" Have you seen Mario?" " He's at the back I think." " So you do hang out here." " I said I did" "I was going to your home, then I remembered you said you used this cafe." "So you made it to Paris." "And Pierrot?" "He couldn't get out of bed" "I'm starting as a gardener in September." " You found a job?" " My father..." " What are you doing?" " I'm hard at work." "Working with books?" "It's a great job." "Really classy." " And it pays?" " Yes, it's great." "Could you put me up for a few days until I find a room?" "No problem." "My place is nothing fancy, I warn you." "Strange, you and I together." "What will you do until September?" "I don't think anyone's in." " Let's go." " I want to get the name." " What's the notebook for?" " Let me handle this, trust me" "I'm organised." " We're from a publishing house." " Books on the fine arts." "Bugger your arts!" "Good morning, Madame." "Would you be..." "Sorry, I made a mistake." "Art books, Madame?" "It's best to say you made a mistake" "I like to see what's behind all those walls." "It's an adventure to look around houses." "You never get beyond the door." "'A mistake'" "I'd like to meet someone for once." "You take the top, I'll take the bottom." " What do I see?" " Fourth floor is shut up." "Let's work fast." "I've had it with encyclopaedias for today." "We're salesmen for art books." "Classics, you know." "Here's Titian..." "I'm too busy." "Not interested." "You haven't even looked at them." "Come in." "This way." "Hurry!" "Stop it, and I'll buy all your books." "Quick, where's the stopcock?" "Under the kitchen sink." "A towel or something, that might stop it." "But these are clean towels" "I think we've done it." "Bravo!" "You're an expert, I could kiss you." "You ought to warn the people below." "The woman who lives there is away on the Riviera" "I'll write to her." "Hear that?" "The woman below is away." " Lucky her." " Us, too" "I'll have no part in that." "You're sure she's away?" "On the Riviera." "If someone comes, we've lost our keys." "Worthless stuff." "All junk, but I'm taking something." " Quick, there's a man in there." " Wait." "Don't panic." "Stay, Texas!" "Careful, he's trained to kill." "You again" "Texas is jumpy tonight." "Well, aren't you ashamed?" "Stay there" "I'll be with you in a moment." "Sorry, but I can't trust you." " How are you this evening?" " Fine, thank you." "Stay, Texas." "What now?" "Don't ask me, you got us into this." "I didn't want to come." "What was that?" "You'll find out." "Give me a smoke." "He doesn't approve." "Bloody (109!" "I don't think he likes me" "I can tell from his eyes." " Don't make him angry." " I'm not" "I need you." "And me?" " You need me?" " 200 francs for 3 minutes work." "On your knees!" "Take off your gloves." "Piss in his face." "Still going to Barcelona?" "I'll be back in two weeks." "Got the key?" "Did you fuck her?" "What is this place?" "A brothel?" "Can we make something out of it?" "Tell me" "Mario, we're leaving" "I'd like to invite you to dinner" "I've got money." "Please, say yes." "Wait downstairs." "I must change first." "She can't shop us." " What did you do with her?" " Nothing." " Leave me alone for five minutes." " Why?" "Because." "Clear off." " What's the matter?" " I don't know." "Are you going?" "Here, take the lot." "Where are you from?" "What do you do?" "It depends." "You don't trust me?" "That's not it" "I haven't really done anything." "Another, please" "I can't eat without..." "So what do you do?" "Questions are wasted on me" "I lie, or I don't answer." "Will your friend talk?" "He doesn't understand what was going on." "Do you?" "I'm watching you." "Why did you come out with me?" "Couldn't you trust me?" "Afraid?" "I'm not a worrier" "I've no money." "It's true" "I paid off my friend, so we could be alone." "You really did that?" "I'm flattered." "They kill horses at this hour." " How do you know?" " I worked in an abattoir." " What was it like?" " Horrible." "But after a few days, I got used to it so I quit." "Are you thirsty, too?" "The table... it's very good." "Now I get it" "I'll draw the curtains, it's too bright." "All right?" "You never know" "I don't mean to..." "It's always hard to tell." "Where am I... am I bothering you?" "Am I a drag?" "The dog" "I'm busy." "Sorry, I forgot, really forgot." "You'll send