"THAT OBSCURE OBJECT OF DESIRE" " Good morning, señor." " Good morning." "I'd Iike a single Seville to Paris, for tonight, and a 2nd-class sleeper." "I'm sorry, I've nothing for tonight." "Anyway, there are no singles from Seville to Paris." "Tomorrow, I have two seats to Madrid... and then a single and a 2nd-class sleeper to Paris." "Very well." "I have a trunk and three valises." "Could you pick them up, and forward them through to Paris?" "Yes." "I'll take care of it." " First class all the way?" " Yes." "Where is she?" "She's gone, sir." "How long ago?" "About 5 minutes." "Come." "She was bleeding." "It's nothing, just her nose." "Throw that in the fire." "She left the house barefoot." "Throw it all out." "Very well." "A pair of panties, sir." "Into the fire!" "They're a bit wet." "She must've been frightened." "We go to Paris tomorrow." "Prepare everything." "I'm glad, sir." "I was tired of fried steaks." "I was once a waiter in a restaurant." "One customer, an old German man, always quoted a philosopher:" ""If you go out with women, always take a big stick."" "Not funny." "To the bank." "Incredible." "Even here." "Another terrorist attack." "Quick, turn around." "We're going to be late." "You're in there." "See you in Madrid." "Yes." "Thank you." "Good morning, madam." "Good morning." "Excuse me, but are you going to Paris?" "I am." "I think we may be neighbors." "I've often seen you in the street." "I Iive on Rue Rembrandt, near the park." " I'm on Rue Murillo." " Close indeed." "It's a Iong train ride." "But I'm so neurotic, I just can't bear airplanes." "Besides, nowadays you might board a plane for Brussels, and because of two young hijackers, you find yourself in the desert." "Excuse me, I think you're in my seat." " Oh, I'm sorry." " Stay there if you prefer." "It won't disturb you?" "You see, I must ride facing forwards, or I get a stomach ache." "Are you going to Paris?" " Yes, with my daughter." " Me, too." "Didn't we meet in my cousin's office at the Palace of Justice?" "Quite possible, I'm a magistrate." "What is your cousin's name?" "Foucade." "Edouard Foucade." "I know him very well." "A remarkable mind!" "I'm Vincent d'Olargues." "I'm Mathieu Fabert." "He has often spoken of you." "Thank you." "Good morning." "No, no." "Thank you." "You needn't bother." "Are you French too, monsieur?" "Yes." "I Iive in Paris." "Didn't I see you at the bullfight?" "Yes." "Impossible to mistake me for someone else." " Do you want the paper?" " Thank you, I've already read it." "We're three minutes late." "As usual." "You can't leave like this!" "You don't understand!" "Please don't go!" "I implore you!" "Thanks." "Would you Iike something to read?" "Are you going directly to Paris?" "No, I think I may stay a few days in Madrid." "Mister, why did you throw water on the lady?" "Be quiet, Isabelle!" "It's impolite to ask people questions." "Not at all, madam." "Let her ask." "After all, it's not what you'd call a common act." "Isn't that right, Mr. d'Olargues?" "No, well, I must say..." "Indeed, it's not a very common act." "It is not illegal, but..." "Let me assure you that I am not a madman." "You have nothing to fear." "I don't wish to appear indiscreet." "However, I'd give anything to know the reason for your gesture." "You're a curious man." "I'm a professor of psychology." "Do you teach at the Sorbonne?" "No, I only give private lessons." "I understand." "Monsieur Fabert, you appear to be a normal man." "Your cousin is a friend of mine." "I'm sure there's an explanation for the way you behaved." "You agree it was better to drench her than to kill her." "Doubtless." "That woman is the foulest woman who ever lived." "My only consolation is that when she dies," "God will not forgive her." "Personally, I find your case quite interesting." "So do I." "If you Iike, I can try to tell you what happened." "They were trying a group of terrorists." "I forget their name." "I had gone to wait for my cousin, as I quite often do, after the session." " Good morning." "How are things?" " AII right." " Would you Iike some coffee, sir?" " No, thank you, dear." "Were they sentenced to die?" "Bah!" "No." "The priest got 8 years, and the others, three." "But in my opinion, the jury had been threatened." " By whom?" " The R.A.O.I.J., obviously." "The R.A.O.I.J.?" "R-A-O-I-J." "The Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus." "Oh, yes." "The ones who attacked that church." "Exactly!" "Fifteen people died." "Say, are we Iunching at your