The Walk Page #6

Papa Rudy calls them "cavalettis."

They stabilize the walk cable.

Ah. The walk cable.

So,

how do you intend to pass the cable

across the void?

Well, just like we did at Notre-Dame.

We start with a fishing line

attached to a rope

attached to the cable.

And how do we pass the fishing

line between the towers?

Yes, it is too far to

throw the juggling ball.

But I was thinking we could get

a radio-controlled airplane

and fly the line across.

This would be fantastic.

Philippe.

It takes years to learn

how to fly an RC airplane.

- Do you understand that?

- No.

We must accomplish the coup this summer.

The towers are almost built.

We are running out of time.

I need you to help me pull this off.

Think if we succeed.

This could be the most audacious

- work of art that has ever been done!

- Audacious? Audacious?

- It's madness!

- Yes, it's madness!

No one in his right mind

would attempt this thing.

But that is why I must do it,

because it has never been done!

And so, yes, I admit, I am mad.

- Ah, yes! Wow, you are mad.

- Yes! I am mad.

- Are you completely insane?

- Yeah, I'm crazy!

Yes, you love me because I am mad!

I am insane! I am totally crazy!

I gotta go.

I'll figure out how to get the wire across.

- Yes!

- You figure out how to anchor the cavalettis.

- Okay. Deal.

- Do we have a deal?

The cavalettis cannot be vertical.

They must be horizontal,

parallel to the walk cable.

- Parallel?

- It won't be pretty

but it will keep the cable from swaying.

And you must use three bolts

on the cavaletti clamps.

Not two. A span this wide

will put tremendous pressure

on the brace plates.

And as you walk,

your weight could crack a bolt.

And wood!

You must remember

to put wood blocks

between the wire and the building's struts.

That way, when the building breathe,

the wood will break but the wire won't

explode and tear you in half.

Okay.

Wood.

Also...

Here's what you're going to do, Philippe.

You're going to wear

a safety belt underneath your costume,

attached to a safety line,

connected to a carabiner.

A safety line?

A carabiner?

I'm not going to do this walk

with a safety line

- hanging off of me!

- From that height,

it will be invisible! No

one will have any idea!

And what do I do

when I get to the first cavaletti?

You're a performer.

You kneel down on the wire.

You unhook from side, clip it on the other.

- The audience will think you are saluting.

- This I will not do!

- This I will never do!

- So why'd you come here?

Because you know so much?

You tell me I'm wrong?

No. Because I need you to tell me

how to rig this wire!

Not do a phony walk like a coward!

Philippe, you two are

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