"THE BUTCHER" "To the population of Tremolat, in Perigord" "Hurry up, Maurice." "Dish up the gravy, Odette !" "Melanie, good gravy!" "Get on with your work." "You think only of yourselves there" "Always the same." "My work is more important." "Roast ready yet?" "I hope your beef was good." "You bet." "If it isn't I'll cut my tongue out." "And we'll eat it in a spicy sauce." "Let me cut that." "This one should be good" "Will this do?" "Thanks." "What's the joke?" "Nothing,it looks really good." "I'm happy." "Not like in the army even when the meat was good, and it wasn't often ...it tastes like shoe leather." "My friends" "As the bride's father, I have to make a speech." "It won't be long as I don't want to talk nonsense and my son-in-law is a good judge of that." "That's the trouble with a teacher." "Pa-in-law has to be careful what he says." "But I know enough to say I'm glad about this marriage." "I like young Leon." "He taught my son to read." "He's a local." "And I'm sure he'll make my daughter happy." "You can count on it, dad!" "Give me a kiss." "Now kiss each other." "Weddings are amusing." "Don't you think they're funny?" "Yes, everybody enjoy themselves." "Then things go wrong." "Not always." "My pals in the army" "When they got married" "Good thing you weren't there." "The things you think about!" "Were you?" "Well, no I'd like a little Champagne." "May I have some Champagne?" "Ask your mother." "She says I can if you say so." "All right." "You like it?" "I've never tasted it." "Try it." "You're taking a risk." "I like having responsibilities." "He likes you." "Hope so." "I'm telling you, he likes you." "I like him too." "Angelo!" "A song!" "A song!" "As everybody wants me to, I'll sing." "Won't you waltz?" "Why don't we?" "You're a great dancer but I dance like an idiot." "Not as bad as that." "I haven't danced much in 15 years." "Nice people in this town compared to the ones we meet everywhere." "Why did you join the army, then?" "Things weren't so good." "The people here kiss each other, if you don't you will." "You can't go wrong." "How long have you been in the region?" "Ten years. I knew your father." "Wasn't he scum?" "He was a butcher." "And a bad one too." "He cut the meat anyhow." "Talk of marriages" "My mother must have been happy on her wedding day" "Only after she got sick." "Why did you never come back?" "To see the old man." "No thank you!" "I came once for my mother's funeral 7 years ago." "It's been 7 years." "I was on holiday in Paris." "You go to Paris for holidays" "Parisians come here." "That's logical." "It's logical." "I'd liked to see you do that." "I would have liked it." "I'd audition" "There were good times, but..." "The rice was good?" "The rice is okay, but when the river is mud..." "it's less fun." "You smoke in the streets?" "Yes!" "It shocks you?" "No, but... lt's rare for women to smoke in the street." "It's more simple than smoking in a house." "That's logical." "You seem to like logic." "I was fifteen years in the army." "So, in the army there's two things you like because you don't have them." "It's logic and freedom." "Live over the school?" "How long have you been the headmistress?" "It's been 3 years." "3 years." "You're a young headmistress." "Because I'm very wise." "Do you like meat?" "Yes." "I ask because sometime if I come across a nice cut." "I could bring you some good pieces." "Cutlets or roast, ...delicacies from the butcher's." "You know there are some meats better than others." "What a dream." "A dream, to have a butcher select your meat." "I'm very pleased." "By the way, tell me does a butcher learn his trade?" "You bet he does." "That's what's funny, since I was a butcher with my father." "When I joined the army, they put me in charge by chance always a butcher, even for the army." "In Algeria, lndo-China, loving the work!" "Butcher." "There was plenty of work, those officers, they pig out." "Yes, that's logical." "Well, here you are." "I'll be off." "So long, Paul." "Thanks for accompanying me." "Goodbye, Miss Helen." "Leon, how sulky you look!" "I'd rather have stayed home." "Not fed up with marriage already?" "God no!" "Not yet!" "I hope you'll be happy." "Thank you." "You'll see how nice it is to go home to your wife after work." "I'll go there for