someone?" "I'll sign it at once" "I could kill you now if I wanted to." "It's simple: one squeeze and you're dead." "You put the dog out." " What's the time?" " Twelve." "Hold on." "You can come at four today." "No, not today." "Call again tomorrow" "I don't feel like it today." "Tea or coffee?" "Why two phones?" "Black is business, white is private." "Which one rang?" "Black." "Isn't it too early for questions?" "Will this do for the gentleman below?" "Wait." "A few hairs." "Dressed already?" "I can't work it, I don't have breakfast" "I've been thinking." "How about a country outing?" "Right away?" "You've nothing to do?" " Where to?" " I'm driving." " I was here first." " I'm the driver." "You steer, I'll work the pedals, which means I'm the strongest." "No dessert, sir?" "That's a pretty bag." "School report for Georges Walter." "You're Ariane Walter." "'Concentration: good, but erratic, tends to wander." "'Comprehension: good, remembers well'" "He's my son." "He's the man in my life." "Do you mind?" "I'm glad you have a child." "He's the only man I trust." "You don't trust me?" "It's because someone once..." "I understand." "It's not the first time that..." "It's the first time the first time I've ever felt..." "I'm in control!" "The biggest don't always win" "I have a friend who lives nearby." "He has a lovely chéteau." "Lucky him." "Would you like to visit him?" "Not really." "Too bad, because he's expecting me." "When was this arranged?" "Shall we go?" "This place is falling apart." "Disgusting!" "Do you do any work when I'm away, Emile?" "What have you got to say?" "You should have been retired years ago." "We only keep you on out of pity, so have a care." "Of course, Madame." " Have our guests arrived?" " An hour ago, Madame." "If Madame will be so kind..." "How are you, Baron?" "Is this the naughty young lady who needs to be punished?" "A drink?" "Whisky, if possible" "Emile, a drink for the gentleman." "Some whisky." "This glass is dirty, Emile." "Dry it!" "It doesn't matter." "An ashtray, Emile." "Ashtray." "Use your belt." " Had a nice weekend, Georges?" " Excellent, thank you, sir." " By the way, how is Gautier?" " Fine." "Very busy." "Who is Gautier?" "Is something the matter?" "Butter my toast, Emile" "I'm driving" "I'll tie you up" "I'll fasten your seat belt." "Goodbye, Emile..." "Sorry, Georges." " Still upset?" " I'm not upset." " Were you scared?" " Never." "Liar." " Any appointments?" " I've written them down." "Him again." "Get another key made." "This gentleman lives here now." "Open the door, Lucienne." "My little darlings are hungry." "Today, I give them ants, tomorrow, flies." " What are they?" " Plants." "Shall I give them flies tomorrow, or veal?" "This is from Gautier." " How is he?" " Fine." "He wants you to call him at once." "Nothing serious?" "A present." "That's really nice of you." "A suit" "I don't wear suits." "Can I just wear the trousers?" " You'll get used to suits." " I'll try" "I'm making something for you." "Not too tired?" "Isn't it all very exhausting?" "No, it's exciting, getting into people's passions... so intimately." "What are they to you?" "Friends." " Does it give you pleasure?" " Yes if I give pleasure." "Then you're the slave." "You're at their disposal." "No, I couldn't do it if I didn't like it." "It's all a matter of making yourself available." "With you here, it's difficult." "It's getting difficult." "What do they get out of it?" "Is it the only way that they can come?" "No, their sex lives are perfectly normal... at home, with wife, mistress or girlfriend." " Do you ever make love with them?" " Never." "Some things don't mix." " I just direct the show." " So I've seen." "Strange, isn't it?" "Do they tell you what to say?" "They tell me what they want." "I use my imagination to improve on it" "I get into their fantasies, their lives" "I like that." "You know, that time with Emile, I didn't know what was going on" "Emile... the chéteau." "What is it?" "Will you go?" "Is Olivier here?" "Wait." "I'll look." "Somebody wants Olivier." "You want Olivier?" "Nice place." "Where were you?" " In the country" "I'm not intruding?" "Not very chatty." "Not in the morning" "I've been thinking." "This girl could be a gold mine." "If we two got together." "There must be people behind her" "I thought you might need me." "All