"And if you cook, what is your favourite meal?" "If I have the choice, Flemish stew as the Dutch call it." "And spinach, I love spinach." "But not with the stew?" " Why not?" "Unfortunately, our time's up." "Your book will be in the shops tomorrow." "One final question though:" "It is safe to say your writing is known to be quite socially aware." "You were nominated for the Nobel prize." "Then you write a book with explicit pornographic items and now a cookery book." "Must we conclude that the warrior is tired?" "Does your commitment belong to the past?" "Why?" "Even a socially aware man has to eat." "Thank you, Mr Boon." "That ends Channel 3's cultural programme." "See you next time." "Not a lot of pigeons today." " They feel the storm coming." "Want one too?" " No, thanks, I don't smoke." "Good for you." "Listen..." "When can I see one of your drawings?" "One of mine?" " Yeah." "They say you're quite an artist." "Hermine told me so." " Did she really?" "Come over to my place sometime and I'll show you some of mine." "Mr Boon, I have to go now or Gaston will be all upset." "I do the cooking and cleaning." "He does the rest." " And what does that mean?" "He is still studying." "I'm not... not anymore." "What?" "You quit?" "I didn't know." "Why?" "What will you do?" "I don't know." "We'll see." "I have to go now, Mr Boon." "Maybe be a pilot." "I really have to go now." "I'm sorry, Mr Boon." "FORGOTTEN STREET" "What the hell is this?" "Whoever did this should be locked up." "I'm sorry to be the one to say it, but it was you, a couple of months ago." "I must've been canned." "No wonder this doesn't work." "Did you turn off the main switch?" "You didn't." "Here goes then." "Well, it's only temporary." "Soon it will all be over." " Think so?" "Surely you don't think they'll feel sorry for us?" "No, that machine will be here soon enough." "I'd really hate to go." "Some life you have." "You watch the street, write the odd page, walk around a bit, take a holiday." "That was years ago, a writers' congress in Germany." " Nice house." "Half-timbering." " Half-timbering?" "With beams, and all that." "Half-timbering." "Did you draw this?" "Doesn't look like it." "You drew Fred's house too small." "Look at that." "Hey you!" "Do you know what time it is?" "Make sure my tea is ready when I come down." "You have to show them who's boss." "Or they'll get on top before you know it." "Where will it all end?" "Here we go!" "Uncle gets going again." "You're out of trouble." "Look who's here." " Can I ask you a question?" "Of course, girl." " Could I come over for a paper for school?" "It's about writers and I thought..." "Any time, my dear." "Goodbye, Mr Boon." "Nice girl, isn't she?" "And that twit doesn't even notice her." "Don't you have anything else to do?" "Get inside." "Morning, Mr Boon." "Finished for today?" "Not really, no." " We're discussing the evictions." "We'll have that sorted out in a week." "Really?" " The council will give in." "Thanks to my 30 years as a civil servant." "Here we go again." "They'll do whatever they want." "Nothing can stop them." " We will." "The law says we can stay." "The law." "Always the same story." "You and your stupid bass guitar." "You're getting on my nerves." "And you're not making any progress." " How would you know, moron?" "By the way, when are you finally going to send over that bloke?" "Our heating is still out of order." " Who needs it in the summer?" "Besides, you'd better shut up." "If it weren't for your wife, I'd kick you out." "You can throw him out of the house, and I'll take care of her." "With your big mouth." " That too, yes." "If you used your head, you'd thank me for trying to stop the evictions." "Where would you go?" "As if they're waiting in line to come and live in your slums." "Did you hear that?" "I put a roof over his head." "Why don't you move then, matie?" "So I can have the place filled with Turks." "That's what I wanted to hear." "I've always known you were a racist as well as a leech." "Why don't you try to get along?" "Cut the music and start studying." "Roza!" "And stay inside." "Hello, Koelie." " Hi." "Heard from your landlord?" " Why?" "You'll have to move too." " You were going to stop them." "I'd check it out if I were you." "You do have rights." " We can't stop them." "They're just laughing at us." " Tell me about it." "I've seen it all." "Here's a better idea:" "They should wall us in and forget about us." "Then we'll have some peace." "Mad as a hatter." "Forget about us." "What good will that do?" "So he can have his own way of course." "Look who's here!" "Mr Shithead." " Please sign here." "Just imagine Koelie in charge." "Him or anybody else." "What difference would it make?" "Can't you ever be constructive?" " Come on, people, just sign there." "What?" "Another pamphlet?" " A petition against the demolition." "A small street with a dead end against the wall of a warehouse." "Allk quiet." "These days one can hear rumbling and distant sawing and drilling for the new bypass, and sometimes even a muffled boom." "I told you time and again, Fred." "But you wouldn't listen and look where it led us." "Yelling won't help, Saedeleer." " Don't." "It's bad enough as it is." "You call this bad?" "It is a bloody disaster." "A catastrophe." "Come on, let's get organized." "Let's stick together." "Mind you, this is true half-timbering." "I saw it in Germany once." "On holiday." "We're all walled in." "I've got to get my dole." " I have to go to work." "And Jeannette to the NHS." "Are you ill?" " Since the day I was born." "This is not funny, morons." "Just