( Thunder booming )
Prisoner: Where am I?
Man: In the village.
What do you want?
Information.
Whose side are you on?
That would be telling.
We want information.
Information...
You won't get it.
( Bubbling )
By hook or by crook
we will.
Who are you?
I am number two.
Who is number one?
You are number six.
I am not a number, I am a free man!
( Number two laughs fiendishly )
( Phone beeping )
Number two here.
Yes, sir, I am doing my best.
He's very difficult...
I know it's important, sir...
He's no ordinary person, sir, but if I had a free hand...
I know, sir, yes.
I know I'm not indispensable.
Get me number 14.
Number 14?
The experiment must come forward.
Woman: Impossible!
I need all of a week.
I haven't got a week.
I haven't even finished testing it on animals, let alone people.
Then now's your chance.
When?
Tonight.
( Thunder crashing )
( Wind blowing )
Stop!
Don't bring that wet in here!
Take your macs and boots off.
( Thunder crashing )
This brainchild of yours had better work...
For your sake.
If this man is damaged
I shall hold you responsible.
You know I haven't had a chance to prove the drug.
Just get it right.
Or I'll see that it's proved on you.
( Equipment beeping )
What's all that about?
Energy from his brain.
Thoughts, like sound waves.
Converted into electrical impulses and finally...
Into pictures.
Extraordinary.
How very single-minded.
He's not conventional.
I sometimes think he's not human.
It's an anguish pattern.
So this is your wonder drug.
Yes.
Three doses...
And that's the absolute limit.
Why?
Three's dangerous enough.
Four would kill him.
His mind is now yours.
What do you want from it?
Why he resigned.
I believe that he was going to sell out.
I want to know what he had to sell
and to whom he was going to sell it.
We've researched and computed his whole life
and it boils down to three people.
"A", "b", and "C".
He must meet each one of them.
We shall then know what would have happened
if we had not got to him first.
Where do you want them to meet?
Paris.
They have one thing in common.
They all attended madame engadine's celebrated parties.
Here's some film of the most recent.
( Turns on monitor )
Number 14: Ah... nothing like a good party.
I'm sure he'll welcome the change of environment.
Go on, feed it into him.
( Grunts )
Is he all right?
So far.
The moment of truth.
( Pleasant orchestral music playing )
( General conversation )
Good evening.
Very nice.
Good evening.
Engadine!
Darling!
( Laughs )
How are you?
Mmm... I'm so happy you are here.
You look as wonderful as ever.
I should... what it costs! Oh, yi-yi!
Uh-uh... You look tired, darling.
Things are bad?
No, not now... I'm starting a holiday.
Oh... the English holiday?
Big boots and fishing sticks?
Not quite like that.
Where, then?
Somewhere different, somewhere quiet, where I can think.
Oh... there is no quiet anywhere.
Ah...
Hello?!
Hello.
Sorry, darling.
I come back soon, eh?
Of course, yes.
Uh-uh. And remember... you're mine.
Really?
Be horrible to other women.
I promise.
Oh, thank you. ( Kisses )
See you anon.
I think it's time we introduced "a".
His face looks vaguely familiar.
What's his real name?
I'm surprised you don't remember him.
He made world news a few years ago.
Excuse me, I'll be immediately back.
I'm surprised.
Not unpleasantly, I trust.
I knew you came to these parties.
And wondered why we never met?
She's a tactful lady, she's kept us apart.
Till tonight.
Perhaps tonight is special.
I feel it is special, too.
( Chuckles )
To us.
As we are, or as we were?
Oh, I remember him.
He defected about six years ago.
It's been a long time.
Not long enough.
We used to be friends.
Once.
With a lot in common.
That's in the past.
Then let's think of the future.
We're still the same people.
Working for different sides.
Sides don't matter.
Only success.
In that case, we should still have a great deal in common.
We do the same jobs.
For different reasons, yes.
( Chuckles )
I see you still overrate absolute truth.
Whatever way you look at it
we both want to conquer the world.
I hope you're, uh... Happy in your new life.
New life?
News of old friends travels quickly.
In a few hours.
To you and to me, news is like air.
We breathe it deeply.
We draw it from far and wide.
If it's interesting.
What are you going to do with your freedom?
Go fishing.
( Chuckles )
Perhaps you're fishing now.
What's your price?
What am I selling?
I'm anxious to find out.
Madame's wine... It's always excellent.
If you haven't got a price...
You must have a reason.
Not always the same thing.
Excuse me.
He's going...
And we haven't found out a thing.
He must not go.
Number 14: He's only doing what he would have done.
I can only create the situation.
Get him back.
It's his dream.
It must take its course.
You never could take a hint.
I don't want a hint.
I want you.
( 5178,05 fingers )
I'm saving myself money.
Paris hasn't changed much, has it?
Where are they going?
I don't know, but it's what would have happened.
That's what you wanted.
Well, you're in my country now.
Oh, diplomatic immunity. ( Chuckles )
I like travel... it broadens the, um...
Mind!
You daren't shoot me.
Oh, that's much better.
Let us stay on different sides, please.
Be seeing you.
At least I know it wasn't "a" he was selling out to.
( Flicks switch )
No! Let's try the second dose.
Let's get on to "b".
He must rest first.
How long?
24 hours.
Why?
It's a very dangerous drug.
He must have time to readjust.
( Grunts )
Woman: I meet everybody.
I know everything.
Who is sick, who is getting better.
Be seeing you.
( General conversation )
My handbook on social etiquette
doesn't deal with this.
How does one talk to someone that one has met in a dream?
Look, uh, number...?
Six?
Six.
I'm usually a social animal, but not now.
Another time?
Last week, number 14 was an old lady
in a wheelchair.
You're new here, and you're one of them.
Your nonsense bores me.
Oh, my mistake.
Don't worry.
We all have to make mistakes.
Sometimes we have to.
( Phone beeps )
Yes?
Oh, really?
Send him in.
Come in, my dear fellow.
Come and sit down.
I'm not tired... I slept well.
Good.
We don't seem to have seen a lot of each other.
I haven't seen very much of you.
I don't spend all my time spying.
Don't you? Your predecessors did.
Hmm, I have other things to do.
Now, all this nonsense about why you resigned...
If people can't Chuck up a job
things have come to a pretty pass.
Do sit down.
I'm still not tired.
In that case, perhaps you'd pour me out some milk.
I didn't have a very good night.
Oh?
Thank you.
A pleasure.
Your milk.
Thank you.
Milk is the perfect food. It creates good temper. Would you like some?
My temper's fine.
Anyone who had nothing to hide
would ask where I got it.
Where did you get it, number six?
In my sleep.
Oh, you must have been restless.
Perhaps you need a checkup.
I have a favorite doctor.
Really?
Number 14.
( Phone beeping )
Sir...?
Yes, sir, within two days, you have my word...
Yes, sir, I realize my future's at stake.
Two days, I guarantee.
( Guitar music playing softly )
Good night, sir.
Good night.
Music playing y
where have you been, darling?
Been?
Oh... ( Laughs)
Men always evade questions.
All my husbands did.
Ah, yes.
Where is my other handsome guest?
Who?
Your old friend.
You were talking to him.
Oh, he's... he's gone.
Ah, just like that?
How very rude.
Without saying good-bye?
Anyway, I never did like that man.
It doesn't matter.
Madame, excusez-moi?
Gui', je viens. Merci'.
I'll see you later, darling?
Yes. Good-bye.
Time for "b".
She even looks like a spy.
She's a very good one
from a long line of spies.
He's full of the party spirit, isn't he?
Where is she?
I don't know.
She should be there.
I think he's resisting.
Don't you know?
It may take longer for the drug to work this time.
Wait. Maybe he's seen someone.
Ah... chuckles)
No... no, that's certainly not "b".
I expect she's there somewhere.
I very much hope so.
Ah, lucette, I was looking for you.
What have you been up to?
Nothing, madame.
I was helping Louis to collect the glasses.
Ah...
What is that, lucette?
A note, madame. A lady...
She gave it to me.
No, madame, it's for...
Thank you, lucette.
It's for you.
Hmm? Well...
A woman's hand.
Mm-hmm.
I'm jealous.
What does she want?
I dare not tell you.
Oh...
To meet her in the arbor.
Oh? My guest, at my party, in the arbor.
She's an old friend.
Oh, there is no name.
Old friends don't need names.
Then you prefer her to me.
All right, all right, I shall go.
The party's finished! Finished!
( Laughs )
Enjoy yourself.
( Cork pops )
I'd recognize that signal anywhere.
Let's get distressed together.
There we are.
You are still
the most intriguing spy
I have ever met.
It's taken a lot of thought and experience.
Last I remember, you were hiking
across the mountains to, uh, Switzerland?
I got sore feet.
You should have stayed.
I have no friends there.
Your enemy is a very bad loser.
He was here earlier.
Does he know you're back?
His chums are all over the place.
He and I had a little ride together.
I left him in a most unforgiving mood.
He may return.
Oh, being killed is an occupational hazard.
Like a sitting duck?
Don't worry.
Tonight's a party.
You used to be...
A very good dancer.
I still am.
Are you?
Mm-hmm.
Where are you going for your holiday?
( Chuckles )
Ah... so you've heard?
I, um... I don't know yet.
A long one?
Oh, a very long one.
Why?
I need time to think.
( Laughs )
I can't bear to think.
I can't bear to be alone.
Can't you?
That's why I like parties.
I drown myself in chatter.
Tonight, there is no need for that.
Just... dance.
He's far too relaxed.
( Moans )
He may be there, but he's not here.
With this kind of resistance
he'll burn up the drug in no time.
We haven't got long.
Then you'd better do something about it.
The only way to manipulate his dreams
is to get into them.
Is that possible?
I was wondering.
What?
If we could put words into her mouth.
Go on... how?
We fed him with pictures.
Why can't we feed him with sound?
But the voice?
Would he hear yours or hers?
That's the danger.
If he hears my voice and recognizes it
the shock will wake him, he'll see everything...
We'll have failed.
We must make the most of this chance
or we'll never know if it was "b".
It's the absolute worst time to try anything.
Just look at the state he's in.
Where's your scientific enthusiasm?
What shall I say?
Anything. Try it.
Shall we have some more?
More?
Champagne?
Not yet.
Now get to the point.
You said we hadn't long.
I wonder if they will kill me.
I thought you didn't care.
I do.
I'll help you.
You know that.
They are here to kill me.
They want me to make a deal with you.
They want to know why you've resigned.
Go on.
If you'd just talk about it, they'd let me off the hook.
Are you shocked?
I'm surprised.
I can't believe it's you.
I'm such a mess.
I need something to swap.
Will you meet them?
They're here now.
Don't hate me.
We all make mistakes.
Sometimes we have to.
Have you the feeling that you're being manipulated?
Manipulated?
Who are you?!
They're here.
If you don't tell them, they'll kill me!
You are not who you pretend to be.
Excuse me.
Tell him.
He'll kill me!
I don't believe in you.
He'll kill me!
How long has your husband been dead?
Four years.
How old is your son now?
Sow?
Husband, yes, but there's no son.
Help me, please.
Help me, please!
What is your son's name?
That's an easier question.
Thought you couldn't answer.
Come back! Don't leave me!
Come back!
I can explain everything! Please!
( Bell tolling in distance )
( Door buzzes )
( Turns on machine )
Music playing y
( turns off machine )
I couldn't sleep.
What's that number six doing?
( Sighs )
He's always walking.
Irritating man.
Doesn't he ever get tired?!
Be seeing you.
No! I'll be seeing you.
Right.
( Rock music playing )
That's not... What's gone wrong?
The strain's too much for him.
I'm going to stop it.
No!
It's our last chance.
It's now or never.
Number 14: On your head.
I'll worry about that later.
Haven't they killed you yet?
Sorry... must have been thinking of someone else.
It's so wild, darling.
It will end in tears.
All the best parties do.
Oh, it's terrible! ( Laughing )
Terrible?!
It's dreamy!
This is a dreamy party!
We'll have to hurry.
Get me "C"'s picture.
There isn't one.
This is all we have on him.
"Known to be French, known to have attended
"engadine's parties, probably disguised.
Known to have been in contact with number six."
How do you expect me to bring them together if there's no picture?
It's a process of elimination.
"C" is the only one left.
He'll find him.
Well, he'll have to hurry.
Champagne... we all need more champagne.
Watch him for me, will you, darling?
He is the last sane man in the world.
I like sane men.
Are you in business?
I was.
You're young to retire.
Age is relative.
Meaning you're free?
Possibly.
I... know of something.
And the pay is very good.
I'm free.
Number six.
I'm sure it's your lucky number.
Croupier: Les jeux sont faits.
Rien ne va plus.
Six. Noir.
Gagnant.
Pour LA service, monsieur.
It can't be her.
She can't be "C".
( Conga playing )
It takes you a long time to sell yourself, darling.
It took a lot of thought.
Come on.
This way.
She's fooled us for years.
But not any longer.
We're bringing her to the village?
Yes.
You are sure?
No change of mind?
No change of mind.
And no doubt?
Not anymore.
It's a one-way journey.
You have the fare?
Yes. These papers from London.
If you want to go back, you can.
Back to the party.
Back to your life.
But... once through this door
you can never return.
This is what I've been waiting for.
( Groaning )
It's gone dead! What's happened?
He's collapsed!
That's it... we've pushed him as far as we dare.
No, I must have that dream back.
You know who "C" is.
Yes, but I still don't know what he was selling.
And if it kills him?
I shall have to take that risk.
I'll try a heart stimulant.
Hold this.
Where are you taking me?
To the summit.
To hand over your papers.
Not to you?
Even I work for someone.
Someone else?
Who?
I've never seen him.
No one has ever seen him.
I thought you'd boiled it down to three.
I had.
I didn't know about this one.
It's great.
You'll have to call him "d".
We're here.
Are we?
Oh, yes.
He likes
impressive offices.
Good luck.
Aren't you coming?
I must go back.
I can't leave a party so long.
People will talk.
How will I know him?
He will know you.
( Train passing )
Man: I am glad you could come...
( Echoing ): Come... come...
Where are you? ...Are you? ...Are you?
It doesn't matter... Matter... matter...
I want to see you!
I've been dying to see you!
It won't make any difference...
Difference... Difference...
People who hide are afraid... Afraid... afraid...
( Bell tolling )
I didn't know you existed.
It is often the case with really important people.
Anonymity is the best disguise.
You are afraid.
This is very important to me.
It is only a commodity.
No... it's my future.
You belong to me now.
You were told there is no return.
Number six: Not until I know who you are.
I've never liked secrets.
Nor have I! I want to see him!
No one will ever see me.
I will.
I want to know who I'm selling out to.
We must all
know.
All?
Aren't you alone?
No...
But you are.
Violence will do no good.
It relieves the feelings.
Does it matter?
It does to them.
We mustn't disappoint them.
The people who are watching.
I knew, of course.
Now... show them!
( Number 74 gasps )
See?
Number 14: He knew all the time.
He was playing with you.
Your drug failed!
No. He succeeded.
( Door buzzing )
I owe you an apology.
An apology?
Yes. I forgot to give you this.
A bargain's a bargain.
Open it, you fool, open it!
I must see what's in it.
He was going on holiday.
I wasn't selling out.
That wasn't the reason I resigned.
( Sighs )
( Phone beeping )
( Slam echoes )