The Lickerish Quartet

Don't take it so seriously. It's only a film.

- Why don't you fix it? - It's too dark to see anything.

- Do you want to let me try? - Look, this isn't a toy.

I think some of these Pictures are more trouble than they're worth.

I know I'm not the first to say that.

Well, as I recall, it was your idea.

Not one of my best.

I thought I'd let you say that.

Why don't we just forget the whole thing?

- It's not a very good one, anyway. - You don't care for it?

Not especially.

- A bit strong for your taste, Perhaps? - A bit crude for my taste.

Well, one day you'll find out that crudity is in the eye of the beholder.

Ah, there, that's more like it.

I wonder if they're really enjoying it

or if they're just faking.

It must be distracting, knowing People are watching,

that People are going to watch.

I’d like to know how many times he had to do it

before they got a good take.

This one seems to be Putting everything he has into the Part.

A method actor.

I don't know what you get out of this.

What's this now? A double feature?

Ah, intermission.

Now, this one looks familiar.

Familiar? You could even say intimate.

No, really. I mean it.

Oh, this whole Picture is ridiculous.

Are you sure you started in the right Place?

It's all out of order.

There we are again. Hello, Blondie.

There's another one.

Oh, this one looks like she's been around.

I wonder where they find the girls to act in these things.

Wouldn't you?

- What? - Do those things?

- Not in front of a camera. - Huh! One never knows.

Never.

What's so amusing? What are you laughing at?

Nothing. I was just thinking of something.

- Well? - Remember the caterpillar.

- What? - I don't get it.

These two caterpillars were crawling across a fig leaf

when one of them noticed a butterfly flying Past above them.

''Progress is wonderful,'' one said. ''Yes,'' the other one answered.

''But you'll never get me up in one of those things.''

- Well, I wouldn't. - Who knows? It might be exciting.

It certainly doesn't seem to bother them.

I’d say they were Pretty enthusiastic if you ask me,

like they were enjoying their work.

I suppose it would have fringe benefits.

This film's a bargain.

This Picture looks like something they made during WW2.

Prostitutes, Probably.

- What are you talking about? - The girls in the Picture.

They're Probably Prostitutes.

Such a variety.

Therese and Isabelle.

My money's on Therese.

So is Isabelle’s, I think.

I suppose girls like that aren't especially Particular.

Hey. And what have we here?

A multiple number.

Group therapy.

They haven't left anything out of this Picture, have they?

Something for everybody.

- I’ve had enough. - Where are you going?

- Out someplace. - Are you not enjoying the film?

- I’ve seen it before. - You couldn't have. We just got it.

When it's over I’ll Put it on high speed in reverse.

- You always do. - It has to rewind anyway.

- That isn't why. - Oh, Please!

Don't deprive me of the benefit of his opinion.

It must be a comfort to know you can control things

with nothing more than a quick flip of the switch.

Oh, Please!

- I’m leaving. - Wait, I’ll come with you.

I don't think I can stand it any longer.

We'll let him stay here and enjoy himself in Private.

Surely you don't think I’d continue running this for myself.

Why ever not?

I gave up that sort of thing after a depressingly graphic lecture

by the leader of my scout troop.

Very funny.

- Where are we going? - Who knows?

Another of his secrets, I guess.

A surprise. You never know the end until you're there.

- Suppose I don't like it? - You can run it backwards,

at high speed, like your film.

Look, a genuine freak of nature.

- What's a freak of nature? - What isn't?

'This way to the wall of death.

'Don't miss it.

'The last complete Performance is beginning immediately.

'This is the most extraordinary attraction of the carnival.

'See them fearlessly kiss death

'and defy the laws of gravity in the most amazing...'

'And now, ladies and gentlemen,

'Presenting the only girl in the world

'to defy the notorious wall of death

'simultaneously with another rider.'

'And now, in the most spectacular display of courage

'that you will ever witness,

'the Troupe Nino climaxes their Performance

with three riders in an unprecedented Parallel class

four times around the summit of the wall of death.'

- It couldn't be. - You're right.

- But I don't see why not. - Of course it's the same girl.

Or her twin.

- That's crazy. - Don't be too sure.

Do you really think you can walk out

and find this same girl on your doorstep?

The world's full of stories of lost rings

found in the bellies of fish by the daughter

or the second cousin of the owner.

People turn up where you least expect them.

- I wonder where she comes from. - Who knows?

Before the revolution they made a lot of these films in Cuba.

She doesn't look very Cuban.

Or Mexico, maybe, or Hong Kong.

It's Pretty much the same all over.

- Hey, you were terrific. - Thank you.

Why not wait for me at the main gate, huh?

What are you up to?

Wouldn't it be fun to take her back with us and show her the film?

You wouldn't want to miss an opportunity like that?

- Naturally not. - A Private showing.

With the star Present, like one of those film festivals.

Forget it. It isn't the same girl.

He's going to make a fool of himself up there.

At first, I agree, I thought there was a resemblance.

- But look closely... - Don't fret.

I’m certain she's said yes to a lot of invitations.

Besides, it will be fun.

Excuse me, I hate to intrude but I did want to tell you

how much we, my wife and I, enjoyed your Performance.

It's one of the most exciting acts we've seen anywhere.

Really? It's nice of you to say so.

Do you do this every night?

Almost. Two nights a week I help out at the shooting gallery.

It must have taken a lot of work to Perfect the act,

to make it run so smoothly.

Oh, it's fun. We enjoy it.

But your timing must be so Precise.

Yes, timing's important.

Ln any undertaking.

You sound as if you speak from experience.

I’ve never ridden a motorbike in a thrill show.

But you've done lots of other very interesting and dangerous things.

What makes you say that?

You look like a man who's had adventures.

- Here and there. - It shows in your face.

- From time to time. - And in your eyes.

On my way to this adventure.

- I’m not an adventure. - Are you sure?

- I don't think I am. - Why not hold that decision

until we've had a chance to explore that Possibility?

I have a feeling you're leading up to something.

And I have a suspicion that you know what it is.

Actually, my Place isn't far from here and my wife and I...

- Wanted to know if I... - Would care to come back with us.

For a few drinks, Perhaps?

Nothing very special, just a small informal...

Party?

Precisely.

- Will you wait while I change? - Why bother to change?

if you say so.

I’ve won!

We've both won.

Please make yourself at home. Let's have some drinks, huh?

You know...

It's getting very chilly in the evenings this time of year.

It's odd, but as my wife remarked,

I can't quite say what it is but...

it's just something about you is familiar.

- Could we Possibly have met...? - At Acapulco?

- No. - No? Thanks.

- We go there as often as we can. - No, it wasn't Acapulco.

- Or Saint TroPez? - I’ve never been there.

It was a good Place not to be during the war.

You wouldn't believe the extent of the destruction.

It must have been someplace.

- Rio, Perhaps? - I don't think so.

- Or Palm Springs? - Palm Beach?

Palma da Majorca?

Have you always been with the carnival?

- All my life. - Surely it can't be all that long.

Oh, don't you listen to him.

Men, they are terrible when it comes to ages.

Are you really? Why?

The reason is that from time to time I feel about 1 50.

You're lucky, because I’m 1 55.

Good, I like older women.

And I’m attracted to younger men.

I suppose you've been all over the world.

- You must like traveling. - Not too much.

Wherever you are it's about the same.

Wait a moment.

Perhaps I misunderstood but I thought you said a Party.