place?" " Everything's ready." " Let's go, then." " Hello, Martin." " Good afternoon, Mr. Foucade." "Well, what's on the menu?" " First, a truffle omelette." " Excellent!" "And then, chicken with lobster sauce." "I know I'm going to enjoy that." "May I go have a look in the kitchen?" "I'll go with you." " Good afternoon, sir." " Good afternoon." "Are you the new chambermaid?" "Yes, sir." "I was hired this morning." " What's your name?" " Conchita." " Are you Spanish?" " Yes, sir." " Have you lived in France long?" " For ten years." "Excuse me." "It was quite obvious to me she had no experience as a maid." "I bet that new maid is the same girl that you showered with water." "Yes." "You're right." "How astute!" "It was easy." "A five-year-old child would have guessed it." "Terrorists today are thrilled by danger." "Some of them have political motives, but most of them love the adventure." "Soon we'll be reading about them in the sports pages." "No, no..." "The red wine goes in the other glass." "It's all right, miss." "Thank you." "I'm sorry." "I'm still learning." "The anarchists of the 30s had ideals, at Ieast." "With a few rusty revolvers, they terrorized Paris for days." "They were self-sacrificing!" "Yes, but they were still gangsters." "Thank you." "I guarantee you she's never worked with her hands." "They're so delicate!" "You called, sir?" "Yes." "Tell Conchita to bring me some Chartreuse liqueur." "The yellow or the green?" "Green." "It's more stimulating." "And slightly aphrodisiac..." " You're very knowledgeable." " Thank you, sir." "Yes?" " Good night, sir." " No, wait a second..." "Shut the door." "Come here." "Don't be afraid." "I wanted to ask you, what did you do before?" "I worked in an office." "Then as a hat-check girl in a bar." " But I quit." " Why?" "I hated the atmosphere." "I was raised the old-fashioned way." "I'll turn down the bed." "Where are you from?" "From Andalusia." "Seville." "Ah, Andalusia is beautiful." "What does your father do?" "He's dead." "Come here." "I have no intention of treating you Iike a common servant." "It's obvious you're not really a maid." "Please sit down." " Does your mother live in Paris?" " Yes, in the suburbs." "I sometimes feel so lost in this country." "I can't get used to it." "Why?" "Everything... the city, what goes on here." " Besides, I don't like to work." " Oh, really?" "I work to help my mother, who spends all day in church." "Otherwise..." "As for myself, the only thing I Iove is dancing." "You're a dancer?" "You can't make a living that way." " How old are you?" " Eighteen." "What do you think of me?" "I hardly know you." "Your hair is like silk." "You think so?" "I have to go to bed now." "Wait a second!" "I have something serious to tell you." "But where is Conchita?" "She's gone, sir." "Gone?" "What do you mean?" "She left early this morning, with no explanation." " Do you have her address?" " No, sir." " Why not?" " I found her through a newspaper ad." "She came to the house." "Thank you." "Too bad." "What happened next?" " Are you sure I'm not boring you?" " Quite the contrary." "Well, about three months later, I went to Switzerland on business." "I stayed in a Iittle hotel where I sometimes reside..." " Have you got a match?" " Certainly." "No, I want money instead." "But I haven't any." "We need money urgently." "Here." "No, only 800 francs." "800 francs?" "Here." " Good morning, sir." "Your papers..." " Thank you." "Thank you." " Good morning." " Hello." "What are you doing here?" " I'm bringing back your 800 francs." " What?" "Those young men are my friends." "We were on tour, and our agent ran away with our money." " Keep it." " No." "Yes, yes." "It's all yours." "I promise to pay it back." " Why did you run away?" " Because of you." "You were getting too affectionate, so I preferred to leave." "I'll be here for a few more days." "Would you stay with me?" " I'd Iike to, but I must go home." " So soon?" "Yes." "My mother's waiting, and she has no money." "So I must go." "Thank you." " Where do you live in Paris?" " 56 Rue Louis-Blanc, Courbevoie." "Excuse me, madam." "Do two Spanish ladies live here?" "That door, there." "Yes?" "Is Conchita here?" "Ah, yes..." "Conchita!" "Ah, good morning." "Come in." "This is the gentleman who lent the money to us." "I'm not disturbing you?" "Not at all." "On the contrary." " May I take your coat?" " Thank you." " Would you Iike a cup of coffee?" " Very much, thank you." " How are you, Conchita?" " I'm fine." "So I