"THE KILLING OF SANTA CLAUS" "In the world, there are only two means of self-advancement:" "either through one's own efforts or through anothefis misfortune." "Period." "Silence!" "But Sir, it's time." "Sit down." "It's 4 o'clock, Sir." "Goodness me, will you be quiet?" "I'm not deaf." "The first one that moves, will spend his Christmas holiday copying 1 O times:" ""I packed up my things before the teacher gave me permission, and I promise not to do it again for the rest of the year."" "Yes, the bell has rung." "Yes, you are on holiday." "You like December, eh?" "Holidays." "You've been waiting for this moment." "Ever since the start of the school year." "You're bunch of dunces." "Lazy dunces." "All of you, dunces!" "Anyway-..." "Don't forget, on Christmas night" "I'm leading the annual procession behind the old chapel during the midnight mass." "There will be one orange and one candycane each." "Silence!" "A gift from the local free thinkers' guild." "Don't you forget it." "Get out of here." "You may leave." "Watch out!" "Bastard!" "He almost ran us over." "Who was it anyway?" "I dunno." "He's not from around here." "Your Highness!" "Hey look!" "Here comes mother Michel." "Mistou..." "Where are you Mistou?" "Meow... meow..." ""Old mother Michel lost her cat... and cries out for someone to bring it back..."" "Leave mother Michel alone!" "The next one who shouts that out gets a wallop!" " What shouldn't we shout?" " Meow!" "Meow!" "Haha, you're really good at it!" "Little brats!" "I'll show you." "Next time, they won't get away with it." "Excuse me, have you seen Mistou?" "That way, mademoiselle, at least I think so." "Thank you, officer." "Father Cornusse is in." "Maybe he's in a good mood." "Let's go in." "Hello M. Cornusse." " You again?" " We came to ask about your cold." "For the last 15 days, I've been telling you it's been over for 8." "You could've caught another one." "Yeah, yeah, yeah." "How is your little brother." " He's very ill." " Now he can't even walk." "Go tell him I'll come visit him soon." "Where is Catherine?" "She's finishing up a new doll." "Is it a pretty doll?" "As pretty as her other dolls." "M. Cornusse, where is China?" "I've told you a hundred times." "China is right here." "It's quite small then." "It's huge." "With millions and millions of Chinese children, just as annoying as all of you, always asking questions." " What about the bandit?" " Fu Xiyu?" "Here and there." "Old time bandit, that Fu Xiyu." "He made everybody tremble." "Weren't you afraid?" "Never!" "I said to him:" ""You're wasting your time, Fu Xiyu"" "He understood." "Then he speaks French?" "No, I told him in Chinese." "Father Cornusse, you can't speak Chinese... gibberish..." "There's Chinese for you." " Did he have a lot of money?" " He was poor." "He became a bandit for his daughter." "All of China's country wardens were after him." "But he didn't care." "We rode double on his horse, alongside the rivers." "The Yangtse river, the Amur river..." "Good old times..." "What a shame he got hanged!" "He was hanged four times!" "And each time, the rope broke." "Fu Xiyu was no ordinary man!" "I'd like to be married to him." "What makes you think he would want you?" "Why whouln't he?" "Easy now!" "One night, he invited me into his tent." "As we sipped swallow-nest broth, suddenly a big bird flew into the tent." "A bird who could speak." "A parrakeet!" "Sort of... sort of like a parrot." "He came to tell Fu Xiyu that his daughter, the Princess Aurora was ill..." "You dunces again?" " Hello Sir..." " Get out of here." "Hello Cornusse." "The ones who are still here in 5 seconds will copy 1O times..." "You're painting them now?" "The others are pasted on, this one is my masterpiece," "I designed and painted it by hand." "That's an herculean task!" "It allows me to travel without ever leaving these parts." "And it takes my mind off my toubles." "What troubles?" "Catherine's health..." "Not that she's ill." "Her mind wanders..." "She doesn't eat much." "Doesn't drink." "It's all her dolls and songs, all the stories you tell her." "She's dreaming..." "One day, Villard, I won't be around anymore... and she'll be all alone." "I'll be here." "Cornusse, it is my opinion that Catherine finds too many distractions here that cause her to daydream." "You'll dress up as Santa Claus again this year?" "A Christmas eve without father Cornusse making his children's rounds." "That's impossible." "Yes, but all of that hurts Catherine." "Fewer fairytales and more steak and red wine is what she needs." "What will make her come down to earth is a baby that cries and needs her attention." "Is it your intention to give her a baby?" "I would like to marry her soon." "If she will consent... you have my blessing." "I'll tell her you are handsome and attractive." "Since they're inspired by good intentions," "God will allow these lies." "Thank you, indeed." "Good luck." "Catherine." "Did I wake you?" "I was dreaming." "I dreamt that..." "I was asleep." "How quaint." "I had a talk with your father, he'd like for you to become my wife." " Your wife?" " Yes." "You seem surprised, but I've told you a hundred times that I love you." "Always only with words." "You never play guitar under my balcony." "Guitar?" "You never ride your horse to come here." "My horse?" "Why don't you carry a sword?" "A sword?" "What for?" "To fight the enemies of the crown." "To defend yourself against wild beasts." "Can you tell me you love me... to death?" "Yes, Catherine." "Profoundly." "I would like to give you clothes fine food, a modern flat with central heating..." "I know my situation is modest