Monsieur Verdoux Page #11

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Can you imagine such a weapon

in the hands of an arch criminal?

Think of the money

from the insurance companies.

Quite an idea. We'll incorporate

and go into business.

Insure people and have them die of

heart failure - we'd make millions.

I'm not sure but I think the poison

might show up in a man.

- Why?

- Different metabolism.

We could find out.

- How?

- Simple.

You say it takes an hour

for the poison to work?

Pick a derelict, poison him

then send him to a hotel.

When a person is found dead

in a public place,

there's an autopsy.

You'd know the result

without taking the slightest risk.

What a diabolical thought.

However, such experiments, we had

better leave to the arch criminal,

don't you think?

C2HC.

And now for the experiment.

- Quite a shower.

- Yes, it is.

- Can I escort you anywhere?

- Oh, thank you.

Allow me.

- You're from Belgium?

- I came after the war.

A refugee?

- Where do you live?

- Hotel Lausanne, off Montmartre.

- Just a few doors away.

- Yes.

Good. Why don't you take off

your coat?

Allow me.

- What's that?

- A kitten, poor thing.

- I picked it up in the doorway.

- You like cats?

Not particularly,

but it was all wet and cold.

I don't suppose you have any milk.

On the contrary, I do. The prospects

are not as gloomy as you think.

- Do I sound that pessimistic?

- You do but I don't think you are.

- Why?

- To be out on a night like this.

You're an optimist.

- An optimist, I'm anything but that.

- Up against it, eh?

Remarkable faculties of observation.

Indeed.

How long have you been

in this predicament?

- Oh, quite a long time.

- How long?

Three months.

- I don't believe you.

- Why?

You would have done better.

Thanks.

Now tell me the truth.

You're just out of a hospital

or a jail. Which is it?

- What do you want to know for?

- I want to help.

- A philanthropist, eh?

- Precisely.

- I ask nothing in return.

- What is this, the Salvation Army?

If that's the way you feel,

you're at liberty to go your way.

If you must know,

I'm just out of jail.

- What were you in for?

- What's the difference?

- Larceny, they called it.

- Larceny?

Pawning a rented typewriter.

Couldn't you do better than that?

- What did you get?

- Three months.

This is your first day out of jail?

Yes.

I see.

Poor dear. Oh, well.

Nothing is permanent in this world,

not even our troubles.

- Are you hungry?

- Frankly, yes.

Then while I tend to

the culinary operations,

you can help to bring in

a few things.

Come.

- Can I adopt your little kitten?

- Please do.

We'll set the table for one.

- Aren't you having any?

- No.

Oh, then all we need

is a knife, fork and napkin.

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