"GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT" "Going downtown?" "Bring me back a paper and cigarettes." "It's him again." "Night watchmen must earn plenty." " Who's he?" " Her Romeo." "For that price he could have bought an Alfa." "See you tomorrow." "I recognize you." "No use wearing sunglasses." "They're to protect me." " From the sun?" " No, from you." "You're radiant." " Whose crate is this?" " Nobody's." " Going to repaint it?" " No, I swiped it for its color." "Come here." "It's exactly the color of your eyes." "Ugh!" "Pretty ugly." " I'll drop you off." " Never mind." "I'm going to the pool." "Meet me afterwards." "I can't." "I go to work at 7:00." "If you can't..." "tough luck." "Here, make yourself useful." "Did you borrow the car from a colleague?" " I told you I swiped it." " Who do you think you are?" "Hurry." "Your colleague must be waiting for it." "Faster!" "It's as if I was pulling you." "I'm letting you go now." "All parts are in perfect working order." "Fuck!" "Shit!" "What's he up to this time?" "I swipe the latest model... and it talks crap instead of warning me of a nail on the road." " Where's your warehouse?" " Over there." "You walk there, then." "Bye." " Your workday starting or ending?" " I work nights." " Can you go back?" " What did you see?" "I think I saw shadows." " There are shadows all over." " I think they were men." "Prowlers'?" "Shall we get out and check?" "No, just stop." "Leave the window open." "Everything okay?" "Yes, no problem." " Been here long?" " No." "Yves!" "What a shocker!" "Wait, I'm getting out." "Help me." "My shoulder hurts." "Come and meet my friends." " What's wrong?" " Nothing." "Your hand feels clammy." "Hi, how are you?" "Been here long?" "He's not here on vacation." "He's from my hometown." "I hadn't seen him in ages." " We met here by accident." " You work together at the clinic?" "No, I'm a night watchman in a warehouse." " Isn't that a drag?" " No, it's okay." "I'm going back to school in September." " To study what?" " Law." "You have competition, Armand." "I have my degree now." "How about competing on the diving board?" "Want to join us?" "No, I strained my shoulder two days ago." "The winner gets to take Aurore out tonight." "I'll be the judge and give the winner the prize." " Be fair." " I will be." "Do they think they rule this pool or what?" "They almost do." "Armand's father is a senator and president of a lot of things." "I know where he lives." "It's a fabulous house." "So, you like rich guys." "May I see you tomorrow?" "You didn't answer me." "The lucky stiff, he won!" "You'll be our driver." "Don't tell me you're going out with these drips." " You're not ashamed..." " They're nice." "Come along with us." "Can't you call in sick?" "It's dead here." "Let's go check out the nightclubs." "Good idea." "It would kill me to see my wife come out of a den like that." "You let her go out alone at night?" " Are you crazy?" "Never." " Then, why worry?" "Awfully quiet here." "Look at that broad." "They're not the kind to cause trouble." "Their trouble never goes through our hands." "No use wasting time here." "One of his lights is out." "Shall we ticket him?" " He'll change it tomorrow." " Tomorrow is tomorrow." "He doesn't drive like a senator's son." "Let's ticket him." "Who does he think he is?" "Yeah, but if we mess with a senator's son, we're in for it." "You're a shithead!" "Yves is right." "Let's forget it." " Will you be gone long?" " An hour or two." "If the prefect gets here early, say I'm out on business." "Swimming pool." "Champagne with them and aspirin with me." "I don't cost you a thing." "When will you see them again?" "It's none of your business." " Yes, it is." " Are you my chaperon'?" "What am I doing here?" "All this noise..." "Going out tonight?" "They asked me to, but I'd rather sleep." "Sleep is the penalty we all have to pay." "Do you sleep during work?" "I never sleep." "I'm afraid someone might come and glue my eyelids shut." "For a guy who says he never sleeps..." "It was as if you were holy, but you didn't come out immaculate." "It's nice to make love." "Make love?" "People never make love." "Love... should