see." "Sir, as soon as I can, I'll repay you for Conchita's ticket." "The others promised to repay you, too." "Unfortunately, right now, I've no money, and neither do they." "There's no hurry." " Was your trip home pleasant?" " Yes, thanks to you." "I'm very grateful to you." "Don't mention it." "It was a pleasant hold-up." "Is that your father?" "Yes." "He died six years ago." "He committed suicide." "How awful." "He was a fine man, but he left us only debts." "I have no widow's pension." "Nothing." "And I've no profession." "It's the problem of all women with a certain education." "She spends all her time in church." "I have to pray for the poor soul of my husband, don't I?" "I was offered a job as a caretaker, but I'm too proud for that." "I'd rather kneel down and pray than kneel down and scrub floors." "My daughter helps out, but I don't want her to work." "Why not?" "Because of the awful things you see today." "If my daughter lacked sense, she'd have left long ago." "But don't worry about your money, sir." "I'll repay it as soon as I can." "It's of no consequence, madam." "And if you're a bit short at the moment, please accept this." "You have a good heart, sir." "These are hard times for us." "I'm happy to help you." "I have to go out now." "Thank you again, sir." "You may stay, if you wish." "Goodbye, madam." "You're not afraid of me anymore?" "Come with me." "I'm not that kind of girl." "If that's what you want from me, then you'd better go." "I understand very well." "Aside from dancing, you do nothing else?" "I despise sewing." "I can't cook." "What else can I do?" "Don't you ever go out?" "It's stupid to walk the streets if you've nothing to buy." "I'd rather stay in bed." "Please hand me that box on the mantel." "Want a piece of candy?" "Yes." "You may not believe me, but I was fascinated." " I kept going back for a month." " Really?" "I visited her nearly every day." " You don't say!" " Let's wait a moment." "Ah, it's you." "Bravo, Conchita." "Why, you're perspiring." "We've been at it for half an hour." "Come here." "I brought some coffee and biscuits." "How nice." " Good morning, señor." " Good morning." "My friend, EI Morenito." "I believe we've met before." "Yes, we met in Lausanne." "Hasta mañana." "Bye, Conchita." "Goodbye, señor." "We're rehearsing." "I worked up such a sweat." "Excuse me." " Isn't your mother home?" " No." "This is for you." "What is it?" "Would you open it?" "Oh!" "How lovely!" "You must give it to my mother." "She'll love it." "Conchita, I feel so good when I'm with you." "Come sit down, I'll sing you a song." " Here?" " Yes." "Over here." " Did you understand?" " No." "Sit down here." "The words say:" ""Is anyone listening?" " No." ""Can I ask you a question?" " Yes." ""Have you another lover?" " No." ""Do you love me?" " Yes."" "Is it true?" "It's just a song." "I didn't write the words." "I think of you constantly." "Me, too." "Conchita!" "What are you doing?" "What's the matter with you?" "But Conchita, you're the one who sat down on my lap!" "You even gave me a kiss." "I kissed you because you're terribly kind." "You kiss me without loving me." "Me?" "I know very well what you want." "I just amuse you." "A passing fancy." "And that's all." "Conchita!" "Do as you please with other girls." "I'll give you some names, if you Iike." "But I'm different." "I want something else entirely." "Tell me." "Remember the first time I saw you?" "Do you remember?" "What fascinated me were your eyes." "I knew you were kind!" "I was sure I could trust you." "Every day I ask myself, what can I do for her?" "And all I can think of is this." "Good morning." "Have you been here long?" "Scarcely five minutes." " How are you, madam?" " Please stay seated." "Oh, what is all this?" "More good coffee, and cakes too." "You're really spoiling us." "Well, I'll go prepare all this." "Two women alone are so exposed!" "My daughter and I would be rich, if we had followed wicked ways." "But one thing is sure." "Sin has never spent the night here." "Our souls are as righteous as Saint John's finger." "To tell the truth, I'm glad Conchita doesn't have to work." "Why is that?" "The awful things you hear in the streets!" "Girls lose their honor by listening to women, not by listening to men." "The rosary may be in their hands, but the devil is under their skirts." "Come over here." " Do you have a lover?" " No." " Are you sure?" " Quite sure." "But why are you this way?" " Are you afraid to sin?" " No." "I'm not religious." "Maybe