"Poet:" "How goes the world ?" "Painter:" "It wears, sir, as it grows." "Poet:" "Ay, that's well known;" "but what particular rarity ?" "What strange, which manifold record not matches ?" "Jeweller:" "I have a jewel here..." "Shakespeare" "Asshole !" "Pick a card." "Any card." "You're bothering me." "I've got to think." "Just pick a card, you dork." "Don't show it." "Are you aware of being a nuisance ?" "Put it back in the pack." "You remind me of this guy who used to sing all the time." "So what happened to that guy ?" "He got a job at the opera in Marseille." "Cut." "I bet he was happy." "Are you kidding ?" "They hired him to carry the halberds." "He never sang." "Look." "I make three piles." "So ?" "What did he do ?" "Well, one day, he ran the tenor through with the halberd." "Choose one of the three piles." "This one." " Here's your card." "Shit." " Is that it ?" "I don't remember." " You're a dick." "What about going out for a bite ?" "Yes, I think we'd better do that." "Third service !" "Third service !" "Third service !" "Sir ?" "One person ?" "A dear." " You want deer ?" "No, I'm speaking about Antoine, and I say Antoine is a dear." "Will you allow me, madam ?" "Sir ?" "Please do." "Veal roast." " I beg your pardon ?" "Welcome." " Muslin potatoes ?" "Muslin potatoes." " Allow me to introduce myself," "Bruno Kerrien, advertising agent." "Hubert de Ronsac." " Mixed diced vegetables, madam." "Oh, dear, can you ask the gentleman what the main course is ?" "Veal roast and muslin potatoes, madam." "Well." "Here's my cousin Marie-Chantal, as good as she is beautiful, and as intelligent as she is good." "I thank you." "He always told me I was a nasty piece of work." "She's a nasty piece of work alright, but she's good all the same." "A good nasty piece of work am I." "There's something strange in those vegetables." "I swear there's something strange." "No, thank you." "And where are you travelling to, mister Kerrien ?" "By some strange coincidence," "I think we're going to the same place." "What gave you that idea ?" "This envelope bearing the mark of the "Hotel des Neiges" in Verbois suggests that you're going to Verbois." "And since I'm going to Verbois, planning to stay at the Hotel des Neiges..." "He's Sherlock Holmes." "Mixed diced vegetables, madam ?" "Sir ?" " Er... no." "Mixed diced vegetables, sir ?" " Just a little bit." "I'm somewhat surprised that you chose this winter sports resort." "We're starting a withdrawal program." "Are you, really ?" "My cousin was never interested in the actual meaning of words." "To tell the truth, I'm dragging him there." "Wouldn't you rather go to Mégève ?" "Wouldn't I indeed ?" "But when Marie-Chantal has set her mind on something !" "Switzerland !" "Can you imagine ?" "What are we going to do ?" " Ski !" "When I go to a winter sports resort, I ski." "She's crazy." "What about you ?" " No, no." "I mean, are you going there to ski too ?" "No, I'm going there on business." "You're an athletic woman ?" " Very athletic." "Appallingly athletic." "And she practices all sports." "Sports are all she ever talks about." " Sports." "These are strange mashed potatoes." "Indeed, I'd swear they were mixed diced vegetables." "They are." " Oh..." "I'm really sleepy, I'm going to bed." " That's it, go to bed." "I'm sure you won't try to delay me." "My cousin is such a fascinating being." "Stop being silly, and go." "My little darling, I must tell you, that during the whole meal, a very handsome man kept watching you from two tables away behind us." "On your right." "You'll take care of the bill, honey." "Good evening, sir." "And hurrah for Switzerland !" "Good evening." "Did you spot him ?" " Who ?" "The Englishman ?" "Why an Englishman ?" "Nobody but an Englishman can look like that." "The Major of the India Army type, a small moustache, hard eyes..." " A scar on his ear ?" "Yes." "How did you guess ?" "Small, a ruddy complexion and a crew cut ?" "Yes." "My, you must know him." "I know an American who looks like that." "Do you ?" " Any cheese, sir ?" "No, thanks." " No, thanks." "Marmalade ?" " Beg your pardon ?" "Marmalade ?" "Cheese, marmalade, mixed diced vegetables... will you stop it ?" "In a moment, sir." "A biscuit ?" " No, thanks." "You look worried." "It's nothing." "I was thinking of my wife who might be unable to join me." "What's bothering you, her joining you, or her failing to do so ?" "Recently, she was in a rather serious car accident." "Oh,I'm sorry." " You don't have any luck with men." "I really don't, that's for sure." " Salt, please." "When I think back..." "Miss, I'm forced to ask a favour of you." "A favour ?" "How awful !" "I need your help and I can't give you any explanation." "But you must help me, I'm carrying an object..." "A piece of jewellery." " Jewellery ?" "Yes." "In the shape of a blue panther with ruby eyes." "Are they big rubies ?" "Salt !" "Salt !" " We're asking for salt here !" "You must agree to take this jewellery and hide it on your person, until tomorrow or the day after." "You'll give it back to me in Verbois when I ask for it." "It's a matter of life and death." "Do you agree ?" "Are you a burglar ?" "No." "I can't give you any explanation." "Do you agree ?" "Fruit, madam ?" " Yes, yes." "Fruit, sir ?" "An apple, a pear, a pineapple, three bananas and a coconut !" "I'm willing to take it, but I don't relish the idea of hiding it, if it's so beautiful." "Yes, but absolutely nobody must know that you have it." "What if I don't give it back ?" " Are you a burglar ?" "No." "Where is it ?" "I'm going to offer you a cigarette." "When you take it from the case, also take the panther which is beside it." "Then, my lighter won't work, so you'll look for yours in your purse, which will allow you to drop the panther in it." "When you get back to your compartment you can hide it on your person." "It's safer." "Where exactly ?" " On your person." "What if I'm searched by a customs officer ?" "It's a one in ten thousand chance." "Are