"THE TRAP" "Good evening, Sir." "Your order..." " Thank you." "Thank you." " Sir..." "I'll come by and pay tomorrow." " Thank you." "So I just disappear?" "Do you think I like it, Michael?" "The boy..." " Could stay with his father!" "This boy..." " Is becoming a problem!" "He can't spend Christmas with us?" "Your husband is really using your son to manipulate you." "Helene, when will you start living again?" " He has to go to the Maldives... with his new girlfriend... and the boy needs a real Christmas like everybody else." " Of course." "The whore gets the Maldives, the boy gets the Virgin Mother... and what about me'?" "Don't I get a Christmas?" "Here's your Christmas, darling." "It's a good luck charm." "It's good luck." "But I haven't got your present yet." "When I come back, you'll have time." "Look, darling..." "I'll take him to his grandmother in the country for... a few days, to spend Christmas there." "Then I'll bring him here for a few days... and then I'll hand him right back to his father." "Okay?" " And how long before I have to disappear again, Miss?" "I'm leaving you the house keys." "The electrician is coming by and I hope they deliver the bed." "Morning." " Hello." "Will you be gone long, Miss?" " No, just a few days." "I'll spend Christmas with my son." " Have a good Christmas!" "Who was that?" " Who'?" "The woman who just exited your building." " Ah, my landlady." "I told you about her, didn't I'?" " What's her name?" "Marie Colbert, why'?" "I had a curious sensation that she was someone..." "I knew a long time ago." "What are you thinking about?" "Michael?" "Nothing... nothing important." "Wait, I'll take you inside." " No, you're late as it is." "I'll call you as soon as I can to let you know when we're coming back." "Darling, it's just for a few days, there's no need to..." "Will you take me with you in your suitcase?" " Of course." " Thanks." "Marianne?" "Yes, Sir'?" " Where's the La Tour contract'?" "I never saw it, if I..." " What do you mean?" "If I don't have it, you do." "Go on, go and find it!" "She never saw it!" "Oh, Christ!" "Marianne?" "I know where it is, I forgot." "Excuse me." "Shall I send someone to pick it up'?" " No, it's my fault." "I'll go." "Who are you'?" " I'm Jacqueline." "Right, of course." "Is your mother in'?" "Yes, come in." "Marie Colbert!" "Who would have thought it'?" "The teenager!" "Yes, you look like the little Marie I knew... but at the same time you don't." "What did you do'?" "Get your nose fixed, or something?" "I haven't done anything at all to myself." "I guess I just never saw you grow up." "You were in such a rush to get away." "The wild grass grows quickly, and then changes its nature." "When I saw you this morning, my heart jumped." "There you were." "We are cruel when we're young, no'?" "Yes, I didn't get to see you change." " So you haven't forgotten me, then?" "I did, I forgot you right away... that made it so strange when after so many years... you pop up out of nowhere." "So many years!" "What did you do in America?" "Did you get married?" "Two or three times, I got married." "American women are too honest for me." "Too loyal, perhaps." " Tediously passionate." "And you, where have you been'?" "I don't know anything about you." "Apart from the time we spent together, I know nothing about you." "Who are you, where are you from'?" "It seems we were fated to run into each other again, after so many years." "It's incredible." "Yes, strange." "I never even knew your name." " We never asked each other's names." "But I knew your name." " You asked around, did you'?" "And you didn't'?" " I wasn't curious." "Are you going to scold me'?" " Heavens, no." "Who did you marry'?" " What does it matter'?" "He's dead." "And besides, I didn't marry him, we just had a child together." "Who was he'?" " Someone who was put in front of me." "Pierre..." "A family arrangement..." "I'm off, Mama." " Come here, Jacqueline." "See you, darling." "Won't you be cold?" "That's my father, did you know him'?" "No." "I never met him." " Me, neither." " You were too young to remember him." "You'd better go now darling, it's late." "I'm going... piano lesson." "Bye!" " Bye!" "Did you teach her'?" "You taught her." "Sometimes in life you lose yourself, only to find yourself better than before." "What's wrong?" "What is it, Marie'?" " Everything ends so quickly." "And I don't