The Day of the Jackal

The Jackal travels to Paris, taking a room in a modest hotel and quietly posing as a tourist. While he is touring France’s famous buildings, however, he is actually “mentally working out angles of fire” (85). Each spot seems unsuitable, until he arrives at the square at the southern end of Rue de Reims, now renamed for an important date on which the Gaullist forces took power in the city hall during World War II. There is “something about this square” (87) that appeals to the Jackal. Over the coming days, he carefully examines the surrounding buildings until he settles on a building overlooking the square. He sneaks into the building and clarifies his plan, including the use of the fire escape after the assassination attempt. He watches the concierge, Madame Berthe, and notes her routine. The nearby station is busy and could mask his escape. As he leaves the site, he sees de Gaulle’s motorcade pass by and the famous profile of the French leader. He thinks to himself that he will see the profile again “through a telescopic sight” (92). Then, he returns to his hotel.

As the Jackal watches the motorcade, an attractive young woman stands on the other side of the road.