Shoot the Piano Player (Shoot the Pianist / Tirez sur le pianiste) (Tirez sur le pianiste)

SHOOT THE PIANIST

Based on the Novel 'Down There' by DAVID GOODIS

Thank you so much.

I ran into a lamppost.

I must go. My wife won't go to bed until I'm home.

- Been married long? - Eleven years.

I'd like to be married, too.

- You say that as if you mean it. - Yes, I really do.

It has its upsides. At the beginning, it nearly fell apart...

There were days, sitting at breakfast, I'd watch her

and wonder how best to get rid of her.

Then I'd wonder why I should do that but never could find a good reason.

- A matter of freedom, perhaps? - Yes...

I first met her at a dance.

She wasn't easy to get to know.

She had had little life experience.

You know how it is in Paris.

There are more virgins

than in any other city.

Proportionally, anyhow.

But that wasn't why I married her.

Why, then?

I got used to her. We had good times together.

I don't know who you are.

I may never see you again,

so I can speak freely.

It's good to speak to a stranger sometimes.

There's truth in that.

I began to have feelings for her.

I'd never felt that before.

We dated for about a year.

Then, one day, I bought a ring.

It always happens like that.

Not always.

I fell in love with her properly two years after the wedding.

She was in hospital having the first baby.

I remember l stood by the bed,

I looked at her and at the baby.

I believe that's the moment it really began.

- How many kids? - Three.

- A good number. - Yes.

They're great kids.

I turn off here. So long.

Look after yourself.

I will. Thanks. Good luck!

CHARLIE KOLLER DANCE EVERY DAY

- Hello, Edouard. - Call me Charlie.

And wait outside.

You're an odd fellow.

I haven't seen you for four years.

You greet me as if I'd only just been around the block.

See? I got a bump.

It's so dark outside, I ran into a lamppost.

Being chased?

I wouldn't have brought you into it if it was the cops.

That's why you came, to bring me into it?

Nothing doing.

- How's Fido? He must be tall by now. - Yes.

Is business good?

I manage... But don't count on me.

- I'm not getting in on it. Do you hear me? - Damn, Eddie...

How's the family?

Everyone's all right. The old man, the old woman...

- Richard? - You know him, always on the go.

But we miss you and Fido.

- So l thought... - When they started chasing you...

I'm in the soup, Charlie.

You must help me. I'm in a mess.

So you thought of me. Who's after you?

Two fellows.

I pulled a job with them and Richard.

They played tough and tried to rip us off.

So Richard and I decided to keep it all, and give them the slip.

Good show! What do they look like?

One wears a cap and one a hat.

They look like brothers,

and they both smoke pipes.

Good evening, Charlie. How are you?

What are you doing here?

- You're wasting your time. - That'll do.

No, it won't do.

Take a look at yourself.

You should be playing a grand piano in a sold-out concert hall,

your public on its knees.

So what are you doing here?

I can't be in two places at once.

You make me laugh.

An international virtuoso who can't even afford a car.

- That's crazy! - That's enough. Keep it shut.

Look at him.

A virtuoso playing for a dance!

For heaven's sake, give him a grand piano,

with candles on it.

Where are the candles?

- Pipe down, my friend! - I want to be heard.

People are dancing. Don't disturb them.

That's the trouble. Nobody wants to be disturbed.

- Let him be. He's not right in the head. - You know him?

We had an understanding. Don't address me with such familiarity.

Be polite when you talk to me.

I asked you who he is.

Perhaps he is ashamed of me. He is my loving little brother.

But he's an artist.

And his name's not Charlie. It's Edouard.

Shut up!

I didn't know he had a brother.

There are four of us in the family. All males.

What's he paid for?

- For playing the piano. - Yes.

And not for telling his life story.

lf you want information, pay for it.

The more you want, the more you pay.

Same as when you dig a well. The deeper, the dearer.

Sometimes it's so dear,

you have to give up.

You're very desirable.

That's why I desire you.

Tonight, I've decided to get married.

You're the first I'm asking.

I may not be free.

The abominable snow man! Is he your hubby?

Well, he was. But we haven't officially broken off.

Anyhow, I don't know who you are.

- Charlie's brother. - No kidding!

I like Charlie very much.

How do you like me?

It's too soon to tell.

Excuse me. Customers are waiting!

My breasts interest you?

Yes, I'm a doctor.

It's not top-of-the-line tonight.

No, whereas last night...

It was "first-class quality."

Look, over there!

Interesting.

Interesting or curious?

See you later, Charlie.

Damn! Here they come!

- It's your business, not mine. - I'm done for.

Go through that door, hurry up!

They must have gone through the yard.

They looked as if they wanted to talk business, not dispatch him.

What business? You have your hunch.

Whenever your darling brothers do business, the first to get burned is that big idiot chico.

Get out while the going is good and wish him good luck.

Good luck!

Good-bye.

Bye.

- She keeps looking at you. - Who?

Léna. I thought I'd tell you.

Thanks. Thanks, anyway.

What a pity you're not keen on her.

I wish it were me she was looking at.

If I'm in the way, I'll move.

Don't worry. I'm not her type.

- I'm nobody's type. - Till tomorrow.

Come now...

I'm just an ugly mutt,

and I'm not clever enough to make women forget it.

It could be glands.

Not glands... Just my ugly mug.

No need to be scared of women. They're not poisonous.

I can see you don't believe a word you're saying.

You've had it rough. I'm no fool.

So what?

I bet I know what torments you.

You're shy. You're scared.

- Scared? - That's it.

Scared.

I'm scared.

Hell, I'm scared!

What's the trouble, my friend?

I'm scared.

Those two guys... Who were they?

I don't know.

Well, I'm off to bed.

Can't just sit around.

- Bye. - Mr Charlie!

I didn't want to ask in front of the others. Could you lend me some money?

Of course.

- Here you go. - Thanks.

Will you walk with me a little?

I don't like walking home alone at night.

Call me Charlie.

OK, but call me Léna.

Why Léna?

Helen, Helena, Léna.

Your silence must seem odd.

Say something, anything, otherwise she'll think you're scared of her.

If she's cIever, she'll know siIence is eloquent. It's an amorous complicity.

She's no chatterbox. She's the serious type.

She's not snooty, she's dignified.

A sillyjoke wouldn't work with her.

It really has to be funny for her to laugh.

- What's funny? - Your expression.

Listen!

- Do you know the men after your brother? - No, why?

I think they're following us.

Look in my compact.

Where have they gone? They must be hiding down there.