The Serpent

Are you a dangerous man?

The question first is whether I committed murder.

And did you?

The courts, they have decided - no.

I have faced trials, I have faced allegations.

And the courts, they have decided.

That doesn't answer my question, does it?

That's my answer.

There are those who would say you got away with it.

That's what Time magazine said.

Perhaps it's true.

After all, I cannot now face trial anywhere in the world.

Time to party, girls.

Come on.

Wait, wait, wait.

Alain! This is Alain, who I was telling you about.

Welcome to Kanit House.

Hello.

Get them a drink, Ajay.

With pleasure.

Relax, we must take the fever down.

I want to go home. Shh.

you get me down

you bring me down

in the FBI

six feet high

Our home is in Bangkok,

but next summer we will open offices in Paris and Zurich.

We have a network of couriers throughout Asia and Western Europe.

Which is how we're able to offer such... attractive prices.

six feet high

Sorry. Oh, sorry.

Who are you buying for?

Oh. I'm not really buying.

You're Dutch?

Yes.

But you are not entirely gweilo, are you? You are like me.

Yeah. My father is from Indonesia.

Mine is Indian.

My mama is from Vietnam.

But listen to me and I am French. It can be confusing sometimes.

I'm Alain. Willem.

Wim.

My wife, Monique.

Oh, hi. Enchante.

Wim.

Don't you want to know the cost?

OK, yeah.

That one.

Then you are buying for someone.

Yes. What is her name?

Lena.

Lena?

Wow, is he a professional?

He is.

You are in very good hands.

If you'd like, I'm certain I can break him down to... this.

Thank you. I'm sorry. I... I should go.

Sorry.

My friend...

..how long have you been gone from home?

A year.

You have not run out of money yet?

No, we've been, er, sensible.

But still, you want to tell Lena that you love her.

Yeah. Yeah, of course.

If I told you I could have you made a sapphire set in diamonds

on a platinum ring for half the price I just showed you,

what would you say?

Hello, again.

Lena.

Monique. Hi.

Mon dieu, you're so pretty.

There's no obligation.

Try it on.

Wow!

Still a lot of money.

We understand.

You do not need to decide now, do they?

Of course not.

We're going to see you in Bangkok, yes?

Well, all right.

Are you sure it's OK for us to stay?

Yes, of course it is.

Our home is always open to friends.

Let him buy you the ring, Lena.

Yes. Mr Knippenberg?

Yes, Lawana.

Oh, I'd forgotten.

Ah, what time did the others leave?

That long, huh?

It's just this gentleman, Mr Hilgers, is asking for help

in locating his sister-in-law,

Helena Dekker, and Willem Bloem, her boyfriend.

To help us, he also enclosed an accompanying package

of holiday photographs and letters home.

But that package has not arrived.

How can we help find them if we've lost their damn photographs?

Perhaps if you left it with me?

Of course.

What do they say, Yotin?

They talk about communists, sir.

In Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia.

They ask if Thailand might also fall to revolution.

Well, it might improve the traffic.

Yotin, it started at four and it's already quarter past.

Surely it would be quicker to walk. What?

This is Athithaya Road.

The athletic club is only three or four blocks north.

But Mr Knippenberg... I can't just sit here.

Oh, sorry.

Sh!

Herman! Hi. Are you all right?

Ambassador.

This is Knippenberg. My Third Secretary.

Knippenberg, this is Giles Easton, my opposite number with the British.

How do you do? How do you do? Good afternoon.

Good shot! Ambassador, may I speak with you briefly?

That is Mrs Knippenberg.

I told Angela to play with De Jongh, as you were late.

You didn't tell me she was learning Thai. Did I not?

To add to the four or five other languages she already speaks.

If she wasn't German, I'd offer her a job.

Well, if you weren't Dutch,

I might take it.

Ambassador, may I speak with you briefly on a consular matter?

I thought the office was shut.

Yes, no, of course. But I thought this was rather urgent.

Two young Dutch backpackers.

Their families haven't heard from them in over two months.

Knippenberg, when did you last speak to your mother?

And does she write letters declaring you missing?

It's not a diplomat's job to go chasing after longhaired bums.

If it's for anyone, it's for the Thai police.

Pass it on to them if you're so concerned.

Yes, sir. Of course, Ambassador.

Oh! Good shot.

Once again, a Dutch triumph over you Brits.

Yes, please!

Hey, Herman.

Hello.

What was all that?

It's, er...

Two missing Dutch.

Worried family. But it's a police matter, apparently.

My mother warned me about this.

He takes his work too seriously.

He will never take the day off to make love to you

on the 15th floor of the Siam Point.

Well, it only has eight floors,

so, technically, she was correct.

Wim!

Lena?

Is it you?

Yeah.

I'm Ajay.

Alain sent me. I work for him.

How did you know it was us?

Well, there's the orange.

But really...

..that, of course.

Let me help you with your bags. We're all expecting you!

No, no. We were planning on going to the Santa Cruz first?

The Santa Cruz? No. Alain wouldn't allow it.

Not for his friends.

That place gets worse by the week.

The bathwater comes straight out of the Klong.

People get robbed.

We don't want to... No.

Welcome to Bangkok. Come on, then.

Alain.

Look who I found!

Hey! Lena! Welcome.

Hey, Monique. You made it!

Nice to see you. You too. Welcome.

Welcome to Kanit House.

Thank you very much.

How was the trip? Yeah, it was good.

Hi. This is Frankie.

Hey. Hey.

Our friend Dominique.

Bonjour. This is for you.

Thank you. For you.

Fresh towel.

Well, thank you very much. No problem.

Oh, it's really good.

Thanks. Here, I will take your bag for you.

Dominique.

Come on. Yeah.

We'll wash your dirty things for you.

Oh, but it's all dirty. Then we will wash it all.

Won't we, Dominique? Yes, Alain.

Now, wash, rest, make yourself at home.

Oh, wow.

I am very sorry, Mr Knippenberg.

But the police ask us to call back after the holiday.

But that's three days.

OK, Lawana. You can go. Sir.

Um... Mr Siemons? It's Herman Knippenberg.

I sit on the Intergovernmental Narcotics Liaison with you.