Let him go! Free Assane Diop! Let him go!
RUN, POOR RICH FOLKS, RUN!
Free Assane Diop!
Hello?
Looking forward to your promotion?
-He got away! -What? He couldn't have.
I saw him get arrested.
Forget whatever you saw. He escaped on the rooftops.
What? The rooftops?
-Yes, the snipers saw him. -That's impossible.
There's no trace of the car he left in.
Hello?
-Hello? -I'll call you back.
-Shit! -Free Assane Diop!
He has to be dead.
Excuse me. Police. What happened?
This guy fell off the roof.
-What did he look like? -Assane Diop. I recognized him.
Conflicting reports are spreading here on Place Vendôme.
Earlier tonight, the police believed they had arrested Assane Diop.
But we're hearing from multiple sources he managed to escape.
The police car that was supposed to transport him to prison tonight
has seemingly vanished into thin air.
We are receiving new information from sources
who are stating that Diop was involved in an accident near Place Vendôme.
So, what happened to Assane Diop?
This remains a mystery. Did he escape or was it a lookalike?
Sorry, Fleur.
The Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation.
We'll update you as we hear more. Back to you, Tim.
Thank you, Cécile.
Please don't hesitate to inform us of any further development on site.
As Assane Diop's crimes continue to hold the public's attention,
we saw a rise in other petty crimes…
This time, I'll be writing the front page.
Is this the man you all saw?
-That's him. -You're sure?
-That's him. -Okay, thank you.
A doctor arrived and took Diop in an ambulance.
They rushed to Lariboisière. We need to go now.
Okay.
Secure the area for forensics and check the surroundings.
The pearl has to be here somewhere.
"He blew kisses to space, the sky, the sun."
"He spread his arms and took the leap."
Come on, let's go.
Uh, probably 20 minutes.
Hold on, hold on.
MORGUE
-Hello -Good evening.
-How's it going? -Hello.
-Hello.
Who are you?
Nice to meet you. Dr. Vernes.
Do you work here? I've never seen you.
I'm a substitute. I've been here two days.
-I'll call someone to check. -Don't worry, I'll do it.
I'm calling Goyard.
You know who he is, administrative director?
Yes, I've heard of him.
Great, you'll get to meet him, then. He loves getting woken up at night.
All right, that's fine.
-Are you sure? -Yes, it's fine.
Okay.
I'm sorry. Who are you?
I'm Dr. Martinez, head of the hospital morgue.
Great. Can I see your ID?
No, just kidding.
-You know who's under there? -No.
-Is that-- -Yeah, that's him.
We'll follow procedure. Can you do the paperwork?
I'll let you handle that since you know your way around. I'll prepare the body.
Thank you.
-He's not dead. I don't buy it. -We have 27 witnesses!
More like there were 27 suckers! Lupin always fakes his death.
The Hollow Needle. Swanneck Edith.
That isn't real. I don't care what Lupin does in the stories.
Doesn't mean Diop can.
-Diop is Lupin and Lupin is Diop! -Shut up for a second!
When will you get that through your head?
Can you tell us where we can find the morgue?
It's the blue door down the hall there.
Where do you keep the deceased's belongings?
I'm not sure. My coworker over there might know.
Find me Diop's things. We need that pearl right now!
Hello.
Good evening.
We're here to carry out verifications.
-What are you verifying? -Will there be an autopsy?
An autopsy?
Are you serious? After he fell from a roof?
His heart and liver are smashed,
and his spine is shattered.
If you want to check, it's in his file. Hmm?
Uh, right. Yes, yes.
Come on.
No, I'm still gonna check.
Excuse me.
Here. Be my guest.
I'm not a doctor. Would you?
Excuse me.
Guédira…
Guédira!
Hello?
Hello, Claire? This is Daniel Martinez. I know it's late.
Oh…
Hey, Daniel.
Can you come to the hospital right away?
But… I… I'm not on call tonight. Did I read the schedule wrong?
No, this is for something else.
Did something happen?
So, you wanted to see me? You have something to say?
Course not.
Hmm, yeah, right, I know you.
-No, I swear! -Mm-hm.
-I just wanted to see you. -Hmm.
I just got this.
My mother wrote it to my father.
"Tell Sanni Mom loves him, but he's better off without me."
-And who's Sanni? -It's me.
My mother used to call me that in Senegal.
Where is your mom at?
No clue.
She was gonna come to France.
We waited for months, but she never showed up.
So I thought she was gone.
But turns out she abandoned me.
Hey, you coming?
My sister and I are like you. No parents, no family.
So, what do you do?
My godfather told the social worker he'd be our guardian,
so they just left us alone.
Who's your godfather?
Welcome to my godfather's.
One, two. One, two. One, two.
It was like a new life for me when I got here.
One, two.
One, two, duck.
That's him there.
His name's Keller.
He owns the place.
Hey, Keller!
This is Assane, a new recruit.
You ever boxed?
Uh-uh.
Good, that's perfect. No bad habits. Start from the top.
Come on, let's go.
One, two. One, two, three.
I wouldn't be here if he hadn't lied to the social worker.
I owe him everything. And I think he'll be able to help you too.
One, two, duck.
THE OBJECTOR
DIOP IS DEAD
What is this?
Arnold got the tip.
You could've given me a heads-up.
-I've been working on this for weeks. -Sorry.
Was I supposed to come knock on your door? You don't own Diop.
I got some info and wrote it. That's all.
What's important is we got the scoop. Let's follow up with this.
I wrote a story about last night.
Last night is over. We're going to focus on Diop's death.
I've got a story for tomorrow's front page too.
Sorry. I really am.
You know what they say. If you don't like the story, find a better one.
They're reporting on Diop's death already.
-The funeral is scheduled for Thursday. -I know.
-At Père Lachaise? -Yeah.
-Are you going? -Yeah.
His accomplices could be there and whoever took the photo at the morgue.
-What a pain! -What's wrong?
Imbert, the owner of the pearl. He won't stop.
-What does he want? -His pearl.
-Know where it is? -No idea.
We searched through Diop's things and didn't find anything.
"Assane Diop, his final act."
"Arnold de Garmeaux…"
"Fleur Bélanger…"
ASSANE DIOP, PUBLIC ENEMY NO. 1
Hello?
-Fleur Bélanger? -Who is this?
Youssef Guédira. I'm with the police. I have a few questions for you.
-About what? -Assane Diop.
There's a café to the right of your office. Could we meet there?
Sorry, I'm not there.
Then you've got one hell of a lookalike.
I wanted to talk because of your background with the Diop case.
There's something I don't understand.
We rushed to the hospital as soon as we heard he was there.
We should have arrived first, but apparently, a photographer beat us.
Can you explain that?
We got a tip and bought the photo.
-And who sold it? -I wasn't on the story. I don't know.
Oh, that's too bad, because something is bugging me.
And what is that?
It feels like this was planned.
Why do you think that?
Uh…
You're gonna think I'm crazy, but I'm a fan of Arsène Lupin.
He always stages his own death. I think Diop maybe did that as well.
What does Lupin have to do with Diop?
Wow!
The two of them have a lot in common.
I can give you some info, but then what? Is it give and take?
You help me, I help you?
And also this week at Père Lachaise, the funeral for Assane Diop will be held.
By taunting the police and authorities, he had become very popular.
This made Diop an inspirational figure to thousands of people,
many who saw him as a symbol of hope.
The Diop family is asking to have their privacy respected
and requesting that the funeral ceremony be reserved only for those close to him.
So, who will be there?
Friends? Enemies? Accomplices?
The crowd will be under close watch by police inspectors.
As the extremely rare Everlin Black Pearl has still not resurfaced,
some are convinced this is part of a final act by the elusive Assane Diop.
TO MY FRIEND - YOURS FOREVER
We are gathered here today to bid a final farewell to Assane Diop.
He, of course, had some flaws.
He wasn't exactly an honest man,
though he was a loving dad and a loyal spouse.
We therefore bury him today in a spirit of goodwill
and we ask for him to be forgiven.
Those who wish to do so may take a moment to pray. Thank you.
Excuse me!
Excuse me! Police.
Please step aside.
-Sorry. -Guédira! Stop!
Stop.
I'm sorry to have to interrupt things.
Uh… I know this is a difficult time for everyone.
But there are people here today who do not believe Assane is dead,
people he victimized who would like to move on.
-Yes, that's right. -That's exactly right.
I'm very sorry, but I need to ask you to open the casket.
What?
Is he crazy?
-It's not possible. -How disrespectful.
He's right. Where's the proof he's really inside that casket, huh?
-Where's the proof? -He's not wrong.
-We can't be sure. -He's not wrong.
Ben, you've got to do something, please.
-Sir, please calm down. -Please, everyone, calm down!
-We don't know. -Calm down!
Please calm down.
Open the casket, that's an order. Open it right now.
I'm sorry.
2 WEEKS EARLIER
France's most famous burglar has yet to be found.
Being on the run for so long seems impossible.
All eyes are now looking to his former wife for answers.
Leave us alone! I don't know where he is!
I have a plan, Ben.
-Okay. -But it's risky.
Tricky. Dangerous.
It's a big job, Ben.
The job.
The finale.
Once we have the pearl, we'll escape through the square.
-You sure? -It's easier to fool a crowd.
I'll get out the car and escape on the roof.
What's the point of that?
The point is that the cops will all see me and they'll chase me.
To here.
Oh, if you jump and land on the other side, then you're safe.
-Almost. I jump from the roof, and I fall. -Okay.
-Uh, hold on. What did you say? -I fall.
With a parachute?
Or a mattress? A net?
You can't be serious. If you fall from there, you'll…
Yeah. It'll be crowded 'cause of the cafés.
We'll have witnesses.
Witnesses to what?
The death of Assane Diop.
That's the plan.
-Okay, so for the fall-- -Hmm.
…we're gonna need blood and it has to be my blood.
Because they will definitely check.
-Hello. -Can I get a copy of the morgue list?
-Do I know you? -Oh, sorry. Dr. Choukri.
Ah, the foreign doctor, right?
I'm sorry?
Uh, no, I, I…
Uh… Here you go.
I'll put my name on the guest list.
And then we gotta find a way to soften the fall.
You need to make something for that.
-Like an airbag. -Police!
And this is important, Ben. You need to be the first at the scene.
Everyone get back! Don't touch him! Get back, get back!
-You, and an accomplice. -Here!
I'm a doctor.
An accomplice like Courbet? He always costs us a fortune.
Yeah, but he's reliable.
And we need him to get into the hospital.
And naturally, everyone has to believe that I'm dead.
Everyone.
Okay, there's the cold spray.
And if Guédira shows up, you gotta hide.
Also, I want you to make us a stethoscope.
A stethoscope that's rigged.
À la Férel.
And then you'll announce the sad news to the world.
Tell the press.
NEW MESSAGE TO FLEUR BÉLANGER SUBJECT: MEETING
We need everyone to believe Assane Diop is dead.
-That'll definitely make the headlines. -And voilà! No more Assane Diop.
He's gone. Next, you'll take the pearl to Alberto.
Then we tell Claire and Raoul everything.
I'll buy a house in the countryside.
And it's perfect.
A lot of words are coming to mind, but "perfect" isn't one of them.
It is, Ben.
Everyone will leave me alone if they think I'm dead. Raoul and Claire too.
And the press will leave them alone.
So it's perfect.
Okay, and how are you planning on getting out of a coffin
that's been nailed shut under six feet of dirt?
I'm just wondering.
J'accuse!
Ha-ha! There he is.
Look, I got a little treat for you.
Don't tell me the dog is part of the plan?
Fetch!
J'accuse!
J'accuse?
J'accuse!
I got it! I'll head back over.
J'accuse?
You found your treat!
Good dog! What a good boy!
And what now?
First we dig a tunnel, and then we choose a coffin.
This is one of our finest models. 100% made in France.
You know, made in France is important.
-Entirely handcrafted. -Hmm, yeah.
-We gotta support local businesses. -Absolutely.
-Is this for a relative? -Yes. Yes, a loved one.
We were very close.
-That one is made of oak, sir. -Oh! I could tell it was.
-Yes, sir. -Mm-hm.
A little more expensive, but much finer wood.
I can hear the craftsmanship.
We have different sizes in the back. Do you know how tall they were?
Yes, well, he was… about my weight.
-Mm-hm. -More or less.
We were also a similar height.
-All right, then. -Good.
-This is oak? -Yes, sir.
-It's nice. -Yes, sir.
-It's expensive. -It's excellent.
-It's sturdy. -Of course.
-You guarantee that? -Yes, sir, it is.
I'll take this one for my friend.
My dear friend.
Sir, friendship is priceless.
Ain't it?
He got a letter from his mother.
She's not coming back.
She abandoned him.
That's good, continue.
Come on! Come on! Let it out!
Trust me, I'm your family now.
Five. Four.
Three. Two.
One.
Stop!
Bravo!
See? This kid gives everything he's got.
This kid gives everything he's got.
Come on!
Harder. Let's go!
That's good. Harder, Assane!
Keep it up!
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One!
J'accuse?
J'accuse!
Hey, buddy. You found me. Stay there!
You're a real good dog.
Here.
Come on, J'accuse. We're outta here.
INTERNET SEARCH MARIAMA DIOP
WEDDING OF MARIAMA DIOP AND AZIZ N'DIAYE MARIAMA DIOP, SENEGALESE GUILD
Is that her?
Hold on.
Try adding "Saint-Louis, Senegal." That's where the letter is from.
MARIAMA DIOP SAINT-LOUIS, SENEGAL
That's her!
Oh shit.
No, there must be a mistake.
COURT CONVICTIONS AGGRAVATED THEFT: 8-YEAR SENTENCE
It says she's in prison in Senegal.
Assane?
Madam? Do you need help? You seem lost.
No, thank you, I'm fine.
Are you sure? Where are you going?
-Uh, Montparnasse. -I'm headed that way too.
-If you'd like, we can share a taxi. -No, I'm all right.
-Thank you though. -No, please.
I insist.
Hmm.
I mean, if we can find one.
Oh, look at that.
We're in luck.
Thank you.
Please, after you.
Thank you.
-Good morning. -Hello.
-Hello.
ALBERTO WILL RETURN SHORTLY
Hello.
Hey, Alberto.
-How are you doing? -It's been a while.
-Did you find someone better? -No, just different.
There's no one better than you. You're the best.
Good thing I don't hold a grudge. I found you a buyer.
He's a big deal.
Got the pearl?
-I have the pearl. -Wonderful.
I mean, sorry about Assane.
I really did like the guy, but you know how it is.
Running a business, gotta keep it spinning.
How much are they offering?
-I did the best I could. -Hmm.
-In his memory. -Hmm.
Sixteen million.
For Assane.
You know, Assane taught me something.
If a buyer's number isn't round, then he's willing to round it up.
Let's save some time.
-Twenty million, final offer. -Are you insane?
Well…
Seventeen?
Eighteen?
Nineteen, or…
Or…
-Fine. Twenty million. -Yep.
We'll do it as usual.
Oh, Raoul, honey, you okay?
Yeah, I'm running late to practice.
Now? Sure you're feeling up to it?
Yeah. Why wouldn't I?
He's not dead anyway.
It's all fake.
-Why do you say that, honey? -We're talking about Dad here. He's Lupin.
Sorry, but I don't buy it.
These are very specific documents.
We keep them in the manuscript room. That floor.
So, are you a big Napoleonic map guy?
No, not really.
Over this way.
Please, come in. Have a seat over there. I'll be right back.
EDITH SWANNECK
"An unidentified body."
"'Therefore,' Mr. Dudouis finished…"
"'…near the tunnel.'"
"And crossing his arms…"
"…he jumped."
"'With Lupin, it's like I said. He never dies.'"
"'He never dies.'"
Here.
And only handle it, please, while wearing these.
-Okay. -All right?
Be very careful, okay?
Okay.
PARIS SEWAGE SYSTEM
And his body ends up in a tunnel… It's obvious!
Sh!
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT CONCESSIONS OFFICE
Hey, buddy.
A BURGLAR'S FUNERAL
ANONYMOUS SANNI. CALL ME: 03 53 01 50 59
-Hello? -Hello, Mama?
No, I'm the warden's assistant.
Mariama Diop was transferred three months ago.
She's in Dakar now.
Thank you.
She's in Dakar.
Yeah, Dakar Prison?
There are several prisons in Dakar.
We don't have any time for your prank calls here. Goodbye.
I'm begging you.
Can I please talk to her? I'm her son.
Okay, but just for a minute. Hold on, please.
Huh?
Hello?
Mama?
That you?
It's me.
It's Sanni.
Sanni?
It's me.
I'm back, and I know you're still alive.
Come to Saint-Étienne-du-Mont Church tonight at eight.
Bring the pearl with you.
I'm counting on you, Sanni.
Prerecorded message ended.
Will you explain all this?
Follow me.
Did you meet with Alberto yet?
Yeah, he'll pay 20 for the pearl, and we've got confirmation on the house.
It's all set. You just need to talk to Claire and Raoul.
Plan's off.
Hey! What's going on?
Just get inside.
I just got a message from my mom.
What?
-I thought she died a while back. -I don't know anymore.
I haven't heard from her in 25 years, and now she leaves me a message.
She wants to meet tonight.
Wait. How do you know that it's her?
She called me Sanni. She's the only one that uses that name.
-Wait, that doesn't mean… -I know.
Even if it's not my mother, someone knows I'm still alive.
What are you going to do?
Look.
I didn't do all this to give up. Not now.
-And if it's not her? -Then it's a trap.
And there's only one way to know.
I just have to go there.
Are you there?
Yes, I'm here.
What happened? What are you doing in prison?
Are you okay?
I… Why are you calling me?
Because I miss you.
I miss you, Mama.
We'll be together again.
I promise.
Like when we're down at the river and you sing our song.
Hello, Mom?
Sanni, put the pearl in the donation box.
Keep the phone on you and leave.
Mom, is that you?
Where are you?
Please, Sanni.
Leave the pearl. If you don't, they're going to kill me.
How do I really know it's you?
Remember, Sanni.
I promise I'll get you out.
Listen to me, Sanni. I can't do anything for you, okay?
Make something of yourself, be happy. Just forget about me.
-Mama! -Forgive me.
I'm so sorry.
Listen carefully.
The people who kidnapped me say that you have to work for them now.
What is it?
What did she say?
Hey, hold on.
Assane, what's wrong? Just tell me.
That's it, then? You're quitting?
No, she abandoned me.
-She doesn't care. -But you can't give up yet, Assane.
Wait!
It's your mother. You can't do that.
Assane!
My father was a crook.
My mother is too.
And I'm no better, I guess.