you're frigid, then?" "No." "I haven't got a clue." " If you have a reason, tell me." " I knew you wouldn't guess." "But what?" "I am mozita." " Mozita?" " Yes." "What does that mean?" "That I've never made love with any man." "Excuse me, madam." "Mr. Fabert would Iike to see you." "See you back home." " He's waiting for you now." " Very well." "Yes?" " Sir, that lady is here." " Show her in." "How are you, madam?" "Please have a seat." "There." " I believe you know me well now." " Yes, sir." "And I'm sure of one thing, madam." "I Iove your daughter." "Very much." "I would Iike to spend my Iife with her, do you understand?" "You want to marry her?" "For the moment, it's impossible." "Maybe later." "But here is what I'm proposing." " Sir?" " Look over there." "She and I would live together here." "I'll do everything I can for her." "Understand?" "Yes, I do." "That's the end of them scurrying all over the house." "Of course, I'll take care of you, too." "Neither of you will ever have to work." "Please take this, for now." "Thank you." " But I'll be counting on you." " Yes?" "I want you to help me." "I want you to bring her here." "Will you do that?" " Yes, I can." " In two days, at 5 p.m." "Bring her here." "Reassure her." " Tell her I'm sincere." " Very well." " I'm counting on you." " Goodbye." " Whose is that?" " Mine, sir." "Why's it here?" "I thought I'd lend it to the young lady." "She might enjoy it..." "No, no." "Take it back." "Wait!" "That'll be her." "Oh, you again?" "Come in." "Well, what is it?" "A letter for you, señor." " Thank you." " Goodbye, señor." "I wanted to give myself to you." "You wanted to buy me from my mother." "I will never see you again." "Conchita." "Stop the work, Martin." "It's pointless now." "That's not surprising, sir." "Why?" "You must never expect anything from the first rendez-vous." "Why not?" "They don't show up." "Conchita!" "Concierge!" " Have they left?" " Yes." "This morning." "Alone?" "Yes." "I think they were alone." "Did they leave a message?" "Not that I know of." "Will they come back?" "I doubt it." "But they'll have to come back and fetch the furniture." "No, it was a furnished apartment." "They took all their belongings." " I can't help you..." " Thank you." "Thank you." "And now what are you going to do?" "Well, answer me." "Nothing." "I don't want anything." "Pull yourself together." "Travel!" "I've never seen you this way." "These last two months have been disastrous." "Find another girl." "There are plenty around." "I don't want to." "I respect love too much to go seeking it in back streets." "I've almost never made love to a woman" "I didn't love passionately." "The others..." "I can count them on my fingers." "Waiter, come here, please." "A fly!" "I've been after that one for days." "And it had to fall in your glass!" "I'll change it." "One fly less." "If she came back to me now, I wouldn't ask her for anything." "I'd lie next to her, motionless, for as long as I could." "Perhaps all she wanted was your money." "No." "If that were it, she could've taken me for a good deal more, as she knew." "Let's have some lunch." "No, no." "It's on me." "Thank you." "My hat, please." "Pardon me, miss." "Haven't we met before?" "I believe we have, sir." "See you tomorrow?" " What do you mean?" " See you tomorrow, for lunch." " What's the matter?" " Goodbye, miss." "Conchita!" "You work here?" "I just arrived." "I begin at twelve." "I didn't know you worked here." "I started four days ago." "Why did you move away so suddenly, without leaving an address?" "Or any message for me?" " You know very well." " No, you must explain why." "There's nothing to explain." "Excuse me." "Pardon me, sir." "You mustn't chat with the clients." "This is your final warning." "You are here to look after the coats." "I don't want you chatting with clients." " There!" "I'm free." " What do you mean?" "I just quit my job here." "Wonderful." " Shall we have a drink?" " Where?" " Here." " Let's go." "Why did you make that offer to my mother?" "You know what." "You wanted her to bring me to you." "You tried to buy me, as if I were a piece of furniture." "And I was just about to give myself." "Why did you react so stupidly?" "You could've come and told me that you couldn't be bought!" "Instead of that, you went away." "If you had told me, "This is what I want,"" "I would gladly have given it to you." "Let's sit down." "Where were you?" "What did you live on?" "I found some work as a model for a magazine." "A friend of