but" "I'll do anything to fulfill all your desires." "Should we be on a walk, and a man were to look at me, would you kill him?" "Kill him?" "Yes." "Even a man like Bluebeard?" "I want two children." "First, a girl." "Cinderella." "Then a boy," "Tom Thumb." "Do you love me enough to make that happen?" "I swear you'll be happy." "Listen." "The bells." "One day, they'll ring for us." "I like the sound of bells." "My first name is Léon," "Tell me: "Leon, there is hope"." "I'll have to get accustomed to the name." "Ah, Catherine..." "You'll be rich and happy someday." "Whatever it takes, I swear it." "Goodbye, my love." "Here is the ox." " And here is the donkey." " Thank you." "You've already hung up Saint Nicolas's ring?" "Only to get a sense of the general effect." "A wonderful evening star humble nativity scene." " We'll put it away later on." " That would be wise." "It's worth at least 300,000 francs." "More than that, Capel." "To keep such a jewel, when the roof is leaking and the pews need to be repaired." "It's touching that such a treasure should belong to so poor a church in so modest a village." "It's risky to have it on display like that." "There are wicked people on this earth." "Father!" "Look." "Poor girl." "See what she wants." "Mistou..." " Have you seen Mistou?" " Come now." "Mistou can't be here." "He just ran away." "I thought..." "A church is no place for a cat." "Go on now." "That witch will jinx us." "We are not in the middle ages." " What is it now?" " A cold waterdrop fell on my neck." "I told you the roof had a leak." " Here Capel." " Thank you Father." "Cape".!" "Father!" "Catch him!" "He went up into the tower." "Don't worry I'll take care of him." "Look, father." "The man smashed the stained glass window and he jumped." "Look at these stains." "It's blood." "Tell the country warden to fetch the mayor." "I'll go and I'll get you the chemist as well." "M. Ricomet!" "Quick." "Someone has attacked the priest!" "He was almost knocked out." " Who did it?" " A thief going after the ring." "Luckily I was there and scared him off." "Is it someone from around here?" "All I know is that his hand got injured." "Just like yours!" "Just a scratch." "Let me help you." " Our Father was attacked?" " A heavy blow to the head..." "We must get the country warden!" "I just did and he went the the inn to make a phonecall." "Where have you been?" " I was in the yard." " What happened to your hand?" "Nothing, I was slaughtering a chicken." "Hello Vircourt." "May I phone the mayor?" "Of course." "Something happened?" "Classified information." "It's serious then." "Top secret." "Hello?" "He's not kidding." "We'll soon find out." "Hello, Mr. Mayor?" "It's Vircourt." "Yes, it's an urgent and private matter." "'Round 5 o'clock, the priest was attacked." "The priest!" "No doubt they wanted to steal the ring." "Saint Nicolas's ring!" "I've started the investigation." "But no result yet." "So you'd better come." "I'll be at the town hall in five minutes." "Don't let this spread, Vircourt." "Will do, Mr. Mayor!" "Count on my discretion!" "Good bye." "I have a pair." "Professor Schnoops's method." "Have a drink, M. Vircourt." "You want to make me talk." "I won't say a word." "Not one." "Don't insist." "He won't say a word." "Not one." "Don't insist!" "The priest gets clubbed and you find it funny?" "He's unharmed, isn't he?" "What if they stole the ring?" "Churches are full of stashed away money." "You men don't believe in anything." "If the bishop was murdered, you'd carry on playing cards." "And you drinking your liquor." "Say, this is an opportunity to play a trick on the teacher who pretends to know it all." "Hell, yes!" "Watch out." "Here he comes." " Agreed?" " Agreed." "Good evening M. Villard." "Good evening, my friends." "You heard the news?" "What news?" "Sensational news!" "Buy me a drink?" "Tell us what is is first." " Well, I'll tell..." " One... two... three..." "Someone tried to steal the ring!" "What ring?" "You didn't know that somebody roughed up the priest?" "No, I didn't." "I'm sorry." "I'm agaist the priests as a philosophical principle, but your priest is a nice man, I respect him." "Isn't that what you wanted to tell us?" "No!" "I had no idea." "So what was your sensational news?" "Something else?" "You'll still buy me a drink?" "Well gentlemen, the Baron is back." "No way!" "Yes." "After a ten year leave, he came back to his castle today." "Give me a white vermouth as usual." "A ten year absence," "Without writing a single word." "His parents died without knowing what became of him." "At only 18, he was living it up in Grenoble." "He is a good looking man!" "That's quite a piece of news!" "I never said it was good news..." "Cheers everyone!" "Mistou..." "Mistou..." "Mother Michel, Mistou is not here." "I'm sorry, I thought he was..." "I have to find him." "Ifs so cold outside." " Good night, M. Rambert." " Good Night, mother Michel." "Hello Flip!" "Quiet." "You'll wake him up." "So what?" "He won't be pleased that we're playing outside instead of staying by his side." "Then why don't we stay by his side?" "Because it's more fun outside." "You're right." "Let's be quiet." "Put on your clothes." "Watch it!" "It's not my fault!" "Where are you going?" "Going for a walk..." "You're so lucky..." "Why don't you try to come with us?" "You know I can't." "You never try." "Walking is easy." "You used to outrun us." "Not anymore..." "Christian, with the help of Pierre and me maybe you could." "Oh no..." "Can't we at least try?" "Go on, let us get you up" "There..." "You're not so ill after all." "I don't have the strength..." "What