lunch." "Good idea!" "Come along, children." "We are 5 minutes late." "Finally, in honor of Mr. Hamel's wedding." "Well, are you deaf?" "You are deaf." "Riri's father told him the postman said a woman was found dead in the woods." "That's ridiculous?" "It's true." "The Police came." "...he took in a feeling of greatness... comma" "of greatness" "A deep emotion" "by which the coarsest soul" "would be touched." "...touched." "Full stop" "Honore de Balzac." "I'll write it down." "Do you know who Balzac is?" "A writer." "Right." "He was a 19th Century romantic who tried constituting his work to paint a picture of the society of his day." "I'll read the dictation again." "Hearing the bedroom door open abruptly" "Helen...oh come on." "You are not going to laugh?" "Helen rose from the divan on which she was lying." "But she saw the Marquis and cried out." "She was so different that only a father's eyes could recognize her." "The tropical sun had so many rays of white faces, with a marvelous golden hue that it gave him a poetical expression from which he took in a feeling of greatness a majestic firmness a deep emotion by which the coarsest soul would be touched." "Come in." "I disturb you?" "Not a bit." "I shouldn't come during school hours." "Tell me if I bother anyone." "Not at all." "What's up?" "I've brought a leg" "That's nice." "A leg of lamb." "Look, it's beautiful!" "Very beautiful." "Would you help me collect the books?" "Take those." "That's where l sat." "Were you a good pupil at least?" "French and History were all right but the faucet problems trains do cross" "Our teacher wasn't as nice as you." "The old hag!" "Her name was Cowden...with a cow." "Don't be disrespectful." "A real bitch she was!" "You mustn't hear anymore." "Stand up!" "You may leave." "In an orderly manner." "Please hurry up." "They'll hear plenty more." "But Miss Cowden would never have let someone come to class with bloody meat." "You have a fridge?" "Yes." "Well, good bye." "Wait!" "I'm going to the baker." "Say Paul, if you're not afraid come and share the lamb with me tonight." "What is it?" "Nothing." "I didn't expect it." "Like that I won't eat it alone" "At least half is for you." "It's rubbing my butt." "Well, will you?" "Of course!" "When shall I come?" "Let's see, come at about 7." "Good. I've extra time on my hands these days." "I don't do a whole lot in the shop." "I do the buying and slaying and" "My assistant prepares the meat." "And business is slow with the hunting season and all." "Goodbye." "Good day!" "What's happening?" "It's the officer in charge." "There's been a crime at Saint Albert." "A crime?" "They found the Gaillotin girl" "Killed with a knife wound!" "Just last week she was dancing in here." "Haven't seen her since." "My god, who could have done this?" "Oh, some tramp hanging around!" "A baguette, please." "Sorry maam, I was lost in thought." "Who knows how long these cops will hang around." "I couldn't tell you." "It'll keep us distracted but still..." "You'll put it on my account?" "Too soon?" "No no, I said seven as we agreed earlier." "The door's open." "Come up." "The punctuality and politeness of butchers" "Like Louis XlV." "I still have 2 or 3 papers to correct." "You see I'm too early." "Not at all...give me 5 minutes?" "You want a drink?" "No don't trouble yourself." "No trouble." "I've drunk plenty in my time, I don't need it." "so uhh" "Shall I sit here?" "or there!" "No, it's ok l'm fine." "Just five minutes ok?" "Must be fun teaching children." "Yes, it's a good job." "May I have the cigarettes?" "You smoke Gauloises ?" "What do you think of this sentence?" "It was so hot the air felt like an overcoat." "Dunno." "Cute?" "Yes ..." "I think it is I wouldn't know." "It's done." "How about I put in the lamb?" "We could eat early then go to the movies." "You like movies?" "Yes but not war movies, they're offensive." "Oh!" "I was in the war for 15 years." "You have to be a dupe if you don't see it's a distraction." "Why did you stay in the army then." "Exactly, because I was a dupe." "I've seen a thing or two." "And they weren't pretty to see." "Purely rotten." "There." "It's not a war movie, it's a comedy." "Shall we put the lamb in?" "This way." "You go through the school to get to?" "No it's here" "Here we go, my