"MAYA based on the play by Simon Gantillon" "A film by Raymond Bernard" "Still thick with fog." "In 4 hours we've done less than 10 miles." "It's not a cargo but a no-go ship." "You'd rather we hit an iceberg adrift?" "There's ice floes abeam, you know." "Look at those luxury North-Atlantic liners." "Those huge things couldn't give a damn if they scraped against us." "A fine mess with the nitrate we're carrying." "North by West." "Give the position every 30 seconds." "On you go." "Can I take over, Captain?" "No." "Bloody fog." "It's even seeped into the engines." "At this pace we'll never get there." "Rotten weather." "Who's offended the good Lord?" "He's too old, the good Lord." "Need a new one." "There's something to be said for working in customs." "Once I get back on dry land you won't see me rushing back to sea." "For a little house in the country." "8 weeks without seeing a new face." "To think some people dream of going to sea." "What's wrong with you grumpy lot?" "This is tramping, not a pleasure cruise." "I know what tramping's about you carry all sorts of things to all sorts of places and you never know where you're going to." "With this nitrate, we'll be sent to the far end of the port to unload it, because of the danger unless we're rerouted again and have to go for miles to find a bottle and a girl..." "What a pea-souper." "You could practically eat it." "That would be a nice change." "I'd rather have some nice tender flesh." "We're here." "You lout." "Let me sleep." "I was having such a good dream." "Was she brunette or blonde?" "Leave me alone." "D'you understand?" "Calm down, calm down." "Ah... bring on the babes." "I like redheads, they smell nice..." "I like them slender and pale." "Enough to really hold..." "The important thing is to find pleasure in any girl..." "Anyway, we're still here." "Damn job." "Hey Jack." "What's up?" "Why have you slowed down?" "He's dreaming of a girl..." "Shut up about such talk here." "We're already boiling hot." "Go on." "Go on." "Get a move on." "The engine won't wait." "You can rest to the port, mate." "I know how I'll rest: in bed with a pretty girl." "What is it?" "I don't know." "He's deciphering it." "Due South, turn to the starboard." "Don't you understand?" "Yes, Captain, due South, turning to the starboard." "Sound the signal." "Lieutenant." "Half-speed." "We're changing course." "How can you tell?" "Can't you feel the cargo settling on the starboard?" "No, no, we've changed course." "Due South." "We've rerouted." "Due South, mate." "Back to the sun." "Good news, eh?" "Due South, lads." "The ship owner sent a radio message." "Are you joking?" "No joke." "I tell you we're going back." "Due South." "The sun." "Hurrah." "This time it's worth it." "You bastard." "We've changed course, my son." "We're now steering due South." "Excellent." "Dry land again." "We're berthing, we're berthing." "Drop the anchor." "We could be back in..." "20, 22 days, eh?" "18 if we get a move on and don't hang about in Gibraltar." "Hey, guys." "You've heard?" "Hey, it's time to speed up." "Don't you worry about that." "Just try to hold steady on the deck." "From Cape Horn to San Francisco, from Newfoundland to Porto Rico." "See the world." "Hold the helm steady and watch out for the storms." "The girls in port all worship you." "Give them a quick cuddle and show them what a sailor is." "See the world." "Raise anchor, sailor, raise anchor." "You've forgotten it's dinnertime:" "come and get your rations." "We can really stuff ourselves on the rations." "Will you be coming out on the first night?" "No." "Aren't you missing love, Kashmir?" "Love?" "Maya...." "Maya?" "In my country, that means 'illusion'." "When you've got a nice warm girl, that's not an illusion, that's delicious." "Isn't it, guys?" "Oh yeah." "I should say so." "The senses, life, death the earth and the sky..." "All illusion..." "Who are you waiting for?" "You..." "You or another." "Who are you looking for?" "You..." "You or another." "Where have you come from?" "The sea." "What's your name?" "Whatever you'd like to be?" "Who are you?" "Whoever you'd like me to be..." "Come in." "So, don't you find me attractive?" "Why are you looking at me like that?" "Have you lived here long?" "What does that matter to you?" "I'm here now..." "Answer me..." "Nearly three years." "You're not from the country?" "I'm not from anywhere now." "Answer me." "Where are you from?" "You didn't come here to hear about my life, did you?" "Look at me..." "What's got into you?" "Leave me alone." "Look at me." "Don't you recognise me?" "It's Jean." "Does that mean nothing to you?" "Have I changed so much?" "It's because of you, Marie." "Marie?" "I'm not Marie." "Didn't you leave the country 3 years ago with the lorry driver?" "I don't understand what you mean." "Oh, excuse me but..." "No, it can't be mistaken." "I recognise you despite..." "Ah, those black eyes." "I'm not the only girl with black eyes." "Not like those." "Some women have the same voice." "Speak, speak a little." "Just say 'Jean', my name, to see..." "You're getting carried away." "Those eyes." "I won't harm you, but admit it's you." "I am not Marie." "I don't know Marie." "You're hurting me." "Excuse me." "I remind you of a girl back home?" "I thought it was her, her face, her way of..." "Like you just did..." "lifting her head like a lady." "She wasn't made for the rural life." "The land is hard work..." "Marie." "How often I've said that name to myself." "What if she had come back?" "She's have been forgiven..." "We could have lived together." "Instead, I sailed the seas to forget her, but I couldn't..." "For beautiful girls there's a fine line