either never be made..." " or it should be made better." " What?" "I can talk like you sometimes." "Don't talk like me." "Just belong to me." "Then surprise me." "I will... when you find out the things I do to change reality." "Where are you going now?" "To get my car in the woods." "I have something to do before work." "What?" "Play a game of giant billiards!" " And you?" " Watch!" "Are you deaf?" " I fell asleep." " You fell asleep?" "Cars stopped with their lights on." "Where?" "Poachers, maybe." "Not necessarily." "Maybe they're tourists who've lost their way." "What's all this?" "I'll call Vaillant." "You search the area." "Get busy." " He's always dressed like that?" " I don't know." "We don't really know each other." "My dad knows him better." "This is the third time I've seen him." "But only for a moment." "Don't stare." "He might notice." "This is the mathematical proof that absurdity exists." "A stolen car meets another one, and they collide." "Enough of that shit." "Go look for clues... while I tie my shoes." "Come on." "Let's move it." "Did you check the glove compartment?" ""To touch... with one's inner senses." "To kiss... her clothes, her footsteps... and all places and things related to her."" "Can you stop by the post office?" "I'll be right back." "Remove the articles, it'll cost less." "No, send it as it is." " "Strong at dawn"..." " No, "At dawn..."" ""At dawn"?" ""Strong at dawn..." "at last... sleep..."" " "Dreamed of you..." - "Dreamed intensely..."" ""At dawn, at last, sleep." "Dreamed intensely of you..." "Pleasant penalty." "Where are you?" "Mad about you." "Never recover."" " What's that?" " "I will never recover."" " "Never recover." "I will." " "I will never recover" "I see you've started repairing my car." "Friday?" "Good." "My chauffeur will come and get it." "Do you know my son Armand?" "No?" "He's quite a guy." "Lives in Paris." "He's here on vacation." "He loves convertibles." "Could he try out the one you have for sale?" "If he likes it, I may buy it for him." "Really?" "That's great." "I'll send him over now." "Your dad's car will be ready in two days." " That one is for you." " Great." "Here are the keys." "Go ahead." " Where's the reverse?" " Top right." "I'd like to make a call." "Use the booth." "It's available." "Thanks." "No, it's personal." "Yes." "Aurore Caurot." "She has already left?" "Can you still catch her?" "Aurore!" "I know you were leaving." "May I see you?" "I have something very important to tell you." "I've gotta see you right away!" "It's vital." "You can?" "Great!" "My money's out in the car." " How much do I owe you?" " 4.90." "You can trust me." " Haven't you got five francs with you?" " I'll be right back." "Got any money here?" "Back there." " Will you get it for me?" " I can't leave my window." " There's very little money in there." " I'll be the judge of that." "They're all 20-franc bills." "Sorry I scared you." "I've been waiting here for 15 minutes, with only the river to stare at." "Good thing I found this." "Did you read it?" " Sort of, but I was thinking of" " Of what?" " Everything but you." " Relax." "Now, what's so important?" "They're going to fire me." "They're going to install an electronic alarm system." "This might be your chance to find an interesting job." "I'd like the same hours, only more legal." "Like night patrolling." "Maybe with Armand's father's special police." "What?" "I'm going to faint." "Join those pigs?" "Have you lost your mind?" "Could I still see you?" "Not a chance." "You're right." "What I'd like is... a job... where I wouldn't have to deal with the idea of good and evil." "What?" "Anything that would make life explosive." "So that every second I live proves I'm alive." "I've spent too many seconds... with my feet in this wet grass." "Listen to yourself." "What I need is warmth!" "Wanna go to the swimming pool's bar?" " Since that's your idea of heaven." " Okay." "Aurore, don't look back..." " Hell's behind you." " You're hopeless." "Hopeless!" ""Aurore, shine for me, not for him."" "Not bad!" " Where's your friend?" " Right behind you." "Not that close." " Is he or is he not?" " He's playing