"Produced by" "Coproduced by" "present" "LEAVING" "Written and directed by" "Produced by" "Director of photography" "Production designer" "Music" "Sound" "Edited by" "Costume designer" "Makeup artist" "Choreographic collaboration" "Starring" " Aren't you cold?" " No." "You must be cold!" "I assure you, darling, I'm not cold." "I'll bring you a blanket." "I don't need a blanket." "I'm not cold." "What about you?" "I won't, no way!" "Let him be." "Stop treating him like a child." "Monika, the brown one, please." "It's in the hall on the armchair." " You mean the beige one?" " Yes." "Monika, please..." "I'm perfectly fine." "There are several beige blankets there, higgledy-piggledy." "They're not very clean or very warm..." "What's keeping those reporters?" "Incredible how casual people are about visiting the chancellery!" "I've called them and they're on their way." "Vilem, you have to tell them exactly what you think." "No diplomatic pussy-footing, or people will be disappointed." "Precisely." "You have to be firm." "Yes, don't worry." "Exactly." "I think it's time for my afternoon toddy." "Fantastic!" "Thank you, Oswald." "Did you sleep well?" "Very well, Mr. Chancellor." "It's time to peel the potatoes for dinner." "Put them on to boil, then hang the laundry to dry on the line among the cherry trees." "The clothes pegs are in their usual place under the sink." "Be careful not to spill the rubbish." "Take it out while you're at it, but not till you've hung the laundry." " And don't forget a new bin liner." " Sure, that's what it's all about." "Monika will make sure you've done it properly and help if need be." "Won't you, Monika?" "Good news, Vilem." "You can keep this." "The chancellery stamp is smudged, so we can always say we simply didn't notice." "Leave that awful thing." "I want it!" "I'll hang it in my bedroom." "Mother, please." "We don't want shoddy stuff like that, do we?" "We'll keep it." "But it doesn't belong in Grandma's room." "Let her have some of your childhood pictures." "It's going in my room." "Besides, it's not half bad." "They're here!" "Shouldn't they stay on the other side of the fence?" "Monika, please take Grandma inside." "She can watch television, or read yesterday's Keyhole." "Mr. Chancellor, this is Jack, the well-known reporter, and this is Bob, who's going to take a few pictures." "May I ask which paper you work for?" "Various world-class dailies." "And some national ones as well." " Which national ones?" " The Keyhole, for instance..." "I interviewed you 15 years ago in Athens, do you remember?" " I've given so many interviews..." " It was right below the Acropolis." "I was there with Papandreou, wasn't I?" "That's the one!" "Can you tell us, Mr. Chancellor," " how, after so many years spent..." " Would you mind introducing us?" "Of course, sorry." "This is Irena, my long-time companion." " Jack." " Pleased to meet you, Jack." " Your long-time companion is charming." " Thank you." "Can you tell us, Mr. Chancellor, how, after so many years spent in..." " May I offer you a drink?" " That's kind of you, but I'm fine." "Or come to think of it, a couple of beers for Bob and me." "I'll join you." "Do you think I could have a bit of cinnamon with that?" "What?" "Him too?" " Can you tell us, Mr. Chancellor..." " I'm not the chancellor anymore." "Can you tell us, Mr. Former Chancellor, after so many years spent in high office, how you feel in the role of an ordinary citizen again?" "Fine, mainly because I now have far more time for my family." "Yet it's only now that I realize how deeply people believe in the traditions, values, and ideals that I embodied, and which now seem to be losing ground with each day since I left office." "Monika, please bring me my compact - the new one, my comb - the old one, my mirror - the little one, and my lipstick - the pale one." "They're either on the shelf in my bathroom, or on my bedside table, or on the first shelf from the top in the right-hand hall cupboard... or somewhere..." "Wouldn't you like your dark glasses and that silk wrap from Prcek Bros?" "A lovely idea!" "Yes, please." "Sorry, Jack, but I didn't know you'd be taking pictures." "Which of the values you fought for, Mr. Former Chancellor, do you consider the most important?" "The individual was always at the core of my political thinking - a free, happy, educated citizen with a happy family!" "I've always admired the way he puts things in a nutshell!" "The chancellor speaks beautifully and expresses himself very clearly." "I hope you'll put it all down exactly as he said it." "The state exists for the citizen, not the citizen for the state!" "I'd quote that word for word!" "I've always wanted our country to be safe and secure." "And not just our country, the whole world." "Safe and secure, not just for humanity, but for all of nature." "Not, however, at the expense of economic growth!" "This is Hanus, my former secretary." "He's helping me sort things out." "I hope that's not government property." "Unfortunately, it is." "Mr. Former Chancellor, how did you turn the ideals you stood for into public policy?" "Well, for instance, I placed great importance on human rights." "Toward freedom of expression, I imposed limits on censorship." "I honoured the right of assembly." "Less than half of all demonstrations were broken up by the police." "And I respected freedom of association, as several grassroots organizations will attest." "Sorry, Vilem, but you should mention your respect for minority opinions." "I respected minority opinions and rarely hesitated to sit down with various independent or single-issue groups." "The chancellor was truly broadminded." "Sometimes to a fault." "You should have seen the riff-raff that turned up sometimes!" "I think he did a lot for women, too." "I have always had great regard for women," " and I've always surrounded myself with them." " Great headline!" "That's something we might discuss later." "I was merciless against corruption." "Everyone remembers the Klein affair." "Would you like a little more beer?" "Well, just a drop." "Let him be now!" "You can see how tired he is." " I'm not tired, Mother." " You are!" "I can hear it." "You say the same thing every time." "Untrue!" "He spoke beautifully today." "I agree." "But it's best to quit while you're ahead." " One more question." " Know what Tony Blair once told me?" "If you don't answer their questions, they'll answer for you." "Good, eh?" " Aren't you worried..." " I'm sorry, but really..." "Aren't you worried, Mr. Former Chancellor..." "I'm sorry, but we really must wrap it up now." "Aren't you worried, Mr. Former Chancellor, that you'll be forced to move?" "This villa is government property..." "They wouldn't dare." "May we come again if we have any follow-up questions or need some clarification?" "Of course, Jack." "You'll let us take a look before you publish it, won't you?" "Just a quick once-over..." "Let's choose the pictures together, Jack!" "My congratulations, Mr. Chancellor!" "You were marvellous!" "The most important thing is to know how to call things by their proper names and put things in their proper context." "A good leader has, of course, a good network of think-tanks." " Sorry, what was that?" " A network of think-tanks." "Did you notice that they completely forgot to ask about the economy or social policies?" "Or education, for that matter." "I deliberately mentioned Klein, who was made deputy yesterday." "But they didn't come back with a question." "Odd, isn't it?" "It's sad, Mr. Chancellor, who you have to demean yourself for." "Hi, Dad!" "Hi, Grandma;" "hello, Irena; hi, Monika." "I've brought you some fruit." "Vlasta, do you know what a reporter said just now?" "That we might have to move out." "Where would we go?" "Would you see about Oswald?" "Tell him to bring me a bowl, napkins and several fruit knives." "And some watered-down beer for Albin." "And he should keep an eye on the potatoes." "When they're ready, he should drain them, let them dry and cool down, then peel them." "But not with the peeler!" "He must use a little knife to remove the skin." " Does he know which one?" " He can use whichever... except for the fancy one Mrs. Putin gave me." "If worst comes to worst, you, Grandma and Zuzana can live with us." "You know how much we love you and how grateful we are." " What about Irena?" " No need to worry about us." "Monika and I will find a sublet somewhere." "The main thing is that we should be nearby." "How kind of you, Irena." "Sorry, but you can't keep this." "It's included in the office inventory." "To hell with them!" "Sorry, Vilem, do you know anything about a set of missing rulers?" "They were souvenir rulers and now they're gone." "Don't bother the chancellor with such things!" "It was a gift from Indira..." "Are you staying for dinner?" "We're having new potatoes with curd cheese and butter." " Just a bite, then we'll go." " How do you do, Mr. Knobloch?" "Will the cherry crop be good this year?" "A bumper crop, I'd say." "And what's new out there in the big wide world?" "What do people think about things?" "Any demonstrations supporting me?" "Or any graffiti, at least?" " The lads in the pub are talking about the move." " What move?" "Deputy Klein says the government can't afford to hand out villas." "I just heard that Deputy Klein says they can't afford to hand out villas." "Why were the large potatoes undercooked and the small ones overcooked?" " What?" " Dad?" " Yes?" "Albin and I would like to discuss something with you." "Go ahead." "Grandma, you should go inside." "It's cold." "Please, Monika..." "Dad, you know how fond we are of you, Albin and I." "We only want what's best for you." "It's a bit awkward, but it's what everyone does because you never know what might happen." "And so we thought, Albin and I, that the family should be ready for anything..." "Are you referring to the possibility that we might have to move out?" "I already said you could come stay with us for a few days." "But there are many other things to consider as well." "Like what?" "Oh, I don't know..." "The furniture, pictures, books, bank accounts, living expenses." "Albin and I came up with a proposal with a lawyer friend of ours." " A will?" " It sounds awful, doesn't it?" "But it's just a set of instructions to clear up who owns what." " You mean when Vilem dies?" " Why jump to the worst conclusion?" "We all want my father to live as long as possible." "So the proposal takes different alternatives into account." "He's out of his mind!" "So you want me to transfer my property to my nearest and dearest." "To the members of your family." "What about Irena?" "Don't worry, Monika and I have our savings, don't we?" "How kind of you, Irena." "Oswald!" "You should look it over, think about it, maybe discuss it with someone." "Albin and I don't want to rush you, but it would be pointless and silly to let ourselves get caught out just because we weren't thinking ahead." "We should think up an arrangement that won't tangle us up in a lot of red tape, or land us on the front pages." "Vlasta's right, Vilem." "You know what The Keyhole can get up to." "Let's go, Monika." " So, you're expecting a visitor?" " Me?" "No." "On TV, Deputy Klein said he plans on visiting you soon." "Looking for someone?" " You." " How can I help you?" "Would you sign my copy of this book of your speeches?" "Of course." "Thank you." "Don't tell me you read the whole thing." "I actually read it rather carefully." "I found it absolutely fascinating." "I also wrote my thesis about you." "It was my own idea." "It's called: "Vilem Rieger's Conception of Democracy"." "How did it turn out?" "I got an A." "I've followed your ideas for years." "Maybe I know more about you than you do yourself." "The longer I study you, the greater the impact your work has on me." " So, you're a political scientist?" " Yes, but I also studied multicultural sociopsychology and communications." " May I ask what your name is?" " Weissenmütelhofova." "Bea Weissenmütelhofova." "But you can call me Bea, Mr. Chancellor." "Delighted, Bea." "But I'm no longer chancellor." "You will always be chancellor to me, Mr. Chancellor." "No, thanks." "I didn't come to eat your food or take up your time." "You're not doing either." "Go ahead." "Is this from your orchard?" "No, my daughter brought them." "We just have cherries here." "Once, in Kharkov, you spoke very movingly about your orchard as a symbol of our cultural tradition and the cultural landscape." "Ah, that was so long ago." "May I ask which of my speeches or ideas most caught your fancy?" "As the basis and the main source of your politics, Mr. Chancellor," "I value the idea that the individual must be at the very core, and that everything should focus on his or her well-rounded development." "Another important idea was that our country should be safe and secure." "And how right you are about that!" "How could anyone develop in a place that was unsafe or insecure?" "I also love the idea you put forward 15 years ago in Taiwan:" "The notion that human beings are made for freedom." "Ah, yes, I remember that speech made quite an impression." "Chiang Kai-shek even asked me for my original copy." " I hope you didn't give it to him." " Mother, this is Bea." "This is my mother." "Bea wrote her thesis about me." "How lovely." "Should I go looking for Oswald?" "Just make sure he didn't leave something burning on the stove." "I'd love to write your life story sometime." "You must have experienced so many fascinating things!" "Yes, I've lived through and accomplished a great deal." "There's so much that no one knows about at all." "I see we have a visitor." "This is Bea Weissenmütelhofova, a political scientist and multicultural sociopsychologist who also studied communications." "She's a student of my politics, and she's going to write my biography." "This is my long-time companion, Irena, and her friend, Monika." " Hello." " I bought you a cap." "Thank you, darling." "We were talking about the speech I gave in Taiwan." "You have a very pretty admirer." "But then, you always did." "And you always found time for them." "Funny, men don't seem to write about you..." "What about Dobes?" "The one who writes for The Keyhole?" "Hardly something to brag about." "Never mind." "Don't let me interrupt you." "Your long-time companion wasn't too pleased to see me." "Her love for me can sometimes cause problems." "I'd be delighted to tell you about my life." "I'm rapidly forgetting things, so the sooner we begin, the better." "Could I come tomorrow?" "I'm really looking forward to working with you." "Well, goodbye." "Goodbye, Bea." "You have a visitor, Mr. Chancellor." "Patrick Klein." "What a surprise!" " Can I get you something?" " Some tea." "Victor, would you do the honours?" "So, how's life?" "I guess you have more time for your family now." " Or do you miss politics?" " It's something of a paradox, but it's only now that I realize how many supporters I really have." "It seems I embodied some values that people hold dear." " Hi!" " Hello." "We were just saying that I have a lot of supporters." "Many people have expressed their interest and fellow feeling." "Journalists keep dropping by, and co-eds planning to write something..." "Irena's not exaggerating." "But as Havel once told me, popularity isn't everything." " Anything else?" " No, thank you." "Not unless there's a little rum to go with it." "Just inside on the left, above my hats and below Vilem's shoe cabinet." "A clever fellow." "That's Victor, my former secretary's former secretary." "He's helping us separate our things from government property." "You wouldn't believe how difficult it is." "But of course, that day awaits you." "And how are you enjoying your new position?" "You know how it is:" "So far" "I'm just trying to work out who's with us, and who's just pretending." "Thank you, Victor." " Can I make another outrageous demand?" " Certainly." " I love biscuits with my tea." " They're on the table, Monika." "Unless Oswald hid them somewhere." "He has his own little hiding places." "I recently found a box with five of kinds cheese behind the fridge." "Imagine that - five kinds of cheese!" "God knows how long they'd been there." "I threw them out, of course." "Will you be a cabinet minister?" "The boss said he can't imagine anyone better for the post, so the matter's on the table, but it's not yet top of the agenda." "Victor, you can go now." "You can carry on in the morning." "I'd like to go through one more box." " What's in it?" " Your private correspondence." "You can burn it." "Put it aside and I'll go through it later." "Burn it!" "Your archives shouldn't really be destroyed." "One day they'll have immeasurable value." "Miss Gambacci at the Joint Historical Commission should see it." "You can rely on me, Mr. Klein." " Thank you, Miss." " Monika." "Thank you, Monika." "You are very kind and you have such a nice name." "I've always been partial to Monikas." "Monika, would you please wake up Oswald?" "If I can find him." " Can I speak freely in front of Irena?" " Certainly." " The reason I came..." " I'm listening." "It would be unfortunate for you and an embarrassment us if you suddenly had to move out, given your contribution to the country." "Everyone knows how fond you are of this place, your home." "And you really have nowhere else to go." "I appreciate your seeing it that way, Patrick." "To tell you the truth, I'd never given it much thought." "I suppose I took it for granted we'd be able to stay on." "As did I!" "I didn't really give it any thought until my advisors pointed out that someone could start digging into it." "You can imagine what a field day a rag like The Keyhole would have." "The government will simply rent it to you for an affordable sum;" "we could easily argue the case." "That wouldn't be so bad, eh, Irena?" "As the Queen of Sweden once said to me:" "You get nothing for nothing." "I didn't come here to offer some kind of deal, not where your home is concerned." "Such an interpretation would insult the entire leadership." "That's not how we plan on doing politics, and anyone who thinks we do must expect some kind of response!" "Easy now, Patrick." "Irena didn't mean it that way." " Goodbye." " Take care, Victor." " I'm sure we'll see each other again." " Certainly, Mr. Deputy." "The new leadership doesn't want you as an adversary, and has no intention of bringing anything to a head." "What good would that serve?" "It could only lead to instability." "So the logical assumption is that you won't publicly stand against us." "You surely can't expect me to think about people differently than I do." "We don't care what you think about us." "So what's your point?" "It would be in the interest of political harmony if, at the appropriate time and place, you were to let it be known that you support the new leadership because you don't want to question the country's democratic system" "and the legal instruments that are now in place." "We also want to put the individual at the centre of our agenda!" "We also want our country to be a safe and secure place!" "I'll give it some thought." "Vilem, I've always regarded you highly." "So please plant both feet firmly on the ground and decide by tomorrow." "My best to Monika!" " Vilem?" " Yes, darling?" "What's in that private correspondence?" " I really couldn't say." " Something intimate?" "You know very well I've always burned things of a sensitive nature." "It's your pants that are on fire, you liar!" "Oswald!" "Oswald!" "Get up!" " Where's Vilem?" " The chancellor is taking a bath." " Now?" "In the afternoon?" " He'll be out soon." "I heard the water running out of the tub ten minutes ago, and he's probably now shaving, and gelling and combing his hair." " All he'll have to do is get dressed." " Aha, he's got an interview." " Monika, would you mind?" " The purple scarf?" " Lf it's not wrinkled." " I'll check." " Thanks." "Oswald, please dig out that hand- painted plate we got from Ceausescu, put the fruit on it, and bring some napkins, small plates and knives." "Expecting those reporters again?" "I wouldn't tell them anything more." "Vilem's told them everything." " Vilem isn't here?" " As you can see." "I wanted to ask him something." "Just some final details about office supplies." "Don't tell a soul, but he was very sad to give up the Gandhi." "Me too." " They're blackmailing you." " I know." "You shouldn't have said you'd think it over." "It's just a phrase." "If you endorse them, you'll be spitting in your own face." " I couldn't respect you anymore." " I know." "They're on their way." " Could I mention one small thing?" " Did you burn it?" "I think, Dr. Rieger, you should be firm as well as diplomatic." "Dismissing the new leadership too soon could be counterproductive because it migh seem that you simply can't accept it and are harbouring a grudge, or some bitterness or betrayal, or a feeling of irreplaceability or something like that." " Some advisor you have!" " Victor's not my advisor;" "he's my former secretary's former secretary." "Did you burn it?" "Sorry, it's just my opinion." "When they get here, I'll bring them in." "Did you burn it or not?" "If only I had the time for everything!" "Mom, would you see if any of our cherries are ripe?" "If you like." "You were strutting like a peacock in front of that Weissenmütelhofova." "Wasn't he, Monika?" "It was ghastly to watch." "I was utterly ashamed of you." "Must you demean yourself for every piece of skirt?" "Tell him, Monika." "Nonsense." "I treated the young lady like anyone else." "Lady?" " Do you love me?" " Yes." "More than you love this house?" "Yes." " More than the orchard?" " Yes." " More than politics?" " Yes." "More than you love yourself?" "Yes." "That's complete rubbish." "Tomorrow's Keyhole." "For you." "Thanks, Jack." "Don't you have today's?" " We only have yesterday's." " I have an idea, my friends." "This is my first major interview after these huge changes in my life, and I enjoy working with you." "Let's have some champagne to celebrate!" " No, thanks." "Not today." " I'll have some." "Here's to our health." "May everything turn out well for every one of us." "It may be that difficult times lie ahead." "But if we stick together, if we can all just like each other, even just a little, if we listen to each other and try to understand each other, they can't touch us." "We're with you, Vilem." "Please, be with us." "Could you tell us what the substance was?" "That's a good question." "The essence of my policy was an effort to significantly reduce the burden on taxpayers." "All taxes would be gradually reduced, some eliminated altogether, such as the tax on the interest on inherited interest." "Lowering taxes would stimulate economic growth, which would enable the government to gradually increase pensions and social security payments, so that everyone would benefit." "Is that clear enough?" "Shouldn't you mention your favourite slogan:" "Less government?" "Less government, lower taxes and higher pensions and benefits." "That's it in a nutshell." "How did your policies impact women?" "Going forward, we intended to bring in a special bonus for working women who also had a home and a family to look after." "You talked a lot about that." "You called it "dish money."" "We used to make fun of it." "Remember, Monika?" "Sorry to butt in, but I might point out that these were long-term policies." "Of course, it couldn't all have been accomplished right away." "But we wanted to put an end to the politics of procrastination." "As far as economic policy is concerned, I'd like to just ask... how you intended..." "what you intended... what you intended to do to attract foreign investment?" "We had several instruments for achieving that..." "Are you drinking?" "Does everyone have enough?" "Oswald, could you top people up?" "For instance, when a potential foreign investor wanted to build something - a warehouse, let's say - we intended to cut down trees, clear the undergrowth, level the ground, bring in water, sewage, gas, electricity," "internet access, and build roads and parking lots." "This would increase employment, which would in turn decrease unemployment." "Vilem?" "And secondly..." "What was the second thing, Victor?" " I can't remember..." " Vilem, please..." "Was it the polyfunctional campaign for qualifying corporations?" "I don't know." "Yes." "Maybe." "Perhaps..." "Sorry, Vilem, but we have a minor problem." "What is it?" "According to the administration department records you were recently issued 100 erasers, 50 coloured pens, a litre of ink, and ten packages of paper." " Shouldn't we return some of it?" " Don't bring that up, Hanus!" "Why leave ourselves open to attack over such trivial items?" "Don't be such a nervous Nellie!" "How would you respond, Dr. Rieger, to critics who accuse you of not waging a tougher war on bribery and... corruption, especially among our leading politicians?" "The exact opposite is true." "It was I who first drew attention to some of Klein's rather shady transactions." "Doesn't it seem odd for a politician to buy five luxury homes for himself and his extended family?" "Vilem talked openly about this, and what happened?" "Everyone attacked him for it, and Klein just laughed." " Isn't that so, Vilem?" " It is." " To be precise, we didn't press charges..." " Charges or not, everyone knows that in time, I'd have cracked down on corruption!" "It's been my priority for the last 15 years!" "If I might venture beyond the bounds of your question:" "I have always believed that decency and morality were extremely important in the marketplace." "I simply wanted this country to be a safe place." "For everyone!" "You've already said that, Vilem." "Some things bear repetition." "For instance, the idea that there are times when freedom must be defended by force." "After all, that's why we have an army, a police force, an intelligence service, a second police force, a militia, civil patrols, special forces, first-strike commandos, an army - and so on!" "I brought this champagne back from Paris 15 years ago." "We bought it on the Boulevard St. Germain with Jack Lang." "He loved this champagne, especially the 1915 October cru." " What are you laughing at?" " Yepihodov broke a billiard cue." "What's Yepihodov doing here?" "And who let him play billiards?" "There's going to be a bumper crop." "What'll we do with all the cherries?" "When I was young, the cherries would be dried, cooked, bottled and made into jam." "They were so soft and sweet and juicy, those dried cherries." "They smelled so good." "I remember too, Mr. Knobloch." "But I'd rather hear what's new." "What are people saying about me?" "Do they perceive the intellectual and spiritual abyss between me and the current leadership?" "These journalists are going to write about it." " People like Vice-Premier Klein." " What?" "He's vice-premier already?" " I just heard it on the radio." " And now to change the subject..." "Do you feel young or old?" "He's not old at all mentally or physically." "How does your long-time companion, Irena, get along with your mother and daughters?" "Irena gets along well with almost everyone." "Mom!" " How do you get along with Irena?" " Just fine." "Mrs. Riegerova, do you think your son and his long-time companion are fond of each other?" "Vilem's afraid of her." "He's not afraid of me in the slightest." "Mainly, he just tries to get his own way." "But I respect that and I always try to accommodate him because I have enormous regard for him." "And I love him." "And do you also love your long-time companion, Irena?" " Yes." "Could I say..." " He's terribly shy about some things," "Could I say... yet in other things he's not shy at all!" "And when isn't he shy?" "Could I talk about my education policies?" "Have you been faithful to Irena, your long-time companion?" "Of course I have!" " When did you last have sex?" " That's none of your business!" " But it would interest our readers." " Fuck them!" "May I?" "Can we take a few more shots inside?" "Please be quick about it." "Bea..." "Is it true they're trying to evict you?" "They'll rent me this place if I support them publicly." "They say they will continue my policies." "I don't believe it." "They may say they're guided by your political principles, but they're just after power." "You've been a real man all your life; that's your identity." "After all you've gone through, you can't just give up." "We're all going to try to find you a place to live." "That's so kind of you, Bea." "You smell so nice." "It's partly for you..." "You seem far younger than you do on television." "You have hardly any grey hair." "You have no idea how badly I sometimes need encouragement." "Kind words from a young, pretty, wise, well-educated creature make me feel twice the man." " Not here!" " Come!" "Vilem!" "Darling, where are you?" "Vilem?" " I'm sorry, I can explain..." " What's there to explain?" "You're a ridiculous, selfish, miserable, dirty old man." "Or more precisely, you're a parody of a dirty old man." " Goodbye!" " Goodbye..." "Why do you think I had the French champagne brought out?" "Because today is our 15th anniversary!" "I waited to see if you'd remember." "Naturally, you forgot." "And you betray me on this very day, and in the very gazebo where we had such wonderful, wild times together." "You're overreacting." "I couldn't very well push her away, could I?" "Have you ever thought how much I've given up for you?" "My flat." "My job as a makeup artist with Prcek Brothers." "My family." "My flat." "My cottage." "My friends." "My flat." " My best friend..." " Best friend?" " You never met him..." "My flat!" "You say the individual is at the heart of your politics, but you haven't a clue what love is." " You're just as cynical as the rest." " Rest of whom?" " All of you!" "Monika, we're leaving." "Irena, my dearest, forgive me!" "It was just foolishness!" " Have you looked at it yet?" " Looked at what?" "At the documents Albin and I gave you." "Not yet." "Well, it's here, Doctor:" "A courier just delivered the eviction notice." "From today on it says you're living here illegally." " They assigned you a bachelor flat." " Where?" "In some village or other." "It's too bad you were so inflexible." "You might have won some concessions from them." "But it's too late now." "We'll go live with Vlasta." "Sorry, Daddy, but Albin and I talked it over again and decided it wouldn't be a good solution, either for you or for us." "We'd be packed like sardines and soon be on each other's nerves." "We could give Zuzana a folding bed in the kitchen for a few days, but what about Grandma?" "Where would we put her?" "You'll have peace and quiet in the village." "I'd give anything to be able to live in the country!" "He burnt the onions." "What should I do with this?" "Just toss it out, Mom." "The frying pan too?" "Either clean it properly or toss it out." " Where's Irena?" " I don't know." "She left." " Where to?" " I don't know." " Did Monika go with her?" " Yes." " Should we wait for her for dinner?" " I don't know, Mom!" "Are you and Albin staying for dinner?" " We're going to Albin's parents'." " For dinner?" " Yes." "And where's Zuzana?" "She was just here." " I don't know, Mom." " Did she go dancing?" " Perhaps." " Where did she put her computer?" " Please, no more questions." "Sorry." "I'll probably have to throw this away." " It's not a complete disaster..." " What isn't?" " The interview." " "He had women on the brain."" ""'He never professes his love, but he's very sensual,' says his current mistress."" ""Is he faithful to her?" "No one knows."" ""He dyes his hair."" " Is that today's?" " The day after tomorrow's." "What kind of nonsense is this?" "Did they print the whole interview?" "Yes, except for the political bits." "Why the hell did you let them in here?" "Remember Tony Blair:" "If you don't answer their questions," " they'll answer for you." " You idiot!" "I can't imagine a more embarrassing way to end my political career." "It's in your best interest to look at those documents." "Right, Albin?" "Where will we go?" "To Vlasta's?" "Grandma, whatever gave you that idea?" "You wouldn't all fit!" "And Albin and I don't have time to listen to all your questions." "And where would you sleep?" "Who'd cook for all of us?" "Zuzana will soon bring a boyfriend in, and then what?" "Father needs a writing desk, he entertains reporters all the time..." "It's simply out of the question." "Irena tried to jump off a cliff." "What cliff?" "Did she actually jump?" " I held her back." " Thanks, Monika, you're wonderful." " Please, keep a close eye on her." " I will." "It's true we have a large flat, but it's laid out so badly that Albin and I are always tripping over each other." "And you can hear every sound." "Luckily, Albin never says very much." "It makes you nervous even to use the bathroom, doesn't it, Albin?" "I just felt a drop of rain." "Read it!" "Let's go!" "Excuse me but a promising offer has just come." "Would you be interested in some kind of personal speaking tour?" "You could tell entertaining anecdotes from the life of a chancellor with some spicy details here and there about other statesmen, interspersed with hit songs." "You could take Miss Irena along as your makeup person." " And you'd all fit in a minivan." " Who's making me the offer?" "The Show and Tell Tourist Agency run by Veprek, Einhorn, Prcek Bros., Gambacci Sr. And Associates." "Don't respond, at least not yet." " What's going to happen?" " The village is going to happen." "Go there tomorrow and take a look." "Sorry, Dr. Rieger, but you should see" "Vice-Premier Klein immediately - if he'll see you, that is." "Or at least write him." "Otherwise, he's threatening further trouble." " Both feet must be on the ground." " They are!" "Will you go there or not?" "Sorry, but I already have a meeting with a certain government agency." "It would look bad to cancel it." "I'll refuse that offer." "For the time being at least." "Dinner is served." "And what will become of you, Oswald?" "Me?" "I'll be going to the Ragulins to look after their household." "I'll be something like a major domo." "You can all go to the Ragulins." "And then straight to the devil!" "Are you all right?" "Come, before you fall asleep." "I know that this bust means a great deal to you." "Mao-Tse-Tung admired it greatly when he came to visit." "You keep it and I'll take the blame." "Let them lock me up." "You have a moral right to it." "I tax not you, you elements!" "Beat against me, if that is your wish." "I am a man more sinned against than sinning." "You have nothing to cover your head, sire." "Crack nature's moulds, all germains spill at once, that make ungrateful man!" "Where is my lord?" "Dinner is getting cold..." "Put a dog in office, and see how he's obeyed." "There is reason in this madness." "We came crying hither." "The first time that we smell the air, we wail and cry." "A little more cinnamon." "You too, Albin?" " Say hi to Monika." " Yepihodov broke a billiard cue." "Less government!" "I didn't come to eat your food or waste your time." "You have nothing on your head, my lord." " I've always been partial to Monikas." " It was right below the Acropolis." " I don't want a blanket!" " I'm not tired, Mom." " Who cares what you think of us?" " I'm not tired, Mom." " I don't want a blanket." " It was right below the Acropolis." "I've always been partial to Monikas." "You have nothing on your head, my lord." "I didn't come to eat your food or take up your time." "I fancy you, Albin." "I feel worse now than I did when I was feeling my worst." "Come with us, Dr. Rieger." " Where?" " To the police station." " Why?" " We need an explanation." " I won't explain anything to you." " I'm afraid you will, sir." "Am I under arrest?" "With no recourse?" "For a twist of fate?" "I demand to be treated decently." "Ransom will be paid!" "I kiss your bumblebee, my sweet piglet!" "He didn't burn it." "I need a doctor!" "Those damned letters!" "My brain begins to turn!" "That disgusting, young Gambacci woman!" "Oh, God!" "How are you?" " My trousers are falling down." " You've probably lost weight." "Probably." " They've sold it." " Sold what?" " The villa and the orchard." " Seriously?" "The government was allowed to sell it?" "And who bought it?" " Vice-Premier Klein." " At least it's someone we know." "He was tanning in the orchard and went stiff with cold." "Put him by the stove." "Irena!" "I was so worried about you." "I'm such a goose." "Why do I always forgive you for everything?" "Why is nothing working today?" "Why am I ruining my life with you?" "I could have been so well off with..." "Or with... what's his name?" " Irena..." " Or with..." "The main thing is you weren't seriously hurt." ""Former chancellor's mistress makes a pass at our reporter."" "And there's a picture of him with his arm around her waist." "You shouldn't have let him get so close." " It's your fault!" " Get stuffed, Granny." "Did you sign anything?" "I don't know." "Probably." "Certainly I think I probably did." " What was it?" " An account of our conversation." "It would have been hard to refuse." " Is it in your own handwriting?" " Just the signature." " In your own handwriting?" " It was only an explanation." "I merely confirmed that I'd listened to them." "I have to think of all of you." "We don't know what weapons these bumblebees still have." "What bumblebees?" " Can't you give it a rest, Hanus?" " Gladly, Vilem." "Where's Yepihodov?" "He's gone to play billiards at the Ragulins'." "Daddy?" " Gerard invited us all to his place." " Who's Gerard?" " He's French." " French?" "He represents Smith, Brown, Stapleton, and Peter Hájek, Inc." "He has a lovely house." " How do you know him?" " He's my partner." " I'll give the coachman his address." " I didn't know you had a partner." "There's a lot you don't know, Daddy." "Bye." " The vice-premier has big plans here." " What's that got to do with you?" "He's made me his advisor." "But that may not be his last word." "The position of deputy has opened up." "The new leadership has a good plan:" "Substantially lower the tax burden and increase government services." "In many ways, it's picking up where you left off:" "It wants to put the individual at the centre of its policies." "Is Klein going to live here?" "He's quite happy where he is and doesn't want to move." "He'll do business here." "I've tried to speed up work in the orchard, sir." "Thank you, Victor." "It's a pleasure working with you." "Greetings to you all." "Hi, Vilem." "Hi, Irena." "Greetings, Patrick." "Congratulations." "Sorry, but the reconstruction can't wait." "You'll only be a 100 versts away." "Have you been to look at it?" "Is the countryside pretty?" "Will you all fit?" "I see the carriage is already waiting." "I'd prefer that we went to Gerard's." "He's a family acquaintances." "He's got a lovely house." "He's from Smith, Brown, Stapleton and Peter Hájek, Inc." "I'm not certain, but I think he's about to land in a spot of trouble." " Gambacci told me this morning." " The zoophile?" "They never proved it." "Now he's chief of police." "Can I tell you about my plans?" "Patrick, are you even aware they interrogated me all night?" " Gambacci's people?" " Probably." "Certainly." " Yes, they probably were." " Can I tell you about my plans?" "Doesn't it seem a little odd that they came for me yesterday evening?" " And today The Keyhole smeared us?" " I'll ask General Gambacci about it." " Don't tell me he's a general!" " We had to give him a high rank, otherwise he'd lack authority after that business with the heifers." "Can I tell you about my plans?" "You've worked it out so exquisitely, everyone will be interested, sir." "Instead of this unprofitable orchard, we'll build a commercial complex." "It will have 3 cinemas, 5 stores, massage parlour, hairdresser," "The Keyhole's editorial offices, a butcher's shop, petrol station, dance hall, tattoo clinic, cinema, an antique store, butcher's shop, The Keyhole's editorial offices, and three restaurants, including Indonesian." "Over there, in the coach house, there'll be a casino." "Casinos are part and parcel of the times we live in." "Right, Victor?" "Absolutely part and parcel, Mr Vice-Premier." "I found the perfect billiard room manager." "His name is Yepihodov." "And finally, the villa will be a modern erotic club." "I want the complex to always be alive." "During the day, the public will be preoccupied with shopping in the mall." "Then in the evening, this pretty villa - slightly modified - will grasp the baton of life." "I rely on my principle of "less government."" "So I'll licence the erotic club to a friend with no political axe to grind." "He's an entrepreneur with the best credentials and loads of experience in many countries." "Hundreds of young Ukrainian women owe their all to him." "Do you mean Gambacci's uncle?" "Who cares whose uncle he is?" "And what will you do now?" "Anything in the pipeline?" "You know how hard it is." "I've given my whole life to politics." "I might have an idea." "Would you like to be an advisor to my advisor Victor?" " An advisor?" " Yeah." " To your advisor?" " Yeah." "Advisor to the former secretary of my former secretary?" "After all, you understand politics." "What a pity if it all went to waste." "If you'd cooperated, you might have better standing." "On the other hand, it's better than shovelling shit and living in shame because The Keyhole printed intimate filth you wrote 15 years ago." "The Joint Historical Commission - chaired by Miss Gambacci - is as leaky as a sieve." " Will you take the job?" " No." "As you make your bed, so you lie on it." "Monika, what're you doing tomorrow evening?" "We could go out to dinner." "I know a great Indonesian restaurant where the Prince of Bahrain dined." "I'd pay for everything:" "The food, the drink, the food..." "Sorry, Mr. Vice-Premier, but I'll be in Paris tomorrow." "Jack Lang is expecting me at Les Deux Magots, isn't he, Irena?" "I had to twist her arm, but Jack Lang won't take no for an answer." " He's always been partial to Monikas." " Are you going with her?" "Do you think I'd leave Vilem at a time like this?" "He doesn't even know where the clothes pegs are." "Well, Monika, have a good time in Paris." "I'm sure your passport is in order." "Well?" "I'll have to think it over." " What's there to think over?" " What's there to think over?" "What's there to think over?" "That's easy to say, Hanus." "You don't have a family." "We can't expect Albin to support us all." " They're here!" " Could you look after the carriage?" " Is it wise to sign that statement?" " Leave me alone, you wimp!" "It was rotten what you did with that interview." "Not our fault." "It was edited by our new manager, Mr. Gambacci Jr., and our new PR consultant, Madame Gambacci Sr." "Good afternoon, Mr. Vice-Premier." "Our readers would like to know if the new leadership will be taking up where the former chancellor left off." "We intend to carry on with everything worthwhile, but get rid of everything bad about the preceding period." " Is that clear?" " Nicely put!" "And what is the main thrust of your policies?" "The state exists for the citizen;" "not the citizen for the state." "We want this country to be a secure place for free, well-educated individuals." "And not only for them, but for their families as well." "Bravo!" "Now you really got the better of your enemies, Mr. Vice-Premier!" "Didn't I, Victor?" "I'm in fine form today." "I really made their heads spin." "Damned stone!" "Did you bring the laundry in from the orchard?" " It's in the suitcase." " You didn't put it damp, did you?" "No..." "I don't think so." "Certainly not, I think." " May I ask you a question too?" " Go ahead." "Is it true that your long-time companion, the former makeup artist Irena, left you and that you have a new mistress, a graduate student?" "I'm sorry, but I'm not going to respond to that." " Could you comment on why you won't respond?" " No." "Could you tell us why you won't comment on" " why you won't respond?" " No." " Could you comment on why..." " She's already back!" "Someone has to make sure he doesn't sign anything else." "What bumblebees?" "They used to send dried cherries by the cartload to Kharkov." "And something else, Dr. Rieger..." "Is it true that you're thinking of accepting a position as advisor..." ""Former chancellor refuses to leave government residence!"" "...of accepting a position as advisor..." ""Vice-Premier Klein intends to convert the former government villa into a place for general public use." "But its former occupant, the former chancellor, Vilem Rieger, is complicating matters by refusing to move out."" "...of accepting a position as advisor to the advisor to the advisor to the advisor of the new chancellor?" "I'm vice-premier, not chancellor." "At least not yet." "Now look here, sir." "Firstly, one must ask oneself what are one's priorities." "I now have only two options." "The first is to feed off the past, constantly reminisce about it, and to concentrate entirely on my past merits, remembrances and the little monument I left behind." "But I do have another option." "Excuse me, Vilem, but if you ever need me for anything," " you know where to find me." " Thank you for everything, Hanus." "But I have the impression that it would be better, not just for me, but ultimately for you as well, if we weren't always seen in each other's company, like a couple of Indonesian twins." "Well..." "See you." "But there is another option:" "To show that serving my country is more important than personal position." "After all, what a man does for his fellow man in real terms, and what kind of real influence he has, is more important than his position or the title he holds." " Vilem?" " What is it, darling?" "You're lying to yourself, and it's more than I can bear." "I'd happily help you spread manure in the village, and eat bumble..." "I mean humble pie if I thought you had a backbone and I had a reason to respect you." "I'm leaving." "I'm leaving for good." "You can look for the clothes pegs yourself, wrap your own blankets round yourself, make your own hot toddies..." "Or get Weissenmütelhofova to do it." "Monika, we're leaving." "She'll come back." "She always has." "And something else, sir." "The very fact that civilization is now global has boundless consequences in the sphere of politics." "The influence of experts and specialists is growing because it is increasingly difficult for a top politician to have an opinion about everything." "Hence, the influence and importance of advisors is growing every day, along with politicians' dependence on them." "After all, who will calculate how to lower taxes?" "Who will decide who must be fired to make room for less government?" "Who will decide how many fighter planes to buy from General Gambacci's aunt in order to make the country safe?" "The advisors, that's who." "And how do the advisors know what's what?" "Why, from their advisors!" "I dare say, sir, that as the advisor to an advisor," "I may well have even greater influence to realize my ideals." "My previous post burdened me with so many ceremonial duties that I was hard pressed to insure that the individual was really at the centre of my policies." "What is important is that at this moment" "I wish to serve my country where my country most needs my help, and where I can best be of service to it." "Politics is service." "We want well-rounded families." "Long live growth!" "It's all about the future." "Blow wind, and crack your cheeks!" "The world is a great stage of fools!" "My trousers are falling down!" "Check!" "That was one of the f-finest, m-most b-balanced speeches" "I ever heard you give, V-Vilem." "You overstated n-nothing, and understated n-nothing either." " Aren't I r-right, V-Vlasta?" " Albin, you talk too much." "Albin is right." "Vilem spoke like a man." "Exactly, Mr. Vice-Premier." "The advisor to the advisor spoke like a man." "Though he exaggerated the role of advisor's advisor." "Indeed." "Advisors to advisors don't play such an important role, at least not here." "I would say that at this moment, and in this country, the greatest influence on politics lies with the vice-premier." "Though soon the chancellor will be the most influential of all." "The carriage is waiting!" "Goodbye, house." "Goodbye, orchard." "Goodbye, arbour." "Goodbye, adjacent building." "It's all gone." "Everything." "Looking for someone?" "You." "How can I help you?" "Would you sign my copy of this book of your speeches?" "You mean the one that just came out today?" "Yes. "Democracy, Freedom, the Market, and Me"." "You know what Molotov once told me over a cocktail?" "Patrick, he said, never refuse to sign one of your books." "It's wonderful you're keeping the individual at the centre of your policies." " Thank you." " You're welcome." "Checkmate!" "I'd like to thank the audience for turning off their mobile phones." "Truth and love must triumph over lies and hatred." "Turn your phones back on."