between one path and another..." "Yes." "I realise now that Marie was less..." "Worn?" "Her hair was different, of course..." "Swept across her forehead, braids rolled round the back." "You look too much like her for me to..." "Even if it isn't you, it still is..." "Do you understand?" "Yes, I do." "Goodbye." "Don't you remember?" "The party last spring?" "We danced together..." "She was wearing a flowery dress, all colours of the rainbow." "Oh, I've had enough of these memories." "Sir, I was waiting..." "Waiting for what?" "To go in and see Bella." "Ah, her name's Bella..." "Has she lived here long?" "I don't know." "Has she come from the country?" "Does she get letters from there?" "I don't know." "Hair swept across her forehead, braids rolled round the back..." "Who is it?" "Fifine." "Come in." "Who was that man outside?" "A policeman?" "No, just a sad individual." "What do you want, Fifine?" "Mr Ernest sent me, he wanted to speak to you." "Couldn't Mr Ernest come by himself?" "He said it would be uncomfortable for him." "Of course he would." "I've kicked him out before." "He's waiting for you at the Cape Horn." "He's a leech that man." "Might make sense to keep on his good side..." "Perhaps, yes." "There're 3 new boats in port one Spanish, one Dutch and a liner." "I don't recognise the flag." "Blue, green, red, no matter." "The cargo's always the same." "A luxury liner." "Albert is down at the docks, looking for some work." "I don't think he's looking too hard for it, your Albert." "So you're still eying her up?" "Looks like she's spoken for." "Goodbye baby, we won't be seeing you again." "Are you going to miss her?" "Quiet." "I'll miss her too..." "She was a good tipper." "Quiet." "What else do you expect her to give a steward?" "A tie-pin?" "A night of love?" "Be quiet, you lout." "Oh excuse me." "Sir is completely smitten." "A marchioness." "Good day, Attilio." "How do you do?" "Very well, my Lady." "Did you have a pleasant journey?" "Marvellous." "How beautiful." "Yes, it was a fine car." "I meant the lady." "Look." "My day's work is done." "But there's still luggage on board." "So?" "I'm not a slave." "Anyway, I've had enough of begging." "Fortunately Mr Ernest said he would find something for me." "I'd rather he didn't, Albert." "I don't like that man at all." "A little shrimp like you and you try to give advice." "Mr Ernest pulls notes from his pocket by the fistful." "He looks after his hands, like a woman." "He's a real man." "A man like me." "That's just what you need." "I've heard it all before, Ernest." "You keep coming back to it." "I said no, I mean no." "An intelligent person, and you're intelligent..." "Less of sweet talk." "...always has to abide by the laws of their situation." "In your situation, a woman without a protector is on the fringes of the law." "Who says I don't have one?" "Come on now Bella." "I would know." "Your turn." "But why are you so interested in me?" "First because I like you..." "Less of sweet talk, I said." "...also because I want to widen the scope of my activities." "And your scope of activity would be me?" "Call it a profit-sharing scheme." "What if I would rather stay as I am?" "Would you rather perish in this little backwater?" "Oh, hope, future, such things are not for the likes of us..." "I'm offering you them, I'll take you away from these streets." "And put me where?" "Have you never looked yourself?" "You're beautiful." "What a waste." "It's not normal." "I would even say it's immoral." "Why not - you have the nerve to." "I suppose I do..." "Come on Bella, believe me." "The two of us will go a long way." "I've the experience, the contacts, the reputation, the bank account..." "Give it a rest." "...and you have the eyes, the smile, the style, and the rest." "First rate." "Thank you." "I'm not joking." "Do you realise what that could bring if it were put to best use and managed by me?" "Yes, you'd line your pockets." "Our pockets." "Especially if I choose your clients." "I like you too much not to be terribly particular." "What do you say?" "You're speaking money, Ernest." "What about the heart in all of this?" "I'll give you that as well of course." "Ah, into the bargain." "The trouble is you have no heart..." "Me?" "I'm a great romantic." "Yes, and I'm a virgin." "No, Ernest, listen, if I ever love a man you'll be as stupid as all the others and he'll tire you out completely." "He might try to please me..." "I'd have thought you'd know better." "Come on, pay." "For the honour of your company..." "Waiter." "That's fine, thanks." "Think about it." "All I'm suggesting is that we turn a small business into a larger, better managed one." "I've thought about it." "No, and don't ask again." "You won't get anywhere." "The prettiest's for me." "Hey Kashmir." "I've got her this time, your Maya." "Come on, guys." "Didn't you hear the whistle?" "We can't unload the nitrate without you, can we?" "That wouldn't bother me at all." "But the captain would be angry and you'd soon hear about it." "You bunch of scoundrels." "You're still blind drunk." "Not worth going ashore otherwise." "But you were living it up all night too." "Out on the town- we saw you." "And now you're turning your nose up at it." "Mind your own business." "Was the night sweet for you?" "That's enough." "Get yourself along to the fore with Bernard and Fratello." "You, you and you, to the rear winch." "Everyone else, get the slipway boards ready." "Jump to it." "Get to work." "Come on." "I hope you found a lovely girl like I did." "She was terrific." "I really couldn't care less about your lovely girl." "You're really weighed down." "Oh, that's a heavy one there." "Nails for my