want it to." "How stupid I am." "I have an idea." "Let's spend Christmas together, okay?" "You..." " I'm alone, you're alone." "We'll make a little family for Jacqueline, how about it'?" "I don't have anywhere to go." "I stay here tonight, go to the office for a few hours... and come right back, okay?" "Okay?" "He's left the hotel." " Michael Parker?" "Are you sure'?" "Yes, Mr. Parker left the hotel yesterday at 19:30." "How is that possible?" "So suddenly?" "He had booked a flight to Chicago a week ago." "Chicago?" " Yes, Miss." " Last night?" "Why, didn't you know'?" "This Helene Marco, what does she mean to you'?" "A harbor, a safe port... protection from the storm." " A sailor's safe berth." "A warrior's." " But, this sounds serious." "Yeah." "At least it was until this morning." "You men really make me laugh." "Just what are you trying to pull on me'?" "What a shame it is, Marie!" "That you haven't learned how easy it is to forget." "This is Michael Parker." "Actually, it's not." "This is just my voice, I'm sorry about that." "If you wish to leave me a message, you have 30 seconds after the beep." "Or, you can try me later." "I'll be at home after 6, thank you." "Did you call Grandma?" "Yes." " Did you tell her the train broke down'?" "Yes." "Did you tell her we'll be there tonight?" " Yes, Bernard." "And to keep my presents for me'?" " Yes, I told her!" "Come on, finish your dinner." "The quicker you finish, the quicker we can leave." "You know what I'd do, Michael?" "I'd destroy this house, set fire to all these old things." "How happily I'd do that, if you were with me." "Am I not here with you'?" "Come on, let's start the fire!" "No, if you were with me in the way I mean." "If you were with me forever." "I'm home, I'm not leaving!" "What about her'?" "Is she happy I'm here'?" "She won't commit herself." "Marie, we're together." "That's what counts." "I think I must have drunk too much." "See'?" "Your daughter won't commit herself." "Oh, I'm home." "I'm not leaving." "Come on, lets trim the tree!" "These poor lonely women..." "Christmas ever will be full of presents." "Michael!" "Michael, you've given me such a present tonight... a present you'll never be able to take away from me." "Where did get this tree from'?" " We keep it on the terrace." "You could have bought a new one!" "We haven't had a man here to take notice of such things." " Now you do." "What is this stuff?" "I think they're lovely!" " They're all so old fashioned!" "You should see the stuff they have today:" "lights up, blinks, plays music... changes colours, patterns positions, you name it!" "This stuff is all so..." " Jacqueline, did you hear what Michael said?" "Stop all that and come over here." "I can't send the maids on holiday without her discovering a new career." "Come and help us with the tree." "Remember, it's not worth everything being perfect." "Let everything just go hang" "Hey, what kind of talk is this?" "Tomorrow I'll go out and by some new ornaments and presents for everyone." "Jacqueline..." "Jacqueline, what do you want for Christmas?" "Go one, tell me." " You pick." "If it were up to me to choose..." "And what do you want'?" "If I should tell you what I wanted, you'd never believe me." "Well..." "I'll have to choose for everybody." "I haven't bought anything yet, anyway." "Not even for her'?" "We don't want to spoil our evening together, must we'?" "Your present will be the best of all." "Marie, look at her." "So close to the tree..." "she's just like you were." "Now I know what I want for Christmas." " Really, what?" "That bracelet." "No, not this one... but I'll find you a similar one, okay?" "No, I like the one you wear." "Well, we'll talk about it later." "Marie, Jacqueline wants this bracelet for Christmas..." "No, Michael!" "Oh, Christ..." "Marie!" "I had the Cafe on the corner send it up." "What did you give me to drink last night?" " Whisky." "Whisky?" " With a little sleeping pill" "Here." "If you wanted to play games again, all you had to do was ask." "I was afraid that you would have said no." "You're right, I might have." "Don't you like certain games any more?" " I don't know..." "I was supposed to go to the office." "I've distracted you from your daily routine, you ought to thank me." "You're as crazy as ever." "Have you done this with others?" " No." "Only with me'?" "Only with you." "Why waste the