are you three up to?" "We were asking Christian what game he wants to play." "Later..." "First you go fetch the chemist." "The Baron needs him." "He's expecting him at the castle this very day." "Yes mummy." "Drink while it's hot." "Your Highness?" "Your Highness, M. Ricomet is here." "Shall I show him in?" "Yes." "Right away." "I am glad to see that after such a long absence," "His Highness is doing well." "His return to the castle pleases everyone." "We have missed His Highness." "It is an honor and a joy..." "If His Highness follows me..." "Sit down." "Is His Highness in need of anything?" "Can you... keep a secret?" "I certainly can if His Highness would do me the honor..." "If His Highness follows me..." "M. Ricomet, my return to the village" " will arouse curiosity..." " Rightfully so." "Wrongfully so." "My story is simple." "I travelled all around the globe." "And finally understood that there's no place like home." "Very well put." "I don't need your approval." "I've learned to speak fourteen languages." "I can speak of love and philosophy in any language." "Now that I have achieved that, the best thing to do is to shut myself up." "This is my message to your fellow citizens." "I am very honored..." "May I add," "Mr. Chemist, that I have remained a bachelor." "Before I left, my mother gave me some earrings as a gift to my future wife." "I went everywhere... everywhere." "And I still have these earrings." "There you are." "I've told you everything." "I shall inform all of those who are able to understand... such a regrettable situation." " Thank you." "Excuse me..." "I require one more favour of you, a personal favour..." "It would be an honor and a joy..." "Can you bring me some Chaulmoogra Oil?" "Chaulmoogra Oil?" "But that medicine is used to treat... leprosy!" "Your Highness..." "I don't keep it in stock, but I'll order some from Grenoble." "I'll bring it to you myself." "Or better yet, the maid will bring it." "Thank you." "His Highness can count on my devotion, my empathy," "I'm expected..." "My regards, Your Highness." "How did find him?" "Well..." "He's acting weird, never says a word..." " Alas, he spoke to me..." " What of?" "I can't tell you, but a piece of advice:" "under no circumstances are your children to go near him." "But why?" "For the children's sake, don't let them near him." "Vircourt, I have the most terrifying news..." "Terrifying?" "I just met the Baron..." "Say, Mr. Mayor..." "How about padlocks for the windows?" "We'll post armed men." "No Mr. Mayor, no policemen in my church on Christmas eve." "Be that as it may, please choose with great care the men put in charge of watching over the ring." "I will do whatever is necessary." "[V] I'." "[V] I'." "What's the matter?" "Rumor has it the village is plague striken." " What are you talking about?" " The Baron!" "M. Ricomet told me he has the plague!" "The plague!" "What do you want me to do about it?" "Well, when a rabid dog is on the loose, the people should be warned!" "Some people are already feeling burns and itches." "And I shall issue an official bulletin allowing them to scratch themselves?" "Well, that's all they're talking about at the inn." "The easiest way would be to shoot him down." "And set the body on fire afterwards." "And the castle, too." "To prevent the contagion." "He's right." "You have mixed up the plague with leprosy." "The plague is dreadful." "But everyone is more or less a leper." "Everyone." "You're frightening Catherine." "She's all pale." "Come with me." "Come on." "Good day." "Madame Cotillot, what color is the Baron today?" "Don't utter his name." "Greyish or on the green side?" "I can't stand the sight of him, I'm too afraid." "I came to ask you if you could find me a new job." "Anywhere..." "What did I tell you, that's how it begins:" "they burn all their bridges." " I won't stay up there." " Quite understandable." "It's not safe for your kids." "Are you refering to his illness?" "That's not the reason." "I don't care about the germs." "What I can't stand is something else." " Something worse." " Worse?" "This man doesn't speak." "Never." "He makes signs." "The silence gives me the creeps." "It's not nice to abandon someone who is ill." "Would you shine his shoes each morning, knowing that you run the risk of finding a toe?" "It's not nice to abandon someone who is desperate." "Don't laugh." "Catherine is right." "Everyone, every day, loses a piece of life." "It doesn't scare anyone." "A little finger." "A piece of an ear." "A thing you love." "A part of your life." "Another finger." "Another ear." "All your life." "Then... that's it." "Dear Father Christmas in Heaven," "Don't think I am lazy because I stay in bed." "It is because I hurt my leg." "So I am bored a lot." "So I would be very happy if you bring me..." "You are making so much noise." "It's so that Santa knows we haven't moved yet." "What's the shoeshine for?" "So that the shoes look nice in front of the fireplace." "I forbid you to mess with your father's boots." "Boots are bigger than shoes." "It's for Christian..." "And what are you doing?" "My Christmas list." "You want so many things?" "No, just one." "The rest is all details, so that he gets it right." "Be nice now." "And stop that singing." "If the Baron hears you..." "What would he say?" "Probably nothing." "But he would frown and do like this with his sick hand..." "Go away, leave me alone." "What do you want?" "I want to be your maid." "I need nobody." "You'll be all alone." "I enjoy solitude." "Who are you?" "Catherine Cornusse." "I knew your father, but I don't remember you." "I was too young." "But