rabbit hutches." "That smells nice." "Do you perfume on your rabbits?" "Oh very good." "It's bars of soap for for your wife." "Come on, just say it." "I wish her only well, your wife." "Is it a long way home?" "The mountains." "Ah, the mountains." "Must be stunning up there." "It's like everywhere, fields, forests, meadows..." "Yes, you smelt of hay." "It was nice to breathe that in." "Well, have a good journey." "What's up?" "Aren't you satisfied?" "Oh yes, I should say so." "It's just, you might be able to help me." "I have an errand." "It's hardly pleasant, or straightforward." "Around here?" "." "You do surprise me." "Oh, I didn't come here for pleasure, but you know, I saw you, so..." "That's kind of you." "Now I've still got this errand for my sister-in-law." "Does she raise rabbits too?" "No, she raised a little girl who wasn't hers." "She'd been looking after her for three years." "Three years?" "She was well cared for... pampered." "Sweet little girl, very affectionate." "And then, all of a sudden..." "Dead?" "Yes." "She's being buried tomorrow, I have to let the mother know." "Who is the mother?" "A woman from round here." "Did you know her?" "She never came up to the village." "She can hardly have had the time." "She sent money." "Do you know her name?" "My sister-in-law wrote it on a piece of paper for me." "I've been showing it to people round about but nobody knows who she is." "You ladies are known by your first names, not even your real ones." "Irma, Ida, Lea, something like that." "Now where have I put that blasted piece of paper?" "What... what's the village called?" "Roc-Le-Viel" "I've lost it." "Hold on..." "hold on..." "I remember." "Lucie Martin, Lucie Martin." "Do you know her?" "She's a friend." "I'll let her know." "But be careful, won't you." "It'll come out of the blue." "You have to be prepared for everything." "Well thanks very much." "What about you?" "I didn't even ask your name." "Did I ask yours?" "Please excuse me." "Pretty, isn't it?" "I bought it for my own little girl." "She looks just like she's asleep..." "Could you give another sprig?" "Just for you, Fifine." "That's very kind of you." "I bet the bouquet's for me." "Certainly not." "Bella's lost her little girl who was being brought up by someone else, so I've gathered these to take to her." "Nice of you." "Well she's nice to me." "I'm relaxed with her." "She knows you have feelings for me." "A little kid like you." "With arms like matchsticks." "And feeble little pins." "Then why are you hanging around near my feeble pins?" "Because you're looking for me." "That's what you think." "Thank you, my girl." "Are you collecting for the wreath?" "Yes, my girl." "Here's my contribution, with my condolences." "Thank you, for the little one's sake." "I think it's going to be a big wreath." "Bella will be pleased." "Is she very cut up about it?" "You know Bella, she's so withdrawn." "And the father?" "The father?" "Place your bets." "They start off jostling for position but they hardly fight over the kid." "Hey sailor, what are you looking for?" "Bella." "She's out." "She's busy all day." "Oh, that's too bad." "Goodbye." "I'm at your service." "Why not?" "Bella should stick a sign on her door while she's away." "Saying what?" "Well like you see on shops, 'Closed owing to bereavement'." "No, her clients would think she'd died." "'Close for time off'?" "I know.'No admittance owing to bereavement'." "Excellent." "That's perfect." "I'll write it." "She's coming." "She's coming." "Oh, my poor Bella." "Well, that's life..." "You pay attention to this little shrimp though..." "You, Josette or Marion" " I can fish around the group." "Albert, why are you so mean to me?" "Because you don't defend yourself." "I do against some people." "You're too much of a wet fish." "I'm not a wet fish." "It's just that I can't get annoyed with you." "Why?" "Tell me why?" "You know why." "No, I don't." "You refuse me anything I ask for." "You ask for too much." "What if I asked for the bouquet?" "No, Albert." "It's for Bella" "You see?" "Do you want it?" "No, I want you to give it to me, that's all." "Hadn't you seen her since?" "Not since the day she was born." "Don't you know whose she was?" "She was mine." "Did she look like you?" "She must have looked like everyone." "Of course." "In any case, Bella, you'll have a lovely wreath to take for her." "The whole street's chipped in." "That's very kind of you." "I must get ready." "Here's your skirt." "No entry." "It's written..." "It's Fifine." "I'm pleased you came." "Here's your jacket." "It's all I was able to find in black in second-hand shop." "That jacket's too big for you." "You can't go out in that in daylight." "The moths have left you only half of it." "Did you think to get a hat?" "The hat's a bit shabby too." "Try it all the same, it'll look more respectable." "It must be ten years since it was in fashion." "It's too small." "Then that will cancel out the jacket." "Perhaps if you tucked your hair up underneath it..." "I don't care about my hair." "Like that." "No forward a bit." "No, back a bit." "Over to the left." "Over to the right." "There." "Are you trying to frighten the birds?" "To think that some women won't leave the house without a hat." "No." "I'll wear it to the church and the cem..." "Oh, it's difficult to look like a respectable woman." "What are you going to do?" "I don't know." "Leave me alone, let me think..." "Well, try not to miss the train." "What time did they say?" "Half-past three." "Well, fun's over, let's go girls." "I'd better get a move on." "Is there anything I can do?" "Look." "Something else." "I haven't got decent shoes." "I'll be in real