The Man in the Hispano-Suiza (L'homme à l'Hispano)

THE MAN IN THE HISPANO CAR

Here are the detailed accounts you asked for.

And the money.

50,000 francs, eh?

49,700 exactly.

That's not a lot of capital, obviously.

Yes, and I had dreamed of a great fortune.

You lack the ferocity for a great success.

You're too soft, too sensitive.

Oh yes, I am leaving. Mediocrity in France, no, thanks.

Tomorrow, I take the train for Bordeaux.

The day after, I sail for Senegal.

Hello.

You're returning to Biarritz? Yes and you? Me too.

Good business in Paris? Not really. I lost a million.

But it consoles me to know my partner lost as much as I did.

That's funny! What are you buying?

A detective novel. And a love story. That's even worse.

You don't believe in love? Love? What's that?

I don't know it. By the way, what car are you in?

Number 5. Great. That's not mine.

- Good-bye, old friend. - Goodbye.

- You'll come back. - Yes, yes.

You insist on looking at the landscape.

What's so great about it?

It's my country and I'm seeing it for the last time.

Why? Are you going to kill yourself? No, don't worry:

I'm just leaving for Senegal.

For a long time? For a very long time.

Bravo! I love people who get the hell out of here.

Then I'm sure never to see them again.

Why are you going into exile?

A broken heart?

Money?

You did something reckless?

Is that your business?

No, but I want to know why you want the shade up.

If you don't have a broken heart,

I don't care, and I'd pull the shade down.

However, if you're unhappy or poor,

I'd let you keep it up.

Well, then, keep it up. I like you very much.

I don't feel the same.

Then I like you even more.

At this pace, we'll be in Biarritz by nightfall.

In Biarritz? You idiot, you know I'm taking the train in Bordeaux.

I'm not going to Biarritz to show my wife the car I bought my mistress.

Just tell her the car is mine.

That would be an idea, but I can't.

Bordeaux. Farewell, sir, and good luck.

Farewell.

- Are you married? - No.

Bravo. Me, I am.

You're what? - Married. And my wife regrets it more than I do.

I don't doubt it.

Call me a car, I'm going to sail on the Niger.

The Niger isn't leaving. There's a problem with the engine.

- Really? - Yes, it's right here.

Call me a car anyway. I'll stop by the company office.

George? Don't you recognize me?

Deleone. Your old army pal!

Oh, how are you? I'm glad to see you.

You've lost weight. Well, I'm doing fine.

What are you doing here? I just got here.

I was going to sail for Senegal tonight.

But I just heard the boat has an engine problem.

It won't leave for at least five days.

So, what are you going to do? No idea.

I was going to the company office to get more information.

After that, I don't know. After...

After...

I have an idea.

If you would come with me to Biarritz, you'd do me a great favor.

Do you know Florimonde?

Florimonde. The star of the Folies Bergère?

That's my girlfriend. Congratulations.

You see, the Hispano car?

I bought it for her. I'm going to give it to her.

But I don't see the connection between this Hispano,

Ms. Florimonde and my stay in Biarritz.

You're going to understand. Florimonde is in Biarritz.

And my wife too.

I can't have my wife see me in my girlfriend's car, right?

- So? - So, you come to Biarritz,

you drive the Hispano, people think it's yours,

when you leave, Florimonde gets her car.

And then everyone believes I gave this present to her.

Your story seems complicated.

No, old friend, no complications,

it's all set. You're coming with me. You take the train.

I'm going to Biarritz with Mr. Dewalter.

Tomorrow, you'll be at Mr. Dewalter's disposal. Take care of his luggage.

And remember for everyone there, the Hispano belongs to Mr. Dewalter.

- Understand? - Yes.

We'll have a fortnight's fun in Biarritz. A fortnight?

Yes, your boat won't be ready for at least a fortnight.

So for two weeks, Miss Florimonde won't have her car.