kitchenette." "Magnificent!" "Yes, I love my kitchenette." "Have you seen, there's been cops here all day." "A girl's been murdered behind Saint Albert." "Yes, I know." "They looked everywhere." "They found no trace." "Your lamb, what's it weigh?" "2 lbs... half an hour should do." "No garlic?" "Wow!" "Never garlic in lamb!" "Would you like me to make my special salad?" "I'd like that but I feel funny, you working?" "You must be kidding." "Then ok." "Are the eggs hard boiled?" "What sign are you Paul?" "I'm October 6th, Libra lt's why I always seem like an indifferent person." "And you?" "Scorpio." "Oh boy!" "Why oh boy?" "That's a bad sign!" "There are no bad signs." "A small lid." "What's missing for your salad?" "No I have all I need..." "a small knife maybe." "Will this do?" "lt'll do" "Say, I've only got my van to go to town." "It won't look ritzy." "I have my Citroen." "Why are you laughing?" "Don't know, you must look funny in your Citroen." "You've never seen me" "Good morning miss Helen" "Good morning Paul, I'd like a small scallop." "Good morning Monsieur, good morning Michel." "And congratulations on the certificate." "You're too kind." "Without your help, my little brother would have failed." "Oh!" "Nonsense." "Here we go." "Here they come again!" "Apparently they've found a clue." "The gendarmes are there." "Maybe they'll figure it out." "A crime is awful." "Think of the poor girl I've seen a corpse or two their heads in the wind." "Cut in half, mouth open I've seen 3 or 4 piled together." "Kids with their eyes punctured lndo-Chinese as old as Madame Tirrant." "Completely torn to bits." "I've seen pals of mine rotting in the sun." "Being eaten by maggots." "Yes, war is a horrible thing." "That's a fact, but a murder like this lt's barbaric." "We counted corpses by the truck loads so I'm rambling." "How much do I owe you?" "3 francs, I'll put it on your tab." "Look, they're passing again!" "Mr. Lahire, before I forget." "About the party on October 20th will you let me browse in your collection of costumes?" "But of course, you come when you like" "Take whatever you like." "I'm in the show, you promised!" "Yes you're in it." "I love dressing up, anyway I like acting silly." "The joint of veal there!" "Here" "Thanks." "Put it on my account." "What is it for you, Madam?" "What will you give me?" "Whatever you want." "Well of course then, hamburger." "Why not a nice steak?" "No, I don't want it." "lt would give you strength." "Next time then." "Coming mushrooming with us this afternoon?" "I promised Charles and Lisette." "What time?" "About four I may not have finished." "Join us afterwards then." "Ok?" "Paul!" "Yes!" "Wait for me on the path." "I'll find him." "We're in the oak grove." "Made a good haul?" "But that's terrific!" "I smell 'em out!" "Children, come and see Paul's mushrooms!" "I've found one too." "Think you've done enough work?" "No, but I like to watch you like this with the children." "Can we play over there?" "Yes." "So." "Hi Miss Helen, I've noticed something." "Generally, school teachers are..." "We know them by their surname." "I didn't know Miss Vachin's first name." "With you, it's the opposite." "You're Miss Helen." "And I'm sure I'm not the only one" "What is your surname?" "Daville." "Helen Daville" "My questions annoy you?" "Not at all." "It's normal you knowing my surname." "May I... ask you another question?" "It's less discreet." "Shoot." "You don't have to answer if you don't want." "Don't worry." "I think I know what you're gonna ask." "I promise to reply." "I'll dive in then." "Why don't you have a... lover?" "Maybe I don't want one." "Yes I understand but but that's what I'm asking." "Why don't you want one?" "Because I had a big love affair" "Over ten years ago." "I was very much in love with a boy who made me happy whom I liked a lot" "It went on for months" "One day he had enough so he left." "So lt left me.." "Left me lovesick" "And it took me a long time to recover." "That's why I came here to teach" "Now I'm very happy I'm not saying you're not happy but lt's unusual lt's not unusual" "You know Paul, there are simple ways to pass it up." "But that's disgusting!" "I'm not in the least worried." "I love these children like my own." "I'm not convinced" "And anyhow" "No but