you ready ?" "Wait, I don't have a lighter." "Don't you at least, have some bloody matches ?" "Oh, yes, and very pretty too." " Perfect." "Wait." "What brand do you smoke ?" " Gauloises." "Will it do ?" "Oh, well..." "Let's pay the bill and go." "Only one bill ?" " Yes, please." "Seventy seven hundred and sixty francs." "Seventy seven hundred and sixty francs ?" "That's it." " Oh, boy." "Thank you, sir." "I'm walking you to your compartment." "It's safer." "I don't really want somebody watching over me all night long." "This is it." "Marie-Chantal." "Don't open the door to anybody." "Be very careful." "Even to you ?" "To anybody." "Be careful all night long." "I love it." "Good night." "Good night." "Hunting Dr. Kha is especially dangerous hunting." "Dangerous for you or for me ?" "Time will tell." "Good night." "This is insufferable." "Bringing us to such a place was crazy." "My dear Hubert, you would tumble head over heels the same way anywhere else." "Possibly, but there's only a handful of people here, and we don't know any of them." "Spectacles." "Oh, great, I think I broke my ankle." "And what about the masked ball I'm throwing next week ?" "Hey, here's the cigarette lighter on duty !" "You're making a specialty out of it, my dear" "Yes, a very useful one." "Charmed." "Delighted." "We know each other, don't we ?" "I don't think so." "Castillo." "Hubert de Ronsac." "We definitely don't know anyone here." "Your friend from the train, isn't with you ?" "What friend from the train ?" "We haven't seen him since yesterday, now that you mention him." "Oh, the advertising agent." " Oh, he's in advertising ?" "Yes." "And you're... in what, as you put it ?" "Journalism." "Oh..." " I'm a reporter." "How wonderful !" "My dream !" "To see, to report !" "For Paris-Match ?" "The Times ?" " No no no.." "Do you know, I've got very good friends, working for Match." "And you're coming here on holidays ?" "You're all mad !" "Don't worry, I'm not here on holidays, but working on a case." "A robbery ?" "What makes you think that ?" "No, better than that." "A case of international spies." "Oh, good." "International spies..." "A double scotch." "Johnny Walker ?" "Ballantine's ?" "Chivas ?" "Haigs.." "Don't you think the sky is of a very moving shade of blue today ?" "Truly, it's got more charm and beauty than ever." "Did you spot the doctor ?" " No." "He's not here." "The thing is supposed to be delivered to him here." "Maybe he'll send someone." "Do you think that Kerrien could be that someone ?" "Kerrien ?" "The cop from Bamako ?" "No way, he's from the other side." "I can see you're not aware of the news." "Did you read the paper ?" " No." "Dumont was murdered aboard the train yesterday." "What ?" " I thought you did it." "Another double, I've got to think." "OK." "That's three hundred bucks." "Gee, you're not blowing your nose in your fingers, old sport." "Never." "It doesn't pay to be a miser, mister Johnson." "Three glasses of "fendant"" " Coming, sir." "At the end of the counter, if you please." "At the end of the counter ?" " Yeah." "I said it doesn't pay to be a miser, mister Johnson." "Bruno Kerrien is in room 72." "Watch out for the Russian and the little kid." "They're in it too ?" " Yes." "They paid me to get tips." "And did you give them some ?" " No, sir." "I'm a patriot." "Good boy." "Good morning." "Is everything OK ?" "Where have you been ?" "I've been looking for you everywhere." "I ran into trouble." "I'll explain later." "Come after dinner to the night-club, in the basement of the hotel." "Be like the other night." "See you tonight." "You're a sight for sore eyes." "One can die of boredom, here." "What did I do to him ?" ""Fendant" is as great as a first drink or as a nightcap." "I made 903 hectolitres of it the other years, but don't think I'm drinking it all myself." "What would you like, gentlemen ?" "Nothing for me." "An apple juice for my Gregor." "Grapefruit juice." "Don't be in such a hurry." "A small problem is bothering me." "Earlier, you chatted with a capitalist embassy attaché." "I've got no problem with that, you were right to do it, it's part of your bartender job." "You can't tell them to go to hell." "Voï." "But you're double-dealing." "With that, I've got a problem." "This job, I don't like." "You're crazy." " Am I crazy, Gregor ?" "No, dad." " See ?" "I'm not crazy." "Don't you think the sky is of..." " That's an amazing machine." "Is it American ?" " Sovietic." "It's great all the same." "Is it expensive ?" "It's free." "If you allow me, I'd like to offer grapefruit juice to cheating bartender." "No, thanks." "You really should try it." "It's harmless." "It's not as good as "fendant" but it's harmless alright." "No, really..." " Drink." "What's with him ?" " He's the fragile type." "About this spy story of yours..." "Actually, I'm being mysterious in order to seduce you." "Today, there are no more spies." "You're not aware of realities, there are "Le Gorille", "Les Barbouzes", James Bond." "Clowns !" "Are you looking for Daddy ?" "I think he's looking for you too, in your room." "If you don't find him there, he might be in Kerrien's room." "Oh yeah ?" "I think I've got the wrong room." "Yes, it's a mistake." "Yes, same here." "The mountain air is making me absent-minded." "I don't think we've got anything to do here." "Empty room." "Empty ?" "How strange." "It's occupant, doesn't occupy it." "Are you sure ?" "Please get out." " No, after you." "I certainly won't." "I have a sense of precedence." "Please allow me to forego it, and let you go first." "Cigarette ?" " Cigarette." "American ?" " Sovietic." "Delighted." "See you soon, dear sir." "I hope we can meet longer next time." "Really, my dear sir, I was charmed with your conversation." "What is this ?" "Is it a party ?" "Is it a revolution, or what ?" "No, no, non e revoluzione." "Good, that's comforting." "What do you know ?" "Your friend from the train ?" "Where ?" " Here, here." "Bruno !" "Bruno !" "What's