football." "Call him." "But you don't like him." "May I buy you a drink?" "Yeah, a glass of champagne." "No, a bottle..." "of the best." "His usual." " Game's about over." " You're winning?" "Yeah..." "Poor girl..." "Give her a chance." "Will you take Armand's place?" "Let's play." "You're strange." "I've got a little something... that Aurore seems to like." " Are you okay?" " Yeah." "You've got everything." "You should have less." "You won't get Aurore." "You've got too much." "I've got money too." "I just pulled a robbery." " I snatched a bunch of money." " I don't give a shit." "You can't have her because you have no secrets." "Secrecy leads to illegality." "And I know all about you." "You're an open book." "I did it." "I'm leaving now." "I'm late." " See you tomorrow." " I can't." " You get it, I'll pay you back." " No, it's on me." "Stand over there." "Armand, I'm scared." "No, stop." "Stop." "Stop." "Stop it!" "Stop!" "I'm scared." "I don't like that." "I'd rather go to the pool." "Let's go." "A small post office was robbed today." "The money was found near here." " Let's go see." " Okay." " In case that thief comes back." " I doubt it." " What do you think?" " No idea." "Are you crazy?" "Are you nuts?" " What's going on, here?" " That's disgusting." "Take it to Vaillant." "Let's go!" "No use messing around here." "Assholes." "Don't burn your eyes." "I'm here, not there." " I'd love to do something for you." " Go ahead." "Why don't you take a month or two off?" "Why kill yourself washing old guys and loonies'?" "I need my salary." "I'll give you one if you stop touching old fogeys... and young softies." "You know, the peasant types you like." "You're mean!" "Speaking of the devil." "Hey." "I wasn't sure it was you." "Did you blow your whole paycheck?" "It only happens to me twice a year." "Sweaters?" "Have you flipped your lid?" "It's summer." "You want t-shirts." "I have plenty of them." " Take a look at that color." " What?" "Same as your uniform." "I don't believe it." " What are you saying?" " Nothing." "I wear blue, because my girlfriend loves blue." "Is that so?" "So long..." "Bazin." "What are you doing?" "Cleaning my nails." "You know what?" "I ran into Yves today." "He bought some blue sweaters." "Blue is his chick's favorite color." "I told my wife." "Guess what she said?" ""What a nice boy." "He must love her." "At least he knows women."" "Look over there." "A stolen car, I bet." "What's going on these days?" "Give me the flashlight." "Fuck." "Go get the car!" "Don't kill us!" "We have no time to waste." "I'll slow down when I see the hospital." "We can't report that as an accident." " Inform the senator." " No, I need a week." " You'll get bawled out." " I don't give a shit." "They can do whatever they want." "We can handle this ourselves." "Someone is trying to send a message." "With explosives?" "We must solve this case." "Our existence depends on it." " By increasing patrols?" " No, not now." "The area's full of tourists." "Will you cancel our days off?" "No." "Who gets time off next week?" "Yves... 48 hours, I think." "And Legaec, that's all." "Then there's no use causing confusion." " Is this the way?" " I don't know." "It's risky to keep this to ourselves." "This is not the right way." "I don't recognize this area." "I'll ask this girl." "She must work here." "Miss?" " Is that the way out?" " No, that's the mental ward." " That goes to the loony-bin." " Is she really a nurse?" "Or a loony who thinks she's a nurse." "You can have a robe." "I stole this to thank you for opening the pool at night." "Like it?" "It's nice." "When I stole it, a clerk kept staring at me." "I was scared." "I thought someone had seen me." "But no one did." "Looks great on you." "It was worth it." "How about a dip?" "Okay." "I've invited Claire, a friend at the hospital." "You'll see, she's neat." "Her boyfriend's a doctor at the hospital." "He follows her everywhere." "I waited for Claire." "I saw you looking for her too." " She said she'll come." " She will." "She told me she didn't have to work tonight." "Maybe she was mistaken." "Unbelievable." " What?" " You." "It's incredible to be so close to