THE BUTCHER
To the population of Tremolat, in Perigord
Hurry up, Maurice.
Dish up the gravy, Odette !
Melanie, good gravy!
Get on with your work.
You think only of yourselves there
-Always the same. -My work is more important.
Roast ready yet?
l hope your beef was good.
You bet. lf it isn't
l'll cut my tongue out.
And we'll eat it in a spicy sauce.
Let me cut that.
This one should be good
-Will this do? -Thanks.
What's the joke?
Nothing,it looks really good. l'm happy.
Not like in the army...
...even when the meat was good, and it wasn't often
...it tastes like shoe leather.
My friends
As the bride's father,
l have to make a speech.
lt won't be long
as l don't want to talk nonsense
and my son-in-law
is a good judge of that.
That's the trouble with a teacher.
Pa-in-law has to be careful
what he says.
But l know enough to say
l'm glad about this marriage.
l like young Leon.
He taught my son to read.
He's a local.
And l'm sure he'll make
my daughter happy.
You can count on it, dad!
Give me a kiss.
Now kiss each other.
Weddings are amusing.
Don't you think they're funny?
Yes, everybody enjoy themselves.
Then things go wrong.
Not always.
My pals in the army
When they got married
Good thing you weren't there.
The things you think about!
Were you?
Well, no
l'd like a little Champagne.
May l have some Champagne?
Ask your mother.
She says l can if you say so.
All right. You like it?
l've never tasted it.
Try it.
You're taking a risk.
l like having responsibilities.
He likes you.
Hope so.
l'm telling you, he likes you.
l like him too.
Angelo! A song!
A song!
As everybody wants me to, l'll sing.
Won't you waltz?
Why don't we?
You're a great dancer but
l dance like an idiot.
Not as bad as that. l haven't danced much in 15 years.
Nice people in this town compared to the ones we meet everywhere.
Why did you join the army, then?
Things weren't so good.
The people here kiss each other, if you don't you will.
You can't go wrong.
How long have you been in the region?
Ten years. l knew your father.
Wasn't he scum?
He was a butcher.
And a bad one too.
He cut the meat anyhow.
Talk of marriages
My mother must have been happy on her wedding day
Only after she got sick.
Why did you never come back?
To see the old man. No thank you!
l came once...
...for my mother's funeral...
...7 years ago.
lt's been 7 years.
l was on holiday in Paris.
You go to Paris for holidays
Parisians come here. That's logical.
lt's logical.
l'd liked to see you do that.
l would have liked it. l'd audition
There were good times, but...
The rice was good?
The rice is okay,
but when the river is mud... it's less fun.
You smoke in the streets?
Yes! lt shocks you?
No, but...
lt's rare for women to smoke in the street.
lt's more simple than smoking in a house.
That's logical.
You seem to like logic.
l was fifteen years in the army.
So, in the army there's two things
you like because you don't have them.
lt's logic and freedom.
Live over the school?
How long have you been the headmistress?
lt's been 3 years.
3 years.
You're a young headmistress.
Because l'm very wise.
Do you like meat?
Yes.
l ask because sometime if...
...l come across a nice cut.
l could bring you some good pieces.
Cutlets or roast, ...delicacies from the butcher's.
You know there are...
...some meats better than others.
What a dream.
A dream, to have a butcher select your meat.
l'm very pleased.
By the way, tell me...
...does a butcher learn his trade?
You bet he does.
That's what's funny, since...
...l was a butcher with my father.
When l joined the army,
they put me in charge by chance...
...always a butcher, even for the army.
ln Algeria, lndo-China, loving the work!
Butcher.
There was plenty of work, those officers, they pig out.
Yes, that's logical.
Well, here you are. l'll be off.
So long, Paul. Thanks for accompanying me.
Goodbye, Miss Helen.
Leon, how sulky you look!
l'd rather have stayed home.
Not fed up with marriage already?
God no! Not yet!
l hope you'll be happy.
Thank you.
You'll see how nice it is
to go home to your wife after work.
l'll go there for lunch.
Good idea!