I see all kinds of reasons I find it to be a miracle that people can meet" "Love each other... .make" "love" "Since" "But I don't want to take another risk I know it's not always fabulous" "But, never making love can make you insane" "But.. also, doing it, can make you crazy" "That's not the point" "But shit, if I asked you if I kissed you now, what would you say?" "I'd say nothing but please don't" "The package I ask you to keep?" "Here it is." "It's for you." "A present?" "Yes" "What's the occasion?" "What day is today?" "Shit it's my birthday!" "Yes" "It's beautiful!" "Feels good" "Look your partner in the eyes." "You can do better, Charles." "Forward three, back, to the side" "Back, to the side" "Smile, further apart" "How handsome!" "A trifle." "Follow the tempo." "Remember what you're doing." "Bernadette, close your mouth!" "Pascal, tuck in your belly" "Smile!" "Shall we?" "Hold yourself straight." "Like this." "Let's do the finale... there!" "You must understand that the instincts" "The feelings" "And even the intelligence of Cro-Magnon man were definitely human." "The only differences to the problem were his needs to survive" "What does survive mean?" "It means to stay alive." "He began to draw" "Do you know what we call desires" "When they lose their savage quality?" "Aspirations lf Cro-Magnon had not survived," "The world in which we live, wouldn't exist" "Be careful where you step." "What if he came back now Cro-Magnon" "The Cro-Magnon, what would he do?" "I don't know" "Maybe he would adapt and live among us or maybe he would die I don't want him to die." "I am certain he was nicer" "Perhaps." "Hold hands" "Did everybody bring sandwiches?" "Yes I have chocolate croissant for those still hungry." "Careful!" "Don't go too fast!" "Sit down here." "I'd like a chocolate croissant" "It's raining?" "No it's not raining" "Look!" "The sky is blue lt's red" "Blood!" "She's bleeding!" "I'm frightened." "I'm frightened!" "Don't move." "I'll be back." "Stay calm" "Miss Helen" "Go away, Charles!" "Go away!" "Miss Helen" "Try again." "Miss Daville." "I'm the lnspector." "Sorry to disturb you but I have to ask you some questions" "Wait for me here" "Perigueux called last night and I took the night train impossible to sleep" "Let's go in here it's fine." "This your classroom?" "Yes" "You're young for a headmistress." "They tell me you're a great teacher" "You're very much liked here" "You'll allow me?" "Perigueux is a little overwhelmed" "Two crimes, one after the other like this" "They're right to pass the buck." "It's not the kind, easy to solve sadistic crimes." "So it's you who found the body I read the statement you made last night the walk and all, no need to repeat" "A real shock for the kids." "The one who got blood on her head" "What I wanted to ask you they did the autopsy last night." "She was killed... ... ... not raped" "She was not raped... .very odd, in fact." "usually" "She was killed just before you found her" "The blood was still fresh." "I'd like to know if you heard noises suspicious noises before the blood incident" "You didn't hear anything?" "No" "You didn't for a second think there was.." "Someone aside from the kids" "No... ..but" "Sorry" "Go ahead, you were going to say I mean... since we had come out of the caves I think it was normal I didn't see nor hear anything." "And neither did the kids?" "No. I don't think but I haven't asked them well, we'll see about it later." "So you approached the corpse" "Obviously, you couldn't imagine" "Tell the little ones to come in here." "Mr. Hamel won't be coming today." "You little ones to the back." "Some of you there and when there's no more room, sit on the benches" "Come on, hurry up!" "Now listen, children" "Did anyone on the walk hear or see anything that seemed strange?" "No, sir!" "Now don't invent anything." "Tell the truth." "They don't tell lies." "So?" "No." "We didn't hear anything" "Can we talk somewhere else?" "In the yard if you like." "Charles, take over for me." "Try and behave" "Now shut up, as Miss Helen said." "I admire your presence of mind." "I realize you must have been panic stricken." "I wanted to ask the kids but let me ask you.." "...to think carefully." "Have you the slightest idea of a clue that might help us get on track." "It is