with him ?" "Is he deaf ?" "Really, Bruno..." "Let's meet down there !" "Bruno !" "How was I dressed the other day ?" "Hey !" "Hey, you've got to get down here !" "Your turn is over, sir !" "Ferdinand !" "We've got a fare-dodger!" "Sir !" "It's ninety cents for another go." "Ferdinand !" "Stop the machine !" "Look at this guy, will you !" "I've never seen such a thing before." "Stop it, I'm telling you !" "Block it, Ferdinand !" "Won't you block it ?" "Ah, good..." "He fell !" "Somebody call a doctor !" "Come on, run !" "Dr. Kha..." "Watch out..." "Agadir..." "The panther..." "Swear that you'll give it only to Ali Kadour" "Swear." "Nobody, nobody..." "Souk..." "Ali Kadour." "Swear..." "I swear." "What's he saying ?" " The eyes... the eyes..." "What's he saying ?" "I don't know." "I couldn't understand." "He said "the eyes"." "The eyes.." "I'm listening." "We searched and emptied the whole room." "Nothing." "I got rid of him on the chair lift." "You left no clues ?" " No, no clues." "Good." "The girl must have it." "Same treatment for her ?" "Since it failed, no" "The reports say she's scatterbrained." "We won't have any difficulty." "In spite of your foolish demeanour, you really are, very level-headed." "Oh, no, you're mistaken." "I'm just very well educated, so I hide my feelings." "Come on, come on, one of your friends died in your arms, and you go dancing on the very same evening." "Am I shocking you ?" "Maybe I just don't have a heart." "You'll never make me believe that." "Tell me, have you ever heard of the Blue Panther ?" "The what ?" "The Blue Panther." "It's a piece of jewellery." "A piece of jewellery ?" "Where ?" "That's what I'm asking you." "I don't get it ?" "Should I know ?" "You could have known." "Those Russians are real barbarians." "It's almost midnight." "Is this the time and place for a child ?" "I'm asking what we're doing here." "We think." "This is the ideal place for thinking." "Wisdom comes out of the mouth of children." "Indeed." "I would easily bet two pairs of shoes against a stick of chewing-gum that the doctor, Johnson asked the bartender about, was the deadly Dr. Kha." " Kha..." "Gregor..." "Don't be childish." "Do you want to visit Eastern Siberia ?" "Eastern Siberia or Dr. Kha, it's same thing." "What are we going to do, Gregor ?" "Deal with those three." " The three niggers ?" "Of course not." "The little snobbish girl, her stupid cousin and the phoney reporter." "Gregor..." "I wonder why they didn't interrogate us about Bruno Kerrien's death." "It was a natural death, you know." "The doctor diagnosed lung failure." "Did he ?" " What happened ?" "Somebody died ?" "Somebody's asking for you, miss." "Me ?" "Who ?" " Well: just somebody." "Yes, miss." "Tell him to come here." "Who can it be ?" "Saint James." "It's a lady, miss." "She doesn't want to come in." "Saint Françoise !" "Quiet, quiet, Hubert." "Put a lid on it, this is incredible." "What's preventing her to come in ?" "The lady is mourning, miss." "Mourning..." " Don't go." "Of course, I'm going." "A mourning lady in a night-club, isn't it admirable ?" "Miss !" " Madam..." "You don't know me but," "I'm Bruno Kerrien's... widow." "I'm really sorry to make your acquaintance in such circumstances." "Your husband told me, that you were supposed to join him." "Yes, I know." "He phoned me yesterday." "Please forgive me, but this is so sudden, so awful." "I understand, madam, and I'm really sorry that you were forced to come down here on my account." "You're very nice, but don't be sorry." "Bruno told me yesterday that, for reasons unknown to me, he entrusted you with the Blue Panther." "A panther ?" "It's a not very expensive piece of jewellery, but it's very dear to my heart." "If you don't mind giving it to me..." "I must go back to Paris tomorrow, with the body, in order to have it... buried." "Jewellery ?" "No, I don't have any jewellery." "What ?" "Bruno didn't give you anything ?" "Listen, madam, I don't want to hurry nor to bully you, but could you come to my room tomorrow morning ?" "I won't insist, miss." "I'm sorry I interrupted your evening." "I should have understood, but I'm so upset." "See you tomorrow." "Here she comes." "Why didn't you let me follow her ?" "That dummy Johnson, did it for us." "I feel a little tired, I'm going to bed." "Are you coming ?" "If you want." "I'm asleep on my feet." "It's not your fault, dear chap, but I've never been so bored, in my whole life." "What desolation !" "Perhaps you don't know how to see, what's hiding behind things." "Behind things..." "Who was it ?" "Er..." "It was unimportant." "A friend of Mother's." "Well... good night." "The evening is going to be very sad now." "Good night." "Be careful." "I'm not careful, I'm crazy." " Ah !" "She's crazy..." "Hello ?" "Yes, send her up, please" "Come in." "Good morning, miss." "I came, as you asked me to." "I hope I'm not bothering you." "I'm not too early ?" "I'm sorry you had to go to all this trouble, but yesterday night, I couldn't possibly..." "I mean..." "You know how it is." "Miss..." "I'm really sorry to hurry you, but I'd like to catch the 11:30 train." "Oh, you're in a hurry, that's right." "You mustn't blame me, I'm a complete nutcase." "Do you still suffer from your accident ?" "No, thank you, it's all over now." "And anyway... given what's happening to me now..." "How exactly did it happen ?" "Oh..." "like all accidents, stupidly." "What about the horse ?" "Was it shot ?" "No, I asked that he was spared." "The problem with this panther, is that I really don't know what you're talking about." "What do you mean ?" "This is the first time I ever heard of it." "I don't get it." "That's impossible." "I know you have it." "I swear I don't, my dear." "Give it to me." "You can't do this to me." "There." "I hold a third dan in judo, so I advise you not to move." "I don't understand your story at all, you're going to tell me who you are." "You bitch !" " Come on, girl !" "But I don't know anything." "Almost