bother on gravel tracks with these heels..." "Do you want me to go and buy you some?" "No, Fifine." "Everything's against me, nothing's going right." "If only I did something other than..." "But doesn't it upset you to let her die all alone?" "She's managed without me for three years now, so..." "Yes, I will go." "I'll go as I am." "You're coming too" " Come on." "To the country." "Oh, sorry, I mean..." "Yes, the country." "The top doesn't fit, who gives it a damn." "The hat, the ugly coat, the shoes, who gives it a damn." "Blast." "We're getting off to a great start..." "We should have taken the tram." "You didn't know which one." "And asking for a ticket, paying, with all these people around..." "As long as we get there on time." "Excuse me, Sir, could you tell me the time?" "Of course." "It's 3.05..." "Can I do anything else for you?" "We can hurry." "Is your lover waiting for you?" "Any chance I can offer you a drink?" "It's hardly a good time." "It's always a good time to court a pretty girl..." "Come back tomorrow, I'm on holiday today." "The wreath." "I've forgotten it." "Oh, of course, the wreath." "Poor child." "No father, no mother, no flowers." "But I can't turn up empty-handed." "Could you put these roses in it too?" "Picking your wedding bouquet, Bella?" "Are you getting married?" "In those old clothes?" "Can't I buy flowers?" "And those carnations too, please." "All white for innocence." "It suits you." "Hurry up." "The train." "Are you away for long?" "Where are you going?" "None of your business." "Here, Fifine, go and get the tickets." "The kid might be my business." "Why's that?" "I watched over her at the start." "How much?" "350." "Be careful, Bella, it could be dangerous for you." "What?" "Are you pretending to give her good advice?" "Oh." "Me?" "A child?" "." "Well, don't you?" "You guys see the devil everywhere." "Watch out, Bella." "She helps me out, and she gets paid for that." "Until you make her do what you do." "That's disgraceful." "Now you know." "I'm keeping an eye on you." "You'd like to have me for free." "No way." "Well done, I like resistance." "But not for too long." "Your flowers, sweetheart." "It's here for Roc-Le-Viel?" "Yes, but the train's leaving." "When's the next one?" "Not till tomorrow, same time." "That's the way it is, Fifine..." "Come on, let's go home." "She's out, no use waiting for her." "Will she be back?" "Where else would she go?" "You're in a hurry?" "Your boat's leaving?" "I'm here, I can give you everything she can." "She's just like the rest of us." "Leave him alone, he's smitten." "Bella has a monopoly on them..." "I heard of your sorrow, so..." "Thank you." "Who are you?" "Have we met before?" "Have you forgotten me already?" "You're not the only one." "You're the one who called me Marie." "You're not the first to call me by another's name." "I'd like to be the first to comfort you." "I don't ask anything of anyone." "So you didn't go?" "You wouldn't understand why not." "But I did this time." "There's nothing I can do to get out of here." "Nothing." "I don't have the right to breath the same air than everyone else." "Has someone insulted you?" "Did you really say that, sailor?" "You're a strange chap..." "I don't think I'm strange." "But I'm genuine." "If you wanted..." "Not tonight." "Oh, that's not what I meant." "Listen, Bella, I want to take you away from here." "I want to take you away from this street." "You too?" "Is there someone else?" "Oh don't worry." "That's business." "For me, it's a matter of the heart." "So I understand." "And is your little heart for me alone?" "For you, and for Marie." "Still." "Well, look for your Marie elsewhere." "Sleep in Peace, dear Angel." "Queen of hearts?" "Illusion." "Queen of clubs?" "Illusion." "Queen of diamonds?" "Illusion." "All women: illusion." "You see the dice?" "You hear them?" "Seeing, hearing..." "Illusion." "You know some tricks." "I wouldn't play with you if the loser's paying for the drinks." "If I were you, I'd stop being steward and go into the music halls." "Boss." "How much?" "4 gins...240 Francs." "Thank you." "Look at his face, the dreamer." "He's dreaming of his marchioness." "What marchioness?" "The marchioness Caserta on the last trip." "Surely not?" "Him?" "He spent the nights sniffing round her cabin door." "Wind him up, for a laugh." "A drink, Paolo?" "I've no money left." "It's on me." "You're not going to refuse to drink with your friends." "Oh, I know we're not the nobility." "Another round please." "Were you going back on board?" "Yes." "To brood over your memories?" "Just between us, why didn't you offer yourself to her?" "I forbid you to talk about her." "It's for your own good." "At this time of night, you can't just roll your eyes." "He had good taste: that hair, that skin, that mouth..." "Illusion." "You keep your nose out." "It would have been worth a shot." "A good-looking chap like you, she wouldn't have been able to resist." "Are you finished, Valentin?" "Besides, she wasn't exactly a model of virtue, your Madonna." "Watch it." "Don't wind him up." "He's furious." "Might as well tell him, it might help him get over her." "Tell me what?" "That more than one of the crew got under her peignoir." "Liar." "Starting with me." "You swine." "What's wrong with you?" "Shh." "Police." "No, no, I don't want any trouble here." "Make a noise, just say something so they think you've got someone." "Well my boy, don't hold your breath." "They exaggerate on the trawlers." "Thank you." "If the cops had come in, I'd have been the one to suffer..." "It wasn't the police, I said it to get you to move quickly." "So who was chasing you?" "Are you hurt?" "No, that's