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Im afraid I dont understand. |
Theyre German Jews. Came here before the war. They both lost all their families in extermination camps, but they themselves never went near one. The idea that his family wealth was started with money he believes should have gone to camp survivors has been haunting Leon. Its not guilt, more of a curse... And then theres something about his parents being involved with Nazi hunters... But I think thats just one of Leons dark delusions... |
Do you know Leons parents names? |
Albert... Albert and Ethel. Why? |
Who else knows about the boy? |
My sister... She lives in the next valley. |
Is she on the phone? |
Yes...Youyoure not going to take Shiva away? |
I cant think of a good reason for it for now anyway. My number if anything happens. Whats your sisters number? |
Oh, I... She just moved. Ive got her new... Its in my book in the kitchen. Wait... Thank you. |
And you better stop greeting strangers with a shotgun. If Leons Austrian was looking for you I reckon hed have found you before I did. |
Im sorry. Its just you dont look local... |
No sick people in the country, huh?... Just tell me one thing, Rhian. Leons story about the boy? You just took his word for it? |
Hed come prepared. He had something besides Shiva... Sleeping Beauty. The Disney film... Well, it looked like the Disney film. It was something else. I couldnt watch... |
Whats the date? |
The nineteenth... How come you didnt know? |
Ive been away. Did Leon speak to you about his sister? |
Er... Yes... |
Did he ever refer to the hostility between them? |
He... Apparently the hostility was all hers. Leon didnt... It hurt him. They used to be close... Their parents were in their forties when they were born, you see. And mostly away. They grew up in a Scottish mansion with old nannies and servants. He... Our world was so old and cold, we shone for one another, Leon used to say. His sister cut him off after she got married. He never understood why but thought it was because she had no children. Was bitter... |
The money Leon left for the boy, was it cash? |
Yes. Three thousand pounds. I still... |
Did he mention anything about having an exhibition of his work? |
... No. |
You sure? What about before he turned up with the boy? |
... No. In fact, Id seen him a couple of months earlier. He was quite depressed. His work wasnt getting anywhere. He said he was going to try something new, realism, London in the nineties documentary stuff, you know... |
He showed me a book with a picture of a couple caught kissing in a street... |
Hows the boy doing? |
Fine... |
Good. You neednt worry about the Austrian anymore. Hes dead. Ill be in touch. |
Evening. Table for one? |
No. Thank you. Could you tell me if Leon Spitz is here, please? |
Leon? No. Im afraid he left. |
Left? When? I just come from his place and there was no one there. A neighbour of his... |
No. I meant he left as in no longer works here. |
Oh. This is... Wed arranged to meet tonight and Im due to return to Paris tomorrow... |
Im sorry... |
Yes. You wouldnt know where I could reach him? We had to discuss an exhibition of his photographs at my Paris gallery, you see? I really need to see him before I leave. |
Five to three. Youre early. |
Should I come back in five minutes? |
I gather weve done business with a friend of yours? |
Have you? |
The person who put us in touch seems to think so. |
I dont recollect mentioning a friend. |
Your lady friend did. |
The ladys not a friend. Shes a whore. Someone at a special screening I attended mentioned certain goods could be got from an Austrian here in London. And not just movies. |
And while visiting our fair city you... An Austrian? |
An Austrian. |
An Austrian... Not much to go on, is it? |
Questions can amount to revelations. Now, Id hate to think I was made to come here carrying a substantial amount of money in order to be subjected to a cross examination. Mr Friedman led me to believe we had a deal. Do we? |
Will you be alone? The merchandise. Is it just you or... |
Ill be alone. |
You must agree to be blindfolded... Just for the journey. It might appear unseemly youre the paying customer but ordinarily clients come with some kind of endorsement. |
Its about the puppy. You got the money? |
Yeah. |
At what time will you be available? |
Three oclock. |
Le Mercury. Newman street. Ask for Peter. |
What is it? |
This is the hotel supervisor, Mr Lamont. Im terribly sorry to disturb you but theres been a mixup with our bookings which you might be able to help us resolve. |
What are you talking about? |
We need a doubleroom and as I understand youre here alone wed be much obliged if youd agree to move to a single room... |
What happens now? |
We conclude our transaction. |
The rooms yours for 24 hours. Its sound proofed, stocked up with food, drink and other things you might find useful. You can do anything you like. |
Anything at all? |
Anything at all. I presume you wont want to take the boy with you when youre finished? Theres a 500 fee for disposal. The boy is yours, you understand? |
Vous tes Franais? |
Does it matter? |
Problems? |
Is my money in there? |
Uhhuh. You couldve waited for me inside. |
Lets go. |
I dont know what your problem is, but... |
Right now your big friend at the Diplomat is bleeding fast, Martin. He might still possibly survive if attended to soon. And he did cooperate. |
Am I supposed to know him? |
Six weeks ago. He bought a boy of yours. |
Clients come and go. |
This one came back and was never seen again. I understand Friedman looked after him. |
Huh, I doubt it... Friedman only deals directly with select customers. I handle the rabble... |
Where is Friedman? |
Look, I dont think youre fully aware of what youre playing with here, Mister. Whoever put you up to this either pays too well or misinformed you. Why dont you just tell me what it is you want so we can do business in a civilized manner, eh? |
Friedman lives with you at the Ambassador? |
No. In Hampstead... Why? |
Dont jump any red lights. |
This car needs petrol. |
Shut up and drive! |
Youre out of your mind. Whats the idea? |
Maybe the thought of people like you going on holiday bothers me. Come on, lets go... |
Is it real? You people are sick. |
Huh. Id have thought a tough guy like you would know better. The sick ones are out there, friend. They make up the clientle. Get rid of them and were out of business. |
Only feeding the disease, eh, Martin? |
Money talks, bullshit walks, whether you like it or not. |
Maybe I dont. |
Maybe you should. Think about it. Those who can afford our goods do their thing without upsetting anyone. Those who cant do it to kids from the streets or their own family and it makes upsetting headlines. |
Im overcome by your publicspiritedness. |
Boys like the one you met today are surplus. Commodities worth a handful of notes in whatever arsehole of the world they happen to be born into. We improve some lives buying them where theyre not wanted, improve still more selling them where they are. Is that too hard for you? |
You know what, Martin? I ought to tie you down with your old arse up in the air and advertise the hole in the middle of it to the world. Free. And hope you never die. |
Huh... Im sure thered be lots of takers. |
Could someone have hurt you that bad? |
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