I used to see you on your white horse." "You remember Sultan?" "He had a black spot on his forehead." "I can still hear the sound of his hooves." "In the evenings, I used to dream under the table." "My father told me to go to bed." "I was afraid in my dark bedroom but when I heard you riding Sultan home," "I went to bed." "I was no longer scared." "Why did you come here?" "I would like to be your maid." "Impossible." "You don't know them." "They'll deny you bread and milk." "They'll let you starve to death." "Do you know why I live alone?" "Why everyone shuns me?" "In spite of that, you came?" "Can I stay?" "Soon, I'll be an ugly sight." "I too will have a black spot on my forehead." "Go home to your father, do you hear?" "Will you obey me?" "Catherine Cornusse." "You who don't fear leprosy." "May I kiss you?" "Have I been sleeping here long?" "You were sleeping?" "You took advantage and kissed me." "He'll be cross when he learns I came alone." "Are you mad at me?" "A little." "May I?" "But it's stale bread." "I hardly recognize myself." "I was never hungry before." "It's good to eat." " I'm thirsty, too." " It's only water..." "A crust of bread and some water." "It's wonderful!" "You are a little girl." "I can't stay much longer." "Why not?" "People are bad." "They'll imagine things." "What things?" "Don't hold me any longer." "My father will be cross." "Catherine don't leave so soon." "Tonight, I'll see you in church." "I'll play the organ." "Goodbye Catherine." "See you tonight." "Be careful." "My father will be there." "Daddy, do you want a match to light up your cigarette?" "Did I ask you for the time?" " Mommy, can I help you?" " No!" "It would be easy if all you had to do was act nice for 5 minutes before Santa Claus came knocking." "Will you tell him I broke the umbrella stand?" "And that I peed in the coal stack?" "No need." "He knows everything." "Even the mischiefs you've been hiding." "He knows about those, too?" "Who is it daddy?" "It's him." "The one with a clear conscience may open the door." "What a sorry sight!" "Here I am, Santa, I'm coming." " Good evening, Santa." " Good evening!" " How was your trip?" " Fine, thank you." "But I'm not getting any younger." " Good evening, madam." " Good evening, Santa." "I carry heavy parcels." "I bring Raoul a new umbrella stand, and some coal for Albert." "Sit down Santa, we'll help you." "You'll share a glass of something with us?" "Yes, a very very small one." "Is that all you've brought the children?" "No." "I have two whips at the bottom of my basket." "Two!" "Because the one from last year didn't last long." "So I figured two would hold you over until next year." "But at the very bottom of my basket there is a nice surprise." "Cheers Santa!" "How is Catherine your little protege?" "Always daydreaming." "At 18, she still has no use for a looking glass." "Come in!" " You knew it was me?" " Of course." "After you left," "I thought this was to be my last Christmas Eve." "Don't say such things." "I came to ask you to supper with me." "At your place?" "That wouldn't be proper." "At the inn if you want." "I have nothing to wear." "Stay as you are." "For my first Christmas Eve dinner, I'd like to dress up." "It won't be your last." "Yes, the first and the last." "You see Roland, if you're not here next year..." "Stay here... it's M. Leon" "Can you see through walls?" "Who is this M. Leon?" "He comes here often." "Full of drandruff and with hair in his ears." "He's going away." "No, he's coming back..." "He's about to kick the door!" "He's going for good this time." "Catherine..." "At the castle there are old wardrobes, full of wonderful dresses." "Come and pick the one you like." "Go away now." "Tell me you'll come." "Do I need to do that for you to be sure?" "I'm already waiting for you." "When you are nice to daddy, you get a train engine." "When you are nice to mommy, you get a boat." "And when you are nice to everyone, you get the engine, the boat, a clarinet..." "Another glass, Santa..." "Oh no, the heat is going to my head already..." "Must me the stove..." "Some plum brandy, against the cold..." "I make a note that little René..." "Roger" "Roger, was vary brave throughout the scarlet fever... the measles" "I'm sorry, so many childen, so many illnesses..." "Cheers!" "Oh the heat from the stove gets to my head" "And how goes the rest?" "Yes, thank you." "And up there?" " Up there?" " Yes, in the skies?" "Everything3 peachy, just the usual trifles some rivalries, the odd gossip, you know..." "So, to reward the little Raymond..." "Roger" "Roger, yes" "I want this house filled with toys" "But Santa..." "I thought..." "you were a bit tight this year..." "To make myself clear..." "This house won't be literally filled with toys..." "It won't be." "But one can't say it will be a house without toys either... because it won't be a house without any toys." "I have to get along with my rounds." " Goodbye Robert!" " Roger!" "It's the heat from the stove!" "What would you say if it was on then!" "Don't bother," "I've been coming here for 3O years," " I know the way out." " Of course Santa." "No, this is the window." "The door is this way." "Lean on me." "Santa, your basket!" "My basket!" "Goodnight Santa!" "What's funny Roger?" "When Santa kissed me, he smelled like you do on Saturday night." "Take that!" "Show some respect to your father!" "You see Catherine." "This is what my great grandmother wore the day she was introduced to the king." "She must have been lovely." "What about this one?" "I remember it enhancing my mother's stern beauty." "Here is the most gorgeous." "It'll suit