right, I never said it." "I just called in when passing" "I don't want anything from you." "Open the door." "It's either the dog, or get out." "Choose." "I'll open your door." "Will that be all?" "Stop, bitch!" "It's us now." "See how well he took it?" "Lower your eyes in front of your mistress, slave." "What a handsome slave." "He loves his mistress, doesn't he?" "We'll sew up his pretty mouth." "Now, I'll lower you and you'll crawl at the feet of your mistress." "On your belly." "Not a sound!" "Dog!" "I'll hang you UP." "Skin you alive." "What a pretty sight you'll make up there." "No mercy." "You're suffering?" "I'll sew your mouth and eyes." "Some air" "I don't want to..." "Gautier..." "I need you." "Gautier who?" "I can't give what they want anymore" "I can't stand you!" "I hate you!" "Calm down, it's over now." "Help me." "Lie down." "You're crazy, eh?" "Take a deep breath, relax." "I'll make tea for you." "What are you doing?" "Answer me." " They're waiting downstairs." " You must be joking." "Shut up!" "You try to be a whore, then you're sick" "I am a whore and I like it." "I chose this life." "Never do that again." "It's not my clients that upset me, It's you." "Because I love you and it scares me" "I don't understand at all." "You're crazy." "Go on" "I'm going with you." "Bitch!" "Your punishment is half-an-hour in the dark." "Please listen, Mademoiselle." "We could go for a drive" "I'd warm you up in my arms." "Don't be afraid, I haven't touched you" "I'm not going to eat you, although I wouldn't mind." "We could go to see a film." "Leave me alone, I'm married." "I'll call the police" "I just want to take you to a film so we can be warm, in the dark." "She's my wife." "She's an exhibitionist." "She likes dustbins." "She likes to fuck in the muck." "Hard on me, I prefer beds." "You criminals, you're mad." "Don't kill that poor old woman." "Come along, darling" "I know where there's a better concierge." "It can wait till tomorrow." "No, another game tomorrow." "Do the snakes eat the fish?" "Can they get into the bath?" "You enjoy the bath and massage, sir?" "Yes, but be very gentle with me" "I love it gently." "Thanks for returning my call." "Things are bad, I must see you at once." "Thanks, I'll come at once." "What was that all about?" "I must go out." "Will you do me a favour?" " Open a bank account in your name." " Why not yours?" "No questions." "It's for both of us." "Mistress, I'm thirsty." "Have mercy." "No, I don't deserve it." "You want to tempt me." "Sometimes you have no pity." "Punish me, but I beg you not too hard, it hurts." "What are you doing here?" "Did she send you?" " She's capable of anything." " Such as?" "What does she do to you?" "Answer, or I'll really hurt you." "Only do what she told you, or go away." "Who are you?" "I only want what I asked for." "Clear off!" "You don't realise who I am." "I'll have you kicked out." "I'm powerful." "Don't!" "You're hurting me!" "I'm sorry." "She'll be here soon." "She's gone out." "Who is it?" "Who am I talking to?" "Who gave you my name?" "Answer me." "This is stupid." "You're Gautier." "He won't say who he is." "Not yet." "I'll tell her." "Yes, it was Monsieur Olivier." "So it was Gautier." "It was, wasn't it?" "It was Monsieur Gautier." "Who is he?" "I must know." "Gautier." "He's just Monsieur Gautier." "They have business together, that's all I know." "We'll see about that." " Was all well at the bank?" " Yes, they gave me a receipt." "Are the flowers for me?" "It seems I was expected at the bank." "A cop was waiting when I came out." "He knew all about me, even my name." "He wanted information." "I think he was after someone bigger" "I don't want to end up in jail." "If you see him again, you don't know a thing" "I told him." "But he knows my name." "Flowers last longer cut aslant;" "they get more water." " I know." " Then do it." "And use cold water." "Who is Monsieur Gautier?" "He knows my name, too." "He phoned a while ago." "The green stuff is asparagus fern;" "the shops put it in for padding." "People with taste throw it out." "So who is Gautier?" "Some sort of rich pimp?" "Tell me, I want to know." "You want to know?" "All right, I'll tell you who Monsieur Gautier is." "A horse, a winner." "And I'm trying to get a holiday for you and me." "As for your fantasy cop, if you get his name, I'll take care of him" "I'll be back in two hours." " Staying here?" " I'll wait for you." "Get off that." "Look what the dog did" "I'm late." "Did you give Gautier all your money again." "Tell me." "I can't take this anymore" "I must know, if we're to stay together." "If you want us to last, stop this." " I can't help people like you." " It's not my fault" "I'll never let you in again." "Let me poke around in peace." "Aren't we friends now?" "Do you know these guys?" "Take it easy, Texas, we're just investigating." "Do you know this place?" "Gladys on the left, Clara centre." "Ready?" "Take your places" "Clara, that's not your place." "Let's begin... it's winter." "It's cold." "You are prostitutes, there are no customers." "If you go home empty-handed, you'll be punished." "A man walks by in the empty street." "You look at him." "You smile." "You caress each other to get his attention." "You kiss." "Again." "More!" "Better than that!" "Stronger!" "That's better" "I'm a bit late." "Wait in the corner." "Mistress will be here soon." "On the Cross." "Five minutes to get into position." "Lucienne, you can go." "I'll be back in a moment." " I want you now." " This isn't the moment." "I'm late." "Later" "I'm having you in front of them." "Not in front of them." "Don't do that, I beg you." " I want to see Monsieur Gautier." " You have an appointment?" "Gautier?" "I'm Olivier." "Well?" "This must stop." "I love Ariane." "She's afraid of you." "Are you sure?" "Has she said so?" "I can tell." " A drink?" " That won't change anything." "The thought never crossed my mind." "Be seated." "So, what can I do for you?" "Nothing for me, but you can leave Ariane alone." "She tried to jump out the window." "Yes, if I hadn't stopped her in time..." "Then she called you, wanted to see you at once" "I saw her." "She said she needed a holiday" "I have a suggestion." "From now on, I take care of her." " How?" " As you do." "But I'll take a smaller cut and I'll really protect her." "You're sure we both take care of women in the same manner?" "That's beside the point" "I want you to return some of the money you took from her" "I want 10,000 francs now." " Do you realise who I am?" " Who cares?" "Aren't you rather rash?" "That will be all for the moment." "It's all settled." "Don't answer the phones." "Switch them off." "I'll explain." "Same again, please." "Haven't you had enough?" "You owe 25 francs." "Keep the change." "He's a nut case." "Repeat that." "Carry on like that and I'll come out." "What are you doing here?" "Get out!" "Harsemeal." "Two steaks, please." "What are you up to?" " Steak at this hour?" " It's good." "Why did you tell me not to answer the phones?" "I'd been drinking" "I can smell it." "A surprise for you." "Where did that come from?" "10,000 francs." " So I see." "For you." "Maybe I was stupid." "You wouldn't tell me, so I found out for myself" "I met your Gautier." "From now on, you won't have to give him such a big cut." "Not coming to bed?" "Don't touch me." "Yes, he told me." "No, I promise you, he's quite harmless." "Right away?" "Impossible." "I can't right now" "I beg you, not now." "I can't." "You're leaving." "It's all over." "Pack, dress, get out." "Understand?" "Idiot!" "How could you have done it?" "You wanted to find out for yourself." "Weren't we more important?" "More important than 'finding things out'?" "Are you a cop, or what?" "I hadn't understood" "I knew you hadn't, you're so stupid." "Shall I tell you about Gautier?" "Gautier is very powerful." "He trades all over the world." "He could snuff you out in five minutes." "So why did he give me 10,000 francs?" "To humiliate me, make fools of us." "You see, Gautier loves me." "Enough to let me live the way I want." "Understand that?" "I was working on him" "I wanted him to accept you." "He'd have given me my freedom." "But now you've mucked it up." "He's afraid for me." "He's a dangerous man now." "Understand now?" "Are you going to leave?" "You hurt yourself." "Get out." "Is that the lot?" "I LOVE YOU" " What are you doing?" " Packing." " Where's Ariane?" " I don't know any Ariane." " Did Gautier send you?" " He's Mans/bur Gautier." "Tell me where Ariane is" "I don't want to fight, but where's Ariane?" "So many Jean Jaures avenues." "Daddy, daddy..." "I want to show you something." "THE END"