered my wife,

I'd have a perfect alibi
because you were in Villedieu.

Poor Mr. Barratt...

You really thought...

that you could live
an elaborate lie in luxury

for the rest of your life.

The luxury I would dispose
of elsewhere.

It would only be the lie
that worried me.

Sooner or later, they
would have to be told.

- How?
- I don't know. Somehow.

Otherwise I couldn't bear it.

A noble sentiment.

I've no time to admire it now.

It's time we changed
into our own clothes...

and our own selves.

Good for you.

That was a surprise,
I must admit.

But I have no doubt
that I'm the better shot...

even if you had the use
of your right hand.

At this range, even left-handed,
even... l could hardly miss.

Oh, yes, you could.

It's surprisingly easy.

I think you better give me
that dangerous thing.

Villedieu.

What are you doing here?

Fate has made a beautiful mistake,

and we are together...
when we might have been apart.