opportunity?" "Let's relive the past." "Marie..." "I have to use the bathroom first." " Can't you wait'?" "I don't think I'd better." "And with Helene?" "Don't you play certain games?" "Marie, come on." " Yes or no'?" "That's not a nice thing to ask." "So she's boring, completely lacking in imagination?" "My daughter is far too curious." "Like mother, like daughter." "Well'?" "About Mrs. Marco'?" " I told you, I don't want to talk about Helene." "We'll have to discuss her at some point, won't we'?" "Marie, please." "Freedom." "Thanks." "You got a cigarette'?" " Afterward s." "Afterward s!" "Sure you haven't been practicing with others?" " Cut it out, Michael." "Take it easy." " I'm sorry." "Not so tight." "Mama!" "Mama, telephone!" "Tell them I'm not here!" " It's important, Mama." "Well, who is it'?" " It's the lawyer!" "I'll call him back later." " Go ahead, there's no rush." "Alright, I'm coming." "I know it's the final day for my signature," "I'll be there early tomorrow morning." "You should be here now!" " I'm sorry." "My dear lady, that's impossible!" " What do you mean?" "The whole business is held up!" "What difference can in make?" "Just a day later, that's all." "One day'?" "It's been three weeks, Miss!" " Very well, I'll be there this afternoon." "But I won't be here!" " Then someone else will." "The notaries aren't at our disposal..." " No'?" " No!" "We're wasting time, I'm waiting for you." "Very well, I'll be there in an hour, don't worry." "Goodbye, thank you!" "I'm sorry Mama, I didn't want to disturb you but he insisted." "Welcome back, Mistress." " Yes, but not for long." " Why'?" "I've got to see my lawyer and sign some papers, otherwise I'll lose the house." "So it'll have to be a quickie!" " I don't like doing things in a hurry." "Neither do I, but since you're..." "I have the distinct impression that my time is up." ""Sorry about that fellow, better luck next time!" "Don't worry, it's only a game!"" "Marie'?" " Yes?" "It's only a break, a small break." " I do hope so." "How about this evening?" " Yes, why not'?" "Around 7 for dinner." " Wonderful!" "Marie, I have to get dressed too." " I think you look better the way you are." "You love me too much, dear lady." "Christ, how did you do this?" "You sure know to tie knots." "I can't do it, I need some help." " Michael asking for help... that's the last thing I'd expect to hear." " Marie, come on!" "Do you like Jacqueline?" " What?" "Don't you think my daughter is delightful?" "Marie, please!" "Will you come and untie me'?" "No, Michael." "What do you mean, no'?" "I mean that you won't be able to go away without telling me this time." "Come on, Marie." "A game is a game." "This is no game, Michael." "Untie me." " This time I won't let you forget me." "You're not going to leave me here'?" "That's exactly what I'm going to do." "Untie me, will you'?" "When I'm sure that you'll stay with me." "Only then, perhaps..." "It's useless, Michael." "You're mine." "You're crazy." " Don't say that." "You're sick." " I'm perfectly well." "You're the one who should be tied up." "You're crazy." "Jacqueline, get me out of here." "Your mother is nuts." "Come on, untie me." "Jacqueline!" "Jacqueline!" "Marie!" "I can't believe this!" "Let him scream, he'll soon calm down." " Marie, you can't leave me here!" "Jacqueline!" "Christ!" "Marie!" " And chuck that ridiculous tree out." "Untie me!" " I'll only be away a couple of hours." "Marie!" " Forgive me, darling." "Marie!" "Jacqueline..." " You weren't nice to Mama." "She loves you." " Jacqueline, please untie me." "Please!" " She loves you, you know." "I know, unfortunately." "I've got to get out of here, please untie me." "I can't, Mama would be very angry." "Your mother is crazy, do you realise how crazy she is'?" "Mama doesn't like that word." "You don't know, she was very sick." "Give me a cigarette." "No fire." " You light it for me!" "No, Mama said no." "Did you manage to speak with him?" " Only with the answering machine..." "He left the office yesterday and never went back, I don't understand." "This one sounds like a catch, too." "My poor child, you really don't have an eye for picking out your men." "Mother, don't start!" "It's 7 o'clock." " Now that's enough." "Untie me, I have to go." "Dinner is ready, my darling." "With me, at 7, just as you wanted." "You know where you can stick your dinner!" " I