Elevator to the Gallows (Ascenseur pour l'échafaud)

I'm the one who can't take any more.

I love you.

So we have to.

I love you.

I won't leave you, Julien.

You know I'll be there.

With you.

I love you.

Without your voice, I'd be lost in a land of silence.

That's not very daring.

- Love isn't daring. - Don't say that.

ELEVATOR TO THE GALLOWS

What time is it?

7:00 o'clock.

Kiss me.

I'll wait for you at the Royal Cameo, as usual.

When it's done,

drive over in your big car,

pull up in front,

and I'll get in next to you.

Then we'll be free, Julien.

All right.

I'll be waiting... waiting only for you.

Thirty minutes from now.

Florence.

Genevieve.

Mr. Tavernier?

Can you stay a while?

I know it's Saturday, but I have to finish something.

Carala Corp, may I help you? Please hold the line.

No problem. You know I'm always last to leave.

I'm not to be disturbed on any account.

Mr. Carala? Call for you from London.

Very well, Mr. Carala.

Never a polite word.

Mr. Porphyropoulos?

Mr. Carala is leaving for Geneva. He can't take your call.

Very well, sir.

Honestly, my dear Tavernier, you often keep me waiting.

During the Indochina War,

it didn't matter. What was one defeat more or less?

But now you're in big business.

This isn't a dream.

They're waiting for me in Geneva.

They won't wait. Here it is.

This is most amusing.

You're quite a fellow, my dear Tavernier.

You act like a true friend.

An interesting document, if you know how to read it.

I knew I needed a hero in my business.

A retired hero.

This kind of work doesn't call for ragpickers but for angels.

A paratrooper is an angel.

- Your logic is - - Yes, I know.

"Geological sections... soundings..."

They do good work in counterintelligence.

They know almost as much as the Americans.

"Project Pipeline."

They made a mistake here.

They should redirect the pipeline toward Morocco.

Longer, but more reliable.

Is this all?

Is this a joke?

It's not a joke?

Then what do you want? Money?

You don't frighten me.

I have enough enemies. I'm used to it.

And you wouldn't dare.

In war, sure. But not in serious matters.

Don't sneer at war. It's your bread and butter.

Indochina netted you how much?

And now Algeria.

Have some respect for war.

It's your family heirloom.

Where'd you get that gun?

Who gave you my gun?

Well, well.

More lead to write more junk.

The Captain must've dozed off.

He's not to be disturbed.

We can't all stick around 'til midnight.

I'll call him.

What if I stuck my finger in here?

Mr. Tavernier doesn't answer.

I know the Captain.

All right, sir. Forgive me.

He'll be right out.

- Sir. - Hello, Maurice.

We the last to go?

Did you see Mr. Carala go out?

No. I must've been doing my rounds.

He must be gone by now. His train is at 7:45.

Funny about the boss.

He always leaves without warning.

He hails a taxi by himself, like a thief.

When does he get back?

We never know that either.

Last time, he went down to Naples to buy tankers.

He might do it again.

Can't you catch cholera in Naples?

- Captain - - Not anymore.

Good night.

- Good night, Genevieve. - Have a nice Sunday.

What's crazy is to imagine incredible things.

And I really mean something terrific.

And it is terrific.

When you look things in the face. But you can't feel things like me.

Sure, you're smarter than me. You read. It gives you great ideas.

What a stupid-looking jacket!

Say... it's Mr. Tavernier!

Always parked illegally.

He doesn't give a damn about tickets or cops.

Hello, Mr. Tavernier.

Doesn't he look smart?

He fought in Indochina. Then he was in North Africa, in the Legion.

Now he's in business.

He's been buying tons of flowers lately.

Look, a push of the button!

That's the kind of life I want.

It's old hat.

What an idiot!

Florence is waiting.

My engine's running.

Louis!

Mr. Tavernier will give you a beating!

- I doubt that. - You don't know him.

He's covered in medals and scars.

- Swell! - It's true!

You couldn't do what he's done.

Let's go eat. I'm starving.

Every time we go out, you ruin things.

Will you get in?

Get out! If you have an accident, don't ask me for help.

You get on my nerves.

Everybody's watching.

Windshield wipers!

Watch out!

Julien!

I thought it was you!

My respects. Still happy with the baby?

After all, a Renault Dauphine is a baby.

Very happy, thank you.

It's the Parisian woman's car.

Happy, very happy.

This idiot will drone on and on.

Julien with that girl?

Why?

Yes, I recognized the flower shop girl.

I can't believe it.

That would be so shabby.

He got cold feet. He couldn't pull the trigger.

The coward.

He doesn't dare be happy.

My respects, Mrs. Carala.

- Where are we going? - To the highway.

I can imagine his face.

Think he'll call the police?

Let him do what he wants.

We have to bring it back to the same place.

It's rotten of us. We're ruining his weekend.

"Jelfa Oil" - ever heard of it?

Give me his gloves.

Look! A miniature camera.

A friend of mine got one just like this in Germany.

I can't open it.

Give me his raincoat.

Don't leave fingerprints.

It's not a toy.

A revolver... a spy camera...

Jelfa Oil.

He's shady, this Tavernier.

Maybe he's a secret agent? Look at the way he dresses.

I figured as much.

No calls for me?

Take the night off. I won't be home for dinner.

What are you doing?

I could ask you the same thing.

It's late, you know.

Run along home now.

Have you seen Mr. Tavernier?

Sure, around noon.

- And tonight? - Haven't seen him.

Have you seen Mr. Tavernier tonight?

He didn't phone?

You gotta be kidding!

We've been up and down this highway three times.

I'm fed up.

You either like cars or you don't.

A Mercedes!

A 300 SL!

Foreigners!

They're Danish. - No, they're Germans.

Careful, Louis!

It can only do 100.

What a lemon! Tavernier sure can't pick 'em.

Faster! You can beat 'em.

- Not hurt? - I'm used to it.

My first accident in this car.

"Let's drink to that," as you say.

Horst Bencker from Munich.