you perfectly." "Oh yes, that's the one!" "You'll find it in my mother's boudoir." "You won't find any jewellery." "I pawned all of it during my world trip." "But why did you travel so far?" "For such a long time?" "I was looking for someone." "Someone who was a few steps away from the castle." "Get dressed while I pour some Champagne." "You'll have a glass, I hope?" "M. Cornusse!" "His Highness remembers me." "When I was a child, you used to come each year at this hour." "You gave me this world globe." "Yes!" "I've come to see Marie Cotillofs children." "They live by the park's entrance in the caretaker's cottage." "I hope I'm not disturbing you?" "You won't leave before we toast to our friendship." "Sit down by the fire." "Come in." "Catherine!" "You're as beautiful as the first time I saw you." "Listen." "Your father just arrived." "Go out this way while I hold him here." "I'll join you at the inn after midnight." "See you then." "Do sit down M. Cornusse." "If I sit in this armchair," "I'll fall asleep." "Nothing like a glass of Champagne to wake you up." "Champagne!" "Sit down, this armchair is real comfy." "Under one condition:" "Wake me up if I fall asleep." "You don't mind if in order to taste the Champagne" "I take off my false nose?" "Please do." "So, did you have a nice long trip?" "It was your globe that gave me the idea." "I went everywhere." "China too?" "In search of Fu Xiyu, to marry his daughter." "You met my old friend Fu Xiyu?" "I met many of them." "They stole my watch, my tie pin, my luggage..." "But all those Fu Xiyus had only sons." "All of them thieves as well." "Some more Champagne?" "With pleasure." "Let me take off my beard first." "Be my guest." "Because of you, I ruined myself." "And lost ten years of my life." "I've often cursed you." "Because of all your stories that got my imagination running wild as a child." "A good story never lies." "I didn't know then that the real Fu Xiyu, the one and only, was living here in Savoie." "Don't say a word." "And that he had a daughter." "That Fu Xiyu was you." "And the Princess Aurora..." "You are late." "We were wondering how we would sing without you." "As soon as it's over, we must leave." "Villard is expecting us." "I wish I was back home already." "Why?" "To find out what Santa has brought me." "Hello Monsieur!" "Here you are!" "What about the others?" "They're on their way." "On with the music!" "Follow my lead!" "Everybody in line!" "Come on, you dunces!" "Are you ready?" "Wait for my signal..." "Every year, the same thing!" "What's going on?" "I dunno... gunshots?" "Oh God Almighty!" "Don't panic." "The ring!" "Well... who was last seen next to the nativity scene?" "Nobody, nobody." "I swear!" "Only father Cornusse..." "Where is he by the way?" "He was standing by this pillar an instant ago." "I saw him as well." "Maybe he saw the thief!" "We have to find him." "He will tell us." " I'll check his place." " I'll go with you." "Don't worry, sit down and have a drink on me." "How are you?" "It was a big hit!" "Hello Arthur!" "How are you?" "Merry Christmas!" "Always at the game of vice?" "Evening Robert." "But it's Catherine!" "What an outfit!" "This family sure has delusions of grandeur!" "The father is Santa Claus and the daughter is a Princess..." "She must have dressed up like this for my sake..." " I don't think so..." " No?" "I'll tell you all about it..." " Have you seen Mistou?" " No!" " His Highness is late..." " Yes." "Maybe His Highness won't come..." "He will!" "You are fully awake now..." "The Baron is making fun of you." "You are bedazzled by his title and his manners... it's not true" "Are you in love with him, then?" "Yes." "After all I've done for you, you shouldn't make a fool of me." "What have you done for me?" "You'll know soo enough." " Will you dance with me?" " Oh no!" "I will only dance with him..." "Some white wine in a tall glass!" "That's the eighth glass!" "No, mother Michel." "I haven't seen Mistou!" "Maybe the noise scared him away..." "He was under the bench." " Any news?" " We've searched everywhere..." "No trace of father Cornusse..." "Should we inform the Mayor?" " I haven't seen anyone..." " Neither have we..." " So?" " Santa Claus has disappeared." "Charles!" "Is that him?" "No." "It's only the wind." "It's well past midnight..." "Santa won't come now." "That can't be!" "He's got many houses to visit..." "No surprise that he's late." "I'm telling you he won't come." "He forgot me." "Maybe he thinks we moved?" "That must be it!" "And he's searching for us..." "What if he doesn't find us?" "What about our presents?" "I hope he won't give them away to other kids..." "We should go look for him..." "I'll come with you!" "You'll never find him!" "Why is that?" "If we start at a house he's visited, we'll just have to follow his tracks in the snow..." "Just like Buffalo Bill..." "We'll bring back your Santa!" "Come, quick!" "Santa!" "Santa!" "Santa!" "Santa!" "We found Santa Claus!" "What?" "Silence!" "What did you say?" "Someone killed Santa Claus!" "Father!" "Catherine!" "Quick, some water, "Cognac, ...vinegar!" "Wake her up!" "Who told you that?" "We saw him!" "Down in the valley..." "Santa is lying in the snow." "Any volunteers?" "Very well." "Get the lanterns." "Don't let Catherine go home." "Take care of her." "I'll come to get her later on." "The children will show us the way." "Let's go kids." "Shot in the head!" "He's dead." "Let's carry him home." "Give me a hand." "Mistou..." " Where should we put him?" " There, on your left." " Lay him there." " On the table?" "Vircourt, send a wire." "Call for the police." "Mr. Mayor!" "Look