ours took us in for a while, and we had your money." "And after that?" "After that?" "Did you think we'd starve without you?" "I don't want your money." "I don't need a Iot of money." "I'm not Iike you." "Waiter..." " What would you Iike?" " A cup of coffee." "Brandy, for me." " We won't serve her." " Why not?" "I'm sorry, sir." "Let's go elsewhere." "It's funny." "I've been furious with you for the past two months." "But now that you're here, I feel wonderful." "I have a big house in the country." "I'd Iike to take you there someday." " Where is your house?" " Not far from Paris, but I hardly ever go there." "Mathieu..." "I'll be your mistress in that house." "When?" "Today?" "The day after tomorrow." "What's happened?" "A power failure?" "Yes, sir." "The power plant at Juvisy blew up." " An accident?" " No, it was sabotage." " Good evening, Adrienne." " Good evening, sir." "And madam." "I lit a few candles." "I hope that'll do." "Certainly." " Shall I prepare a Iittle dinner?" " No, thanks." "We dined on the way." "Is the room ready?" "It is, sir." "Put them there, André." " Good night, sir." " You don't need anything else?" "No, thank you." "Good night." "Who is that?" "It's a picture of my wife." " I didn't know..." " Yes, she died seven years ago." "I Ioved her very much." " And she slept in here?" " Of course." "Then I won't." "Not here." "Conchita..." " Is there another room?" " Yes, but it's not made up." "Then have someone make it up." "Very well." "Adrienne!" "Yes, sir?" "Make up the back room." "Right away, sir." "Conchita, did you tell your mother you were going away with me?" "No." "Why?" "She might worry, or get angry." "My mother?" "If she saw me whoring in the street, she'd say, "How cute she is!"" " Sir?" " Yes?" "The room'll be ready in 5 minutes." "Don't your mother's feelings count?" "No." "Not at all." "I raised myself all alone, and I do whatever I please, all day long." "Ah, Mateo... mi amor." "I think I'm going to faint." "Sit down, darling." "Sit down here." "I Iove you, but I feel very weak." "Lie down." "Do you want some water?" "No, stay close to me." " Will you love me for a Iong time?" " Of course." "Even when I'm very, very old?" "Will you still love me then?" "Tell me you will, even if it's untrue." "I need to hear it." "I'll love you until the end." "I'll never love anyone else." "Only you." "If you leave me, I'll die." "Mateo, I know I promised for tonight, but I think I'm too weak just yet." "The room is ready, sir." "I'll take the suitcases." "Come." "Good night." "Good night, Adrienne." "Thank you." "Take that off." " Is there a place I can undress?" " Over there." "Conchita!" "Yes, I'm coming." "The window." " What about it?" " Close the window." " But nobody can see us here." " It doesn't matter." "Look how lovely I am..." " Do you love me?" " Oh, yes." " Do you want me?" " Yes, why do you ask?" "No, not just yet." "I'm not in the mood right now." " You're not in the mood?" " I'm sorry, not now." "This has gone on too long." "I've had enough." "I've been as patient as any man could be." " I made no promise." " What?" "I owe you nothing." "Nothing at all." "Be careful, Conchita." "I may get tired of the way you play with me..." "I won't put up with your airs forever." "Oh, you won't?" "I won't make love with you tonight, Mathieu." "Or tomorrow night." "That's enough." "Take off that nightgown." "Put out the candles!" "Please." "Come in my arms." "Don't be afraid." "Oh, my Conchita!" "You've made me wait so long." "Don't celebrate your victory too soon." "Your skin is so soft..." "And your breasts..." "Why, what's that?" "What?" "What I feel here..." "What are you wearing?" " Take that off!" " No." "I'll rip it off, I tell you." "Leave me alone." "You'll never get it off me." "For God's sake!" "What on earth is it?" "Leave me alone!" "I struggled with it for ten minutes." "I was raging mad." "There were so many knots." "And Conchita was fighting back." "It was hopeless." "Impossible to get that thing off." "Isabelle, go play in the corridor." "But I want to listen." "I told you to go play." "I think I was discreet enough." "Nothing in my description could..." "No, of course not." "But children nowadays..." "Please..." "Will you go on?" "Mathieu, I don't like being cruel." "You want the one thing I refuse to give you." "Just wait a while longer, that's all." "I'm sure it'll happen soon." "Little by little." "You know I'm yours and yours alone." "What more do you want?" "Say..." "Do you want me to come live with you?" "Miss?" "Thanks." "Keep the change." " Already ten minutes late!" " She's visiting her mother." "How are things with the mother?" "I send her a Iittle money..." "And I avoid seeing her!" " So, are you happy now?" " No." "I want to make love with her." "But her presence is fulfilling." "I ask for nothing more." " You couldn't live without her?" " No." "Everyone knows you live together." "Why not marry her?" "If we got married, I'd be surrendering my last weapon." "Oh, hello, Conchita!" "Hello, dear." "Please sit down." "Tell me what's new." "Everything's fine." "Sir, the young lady is here." "How nice to see you again, miss." "May I offer you some champagne?" " No." " Excuse me." "I wish you'd buy me a movie camera." "AII right, we'll go get one later." " Tell me one thing." " Yes?" " Why is sex so important to you?" " I want to be closer to you." " Because I Iove you." " I Iove you, too." "But I have no desire to make love with you." "When we're together, I let you hold me." "I caress you..." "You have my legs, my mouth, my breasts..." " Why must we make love?" " Because it's natural." "It's a normal thing for lovers to do." "In other words, I'm abnormal." "Come." "Let's go." "Terrorists blow up the hijacked jet, 290 die" "Wait." "I'll brush my teeth and come to bed." "You aren't too tired?" "No, on the contrary." "I feel great!" "We'll see about that." "Come quickly." "You haven't forgotten?" "I haven't forgotten." " I won't try anything." " Promise?" " Of course." " Otherwise, I'll leave right now." "Come here." "Must I wait much longer?" "If I gave you what you want, you wouldn't love me." "You only stay with me for my money." "You love luxury, that's all." "I don't care about money." "If I need money, I can get it myself." "Maybe I'm too old for you." "Too old?" "On the contrary." "I detest young men." "They're all idiots." "I Iove men with experience." "Like you." "But, Conchita." "What?" "There are many ways to give a man pleasure..." " What do you mean?" " ...and remain a virgin." "Oh, no!" "What do you think I am?" "What if I die before you do?" "Impossible..." "Why not?" "I may have a weak heart." "Don't be silly!" "Anyway, watch out!" "If you love another woman," "I'll come haunt you every night." "What was that?" " Do you see anything?" " Not really." "A wrecked car, and a man lying on the ground." "Come away from the window!" " Why, what is it?" " Terrorists, or gangsters..." " We'll know tomorrow." " It frightened me." "Now I don't want to stay." "You stayed longer yesterday." "That was yesterday." "Today is today!" "Give me time to get used to you." "No." "Go away!" "Conchita!" "Open the door." "Open the door, I say!" "I can't." "I'm drying myself." "Just a minute." "What are you doing here?" "I asked him in." "He's been thrown out of his hotel." "He's slept here for three nights." "But don't worry, we sleep back to back." "Exactly as I do with you." " Get out!" " Let him stay." "Out!" "Get the hell out!" "I said to let him stay!" "Take your things." "I always knew that deep down, you were heartless." "If he goes, I'm leaving too." "Fine!" "Good riddance!" "Get out, both of you." "If you're not gone in ten minutes, I'm calling the police." "See you downstairs." "I've had enough of you, too." "Ten minutes, you hear?" "I'll be gone before then, and gladly!" "But don't ever beg me to come back." "May God hear you!" "I never want to see you again, you hear?" "Never!" "I can't stand it." "I must see her again someday." " How humiliating!" " I don't care." "I can't sleep at night, I can't think." "Give me an idea!" "I told you." "Take a trip..." "Go to Brazil, or China." "Anywhere!" "I just want someone to keep me from seeing her." "You, for example." "Me?" "There's nothing you can do?" "Even if I succeeded, you'd be sure to blame me for it." " Are you certain?" " Absolutely certain." "I'll try." "Yes?" "Coming..." " Who's there?" " Police!" "Open up." "Don't be afraid." "We're friendly." " May I?" " Yes..." "Come here, please." " Is your name Encarnación Pérez?" " Yes, sir." " Your daughter, Concepción?" " Yes, sir." " You have 24 hours to leave France." " What?" "The police have issued this warrant for your expulsion." "But what have we done?" "It's none of my business." "I just follow orders." "There." "You have until tomorrow morning." "Will you be gone long, sir?" "I don't know." "Perhaps a week, perhaps a year or two." "Anyway, you'll be with me, Martin." " Where are you going?" " We're about