you." "Don't get carried away." "You're shaking." "Are you scared?" " No, it's chilly." " I guessed wrong." "The hair follicles on your arms betray you." "Relax, Doctor." "It's your night off." " Where could she be?" " Maybe her car broke down." "Those old jalopies." " Your exhaust pipe's in bad shape." " What?" "Go check it out." " Where is the exhaust pipe?" " Down there." " So, you were born on July 4?" " Yes, I'm 20 years old." "I'm late." "Well, I'm 42 and I've got loads of time." "Some crazy guy tried to shoot a friend of mine." " Was he injured?" " Luckily not." "The crazy guy must've thought we were too noisy." "For once, when we had something going." "What a rotten town." "Maybe he tried to shoot your friend for opening the pool at night." "He's not really a friend." "He works at the hospital." "It was his first visit to the pool." "Too bad." "Who wanted to open the pool at night?" "It was my idea." "I told Armand and he took it seriously." "It was you?" "It was a good idea." "Let's blow this crummy town for a few hours, okay?" " And go where?" " To Paris." " Now?" " Yes, get on." "On that?" "Moron!" "You're hopeless." "To Paris on the back seat?" "250 miles?" "No, just to the station." "There's a midnight train." "You already said that." "Just one minute." "Your dress is great." "Could you step on the grating and do like Marilyn?" "We want to shoot you from below." " We'll pay you for that." " Shoot me from below?" "Film you from underneath." " Yeah, why not?" " Thank you." "Go ahead..." "turn here, that's all... act a little embarrassed..." "Here we go." "I'll see you tonight, then." " Thanks." " Thank you." "I did a good job, didn't I?" "Okay, I lost." "Could I buy you a drink?" "You could if I had lost but... I won." "It's great." "Did you see how we shot you?" "Come dance with me." "Remember what I told you." "Breathe in before and hold your breath during each movement, then breathe out afterwards." "Concentrate exclusively on breathing, as if that was all you had to do." "That's good, Yves." "Hold that position." "Don't shoot yet." "I don't get it." "When am I supposed to shoot?" "You don't." "The gun shoots on its own." "When a leaf is covered with snow, it bends until the snow falls off." "The snow moves, not the leaf." "It's the same thing." "When tension reaches a peak, the gun shoots on its own, before you realize it." "It's the only way to shoot with a steady hand." "Try it." "That's better." "You didn't look at the target." "Buy watching your moves, I see the target." "You're not ready to aim yet." "I have to go now." "Above all, think only of breathing." "Shit!" "Come on or we'll be late." "I'm dead tired." "I'm shaking like a leaf." "Was he a regular customer?" " That never occurred to me." " I'm asking you." " I don't think so." " What do you remember?" "He had green eyes." "And his build?" " Well-built." " His hair?" "He had a hood on, I said." "Was he about your age?" "Look, my day's over." "I'd like to go now." "Thanks, then." " Goodbye, miss." " Goodbye." " How many bags?" " Two." " Where are you going?" " The Riviera." "I'll take you..." "partway." "Aurore has already left?" "She doesn't work this afternoon?" "She took the afternoon off." "Will she come back?" "I know you're not her mom." "Hey girls, I'm bored." "Talk to me." "You're supposed to start the conversation." "Got a nail file for big fingers?" " It's the biggest one I have." " That'll do." "I'm about to become a criminal." "I want to erase my fingerprints before I commit the crime." "It's safer that way." "Have you killed many people?" "In the past year?" "Yes, in the past year." "Come on, tell us!" "365." " And since midnight?" " Nobody yet." "Stop." "Stop!" "Stop!" "What's wrong?" "Some nutcase chased us in a car." "Let's go!" " Shall we call the cops?" " Yeah." "I need 20 more men." "Thanks." "I owe you one." "And don't tell a soul about this." "We don't want the cops to know about this manhunt." "Thanks." "Have you found Bazin'?" "When does he start working?" "He's late." "Do you want to check his home?" "No need to go back." "Concentrate on the woods." "We'll get him." "He's screwed." "Watch the river