The Crime Is Mine (Mon Crime)

THE CRIME IS MINE

Miss Pauline, open up!

I'm naked, Mr. Pistole! And Madeleine's not here!

You owe me 3,000F for 5 months' back rent!

Pay me or I'll break down the door!

I'll break it down...

- Here I come! - Come in.

That's more like it.

I can explain.

I came for money, not explanations.

Please sit down.

Do you have an automobile?

A little Citroën.

Some renters do pay me!

Ever left it in the garage for 2 months?

Yes, when I broke my leg.

- Poor man! Which leg? - This one.

- Changing the subject? - No.

Did you pay the car tax during that time?

No, I wasn't using the car.

We didn't use your flat in July or August.

Madeleine and I were away.

The flat was empty. "In the garage!"

We can subtract 1,200F.

- No way! - What?

I know you're a good man. I like you a lot.

Give us time to pay the 1,000F we do owe!

- 3,000F! - I'm speaking to your heart...

My heart's not listening!

Save your pleas for the court, young lawyer! I'm unmoved.

But yes, I am a good man.

I'll expulse you quickly, to spare you further rent.

Wait! Know where Madeleine is now?

No, I don't care.

She's with Montferrand!

What's Montferrand?

You landlords know nothing!

Only the biggest theater producer in Europe!

He wants Madeleine for his new play, Suzette's Ordeal .

When were you admitted to the Bar?

A year ago.

And you've never pled a case?

I plead constantly. I just did.

Listen, I'll give you 48 hours.

If I you don't pay me by Monday...

Madeleine!

Expecting money again?

Expecting me to give it to you?

We sure need it.

- No luck? - No.

I'll have to report you to the police.

Men are disgusting. Pigs!

Go right ahead and insult me!

She's a bit upset, Mr. Pistole.

And I'm exasperated!

4 times I ask for the rent, 4 times you play me for a fool!

- He didn't offer you a part. - He did, the maid.

10,000F a month.

10,000F? So why the long face?

Take a guess.

He liked me so much, he wants me for an hour twice a week.

- At the theater? - No, dummy!

At his bachelor apartment, Avenue Frochot.

I get it.

10,000 a month for 2 hours a week is 1,000F an hour!

Sorry, but I didn't calculate.

In any case, I refused.

And when I got up to leave...

What?

He jumped on me,

got me in his grip,

and kissed me.

- I screamed, we struggled. - My god.

He threw me on the sofa.

I bit him.

He howled. His eyes were wild.

He seemed amused.

And excited.

I ran out of there as fast as I could.

My poor Madeleine.

What a story.

Took you a while to get home.

I walked.

I needed to breathe, and think.

I'm so disgusted, discouraged!

I thought I'd finally get a real role

in a good play!

More importantly,

you refused to be that bastard's mistress.

You didn't get a role, but...

you have a sweetheart to console you.

You're right, I have André.

He's so different.

He'd never try to make me his mistress.

That's a worry. You really think he'll marry you?

He should help us pay rent.

He's broke!

The son of Bonnard Tires?

His rich father is stingy.

He could work.

Work bores him.

Who cares, if I earn money?

- He'll pay when his dad dies. - Is he dying?

Not really.

Those rich sons! Everyone else works.

They sit on their behinds.

Pauline.

We met André together. He fell in love with me.

It's petty to hold a grudge.

Doesn't matter who I'm with. No one prefers me.

You exaggerate.

Some women are born to love, others to listen.

I'm a listener.

The eternal confidante. Like in a tragic play.

- André! - My little Madeleine.

Come in. Pauline is here.

Don't worry, she's leaving! Hello.

- Am I chasing you away? - No, I'm busy.

With what?

Boutrin, the shady businessman downstairs.

He's in trouble and needs a lawyer.

Careful, he may have a sofa.

Don't worry. I can bite, too.

Follow me, have no fear.

What's this about biting and a sofa?

None of your concern, fortunately.

Madeleine, I feel like a schoolboy with you.

I long to make you happy.

Your feelings make me the happiest woman on earth.

But I want more for you.

What more is there?

Luxury, comfort, the high life!

When I ring, you open the door.

Nice to see you first, but still.

I need no butler to love you.

Maybe later, when we're rich.

And we will be rich!

Is your father dead?

What?

No! The poor man.

Sorry.

He'll live 100 years.

We have to make our money another way.

Another way?

Robbery?

Blackmail?

Counterfeiting?

Your imagination is on fire!

It's worse than you think. I'm 400,000F in debt.

What Dad gives me, I lose at the races!

- Life is impossible. - Impossible!

Now that I love you,

I'm struggling to control my desires.

Don't hold back.

My heart wants you, but I must hold back.

But why?

I can't drag you into my mess.

I can't take on a woman if I can't support her.

Excuse me, but have you ever considered working?

What? Bonnard Tires?

A lifetime of tires! May they all go flat!

- There's more to life than tires! - Sure.

But I have only one vocation.

Loving you.

That's not very lucrative.

Which is why I see just one solution.

What?

A good marriage.

What?

With a certain Berthe Courteil.

Her dowry is 5 million.

My father approves.

He'll pay off my debts and match her million! So?

Invite me, while you're at it!

What difference does it make,

if you're the one I love?

I won't make you take a rich lover, I'll make the sacrifice!

Here's my fiancée. I mean, the one I might marry.

You already have her photo?

Yes, to reassure you.

Look at her, then yourself.

How could I love that?

Poor woman.

A 3-week honeymoon, or less.

Maybe 2.

Then we'll organize our new existence.

"Our new existence"?

As soon as possible, you'll move to Passy.

"Passy"?

The Courteils own a building there.

- "The Courteils"? - My future in-laws!

They're giving us the 5th floor. No rent!

We'll be near each other, share at least one meal a day.

- A dream life! - "A dream life"?

I'll finally be able to love you with no misgivings.

- What are you doing tonight? - Nothing special.

I'm dining with the Courteils, then I want to see you.

To forget the sacrifice I'm making for you,

my darling.

- No kiss? - I'd hate to make you late.