someone else's blood." "Have you killed someone?" "I hope so." "Not a woman, I hope?" "Are you sure?" "I swear." "Give me your jacket, I'll clean it." "Then you'll leave." "I don't like blood." "Are you in the navy?" "A steward on the Oceanic." "I speak 5 languages." "So you can lie in all 5?" "Did he steal your woman?" "Would a marchioness really be a steward's wife?" "Ah, a first-class passenger..." "A marchioness or a trollop, when all's said and done..." "Oh, but you can't imagine what this woman was like..." "She had a nose in the middle of her face, surely?" "Yes, but that face, those shoulders, those long legs, those white dresses..." "See, through against the sun..." "Nice trick." "Her body followed me everywhere, I could see it everywhere, in the ship's wake, in my plate, in the mirror..." "I should have just raped her..." "Don't mind me." "...or thrown her overboard but she stifled my courage." "You had enough left to hit that man." "Because of her." "Oh, if only you had smelt the perfume around her, and the ribbons she always left trailing over her arms as if to kindle desire..." "What a tart." "To her I was only an employee, someone to tip, not a gentleman." "A man, sometimes that's enough." "Emma." "These women are built just like the rest of us, only the don't make a living from it, so they can enjoy it." "Oh, there's something wrong with you..." "A light coloured jacket, you say, with a cap from the Oceanic?" "Yes, he must have been in the area this evening." "You're not going to do him any harm, are you?" "Of course not." "We're part of the same crew." "We're looking for him to have a laugh together, aren't we, mate?" "I think I saw a man like that a while ago." "Yes." "He went in there, that door." "Leave them alone for a bit, eh?" "Ah, we can respect propriety." "We'll wait around for him." "Come to mine afterwards." "Afterwards?" "We'll see." "There you go, your jacket's ready." "What about your knife?" "I'll clean that too." "If you get picked up with blood on the blade..." "Put that back in the pocket." "Did she give you this?" "I stole it from her berth on the last morning." "It's all I've got of her." "Well, I'll leave you." "Take care." "They might be watching for you." "I don't care." "Where is it?" "Where is it?" "The marchioness?" "Emma." "Emma." "Yes, it's her." "Your eyes are not deceiving you, it's her." "What a fool." "Pulling a knife over a woman." "Not even." "An impression alone." "You think you're holding a woman in your arms, but it's only the image you create of her." "Really?" "Did you understand that?" "Then perhaps you can do me a sketch." "Sometimes that image becomes an image of death..." "Look at him he looks so happy." "What happened?" "A steward from the Oceanic." "3 gunshots." "No, no, 4." "I was at the Cape Horn:" "he punched his friend." "Settling a score." "Don't push, he's not trying to escape." "Whose can the negligee be?" "Surely not some tart, it's pure silk." "Don't touch it." "You'll leave your fingerprints." "We can't just leave him there." "We shouldn't move anything before the police arrive." "There they are, with the ambulance." "Well I'm off, I don't keep bad company." "Well I didn't see anything." "Me neither." "No, it's too late." "Open up." "It's me." "Who's me?" "Jean, the bosun." "Open up quickly." "What's happening outside?" "Is someone hurt?" "I don't know." "There were gunshots." "I don't like it, the police won't be far behind." "Don't be frightened, I'm here." "You poor man, you're too naive to speak to the cops." "Police." "Open up." "They didn't waste their time." "Hide." "Is this your blouse, Bella?" "You must be mistaking me for Rockefeller's girl." "I'm asking you if it belongs to you." "Answer me." "If I had clothes like that I wouldn't be here." "We'll see." "And the chap, did you know him?" "What chap?" "Don't mess around or I'll nick you straight away." "The one shot down near your door, the steward from Oceanic." "A steward?" "I don't understand." "Really?" "Well, you'll understand down at the station, I'm sure." "Come on, let's go." "Why are you taking me away?" "Don't touch me." "Then admit it." "Admit what?" "We saw the man coming out of your room." "Certainly not." "Where's this man come from?" "In there." "I was with her." "How long have you been here?" "Quite a while." "Did you hear gunshots in the street?" "But you didn't go to see?" "No." "Weren't you curious?" "He might have been in the middle of another sort of scuffle, boss." "Perhaps." "Show me your papers." "We know yours." "There's nothing wrong with them." "Is the Albatross still in port?" "Yes, quay number 9." "That's fine." "And 'quite a while', how long?" "We weren't timing it." "Not a word from you, Bella." "I don't know." "More than an hour, maybe an hour and a half." "My compliments." "Let her go, we'll be back another day." "Come on, let's go to the Oceanic." "You'll be called to the station to confirm your story." "Of course." "And do excuse me for bursting in on your 'performance'." "Petty little man." "One of these days he'll be dragged up from under the keel of a boat with crabs in his mouth and bits of iron between his ribs." "Thank you." "Without you I'd be in the nick and that's no laughing matter I can tell you." "You were very naughty." "It was very descent of you." "But it wasn't for Bella, was it?" "It was for Marie." "You're just as beautiful." "How do you know?" "You've never seen me close up." "You don't like me?" "Too much..." "Well?" "I've nothing else to give you." "The steward was here, wasn't he?" "Stop with all this." "I've had it up to here." "Anyway, what does it matter to you?" "A man before you, a man after..." "That's