Original subtitles

Alice? No, I'm fine. No more.

And I feel it's time that you stopped, too. But I haven't drunk anything.

Not for the last 45 seconds.

Well, this is an award of a special occasion. But this is a special

occasion. We've got our hands on next summer's bestseller, you said.

And the Femina Award in the fall. The Femina?

What a bunch of dreamers. Why not? Because generally, the Femina is awarded

on the merit of modesty and sensibility.

But that describes me perfectly. Knock it off, will you, please, Frederick?

Your sense of humor escapes me this evening.

Watch out. It doesn't happen to the bottle as well.

The bottle?

It'd be a shame if it escaped you, like my sense of humor. Too bad there's no

award for boozing. You'd get it. Good night, Lawrence.

Good night.

I hope it's not me who upset her. No, absolutely not.

Alice adores you.

I'm a bit jealous of you.

That doesn't surprise me. All women adore me.

Just your pocketbook.

Oh, that's not very nice, you know.

I've got a lot more going for me than just money. Yeah?

Like what?

Well, good looks, charm, personality, and, uh... Money!

It's rigged to take your money and never pay off.

Ah.

How much longer before I can go to press with it?

Another two weeks.

That's the beginning, and I guarantee it.

How have things been with Alice?

Same as usual, happy as can be.

But why such a question? Just asking.

Being able to work at home, tucked up, bald, warm and comfy, I envy you. You

do, huh? Then, buddy, you take my place at home and you write the missing pages.

Nope, no way. Good night, writer. Good night, slave driver.

Editor, the words are synonymous.

You were pretty uncooperative last night.

It's only the pros who are always ready to be late.

No, a wife who loves her husband, what about her?

Is that all love means?

Putting out upon command?

Alice, what's the matter?

Nothing's the matter. It's just I'm very tired.

I got a remedy that's infallible. Leave me alone, please. Besides, I have to be

off.

puncher.

Causing heavy traffic delays. This is the end of our motoring flash. Our next

scheduled broadcast is at 10 o'clock.

Thank you.

Bob, find out what's wrong. Okay.

Hey, what happened? Guy fell out of that window and jumped. I don't know. Poor

kid. He dead? I saw him up there on the ledge, fifth floor. He was looking down

at the street, hesitating like he wasn't sure. Yeah, you know him? I've seen him

around. I tried to talk to him. I kept yelling up to him not to do it. I

thought for a minute he was listening to me, but then he crawled over the railing

and just let go.

You better believe it. Seeing something like that, it's not going to be easy for

me to go ho-ho for the rest of the day.

What was it? Some guy threw himself out of a window in the apartment house

across the street, on the fifth floor, no less. The guy must have really been

desperate to take that way out.

Okay.

You happy with it? You better believe I am.

Great stuff.

Are you serious?

In view of what I paid you before you even started to write it, there'd be no

stopping me stuffing your ass with a crummy manuscript.

Now you've started it. You're as sharp-tongued lately as my wife is.

Sorry, old man.

Things aren't better.

What's the matter?

Don't ask me.

Recently, she seems different.

She doesn't smile all the time like before. She's so sad.

It's probably fatigue.

Women get tired, you know.

She used the same excuse.

Alice.

Excuse me.

What's the matter with you?

What are you doing, Alice?

Alice, please answer me. Go away, go away, let me be, for God's sake, go

away!

Hypertension. Common condition among women, I'm told.

Won't keep you from working, will it? No sweat, Simon Legree.

Just use a bit of imagination.

I picked your name by chance.

I needed somebody to talk to.

What's your name?

What difference does it make what my name is?

Would it excite you to know?

Yes. Then my name is Norma.

That's right. Yes, Norma.

Okay, what next, Norma?

Come here.

He's coming closer.

He's almost next to me.

Come on. Come on.

He's kneeling down beside me.

He's undressing now.

He's nude under his robe.

He's coming down on me.

Ah, yes, Norma.

He's bending forward to kiss me.

He's starting to caress me.

I can smell the odor of his desire, his lust.

Yes, what's happening now?

Norma!

He's spreading my leg. He's going to take me.

Oh, yes. Take me.

Take me.

Yes.

Deep.

I feel so good. My skin's so soft and warm.

So deep inside me.

Wait, don't hang up.

He's gonna come.

I had the most terrible nightmare last night.

It was like I was some other person.

Did I speak in my sleep at all?

No.