to find out." "I'll close my eyes, and you spin me around two or three times." " Where is the map?" " Right in front of you, sir." "Singapore!" "Very well, prepare our luggage." " What's the weather like there?" " What the hell do you care?" "What will we be doing at 3 p.m.?" "Taking a nap." " And you never went to Singapore." " No..." " You went to Seville." " Astounding!" "Why, no." "You knew that she was from Seville." "You simply changed your mind." "It's quite human." "At the subconscious level, there's no such thing as chance." "Ah yes." "I did go to Seville." " At your disposal, sir." " I'm coming right now." "Beautiful, isn't it?" "I know very little about architecture." " By the way, Martin..." " Sir?" "You've been my butler for several years." "Yet I know very little about you..." "Your private life, I mean." "There's nothing to know, sir." "What do you think of women?" "My thoughts are worthless." "Thank you." "I'm interested in your opinion." "Well, I do have a friend who, although he is very fond of women, claims they are sacks of excrement." " How could you say that?" " I didn't say it." "He did." "Take the evening off, Martin." "I'm going out tonight." "Good evening." "You forgot the sack, sir." "I'll take it later." "Mathieu!" "I can't believe it!" "Is that you?" "What luck to find you here!" "It's incredible." "Did you know I was here?" "I've missed you so much..." "I thought you didn't love me anymore." "Look at you!" "Don Mateo!" " Have you been here long?" " Just a few days." "Life is so mysterious." "Did you know we were deported?" " Deported?" " Yes!" "By the police." "For no reason." "It was terrible, and we were penniless." " Fortunately, Conchita found work." " Mathieu!" "Well, I'll go." "You two must have time to talk." "See you soon, Don Mateo." "Mathieu..." " Where do you live?" " I rented a house." "You were so cruel, throwing us out in the middle of the night." " So you found a job?" " Yes." "Here." "Right down the street, at a night club called EI Gurugu." "You must come see me dance." "Tonight." " Yes." " You will come, won't you?" "Mi amor... mi alma..." " Give me your lips!" " Despues." " What?" " After." "For now, all I can give you is this." " You like this life?" " Very much." "Anyway, it's all I have." "What if I offer to let you come and live with me?" " Do you mean it?" " Yes." "I'd accept immediately." "I'm so happy you've come back." "I used to be suspicious of you." "But I've changed a Iot." "I'm not the same woman." "You'll see." "I know, I used to be a Iittle capricious." "I know!" "But I'm much calmer now." "Me too." "I've had time to think." "You must come see me dance every night." "From now on, we'll be inseparable." " Diez y seis..." " I'm going, I'm going." "Where?" "I have to go upstairs and rest." "Those are the rules." "Otherwise, we look tired." "Wait for me." " Don Mateo?" " Yes?" "Conchita told me so much about you." " Nice to meet you." "Please sit down." " Thank you." " Would you Iike a drink?" " No, thanks." " You're a friend of Conchita?" " I Iove her." "She's an angel." "You're not as old as she says." "Ah, she says I'm old." "She also says that you're a very kind man." "And perhaps a Iittle naive." "I suppose she told you that she went up to rest." "Yes." "I hope she rests well." " Why are you laughing?" " I find you funny." "Why is that?" "Would you Iike to know how she's resting?" "Go upstairs and down the hall, and you'll find the "rest room"." "What are you doing here?" "Get out, all of you!" "Get out, I said." "You get out too." "Come with me!" "I'm not leaving." "Don't touch me." "So?" "What are you going to say this time?" "You're such a good liar." "Look at what you've done!" "You made a scene!" "Shut up!" "I may lose my job because of you, and you're angry at me!" "Imbecile!" "You're an imbecile." " So you're a stripper?" " Yes!" "You knew that." "Everyone knows the women dance naked for the tourists." "And you say you didn't know." "No, I didn't." "Idiot!" "In a jealous rage..." "Why are you so jealous?" "You aren't my father or my lover." "If there's someone else, tell me." "I'll leave Seville tomorrow." "I belong to no one, and I'm my most precious possession, Mateo." " And those men?" " I don't even know them." "They came with their guide, and they'll go to Tangiers tomorrow." "Does this look like a bedroom?" "See a bed anywhere?" "I can't go on living this way." "You must tell me the truth." "Even if it's for the Iast time." "If you stay another day in this