nothing." "Oh, how I regret agreeing to this !" "Come on, angel, tell me everything." "I'm not Kerrien's wife." " I suspected that." "I don't even know him." "It's because of Daddy they have him." "They threaten to kill him if I don't do as they ask." "Who are they ?" "The Intelligence Service." "They threatened to torture him, then to kill him, if I didn't obtain the panther for them." "The Intelligence Service ?" "Are they that cruel ?" "You can't imagine." "I beseech you." "Give me the panther, what is it to you ?" "I really don't have it." "They're going to kill Daddy, then." "Of course not." "You just tell them that I don't have it." "They won't believe me." "Of course they will, since it's the truth." "Truth is a fortress that cannot be breached, it's obvious." "Will you let me go ?" " Yes." "You won't tell anybody, right ?" "Don't say anything to anybody, please !" "I won't talk." "Do you swear ?" "What do you want me to do ?" "Spit on the floor ?" "I give you my word." "Oh, oh, your purse." "Thanks." "I'm really sorry about your dad, you know." "Sir ?" "Do you have our tickets to Agadir ?" "The groom will bring them back from the travel agency in just a few moments, sir." "But we're leaving in two hours !" "You'll get them, sir, you'll get them." "You've got to hurry." "Don't play that, it's a disaster." "So your trick didn't work, did it ?" "The bitch is clever." "Much more than I thought." "On whose payroll is she ?" "I don't know anymore than you do." "What about you, my dear, on whose payroll are you ?" "On my own." "If you see what I mean." "I thought you were bold, but you're in fact foolhardy." "Well, your name is Olga you must have Slavic origins." "Do you want to work for us ?" "The pay is quite good, you know." "Ah !" "I always was nostalgic of my homeland." "Let's take a closer look." "Oh, you've lost." "Rendezvous in Agadir ?" " I'll be there." "Gregor." "Gregor, was I good ?" " Perfect." "What if the girl called Marie-Chantal was sent by Dr. Kha ?" "That's what I think." "I already told you not to think, Dad." "Gregor..." "I just heard that you're leaving for Agadir ?" "No scoop escapes you." " Don't make fun of me." "I was the last person to know." "I think I'm more or less in love with you." "Oh, dear..." "What would you say if we, went to Agadir ?" "That would be divine." "I've got the tickets !" "Good morning." " Good morning." "Our luggage has arrived downstairs." "Gee, I've never seen this lousy case." " No, it's mine." "Hell !" "Are you leaving too ?" "Are you going home ?" "No, I'm going to Morocco." " You don't say ?" "Madam, we haven't been introduced" "Johnson, attaché to the U.S.A. Embassy in Morocco." "How funny, I thought you were English." "I just look English, madam." "Somebody happened to tell me, that you we're going to Agadir." "I'm going back there myself, in a few days." "I live in a beautiful house, and I'd be delighted to entertain you there." "Here's my card." " Thanks" "Our car has arrived." "Your taxi has arrived, sir." " Thanks." "The bus will be leaving in ten minutes, sir." "May I have your luggage carried to it ?" "Thank you." "For you, my good man." "It's a tip." "For buying a drink." "Since when do you tip ?" "A Marxist must act as a capitalist when in a capitalist country." "Yes, I know, but don't overdo it." "MOROCCO" "The first part of my plan was easily successful." "The relevant people, will arrive in our city tonight." "I want everything to be conducted with the utmost discretion." "No publicity, no scandal." "You'll obey Sparafucile's orders." "Do we torture or do we kill ?" "Will it be the bathtub, or the hammer ?" "No, no, no." "The details don't interest me, what I need is the panther." "A blue panther with ruby eyes." "Get out." "Listen to me, Sparafucile." "I don't want anything but a refined terrorizing job." "Not too much blood." "But suffocation, fear, any mild method." "Easy." " Easy ?" "No, not easy." "The girl is dangerous on account of her very naivety." "Since she doesn't know the rules of the game, she's a natural cheater, and you know me, Sparafucile:" "I can't fail." "I have foreseen all that is going to happen here, and I'm the master of it." "A mistake or a weakness, is possible." "Your fears are becoming tiresome, Sparafucile." "I planned everything." "Tell Olga to come in." "Olga !" "Listen to me, without saying a word." "I'm not happy with you." "Yours was an abject failure, Olga" "You should be put to death." "Fortunately for you, this failure was part of my plan." "So I order you again, to get hold of the panther." "She swore she didn't have it." " Don't interrupt, Olga." "I guess young Ivanov doesn't lack in intelligence." "He had his father ask you, to work for him, and you accepted, Olga" "For this too, you should die." "But then again, I can use your avarice." "I therefore congratulate you, my dear Olga, to be yourself with such talent, and I order you to continue." "Get out !" "Look, Sparafucile, how beautiful the sky is today." "Like velvet..." "My God, how beautiful the sea is, here !" "Do you think water-skiing is an option ?" "I think so." " Of course, sir." "At Ahmed Ali's." "I say, you're obsessed with skiing." "I'd rather see the belly dancers." "Wouldn't you ?" "Maybe, yes." "Do you like dancing ?" "Oh, you must know that Hubert is a certified balletomaniac." "Last year, he directed a choreography for his birthday." "This year, he will be throwing a masked ball." "Please forgive me." "You can't know everything about us, my dear." "I'm sure of that." "But would I like everything?" "Why ?" "Aren't you in love with me anymore ?" "I'm more in love with Marie than with Chantal." "Strangely enough, I don't understand a word that he's saying." "You're wrong." " I doubt it." "Hello ?" "Hello ?" " Good night." "See you tomorrow." "What did you mean ?" "He's in love with you ?" "Don't worry about that." "God, you remind me of your mother !" "Oh, by the way, dear Hubert, you'll escort me to the souks