Or you might have, but I was plied with sleeping pills so I didn't hear you.

I love you, Frederick.

God's name has come over, it's just not possible.

Alice, what's happened to you? Am I going crazy or what?

My young man from a good family, where's he in all that?

She's not all there anymore.

There's something wrong.

It's the first time she's ever been like that.

Needing exterior stimulus like a whore. But Christ, we've never had any

problems.

God, I can't work like this.

I'll call Lawrence.

Hello.

Morning.

What's up?

Running short of inspiration?

You want a ghost?

No, I'll not answer that one, thanks.

Sure.

I'll be in touch.

Yeah, real soon. I'm going back to work.

No, it's just impossible.

I've got to know I can't work like this. I've got to do something. But what?

Couldn't have changed that much in 24 hours.

I've got to know what's wrong.

Muriel.

Muriel!

Thank you.

And welcome, prodigal son, to my humble abode.

Alas, Melody, was something like that.

I see time hasn't changed you. I guess success is the fountain of youth.

You must have found a fountain, too. You haven't changed a bit.

Oh, but with me, it's alcohol. My cup runneth over.

Alcohol and vice.

You screamed often enough about the two of them. Oh, I'd prefer not to speak

about them. Not to speak about the past, yes, I know.

Nonetheless, my treasure chest holds many lovely memories.

Mine, too.

Of course, sure.

But certainly not the same as mine. You've grown bitter.

No, I've aged.

But it's the same thing, I suppose.

I read all your books. I find them most amusing.

Thank you.

I'd like for you to tell me about Alice.

You want me to talk about your wife, hmm?

You knew her before I did.

Yeah, but not very well.

Want something to drink first?

No, no.

How did you and Alice meet?

It was wintertime.

Terribly cold.

I was waiting for my bus to go to the art shop.

And almost as if we'd always known each other.

We started laughing over nothing.

I liked her from the very beginning.

She was easy to like, easy to be friends with.

But she looked so down and out.

She was so alone.

So I brought her home here.

She was staying in a hotel that she hated.

I asked her to stay with me.

You know my tastes and their diversities.

And suddenly, strangely, her old attitude changed.

The following morning, she seemed to have completely forgotten all that

occurred the night before.

Nothing ever happened between us after that.

She stayed on for a while.

But she seemed strange, bizarre.

In any event, not at all the same as when we'd met.

I was struck by the difference.

But then occasionally she'd become herself again.

All smiling, beautiful.

Like she was that night that you came to pick me up for the evening.

You had come for me and you left with her.

The rest you know.

Happiness, wealth, glory.

Then apparently there was nothing abnormal.

No visitors. She didn't go anywhere.

Nothing special.

But why all these questions?

If you'd explain a little, I feel like I'm being...

No, wait.

I do remember something. One day I took her to see a doctor.

A psychiatrist.

Do you remember the address?

It was mighty nice of Santa Claus to visit us. Santa Claus?

Yeah, and he brought us a magnificent gift.

What sort of gift?

Money. Your guest is up to his ears with it.

Sorry, Tony, but you're not making sense to me.

There's got to be strange things going on between him and his pretty wife for

beginners.

Secondly, he's well known.

So he obviously wouldn't want anybody talking about it in the papers.

All right, so what?

She has to ask. Great God.

I must be dreaming.

Look, baby, don't pull a dumb blonde act on me.

Something strange a well-known guy and money Adam up sweetie. Are you saying

you'd try to threaten Frederick precisely?

I'm not just gonna try it baby. I'm gonna do it be rich hallelujah Nothing

could be easier But let's work out a few of the details first you find a way no

count me out Tony I've got some bad habits. I know only a blackmailer that

I'm not He dropped you if I remember like a worn-out sock that's got nothing

to do with it. We were only lovers on a part-time basis

the way it is, then you can consider me the same.

Tony!

Tony, wait!

What are you doing?

I'm getting the hell out. I don't want anything to do with a stupid cunt like

you. No, don't go, Tony.

Don't leave me, please.

Tony! No, please don't leave me. Too late.

I need you, Tony. Don't go.

Look, get your ass out of my way.

No, listen to me.

Please, don't go. Get out of my way. Please, please.

Tony, Tony, listen to me.

I'll do whatever you want.

Yes, I remember.

She was a patient here.

And so?

And so that's all.

But what did you treat her for?

What were her symptoms?

Mr. Omon.