over there..." "Who is that there?" "It's the Baron." "What's he doing here?" " Don't touch him!" " Set him free." "Careful." "Don't touch his hand." "What's all this about, breaking into a man's home?" "Get out!" "Corn usse?" "Aren't you dead?" "Me, dead?" "Ah, Mr. Mayor!" "Did you have too much to drink?" "Who's the one in the Santa outfit?" "There's only one Santa, and that's me!" "I dozed off..." "Get out of here, all of you!" "Who is it?" "No one knows." "A stranger." "We've never seen him around here." "Who's that man lying on my table?" "This man is dead, Cornusse." "Dead drunk!" "Will all of you scram!" "What are you all doing in my house?" "Saint Nicolas's ring was stolen and a man was killed." "The Baron was found here, tied up and gagged." "What is His Highness doing here?" "You're not in charge of the investigation." "Well investigate some place else then!" "Shut up!" "Tell us what happened." "It's very simple." "I wanted to surprise Catherine Cornusse." "Father Cornusse came to the castle and fell asleep." "So I took his costume to bring some earrings here without anybody recognizing me." "Liar!" "It's not true!" "I didn't fall asleep!" "And what gives you the right to give my daughterjewels?" "Yes, what gives you the right?" "Shut up both of you." "Please go on." "So, I was dressed as Santa..." "Not true!" "There's only one Santa, and that's me!" "Silence!" "I came here, at the bottom of the stairs, I received a heavy blow and I lost consciousness." "That's all I know." "He's lying through his teeth!" "I didn't fall asleep!" "I remember everything!" "We drank two glasses of Champagne" "I went to the church." "The mass was underway." "I approached the nativity scene and I got out as I heard the band conducted by that Villard bastard." "What did you call me?" "I came home and I dozed off." "Strike me down..." "Strike me down if I tell a lie." "You said you brought earrings?" "Yes." "You'll find them in the coafs left pocket." "In the coafs left pocket..." "Check that." "Thanks." "Why, if there were jewels there" "I would have found them..." " No earrings." " He's a liar!" "All this is a scheme." "Nobody took my coat!" "Isn't that your coat?" "Isn't that my coat?" "No." "My coat smelled of mothballs." "It's mine." "The ring was stolen as Villard's band was marching by." "Are you accusing me?" "I'm father Cornusse..." "Santa Claus... almost God in a way." "Why?" "Why would I steal it?" "For instance to leave something to Catherine after you are gone..." "That thought never left you." "What are you sayingH" "Calm down!" "You won't see me buying cataplasms in your shop soon!" "Listen!" "This is important!" "At midnight, you were standing by the nativity scene in you Santa outfit, right?" "I swear!" "On Catherine's head." "Alright." "Your Highness, you'll explain yourself to the policemen I sent for." "Until they arrive, don't leave the castle." "Cornusse, stay here." "Mr. Mayor, may I leave now and reassure Catherine." "You may." "Let's carry the body to the town hall." "When will I get my coat back?" "Later." "It's evidence now." "The police just called." "The roads are blocked by an avalanche." "Never in a hurry, those guys..." "Mr. Mayor," "You don't believe what Ricomet said?" "You can't imagine that I, Cornusse... lcould" "The investigation is not making any progress..." "Cornusse and the Baron persist in their contradictory statements and the body remains unindentified." "But I'm certain he's the one who attacked the priest two days ago." "As for the police, they haven't shown up yet." "They've certainly taken the long winding road." "They left 18 km north of our village and they are now 17 km to the south." "At a rate of 1 km a day, they should be here by the 18th." "They can count on a friendly greeting from me!" "Mr. Mayor, I thought about it last night and I can assure you father Cornusse is innocent." "Isee... you are pleading for you father-in-law to be." "My only concern is for the truth." "I retraced father Cornusse's route this morning." "Do you know how many Cognacs and brandies he drank?" "From 6 till midnight?" "42!" "Not including the Champagne he had at the castle." "It's clear that by midnight, Santa Claus was drunk!" "He still remembers everything." "Robert, you have to take the subconscious into account!" "Reflex behaviors rule our existence." "For 3O years, father Cornusse has followed that route." "His declarations come from that habit, from years of identical memories." "He has all the years mixed up." "Yes, yes." "Obviously." "Father Cornusse thinks he went to the Christmas mass." "He didn't." "He went directly home." "But everybody saw him in church!" "It wasn't Cornusse!" "It couldn't have been that stangerwe found in the snow!" "That foreigner couldn't have played Cornussds part that well!" "Yes he could!" "That stranger was an accomplice of a local man who asked him to steal the ring." "And he was killed by that person as he reclaimed the ring." "And the Baron?" "The Baron is clouding the issue." "This earring business doesn't add up." "Pardon, the Baron told me about these earrings, he kept them in store for the love of his life." "Catherine, as a matter of fact." "That's the reason why M. Villard spent his night trying to free Cornusse of all the charges and to accuse his rival instead." "Ricomet, the chemist," "I've beat up stronger men than you..." "Let him be, Mr. Mayor..." "Like M. Villard, my only concern is the truth." "[V] I'." "Have the police arrived?" "No." "They phoned from Beauvoir." "Beauvoir?" "But that's east of here!" "21 km to the east." "The are searching for a passable