It was late morning when Erik awaken. There was a dull pain in his face where the edges of the mask had dug into his skin.
Sitting up in bed, he slowly peeled it away and laid it down on the pillow. Christine…his Christine had rested her head there, her heart beating against his and her lips grazing his skin.
She came to you willingly…she gave you one night of heaven…let that be enough.
He knew, though, that a thousand such nights in her arms would never be enough.
He slowly passed his fingers over the scars, forced himself to remember the pain even if he could not recall the tortures themselves.
He rose, knowing that he had only a few hours to make his arrangements…the letters…the airport…
The mask's empty eye seemed to stare up at him, condemning him forever.
He picked it, crushing the white leather in his hands.
"I cannot do it," he screamed to the emptiness of his room, "I cannot do it!"
At noon, Sam found Erik in his office. To his surprise, he saw that his friend wore neither a mask nor a wig.
The letters of transit lay on Erik's desk. Beside them, an open strong box and a folded document.
Erik rose, picking up that folder paper.
"Sam, give me a one-franc note."
A bit confused by Erik's request, Sam reached for his wallet and handed him the money.
Erik opened the paper he held.
"It's the deed to the club, Sam. La Belle Reve is yours now. Do whatever you want with it. Run it, sell it…it's yours for one franc."
"Erik, I can't take Belle Reve from you…it's all you have."
Erik shook his head and, removing some money from the strongbox, placed it in the inside pocket of his jacket with the letters of transit.
"You're not taking it from me, Sam. You bought it from me for one franc."
"Erik, what the hell is going on here."
Erik drew his revolver from his pocket and laid it next to the box.
"You've been a good friend. I'd have died if it weren't for you," Erik said, holding out his hand to him, "And I won't lie…there were times when I cursed you for helping me. But thank you."
"I take it this means you are leaving Casablanca with…"
Erik cut him off.
"I don't know, Sam."