You're bound to know about What we call professional secrecy, of course, but I'm

talking about my wife doctor about my wife that surely makes a difference None

at all. I'm sorry. My lips are sealed Nothing stops you though

From asking me to speak to your wife's a patient that'd be out of the question

for the moment at any rate Bring me a

dossier Linda, which one so the dossier for Miss Morrow Miss Ellis Morrow, right

away, Doctor.

Here you are, sir.

May I suggest you might learn something from her mother Alice's mother

Fred

Hello. Lawrence, how nice.

I came over to see Fred. On business?

But he's not home right now. Not home? That's strange, isn't it? Can't you wait

for him?

He surely won't be long.

Come on in.

Do you realize that very soon you'll be the wife of a very famous man?

Huh? His book is destined to be a great success, believe me. An enormous

success.

Oh, yes. It's going to change your whole life. You'll see.

Cocktail parties.

galas, world premieres, travel, change, whole life, everything.

Different person. You wait and see.

Everything I've said will come true.

I'm absolutely certain of it. This latest book is a masterpiece.

It's got everything going for it.

Comedy, pathos, and a great storyline.

Nostalgia, even.

Everything the public demands.

And no one deserves success more.

I can just imagine it all now, how proud you're going to be of him.

To be married to such a famous man.

And... Everything changed.

Look.

Look, Lawrence.

Alice, please. That's not one bit amusing, you know.

I've got to be going now. I'll be late for...

Listen.

Oh.

Son of a bitch.

Don't ever let me sit eyes on you again or I'll kill you, you bastard.

Let me explain. Shut up and get the fuck out. Okay, okay, I'm going.

It was him.

He forced me to. He threw himself on me. I screamed and screamed.

I'm not to blame for it. Calm down. Come on. I know it wasn't your fault.

Tell me about your mother's death.

I already told you, she was killed in an automobile accident.

Why do you ask me that now?

She died when I was a child.

It's been seven years since I last laid my eyes on you.

As for husband, you seem to be rather presentable.

I've seen you on TV, I think.

Yes, I sometimes appear on literary programs.

What was she like as a child?

You'll have some now? No, thank you.

Tell me about Alice.

Rich and noble.

What a shame I didn't marry a man like you.

What about Alice?

She was...

More than any mother could hope for in a child.

Affectionate.

And at school, the best in her class.

What about her social life?

Did she have a young man, you mean?

Only one.

Alex. She adored him.

Please go.

Please. I beg you. Leave me alone.

Let me forget.

But it's important. I absolutely have to know the truth.

No, please go.

Please go. Please go.

You're going to use it, aren't you?

You're going to beat me?

Yeah.

Well? Only first tell me what happened with our friend today.

Nothing much.

It's the same as yesterday.

And the same as the day before.

Oh, she roams around.

Does a lot of shopping.

Nothing abnormal.

Yes.

She went to a different shop today, a small boutique.

That woman can go to any shop with all the money she's got.

This was a special one in Pigalle, frequented by the pros.

Ah, that's better.

Much better.

Georgie, it's Tony.

Now listen, money-wise, how you fix it?

I'll pick up a little jingle in the end tabs tomorrow morning.

Yeah, ciao.

Okay.

Are you happy now?

Mm-hmm.

Are you gonna be nice then? Yeah.

Now Muriel, suck.

That's good.

Oh.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

Go. Yeah.

Come on.

Go.

Yeah. That's it.

Go.

Fuck yeah, yeah

Oh, yeah.

Oh.

It's straight ahead there. Just past the next intersection.

It's an intersection.

It's on your left. You can't miss it. Thanks.

Excuse me. Where can I find Christian?

Christian? Probably in the garage.

In the grease pit.

All the way at the bank.

Excuse me, are you Christian? Yeah, but if it's for a repair job, you'll have to

see that. No, no, no, I want to talk to you. Hey, I know your face.

I've seen you on television.

Yeah, that's possible.

Yeah, in one of those new serial detective stories that shows KRBC every

Monday. What can you tell me about Alice?

Alice?

Alice Moreau.

Oh, yeah, right, but I'm talking to her sister, Norma. Sister?

Yeah, right, Norma.

Norma. Oh, boy, do I remember Norma.

Real little bitch.

Every day for lunch, a bunch of us would go to the corner restaurant, and she was

there to wipe our faces and the head afterward.

Even the owner, John Paul, got his share.

And the old Chinaman and Douglas.

All of us.

She'd spread her legs for anything in pants.