banks." "He's been spotted in the woods." "The dogs will get him soon." "Let me talk to him." "Yeah?" "Yeah, watch the river." "Search the banks." "He won't make it." "The current's too strong." "We won't find him now." "Let's go back." "The siren!" " The water will rise six feet." " Let's bail!" "Were you at home last evening, or not?" "I mean last night." "I was." "I was sick." "The slightest cold gives me a huge fever..." " Over 102." " You could've phoned!" "You don't realize-- when I've got a fever, I can't move a muscle." "Not even lift a receiver?" " I'd like you to believe me." " A cold in summer." "You think I'm going to buy that?" "How about a sunburn in December?" "We needed every man." "You were missing." "As a result, the guy got away." " Am I responsible?" " No, irresponsible." "The girls gave a really poor description." " Let's go get the composite picture." " Now?" "Yes." "Let Bazin drive so we can talk to the girls." "Him?" "No." "He's too-- with his tall tales." "Make yourself useful." "Stand by the phone." "These investigations are such a bore." "Never lead anywhere." "Ring the bell." " Who is it?" " Police." " What do you want?" " Good afternoon." "Do you know this man?" "Do I know him?" "Are you joking?" " Do you?" " Do I know him?" " Why do you ask?" " Do you know him or not?" "Sure I do." "I told the cops about him a long time ago." "Some jerk who suddenly became foreman." "First thing he did was get me fired." "He lives over there." "I'm warning you... he's a prick, a real bastard!" "Thank you." " Don't you want his address?" " We already have it." " Why don't you believe him?" " He's lying for sure." " You know that foreman?" " It's not him." "Your turn." "Sorry to disturb you, ma'am." "Just one question." "Have you ever seen this man?" " No." " And from here?" "From closer." "You always lose." "I came in third." "Not bad." "Sorry, he's not in his office." "He's with his assistant." "May I take a message?" "Wait, I'll try to get him for you." "I knew the composite picture wasn't good." "A call on your direct line, sir." "A woman." "She says it's urgent and personal." " You want it in your office?" " I'll be right there." "We won't get anywhere with this picture." "Okay, forget it." " Hello?" " Yes." "I recognized the voice of the man who robbed us." "Did he come back?" "No, he didn't come back... but I remember he had come in before." "So I went through the telegrams, and found one he sent." " Are you sure?" " Positive." "I could still hear his voice." "Who was it sent to?" "She lives in the same town you do." "What's her name?" " Hello?" " Aurore Caurot." "He's starting to" " Is it signed?" " It's signed" "Might as well be XYZ." " Do I know you?" " I don't think so." "Not bad." "How is it underneath?" "Better or disappointing?" "I'd say disappointing." "Do you like it rough or tender?" "And you?" "Are your parties always like this?" "Nobody's talking." "It's not much fun." "It will liven up when the coke gets here." "That'll keep us going till dawn." "Artificial kicks." "What a drag." "Why don't you talk to me?" "Surprise me?" "I invited you so you could have fun." "Tonight I'd rather use my tongue for other things." "Don't ever touch me again." "Ever." "I don't believe that you never wanted me." "Maybe, but not anymore." "It's over." "What do you want me to say?" "Aren't you ever scared at night that someone will rip off your eyelids while you sleep, and that it'll always be day?" "Do you ever think about such things?" " You're crazy." " No." "I'm gonna check if the coke has arrived." "Bastard." "You're taking forever." " We found her." " Who?" "Who do you think?" "I have a job for you." "She rents a room there, with a friend." "I'll drive around the block." "If she comes out, discreetly follow her." "She doesn't suspect anything." "We know a lot about her already." "She's at home now." "Don't let her see you." "She should lead us to the thief." "I know your dad pushed you to work with us... but I trust you." "What the hell is going on?" "Road work on one side, Gypsies on the other!" "I have to bawl them out." "What's all this about?" "Have you heard of road signs?" "Look how