road." "Once they get here, I'll..." "I've come to denounce the man I've loved for 2O years." "Not because he abused me, not because he stole all my savings, but because it is the will of God." "The murderer... it is him." "Don't forget that this accuser is mother Michel." "The one I'm pointing at is not a normal man." "It's a monster." "He scratched Mistou." "He's roaming at night, wearing woman's stockings." "He puts arsenic in all his medicines." "God only knows what he's capable of." "I let you be the judges..." "The night the priest was attacked," "I saw him in front of the church." "Take the one I love to the guillotine." "He deserves it." "You have before you a perfect case of hysteria." "Look at me?" "Am I capable of arousing such passion?" "No..." "She pretends she saw me by the church?" "Indeed, but what was she doing there?" "Maybe searching this woman's house will bring back the ring." "Searching my house?" "Nevefl" "Mr. Mayor, order this search!" "No, have mercy!" "We'll merely take you home." "No, no!" "Vircourt, get her up." "I need 4 men to come with us." "I don't want to!" "Vircourt, search the place!" "Let me go!" "Search." "Turn the place upside down." "I don't care." "Look everywhere but in there..." "The first who comes near, I'll scratch him." "What are you hiding in that closet?" "I'll bite and I'll scratch." " Stand aside." " No!" "Vircourt, Déforge, grab her!" "Scoundrels!" "Vowards!" "Hearts of stone!" "He who opens this door will drop dead." "Open that closet." "Can't do everything at once..." "You do it Ricomet." "I'm not a man of action," "I'm an intellectual." "None of you dares to open that closet?" "I Will." "Die, die!" "Son of a scorpion!" "Mistou!" "A stuffed Mistou!" "I guessed right." "The chemist killed him." "Out of jealousy." " A cat..." " Release that mad woman." "We're wasting our time." "No." "I know where the ring is..." "The Baron did it." "He's hiding the ring under his leper glove." "I call for a search at the Baron's castle." "Forgive me Mr. Mayor, forget the dead." "Let's deal with the living first." " As a chemist I..." " Alright, we're on our way to the castle." "Someone's in the park..." "Is it Santa?" "It's men in trousers." "He won't come since he is dead." "Still, this morning we found all these toys..." "He didn't bring them, he never makes any mistakes." "It's not what I asked for!" "You broke your toy trumpet!" "I don't care." "I've found a way to get my present..." "Since Santa is dead," "I'll die too." "He'll be surprised to see me." "That way, he won't deny me my present..." "After all, among the dead, nothing is refused." "Why don't you tell us what you asked for?" "Charles and me will manage to get it." "Impossible." "And besides, if you say it out loud, it won't come true." "Try to whisper it then." "Come on..." "Is that all?" "It's so lovely..." "And the man who painted it is accused of murder and theft." "A murderer." "Catherine." "Look at my hands..." "The hands of an artist that painted seas, rivers, mountains..." "And my nose?" "Do I have the nose of a drunkard?" "All their slander will drive me mad." "What's wrong Catherine?" "Don't cry..." "I told the truth." "So the Baron is a liar?" "It can't be..." "You've known him for two days, you can't love him that much!" "But I do!" "More than me?" "It's different." "You, in love?" "It's as if someone told me that the world had stopped turning." "But it has stopped turning!" "It dares to try that on me?" "It is turning against me too?" "In 3O years, it only stopped the day your mother died." "Father, today it doesn't matter..." "Doesn't matte r?" "It doesn't matter that my sign is broken?" "What the..." "Am I seeing things now?" "I saw it... it's there." "It's there but it will go away..." "Go away..." "No, it's still here..." "I'm touching it... it's still here!" "Hush!" "Don't let anyone come near..." "Catherine!" "It's all over now." "Saint Nicolas's ring... the ring I stole... it's thereH" "Careful." "The walls have ears..." "Father, explain yourself!" "It's in the globe!" "I saw something shining." "It was the ring." "I saw it as I see you." " I touched it..." " You've found it?" "Careful!" "They're all against me..." "But I'm not scared" "The first one who comes in will receive..." "Just let them try..." "Get the ring quick!" "Are you crazy?" "That's what they're waiting for... it's a trap, they'll arrest me." "They want to catch me red handed." "It's not real..." "Are you against me too?" "Are you part of the gang that's spying on me?" "Not true!" "I am no murderer!" "I am no thief!" "Cornusse is not a murderer!" "Gentlement from the city council," "I have nothing more to say to you." "I've told you everything I know about this case." "An awful business, in which I took no part." "Your Highness, we would like to..." "Search the place?" "Be my guests..." "But, more precisely..." "You wish to know what I have in my pockets?" "Yes." "The right one, as a matter of fact." "MY Fight pocket?" "To find out what I've hidden in it..." "What you were hiding..." "Ah, it's my hand that interests you..." "Yes." "Very well." "Be warned that this hand is hideously disfigured... a putrid sore..." "Come closer to identify the ring..." "You go Desfosse." " Ask Rambert" " Always me..." "Are you all weak of heart?" "I'm not." "Must you hate me!" "Take it off if you dare." " He lied!" " The ring is there?" "No, but he's not diseased." "He has given false testimony." "That's enough to arrest him!" "I never said I was a leper..." "It was a subterfuge to avoid some people..." "All it did was attract the city council." "So the murderer must