dropped by Fauchon's especially." "Foie grass, red caviar, champagne..." " I don't want anything!" "I just wanna get out of here!" " We have plenty of champagne." "Calm down, darling." " I don't want a damn thing!" "Whore!" "Some foie grass first... or some red caviar?" "You are a whore!" "I'd suggest the caviar first." " Fuck you, bitch!" "Did she send you'?" " No." " Where is she?" "In the living room, asleep on the sofa." "Jacqueline, please help me." "You have to help me, your mother is sick, she's crazy." " No, that's not true." "She's better now." "She does strange things sometimes, but she's not crazy." "Go get the scissors and cut these stockings before she wakes up." "I can't, she wouldn't like it." "But I want you to be happy... to stay here with us." "If I'm nice to you, will you stay?" "You're very pretty." " Pretty like my mother'?" "Even prettier'?" " No, that's not true." "Yes, it's true." "Your skin is so soft, so warm..." "Could you fall in love with me'?" "I wish I could hold you in my arms." "What would you do'?" "I'd let you feel a man's hands." "But you can't." " I could if you untied me." "You can't, because I won't." "It doesn't matter." "Turn around, Jacqueline." "What for'?" " Turn around." "Come on, turn around." "Jacqueline!" "Jacqueline!" " Mama is awake, let me go." "Jacqueline, untie me!" "Untie me!" "Jacqueline, please untie me!" "Please, Jacqueline!" "Untie me!" "This is Michael Parker." "Actually, it's not." "This is just my voice, I'm sorry about that." "If you wish to leave me a message, you have 30 seconds after the beep." "Or, you can try me later." "I'll be at home after 6." "Where the hell have you been, Michael?" "I've been two days, at least leave me a message if you're still alive." "You don't know how tiring it is to keep calling you from my mother's house... with the boy listening to everything." "Please call me." "Get up." "What, right in front of you'?" " Yes, in front of me." "I should remind you that your Helene Marco and I both live on the 6th floor." "Get in the bath, you need it." "Take it." "Shoot him, shoot him!" "Give that to me!" "Hold it right there, Michael." "Tie him up well." "Now go to bed." "Here." "Why'?" "Marie..." "Listen to me..." "Marie..." "No, he hasn't come in this morning either, Miss." "Mr. Parker hasn't been to the office in 2 days, Miss." "Excuse me, but aren't you doing anything?" " What should I do'?" "I'm sorry, but has it ever happened that Mr. Parker has just disappeared... without leaving a message, without calling, sending a telegram... without sending someone to let you know where he is'?" "No, that hasn't happened, but Mr ." "Parker hasn't been himself lately." "If you recall, a few weeks ago he didn't come in one morning... he canceled six appointments and then didn't show up at all." "Exactly!" "But he was with me then, and he's not with me now... and neither you nor I have any idea what has happened to him" "It seems that you should be worried, but instead you're not doing a thing!" "If you knew the extra work I've had to put in these past 48 hours... you wouldn't talk to me like this." "Mrs. Marco, I'm sorry but I have to go." "I have so many things to do." "Please excuse me, goodbye." "Slam the telephone, why don't you'?" "Bernard!" "Bernard, get yourself ready." "We have to leave!" "What's going on with this guy'?" " Nothing, I must get back to Paris." "The child wanted to spend Christmas here!" "I want to stay here with Grandma!" " Don't argue, Bernard." "Go and get ready, do as I say!" "Fancy taking the child to spend Christmas with a stranger." "If your husband knew..." "Mother, please!" "Bernard, go and get ready!" " I want to take all the presents Grandma gave me." "Yes, even the bicycle!" "We'll put all the presents in a suitcase, and send the... bicycle to your father's house." " I don't want to go to his house!" "Michael!" " Where's your mother'?" "The lawyer keeps pestering her." " Thanks for leaving these loose!" "I did not!" " Well thanks anyway!" "Now come here." "Don't just stand there, help me with this knot!" "She'll think I untied you!" " She can think what she wants!" "I'll be long gone!" "Michael please, don't go!" "I don't want you to go!" "She doesn't want me to go!" " I'll convince her to let you go." "You can come back when you want." "But please don't go away like this, you don't know what she's capable