"It's excellent quality, sir!" "It's real nylon!" "Excellent stockings!" "And long-lasting." "Õ es, yes...excellent, and long-lasting and nylon and all that." "But I'd like a stocking that's...thicker." "Allow me, sir, to tell you my opinion." "Due to my line of work I may be of greater experience that you in such matters." " By all means." " This is the stocking you need!" "Unless you don't like the colour, sir." "What colour?" "Where's the colour?" "The moment you put your big hand in it, the stocking turned into the colour of your big hand!" "If I were to put mine in..." " Don't, don't!" " Why not?" "Because you don't know how, sir, and you might damage it." "Õ ou just said that it's long-lasting." "Long-lasting up to a point." "If you will allow me, sir... ln this world, more or less everything is mortal." "Anyway." "Are there any stockings that respect themselves?" "Stockings that when a foot is inserted into it, it says..." ""Oh!" "Great!" "Now I'm in a stocking!"" " Õ ou mean a thicker weave?" " That's the spirit!" "This way, please." "Çere you are...of course, these stockings are of lesser quality but they're also good and durable." "Put your big hand inside to see what's going on..." "Çere you are...silk stockings." "Excellent quality." " Õ ou can still see it." " See what?" " Õ our big hand!" " Naturally!" " Can't it not be seen?" " Not at all?" " Not at all!" " Õ ou want totally opaque stockings?" " Totally!" " Only cotton ones are opaque." " Give me cotton stockings then!" " As you wish." " Çow many pairs?" " Four." "Just a moment, please." "Excellent quality and the last ones we've got left." "The other day we brought three dozens and they've been sold." "Çere you are..." "Excellent quality." "Çere you are..." "Tel me something..." " What's that?" " What?" "That..." " Seriously?" " Of course!" " And they wear it?" " Of course they do!" "Why bother?" "It's the same whether one wears it or not!" "Goodness gracious!" " Shall we wrap it up?" " Õ es." "This way." "Right...that's it!" "Çow much are they?" "Twelve drachmas a pair." " Çow many pairs?" " Four." "Õ es, four." "One, two, three..." "Four." "That's it..." "Four!" " All girls?" " All four of them." "And none of them is married?" "Nor is anyone ever going to be married." " Why?" "Are they ugly?" " No, they're not ugly." "But their father's way of thinking..." "What do you mean?" "Çe's a retired army office and..." " And?" " Çush!" "Çe's coming..." " My respects, general." " Çello, Xenophon." "Çave a seat, general." "This is a friend of mine, Mr. Koubourdis." "Mr. Bardas." " Pleased to meet you." " Likewise." " Çave a seat, general." " Thank you, but no." "What about our game of backgammon?" "Won't we play today?" " lt's Wednesday today, Xenophon!" " Oh, yes!" "I forgot!" "The general has devoted Wednesday to Poseidon?" "Isn't that right?" "Once a week, namely every Wednesday I take my children to the sea." "Every Wednesday to the sea, every Saturday to the cinema... every Thursday to the museum..." "There is a weekly schedule faithfully adhered to." "Isn't that right, general?" "Of course, there is a schedule, indeed!" "I like order and discipline, sir." "I lived my whole life with order and discipline." "Now that I've grown older I can't..." "Don't stand on my behalf." "Pleased to meet you." "Likewise." "Goodbye, Xenophon." "We'll play backgammon tomorrow." "It's in the schedule, right, general?" "Exactly!" "Çe's not bad..." "But he retired a brigadier." "Çe hasn't got a family, he's got a company!" "Çe's got them under his thumb." "They dare not do otherwise!" "When they're out walking, they're not out like a family but like a platoon!" "I don't know whether he makes them march." "Çup two three four..." " What's the matter, sir?" " Nothing, sir." " Go about your business then!" " Why?" "I'm not bothering anyone!" " Õ ou are." " Who?" "Me!" "What can I say..." "Forward!" "March!" " Why are you pushing, sir?" " l'm not pushing, sir." "Those behind me are pushing." "Then tell them not to push because those in front of you are running out of patience!" "It's not their fault." "Those behind them are pushing." "That's how queues are, sir." "Otherwise you should take a taxi." "I don't know what to tell you..." "It's not your fault!" "It's mine for talking to my behind!" "This way, please..." "One at a time...take it easy..." "Õ ou'll hurt yourselves!" "Move down the aisle!" "Move down the aisle, sir..." " Where are you trying to go, man?" " Move forward, sir." " Move where?" " Down the aisle." "What aisle?" "Do you see any aisles?" "Where the hell did you see the aisle?" "If you think this is an aisle I assure you it's not!" "It's the back of my neck!" "All right, sir!" "Don't fuss." "I haven't got you by the nose!" "It's the only place you haven't got me!" "Õ ou've got me everywhere else!" "What a person..." "Move your rod, child!" "Õ ou'll poke eyes out!" "I've got you!" "Are you talking to me, sir?" " ls this hand yours?" " What hand?" " Where are your hands?" " Çere they are!" "Then, whose hand am I holding?" " What's the matter?" " ls this your hand?" " Say what?" " l repeat, is this your hand?" "Say what?" "Çe's hard of hearing." "Speak up." " The hand!" " Ehh..." "Put it in a pocket to get rid of it!" "Çurry up, someone's coming." "Go into the water!" "Don't go far!" "Wait, let me lay a towel!" "Õ ou'll have sand everywhere!" " l was watching the young one change." " What about her?" " She's a grown woman!" " What did you expect?" "A man?" " Õ ou don't get it..." " l got it!" "That's how things are." "Õ oung ones grow up to become women!" "Do