If she leaves Biarritz before you do, I'll give her the Hispano in Paris.

So let's go, off to Biarritz!

I'm wondering what I'm doing here. Well, you're helping me, that's all.

I'm helping you to do a bad thing. Cheating on my wife, a bad thing?

Are you kidding? You never lie to women?

Me, never. So women lie to you.

Who is that man?

He's a good friend of my husband. I've known him for three days.

Mr. Dewalter, do you know Mrs. Berton?

You have a very nice car.

When will you give me a car like that? When I'm as rich as Mr. Dewalter.

Mr. George Dewalter, Lady Oswild.

My dear friend, I have a favor to ask.

You're interested in her. I understand, she's charming.

But, my friend, her husband is a real jerk.

Oh, him too?

Lady Oswild wants someone to take her home.

George, take her home with your car.

Do you mind?

See, my friend, the benefit of having one's own car?

Thank you, sir, for taking me home.

I'm glad I could be of use.

It's strange we've never met through our mutual friends.

I'm rarely in France.

Are you staying in Biarritz for a while? No, I'm leaving for Senegal soon.

You're a great traveler. Yes, taking care of business.

I also hunt a lot.

May I see you again? I don't know,

but I often have tea at the English pastry shop.

Here he comes,

just as he has every day for the past week.

Have you noticed his eyes?

No, I've noticed his Hispano car.

He's here.

Who would believe it? And you the goody two shoes.

I don't believe it myself.

I thought you didn't believe in love.

I hadn't met him yet.

I'll leave you two. You'll excuse me?

- Yes. - Good-bye.

Here you are.

Here I am. Am I late?

No, but I'm always afraid you won't come.

Why wouldn't I come?

Haven't I kept my word for eight days?

For eight days, you've allowed me to see you almost every afternoon.

It's too beautiful. I would never have hoped for it.

Well, buddy, you're playing terrible golf.

You're stronger with the little ladies, eh?

That's for sure. I'm lucky with women.

Listen, I'm going to tell you...

Oh, another love story...

well, if it makes you happy.

You know that the beautiful Florimonde is my girlfriend.

Do you know her? Florimonde, the star of the Folies?

No, but it doesn't matter: All women are alike.

She really wanted a new car. So I bought a Hispano for her.

Geez, a Hispano! You give her anything she wants?

She loves me. I'd do anything for her.

No. No one loves anyone.

Come on, listen to my story.

Florimonde is performing in Biarritz for a week.

And I decided to surprise her.

I came back from Paris with the Hispano.

You see the trouble?

Imagine if my wife had seen me in the car.

Well, my friend, everything worked out.

- Lucky. - Yes, lucky.

In Bordeaux, I met my old army buddy George Dewalter.

Walter?

He came to spend five days here and I lent him my car.

All Biarritz thinks it's his.

When he leaves, Florimonde will get her car and my wife

won't know a thing.

All this proves that love is an abuse of trust.

No, I prefer a whisky and soda.

Let's go have a drink at the English pastry shop.

It's better than here. No, I've had enough.

Fine. Good-bye.

How strange life is!

The other day when you arrived, I was about to leave.

If you had arrived five minutes later,

we would never have met.

- Impossible. - Why?

It was meant to be.

I have to go. It's late.

- Already? - Yes, already.

Will I see you tomorrow? Yes. Would you like to lunch together?

- With your friend? - No, alone.

Why are you looking at me that way? You remind me of someone.

Who?

Someone I didn't know, someone I was waiting for.

Well, well, well. Hello. Hello, hello.

Well, emigrant, come have a drink with me.

No, take one.

And what about Senegal?

What would you like? A martini? Two dry martinis.

You are surprised to see me here. Not at all.

I know the story of the Hispano. But don't worry. I'm the only one.

I heard it from my friend when we were playing golf.

He believes you're rich. I didn't tell him otherwise.

It's funnier that way.

Yeah, it's funny.