awful place, it's finished between us." "You've never understood me." "You think you've been pursuing me for the past year." "It's the opposite." "I'm the one who loves and pursues you!" "I've never loved anyone but you." "You're such a handsome man." "Your eyes are gentle and bright." "How many nights have I thought of your eyes!" "I was crazy." "I want to be happy, and I know you can make me happy." "I'll give you anything." "Just ask me for it." "I don't want much, you know..." "A little house, all my own, and a bit of money if I give up dancing." " In Seville." " Yes." "It's yours." "When you want." "AII I can do is love you madly, and keep myself intact for you." "Conchita!" "Yes, Mateo." "You look beautiful today." "Oh, I'm so very happy." "Here." "This is your key now." "Are you afraid of burglars?" "I'm not afraid of anyone, not even you, Mateo." "Come see upstairs." "Which room will your mother live in?" "My mother?" "She'll never live here." "Just you and me." "Take this, too." " What is it?" " The deed to the property." "Oh, Mateo!" "This is all I wanted." "Now nothing separates us." "I want you to visit me secretly, at midnight." "Tonight?" "What?" "No." "Tomorrow night." "At midnight." "But, Conchita..." "Good evening, Conchita." "Good evening, Mateo." "You're right on time." "I was expecting you." "Kiss my hand." "Kiss the hem of my dress, and my foot." "That's it." "Good." "Now go away." "What did you say?" "I said, now go away!" " You're laughing?" " You're so funny!" "It's too much to bear!" "Look how happy I am, Mateo." "Conchita!" "Now I'm free of you." "Free of you, forever." "Understand?" "Open up!" "Try using your teeth." "Stay another minute." "I have more to say to you." "Mateo..." "I loathe your presence!" "When you touch my skin, I feel like vomiting!" "Get it?" "I tried to escape you, but you caught up with me." "You and your grasping arms, and your puckered lips!" "You'll never know how I felt when you forced me into your bed." "I spit your kisses out of my mouth." "I prayed God for you to die... after I'd gotten all your money." "There!" "I've said it all." "You may go." "Go on!" "Leave!" "Get out of here!" "You don't want to go?" "AII right." "Stay and watch." "Morenito!" "Here's the man I Iove!" "He's handsome, isn't he?" "And young." "Help me with this." "Want to stay?" "If you want to watch, go ahead." "Oh, I knew you'd be back." "Good night." "It's my guitar." "I play for people I Iike." "No, thank you." "Turn off the radio." "After what happened last night, I came to see how you had died." "Already cold." "I thought you loved me enough to commit suicide." "I have something to tell you, but not here." "Mateo..." "I want to explain what happened last night." "Where are you going?" "Mateo, you don't understand women." "You think that because you gave me a house, you own me." "No, you don't." "Will you listen?" "You'll never have me." "Listen!" "We staged that scene last night." "Listen to me!" "EI Morenito isn't my lover." "He doesn't like women, you know?" "It was a big act, that's all." "But now..." "Now I know you love me." "Mateo, I'm still a virgin." "Yes." " Que pasa?" " They're having a fight." " Que dicue?" " Que se disputan." "Ah, they're fighting!" "Here..." "Here's the key." "It's yours." "So you can come whenever you want." "You will agree that she deserved the little punishment I gave her." "That happened yesterday morning." "And now it's over." "That's the whole story." "You can see why I spoke of killing her." "Certainly." "Here is a report on an unusual alliance." "Several well-known leftist extremist organizations, such as the P.O.P., the G.R.I.F., and the O.U.T., have joined forces to create a wave of terrorist attacks led by the R.A.O.I.J., or Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus." "The aim of this wave of senseless and unpredictable bombings is to cause total confusion." "Reportedly, rightist extremist groups like the P.A.F. and S.T.I.C." "will respond to the challenge by taking violent action as well, affiliating themselves with this ultimate subversive operation." "The Archbishop of Sienna is still in a coma." "In the attack last week, he was hit in the carotid artery." "He was tracheotomized, but..." "Come see." "He may linger between life and death for months." "The Roman Curia lodged an official objection, which was quite effective." "The Communist Party issued a statement condemning terrorism." "To get our minds off these problems, here's a Iittle music."