For a buck and a half, you got a good meal, coffee, the pinball machine, and

Norma.

Pardon me.

Yeah, Norma, she was a real little bitch.

Her parents hated her, but it was the opposite with Alice, a dream child.

So sweet, so good, so gentle. What a difference in them.

And Alice, how'd she feel about her sister? In spite of everything, she

adored her.

She'd come to her offense if anyone said something.

But everybody knew she was a bitch.

Yes, sir, a real little whore.

You can't make it sound like a song.

You can't make it sound like a song.

You can't make it sound like a

song.

. . . .

And Alex?

Alex, Alice's boyfriend, the one and only.

For her, there was nobody else.

They planned to get married when he finished school.

Many is the time I tried to latch on to Alice, but nothing doing. I drew a

blank. Impossible.

But as to Norma, she was always ready.

Thank you.

It's a pilot for a new TV channel. You'll be okay. You went to a bitch and

you didn't fool me for a minute.

Don't mention it.

What do you know about that? We're going to be starring in the Goonie Box. Hey,

grease monkeys.

There's going to be a new TV hookup. K-O-N-T.

Starring me.

Mind me taking photos? It gets me excited. Go ahead, me too.

Ah, very nice.

Ah, very, very sexy books.

Spread your legs more, huh?

There, hold it.

Now, show me your ass.

Gorgeous, baby, gorgeous.

Wait, I can give you better.

Oh, yeah.

Don't move.

There we go. Great.

Perfecto.

Okay.

Oh, wow.

Come on, Tony, you get in the action.

Oh, I'm getting there. I'm getting there.

Can't wait.

Great.

Take it off.

Oh!

It goes after it like a baby gobbling up an ice cream cone, eh?

I've got to speak to you.

Something's seriously wrong with Alice.

I feel it.

I know it.

Listen, Fred, I'm your friend.

You bastard!

You're my friend.

Sure, one who jumps my wife the second I turn my back. Do you believe that?

You want me to think she jumped you?

You're a son of a bitch, Lawrence.

I hope one day you'll wake up to the truth. Wake up to what truth?

That my wife has misled me.

That the second I leave, she suddenly becomes a whore. You want me to wake up

to that?

No, please just calm down and let me explain.

The sound of your voice makes me want to throw up.

Frederick.

And my memoirs of a young man from a good family.

Go fuck him.

That you, honey?

Yeah, it's me.

Hey, by the way, you know that... Surprise!

I felt like spurting. We're going to spend the whole evening romancing, me

and you like lovers.

There's caviar and smoked salmon, and for dessert, that kind of sherbet you

adore.

What's the matter, Alice?

Oh, not the photos. No, not the photos.

Hurry, take some more. It stimulates me. Calm down, honey. Calm down.

No, please, no.

Your writer friend is going to have one hell of a Christmas present.

You're absolutely horrible.

Yeah, well you're not exactly Snow White, sweetie.

If you only knew how much you disgust me. That is the major difference between

us.

Personally, I admire myself.

And I admire my work as well.

Look at that.

What's so funny?

Oh, I was just thinking how nice these photos would be to illustrate his new

book. Look at that. That's the makings of a bestseller. Little jewels,

masterpieces, every one, huh? It turns you on, doesn't it? No.

Ah, come on. Look, tell me that's not pretty.

Leave my opinion out of it. No, you're not going to sulk on me? Come here, huh?

I disgust you, don't I?

That's what makes you love me, baby.

I appreciate you having accepted to meet me, Alex.

Well, I really didn't understand.

You're Alice's husband? Yes, that's right.

Funny, I have the impression I know you. Have we met before? No, I'm an author. I

sometimes do an interview on television.

Ah, it must be that. Not that I watch TV that much, the occasional program. I

guess you watch a lot. No, I'm a bookworm.

Sure, being an author. What sort of books do you write?

I prefer to talk about Alice.

Ah, sure, that's right.

What do you want to know about her? All you know.

All that concerns her past.

It'll help Alice, you said.

You think the past holds the key to what's wrong? I can only hope so.

You were going to marry Alice.

What happened?

Is that important?

Very.

Please tell me.

Between Alice and me, it was marvelous.

We decided to get married when we were only seven.

The years went by, and each year only deepened our love.

But one day, I had a date with Alice.

I was supposed to pick her up at her place.

Well, at her parents', you know.

The door's open.

I've gone by to get Alice to go to the movies.