tomorrow morning." "To the souks ?" "To the souks ?" "Yes, I've got to see one Ali Kadour, and talk to him." "Who's that now ?" " I don't know." "And he lives in the souks ?" " I don't know." "This is extravagant." " Alright." "I'll go by myself." "How much is this ?" " Eight thousand." "That is far too expensive." "One thousand !" " Eight thousand." "No." "Two." " Eight thousand." "Tell me, sir, you wouldn't happen to know Ali Kadour?" "Ali Kadour ?" "Yes, the merchant, somewhere around there..." "Oh, yes, yes, Ali Kadour." "Eight thousand." "Oh, alright, give it to me." "So where is Ali Kadour ?" "Ali Kadour ?" "I know no Ali Kadour." "What do you mean you don't know Ali Kadour ?" "You're a thief !" "I'm no thief." "You ask, I sell, you buy, I give." "You ask for Ali Kadour, I don't know Ali Kadour." "You really have a hell of a nerve !" "But I will not tolerate this, I'll fill a complaint." "The French always call us thieves." "This is not thieving, this is business..." "Sir ?" "Good morning, madam." "You wouldn't' be Ali Kadour, would you ?" "Yes, madam, I am Ali Kadour." "Would you like some fine silverware ?" " Do you know Bruno Kerrien ?" "What was that again ?" "Bruno Kerrien." " Why would I know Bruno Kerrien ?" "He asked me to give you a small thing." "A small panther." "I don't know what you're talking about, madam, but I know Bruno Kerrien." "He told me to give you the Blue Panther." "I don't know what you're talking about, madam, but if he told you to, you must give it to me." "Give me a diram." " What ?" "You're nice." "Give me a diram." "Don't be afraid." "Don't make a noise." "Stay here, get it ?" "Oh, no, no !" "Don't leave me alone." "How do you like that ?" " It's better." "I don't even know your first name." "Francisco..." "Paco." " Paco..." "Superb." "What a meal." " Don't we need a fork to eat all this ?" "With your fingers." "Your thumb acts as a knife, your forefinger as a fork, and your middle finger as a spoon." "Like this ?" " This is disgusting." "No, this is feudal." "Now, watch me." "Ouch !" "Woe is me, this burns like hell !" "Well, they're just like any other women, only underdressed." "Adorable." "Ouch..." " You wimp." "Maybe I'm a wimp, but I've got eyes to see." "Can you see that woman ?" "Black as sin, they say." "Let's sin, let's sin." "Do you know whom I saw at the hotel ?" " No." "The Russian from Verbois and his son." " So what ?" "And Johnson called us on the phone." "He's asking us to dinner tomorrow night." "Johnson was in Verbois too." "So were we." "And he was in Verbois too." "It's just like in light comedies." "Everybody always end up in the same place." "Strange but frightful," "I've got the feeling that I've already met every guest of the hotel in Switzerland." "All of them." "That woman, for instance." "Oh, yes, he's right on that one." "She was in Switzerland too." "Oh, here you are, my dear." "As scheduled." "Sit down." "I hope we can reach an agreement and settle this little business for our mutual profit." "Don't doubt it, Dad." "Here's what you're going to do." "The American embassy wants you on the phone, miss." "Please." "Hello, my dear." "Your cousin probably told you what I said." "He did." "Are you free tomorrow night ?" "Good !" "I'll be waiting..." "So while she's here, you'll search her room." "It's time to get it over with." "It was Johnson." "He confirmed tomorrow night's dinner." "Do you know how to get there ?" " Of course." "What a question !" "So you think it's funny to be in danger ?" "Oh, please !" "You make it sound like I'm in danger any time I go somewhere." "You're going somewhere, too often." "I'd like to go with you." "You're not invited." "And Hubert will be there, as my gallant knight." "You don't realize the kind of world you stumbled into." "Are you afraid ?" " For you, yes." "Yes, but aren't you here for best or for worst ?" "Wouldn't you save my life ?" "You're joking about frightful things." "That's true, I'm so sophisticated." "Well, that's the way it is, too bad." "You have the brains of a bird." "I'm sure that you have the Panther." "Is it a bird or a panther ?" "Make up your mind !" "Thank you." "Good night." "Come on, my dear, of course you have the Blue Panther." "Why don't you get rid of it ?" "Be nice." "Don't talk about that panther anymore." "Do you realize that they'll kill you if you keep it ?" "Who are they ?" " The people around you, you silly girl." "You, maybe ?" " No, not me." "Thank God for that." "What about going for a walk, tomorrow morning ?" "Don't change the subject." "I'm not free tomorrow morning." "Come on, give me the panther." "I'm telling you again that I don't have the panther !" "I mean it !" "Why do you lie ?" "If you didn't have it, they wouldn't be dogging you the way they are." "Who's dogging me ?" "Who's dogging me ?" "You're dogging me." "And what about the damn panther ?" "What is it and what do you want it for ?" "I've got to tell you something let's say, for the sake of discussion, that I have the panther, well I wouldn't give it to you for the world, because I hate when people want to take from me," "something that I don't want to give." "Get it ?" "Kiss me." "Oh, thanks !" "See you tomorrow." "Hands up !" " Don't shoot." "Come on, open the door." "Oh, God, a transvestite !" "Listen to me." " Move !" "You first !" "Please !" " A woman disguised as a man, how disgusting is that ?" " Listen to me." "I'm all ears !" "Come on, stand up." " Sorry, miss, but we might both be killed anytime." "So, please, let's join forces and get rid of the panther." "Have you ever heard of Dr. Kha ?" " Who ?" "Kha." " Who's this, Kha ?" "A genius." "He's able to predict your slightest response, your most insignificant action." "You think you're free, but suddenly you realize that everything was wanted and planned by Kha." "Oh,bravo.." "He's really good if he can predict my responses, because even my mother never could understand what I did." "You're utterly foolish." "That man is evil