quite certain that somewhere not necessarily here but in the neighborhood there is a madman." "Understand?" "Yes, but I cannot help you." "Between ourselves, what about her husband... .Leon ...Hamel?" "What do you think?" "Sir, lt's quite unthinkable!" "If you only knew what we see.." "...and what human nature can be I won't keep you any longer." "Go back to your students, I'll just stew in my own juice." "Can I phone?" "I'm sorry, but it's too early." "The post office opens in 15 minutes, we're connected directly" "Up-to-date, eh?" "The telephone's not mine..." "it's the school's lt's ancient." "Goodbye miss" "Everything all right?" "You little ones, not too tight?" "I'll give you something to draw." "Miss Helen, may I come up?" "What is it, Paul?" "I've been in Perigueux." "I have a surprise." "Can I come up?" "OK, come up" "Look what I've brought you." "You like it?" "Cherries in brandy but the real stuff compared to what's out there." "Look how big they are, you like them no?" "Very much." "What?" "Not feeling well?" "Yes, but a little tired." "Can we try them right now?" "Sit down. I'll get the glasses." "You're worn out with all this business." "A little spirit" "Best ones I've ever had." "Good, aren't they?" "What do you think?" "Marvellous!" "First time I've seen you upset." "Well, funny!" "Not that funny" "Yes it is." "Don't worry, Paul." "You're too kind I'm not completely stupid, I know it shocked you." "The poor kids and poor Mr. Hamel." "He must be a mess" "He couldn't teach the class today." "I know." "Suddenly more work for you" "You ought to take some time off ln case you get sick I'm strong" "I hope so, but... lf only you'd seen how she was... I thought of all those corpses you talked about." "It couldn't have been worse" "You mustn't think of it." "Don't see her that way" "Think of her as she was the day of her wedding." "When we became friends." "She's had a few drinks..." "a little pink in the face." "You're tired and you're crying." "Dry your eyes." "I saw some good lambs at Perigueux, we could have some..." "Excuse me... I can't help myself." "You know what, I'm going to paint this room." "Needs it, doesn't it?" "Now stop crying." "It's over now." "Got a light?" "Ah, that's better." "It's my lighter!" "Of course it is." "Works well, too." "Not going to begin again, are you?" "It's not quite the same now." "I don't know what to do." "Would you like me to go away?" "No no no no..." "I beg you" "No, please stay." "I need you." "What a surprise!" "I loved her so much." "You know Paul Thomas?" "We know each other I had to take him in, like the rest" "Will you allow me to walk down with you?" "Of course." "This is a frightful business." "It's a hard case." "Not a clue nor a lead of any sort." "Not an indication." "It's a tragedy." "No doubt, it's the same sadist who did the other." "Same sort of wounds... .no rape." "He'll do it again for sure." "And go on until we arrest him if we ever do." "We can't lock everyone home." "We're not even sure he's from here." "And the weapon apparently a flick-knife." "Everyone has them in the country." "Hang this up, I'm going to miss Miss Helen." "Almost done." "I have to finish the ceiling." "Do problem No. 5 on page 72." "It starts with "A train leaves Orleans"" "What's this?" "Trains lf l gave only what you know there will be no progress I've come to finish the ceiling." "What a mess!" "lt will soon be beautiful I hope so" "Hello Leon." "Hello Miss" "How's things?" "Not bad." "Till tomorrow." "Tomorrow's Sunday." "Till Monday then." "See you Monday" "Poor chap." "He's very unhappy." "I'm going shopping with Jean, back in an hour" "Charles, go upstairs and work." "Be done when I return." "and no chit chat" "Oh no, Miss Helen" "More problems of trains, that and faucets" "Poor chap!" "is it coming along?" "No..." "Can you help me?" "If only I could..." "Shit!" "What?" "I said shit, I spilt some paint on the rug." "You need benzene." "Yes but I don't know where it is." "Here in the cupboard" "You know where everything is." "The time I've spent on trains." "And the clean rags?" "In the drawer of the small table between the windows." "Mr. Thomas, can I read you my problem?" "It won't do much good." "A train leaves Orleans at 2:37 lt runs at 50 m.p.h." "for the first 30 