of!" "I know very well what she'll do if I don't get out of here!" "I'm out of here right now!" " No..." " Right now!" "No, Michael!" "Mama has locked us in." " You don't have a key?" " No!" "It's no use, Michael!" "You'll never get out of here, never!" "You'll never leave us!" " We'll see about that!" "The gun!" "Yes, the gun!" "Where does she keep it'?" "Where has she hidden it'?" "Where have you hidden that damn gun'?" "Where is it, here" "Here?" "Where is it'?" "Answer me!" "You little bitch!" "You're worse than your mother!" "Here are the needles." "Do you know how to do it'?" "A wound is sewn up just like anything else." "I had a dreadful wound once, falling off a horse." "He won't feel a thing." "What did you say at the pharmacy?" " That they were for camping." "What if he dies'?" "It was his fault." "He can't die." "Will he die'?" " No, we'll take care of him." "We'll take care of him..." " And he'll get better." "That's if he doesn't escape with his guts in his hand, since we can't tie him up." "He won't go, I'll take care of it." "You're tough." " Like you." "No." "I've never been strong." "Actually, I've always been weak... extremely weak." "And to think, I went out to buy him a razor and shaving cream." "Help me to keep him." "I can't do without him." "He mustn't escape." "I entrust him to you." "Max, his stuff is still in the closet." "Max..." "How sweet Max was..." "But you mustn't hurt him." "I love him." "Why are you here'?" "What happened?" " Nothing, don't worry." "I called the number you gave me... your mother told me that you'd taken the 2 o'clock train." "Have you had any news?" " No, nothing." "I'm starting to get worried, that's why I came to meet you." "His answer-phone always gives the same message." "Which means that since leaving the office, Mr. Parker hasn't been home." "I don't know what to think any more." "Would that be his red sports car'?" " It's not here." "Will you let me drive?" " Do you have a license?" " No." " Then I'm afraid you can't." "Come on, move over." "Call me if you hear something, I'll do the same." "But if I don't hear anything by tomorrow morning, I'm calling the police." "That's mine!" "What's your name?" " Marlene, and you'?" "Bernard." "Who was here'?" " No one was here." "Did they bring the fixtures?" " No, Miss." "Not even the bed'?" " Nobody showed up, Miss." "Here are the keys." "I'm sure I closed this door all the way when I left." "All four turns." "Are you sure Mr. Parker didn't come by'?" " Positive, Miss." "And I'm positive he wouldn't have left his briefcase here like this." "He wouldn't have left it open, either." "Thank you again." " Any time Miss, whatever you need." "Ask your wife if she's seen Mr. Parker." " Of course." "Miss..." " Hello." "Marie..." "It's me." "It's me, Michael." "Please..." "You loved me, Marie." "Please, let me go." "You said you wanted me." " Yes, Marie." "You said I'm prettier than she is." " Yes... yes, Marie." "Then why do you keep calling me Marie'?" "Jacqueline..." "Jacqueline..." "Come over here." "Come here, Jacqueline." "Let me go, Jacqueline." "Just take me to the stairs." "I won't tell anyone, I swear." "Do you love me'?" " Yes, I love you." "Really?" " Yes." "I love you, I love you..." "I love you, I love you..." "I love you..." " I don't believe you." "Let's run away together." "I'll take you with me." "We'll get away from here, far away from your mother." "We'll always be together, you and I..." "All behind my back, it's disgusting!" "Him the dog, and you the bitch!" "Aren't you ashamed?" "And take that dress off!" "Are you trying to look like me'?" "What's gotten into you, stupid girl?" "Why are you going through my things?" "Do you think he'll confuse you with me, fall in love with you instead?" "I see, you want to look like me." "Alright, it's true, I see it..." "I've told you too much and confided in you, made you my accomplice..." "What are you going to do now'?" "You won't answer me'?" "You want to betray me, like all accomplices?" "Did you get the antibiotics?" "We must call a doctor." " They'll put him in hospital." "He needs medical care, we can't kill him." "I'll take care of him, he'll get better." "Are you better than me'?" "Have you discovered your new career as a nurse or something?" "Call a doctor, I'm in a bad way." "Dr. Le Bois'?" " Yes, who's speaking?" "This is Marie, Marie Colbert." " Marie!" "How