incarnate." "Nobody could ever discover for whom Kha is working." "For himself, of course." "Did he organize the assault in the souks ?" "You're joking." " I like to have fun." "So naive." "Stop acting like a man." "You should take off your trousers and shoes." "The assault in the souks wasn't Dr. Kha's but Paco Castillo's doing." "You're not aware of anything." "I saw you holding hands in the hotel lobby" "Poor child." "After Dr. Kha, he's your most dangerous enemy." "He's from Puerto-Rico, a member of a terrorist pan-African organization which also want the Panther." "Didn't he ask it from you ?" "Yes he did." " What did I say ?" "What a fiend !" "No, he's just doing his job." "No job is stupid." "But some are cruel." "Castillo might just kill you, if you don't give it to him." "But what's so special about that panther ?" "I don't know." "I've never seen it." "Maybe you can tell me." "Yes, I've seen it." "Bruno Kerrien showed it to me." "It's a very shabby thing." "I couldn't possibly wear it." "Very cheap." "You must get rid of it." " But I don't have it." "Think of Dr. Kha." "Of the two Russians." "Of Castillo." "Of Johnson." "Speaking of whom, I'm having dinner at his place tomorrow." "And you're going ?" " Of course I am." "This is sheer madness." "Oh, please, don't exaggerate." "He's an attaché in the US embassy, not a killer." "The US embassy hired him because he was a killer." "If he weren't, they would never have hired him." "Well, I'll just let out some steam." "It's a great pleasure for me to welcome you here, miss." "Forgive me, I was detained on the beach." "You know how it is, you're on the beach, time goes by, then you can't find a car..." "Where have you been ?" " No, it's alright." "Beauty must keep people waiting." "Would you like a drink or would you prefer to dine right now ?" "To tell the truth, I'm starving." "Let the tooth meet the fork, as we say in Connecticut." "Hubert !" "You're a wonderful ambassador of French taste." "Your dress." "Your earrings." "So refined." "A funny coincidence, don't you think, that we met in such different places." "A dining car in a train, an hotel in Switzerland, and a Moroccan penthouse." "It's a small world." "And if it were only that." "But you don't know everything." "My God, what a cough !" "But what do you mean ?" "Nothing in particular." "It's a small world, that's for sure." "Appallingly small." "The embassy for you on the phone, sir." "I'll take it." "Will you excuse me for a moment ?" " Please." "So ?" "Did you search her room ?" "Nothing ?" "Are you sure ?" "As sure as we possibly can, boss." "We searched her room with a fine comb, as well as her cousin's room." "When I say there's nothing, I mean nothing." "Not one strand of hair." "She must have it on her, then." "She won't get out of here before she gives it to me." "Well, she won't get out of here, period." "Please forgive me again." "Miss, before you arrived, your cousin and I were talking about your recent misadventures, and I dare to toast the end of all your trouble." "After trouble, you need a bottle." "Don't you...?" "What's happening now ?" " A dizzy spell." "If you, sir, would help me carry my master to his room, I would..." "What do you mean ?" "Where are the other servants ?" "Having a dizzy spell, probably." "Don't you think that your wine has gone musty ?" "It probably has, Miss." "I think we're having visitors." "Probably interested in you." "Who are they ?" "Other guests ?" "Yes." "My guests !" "Don't move." "Your move, Colonel." " So..." "What was the meaning of this ?" "I'm no Colonel..." "Come." "Hurry up !" "What is this ?" " The cook." "Why doesn't he open door ?" " Don't get upset, Dad." "Are you sure of him ?" " Of course I am." "Shit." "A girl is coming out." " Let's go to work !" "So, the best Sovietic sleeping pills didn't work on you ?" "Huh ?" "Gregor !" "We've been had !" "It's the idiot cousin !" "Now, wait a minute !" " Stop the car !" "I'm going to strangle the life out of this moron !" "Shut up !" "Can't you see she out-thought us ?" "You're squeezing me, hurting me !" "Let go !" "Let go !" " Let go !" "It's too late now." " Too late, too late." "Stop running, silly girl !" "When will you stop following me like a doggy ?" "Not like a doggy:" "like a Newfoundland dog." "When will you stop stupidly, risking your life ?" "First of all, don't talk to me like that, you spy !" "Get in the car." "No !" "I know who you are." " Will you get in the car !" "What right do you have ?" " This right !" "Where are you taking me. ?" " To your hotel, stupid !" "If it's the panther you want, I don't have it." "I ask nothing." "Stop saying stupid things." "Listen to me." "I'll be waiting for you tomorrow morning at eight in the hotel lobby." "If you don't come, I'll go up for you." "Get it ?" "Who do you think you are ?" " Your friend." "A father." "Come on, come on." "Get out." "Surely I can't get out like this." "When you put on a disguise, there are consequences." "Go, go !" "The girl in room 58 is dressing up like a man." "Yes ?" " Yes." "The man in room 87 is dressing up like a woman !" "What is it ?" "I don't know anymore." "Open the door !" "I'm not happy with you." "I was abducted by the Soviets." "We must have those people arrested." "I'll be filling a complaint at the Consulate." "You're not undressing here, are you ?" "So what ?" "I'm not going out again wearing this !" "You're not going out, you're just going up one floor." "I don't know anymore." "I don't know anymore." "I'm exhausted." "I'm only asking one thing, leave me alone." "Leave me alone, leave me alone..." "What about my tuxedo ?" "I'll give it back to you tomorrow." "Won't you leave me alone ?" "Alright, I'm going." "But I'm not about to forget this..." "I don't know anymore." "I don't know..." "You scared me !" "I was worried about you." "Very worried." " How did you get in ?" "Through the balcony." "Please come in." "I'm exhausted." "I'm dead." "At first, it was fun, all those people