exactly it..." "It makes me..." "You're surely not jealous?" "Jealous?" "No." "It saddens me." "You've time on your hands." "I don't." "My job is bringing pleasure to others." "One for all, all for one." "Except one." "Me." "You're mad." "No, I love you." "That's the first time those words have been uttered in this room." "You see." "You've never had anything." "Let's go out together." "Go out?" "I can't leave my shell..." "I've tried, as you know." "Try it with me." "For a day first, just to see." "Just for a day." "Let's go out together on Sunday." "'Dressed in white, under the trees'." "Would you dare go out with me dressed like this?" "I thought of that." "I'm always thinking of you." "I've brought everything we need." "Well you certainly know what you want." "It'll suit you." "Oh yes, I can alter it." "It's fresh and bright." "It suits you." "Don't you like it?" "What are you thinking?" "That an hour ago I was a marchioness." "Marchioness?" "Don't try to understand." "And now I'm..." "Who am I?" "My girl." "So I took a job as a salesgirl, 3000 francs a month." "I couldn't make ends meet, so I asked for a raise." "Do you know what they said to me?" "'Miss, if you haven't got enough from a lover, take a second'." "Bastards." "I didn't have a lover." "I was waiting for love and..." "Are you still waiting for love?" "That would be a luxury." "I can give you that." "You're getting worked up over a woman who isn't who you think." "Shall we walk a little?" "The shoes suit you." "They'll fit better next Sunday." "Next Sunday I'll be back in my scruffy old shoes and you'll be gone." "That's your choice alone." "You'll find another girl somewhere else and you'll stop thinking of me, fortunately." "Why 'fortunately'?" "I'm happy now, and I want to remain happy..." "Don't speak of miracles..." "And to remain happy you mustn't leave me..." "How long would this great happiness of yours last?" "Our whole lives." "He believes it too." "That's so childlike..." "Can you see yourself as anything other than a sailor?" "I've plans..." "Oh no, Jean, the sea's in your blood." "You'd soon resent me if you left it for me." "That all depends..." "If you were with me..." "But how good it is to breath in this sea air..." "It does you good, the pure air..." "I don't want to leave you, Bella." "Again." "Don't waste this lovely day." "Don't waste your life." "I've done that already." "You can start afresh." "You can never start anything afresh." "Yes, you can." "I've decided to quit ocean-going ships." "I'll sell my land in the country and buy a little house somewhere on the coast, with a garden." "You'll live there, in our house." "Our house." "You still think you're talking to Marie." "Marie and you have become the same person." "I could hardly think of anyone but you, even before I met you." "If I loved you more than a little, I'd say yes." "After all, what do I have to lose?" "So you already love me a little?" "Oh, not like you want me to." "But you're not like the others." "You're gentle, you're not coarse." "You've nice eyes." "First, I'll find you a hotel room, a decent hotel." "You'll move in straight away." "I'll prepare your papers, we'll leave here and we'll never be apart again." "That's a fine present for a man." "Thank you, captain." "The beautiful lady'll give you many caresses for that lovely present." "You're terribly kind." "I've wanted a box covered in seashells for so long." "What are you going to put in it?" "I don't have anything yet, but I'll look at it..." "And touch it..." "You're the one who's childlike." "Sometimes, yes..." "I forget." "But not for so long, you see, we always come back to this." "The terminus." "Can't escape it." "A few more days, yes, and then after that..." "Things will change." "My poor Jean, you live in dreamworld as everyone does." "Kashmir." "The waiter from the ship." "This is a friend of mine, she's called Bella." "No." "Maya." "He had a strange look." "He's always saying things I don't understand." "Have you finally understood that I can't belong to only one man?" "That I belong to them all?" "You don't mind who?" "They choose me." "Do you have no preferences?" "No." "No dislikes?" "No." "No regrets?" "No." "No hopes?" "No." "You've nothing left." "Nothing." "Nothing left." "Well you've me." "So stubborn." "No, my dear, the fun's over." "Now we've to be sensible..." "Go away." "Get over me." "I don't want to get over you." "I can't." "I can't." "Albert." "What are you doing here?" "Spying on me?" "Tell me what you want quickly." "I'm in a hurry." "Because of Ernest?" "Shout it louder, why don't you." "Well I'm coming with you." "No, it's business, no girls." "What business?" "I'm scared." "Albert, don't go." "Come on." "I'm earning money now, big money." "And what do you have to do to earn it?" "The cops would like to know too." "Goodbye." "Albert." "Listen to me." "Don't go." "Don't go." "Let me go." "Leave me alone, you're too horrible." "Are you sad?" "Don't worry, poor little girl." "What do you want?" "Is something wrong, little girl?" "What's it to you?" "Abandoned?" "All alone." "I'm all alone too." "If you want company there's no shortage of it around here." "No." "I only wanted to chat nicely to you, because I may never speak to anyone again." "Goodbye." "You're back." "Fifine, you know..." "Don't say a word, I'm not cross with you." "After all, you're only a man." "I feared you might have gone." "I knew you would come back." "Liar." "Haven't you gone yet?" "I was just going, Mr Ernest." "I was speaking to my girl..." "I'll deal with your girl later." "Now go and get on with your work." "Very good, boss." "Are you upset?" "Everyone has their