Alice? Yeah?

Excuse me, I thought it was... You thought it was Alice, huh? People often

mistake our voices.

Norma, don't be a fool.

You know I'm in love with Alice.

I'm in love too, Anthony.

I'm mad about love.

You have to understand, Norma was a whole different breed.

She had this magnetism about her.

A way of... How can I explain it to you? It was like it dominated your mind.

Tell me Alice had gone for the day with her mother.

I tried to resist her, but Norma never knew what the word no meant.

Not coming from a guy, you know.

Anyway, the rest you can probably imagine.

Alice, listen to me. Alice, I can explain.

It's not my fault. You've got to believe me.

Alice.

She wouldn't listen to a word.

She told me to go.

That was the last time I saw her.

It hurts to drag up memories like that.

Alex?

Thanks. Shut up.

What happened when you discovered Alex with your sister?

No, please.

I can't tell you.

Alice, what happened?

I came into the apartment.

And I saw them together on the bed.

Tell me, Alice.

What happened afterwards when you were alone with Norma?

Alone with Norma?

Alone with Norma.

Alone with Norma.

Alone with Norma. Don't blame me for what I did. You know I'm sick, Alice. I

hate you.

Stop looking at me like that. Please, Alice, please.

I didn't mean to harm anybody.

Shut up, you bitch. You rotten, filthy whore. The others weren't enough for

you. I know you are just Alex. I hate you. You should have died when you were

born. You would have caused less heartache.

She kept backing away.

When I started screaming at her, I tried not to yell at me. I was so furious.

And I kept on shouting, I hate you.

I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. Not you, please. Please, not

you. You're the only person who ever loved me. I'm sorry.

I hate you. No.

He who should have been killed.

Me, Norma.

The trap.

I'm the one who should have died.

What more can I tell you that you haven't discovered?

The emotional shock brought on by the tragedy provoked in your wife a trauma

that is somewhat rare.

But, ex-principal, Alice started identifying herself with her sister.

She fled her mother's apartment.

where everything reminded her of the drama.

When I stopped seeing her, I truly believed she'd never need additional

treatment.

I didn't dream of relapse ever again.

Can she be cured again?

Are you sure?

Yeah. You like it?

Tremendous!

Okay, man, you get into the act with her. Yeah, I'll get to the act.

Eric! You want it bad, huh? Here. No, I've heard enough.

That could be damaging to your career.

That?

Quality is pretty sloppy, isn't it?

It's good enough to be used by one of the scandal sheets.

I suppose.

Don't be ashamed, Muriel.

Everyone has the right to live.

And to pick his manner of living.

Although some are more honorable than others.

Knock it off with your sermons, Dad. Save the gospel for your books, if you

ever write any others.

How much?

Ten grand would make it.

That's quite a sum.

That's true. But these aren't photos of Notre Dame that I'm selling.

That's true.

I have an admission to make.

Something rather astonishing.

This is the only copy that exists of my last novel.

Carbon copies simply dirty my hands.

So?

And so... And so nothing.

I don't have a career. Publish what you like.

My poor

Muriel.

You really hit bottom this time.

He's even more of a cunt than the others.

It's true, you really are a cunt.

Now go peddle your photos with the other creeps in Pigalle.

That's all they or you are worth.

Honey?

I'm so happy to have found you again.

I guess I seem pretty strange lately.

No, it doesn't matter. You've been tired, a bit depressed, but it's over.

You've been so kind with me in spite of all your work piling up and never got

finished. I feel awful. Forgive me. Let's forget it. The most important

thing to me is having my wife back, but this time for keeps.

You smell anything?

Oh, yes. The heavenly perfume of the woman I adore. No, I mean our dinner.

It's burning. My roast. I completely forgot about it.

be a doll will you light the candles and open the bottle of wine i'll be right

back with my latest culinary disaster

I burned it royally.

Completely compromised the pan. The roast is edible. Charcoal's recommended

in the diet.

What's more, a burned roast, I'm told, is what made man invent the hacksaw, but

I didn't believe it till now. One life deserves another.

Today I found a photo of me when I was 17.

A little plump, but nice.

You're joking. I can't imagine you ever being plump. Let me see that.

She will be Norma forever now.

She will never be Alice again.

In her mind, it is Alice who died.

If you love her, you will have to find a way to live with her.

You're still as young and pretty.

Don't ever change, Norma.

Dun dun dun dun dun.