Le Deuxième Souffle

It's not the filmmaker's intention to defend Gustave Minda's ethical code.

Persons and circumstances portrayed herein have no basis in fact,

and therefore no judgment is called for regarding the police methods

portrayed in this work of fiction based on a novel.

A man is given but one right at birth: to choose his own death.

But if he chooses because he's weary of life,

then his entire existence has been without meaning.

SECOND WIND

- It's set for December 28. - All right.

If all goes well, you'll get what we agreed on.

And if it doesn't?

The job's set for December 28. Forget your trip.

I'll just go and come back.

But you could be delayed in Paris... against your will.

You're indispensable here!

Pulling this off is a huge risk, and without you -

Without me? I'll be back tomorrow.

That bastard Jacques the Lawyer got us into this.

We'll settle that later.

I need you here, Jeannot.

No one's irreplaceable. Ciao.

What did you do this evening?

I went to the movies.

- Was it good? - Not bad.

Good thing the cashier will be back next week.

What's wrong?

Gu's escaped.

Let's go home.

Alban, two cognacs.

I can't believe it.

Ten years ago I offered to help him.

He told me to let him die in peace.

I was even afraid he'd kill himself.

Now, at 46 years old -

Alban.

Gu's escaped.

We've got to find him and hide him.

What happened?

- Did you see anything? - No.

Then shut up. None of us did.

- Look out below! - What is it?

- See you tomorrow. - Is Madame ill?

No, it's Jacques. Have everyone out in five minutes.

They're here!

Let's go! Everyone in the wagon!

Don't touch him!

Who shot him?

Her?

No, it wasn't her. She's the boss.

No one asked you. You'll talk later.

I doubt he'll tell you much.

That's why I...

Evening, Manouche.

Jacques Ribaldi, aka "Jacques the Lawyer" due to his law studies.

He got a bellyful of slugs.

Probably several shooters. He didn't have time to use this.

Maybe you had better luck?

Always the joker, Inspector. You know I don't use a gun anymore.

Because all your enemies are dead.

- How can you say that? - Don't act too shocked.

Besides, if Manouche is all right, that's all you care about, right?

Come here, gentlemen.

I suppose there were no customers tonight.

Gentlemen, the food on the plates gives no indication of a hasty departure.

Some were having appetizers, some dessert.

Perfectly understandable.

Maybe the Queen of England was hitchhiking nearby - can't miss that.

Meanwhile, here's Alban.

He didn't see a thing.

He was crouched behind the counter, chasing away flies.

When he looked up, the bad guys who'd charged in

for some yet unknown reason were gone.

He couldn't say whether it was one man

or a tribe of desert nomads, right?

That's about right.

Malicious gossips might say Jacques was sweet on Manouche here,

but what could that have to do with it?

Manouche didn't see a thing. She was bent over the cash register.

Here's the second bartender, Marcel Le Stéphanois, if memory serves.

The sinister assailant scared Marcel so

that he couldn't identify him now.

He hid behind the counter.

Our Marcel's a timid one.

He didn't see a thing.

- That's amazing! - Take your time.

My story exactly. It's like you were here.

Gentlemen, look how forthright and accommodating our witnesses are.

Ah! Let me introduce the valet,

an upstanding citizen whose name escapes me.

He saw customers come in but heard nothing

due to the roar of traffic, trucks and train whistles.

Then he saw customers leave - nothing out of the ordinary.

They told him a man had died. He's still in shock.

Are you strong enough to speak, my child?

It's true! What a shock!

But enough. I'm no torturer.

Don't be shy. Have a seat.

Any village idiot could see that no one here saw a thing,

and they're not paid to know why the customers rushed out.

Not everyone's born with an inquiring mind.

I'm finished, gentlemen.

No point. Right, Alban?

The kitchen help must have all gone home.

It was a lot of people for no customers.

Obviously we're wasting our time with these sweet tots.

Would you do me the same favor as two years ago?

It's all current.

Employee names and addresses -

for all the good it will do the judge.

Call them to come get the body.

How very curious.

It seems they shot into the street on their way out.

Unless someone shot at them from inside.

Alban, I hope you killed at least one! We'll know in a few days.

We've got a body for you.

We'll take the body away.

The rest of you know the routine.

You're to be available at all times. Don't leave Paris without notifying us.

Did he have family in Paris?

Not that I know of. They live in Bastia.

His mother and two younger brothers are still alive.

And now you're alone.

Too bad the ante is so high.

It's over, Manouche. You can all go.

It's one hell of a crossroads.

Someone new comes along, and everything changes.

Good night, Alban.

A little something to read to her tonight.

FORMER PUBLIC ENEMY #1 GU MINDA ESCAPES

...SERVING LIFE SENTENCE FOR "GOLD TRAIN" HEIST TEN YEARS AGO

- He's been in a coma for two days. - Didn't you call a doctor?

Sure, but he's delirious. He keeps calling your name.

I'm going to Paris with you.

Jacques kept asking me to go away with him.

Maybe he really did love me.

Freeze!

Call Manouche.

Aren't those rods a little heavy?

What did you do with Alban?

Here to finish the job?

Depends.

I've been on the scene for 15 years. I know the score.

You don't know everything.

You must be fed up with all this crap.

We can put an end to it.

- For how much? - We're not greedy.

- Five million each. - And if I say no?

Hands up!

Don't talk, Manouche.

You two, face-down on the floor.

Search 'em.

Who's got the key to the handcuffs?

He's out cold. And tell him not to say my name.

Playing cops, were you?

You let rubes knock you out these days?

Get up, you two.

Hands down.

It's easy from behind, huh?

Now we'll have a little chat.

What's your name? - Henri Tourneur.

Who sent you?

Don't make me repeat myself.

Jo Ricci.

Keep going.

My friend over there knows him.

Said he had a once-in-a-lifetime deal, that we should sit tight.

And then?

We went to see him every night.

Tonight he told my friend the client was ripe.

Why tonight?

They killed Jacques three days ago.

What did you know about her before coming here?

Only that she couldn't go to the cops.

I got it.

Alban, let's go. The keys.

He's got 'em.

Manouche!

Where are we going?

Floor it. We're almost there.

I told Manouche to wait outside Ville-d'Avray.

Gu, my place is out of the question.

The cops have been on my back for three days.

The guy in charge is a crafty one.

I know. Blot.

He's made quite a name on the inside too.

There's Montrouge.

That's right.

What's that?

Don't worry. You'll be nice and cozy there.

This'll be your kingdom for a while.

Here are the keys.

- Who sent for him? - He's my wife's cousin.

I can't stay, but let's get him buried in the backyard.

Why didn't you let me know? I'd have come to get you.

Did you take the train?

No, I drove. I'm flying right back.

Why the sudden trip?

Our cigarette business with Jacques the Lawyer.

He and Jeannot are dead. No more squabbles now.

Jeannot Franchi is dead?