be the sexton." "M. Villard, you think too much." "Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me..." "Mr. Mayor, I almost forgot..." "I received a phonecall that may be of interest to you." " Have the police arrived?" " No..." "From the north, they went south to reach the east" "Now they are in the west." "In search of a passable road." "But in one leap, they are closer by 3 km." "Gentlemen, you may leave." "Who put the ring in my sign?" "I have no idea." "But it is in my sign!" "I saw it!" "Calm down." "Had it not stopped turning, I would not have found it." "And you would go on calling me a thief and whatnot." "But..." "Where is your sign?" "It's flown away..." "Cornusse, have you gone mad or are you pretending?" "The gang members must have taken it." "What gang?" "Little brats!" "Breaking into Cornussds shop..." "Stealing his sign..." "Bring it back!" "Well done!" "First you steal it for fun and then you break it by accident." "One day you'll end up on the gallows!" "Run!" "Let that be a lesson." "I'll tell the constable!" "You'll see, little rascals!" "It's gone..." "As if by magic, the globe and the ring are both gone." "You'll have to tell it to the police when they arrive." "Until then, stay put or I'll have you locked up." "Understood?" "Yes Mr. Mayor." "Father Cornusse..." " You're looking for your sign?" " Yes, my sign..." "Two brats took it." "I saw them from my shop." "I went after them, but the globe broke." "Where?" "By that tree in the Terraze field... it's not here..." "Not here." "Some more magic..." "Ah yes." "I'm fed up with your stories." "If I may venture a hypothesis..." "The gobe had an opening?" "Yes, for the lightbulb!" "Then the ring may have slipped out as the globe was rolling." "You hope to find a diamond in the snow?" "Maybe in springtime... we'll never find it in a million years." "About the time it takes the police to get here." "I took the liberty of letting myself in, M. Ricomet." "I had some business elsewhere." "What do you want?" " My little Christian is about to die..." " What?" "He turned his head to the wall." "He won't say a word." "He wants to die..." "Please save him M. Ricomet!" "I'm only a chemist..." "I should have listened to you, but the medicine was so expensive..." "It may be too late now..." "Just name your price and I'll buy it." "I have to order the medecine from Grenoble... 3 days in advance..." "Take your car!" "You can bring it back tomorrow..." "Save Christian!" "You like children..." "Please save mine!" "Stand up." "I'll go." "You've spoken to my heart..." "I'll leave right away." "M. Ricomet, you are a saint!" "Merely a small town chemist who knows his duty." "Ah, you again!" "Are you in Nantes?" "Lille?" "Bordeaux?" "What?" "In 5 minutes?" "Are we waiting for you?" "It's been 3 days!" "What a joke." "I raise you 50." "Show me your spades..." "[V] I'." "They've arrived." "Any minute now, if you can believe it." "Let's give them a reception that they'll never forget!" "Here they come!" "Could you delay this card game for 1O minutes..." "But of course..." "Hello gents." "Mr. Mayor... ls everything alright?" "No sir." "On behalf of the city council..." "Cut the welcome speech, we are in a hurry..." "Doesn't look like it." " We are outraged..." " We are expected elsewhere" "Tell me all about it." " A man murdered..." " Good" " Two men bludgeoned..." " Very well." " Saint Nicolas's ring stolen..." " Perfect." "You look on the bright side of things!" "What sort of ring was it?" " A walnut sized diamond..." " More like hazelnut" "A huge pea!" "Like this?" " The ring!" " No doubt..." "Happy now?" " I have to go..." " Wait a moment!" "You went north, east, west and south but how about the murderer?" "Are we to blame for the many roads on the map?" "We had to block them all." "We chose to let the bandit come to us." "He showed up, we searched him..." "He confessed." " And here he is." " You arrested him?" "Of course, all tied up in the car..." " Unbelievable!" " But he confessed!" "Come have a look at our second rate chemist!" "Ricomet..." "Hearts!" "Spades!" "I can't believe it." "It's rather simple." "Ricomet housed an accomplice who dressed up as Santa to steal the ring." "Once he stole it, he tried to run away and Ricomet killed him." "Then he hid the ring in Cornussds sign." "And he got it back the day the kids broke the sign." "And he escaped." "We have to go." "Oh, I almost forgot" "Here are some earrings that belong to the Baron." "You should also check in on some poor kid." " What kid?" " His name is Christian..." "Apparently, Santa forgot him." "Christian." "You are not dreaming." "You are not dead." "For the first time since the world began," "Santa is visiting a child on December 26th." "It's all for you." "I bring you a masterpiece made by an old man." "You might call him an artist." "Take it." "It's yours!" "How nice!" "Give it to me!" "Christian, get up..." "And come get it." " I can't walk..." " Yes... you can do it!" "You were ready to die for what you wanted, like a child unworthy to live, and yet you shall." "Stand up." "Come." "You can walk." "Good boy!" "It's yours now." " Where is China?" " Here." "Do the Chinese kids also have a Father Christmas?" "A Father Christmas and a father Cornusse," "Everything they need for happiness." "The Chinese kids, what do you tell them?" "About France... and French kids..." "And about a certain very beautiful Princess who slept in her armchair..." "She slept for a long longtime, and as she slept, she dreamed, always the same wonderful dream, that a Prince Charming should come to wake her up" "and bring her happiness!"