attacking me, but now..." "You're really not cut for that kind of life, my poor darling." "No, I'm not." "It's a faithless and lawless universe, angel." "I'll help you undress." "Thanks." "This is a world of killers, I know all about it." "I'm awfully, utterly drained." "And quite natural it is, sweetie pie." "In this line of work, you can't control your effort." "You've always led a golden life with people around you, to support you when you were tired." "Lie down, I'll take your stockings off." "How nice you are." "Oh no.." " Oh yes.." "No, I'm not nice." "But you're the first human being I've met, since I was born." "If you could know what I lived through." "Horror, in all forms." "My parents were always switching from one Secret Service to the next, people sold them, they bought people." "Murders, kidnappings, sabotage, sex-parties with ministers, militaries, animals all of them." "Poor Olga." "I want you to help me get out of this." "Where is your nightdress ?" "I wear pyjamas." "They're in the bathroom." "You can help me get out of this disgusting world." "You have the power." "Me ?" "How ?" " You know it." "The panther..." "I don't have it." "Believe me, I don't." "I believe you." "Sleep now." "Good night, love." "Don't scream, miss." "Don't be afraid anymore, everything is over for you." "I congratulate you, you've been very clever for a beginner." "You tricked all those stupid people from the Secret Services." "But we have the Panther now." "You made the classic mistake of beginners, pity." "You believed in the tears of the dreaded Olga." "Her moaning was hiding the dexterity of her fingers, and the coldness in her heart." "This will be a lesson for you, miss." "Goodbye." "Hello ?" "Mr. Castillo, please." "Hello ?" "Paco ?" "Tomorrow at eight, I'll be there." "You've got to forgive me." "I couldn't tell you anything before." "Do you trust me ?" "I've got nobody else to trust." "I was forced to use you." "I couldn't help it." "I had to get the Panther back." "What's so special about this Panther ?" "My poor darling." "It contains what's probably the most powerful weapon of destruction that man ever had at his disposal." "It's much more simple than you would think." "Picture a group of scientists, from every corner of the world, pooling all their resources in order to try and rid the universe of sickness and pain." "You're pulling my leg." "Not in the least." "You must not believe that the really powerful people on Earth will leave it to politicians, those megalomaniacs, fickle and venal creatures." "The politicians are just pawns on the chessboard, just like you and me." "The fate of our world actually lies in the hands of two men." "Do you hear ?" "Just two men." "Like a chess game." "There were nine of us doing research, and nobody knew about our work." "Nine of us under the guidance of an admirable man, entirely devoted to science." "Maybe you heard of him ?" "Professor Lombaré." "No, I don't know." "This is an unbelievable story." "You've got to believe it, because it's the truth." "Among the nine, there was a black sheep." "Dumont." "When you're trying to do good, it's real easy to reach the worst, and Dumont discovered the most dreadful of viruses." "That's when Dr. Kha, entered the stage." "We don't know how he did it, but he was made aware of Dumont's findings, and he offered him a fortune for them." "But who's Kha ?" "Where does he come from ?" "Nobody knows." "Nobody knows where he got his remarkable power." "Can't he be stopped ?" " You're naive again" "We do not dwell in a normal universe." "Here, cops couldn't put things back in order." "You're like Alice, you passed through the looking glass." "Dumont carried the virus inside the Panther." "You hold the fate of the world, in your hands." "From what I know of you, that must make you feel good, doesn't it ?" "Paco, I..." "I don't have the Panther anymore." "Dr. Kha took it from me last night." "All is now lost." "Leaving it to you was a terrible mistake." "I should have taken it immediately." "I fought alone for a long time." "Keeping an eye on you was so much simpler." "Come to think of it, you've been as ignoble as the others." "You let me risk my life." "You made a fool out of me." "I couldn't do anything else." "The ante was too high, please understand me." "Well, since I don't have the Panther anymore, you're back to square one." "I can only give you its eyes." "Its eyes..." "Yes, its eyes; the two small rubies." "They were so cute that I had them made into earrings." "You kept the Panther's eyes ?" "You made earrings out of them ?" "What are you ?" "Mad ?" "Joy !" "Joy !" "I'm crying with joy." "Let's hurry up and join Dr Lombaré." "The virus is in the Panther's eyes." "Give them back to me." " Don't be childish." "Give them back to me." "Are you crazy ?" "A gun ?" "Where did you get it ?" "It wasn't in my luggage." "I took it from somebody who threatened me." "And I hate being told I'm childish." "We've got to join Lombaré as soon as possible, and give the rubies to him." "He alone can destroy them, and stop this nightmare." "I'll see what I have to do." "Meanwhile, can't you get out of the sun ?" "If I want to." "Is Dr. Lombaré in ?" " Great doctor ?" "He's in, he's in." "But this is Dr. Kha !" "This is Dr. Kha !" "Professor Lombaré ?" "What is it ?" "You are Dr. Kha." "That is undisputable." "But, professor..." " Silence, Castillo." "Stupid men like you aren't allowed to interrupt me." "So you thought you tricked me by setting the rubies aside." "You're just a child." "Sit down, both of you, if you want to." "So, Castillo ?" "Are you beginning to understand your part in this story ?" "You're not ?" "You served me as a beater, the more you fought against me, the more you helped me." "Yes, Castillo, the good Professor Lombaré and demonic Dr. Kha, have only one face." "Yes, the chess game plays itself." "I'm having fun, Castillo." "I'm having so much fun it's divine." "You're mad." "We always consider mad what