own troubles, eh?" "Are you waiting for someone?" "No one." "Ever." "You're not going to stay there all night, are you?" "I don't know." "You've got to shake it off." "Don't you have any friends?" "Have you come off a boat?" "Yes." "The Albatross." "Ah, The Albatross." "What's your job on the boat?" "Stoker." "Right in the middle, where it's always dark." "You poor man." "You're not the only one in the dark, I assure you." "Coal dust everywhere." "Coal everywhere." "In my eyes, my throat, my stomach - they turn to coal." "And the heat, it's terrible." "It must be hard." "But there must be days when you wouldn't swap coal bunker for my bedroom." "You can't always be in the dark?" "During the eight week trip, I hammered a nail into the wall of the hull for every time I saw sunlight..." "Eight times." "Tell me, is the head of the crew, your boss, a good man?" "Good, good." "Couldn't he move you somewhere else?" "He works on the bridge, he has no control over what I do down below." "And isn't there another job you could do instead of stoker?" "Once you're working with coal, there's no way out." "Yes, it's terribly difficult to get out of there." "No one thinks to give me a hand." "I'm alone, all alone..." "So, brother, you're depressed, sick as a parrot." "Have a drink, it'll pass." "And if it doesn't, have a second." "You must drown the parrot." "Drown, yes." "The more you forget, the better things are." "Take a leaf out of her book, she doesn't care about anything." "What about you?" "I don't either." "No." "Why don't you go somewhere else?" "If you're not satisfied with what you've got, you'll never be happy." "You see, the two of us are alike." "No, because someone can love you." "I can no longer love anyone." "You can." "What's that?" "It was my light." "I found it in Colombo, in the coal." "It was shining in the darkness." "For you - a lucky charm." "A lucky charm?" "Well, keep it." "God knows you need it." "No, I don't need anything anymore." "Finished." "I can't go on." "Hope, for your deliverance." "Not a wind-up, eh?" "Not a wind-up." "You look all dressed up to get married." "My deliverance." "A nice little room, with a view over the trees." "Trees in a cemetery." "Trees all the same." "Perfect." "Will you be staying here tonight?" "Oh, the room isn't for me, it's for a relative." "She'll arrive this evening, I hope, or tomorrow, perhaps a little later." "So she's coming a long way, your 'relative'?" "Very far, yes." "And what if she doesn't arrive?" "There's no question of that." "Anyway, I've brought some of her luggage." "And I'll pay you a week in advance." "Well, in that case..." "What name will the room be in?" "Mine." "You can always contact me here." "Ah good." "The shipping agency, down at the port." "Very well, I'll report it to the English Consulate." "Does he leave any family?" "No one." "No family." "Nothing." "An empty safe-deposit box." "What about his replacement?" "The chief mechanic is dealing with it." "Come in." "Good day, Jean." "We've just recovered Jack - you know, one of the stokers - from the docks." "He threw himself into the water last night." "He must have been drunk." "Have you come to find out what's happening?" "Keep to get away again, eh?" "No, Captain, I won't be going back to sea." "What are you saying?" "I'm staying on dry land." "Aren't you happy on board my ship?" "Is it the pay?" "The accommodation?" "The food?" "What is it?" "Are you poorly treated?" "Oh no, Captain." "It's not that, but..." "A woman, of course." "Of the worst sort." "Let's not argue about it, Captain." "I won't go back to sea, that's all." "Listen, Jean, I've taken you on as a junior seaman, leading seaman," "I appointed you boatswain." "You can't do this to your old captain on the Albatross." "If only I were in your shoes." "It's just an infatuation, it'll pass and you'll realise..." "I realise fully." "You can have women like that in every port." "You're surely not going to give up everything for some floozy." "What?" "Is it not true?" "Would you take her home to your mother?" "Come on, Jean." "We weigh anchor the day after tomorrow." "And he'll be there for the manoeuvre." "The Albatross is being towed to a new position tomorrow evening." "It's being moored at dock 7 to get ready to depart." "I know you're on leave, but I'm relying on you." "Tomorrow, fine, but that's all." "You can despise me, you can say what you like about this women." "I want her, for me alone." "And I will have her." "I don't care." "The whore." "She's ensnared him." "Idiots always find someone to look after them." "How can we stand in his way?" "Well you know, the formalities to discharge him tomorrow evening are long and they could drag on." "Thank you." "What trick are you playing on me?" "I don't trust you." "You're making me pose, and darting looks at me like a snake." "The snake is charmed by music, women by words..." "Couldn't you stop this music?" "It puts me on edge." "Exactly what I want." "Really?" "Then I've had enough of being your model." "Don't take off the sari." "Only if you let me keep it." "It's yours." "Dance." "Alright." "Whatever you want." "Is it to remind you of your country?" "The Apsarases." "The what?" "The dancers of my gods." "The things I'll do..." "Now I'm from paradise." "And a dancer." "Why not, if that's my wish." "You're everything one might want." "You might say I'm a good girl." "You change with everyone, and yet stay the same." "You annoy me." "You say things the half of what lies behind them." "Things." "We think they're..." "Like that..." "And yet they're different." "You're quite the conjuror." "If you could only conjure me away once for all." "I