Come along, children.
We are 5 minutes late.
Finally, in honor of Mr. Hamel's wedding.
Well, are you deaf?
You are deaf.
Riri's father told him...
...the postman said a woman was found dead in the woods.
That's ridiculous?
lt's true. The Police came.
...he took in a feeling of greatness...
comma
of greatness
A majestic firmness...comma
A deep emotion
by which
the coarsest soul
would be touched.
...touched. Full stop
Honore de Balzac.
l'll write it down.
Do you know who Balzac is?
A writer.
Right. He was a 19th Century romantic...
...who tried constituting his work...
...to paint a picture of the society of his day.
l'll read the dictation again.
Hearing the bedroom door open abruptly
Helen...oh come on.
You are not going to laugh?
Helen rose from the divan
on which she was lying.
But she saw the Marquis and cried out.
She was so different
that only a father's eyes could recognize her.
The tropical sun had so many rays
of white faces, with a marvelous golden hue
that it gave him a poetical expression from which
he took in a feeling of greatness
a majestic firmness
a deep emotion
by which the coarsest soul would be touched.
Come in.
l disturb you?
Not a bit.
l shouldn't come...
...during school hours. Tell me if l bother anyone.
Not at all. What's up?
l've brought a leg
-That's nice. -A leg of lamb. Look, it's beautiful!
Very beautiful.
Would you help me collect the books?
Take those.
That's where l sat.
Were you a good pupil at least?
French and History were all right but
the faucet problems
trains do cross
Our teacher wasn't as nice as you.
The old hag!
Her name was Cowden...with a cow.
Don't be disrespectful.
A real bitch she was!
You mustn't hear anymore.
Stand up!
You may leave.
ln an orderly manner.
Please hurry up.
They'll hear plenty more.
But Miss Cowden would never have let someone
come to class with bloody meat.
You have a fridge?
Yes.
-Well, good bye. -Wait! l'm going to the baker.
Say Paul, if you're not afraid
come and share the lamb with me tonight.
What is it?
Nothing. l didn't expect it.
Like that l won't eat it alone
At least half is for you.
lt's rubbing my butt.
Well, will you?
Of course!
When shall l come?
Let's see, come at about 7.
Good. l've extra time on my hands these days.
l don't do a whole lot in the shop.
l do the buying and slaying and
My assistant prepares the meat.
And business is slow with the hunting season and all.
Goodbye.
Good day!
What's happening?
lt's the officer in charge.
There's been a crime at Saint Albert.
A crime?
They found the Gaillotin girl
Killed with a knife wound!
Just last week she was dancing in here.
Haven't seen her since.
My god, who could have done this?
Oh, some tramp hanging around!
A baguette, please.
Sorry maam, l was lost in thought.
Who knows how long these cops will hang around.
l couldn't tell you.
lt'll keep us distracted but still...
You'll put it on my account?
Too soon?
No no, l said seven as we agreed earlier.
The door's open. Come up.
The punctuality and politeness of butchers
Like Louis XlV.
l still have 2 or 3 papers to correct.
You see l'm too early.
Not at all...give me 5 minutes?
-You want a drink? -No don't trouble yourself.
No trouble.
l've drunk plenty in my time, l don't need it.
so uhh
Shall l sit here?
or there!
No, it's ok l'm fine.
Just five minutes ok?
Must be fun teaching children.
Yes, it's a good job.
May l have the cigarettes?
You smoke Gauloises ?
What do you think of this sentence?
lt was so hot the air felt like an overcoat.
Dunno. Cute?
Yes ... l think it is
l wouldn't know.
lt's done.
How about l put in the lamb?
We could eat early then go to the movies.
You like movies?
Yes but not war movies, they're offensive.
Oh!
l was in the war for 15 years.
You have to be a dupe
if you don't see it's a distraction.
Why did you stay in the army then.
Exactly, because l was a dupe.
l've seen a thing or two.
And they weren't pretty to see.
Purely rotten.
There. lt's not a war movie, it's a comedy.
Shall we put the lamb in?
This way.
-You go through the school to get to? -No it's here
Here we go, my kitchenette.
-Magnificent! -Yes, l love my kitchenette.
Have you seen, there's been cops here all day.
A girl's been murdered behind Saint Albert.
Yes, l know.
They looked everywhere. They found no trace.
Your lamb, what's it weigh?
2 lbs... half an hour should do.
No garlic?
Wow! Never garlic in lamb!
Would you like me to make my special salad?
l'd like that but l feel funny, you working?
You must be kidding.
Then ok.
Are the eggs hard boiled?
What sign are you Paul?
l'm October 6th, Libra
lt's why l always seem like an indifferent person.
And you?
Scorpio.
Oh boy!
Why oh boy?
That's a bad sign!
There are no bad signs.
A small lid.
What's missing for your salad?
No l have all l need... a small knife maybe.
-Will this do? -lt'll do
Say, l've only got my van to go to town.
lt won't look ritzy.
l have my Citroen.
Why are you laughing?
Don't know, you must look funny in your Citroen.
You've never seen me
Good morning miss Helen
Good morning Paul, l'd like a small scallop.
Good morning Monsieur, good morning Michel.
And congratulations on the certificate.
You're too kind.
Without your help, my little brother would have failed.
Oh! Nonsense.
Here we go.
Here they come again!
Apparently they've found a clue.
The gendarmes are there.
Maybe they'll figure it out.
A crime is awful. Think of the poor girl
l've seen a corpse or two
their heads in the wind.
Cut in half, mouth open
l've seen 3 or 4 piled together.
Kids with their eyes punctured
lndo-Chinese as old as Madame Tirrant.
Completely torn to bits.
l've seen pals of mine rotting in the sun.
Being eaten by maggots.
Yes, war is a horrible thing.
That's a fact, but a murder like this
lt's barbaric.
We counted corpses by the truck loads so
l'm rambling.
How much do l owe you?
3 francs, l'll put it on your tab.
Look, they're passing again!
Mr. Lahire, before l forget.
About the party on October 20th
will you let me browse in your collection of costumes?
But of course, you come when you like
Take whatever you like.
l'm in the show, you promised!
Yes you're in it.
l love dressing up, anyway l like acting silly.
The joint of veal there!
Here -Thanks. Put it on my account.
What is it for you, Madam?
What will you give me?
Whatever you want.
Well of course then, hamburger.
Why not a nice steak?
No, l don't want it.
-lt would give you strength. -Next time then.
Coming mushrooming with us this afternoon?
l promised Charles and Lisette.
What time?
About four
l may not have finished.
Join us afterwards then. Ok?
Paul! Yes!
Wait for me on the path. l'll find him.
We're in the oak grove.
Made a good haul?
But that's terrific!
l smell 'em out!
Children, come and see Paul's mushrooms!
l've found one too.
Think you've done enough work?
No, but l like to watch you like this...
...with the children.
Can we play over there?
Yes.
So.
Hi Miss Helen, l've noticed something.
Generally, school teachers are...
We know them by their surname.
l didn't know Miss Vachin's first name.
With you, it's the opposite.
You're Miss Helen.
And l'm sure l'm not the only one
What is your surname?
Daville.
Helen Daville
My questions annoy you?
Not at all.
lt's normal you knowing my surname.
May l... ask you another question?
lt's less discreet.
Shoot.
You don't have to answer if you don't want.
Don't worry.
l think l know what you're gonna ask.
l promise to reply.
l'll dive in then.
Why don't you have a...
lover?
Maybe l don't want one.
Yes l understand but...
...but that's what l'm asking.
Why don't you want one?
Because l had a big love affair
Over ten years ago.
l was very much in love with a boy who made me happy
whom l liked a lot
lt went on for months
One day he had enough so he left.
So lt left me..
Left me lovesick
And it took me a long time to recover.
That's why l came here to teach
Now l'm very happy
l'm not saying you're not happy but
lt's unusual
lt's not unusual
You know Paul, there are simple ways
to pass it up.
But that's disgusting!
l'm not in the least worried.
l love these children like my own.
l'm not convinced
-And anyhow -No but l see all kinds of reasons
l find it to be a miracle that people can meet
Love each other... .make love
Since
But l don't want to take another risk
l know it's not always fabulous
But, never making love can make you insane
But.. also, doing it, can make you crazy
That's not the point
But shit, if l asked you
if l kissed you now, what would you say?
l'd say nothing
but please don't
The package l ask you to keep?
Here it is.
lt's for you.
-A present? -Yes
What's the occasion?
What day is today?
-Shit it's my birthday! -Yes
lt's beautiful!!
Feels good
Look your partner in the eyes.
You can do better, Charles.
Forward
three, back, to the side
Back, to the side
Smile, further apart
How handsome!
A trifle.
Follow the tempo.
Remember what you're doing.
Bernadette, close your mouth!
Pascal, tuck in your belly
Smile!
Shall we?
Hold yourself straight.
Like this.
Let's do the finale... there!
You must understand that the instincts
The feelings
And even the intelligence of Cro-Magnon man
were definitely human.
The only differences to the problem were
his needs to survive
What does survive mean?
lt means to stay alive.
He began to draw
Do you know what we call desires
When they lose their savage quality?
Aspirations
lf Cro-Magnon had not survived,
The world in which we live, wouldn't exist
Be careful where you step.
What if he came back now Cro-Magnon
The Cro-Magnon, what would he do?
l don't know
Maybe he would adapt and live among us
or maybe he would die
l don't want him to die.
l am certain he was nicer
Perhaps.
Hold hands
-Did everybody bring sandwiches? -Yes
l have chocolate croissant for those still hungry.
Careful!
Don't go too fast!
Sit down here.
l'd like a chocolate croissant
lt's raining?
No it's not raining
Look! The sky is blue
lt's red
Blood! She's bleeding!
l'm frightened. l'm frightened!
Don't move. l'll be back.
Stay calm
Miss Helen
Go away, Charles! Go away!
Miss Helen
Try again.
Miss Daville.
l'm the lnspector. Sorry to disturb you but
l have to ask you some questions
Wait for me here
Perigueux called last night and l took the night train
lmpossible to sleep
Let's go in here it's fine.
-This your classroom? -Yes
You're young for a headmistress.
They tell me you're a great teacher
You're very much liked here
You'll allow me?
Perigueux is a little overwhelmed
Two crimes, one after the other like this
They're right to pass the buck.
lt's not the kind, easy to solve sadistic crimes.
So it's you who found the body
l read the statement you made last night
the walk and all, no need to repeat
A real shock for the kids.
The one who got blood on her head
What l wanted to ask you
they did the autopsy last night.
She was killed... ... ... not raped
She was not raped... .very odd, in fact.
usually
She was killed just before you found her
The blood was still fresh.
l'd like to know if you heard noises
suspicious noises before the blood incident
-You didn't hear anything? -No
You didn't for a second think there was..
Someone aside from the kids
No... ..but
-Sorry -Go ahead, you were going to say
l mean... since we had come out of the caves
l think it was normal l didn't see nor hear anything.
And neither did the kids?
No. l don't think but l haven't asked them
well, we'll see about it later. So you approached the corpse
Obviously, you couldn't imagine
Tell the little ones to come in here.
Mr. Hamel won't be coming today.
You little ones to the back.
Some of you there
and when there's no more room, sit on the benches
Come on, hurry up!
Now listen, children
Did anyone on the walk hear or see
anything that seemed strange?
No, sir!
Now don't invent anything.
Tell the truth.
They don't tell lies.
So?
No. We didn't hear anything
Can we talk somewhere else?
ln the yard if you like.
Charles, take over for me.
Try and behave
Now shut up, as Miss Helen said.
l admire your presence of mind.
l realize you must have been panic stricken.
l wanted to ask the kids but let me ask you..
...to think carefully.
Have you the slightest idea...
...of a clue that might help us get on track.
lt is quite certain that...
...somewhere not necessarily here but...
...in the neighborhood...
...there is a madman. Understand?
Yes, but l cannot help you.
Between ourselves, what about her husband... .Leon
...Hamel? What do you think?
Sir, lt's quite unthinkable!
lf you only knew what we see..
...and what human nature can be
l won't keep you any longer.
Go back to your students, l'll just stew in my own juice.
Can l phone?
l'm sorry, but it's too early.
The post office opens in 15 minutes, we're connected directly
Up-to-date, eh?
The telephone's not mine... it's the school's
lt's ancient.
Goodbye miss
Everything all right?
You little ones, not too tight?
l'll give you something to draw.
Miss Helen, may l come up?
What is it, Paul?
l've been in Perigueux. l have a surprise. Can l come up?
OK, come up
Look what l've brought you. You like it?
Cherries in brandy
but the real stuff compared to what's out there.
Look how big they are, you like them no?
Very much.
What? Not feeling well?
Yes, but a little tired.
Can we try them right now?
Sit down. l'll get the glasses.
You're worn out...
...with all this business.
A little spirit
Best ones l've ever had.
Good, aren't they?
What do you think?
Marvellous!
First time l've seen you upset.
Well, funny! Not that funny
Yes it is. Don't worry, Paul. You're too kind
l'm not completely stupid, l know it shocked you.
The poor kids
and poor Mr. Hamel. He must be a mess
He couldn't teach the class today.
l know. Suddenly more work for you
You ought to take some time off
ln case you get sick
l'm strong
l hope so, but...
lf only you'd seen how she was...
l thought of all those corpses you talked about.
lt couldn't have been worse
You mustn't think of it. Don't see her that way
Think of her as she was the day of her wedding.
When we became friends.
She's had a few drinks... a little pink in the face.
You're tired...
...and you're crying.
Dry your eyes.
l saw some good lambs at Perigueux, we could have some...
Excuse me...
l can't help myself.
You know what, l'm going to paint this room.
Needs it, doesn't it?
Now stop crying.
lt's over now.
Got a light?
Ah, that's better.
lt's my lighter!
Of course it is. Works well, too.
Not going to begin again, are you?
lt's not quite the same now.
l don't know what to do.
Would you like me to go away?
No no no no...l beg you
No, please stay. l need you.
What a surprise!
l loved her so much.
-You know Paul Thomas? -We know each other
l had to take him in, like the rest
Will you allow me to walk down with you?
Of course.
This is a frightful business.
lt's a hard case. Not a clue nor a lead of any sort.
Not an indication.
lt's a tragedy.
No doubt, it's the same sadist
who did the other. Same sort of wounds... .no rape.
He'll do it again for sure.
And go on until we arrest him if we ever do.
We can't lock everyone home.
We're not even sure he's from here.
And the weapon...
...apparently a flick-knife.
Everyone has them in the country.
Hang this up, l'm going to miss Miss Helen.
Almost done.
l have to finish the ceiling.
Do problem No. 5 on page 72.
lt starts with ''A train leaves Orleans''
What's this?
Trains
lf l gave only what you know there will be no progress
l've come to finish the ceiling.
-What a mess! -lt will soon be beautiful
l hope so
-Hello Leon. -Hello Miss
How's things?
Not bad.
Till tomorrow.
Tomorrow's Sunday.
Till Monday then.
See you Monday
Poor chap.
He's very unhappy.
l'm going shopping with Jean, back in an hour
Charles, go upstairs and work.
Be done when l return.
-and no chit chat -Oh no, Miss Helen
More problems of trains, that and faucets
Poor chap!
ls it coming along?
No... Can you help me?
lf only l could...
Shit!
What?
l said shit, l spilt some paint on the rug.
You need benzene.
Yes but l don't know where it is.
Here in the cupboard
You know where everything is.
The time l've spent on trains.
And the clean rags?
ln the drawer of the small table between the windows.
Mr. Thomas, can l read you my problem?
lt won't do much good.
A train leaves Orleans at 2:37
lt runs at 50 m.p.h.
for the first 30 miles
then at 70 m.p.h. for the rest of the journey.
Another train leaves Toulouse at 2:43
it runs at 40 m.p.h.
for the first 50 miles
and at 76 m.p.h. after.
The two trains meet at 5:45.
How far is Toulouse from Orleans?
Do you know how far? That's a help
You don't know how far?
l never have understood those problems
There you are, l was just leaving.
Already?
l've finished the first coat. lt needs to dry
You want me to take the ladder away?
No, don't worry.
-Then goodbye -Goodbye Paul
Did you know another girl was murdered?
This time in Bergerac
behind a gateway
You didn't hear me?
Paul, l was at Bergerac.
Another girl's been murdered in the same manner
She was found behind a gateway.
l'm not surprised
There's no reason it should stop
Why should it stop suddenly?
That's true, you're right.
Goodnight Paul. See you tomorrow.
Been another crime?
Yes, but don't worry about that.
And the problem?
l can't do it
Do you at least understand the principle?
l don't know.
You work out the distance covered...
...by each train and add them.
But l couldn't care less.
That's clever. Come on, try.
So...where are you at
l found that one train traveled has gone 229 miles
That should be it.
Charles, did you look for something in the drawer?
No Miss. lt was Mr. Paul who took...
...a rag for cleaning a paint drip
Oh that's good.
You must be tired.
lt's Sunday tomorrow.
At any rate, you understand the problem
-lt's easy -Yes
-You can go. -Ok
-Goodnight Charles -Goodnight miss
Miss Helen
Let me in l need to talk with you.
Please, it'll take a couple minutes.
l beg you.
Let me have a word with you.
No. l have a headache. Tomorrow
No, Tonight. lt's important.
No Paul, l don't feel well right now.
Tomorrow morning... come tomorrow morning
But it's important.
Miss Helen! lt's me
l put out the light.
l came through the wood shed.
Keep still and listen.
l saw you found the lighter
So l understood you knew it was me.
When l realized l'd lost it...
...l tried to buy another one.
l spent all day at Perigueux...
...to find the same one.
So you wouldn't notice.
lt wasn't worthwhile since you'd found it.
This is what l killed them with.
With this knife.
l can't help it, befalls me like a nightmare.
l can't breathe until l've done it.
Until l've buried my knife.
l understand. You can rely on me Paul
Don't talk don't talk
Now l won't dare to be with you like before.
l'm dreadfully embarrassed.
l couldn't bear to see you, you understand.
l know l horrify you.
And l can't stand that. l can't stand it
Miss Helen, help me!
What have you done?
As you see
l've killed myself
Help me
Don't move!
Stay where you are, don't move.
Unclench your first.
Press. Press hard
l'll take you to the hospital
Don't tell them why, don't tell them l did it
No... be quiet
Don't speak
Hurry
Hurry up, my blood is leaving me
Be quiet.
lt's better if l speak now.
l spent nights thinking of you.
You don't know.
l've spent nights in front of the school...
...looking at your window...
...and with you...
...when l saw you, when l saw your eyes...
l would forget everything.
l didn't know who l was.
l only lived for you.
l beg you don't talk.
You can't stop me.
l would've liked... to take you in my arms.
l would've liked to be... with you always.
To love you...
to protect you...
l would've wanted you to need me
l wanted to take you on a deserted island.
lt's so far.
l have a lot of blood.
My blood doesn't stop flowing.
l know about blood.
l've seen so much blood...
...blood flowing.
When you were there.
There was no more blood.
l didn't think about blood anymore.
l don't know if l'll make it to the end.
My blood doesn't stop flowing.
Once when l was little...
l fainted when l saw blood.
l noticed the smell of blood.
They all smell the same.
That of animals...
...and that of man.
Some is more red than others but..
All...
...have exactly the same smell.
lt's so far.
Be quiet!
We've arrived!
Miss Helen
Kiss me!
He's dead, Miss.
When the elevator stopped
he cried out Miss Helen.
Then he died.
Now go home. You're tired.
We'll leave the paper work for tomorrow