we don't understand or what we won't do through lack of courage." "When those people who think we're their servants brought together this scientific community in order to try and wash the blood on their hands, they put me in charge of it, Castillo, yes." "They thought I was better, than even them." "They were right," "I'm the most intelligent being in the world." "Yes, I understand perfectly, that such a statement causes hilarity, but miss, in this particular instance, it's perfectly justified." "Yes, in a few moments," "I'll be the master of the Earth." "As soon as you give me the panther's eyes, my dear child." "That's why I was laughing." "I couldn't possibly give them to you, because the panther that Bruno Kerrien entrusted to me, had no eyes." "Don't mock me." "That in impossible." "I've got a feeling that Bruno Kerrien was more intelligent than you are." "You'll be forced to start all over again, from scratch." "All this work." "All this useless work." "Were you right in laughing, Miss ?" "Have I been tricked by appearances ?" "But the body of the panther is nothing without its eyes." "Everything has to be done again." "You were so adamant in keeping that thing that I couldn't imagine for one second that it was devoid of any importance." "To be bested by a puny agent of the French Secret Services !" "Kerrien !" "Of course, this is hilariously funny !" "Why all this scheming?" "All you had to do was ask Dumont to give you his discovery." "To trust so greedy a man ?" "Dumont would rather sell to the dreaded Doctor Kha than give to the good, Doctor Lombaré." "Everybody is not as..." "as idealistic as you are." "Nor as naive." "And the others were in my way." "Where are they ?" "Rest assured that you'll soon join them." "Oh, so you had them, er..." " I didn't need them anymore, you know." "One died in his bed, another while hunting, a third drowned and the rest vanished in the desert." "What about us ?" " You ?" "I don't know what way out, you'll take yet." "I do." "Through the door, just as I came in." "Amazing creature." "It's the first time anybody talk to me like that, you know." "But go on, yes go on, Miss, I enjoy it very much." "I'm afraid this first time, will also be the last." "So do I." " Stop it, you fool !" "Now that was too familiar !" "I wouldn't presume, Miss." "Who gave you the order ?" "Still using a razor, are you ?" "I thought it was for the best, doctor." "Later." "And, Sparafucile..." "Device number 15." "The blue light." "Device number 15." "The ambulance." "Thank you." "Please forgive the little interruption." "You were saying that you'd leave through the door ?" "Yes." " Certainly you will." "But I'll be dead, is that what you mean ?" "I don't mean anything, Miss." " And what else ?" "Two more shadows on your blackboard." "I pity you." "That's rich: you pity me ?" "Not for the reason that you think, because whether there is a panther or not, with or without eyes, and all that jazz, I don't give a damn." "Pardon?" "I say: whether you start your treasure hunt again or not, I couldn't care less." "Come on, shut up." "No, you shut up." "Since this is the last time I can speak," "I intend to take advantage of it!" "So this is the most intelligent man in the world ?" "So, according to you, intelligence means having absolute power, therefore absolute death." " Is there anything more comprehensive ?" "Yes, sir:" "love." "Love, and I don't mean sex, but tenderness, trust and durability." "Every beautiful thing on Earth never dies, but goes through time unchanged." "That's what I'd do if I were the most intelligent man in the world:" "I'd give to Man love and beauty, and I'd try to make it last forever." "I'd like the Earth to become a garden, where men would always sing like little birds." "They would be given eternal youth, in other words, an exuberant goodness." "I don't understand any of this." "What about this, my lord ?" "Hands up !" "Shoot !" "Shoot !" " I can't." "Let's go !" "Those are for us." "I only wear tailored clothes, and I hate pine." "What if I were afraid ?" "You would deal harder blows." "Ready ?" "Go, go ahead." "Ouch !" "My leg !" "My leg !" "Fate tripped me." "It will be necessary to put an extra mattress in the cellar." "Where is the ambulance ?" "There." "Sparafucile probably finished the job." "Atta boy !" "And now, let's start planning again." "What was her name again ?" "Marie-Chantal." " Oh, yes yes yes.." "Yes." "Too bad, she seemed to be made for love." "Your moral lecture to Dr. Kha was superb." "Where did you learn all that ?" "In the convent where I was a boarder." "Kiss me." "Oh, not on the cheek, this is not the nineteenth century." "I didn't dare." "And do you know why ?" "I'm too modest ?" " No." "You don't like me ?" " Yes I do." "Men !" "You give them the tip of a finger and they want the whole thing." "I thought that you and cousin Hubert..." "Hubert ?" " Yes." "No." "Hubert likes only coloured women." "Does he ?" " Yes." "Watch out !" "Faster !" "I want her !" "I'll get her !" "I talk to you as a woman, which means as a sister, a mother and a friend." "Get rid of those earrings !" "I can't." "It's impossible." "You told me so yourself." "If I threw them in the sea, salt would attack them, the virus would get out and all the fish would die." "Ah !" "My suitcase." " Keep walking !" "If I buried them, moisture would eventually corrupt them, and woe to all vegetation !" "What to do, then ?" " Then I'll keep them." "Dr. Kha won't want to wait." "He's going to attack you, again and again." "Well, I'm prepared for him." "I was thinking: she'll be late again." "So ?" "Peachy ?" "Yes." "She wins the first round." "Let her beware of the second one." "Look what I found for my masked ball !" "Where did you find that ?" "In the airport shop, for peanuts." "Please." " What's for lunch ?" "Veal roast with muslin potatoes." "Oh, no !" "No, if it's beginning anew, I'm going to become violent." "Translation by Goupil66" "Timing by McDuck April 2009"