miles then at 70 m.p.h. for the rest of the journey." "Another train leaves Toulouse at 2:43 it runs at 40 m.p.h." "for the first 50 miles and at 76 m.p.h. after." "The two trains meet at 5:45." "How far is Toulouse from Orleans?" "Do you know how far?" "That's a help" "You don't know how far?" "I never have understood those problems" "There you are, I was just leaving." "Already?" "I've finished the first coat." "It needs to dry" "You want me to take the ladder away?" "No, don't worry." "Then goodbye" "Goodbye Paul" "Did you know another girl was murdered?" "This time in Bergerac behind a gateway" "You didn't hear me?" "Paul, I was at Bergerac." "Another girl's been murdered in the same manner" "She was found behind a gateway." "I'm not surprised" "There's no reason it should stop" "Why should it stop suddenly?" "That's true, you're right." "Goodnight Paul." "See you tomorrow." "Been another crime?" "Yes, but don't worry about that." "And the problem?" "I can't do it" "Do you at least understand the principle?" "I don't know." "You work out the distance covered by each train and add them." "But I couldn't care less." "That's clever." "Come on, try." "So...where are you at I found that one train traveled has gone 229 miles" "That should be it." "Charles, did you look for something in the drawer?" "No Miss." "It was Mr. Paul who took a rag for cleaning a paint drip" "Oh that's good." "You must be tired." "It's Sunday tomorrow." "At any rate, you understand the problem" "lt's easy" "Yes" "You can go." "Ok" "Goodnight Charles" "Goodnight miss" "Miss Helen" "Let me in I need to talk with you." "Please, it'll take a couple minutes." "I beg you." "Let me have a word with you." "No. I have a headache." "Tomorrow" "No, Tonight." "It's important." "No Paul, I don't feel well right now." "Tomorrow morning..." "come tomorrow morning" "But it's important." "Miss Helen!" "It's me I put out the light." "I came through the wood shed." "Keep still and listen." "I saw you found the lighter" "So I understood you knew it was me." "When I realized I'd lost it I tried to buy another one." "I spent all day at Perigueux to find the same one." "So you wouldn't notice." "It wasn't worthwhile since you'd found it." "This is what I killed them with." "With this knife." "I can't help it, befalls me like a nightmare." "I can't breathe until I've done it." "Until I've buried my knife." "I understand." "You can rely on me Paul" "Don't talk don't talk" "Now I won't dare to be with you like before." "I'm dreadfully embarrassed." "I couldn't bear to see you, you understand." "I know I horrify you." "And I can't stand that." "I can't stand it" "Miss Helen, help me!" "What have you done?" "As you see I've killed myself" "Help me" "Don't move!" "Stay where you are, don't move." "Unclench your first." "Press." "Press hard I'll take you to the hospital" "Don't tell them why, don't tell them I did it" "No... be quiet" "Don't speak" "Hurry" "Hurry up, my blood is leaving me" "Be quiet." "It's better if I speak now." "I spent nights thinking of you." "You don't know." "I've spent nights in front of the school looking at your window and with you when I saw you, when I saw your eyes... I would forget everything." "I didn't know who I was." "I only lived for you." "I beg you don't talk." "You can't stop me." "I would've liked..." "to take you in my arms." "I would've liked to be..." "with you always." "To love you... to protect you... I would've wanted you to need me" "I wanted to take you on a deserted island." "It's so far." "It's so far." "I have a lot of blood." "My blood doesn't stop flowing." "I know about blood." "I've seen so much blood blood flowing." "When you were there." "There was no more blood." "I didn't think about blood anymore." "I don't know if I'll make it to the end." "My blood doesn't stop flowing." "Once when I was little... I fainted when I saw blood." "I noticed the smell of blood." "They all smell the same." "That of animals and that of man." "Some is more red than others but.." "All have exactly the same smell." "It's so far." "Be quiet!" "We've arrived!" "Miss Helen" "Kiss me!" "He's dead, Miss." "When the elevator stopped he cried out Miss Helen." "Then he died." "Now go home." "You're tired." "We'll leave the paper work for tomorrow"