Climax!

Clarence Leiter:
Aren't you the fellow who was shot?

James Bond:
No, I'm the fellow who was missed.

James Bond:
[James Bond in bathtub. Zuroff is tying rope on him. Le Chiffre, Valerie, Basil enter bathroom]

Le Chiffre:
All right Mr Bond where's that money? Look Mr Bond, as you should know by now I... I'm quite without mercy and if you continue to be that obstinate, I... I'll have to torture - - - you'll be tortured to the edge of madness. Believe me. You have no hope whatsoever. You hear. None [Turns to face Valerie] Nor has she.

Man on telephone:
...but the fact is still indisputable, if you win, she will lose her life. Pardon me for interrupting your game, I only wished to pass on the warning. Goodbye.

Clarence Leiter:
You know you're here to deal with Herr Ziffer, Le Chiffre, he's the same fellow.

James Bond:
Deal with... you mean kill him?

Clarence Leiter:
You won't have to, he'll die anyway... if you play your cards right.

Narrator:
Good evening. This doesn't look dangerous, does it? But it's killed plenty of men and women. It's made beggars of many and millionaires of a few, mighty few.

Narrator:
In French gambling casinos, this is called a shoe. It holds the cards for baccarat - king of gambling games - and its purpose is to make sure that no one can pull any funny business, like dealing from the bottom. The game to be played tonight is for the highest stakes of all. A man is going to wager his life.

Narrator:
Climax presents Casino Royale, from the best-seller by Ian Fleming. Stars Barry Nelson, Peter Lorre, and Linda Christian. And now, Casino Royale.

James Bond:
Give me the check.

Le Chiffre:
[Attempting to get the blade from behind the band of his hat] Huh?

James Bond:
[to Valerie] Go on. Call the police.

Chef DePartre:
[after James Bond has been shot at whilst entering the casino] The casino is full of apologies Mr. Bond. Such an act is beyond explanation. You had not begun to play, so it was not your winnings they were after.

James Bond:
Yeah, and it wasn't my autograph either.

James Bond:
[In elevator] Yes, you said you were on the sixth. I'll see you to your room.

Valerie Mathis:
I'd rather see you to yours.

James Bond:
Well, why would I argue with that.

Valerie Mathis:
[Leaving casino] And perhaps we can go together.

James Bond:
Well if you don't mind going through a barage of bullets. Right now I'm not a very good risk.

Valerie Mathis:
So it was you those men were shooting at. But why ?

James Bond:
Maybe they needed the practice.

James Bond:
Le Chiffre... can I have some water?

Le Chiffre:
Oh yes, with pleasure. Basil, give him all the water he wants. Get me some water, too.

James Bond:
[In pain] Aargh.

Le Chiffre:
Oh Basil you are so clumsy. I... I just asked you to hit him. I didn't ask you to hit him so hard. [Basil and Zuroff scuffle with a reacting James Bond and hit him] Eh. Easy - not so hard! Tough man ah. Very tough. Well if he fights again, hit him again - huh. But please, only a little at a time.

Le Chiffre:
Now Mr. Bond as you might have noticed we... we are very serious people. Your good health is of no concern to us whatsoever. [Phone Rings] [to Zuroff] . Answer that. [to Basil] Pick him up. [Pointing gun at Valerie] And just in case you get ambitious Mr Bond, believe me.

James Bond:
[On telephone to Clarence Leiter. Hangs up]

Le Chiffre:
[Pointing gun at James Bond] Maybe. Maybe you'll talk to him tomorrow. But only if you've given us that check.

James Bond:
Took me long enough to win it. Take you longer to get it back.

Le Chiffre:
I don't think so. I honestly don't think so. [Zuroff pulls out rope] It's about time we stopped joking, huh? I... I think he's ready for the bathtub [Basil and Zuroff manhandle James Bond away to the bathroom]

Valerie Mathis:
[Tied up]

Le Chiffre:
[Untying Valerie] Oh pardon me beautiful. I... I didn't mean to neglect you. No. Who knows maybe... maybe you can persuade him, huh? [Laughing] Basil. Hey Basil [Basil enters] Take her in and ah, but if she screams, at her first scream, he's dead

Le Chiffre:
All right. See this tool Mr Bond. It's very handy little tool. Serves all sorts of purposes. Oh. my little friend - you remember the one that had a gun that passed for a cane. Oh he was an expert with this. Huh. Unfortunately he's gone but I've learned a few of his tricks [Moves closer to James Bond and puts the pliers in his face] Now Mr Bond are you going to tell me where that check is?

James Bond:
[Sn*gger. No response]

Le Chiffre:
You won't, huh? [Moves pliers away. James Bond looks away]

Le Chiffre:
[Moves to end of the bathtub] All right. I think I know how to make you deal [Tortures James Bond on the feet and toes with pliers]

James Bond:
[Screams] Aargh.

Valerie Mathis:
[Screams] Aargh.

Le Chiffre:
Excruciating, huh? [Hands Zuroff the pliers and sits on bathtub] Look Mr Bond if you... if you continue like this I... I have to start on poor Valerie.

Le Chiffre:
[Sitting on end of bath] You leave me no choice, I... I cannot let you destroy me.

James Bond:
I've already destroyed you.

Le Chiffre:
[Having his cigarette lit by Zuroff] You think so, huh?

James Bond:
I'm no hero, I don't like pain. But I can tell you one thing right now. You won't get anything out of me. Pain and killing's part of my job.

Le Chiffre:
And of mine too Mr Bond.

James Bond:
[Sn*ggering] Huh huh - I bet you love it.

Le Chiffre:
[Cynically] How did you find that out, huh? [Laughing] Oh - you're an obstinate man, Mr Bond!

James Bond:
[Tortured and lying in bathtub. Le Chiffre, Basil and Valerie in bathroom]

Le Chiffre:
[to James Bond] All right. All right [Motions to Basil to leave bathroom and points at James Bond] Have it your way then Mr Bond. We have searched your rooms now we're gonna take them apart [Moves to leave bathroom then stops] And if I don't find it, we'll take you apart [Looking at Valerie] Both of you.

Clarence Leiter:
[Picking up glass] Have you ever seen Le Chiffre?

James Bond:
No.

Clarence Leiter:
[Holding glass] Go on explaining the game.

James Bond:
[Holding cards] Well you each get two cards - the banker and the dealer. Picture cards and tens count as nothing. The other cards carry their own face value.

Clarence Leiter:
[Lighting cigarette] Le Chiffre is the toadlike creature playing at the table in there. He's the chief Soviet agent for this area controlled through Leningrad Section Three through Paris. And he's the most dangerous man they've ever had.

Clarence Leiter:
[Smoking cigarette] You can look now.

Clarence Leiter:
[Smoking cigarette] He's a fanatic. He's ruthless, incorruptible and everything he does is entirely legal. But he has a weak spot. And that's how you got into it.

James Bond:
[Handling cards] All right. I don't kill Le Chiffre, what do I do to him?

Clarence Leiter:
His weak spot is gambling. You're going to play baccarat with him and your job is to clean him out.

James Bond:
[Handling cards] For what reason?

Clarence Leiter:
To destroy him. He's been gambling with Soviet funds and he's lost eighty million francs. Now he's going to try and get it back by gambling high. He's bought the bank for tomorrow night with the last funds of the treasury of his party. He has twenty six million with which to win back the eighty he needs.

James Bond:
[Picking up cards] Soviet Police... know about his gambling?

Clarence Leiter:
They got wind of it. And that's one reason why he's planning to play high tomorrow night. Now if he should win back that eighty million maybe he can brazen it out, but if you've won and he hasn't...

James Bond:
Then what?

Clarence Leiter:
We'll see that the story hits the newspapers with photostats of his bank statements, all the dope. French Communist Party will lose face with a very dull thud and we'll have acclomplished our aim, we'll be rid of Le Chiffre.

James Bond:
[Handling cards] All right, what else?

Clarence Leiter:
[Smoking] You'll have twenty six million francs. The same as he has. I'll pick it up for you from the casino cashier and give it to you tomorrow night.

James Bond:
[Handling cards] Ah... that's hardly a safe margin

Clarence Leiter:
You've won on less. So you play tomorrow night. And meanwhile, watch your step. They could kill you. They've already tried.

James Bond:
[Pontificating] What um... What else do I need to know about him?

Clarence Leiter:
[Smoking] He's tough. He's good with a gun. Carries three razor blades for slashing purposes. There's one in his hat band. There's one in the heel of his left shoe. One in his cigarette case. He always has three armed guards with him. They're with him now. You can look.

James Bond:
[Looks over his right shoulder]

Clarence Leiter:
[Smoking] You see them. The big fella with the blond hair - that's Basil. The fella who looks like a basset hound - the one who walked past just now - that's Zoltan. There's a third character there - he's the thin dark fellow - see him - name of Zuroff. They're in it as deep as he is so be very careful of them.

Clarence Leiter:
[Smoking] Oh incidentally - the whole bunch of them are in the suite right above yours at the hotel.

James Bond:
Ah well then that's who bugged my room.

Clarence Leiter:
[Smoking] Bugged? Oh microphone you mean.

Valerie Mathis:
Good evening Mr Bond. I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine. [Introducing] James Bond - Herr Ziffer.

James Bond:
I've always heard of you as Le Chiffre.

Le Chiffre:
Well that's the same you see it's a nickname of mine. After the war I was a displaced person, just a number on a passport. Le Chiffre means a mere cipher. Seemed a suitable name.

James Bond:
May I say you are a very important cipher.

Le Chiffre:
You flatter me sir. Ah... we play tonight, huh? Good luck.

James Bond:
Thanks. To you.

Valerie Mathis:
[Leaves with Le Chiffre]

Le Chiffre:
[Leaves with Valerie Mathis]

James Bond:
That was quite an act.

Valerie Mathis:
Not all of it.

James Bond:
Which part of it was true?

Valerie Mathis:
That Le Chiffre will kill you.

James Bond:
Valerie.

Valerie Mathis:
He will kill you.

James Bond:
Well you've done your job well Valerie. I hope he pays you well.

Valerie Mathis:
Jimmy I still love you. Le Chiffre will kill you.

James Bond:
Well you can tell your employer he's wasting his time [Elevator door opens. Cynically] Sixth floor I guess [Waaves hard] - for the lady!

Valerie Mathis:
[James Bond opens door to other room in his hotel suite, looks then closes door] Did you expect your room to be searched?

James Bond:
No - I don't know what anyone would find. It's just you can't be too careful.

Valerie Mathis:
You live dangerously?

James Bond:
Dangerously? Gambling?

Valerie Mathis:
Depends on how and where.

[James Bond walks over to turn up the volume of the radiogram. It is playing the music of Chopin]

James Bond:
[James Bond walks back to centre of room and holds Valerie and kisses her. Le Chiffre and his henchmen listen in the room upstairs] That's for old times sake. This is for now.

[They embrace passionately again]

Valerie Mathis:
[Passionately] Jimmy!

James Bond:
Le Chiffre sent you to me, didn't he? Don't deny it, I know you're with him. He told you to come to my room. Because of the microphone.

Valerie Mathis:
Microphone?

James Bond:
In the fireplace - with Le Chiffre listening just above.

Valerie Mathis:
What are you talking about?

James Bond:
[Pointing to the fireplace] You mean he didn't tell you about the mike [Pointing upwards] The wires go through the chimney to his room just above here!

Valerie Mathis:
I didn't know.

James Bond:
[Holding Valerie's chin with his hand] Let me look at you. You can't lie to me, you never could.

Valerie Mathis:
[James Bond holds Valerie's chin firmly with his hand] I didn't know. When was it fixed?

James Bond:
[Takes his hand off Valerie's chin] Today while I was out

Valerie Mathis:
To listen to you?

James Bond:
[Pontificating] If you didn't know about it - To listen to you - He sent you here but he doesn't trust you. He wants to be sure that you ask the things he said.

Valerie Mathis:
Jimmy listen to me.

James Bond:
I'm going to. And so's he. You're going to tell me those things right now. Word for word. But who's fooling who? [James Bond walks over to radiogram and turns down the volume]

Valerie Mathis:
Jimmy! - Don't turn down the music!

Clarence Leiter:
Well it looks like you're as lucky as they say.

James Bond:
Hey?

Clarence Leiter:
You're a legend old boy - Card Sense Jimmy Bond they call you. I knew you right away.

James Bond:
I didn't know I had that much of a reputation.

Clarence Leiter:
Oh my dear fellow - look here - how about you give me the lowdown how to play - over a drink? Oh, I'm very sorry, my name's Clarence Leiter.

James Bond:
Clarence sure - What have I got to lose?

Clarence Leiter:
Do you ever lose old boy? Bar's over there - lead on!

Le Chiffre:
Very lucky of Mr Bond.

Valerie Mathis:
Yes.

Le Chiffre:
And very handsome. Tell me... has he changed much since the days when you two were...

Valerie Mathis:
He looks just the same.

Le Chiffre:
A-ha.

Valerie Mathis:
You want me to talk with him now?

Le Chiffre:
Plenty of time. I'll tell you when.

Le Chiffre:
I've always been able to protect myself. Now that they chose Mr Bond to take me on and your... your Mr Bond is very lucky and... Mr Bond has card sense and I don't like it. Tell me... does he still love you Valerie?

Valerie Mathis:
Of course he doesn't, not now.

Le Chiffre:
Because you see tomorrow... tomorrow night I have to win. I have to have eighty million francs. And no one is going to stand in my way. You hear. No one.

Zuroff:
[Clarence Leiter is on telephone. Zuroff walks over with a gun under a black cloak] Mr Leiter [Points now visible gun at Leiter's back. Leiter turns around to face him. Zuroff conceals gun under cloak] That money you have. Would you kindly put it on the table. I believe it to be twenty six million francs. We want it.

Clarence Leiter:
That makes it very awkward. Because I want it too.

Zuroff:
You have exactly ten seconds to do as I say.

Chef DePartre:
[Phone rings. The Chef De Partie walks over] Excuse me Mr Leiter.

Clarence Leiter:
It's quite all right. I think the call's for me and in any case just a moment would you do me a kind favor. Take this money to the cashier, tell him to hold it for Mr Bond who will pick it up later this evening [He hands him banknotes from his wallet] Thank you very much [Chef de Partie exits]

Clarence Leiter:
[Phone rings again] Why don't you pick it up - It might be for you! [Leiter exits]

Porter:
[Sound of four shots outside the Casino Royale in Monte Carlo are heard as James Bond arrives] Are you hurt?

James Bond:
No. Still in one piece. But I wouldn't know how!

Le Chiffre:
Oh, as you most certainly know, Mr. Bond, no secret agent can ever be quite sure when another agent isn't working for the other side. Although I... I always thought that mutual love means mutual trust.

Zoltan:
[Directly behind Bond] My cane is in your back, but it is a gun, not a cane, and can blow this space in your spine without a sound. You will appear to have fainted. I shall be gone. Before I count ten, you will accompany me to the office and give me the money. If you call for help, I shall fire. One... two... three... four... five... six... [Bond suddenly knocks the cane out of Zoltan's hand]