can." "You're on." "Watch out." "But tell me, why do you always call me Maya?" "My name's Bella." "Not even..." "Are you from the police?" "You know I have another name?" "A thousand others." "Names that every man gives you secretly." "Even out loud, they hardly go to the bother of keeping it secret." "Nowhere and everywhere." "MAYA means the unattainable." "Maya, Maya, terrible, soft spell, the cause and the root of charms." "The play of the magical mirror that is you reflects a universe shaped by our desire, and transforms appearances to suit our whims..." "Go away." "I don't like your trickery." "I'd rather give you back the dress." "Do I frighten you?" "No, but you..." "I'm uncomfortable with you in my house." "Because I'm not alone..." "What's got into your head now?" "We're surrounded by ghosts." "Can't you see them?" "No, no." "No stories of the spirit world." "I hate that." "Now get lost, with your ghosts." "They're your ghosts." "Now you'll tell me they look like me." "They're you, and yet they're not you." "I'm the one who's kicking you out." "I've had enough." "Get out." "One man will leave and another will enter, and I swear he won't play the fakir on my couch." "He'll kill you." "Every man kills when he comes in." "I'm still alive for someone who has been killed." "Alive?" "But you don't exist." "I know well enough that I'm nobody, but I don't like people telling me so." "Go." "Get out with you." "You're what every man makes of you:" "for me you're a goddess of the gutter." "For another, you're an unattainable woman who he'll come to possess through you." "That's not so bad." "For yet another, a memory he's trying to bring back to life." "Will you be quiet." "What about me?" "Am I never myself?" "This mouth, these eyes, this skin, this body, this heart, I do have one." "Illusion." "You're dead, more than dead." "Get out of here, or I'll..." "You wanted me to conjure you away." "Well, it's done." "What's Kashmir doing here?" "I was dreaming." "Jean, really look at me." "Hold me." "Do I exist for you?" "You're the only woman in the world." "Tell me it's me you love, that you love me for myself." "Not a memory." "Not Marie." "It's you I love." "I beg you, take me away, take me away." "Not so fast, Bella, not so fast." "Good to see you happy." "I'm so happy." "I've found my man." "You've deserved him." "I wish you could find one like Jean, but he's unique." "I've got one." "Ah, your Albert." "Is he kind to you?" "He likes to be obeyed..." "And you obey him, of course." "He's stronger than me." "Stronger, yes." "A man's supposed to command, isn't he?" "The sooner you stick to that, the better." "Tell me, Fifine." "Why did you fall for Albert?" "His eyes." "You too?" "And when he looks at you, in a certain way, you get a warm feeling inside, don't you?" "Oh yes." "Do you think of him all the time?" "All the time." "You couldn't live without him?" "Without him I wouldn't exist." "Women understand each other." "If you care about a man, nothing else matters." "Nothing." "Let's pack the suitcases, before he picks me up." "Come on and help me, Fifine." "The whole lot please." "I'll take them to the hotel myself." "As quickly as you can." "Thank you." "These flowers'll put sunshine in the lady's heart." "She has it already." "Goodbye." "Is that your boat?" "Yes, I recognise its voice." "Best wishes." "He's going to buy a little house on the coast, with a garden." "With flowers?" "Of course." "He'll soon find another job on a trawler." "He'll come back home every 2 or 3 days." "You're really going to look after him, your Jean." "He's so good for me." "But he's late." "Oh." "What a pretty watch." "I hadn't seen it before." "And it works." "Not fast enough." "Did he have to work on the boat this afternoon?" "Just a little manoeuvre." "The Albatross is moving to a different quay." "Perhaps the new quay isn't empty yet." "Perhaps." "But he's really taking his time." "Be patient, Bella." "He won't be much longer." "You've your whole life before you." "That's true." "Our whole lives..." "Why the rush?" "Where are we going?" "We've received orders to leave immediately for the Cape." "Jesus." "And you thought you could trick me like that?" "Michel, stop him." "Let me jump." "I don't want to go." "Don't be foolish." "Other women will cheer you up." "Let go or I'll break your nose." "Jean." "Get to your position." "We're off." "There's no choice left." "Get to your position." "Hold him down." "Tie him up." "You bunch of cowards." "You bastards." "Marie." "Marie." "He's more than an hour late." "Something must have happened." "What could have happened?" "Do you want me to go and see?" "I'm scared." "I'll go." "I can't wait any longer." "Were you expecting me, madame?" "Is this for you?" "Here you're." "From a sailor." "Did he tell you to bring this to the hotel?" "When?" "Less than 20 minutes ago, I came quickly." "Didn't he give you a message for me?" "No, he was in a hurry." "His boat was leaving." "Leaving?" "For where?" "The sea, of course." "I'm so sorry for you." "It's awful." "Is there nothing I can do?" "Be happy, you and Albert." "I'll do everything I can." "Love and be loved." "That's all that matters." "I know." "Me too now..." "But it's too late." "Goodbye, Fifine, don't ever come back to me." "Why?" "Everyone must follow their own path." "I hope yours is a happy one." "Who are you waiting for?" "You..." "You or another." "Who are you looking for?" "You..." "You or another." "Where have you come from?" "The sea." "Where are you going?" "The sea." "What's your name?" "Whatever you'd like it to be." "Who are you?" "Whoever you'd like me to be..." "Maya." "Maya." "Eternal illusion." "The End"