can I help you'?" "Yes, I'd like some information." " Nothing serious, I hope." "It's about a wound, a knife wound." " Is it a deep wound?" " Yes." "Is it inflamed?" " Yes." "Perhaps I should come." " Yes." " It could be an infection." "He ha a fever'?" " Yes, high." "Then I'll come." "Where exactly is the wound?" "Hello, Dr. Le Bois?" " Who's this, Jacqueline?" " Yes" "It's really nothing, you know how Mama is." "I cut my hand, and the only reason I have a fever is because I have a cold." "I see." " If you'd like to prescribe me some antibiotics, just in case." "Mama can come by and pick it up." " Certainly, it's better to be safe." "Thank you, Doctor." " Of course." "Goodbye." " Goodbye, my dear." "You're so stupid." "I saw the breakdown truck myself." "Hello'?" " Hello, yes?" " I'd like some information on a car that's been towed." "I'm sorry, Miss." "For information on towed cars, you'll have to call back tomorrow morning." "I see, thanks all the same." "Mommy, look!" "I'm a China man, too!" "Yen, so Mr. Parker didn't come by to pay the bill'?" "No, Miss." "Then I'll take care of it." "We can wait until Mr. Parker gets back, Miss." "Marianne, this is Helene Marco." "Could you take me to the city car pound in the morning?" "They've taken Michael's car." "I don't know, they told me it was badly parked outside the building." "Mommy, did you know that there are a billion Chinamen?" "Bernard, don't be silly!" " Yes, a billion Chinamen!" "Who told you that?" " They told me at school." "Helene!" "What's the difference between a Chinese and a Vietnamese?" "I don't know, ask them." "My darling..." "Helene..." "There, I knew it!" "Jacqueline, open the door!" "Open the door!" "You're a poor woman, jealous of a man who isn't even yours!" "He never did belong to you and never will belong to you!" "Give me that bracelet." "Give me all of these things, they don't belong to you." "Excuse me, Miss." "The boy has lost his parachute... a toy, on the terrace..." " Stay here!" "Bernard, come back here!" " We'll take care of it, thanks." "What's going on, who is this child?" " I don't know." " Catch him!" "It's not here!" " What are you looking for'?" "What's he looking for'?" "Send him away!" "Stop him, Jacqueline!" "Come here, come here!" " It's there on the balcony!" "Will you tell me what you're looking for'?" "This!" "Marlene let it fall." "She insisted on throwing it." "I told her not to, but she's an idiot, the porter's daughter..." "I can't understand why girls always want to play boys' games." "They never seem to get the hang of it and always make a mess." "What are you doing?" "I won't let you!" " Let me go!" "Don't be ridiculous!" "Stop that!" "Stop that!" "Let me go, I must see him!" " It's useless, he doesn't want you!" "That's not true!" "You monster!" " You're finished." "You poor woman, you're finished." "You're finished." "Poor Mama..." "Marlene!" " What are those children doing in the middle of the street?" "Come on, inside!" "Bernard!" "Will you show me your car'?" "I have a license now." "This is no time for silliness!" "I'm sorry, but at this point I must call the police." "I apologise if this is too personal... but I wouldn't want for you to be, well, embarrassed." "What I mean is, I often covered for Mr. Parker even with you... saying that he was busy in the office, when he wasn't in the office at all." "Of course, that's possible." "A man is a man." "But one thing I am sure of is that we love each other and Michael would never... leave me like this, for nearly four days with no word whatsoever." "Mommy, can I watch the television?" "Come, come sit here with Mommy." "Come on." "Forgive me, Bernard." "Forgive me, Mommy has been so worried these days, so upset..." "You'll see... soon things will calm down." "I love you." "You know that, don't you'?" "Tomorrow we'll go and buy the best Christmas presents in the world." "Will you buy me a motor car'?" " Just a motor car'?" "A real motor car, though." "I really do have a license." "Look Mommy, it only needs my photograph." "I'm sorry to disturb you, Miss... but I found this license not long ago in my son's hands." "First he said he found it on the stairs... then he said the porter's girl gave it to him... now he says he picked it up in your apartment." "He tells so many lies, I don't know what to believe, I'm so..." "There are no men in this house."