look at you lot." "He's right." "Look at you." "You should see yourselves." "Like rats driven into a corner." "Don't look at me." "I didn't put that wall there." "Get inside, there's nothing for you here." "Hide her well." " And take that off your face." "People, I'd like to propose the following..." "This is all your doing, Fred." "You can clean this mess up, I don't care how." "And what will you do?" "Count your money?" "Watch him, Marie!" " Let's go inside." "OK, let's call a meeting." "Letk calla meeting." "We need to make a firm stand." "The wall has to go, simple as that." "Let's vote." "Who is in favour?" "Got any beer?" "I can make some tea: nettle, lime blossom, or verbena..." "Hey, what's this?" "Come on!" "I thought you were on my side." " You didn't say in favour of what." "I don't go along with anything." "I need more information." "If I may again." " No." "I want to hear everybody." "What do you think, Louiske?" "Well, the wall has to go of course, but is there no alternative to violence?" "What?" "Meditation, perhaps?" "What is your view, Andre?" "Me?" "Yes." " Yes what?" "It has to go." "I agree." "Vieze?" " I'm not into politics." "What do you suggest, Fred?" "I suggesi we use our common sense." "This shouting is all very well." "The two major questions are:" "Why did they put that wall over there?" "And does it have to be torn down?" "Yes or no?" "And do we have to do that?" "Secondly, what will happen when it is torn down?" "That's more than 2 questions, I counted 3 if not 4, Fred." "I'm staying here until I get what I want." "I'm leaving, I'm going away." " Go ahead, you won't get very far." "Don't boss me around, you're not my mother." "You're not even my father." "You are the child here." "You'll make a fool of yourself." "I don't care." "I'm climbing over that wall." "I have a business to run." " We both have." "Don't start that again." "It's hardly the time." "Move over." "It's my money we put into this." "I know." "My dad and I should be grateful we can stay." "I want you to concentrate." "What if that wall is still here tomorrow, and the day after, and after?" "We're bankrupt, what else?" " Not at all." "On the contrary." "Where will they buy food, if they can't get out anymore?" "Suppose there's a power cut?" "Who bought a stock of cheap batteries?" "Shit!" "I am easy-going, you know, but if I have nothing to drink, I go berserk." "Don't worry." "We have plenty of supplies." "Is that all you can think about?" "I don't believe this." "Meanwhile those capitalist builders are playing around with us." "It's what they want." "It's crystal clear." "Fred's right." "The town council blundered and it will cost them." " You bet." "Every day I don't work will cost them..." "A professional moonlighter?" "Are you going to claim damages?" " Why not?" "All this nonsense about taxes." "It's about time people who want to work goi some respect again." "Taking advantage of other people's money is easy." " He doesn't do that." "Well, you could've fooled me." "Here." "I can't drink this crap." "Louiske." "Well, I mean, if I understand you well, does that mean you will give an ultimatum on our behalf?" "Broadly speaking, yes." "If we all agree of course." "I'm against." "It's too weak." "I am for and that's that." " So am I." "So am I." " So am I." "Raise your hand, or you'll feel mine." "Only joking, gUY5~" "I think I'm with you too, Fred." "I don't like fighting, if it's not necessary, I mean." " OK, then... just to badger you lot, I'm in favour too." "I am against." "Gaston's right, we..." " Hermine, that'll do." "I'll set things in motion and keep you posted." "That's democracy, my boy." "You're not against that, are you?" "Democracy:" "a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people who can freely express their opinions and wishes." "One has to distinguish what individual politicians say in order to please the rank and file of the party, from reality..." "You can't deny that the evictions have caused some commotion..." "OK, let's talk about that so-called..." "Damned electricity." "I had a date with Gaston." " He's not here." "When did he leave?" " 15 minutes ago." "You can come in, you know." " No, thanks." "Boon, a bit brisk, isn't it?" "Another power cut." " You really aren't lucky." "When you've got a spare minute..." " I've got plenty of minutes to spare." "The whole street has to make a statemeni, with banners and all, to show them we're occupying the place." "Occupying?" "They blocked us in." "We have to strike back with the most obvious weapon:" "not letting anyone in." "Nobody can get in anyway." "That's not the point." "It's a matter of principle." "Quite something, isn't it, Mr Saedeleer?" "Now we can't get out." "Shouldn't you get in?" "It's getting cold." "Yes, bye." "Another deserter." "Do they do it on purpose?" "Dad, listen to me please." " Can't you see your dad is busy?" "It's alright." "What?" "Tell me." "Gaston's right, we've got to change tactics." "You'll believe anything." "Your Gaston can say what he wants, in the end, he might just disappear." " No, Gaston is not like that." "No?" "And when he's an engineer, a lawyer or a doctor?" "He's studying psychology." " Even worse." "One of these days, I'll bloody well chuck that loafer out." "And then what?" "He's stuck here." "Why do you look so sad?" "I don't look sad." "I look like I always do." "Don't you miss hospital, Mrs Crap?" "Don't call me that." "If you want me to, I'll put on nappies, so you can praciise on me." "So you won't lose the knack." "I'm glad I can't go to work." "Makes a change." "We're not so bad here, are we?" "What's wrong with you?" "I feel locked up here." "Stay down." "Wis, please let me sleep." "I can't breathe anymore." "Saedeleer, let go and it'll be soon over." "And there is Li..." " Libra." "And Aquarius, Pisces, Leo, and all the stars that've always been there and always will be." "A sandwich?" "You know you're eating pure hormones?" "Sure I know, but it's so delicious." "Please read the pamphlet." "I'd like to know if it's well-written." " Do you need me for that?" "You're a writer, aren't you?" " Yes, but I'm telling you," "I will only judge the contents." "That's my trademark." "Barricades here, resistance there." "It's like a war." "We need to act now:" "close down everything and occupy the place until the city gives in." "You want what Koelie wants:" "brick up the street." "That Koelie is a driveller, a born loser." "Why do you say that?" " It's a fact, everybody knows." "How's that?" " I talked to him some time ago about animal rights and he just laughed at me." ""Animals don't have to go to work every day."" "Sorry, but I must fly." "I have a meeting." "Is it well-written or not?" "Got any suggestions?" "Not really." "It's what a pamphlet is supposed to be, straightforward, no beating about the bush." "Will you come?" "We're handing them out tomorrow." "We?" " The Forgotten Street Committee." "Forgotten Street?" "I like that." "That was my idea." "We'd really like to have you with us, in our Committee." "Me and committees..." "You being a tv personality, it'll help our cause." "I'll think about it, OK?" " I'll bring you some flyers later on." "That won't be necessary." "I've got a fairly good idea." "The battle and women." "And kids you have to take care of and a mortgage to pay, and forget about the Revolution." "I forgot to ask." "I've never read anything by you." "Can you suggest a book for me to start with?" "Do you have time to read then?" "Women trouble?" " Me?" "Nah, absolutely not." "What is it then?" "It's no concern of mine, but..." "Her father doesn't want her to talk to me, and I don't want to get her into trouble." " How noble of you." "Besides, she's so young." " I don't see the connection." "Anyway, the coast is clear." "I won't bother you any more then." "Thanks and sorry for disturbing you." "Didn't you want a book?" " Yes, I'm sorry." "Thank you." "You didn't write it!" " No, but it'll interest you." "And it's not thick, you'll finish it soon enough." "What's it all about?" "Don't worry, it's politics, not fiction." "Well, maybe a bit of both." "Take your time." "Then tell me what you think of it." "If you put that in night shops, we'll soon be rid of it." "Even the Indians can't sell that junk." "Couldn't even give it away." "We might as well throw it out." "Mister Boon." "Spring cleaning, are we?" " Something like that." "We're prepared." "You never know if we'll have to leave suddenly." "All those decisions are being made and we have to figure out how to cope." "Do you know what really makes me sick?" "This here." "Those guys will always find you." "These evictions are terrible, but this is a disaster." "400.000 in taxes if you please." "It'll be better when he inherits from his dad, right Saedeleer?" "And it never stops, Mr Boon." "Can I help you?" "Do you by any chance have any pencils?" "I have everything." "Wait." "Flemish stew." "At least, that's what I think it is." "Take it, if you want it." "Here we are, Mr Boon." "First class pencils." "How many would you like?" "20?" "30?" "Half price for you." "Because it's a good cause." "If his stew is as bad as his pencils, I'm in for a treat." "Roza, come back here!" "What about the contradictions?" " There aren't any." "You of all people should shut up." "Those works are completely unnecessary." " I remember your president..." "You really should shut up, you Jesuit!" "Put that back on, I want to follow that." " It's always the same old story." "Besides, you know it all." "You know everything." "Tell me some more about my mother." "What do you want to hear?" " How beautiful she was." "Very pretty." "You know that." "Pretty like me?" " No." "You are even prettier." "You just say that to stop me from nagging." "Was she a good kisser?" " Yes, very good." "Bloody fascists!" " Better than your first wife?" "Always the same, the pigs." "Give it to me." "Oh no, not again." " Put the light back on." "Get away from the windows." "It's a trick." "They cut the power on purpose." "The cops will be here any minute now." " Not so hard, Gaston." "Hey, student-boy, don't take advantage of the situation." "But I'm right here." " Vieze, keep your hands to yourself." "So sorry, I thought you were Jeannette." "If this gets us into trouble, I'll sue you, Fred." "Saedeleer, your dad's drooling." "You won't laugh if he has a heart attack." "Leave him alone." "Such a waste." "A young woman on her own." "I would know if I were 10 years youngen" "And that little shop does good business, you know." "But I have our Jeannette of course." "And I can't stand kids, all the fuss." "Something wrong?" " Not that I know of." "Unbelievable, isn't it?" "Did you know he wanted to rent your place?" "Fred didn't want to." " Why not?" "They worked together in the civil service." "Koelie was a messenger:" "delivering paperwork, making coffee." "What was Fred's job?" " Wasting our money, I guess." "Something to do with the union." "He stood up for Koelie when he got sacked." "Alcohol problem." "Jeez, what a heavy drinker he was." "Did you know his wife drank herself to death?" "Didn't you know?" "Roza's mother?" "After another night out on the town." "If you can't take the liquor, don't touch it." "That's what I say." "Do you sell candles?" " No, don't put on the lights." "This is it." "They're here." " Wait, let me do the talking." "Koelie." "Would-be Gestapo." "How's morale?" "Low, Iguess." "You're scared, aren't you?" "Admit it." "Scared of what's about to come." "not scared about what happened." "Have you been using lately?" " No, Vieze, I've been thinking." "I've been thinking." "What the hell are we doing?" "They're closing." "And what do we do?" " You?" "Nothing at all, as usual." "What we've been doing all these years:" "fooling ourselves." "You know what?" "It's high time we stopped doing that." "Saedeleer, tell me..." "Do you really enjoy counting your money every day?" "Always facing a possible bankruptcy?" "The IRS can drop by any minute..." "And you, Uncle?" "You and your missus who has to do a lousy job, because you only want to do your music." "And hey, I can't blame you." "Tell me..." "Do you two now lead the life you've always dreamed of?" "And you Louiske?" "And you Fred?" "Sure, Fred." "I know." "You and I are like fire and ice." "But why?" "Can you remember why?" "I can't." "Neither can I. But I'll go and try to get the light back on as some of us here really need it." "Excuse me, may I get through?" "And you, don't listen to him." "No wonder it broke down." "What about you, Jeannette?" "Wouldn't you like it all to change?" "So that we all learn to love each other?" "Forgive me for interrupting, but this is getting a bit embarrassing." "I'm not buying this, Koelie." " Gaston, old boy." "Before you stands a man, who just like you is fed up." "Who doesn't want new parties, nor new chairmen, nor new heroes." "Who wants a new kind of human being." "And do you know where that human being begins?" "Here... and there..." "Home-made?" " Yes." "Can I have some?" "And?" " Very nice." "What are you reading?" " Something great." "I've nearly finished." "Want to read it?" "It's about this man..." "Good point." "Pissing together, that's where it all starts." "Like in the army." "Who'll sleep with you?" "I made my choice." "Do we have to do that too, Koelie?" " I don't mind, but not on my own." "Wait a minute, Koelie." "What are we going to do?" "What is the next step?" "What do you want?" "You don't take orders from anyone." " Not from Koelie either." "Koelie has no intention of doing anything." "I know his kind." "From now on I'll only repair things when I feel like it." "That won't be often." "I suggest we lay out a garden." " A garden?" "Yes, a garden." "To grow our own vegetables." "Do you know how?" " No, so what?" "But I do." "My dad used to have a garden." "Whatever you like, but no sprouts." " OK, a garden." "What else?" "Better Iv-programmes." " Come on, that's impossible." "Here we are." "The community can have these." " Strings of lights?" "You never know, when there's a party." " That's an excellent idea." "Strings of lights." "What else?" " We could cook for everybody." "For a small fee of course." "Do you want money for it?" "He asks you something." "We decided that we'd try to live together." "From now on your ideas are worth as much." "Well then, grab the opportunity." "I'm quite curious." "What should happen first?" "How, in your opninion, should we do it?" "Should we meet regularly?" "Do we choose a spokesman?" "I say we cut a hole in the wall." "If the rest agree with it, we'll do that." "And put a shack in front." "And we'll put you inside to ask for money from those who come and watch." "Cause we'll be quite successful." "Aren't you taking that down?" " You must be joking." "Is that forbidden?" " I'd like to hear Jeannene's opinion." "She has no opinion." "She's easy, aren't you, sweetie?" "By the way, you're going to fix it with the NHS, aren't you?" "Yes, we have to think about the way to do it, with money." "Now you mention it, how much is everybody willing to put in the kitty?" "In what?" "If we're eating together, it'll have to be paid for." "Me, giving Saedeleer money?" " Hold your horses." "Nothing's decided yet." "We still have to start." "You've started alright." "You're bloody well dreaming with your eyes open." "I say no more swearing." "And no more lying." "And the chance to attend mass on Sunday." "And stop Louiske's kids from walking around bare-ass." "That's what I want." "Bloody hell, Jeannette, you really are one of a kind." "Take note that as from tomorrow I'm going to walk around bare-ass." "You don't mind, do you?" "You don't get it, do you?" "Don't worry, neither do I." "Come on, dad." "Time for your tea." "Jeannette, tea's ready." "If everybody can do what he wants, we're returning to the law of the jungle." "Now, you're talking about control." "What does it really mean?" "Control lies here." "Knowledge is control, and information is control, in its broadest meaning." "Even a stupid Iv weather forecast can be a form of oppression." "Sorry, but I can't quite follow." "Perhaps a bit far-fetched, but you know what I mean." "No." "What's that got to do with our situation, with our street?" "Everything, of course." "Your daughter can laugh, but can she speak?" "Don't worry." "What's this?" " Flemish stew." "Why, not good enough for you?" " I don't eat meat." "You know that." "Me neither." " Then just eat the sauce." "It's not that bad." " Not bad?" "No, this is not fresh." "You can take care of dinner then." "Can you pass me the chips?" " I'll give you a hand." "Saedeleer can do it himself." " Mrs Crap is used to it." "At work she does it all the time." " Watch your mouth, you." "Don't speak to my wife like that." " What?" "That's what you call her." "I don't know what her real name is." "Listen, do you know the one about that nurse and that bloke who couldn't have children?" "What do you see in that Hermine?" " Hermine?" "She's such a cow." "Why do you say that?" " Because that's how it is." "Kiss me." "Moron, you wanted 10, didn't you?" "Watch your position." "Or you'll get a bad back." "Shall I give you a massage?" "You're a pretty boy, you know." "I would really like to do it with you..." "What now?" "It's straight, dad." "Nobody touched it." "One of these days I'll throw it away." "Now, it's not straight." "Come on, into bed." "That'll do." "Call me when you have to go to the loo." "You're so quiet." "Do you mind?" "Vieze, I admire you." "You always say out loud what you think." "I wish I could." "But I hope you don't mind my saying so, some things are better not said, like that about Uncle and his wife." "Bloody hell, I only wanted to tell a joke." "What's wrong with that?" " Nothing." "No, you don't understand." "We should do our best to get along better." "So, I should shut up." " No, on the contrary." "What?" "Are you afraid of me?" "No, not at all." "Why do you think so?" "Don't worry." "I'm used to it." "People think I'm weird, I'm grubby." "Do you know why?" "Because I don't want to be like anybody else." "Thatk why." "And you and that student boy and Koelie and Fred?" "You're all alike:" "let Vieze do the dirty jobs, but stay far away from him." "Don't bother." "I know what you're going to say." "Wait, Vieze." "I don't want you to leave like that." "Let's talk about it." "Never mind." "Thanks for putting me in my place." "I needed it." "Do you know what we've accomplished so far?" "Discomfort, confusion, chaos." " That's precisely the problem." "No, that's great." "Let there be chaos." "The more, the better." "Let's search, let's discuss, let's make mistakes." "Let a thousand flowers bloom, as that Chinese bloke said." "You'll see it sooner or later, out of complete chaos a new order will rise, it'll be a higher order." "Patience and confidence, that's what we need." "You can't make anyone happy if you're not happy yourself." "Does this answer your questions?" "Yes, now I understand what's wrong with Vieze and my dad." "They can't see what we see." "They might never see it." "It's not enough." "Give people more information, sensitize them." "Do you think so?" "Maybe we should do less." "A lot less." "Look, I got you something." "Read it, you'll learn a lot from it." "It contains an interesting theory." "We have to learn to do as little as possible." "It's totally absurd when you think of it:" "to feel guilty for doing nothing, to think we have to change everything." "Yes, but you want to change things as well, don't you?" "Unbelievable, isn't it, all those stars." "What's your sign?" "I don't know." "I don't care." "I'm really impressed by Koelie." " He's not very pragmatic, is he?" "Luckily I'm hereto help him organize things, or else..." "You're jealous." " Me?" "Nah." "Where did you get that idea?" "I just wish it wasn't so complicated." " What's complicated?" "Everything." "Why are you laughing?" "Just look at you." "Gaston, everything will turn out fine." "I can feel it." "What are you doing?" " Keeping you company." "I can't sleep." "'The Right to Laziness..." "Have you learned a lot?" " I've just started." "You had other things to do, I suppose." " Leave off." "What's wrong?" "Can't you take a joke?" " Can you?" "No." "But I can feel it's going to change." "André, something's really happening." "Koelie's right." "I didn't see it at first either, but he's right." "We eat and talk together, get to know each other better." " I know Marie better." "Isn't that great?" " Are you using or what?" "Saedeleer can only discuss money..." " So what?" "He'll come round in the end." "Ah!" "A new piece of art?" " Put that back." "Some imagination you have." "They're not that big yet." "What do you know about imagination?" " I know you, stupid." "Take me somewhere nice." "You don't mind if I smoke inside the car?" " As long as they're Cuban, I don't mind." "Stop!" "Get back!" "Wait here." "I'll be right back." "Miss... missy, would you like to ride along?" "Bloody hell." "Just look at that." "Come on, Vieze." " Let me, honey." "Not here." "Where then?" " I don't know." "You tell me." "What, don't you know?" "Too bad." "I don't feel like it anymore." "See you around." "Marie..." "Marie... open up, damn it." "And hurry." "Don't make so much noise, idiot." "Don't stop." "Don't stop." "You're nuts about me, aren't you?" " Yes, but go on." "Go on!" "You're just like all the rest." "That's all you ever think about." "Mr Boon, if you want a ride, I'll be right back." "People can't work anymore." "Believe me." "But those Indians, they'll sell whatever you give them in no time." "Those are Pakistanis, Saedeleer." "How do you know?" " I asked." "So that's how you do it." "You ask." "Then I could write books too." "Nothing to it." "Here's Donald and Daisy Duck." "Women always mean trouble." "I can tell." "So can you, it seems." "Hello, Mr Boon." " Louiske, I want to buy candles." "For which event?" "I have different kinds." "Doesn't matter." "It's just in case there's another power cut." "What's the matter?" "Another breakdown?" " Not yet." "Louiske, I'll be right back." "Shouldn't you cut all that?" "What?" "That?" "Are you out of your mind?" "He's a bit weird, our Vieze." "But good at heart." "What are you reading?" "Is it interesting?" " Oh yes, it is." "But I'm not sure..." "I've been having these doubts lately." "We are all searching." "One way or the other." "But what are we searching for?" "She's all confused." "She knows we may have to go." "Why do they do this to us?" "It's so sad for them." "I wish I were a fairy, Mr Boon." "I'd turn this street into a paradise." "A paradise with only happy people, who'd always help each other out." "I'd let the sun shine from sunrise until night fall." "My father taught me this, Louiske." " Was he a tailor then?" "Not at all, he was a fireman, an emancipated fireman." "As simple as that." "Right" " Will it work?" "Sure it will." "Why don't you try it?" "Yes, go ahead." "Yo, Gestapo!" "Moron." "This is the last one." " Yes, thanks." "This take 100, Mr Saedeleer?" " What is it?" "No, that can stay." "We can't use that." "I can't take two at a time." " It goes faster though." "Will you help?" "Yes?" ""Can you make a statue of me too?" "A perfect copy?"" "And the kid answers:" ""I don't have enough dung for that."" "Hey, Koelie, what about dinner?" "Fish, always fish..." "Now it's your turn." "Come on." "Always the same in this bloody country." "Inside your head the sun is shining, outside its raining cats and dogs." "A bit to the left." "No, your head." "Like this?" " That's it." "Roza, give me an A." "One, two, three." "So self-centered they were..." "You would have thought they'd stick together, but oh no..." "Tell her when they cut off the power." " Oh yes, that must have been '49..." "Read this, it's about dioxine..." "Do you feel this energy channelling together over here?" "Yes, I can feel it." " Now shift to this area." "A bit higher." "That's the centre of your total being." "That's where your energy seeks contact with the outer world." "Yes, yes, I can feel it." "Don't cut off the spiritual part, Gaston." "There are forces above you that guide your existence." "Oh, I feel something all right." "I think I feel your energy." "Louiske." " Don't you want to feel mine?" "We all have blood on our hands." "The world runs on the principle of exploiting or being exploited." "Read this." "Gaston gave it to me." "It's very clear." "Out and over." "In and off." "You're so good at it, Uncle." "Who taught you all this?" " My father did." "Did he work in a knitting factory?" " Not at all." "He was a cop." "He was a fireman." "A fireman?" " An emancipated fireman." "Off with them, all of them." " Don't tempt me." "Uncle?" " Please, André, don't." "Gaston!" " No, I can't swim, I can't swim." "Look... there." "A butterfly." "Yeah, between the sprouts." " No, on Vieze's nose." "There of course." "What are you doing?" " Trying to catch it, of course." "Vieze, you're smothering it." " It's my butterfly, it's on my nose." "Too bad... it's gone." "Don't worry, it'll come back." "It's better on this side." "No, you don't bother." "I was about to stop." "I'm a bit stuck." "Take off your coat." "Nasty weather, isn't it?" "You're looking good, no?" "Could be worse." "But Roza looks really wonderful." " Does she?" "You really like her, don't you?" " It's really well done." "Especially Koelie looks fine." "Just the way he is, so serious." "We all look very happy, don't we?" " Aren't we always, of late?" "Hey, André, when can I see your drawings?" "Now." "Those are hard questions." "Do I really have to answer them?" "What makes man tick?" "Who can tell?" "Love maybe?" "Aren't we all looking for something or someone to be in love with?" "Guess who:" "André or Koelie?" "Aren't we all looking for someone to give us some guidance?" "Take Louiske." "A pretty young woman, all alone with two kids." "Do you know what I think she needs?" " You receive energy." "If you reach the level on which you feel love..." "You're laughing." "I know." "It sounds very old-fashioned." "Take Uncle and his wife." "I know he calls her Mrs Crap, but that is because he loves her, of course." "Or Vieze and Jeannette." "I dare say their marriage is better than we can guess." "Or Saedeleer and Marie." "I have my doubts about those two at times." "Let's see." "Who else do we have?" "Our cute little Roza." "Listen, recognize and give shape." "And you of course." "Roza can't be trusted at all." "Why is that?" " Everybody knows, except Koelie." "Roza only thinks about herself." "She's all take and no give." "Explain that to me." " Can't you see?" "You see what you want to see." "What do you think of my dad?" " You need that for your paper 100?" "Your dad is a good man, he is." "So is your mother." " Ma?" "Yeah." "She wouldn't know any better." "Do you know what dad thinks of your books?" "He thinks they're terrible." "Vulgar even, and badly written, full of errors." "You know what, Mr Boon?" "I admire people like you." "Artists and writers and so." "If you don't like the world, you just take a sheet of paper and you build a whole new one." "I wish I knew the answer to it all." " Oh dear, girl." "As if I know." "Maybe not." "But you do have opinions." "That's my job." "Even so." "So if I understood you well, it all comes down to sex." "Why, did I say that?" "Maybe you didn't." "About love and such." "OK, about love." "But what is the difference?" "Is that all people think about, Mr Boon?" "Mr Boon?" "Playtime is over." "I feel locked up." "Mr Boon?" " Sorry, I wasn't listening." "Should I go?" " No, please stay." "You mentioned something I wrote." "Kick a conscience into mankind." " Oh, that." "But you know what I added to that, don't you?" "What's the use of it all?" " You can't have been serious?" "Oh, Hermine." "You can kick a conscience into 99 people, but Mr 100 will become president." "If you try to kick him he'll kick you into jail." "Not much help, am I?" " No, I'm sorry, Mr Boon." "But there must be more to life?" "One could always try." "Shouldn't one give it a try?" " I won't stop you for sure." "But you don't believe in it any more?" " My dear, we can do whatever we want, but we forget that each of our actions is controlled by laws that are thousands of years old." "I must have written that too." "So do nothing and let the others tear down the place." "Mind you, I am against those evictions." "Why?" "Because people expect you to be?" "Hey, slow down a bit." "Don't forget, the world is bigger than this street." "And things may still change." "Now you are contradicting yourself." " So what?" "Hermine..." "I was just like you." " That's what my dad says." "Besides, one day, you'll loose your legs or someone might drop dead." "And all you may have planned for will fall apart." "I think it's time to go to bed, love." "It stopped raining at last." "Take a guess." "André or Koelie?" " Vieze." "OK, if it's Vieze you want, I'll go get him." "Vieze is for real." "He doesn't develop wild theories just to show off." "He is what he is, and that's that." " Oh dear, what's eating you?" "Nothing." "Everything." "That." "Is that our future?" "Walled in on all sides?" "Why are you going now?" " We'll talk about it some other time." "I have to see Louiske." "All of a sudden." "She won't run away." "She can't for that matter." "You're jealous." " Why should I be?" "Shit, it's raining again." "When are you going to kiss me, stupid?" "Well, what do you think?" "This is what I call a barricade." " How long has this been here?" "You didn't know?" "They've been working for hours in the pouring rain." "Some guys, that committee." " What committee?" "The Forgotten Street Committee." "Friends of Gaston's." "Students." "Some handsome chicks, there were." "You missed something." "And what's the meaning of that?" "So they can't get in, or out for that matter." "The missus will have to cope without you tonight." "You'll have to stay here, like it or not." " And what does Fred think of it?" "Didn't know what to say." "Just like you." "Just a week ago, he told Hermine:" ""l wish there was a wall, so I could keep an eye on you day and night."" "I have it all in writing." "Look, we're bankrupt." "Done for." "Out of the game." "No more money." "And who is at the receiving end?" "Me." "What did you do with the money then?" " Ask him!" "He is the bloody organizer." "Don't panic." " You owe Vieze." "For repairing your fridge." " What about the free beers?" "Let's quietly analyse the situation." "What about the profit thanks to the renovations?" "That goes for everybody." "And who had to work in your garden?" "That's common property." " So it is, only you never work in it." " Look who's talking!" "Let's have some introspection." " Shut up, you witch." "Stop it." "Enough!" "Enough!" "Listen to yourselves." "I this and I that." "All so selfish and without respect." "You have learned nothing." " Hermine, will you behave?" "What are you staring at, Koelie?" "Don't you have anything to say?" "What is there to say, Hermine?" "Everylhing's been said." "As I told you, it's all here, nowhere else." "All here." "I have had it up to here." "Koelie, stay out of my home." " It's all your fault." "No, I'm fed up with your bossing around." "Fed up, you hear, you bigot!" "There's no heaven on earth." "We regret that too." "Go and give Saedeleer a hand." " Forget it." "He may take the law into his own hands, but I'm not a hooligan." "You haven't made a lot of progress, have you?" "Saedeleer!" "Your father!" "Dearly beloved, relatives, friends" "of our departed friend." "A man we all knew to be good in heart and soul." "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." "Dust to dust, ashes to ashes..." "Go ahead and laugh." "You're nuts about me." "Don't stop." "Don't stop." "Hope I'm not disturbing." " It's not what you think." "Do you have to do that now?" "I'm fed up with that painting." "I'll burn it tomorrow." "Besides, this is my house now." "And in my house I'll do as I please." "Can I help?" "This I can manage." "Thanks." "I knew it." " What's that?" "A safe." "Watching you gives me the courage to go on." "Don't change the subject." "Don't you feel there's more?" "Never laugh at what you don't understand." "Louiske... there is something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time." "They're waiting for you." " What now?" "I can't be everywhere." "Your turn to cook, according to that new schedule you made." "Too much salt on the potatoes." "With all the money found, a pinch of salt won't make any difference." "Please note I only took one portion of vegetables." "Fire." "Fire!" "Fire!" "The children!" "We have to get the children out!" "Marie, get buckets!" "Don't do that!" "Don't go upstairs!" "You take Oscar, Saedeleer." "Get out." "Isn't fire beautiful?" "Too bad it has to die." "Feeling any better?" "It stings." "Shouldn't we vote first?" "You could spend the night at my place." "Why should I?" "It stings." "Have you heard the news?" "We can stay." "It's official." "The people won." "Don't think the committee had anything to do with it." "Of course it did." "Our committee stopped the evictions." "And your politicians are taking advantage of our fight." "We heard a different story on the news." "The opposition discovered fraud with the contracts." "That's the real reason." " Where do we take that junk?" "Don't start nagging, would-be Gestapo." "At least it's all over." "We finally got rid of the noise of the machine." "Aren't you happy?" "There'll be other machines." "I don't care." "Where are you going?" "Hurry, Koelie, or she'll get lost." "What brand of champagne should I buy?" "Are you giving a party?" " It was a surprise." "Let me guess." "You invited important people." "Yes, try to behave." "What's there to celebrate?" "We'll live happily ever after?" "In Koelie's perfect world, the solution to every problem is to pretend there is no problem?" " Cynicism doesn't become you." "Why are you acting like that?" "Day and night I try to keep things running and all you can offer is pure selfishness." "You'd better open your eyes." "Creating a new world like that is easy." "I can't argue with you any more." "Not as long as you won't understand that society is more important than your own small problems." "What do you think Koelie is doing right now?" "Will you come upstairs with me, André?" "I really lust after you." "Leave him alone, he's mine." "Why are you letting that fatty manipulate you?" "Tell me, André, will you go with me later on?" "Where to?" "Away from this place, out." "Having fun." "Will you or won't you?" " What about our party?" "There is still a stain on it." "Coward." "Attention, please." "Our distinguished guest, Mr Van de Kavije, has an important announcement to make." "Welcome." "On behalf of the chairman of the Party, who regrets he can't be with us, and to apologize for all the commotion, the premature rumours about evictions," "I'd like to give a special something to the oldest inhabitant of the street, and that is Mr Saedeleer." "Here you are." "Congratulations." " Open it, dad." "Wait, I'll help you." "Show us." "Show us." "As from today it's official." "The street has a new name:" "Butterfly Alley." "APDlause." "That's what I've been fighting for all these years." "And his chairman will even get us a renovation subsidy." "There'll be a revaluation." "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to say a few words." "That man comes here and pretends his party got the works stopped, and the evictions called off." "I would like to point out that that very same party initiated those works last year." "That was last year." "He's in opposition, nitwit." "It's the..." " I didn't come to get lectured." "It's the Forgotten Street Committee and the people that have won, and nobody else." "It's nice when people get along like that, isn't it, Hermine?" "And you lick the boots of your oppressors." "You make me sick." "Damn egoist, stupid prick." "This is my party." "I invited him and you're hounding him." "Sod off then!" "Go and party elsewhere." "Go to your mates to parly." "Yes, we don't want your kind." "You just mess up things." "Wis, I'm busy." " I won't waste another word on you." "Keep on dreaming you've got it under control." "But next year, when your friend wins the elections, it'll start all over again." "You work it out then." "No, Gaston, stay here!" "Let her go, Fred." "She'll be back." "He doesn't want her and she only wants him." "What's going on here?" "This is beyond me." "Come on, Fred." "Have a drink on me." "Is this a party or what?" "Koelie, you're laughing." "I thought you could only look mean." "By the way, where's Roza?" "There you are." "Wrong again." "What has she got that I haven't?" " Who do you mean, Louiske?" "Hell, you mean Roza." "Why are things always so easy for her, and not for me?" "Why do I always look for an explanation while she just does as she pleases?" "We're all different, my dear." "Let me comfort you." "Let yourself go." "It's about time you learned how." "You're worth as much as the next girl." "No, I'm a silly moo." "I'm a stupid cow." "I always fuck up because I always want an explanation." "You can get out of it." "I solved that problem years ago." "Will you teach me?" "What do you mean, Hermine?" " At least tell me you love me." "I love you." "So nice of you to say so, but..." "Why put words in my mouth?" "Stay here." " Let go." "I've got better things to do than listen to your wild fantasies." "Let yourself go." "Don't resist." "Selfish bastard." "My parents were right." "Stay here, you coward!" "I'll show you real life." " No, you won't." "I'll show you real life." "You've asked for it." "You're too damn pretty." "Coward." "No!" "That's our Hermine." "No, damn it, that's our Roza." "Are you alright?" "Where's Gaston all of a sudden?" " I don't know." "What's wrong?" "What did he do to you?" "Why do you ask me, Mr Boon?" "You're the writer here, aren't you?" "'These days one can hear rumbling and distant sawing and drilling for the new bypass, and sometimes even a muffled boom."" "That's how the book begins." "I'm honoured to be present here today to receive this signed copy." "Louis Paul Boon, on behalf of all men present here," "I hope you'll continue your body of work which, as we all know, has as its most important motto:" "kick a conscience into mankind." "Mr Boon, it's so nice." "I read it twice, and I adored it." "The way you observe those people, make them think and oppose each other." "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Louiske." "I was only wondering: why so dark?" "Why so without outcome?" "Thank you, Mr Boon and see you soon in our Forgotten Street." "So sorry, was it yours?" "What?" "Do you come here cutting things as well?" "Did Louiske tell you, about Hermine?" " What about Hermine?" "She's pregnant." "Hermine?" "Pregnant?" "Who from?" " That student of course." "It was announced when you had disappeared, after the party." "She was three months pregnant." "I'd better go, cause they have a small problem." "See you around."