you're parked!" "Oh, it's you." "Looking all cocky sitting there." "Look what I found." "Nice, isn't she?" "We're just coming from Aurore's place." "Go see her with your pal, she'd like that." "Let's go." "You don't talk much today." "So long, future swimming champ." " What did he say?" " That I wasn't parked well." "The senator called again today." "This case is making us look silly." "If all goes well, I'll forget about your absence the night of the chase." "What's fair is fair." "See?" "I trust you." "Have you got a car?" "I'm not very sure, right now." "How many have you got?" "None right now." "I always buy used ones." "Take mine." "Do you know how the gears work?" "It's very simple, see?" " Isn't this car too obvious?" " Nonsense." " Shall I drop you off?" " No, I'll get a bus." "Take notes." "I want a full report." "You did it." "That's incredible." "What?" "Don't play coy." "You did it." "It's exactly the color of my eyes." "Did you steal it?" "It belongs to someone I work with." "I swear." "How do you manage to fit into that?" " I may show you one day." " Now." "Later." "You have to deserve it." " Sorry, ma'am." " Excuse me, sir." "Thank you, sir." "Shit." "My glove." " When is the next one?" " 45 minutes." "Tough luck." "I've got good news." "From now on, I work days." "And my nights will be all for you." " Aren't you happy?" " I switched too." "I wanted to work nights." "I begin tonight." "No!" "The bastard." "The bastard!" " What are you up to?" " You'll find out." "307?" "It's time for your walk." " But it's night." " Yes, some on now." "Come on." "Come." " Is he coming?" " I think so." " Are you sure?" " Yes." "Let's beat it." "We'll see what we can do." "All right." " Come in." " A loony has escaped from the hospital." " They want us to get him." " Do they know where he is?" "He's been spotted near the church." "Hurry up." "Take three men with you." "I'll be along soon." "No need to tell the cops." "Is the madman still on the roof?" "He is." "He thinks he's a cat." " How did he get up there?" " He went in with the night janitors." "They took him for a new guy." "Is he dangerous?" "No, but we'd better hurry, he might get dizzy." "Nonsense, he wouldn't have climbed up there." "He's crazy but he's conscious." "What scares me is the high-tension neon sign." "Send Vassal to turn it off." "If he touches anything, he'll fry." " What is he doing?" " He's nuts." "The sign can't be turned off." "It will go off automatically with sunrise in two minutes." "Never weary yourself more than you have to... even if it means building a new culture on the weariness of your bones." "On the weariness of your bones." "Are you waiting for him to come down on his own?" "Have the firefighters bring their big ladder." " I'll send someone right away." " Good." "Why don't they go after him?" "I'm going up there." "I'll see what I can do." "Bazin, go up and get that nitwit." "What?" "I said, bring this loony down." "I can't." "I can't let her see me." " I'll tell you everything." " Don't argue, just do it." "I made that car blow up in Achard's face and-- l don't care." "Go up there!" "Please, arrest me." "I don't want her to see me." "Get out of this car or I'll kick you out!" "Get out!" "The girl went up." "What do I do now?" "I'll be right there." "Try to calm down the doctor." "Yes, the doctor." "Please, arrest me." "She's going to fall." "Let me go up." " Come." " Later." "Come!" "You can't stay here." "It's too soon." " That means..." " We can't stay here." "...sooner than too soon." "That means that "later"... can only come back... if "sooner" has eaten too early." "Let me go up there." "She might fall." "Please." "Go see her... as if you were here by accident." "I condemn you." "What are you doing here?" "I couldn't sleep." "I'm not used to it anymore... at night." "I saw you going up there." "So, you saw me." " You're okay?" " I'm fine." "I have to take him back." "Come." "Let's have breakfast." "This film is fictional." "It doesn't show life as it really is." "Reality would be worse." "Any resemblance with persons living or dead is coincidental." "GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT"