Original subtitles

Look at the leaves, nothing is safe.

I warn you. Watch your step.

Don't step on Montreal with bare feet.

Even when there is snow, the broken leaves stick through.

I really love Life Magazine.

Leafing through old issues is still one of the high spots in my week.

It's so beautiful, so fascinating, and so undemanding.

Each page is a new delight.

Nothing can tear me away.

Hey, Claude, there's a party tonight.

Come on. Get ready.

I'm not going, so don't wait for me.

Why not? It'll be fun. Come on.

Nah.

You sure?

The same to you.

Anyhow, I'm not going to miss it.

Ciao.

Yeah. Ciao.

I'm not going because I hate parties and I have work to do.

I have work to do and I hate parties.

However, I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll go anyway.

But why?

Because as much as I dislike parties,

I dislike working even more.

♪ Are you working?

♪ Are you working?

- ♪ - Mother Claude. - How are you, man?

- ♪ - Brother Claude? - I can't stand that guy. ♪

You know, you've rarely looked so debonair.

♪ Not if I can help it.

♪ No, not me

♪ No, not me ♪

Formality is my weapon against people who bore me.

The fear of work.

Man was made to work.

My dear fellow, I am delighted.

I'm always running away from things.

Well, never mind.

I have lots of time. I'm young, youth.

My youth.

So much happiness burned away in a fire that warmed nobody.

This is my last chance. I can feel it.

My play. Double or nothing.

Shoot. Walk out of youth with dignity

and let's get rid of all these make-believe characters

who fight to possess me.

Oh, I hate...

I hate this whole damn world.

One of these days I'm going to get even with all of you.

The suffering of others is of maximum interest to me.

In exchange for this fascinating spectacle,

I offer you my extreme compassion.

All right. Cut the sentimental crap.

You provide the money and I'll provide the corpse.

Oh, the enormous avenues of the holy land.

I remember silver hours in the sunlight by the river.

I have known neither fear, nor war, nor misery,

not even love really.

With so little behind me, what have I to say?

Then shut up.

Through orchards of black wheat,

with a sigh, the river drove its silver flesh.

And I'm the guy who can't stand parties.

Claude, you're here at last.

Hi. Come here and say hello to me.

Hello. Goodbye, goodbye, hello.

My God, it's so boring.

Hello. How do you feel? Fine.

Do you think anyone really cares how you feel?

I am fine now you're here.

You're a real jerk.

Get out of here. You're blocking traffic.

Oh, she's flirting with my husband.

You tell her to quit.

Go tell her yourself. Slap her face for it.

No. I'll slit her throat for it.

Hey, Claude, don't go away.

Please, everybody quiet. Please quiet.

Johanne is going to sing.

The song is in Creole.

You won't understand the words, but that doesn't matter.

Hey, who is that girl? Do you know?

I don't know her name.

Look at me. Look at me. Look at me.

I don't see you. I don't see you. I don't see you.

Hello.

A drop?

The whole ocean.

You've got a visitor.

-Hey. -Hey, Victor.

That's Victor. He lives next door.

Hey, rise and shine.

What are you doing in my bed, Victor?

I'm trying to get some sleep.

Hello.

Oh, boy.

-Did you see that? -Yeah.

You have to watch out for that bed. It's freaky.

-A trick bed? -A trick.

They're painting my place and my bed is still there.

Here. Put on my bathrobe.

My razor's in the bathroom in case you wanna shave.

Thanks, wise guy.

-I'm Johanne. -I'm Victor.

Good morning, Victor. A pleasure.

I'm Claude. I live here.

My place is being repainted. It's a mess over there.

Total chaos. I'll be out of here in a second.

Yes, please. I'd love one.

Oh, it's a French cigarette.

They burn something awful off, but I don't mind.

I smoke anything.

Bring on the champagne, and the caviar, and the dancing girls.

Come on, let's celebrate.

We got to finish off the evening with our own party.

Oh, come on, Victor. Don't look so glum. Get with it.

Claude, come on over here and sit down.

I'm fresh out of caviar. Sorry.

Oh, the poor thing, he's out of caviar.

He wouldn't be trying to impress me with his caviar.

He usually has some.

How much sugar?

One lump.

One lump.

How much milk? One lump too? Say when.

- Just a little. - Just a drop.

Oh, you're slopping it.

You're even drunker than I am.

-This is good coffee. -Yeah.

Get away.

Well, I...

You are a very persistent young man. You know that, Claude?

Well, I better get myself out of here. It's awfully late.

Look at my hair. It's such a mess.

I'm so tired.

Listen, Claude, I'll just... I got to sneak out and, you know.

No, no, stay. I'm leaving now. I am, really.

Don't go.

I got to go home to my place, huh?

Yes, yes, I know, but first have some more coffee.

Oh, I shouldn't though.

What's that?

A military band.

And I'm the darling of the regiment.

Your hands are so white.

Yes, they are white.

Johanne leaves me for the first time.

Wait for me. I'll be right back.

So that's where she lives.

That's her world, inside those walls.

What's happening to me?

Don't worry. If you like her, you keep her.

And if you don't, that's the way it goes.

♪ As the mist leaves no scar on the dark green hill

♪ So my body leaves no scar on you

♪ Nor ever will ♪

I'm back.

So I see.

-Are you glad? -Mmm-hmm.

In the name of art, we're going to take pictures.

Lasting souvenirs of a glorious fishing trip.

Trophies are the sweetest part of love.

It's strange. I don't mind going out now as much as I used to,

but I still don't know why I do it.

Maybe you've got something to show off now.

- Like what? - Like me.

- You? - Me.

I adore your friends.

Yes, I can see that you do.

They think I'm beautiful.

I have to show my appreciation for their good taste.

Anyway, it's very flattering to you.

And to you.

Shh, I love you.

Francois, show me how you do locomotive.

You know, like in your film.

All right. Now, watch.

It's easy.

Now blow.

-You've got it. -It's great.

Ladies and gentlemen, here comes the circus.

I make a clown of myself,

but I know that I am beautiful.

The triumph of Johanne.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello.

Is the little woman at home?

You bet she is.

What pleasure it is to buy, to possess, and to share.

It doubles the pleasure.

That which we gave away, we acquire twice.

That which we give to a beloved,

we both give and keep.

The ritual of the gift.

Johanne is gone.

That is she's left for three weeks in New York with a friend,

a fashion designer to do some modeling, a high paying job.

I'm not sorry to go back to my old solitary life

interrupted by occasional visits from Victor.

Come on in, Victor. I don't mind.

I'm alone and I'm not doing anything important.

And now the Great Jojo

will perform for you

his death-defying trapeze act.

One, two.

Here, have a drink.

Damn, I don't know what's the matter with me.

I'm restless, edgy. I can't concentrate.

I don't know what it is.

I feel as if I've got to do something or explode.

I got to have action.

-Hey. -What can we do that's exciting?

You're messing up your floor.

Oh, come on.

I'd like to feel something violent, fear, pain, anything, hunger.

I've never really been hungry.

Between two meals, there's no time to get hungry. We're overfed.

I used to hop over to Paris when I felt like this,

to find a new scene, to relieve the itch,

and I'd come back saying I did such and such and I met so and so.

So what? Nobody's impressed. Nobody gives a damn.

You know, you got a 16 millimeter view of things.

Don't talk to me about 16 millimeters.

I feel rotten enough as it is.

And well curtain, because I'm going to bed.

Nighty-night.

As far as physical love goes,

Johanne keeps me completely satisfied.

I've been faithful out of saturation rather than conviction,

but desire dies if it's centered on a single object.

Now that Johanne is not here, maybe I can look around and...

-Claude. -How are you, Barbara?

-Okay. -What are you doing here?

Well, I'm waiting for a friend of mine and he's an hour late.

Well, why don't you come with me instead?

Hop on. I'm going your way.

Oh, I'd love too, but I can't.

-Oh, why? -Well.

Oh, plastered again. Well, what happened to you?

Did you get run down by a truck?

-You want to be informed, don't you? -Yeah.

Well, never mind. Climb on anyway.

We'll figure something out. Don't you worry.

Well.

Here, give me your umbrella.

-Up you go. -Oh.

-Easy. -Give me a hand.

- Oh. - There.

You're all set?

I'm scared.

It's perfectly safe.

Here we go, Michael Angelo.

Barbara of the old days,

that plaster cast just adds to the attraction.

Here's a formula worth trying.

Mix for your pleasure, two bodies at the same time,

a heavenly body and a foreign body.

Not only did I rediscover the Barbara of my youth,

but also the little wooden horse

I used to play with in my childhood.

Okay. Come a little closer.

Now bring those hips forward.

Hold it.

Meanwhile,

on a certain fashionable island called Manhattan.

You're beautiful, sweetheart.

As for me, I must have a bad conscience

because the next day, I hurry to a friend of mine,

a jewelry maker, to buy a trinket for Johanne,

but the diabolical machinery of destiny is at work again.

Claude.

Barbara?

What are you doing here?

Well, I live here.

-Really? -Uh-huh.

Oh.

No.

Alan.

Just a second.

Barbara's a remarkable girl.

No getting away from it.

She gives you an appetite for life.

Frankly, I can't find a single reason for not indulging it.

This is nice, huh?

When you polish it, it brings out the graining.

-Uh-huh. -Now this one is a marvelous piece.

It's very unusual. You see how it catches the light?

Yeah.

I could polish that up and turn it into a beautiful pendant for you, right?

Here's a piece of walrus tusk I picked up.

Very pretty.

- Yeah. It is, isn't it? - It's lovely.

Yeah.

Say, did you finish fixing that ring I bought?

Yes, it's all finished. Do you want to see it?

-Mmm-hmm. -I'll go get it.

Oh, sorry. Watch your foot.

Cut it out. Alan's right there.

-Oh. -Alan?

Yeah, just a minute.

Ungrateful female. But to hell with her.

I'm not going let her dampen my spirits.

How bitter is this life of ours?

Bitter and unpredictable.

Johanne's homecoming,

these sentimental occasions can be tricky.

I'd like to tell her I didn't miss her.

Boast a little of my adventures.

Confess that now I love her even more

and somehow prove that all this does make sense,

but I don't know how to begin.

So we talk of other things.

Are you unfaithful to me?

How could I be unfaithful since I've never sworn to be faithful?

And anyway, have you no faith, fool?

How about you? Do you see other men?

No one, but my husband. That's all.

Is that really all?

Really all, but he knows something is going on.

I'm not the same with him anymore. He senses it.

Is he angry?

When my husband is happy, he doesn't say anything.

And when he is angry, he suffers in silence.

So you never know what he feels.

And aside from me, does he have any reason to suffer?

You mean aside from him, do you have any reason to suffer?

I must confess that suffering has never been my strong point.

Mmm-hmm.

But they say, the lover who is not jealous isn't a true lover.

-Are you jealous? -Not a true lover, eh?

You mustn't generalize.

Those who speak in generalizations speak nonsense.

Then you have just spoken nonsense.

I'm the happiest man alive.

- Happy Halloween. - Same to you.

- Goodbye. - Stay away from ghosts.

Let me count how much money I got.

I did pretty well tonight.

Hey, I just found a dime. That makes a dollar.

Boy, are you ever lucky.

I got a dollar, a whole dollar.

A dollar, wow.

One dollar, that's my allowance for today.

Without much hope, I check the restaurant prices

and before I know it, I found my main course.

The special of the day is Barbara with a new hairdo.

There she is, whooping it up with another dish, Johanne.

I didn't even know they knew each other.

What's the matter? Is my fly open or something?

I find their behavior most disquieting.

I'll never know what there were so chummy about,

but that day, I ate very well and for free.

I love you, Johanne. You're fascinating.

Everything you do is fascinating.

I want to know all about you.

Your past, when you were a little girl.

Tell me.

-Everything about me? -Yes.

Tell me about the island where you were born.

Oh, yes, my island.

In the morning before it got too hot,

that was when they used to cut down the grass on the plantation.

I can still see them swinging their arms

as if they were dancing to the beat of the music.

Having fun?

Great fun. It's wild.

You're beautiful tonight.

-Am I? -Mmm-hmm.

-Really and truly? -Really and truly.

This place suits you. You're in your element.

It's sensational.

It makes me feel alive, you know.

You don't seem to be enjoying yourself though.

-Yes, I am. -Really?

Mmm-hmm.

A great place, huh?

They've always got fantastic music here.

It makes me want to stay and dance all night. Shall we?

Okay. Sure.

Excuse me. May I have this dance?

If my friend here won't mind.

May I borrow her for a dance?

Is it all right?

Sure. Why not?

-You won't be bored? -No.

All this black flesh around us,

and the heat, and the music.

Her eyes are too bright tonight.

She's determined to dazzle the world even if it means infuriating me.

There is defiance in the air.

So our first battle has begun,

and both of us know in advance that the first victory will be hers.

Johanne, are you trying to make a fool of me?

Exactly, my darling.

There is something I have to tell you. Something important

I've never told anyone before.

I have to be sure that you really love me.

I have to be sure.

I have to tell you because I love you

and I feel it's unfair to hide things from you.

You think I'm from Haiti, don't you?

Hmm?

And it's not true?

You mean you knew?

No.

Well, I'm not. I'm not Haitian at all.

It was all a big lie. I was born right here in Canada.

I'm an orphan. I was

abandoned at the age of two months

and raised in an orphanage from then on.

There was no island, no dancing, and singing.

Since I was black, it was difficult to find

Negro parents who were earning enough money

and who wanted kids but who weren't able to have their own.

The adoption agency was furious with me.

They told me, "Nobody wants you, Johanne.

"And we can't place you anywhere."

And that's that, they passed me around like a football.

And so it kept on.

Any time that they found someone who might adopt me,

they said, "I'm sorry. We have too many children to feed already."

They all blamed me for it but what could I do?

I didn't know anybody or have any experience.

Then someone said, "Why not say you're from Haiti?"

And I said, "How can I? I've never been there."

"Well, pretend," they said. And I did.

I read up on it.

I built myself a past that was all based on lies.

And when I left the orphanage I told people,

"Of course, you've never met me, I was born in Haiti.

"I just arrived here."

Anyway, I don't know why I'm telling you all this because...

Because what?

Because

now you're disappointed just the same as the others.

You love me because I'm so different.

I'm Haitian. I'm new. I'm strange.

I'm exciting and exotic and so forth.

No. I love you because you're you.

And I love you very much.

Anyhow, I'm not asking anybody for pity.

I don't want pity but it's just... I'm just...

I'm tired and I...

You know, Claude, there are moments when I wonder

how long will this go on?

When will I settle down somewhere?

And find out who I really am and have something.

Something that's my very own.

Johanne, I love you.

I do, my darling.

Please don't... Don't cry.

Laughing Johanne. Carefree Johanne. Where are you?

Come on now, cheer up.

Honey.

I feel so stupid.

There. Come on now, recite that little poem of yours.

Do not tame this love for thee.

Do not tame this love for thee, let me burn in agony.

Do not tame hell's agony.

Let me burn, it's lover-ly.

Johanne's confession bound me even more tightly.

Love forced the first breach in my defenses

and compassion finished the job.

I'm hooked and I make it official by visiting my mother

to announce what I'm sure she's known for a long time.

Looks like a lot of work.

Oh, that's right.

You simply wouldn't believe it.

The upkeep on this house is amazing.

I'm doing without maids now too. It's frightening.

It all falls on my back.

If I didn't do the book work, I don't know who would.

Oh, you have no idea of the work involved

in doing these bills every month.

All I can offer is my silence.

Whatever it is I came to tell her

is buried under a hundred trivialities.

By the way, I'm paying the insurance right now.

You should have some insurance yourself, you know.

Insurance? Me?

-Of course. -Why?

-Well, at least for your Vespa. -Uh-uh.

Fortunately, I took care of it.

Honestly Claude, don't you understand the risks you take?

You ride that motor scooter all over town.

If you had an accident, you'd spend the rest of your life paying.

You couldn't kill anyone with a Vespa.

-You think not? -Here. Look at these.

My latest, my black rose.

Bruno.

Here, Bruno.

Well, how do you like my dusky beauty?

Oh, she's quite lovely.

Oh, hi, Claude.

How are you doing, Victor?

You've eaten already?

Yeah, I'm just having coffee.

What did you eat?

Well, just a salad, a Caesar salad.

-Was it any good? -All right.

I never know what to eat anymore.

Why don't you try fasting? It will cost you less.

What did you do last night?

Well, I... I was... I don't know. Why?

Well, why do you think? I was aware that you weren't home.

- You were? - Yes.

I got the message.

Oh, on my door.

-Oh, yeah. -Well, is she nice?

-Oh... -You don't look very enthusiastic.

Who is she? Do I know her, huh?

Does anyone know anyone, huh?

Victor.

Deep down.

I just want to know about her surface.

Listen to this, "The thing that we perceive as reality

"is the relationship between the sensations and the memories

"which surround us at one of the same time,

"a rapport that cannot be reproduced by simple cinematography.

"Actually, the cinema is as remote from reality

"as its supporters claim it is near to it."

How about that?

Yeah, how about it?

Is she a blonde?

Are you still harping on that? Get off my back.

She has one head, two legs, two arms, one...

-Satisfied? -Well, are you?

Is she married?

Mmm-hmm.

She's married.

There's the rut.

You never were with a married woman before?

-First time in my life. -Oh.

What's bugging me most is...

Is that you know the husband.

-That's right. -Is he a friend of yours?

Well, not a friend of mine

but he seems like a good man.

I like him a lot, in fact.

And it bugs me.

We interrupt this narrative for a special news flash.

Our cameraman has succeeded in filming the walk of a young bourgeois...

Well, not so young anymore, already a little dissipated.

Still wondering what happened to his good intentions.

And now, we see him a few years later...

...obsessed by great ideas,

carried along by events,

paranoid.

Poet.

Whoops.

When he finds himself in difficulty...

A look to the east,

a look to the west,

status quo.

And sometimes a child among children.

And now back to real movies.

Camera.

Scene 72, take six.

Quiet everyone.

All right. Action.

- I'm afraid. - Of what?

Of loving you.

Forget the future. It's now that counts.

Now you go into the house.

Quickly.

Cut. It's good but it's not quite right yet.

We'll take that scene again.

You got to move that spot, John.

It still seems a little bit too bright.

-All right? -All right.

Get it set up and we'll take it again.

-Ready on the camera? -All set.

Man, it sure can get hot working under those lights.

Then try working next to them.

Want to come over to my place afterwards and see my butterfly collection?

Butterfly?

-All set, Claude. -Okay. Let's go.

This is the last take of the day.

And we've printed three and five, right?

Whew, what a day.

Well, here we are.

Nice butterflies.

-Have you got any Scotch? -Mmm-hmm.

Oh, damn not a drop in the house.

Don't go away. I'll get a bottle from next door.

-Victor? Victor, it's almost 9:00. -What?

You're supposed to be at the theater.

-What? -It's five to 9:00, look.

- Oh, boy. - Hurry up, you idiot.

You're going to miss your entrance.

Come on. They're going to have to start without you.

I'm hurrying. I'm hurrying.

Oh, boy. I'll have to get a cab now.

A cab. Good idea. Here. Don't forget your shoes.

My shoes? Oh, boy.

This is awful. I'm never going to make it.

Come on, hurry up.

You're sure this isn't a joke?

-Yeah. -It's really five to 9:00?

-It's no joke. Get going. -Yeah, yeah.

-Good luck. -Yeah.

Hello, boys.

Nobody here.

Hey, boys.

Oh, it's my husband. My husband is on the stairs.

Oh.

Ooh! That's a pretty girl.

Well, well, that's the girl I saw him with the other day.

-To your health. -Here's to yours.

What are you thinking?

Same thing you are.

Oh, hell.

I got to be at the studio at 9:30.

Oh, too bad.

Yeah, I better hurry.

I'll stay awhile, okay?

Mmm-hmm. Make yourself at home.

-Shall I answer the phone? -No, no. Let it ring.

-All right. -Be at the studio at 1:00.

- Oh, I will. - Goodbye.

Nobody there.

Well, if it isn't Monique.

You weren't to know. Well, now, you know.

But look, what are you doing here?

You mean what are you doing here, nosy?

Do you always sneak into other people's houses through the back window?

-Sure, don't you? -You put me in an awkward position.

I'm sure you're aware of that. What do you want?

Oh, I just came in to borrow some records.

You got no objections, do you?

Go ahead.

Okay. And you just forget I'm here. Okay?

You're certainly a cool one.

-May I drink my coffee? -Be my guest.

Nobody likes cold coffee.

Mind if I sit down?

Not at all. Want an apple?

Well, you eat apples.

I love apples.

-Is that a symbol? -It all depends.

-A symbol of what? -It all depends.

Mind if I borrow these?

You might as well. They're not mine.

Johanne's.

-Why do you say that? -Do you know her?

I respect other's privacy.

Do you now? And I don't respect yours?

Oh, sure.

Down, boy.

So you wanted to see if Claude had another girl in here?

I've known for ages he's had another girl.

But you didn't know who it was.

I knew exactly who it was. You know how?

-No, how? -I recognize your perfume.

How about that?

That's very flattering.

And the other day on Claude's Vespa,

you were there with the dark glasses on, right?

That was you, wasn't it?

Right.

Look, Monique. I like you a lot, you know but...

-But you want to get back to Olga? -Uh-huh.

Yes, I do. She's very pretty.

-You think so? -Yes.

A little blonder than you are of course.

-Yes, but she's cold. -Oh, yeah?

Hey, wait. Have you got any cigarette?

What? Sure. But they're not filters.

You've got a good memory.

I'll take one.

Keep them, I got plenty.

Oh, well, I'm out of matches.

-Uh-huh. -Thanks.

-Goodbye. -Bye.

-Have fun. -Sure.

And say hello to Claude.

Shall I tell him about this?

-About what? -That you were here.

Oh, you needn't bother.

We don't keep anything from each other, you know.

-Well, see you. -Bye.

Endless caresses soothing the flesh,

calming the soul until it's as serene as a windless sea.

Caresses performed with skill and cruelty.

Now, her hand explores a pimple or a scar back and forth

as if she were opening a wound with her finger,

curious weaving of pleasure and punishment.

- Hmm. - Hmm?

Have you ever wanted a man?

Hmm?

Have you ever wanted a man?

I don't say yes but I don't deny it either.

With those woman's hands of hers,

Johanne, unfolded my confession

and I gave her that secret ancient as my first memories

without pain and without shame.

And so this longing, imperative, and unsatisfied

has at last taken the form of hope.

It wasn't me you loved

but an image, an image you created.

No, it was you because you freed me from all images.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Don't change a thing for the lights.

It looks fine from up here.

Now, as for you two it was almost exactly right.

Except for one thing and that was the kiss,

you really have to kiss him, Monique.

Mmm-hmm.

Put your hands like this. What's the trouble?

-Haven't you ever kissed a man before? -Once or twice.

Well, do it as if you meant it. Ready everyone?

Wait, there's a problem with the sound.

- Not again. - No, no, no, it's all right.

From the beginning?

Clapman.

Scene 25, take two.

Okay, remember now, with feeling.

It wasn't me you loved but an image, an image you created.

No, it was you because you freed me from all images.

Good. Print it.

Well, was that kiss hot enough for you?

It was like a blow torch. It was perfect.

You're beautiful.

And so this longing, imperative, and unsatisfied

has at last taken the form of hope.

Say when.

We had a ball.

Tell me the rest.

Just at the crucial moment we...

Well, tell me how does the film look to you so far?

That's not important right now.

What is important?

At last.

Bang, bang, bang.

Come on, let's go to my house.

We become addicted to truth and it begins to use us.

Hello, you. You look so pensive.

What were you thinking about?

Our love has got to be perfect, Johanne.

No tricks, no scheming, no suspicion.

There must be absolute trust between us,

total honesty, right, darling?

We'll be different from others.

Our love will be perfect, right?

What am I saying?

I hear my own words resounding in some pompous fiction

and they grate, clatter and clang more and more ludicrous.

- Okay. - Hey, over here.

Fiction.

Pure fiction.

In the nearness of our intimacy,

a kind of silence comes between us.

We touched the depths of something,

of love or of solitude.

Day follows night but we are hardly aware of it,

locked as we are in our room and in our love,

sometimes we forget to eat but never to drink.

We're cut off from the world,

suspended in some diffused, colorless region where no one can find us.

And when we leave our room, our prison goes with us.

Excursions in broad daylight are dangerous for lovers.

The crowd hides the enemy.

Beware hunters of happiness,

traps have been laid for you.

Here, there, just where you least expect it.

Claude, where are you going?

Claude, I'm cold.

Where did you go?

You ran off so suddenly and left me sitting here all alone.

I didn't know where you were.

I was afraid you wouldn't come back.

I'm so cold, honey, let's go home.

Are you afraid of death?

No, but I'm afraid of suffering.

If I knew I wouldn't suffer I wouldn't mind dying right now.

Only, I would want a bit of time for us to make love just once more.

What I'd like to do is to challenge death,

to dirty it, to defile it somehow,

that's what I'd like to do, and maybe I will.

Oh, look,

a flower left by some orphan or widow.

It's made of wire and plastic.

- What's that? - Oh, that's nothing.

Hello, darling.

Hi, honey.

I've been to party.

A wonderful party with lots of friends.

I have something to tell you.

Oh? Well, tell me.

Guess.

Animal, vegetable, or mineral?

Animal.

And then there were two.

Two what?

Well, to start with,

there's you and then there's another.

You have a lover.

No,

but I'm pregnant.

Hmm?

I'm pregnant, I said.

It's a shock, isn't it?

Listen, darling, don't worry about it.

Don't even think about it.

God or somebody will take care of it.

He always does.

Aie, aie, aie, aie!

We're having a baby, Claude, enjoy it while it lasts.

It lasts quite a while I hear.

Nine months. I can hardly wait to see it.

And when it's born, then what?

Aren't you anxious to see it?

A red head and the black girl, just think.

With that combination, how can we lose?

This is going to be the handsomest, smartest baby in the world.

Claude, you're not listening to me.

Listen, I know you must be worried and all.

It's completely unexpected, only it's wonderful, Claude.

I'm not kidding, really I'm not.

Nine months from now you will be.

No, no, no, no.

I'm not kidding. I'm with child.

Kiddy cars, kiddy beds and all the rest.

I believe you're trying to get my goat.

After this overwhelming news,

I sense her body change from an object of desire and lust

to one of tenderness and reverence,

from a cave into a mirror.

During long quiet evenings,

I sketch this changed which has transformed our room

from a refuge into something like a home.

I'm doing a double portrait.

A double portrait?

Uh-huh.

Don't you mean a family portrait?

In a way.

Me, May 18th.

All our attention is now focused on that fragile existence

staring deep in her belly

which paternal pride and arrogance convinces me

is merely a transplantation of myself.

Me, May 30th.

Claude, be careful.

-Claude, listen. -Hmm.

Yesterday, I ran into Nicholas.

Who is Nicholas?

Someone I once knew, someone who loved me very much.

-Hmm. -I think maybe he still does.

Anyway, I talked to him about our problem

and he'd like you to meet him so he can give you some advice.

Advice?

Yes. Well, will you?

-You want me to? -Mmm-hmm.

Give me the bottle, will you?

Are you crying?

No, of course not.

Oh, I thought you were.

Would you turn off that radio? It's getting on my nerves.

There.

Nicholas.

What have I got to do with Nicholas?

It doesn't mean a damn thing to me,

meeting someone I don't know in a godforsaken place like this.

There's something funny going on here and I don't like it.

How am I supposed to recognize him?

I've never seen him before.

I wonder what the weather is like in the Ivory Coast right now.

-You're Claude. -And you're Nicholas?

-Right. -Pleased to meet you.

Yeah, same here.

Hey, Paul, two more.

Johanne seems to think you have things to tell me.

Yeah, well, in a way.

Well, actually, I wanted to meet you

because I had an affair with Johanne.

Mmm-hmm.

And it meant a lot that it was a pretty extraordinary time of my life.

Yes, I can imagine.

I still her love her too although I realize we're all through.

-She'd never come back to me. -Mmm-hmm.

But even so, I'd say that we were still good friends.

And I think friendship is very important.

Mmm-hmm.

If I can use such a stupid term, you're sort of my successor.

Yeah, I guess so.

I mean she loved me and then you came along and now she loves you.

That's the way life is.

I'm not bitter or anything, I accept it.

I hope the two of you are very happy together.

However, I can't help worrying a little.

It's very important that whoever she's with

is right for her.

You see, I kind of grew up on the street as a kid and I'm still on the street.

For you, it was obviously a different story

and a woman appreciates that difference.

Easy childhood, perhaps too easy,

a brilliant college career,

visits to all the exotic corners of the world,

bills all paid for by papa, of course.

Why not?

Just listen to this guy.

He comes from nowhere and defines me, judges me,

instructs me in morality and I sit here and swallow it all.

I wonder why.

She doesn't love you for your money

but you can't blame her for being influenced

by this image of wealth and comfort.

Now, perhaps there's no difference between you and this image she has.

However, this image is there and it counts.

Well, it's silly to equivocate.

To what?

Good word, huh?

Henry James used it.

You're not such a bad guy after all.

In other words, take her

but don't hurt her.

Are you sleeping?

No, I'm smoking.

How are you?

Oh, I'm fine.

That's good. So am I.

I have something to tell you.

I'm sure you do.

I'm going to marry Johanne.

But isn't she already married?

And who will pay for the divorce?

Is her husband still in love with her?

Why make such an important decision so abruptly?

She's pregnant and you're convinced it's yours

but she often sees her husband.

Does she ever go out with other men?

She may. But I believe people should be free, even lovers.

I go out with other girls.

If she wants to go out with other men, that's her business.

I'm not jealous.

Well.

But have you fully realized how this marriage will upset your entire life?

It'll mean you...

You'll have a great deal of responsibility to face,

you'll have to make a good living,

to change your lifestyle, to stop being the bohemian,

the free as day gypsy that you are now.

You will have to learn how to settle down,

you have to accept the responsibilities that you aren't used to.

Are you ready for that?

-I am. -Have you spoken to your father?

No?

I think you should go talk to him about it.

He sometimes gives good advice

and besides, he is involved in this, too.

We all are.

As for me...

I've said what I had to say.

I have nothing against it.

I bow.

It's your decision, after all, it's your life.

And you have to live it.

But I've thought of something.

Two or three years ago

you went on a retreat to get away from things in that monastery

and I remember you met a priest

for whom you had a lot respect,

Father Simon, I believe.

Why not ask him for his advice?

Find out what he has to say before you make

a decision you may regret, hmm?

All right, if you want me to.

Well, I didn't mean to keep you up so long.

Good night, mother.

Good night, my dear.

-Hello, Father Simon. -Hello, Claude.

Oh, it's good to see you again.

-You too. -How's everything?

-Well, fine. -Let me look at you.

-You've gotten older. -Well, yes.

And so have I. I've retired from active service as they say.

You see, I watch television now,

that's my companion in my old age.

There we are.

-Cheers to you. -To your health, Father.

Oh, a little cherry brandy never hurt anyone.

Well, go ahead, out with it.

You talk and I'll listen as in the old days.

Well, it's not a problem that's very complicated.

I'm in love with this girl.

So I've decided to see you and ask your advice.

All right, Claude, tell me more about it.

Well, what can I say? She's...

What is she like, is she pretty?

Oh, she's much more than just pretty.

I'd say she's beautiful and she has a fantastic figure.

Aha.

And she's intelligent and she's fun.

Above all, we like the same things.

We have the same outlook on life.

How about her moral standards?

Would you say they're above reproach?

Well, let's say that she's evolved her own morality

which perhaps doesn't exactly conform to middle class standards

or those of the church but don't misunderstand me.

You haven't changed.

She does have certain moral standards

which are, well, they're very close to mine,

that's why I love her and why we get along so well.

If you don't mind my talking to you as a...

As a father, so to speak, you aren't the first?

Well, no, she's a liberated woman.

Anyway, she's married, though, she and her husband have separated.

Despite that you're sure beyond doubt the child is yours?

Yes, because she wouldn't lie.

How about fidelity?

You trust her fully?

Tell me, Claude,

if this girl whom you love

and who's been living with you for quite a while

abandoned her first husband,

who's to say she won't do the very same thing to you?

Have you ever considered that this pregnancy of hers

is perhaps only a trap?

You're certain, of course, that she is pregnant?

Isn't it possible that she's attracted to the social world you're in?

Maybe your artistic world as well?

All I'm interested in is your happiness, you understand that,

in your happiness and in your well being.

A man who's unhappy can't produce properly, am I right?

I've had experience with women through the church.

Oh, my, I've pretty much formed my own ideas on that.

In my opinion, the main thing about a woman is she's a schemer,

yes, she's...

She's covetous, selfish.

You want to marry, you must realize what's in store for you,

recognize all the traps.

Love is a good thing but it's not enough.

And you won't be the first to make that discovery.

Hmm?

Well, has my little discourse on matrimony been of any value to you?

It's very revealing.

Well, give it some thought.

Hmm? It's your happiness you must think of.

Above all what counts is to be free, unfettered

and also to have a clear conscience

and remember that I'm always here to talk to, Claude.

Come on, let's drink a toast to the good old days.

Here's to our earthly vices.

You know, I think it's about time we made a decision, don't you?

Decision about what?

What do you mean "about what?" About us.

First of all, this apartment is much too small.

We're going to need a bigger one.

We have other things to think about before that.

And there's another thing, it's very important.

Even if we stay together, I still want to keep my freedom.

I have to be free to create.

Well, I see no reason why you shouldn't be.

For example, I'd like to be able to disappear

for two or three days if I feel like it.

I'd like to be able to be alone from time to time.

My dear, you are free to do what you want.

-You wouldn't ask questions? -No, of course not.

I haven't up to now, have I?

It's all right with you, then?

Oh, Claude, of course it is.

We'll have to see the lawyer about my divorce

if we want it to come through before the baby is born.

It can cost a lot of money.

That doesn't matter. I can borrow.

It won't be easy.

We'll manage. Don't worry.

You aren't angry about what I asked you?

Of course not.

You're really sweet.

Hello.

I can't figure Johanne out.

The more problems we've got, the more calm and good natured she is.

As for me, I'm in pain.

There's some dread disease gnawing at my guts, I know it,

an ulcer I bet or cancer.

I've hidden it from my family and friends all this time

but it can't go on.

I've got to see a doctor.

Well, everything seems to be in its right place and working well, Claude.

In fact I'd say you're in perfect health.

So, there is nothing wrong with me?

That's funny.

All my friends say I'm nothing but skin and bones

and mighty little skin.

I know what I need, solitude.

A little solitude that's all,

to walk into my own home and be alone for five minutes.

What? No breast band?

It's good to come home to you, you know that.

Liar.

You haven't kissed me yet. You haven't even told me "good night".

Mmm-hmm.

Kiss me, please.

-You call that a kiss? -Oh, will you let me sleep?

All right.

You can sleep alone, then.

What are you doing?

-I'm leaving. -Where are you going?

Home.

Johanne, Johanne.

Come back, Johanne. Come on back home.

Leave me alone.

-What is all this about? -I'm not coming back.

This is childish, Johanne. Now, come on back.

-I am not coming back. -And let's talk about it.

I can tell when I'm not wanted.

Oh, don't be silly. Where are you going?

You don't want me so I'm going home.

There was a time when our quarrels could be made up with a joke

but not now.

Any attempt at humor acts as a new provocation.

We can find no words or gestures to soothe or to heal.

Love can withstand serious crisis.

Why does it surrender to tiny assaults?

All you think about is you, you, you, you always,

always, always, that's all you care about.

- All you care about is your divorce. - It's always you.

- And your home and your security. - You don't care about me.

- Just go out and have your fun. - Always, always!

You don't give a damn about me and my needs.

- What do you know about what I'm really like? - You're an artist.

Everybody was right about you.

- You have to be free. - You're only interested in me

for the comfort and security I can offer you.

You have to be free to make your silly little movies.

Oh, you have to be free to go anywhere

and sleep with anyone that pleases you.

I won't, I won't. I need to express myself.

To have a change of scenery once in a while.

You don't care about anyone else.

You and your wonderful act to stick to freedom.

And that's the way it's going to be.

You don't understand anything at all.

Here I am, cornered, forced into action.

I'm about to make a move.

I can't believe I'm doing it but I'm doing it.

Watch this closely.

Hello, Johanne.

Hello, darling, how are you?

Johanne, it's all over.

What do you mean?

It's over between us.

I see. Can we see each other?

No.

-Never? -Never.

Why not?

Because it wouldn't mean anything.

-But at least we could... -Goodbye, Johanne.

You're still not over him?

How can you let yourself get all upset over a guy like that?

Johanne, I told you from the beginning.

It couldn't end any other way, it's no use looking back.

I mean, even if you're not mine anymore...

What? Now, look...

-I always made you happy when... -I was never yours.

People don't belong to each other.

You always used to treat me as if you owned me and it made me sick.

Johanne, I just want to help you.

I hate to sit by and watch this character destroy you.

Well, isn't that kind? Isn't that charitable?

You're too much of a woman,

too much of a woman to let yourself be treated...

Let go of me.

Let go of me!

Calm down, Johanne.

I hate people to touch me like that.

-Calm down. -Take your hands off of me or I'll...

Ah, what the hell.

Damn it all.

I know what I'm going to do.

I'm going to go see him right now whether he likes it or not.

After all he owes me an explanation.

She's outside that door.

She's been there for hours.

A mourner at the door of a tomb.

And guess who the corpse is.

Johanne, don't stand out there. Come on in to my place.

Isn't Claude home?

He's home but he won't open the door.

Huh? He's home but he won't open the door?

Look, I don't know what's going on between you two people,

but, well... Hey, you want something to drink?

No.

Oh, how about some coffee?

-No. -Good strong coffee.

No.

Some orange juice maybe?

Apple juice?

Cherry soda?

Do you want me to turn on the radio, Johanne?

No.

Well, do you want to hear a record?

I don't have a television.

I can't stand seeing you like this.

Oh, yes, that's obvious.

What is the secret formula for a quiet, well-ordered life?

Maybe I could own a little tobacco store.

Or the latest novelty, strings of telephone calls.

Hello?

Hello?

Voices of silence but why?

Why?

I don't know what's wrong with me lately but I have this pain.

It's somewhere right about here. Maybe I have heartburn.

I'm probably in love again.

Hello?

My telephone is out of order at the moment.

You ought to get it fixed.

No, no, don't bother. Just let it ring.

The phone's out of order I said so don't...

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

But this time her voice does come through.

Yes, it's me.

Claude, my love,

you will never see me again.

Johanne.

I took all those pills, all those pills you gave me.

What the hell is this, Johanne?

-My love. -Johanne.

Oh.

Hello?

Victor, Claude refuses to talk to me.

-So... -Johanne.

You tell Claude that he'll never see me ever again.

-She just called me. -Who did?

You know damn well who.

Oh, so, she called you, too.

-Yeah. -Well, what do you know?

Well, aren't you going to do anything about it?

It's pretty dramatic, isn't it?

A big, fat joke, merely something to laugh at.

Listen, I'm not laughing, believe me.

Well, what do you expect me to...

But didn't you hear? She'll commit suicide.

Well, don't come crying to me afterwards.

I was right, thank God.

The next evening, I left a note for Victor.

Victor, our charming suicide

has been after me all day on the phone.

She seems to be in perfect health.

Since you're my friend, I know you won't judge me.

Love, Claude.

P.S. Don't you think friendship is better?

-Hello. -Hello, Claude.

Can you guess why I'm here?

No. Why?

I've brought you something from Johanne.

And remember this,

she's been through hell since you dropped her.

Answer it at least.

Okay?

Sure.

And don't be hard on her.

I still love you

and everything reminds me of you.

Especially what is growing inside me

and it hurts to know that this is why you have left me.

Sometimes I tell myself

that I haven't lost you completely

and that soon, no matter what you feel,

there will be two of us to love you.

It's quite obvious that this can't go on much longer

and that it's up to me to make a move.

Why not go for broke?

The whole thing could be taken care of for $200

and the solution would be to the satisfaction

of all the parties that are concerned.

My moral universe collapses with a spectacular display

of nonintervention on my part.

Goodbye, principles and honor and all the rest.

A $200 operation,

I better start looking for the money right now.

Just for the books that I put on the appropriate solemn expression

and then breathing free.

I'm off, get it?

What can I do for you, my boy?

I'd like to borrow some money.

How much?

$200.

Do you have any guarantees?

An insurance policy.

And what is the purpose of the loan?

To help a friend.

I see.

And how do you want the money?

In cash, please.

All right, my boy. If you would just sign here.

Fine. You can get your money from the teller.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Not at all, my boy. Good luck.

You know, I'm really a sweet guy.

It's true. Ask my friends.

I'm harmless.

Oh, what a beautiful day.

Do you hear weeping anywhere, cries of pain?

I don't.

The main thing is to keep your hands clean.

My hands are clean.

Look, no perfumes of Araby for me, thank you.

You know what, after all this,

I think I deserve a little treat,

an Italian mohair sweater.

Yes, this one, right here.

It's just made for me.

I like wool.

It can be made into all sorts of beautiful things without killing the sheep.

Bah, bah, black sheep.

And into this disposable box

goes the old skin that was so hard to shed.

No, no, not again.

Now, look, can't you guys get off my back for five minutes?

Okay. Have it your way

but this time it's going to be different.

Catch me if you can and when you do,

when you do, I have a little surprise in store for you.

I declare and solemnly state...

Oh!

I declare and solemnly state

that true love,

sincere love, eternal love

is nothing but a lie, a miserable lie.

And who ordered the pork chops and peas?

I did.

Here.

Oh, hi.

-How are you? -Fine. And you?

Okay if I sit down?

Mmm-hmm.

You're doing a beautiful job of destroying that girl, you know that.

Go ahead and screw up your own life if you want

but leave other people alone.

You're not a bad guy, basically.

You don't mean to be a bastard, only you've been spoiled rotten.

You don't care who you're hurting.

You look bored. Am I keeping you from a date or something

or am I annoying you by mentioning things that you would rather forget?

Well, go keep your date. Don't let me stop you.

Get out of here.

We don't want garbage in this place.

Did you hear what I called you, you pennywise little punk?

It's fun to play around with women.

All you need is money.

I called you a pennywise. Come on, get mad.

You've got the guts of a dishrag.

Go ahead, give him his check.

The last check you'll ever pay in here, mister.

After he's paid, you could throw him the hell out.

Okay, pay your bill.

And remember what I told you. Stay out of here.

Guys like that think they can get away with anything.

Poor little rich boy. Go on home to mama.

Now, the joy of motion,

the marriage of time and space,

change of landscape, other faces.

Ah, to stretch my limbs in this prison which you have made for me,

you whom I loved, prison of ebony and crystal,

maximum security where all the wardens wear your smile

as they bend to save me,

save me, save me, save me,

save me!

But your eyes, though different eyes,

your color, though a different color,

concealed all the old traps, the old finalities.

No, no, no,

no, no, no, no, no, no, no!

Now what?

Won't it ever be finished?

"Dear Claude, I don't know why I'm breaking this long silence

"because I realized it won't..."

Get to the point.

Oh, here we are. "The thing is over.

"I lost it with nobody's help.

"So, you weren't involved.

"Your body left no scars on me."

But it did!

We're both so covered with scars, we can't recognize ourselves.

My youth.

Forget it.

Yeah, forget it.

Concentrate on something else, but what?

I'll think of something.

Free Quebec.

When the world is marble and light

and weeping has dried everywhere,

I will walk as a sleepwalker might

while stone birds cry in the air

and then with a...

Okay. Let's take it from the top.

When the world is marble and light

and weeping has dried everywhere,

I will walk as a sleepwalker might

while stone birds cry in the air

and then with a careful gait I've practiced too long

to know why I will fly in the wind.

I will wait till my yearning is aimed at the sky.

Even farther out of this world of feeling,

long live abstraction, pure delight of the spirit,

exponential function, remembering that K is a constant,

the absolute poetry of all that admits to weight and measure.

How to seize this discipline

which is so remote from your embrace, you my love.

It's very simple, my dear.

All you have to do is leave.

To leave, of course, to leave.

Why didn't I think of that before?

Victor, oh, Victor.

How are you?

Fine. You?

-Had any news from Claude? -No.

-You either? -No.

Well, goodbye.

Goodbye. See you around.