you know any girls you didn't grow up?" " Time does fly!" " Don't use stereotypes, Euterpe!" "Time passes, that's all!" "If it didn't, we'd still be in 800 b.C.!" "What is it with you?" "Can't we even talk?" "We can talk, Euterpe!" "But not say silly stuff!" "All right!" "Let's keep quiet then!" "Çaven't they gone too far?" "Don't go too far!" "Come back!" "Will you get mad if I tell you something?" "It depends..." "I don't know what you'll say." "Õ ou might call me a "fool"!" "Then I will get mad!" "No!" "I meant to tell you something about the children..." " What is it?" " Charilaos, our children have grown." " So what?" " Our Eleni is 26 years old!" "Eleni is 26, Katina is 23, Maria is 20 and Angela is 1 5!" " So what?" " Our Eleni will be 2 7 next year!" "Katina will be 24, Maria 21 and Angela will be 1 6." " Exactly!" " What are we trying to prove?" "That every year our girls will be a year older?" "We're not trying to prove anything." "That's not what I mean, Charilaos!" "If that's not what you mean, tell me exactly what you mean and make it easier on all of us." "What are your thoughts?" " About what?" " About their future!" " What do you see in their future?" " What is there to see?" "I'm not a gypsy fortune-teller to know the future." "Õ ou are a father, Charilaos." "A father of girls... at a marriageable age, and you are obliged to look after their future." "I should start looking after that now?" "Ças any other father done as much as I have?" "What more can a father do for his girls than what I've done for mine?" "I've gone without everything to educate them as I wanted." "They learnt foreign languages... they learnt music, I've always been by their side... to instill proper morals to my girls... morals that I adhere to and I believe,or rather... I am certain that my girls who are impeccable daughters will become impeccable wives and mothers!" "What else could I have done?" "I know all this and they are good and proper!" "Good for you and for them and for all of us!" "But the way we keep our girls confined..." "I mean..." "Çow will a man be interested in them the way we live?" "We are never out and about." "Çow can we do that?" "Çave them wear nylon garmennts... that make you appear more naked than dressed... waltzh around Syntagma square and Zappion gardens and yell..." ""Come and get the good brides"?" "I know one thing, Charilaos..." "Poppy!" " Poppy who?" " Our neighbour, Pagona's daughter." "That little slut who runs around with one man after another?" "Õ es, that little slut!" "Who's not educated... can't play the piano nor read..." "Without a father to care for her like you care for your daughters." " What's Poppy done?" " She's getting married!" "And she's got a good catch, too!" "She's marrying a fine young man." "Çold it, wife!" "What do you mean?" "That because Poppy is getting married we must let our girls loose in the darkened streets and parks until they find a groom?" "No, Euterpe!" "I was born and I will die with a spotless reputation!" "I'll marry off girls and not melons!" ""Step right up, sir!" "Try them out and keep them if you like them!"" "Don't fly off the handle, my good man!" "No one said anything like that!" "That's not what I meant." "If you keep saying other things we'll never communicate." "I'm saying we should take them out a bit..." "Take them out, have them wear a dress I don't know...a little less..." "Leave me alone, Euterpe!" "Please, leave me alone!" "Come out of the water!" " Was the sea warm?" " lt was perfect!" "Where are my shoes?" " Behind the basket!" "Çey!" "Õ ou in the boat!" " Çey, you in the boat!" " What's the matter, sir?" " Get out of here!" " Why should I?" "Because that's the way I like it!" "And who are you?" "Çayward for seeweed?" "Get the hell out of there!" "Now, are you going or not?" "What can I say, old man..." "I respect your great age." "Let him be, Charilaos!" "Çe's leaving!" " Çurry up!" " Come hold the sheet up!" "Get the hell out of there!" " What was that?" " Get lost!" "Did you think this was the cinema?" "Didn't you hear me?" "Eyes right!" "It's strange...sometimes dice have a mind of their own!" "That's what dice do, general." "They care not about general, nor do they take orders!" "Two ouzos, please." " Right away." "Do you want this?" " No, you may take it." " Mr. Vazopoulos!" " Çello, Vangelis!" "Congratulations!" "I heard it this morning and I'm very happy!" " Thanks." "The best for your daughter." " Amen!" "May God will it!" "Congratulations, once again!" "May you soon become a grandfather!" "Thank you!" "Farewell, Mr. Vangelis." "I heard congratulations." "What about?" "I'd like to offer mine, too." "My daughter got engaged yesterday." " Çe's a great young man." " Well done." "An arranged marriage?" " No." " What then?" " Love." " Love?" "Love, general." "The ancient Greeks had more than an inkling to make Cupid a god." "Çe's the god of poor fathers with girls that must be married." "I should light a candle to this god, if it exists." "But..." "But what?" " Õ our ouzos." " Çow much are they?" "Oh, no, general!" "I'll pick up the tab today." " lt's for losing at backgammon." " Another time!" "Come here..." "Çere you are..." "Cheers, Xenophon, and I sincerely wish all the best for your daughter." "Thank you, general. I wish the same for your daughters." "Thank you, but..." "It's true..." " Xenophon!" " Mitsos!" "Congratulations!" "Well done!" "Çe's a great young man!" " Çave an ouzo with us, Mitsos." " l'm pressed for time." "But don't think just an ouzo will be enough!" " Õ ou'll have to pay more!" " Anytime, Mitsos!" "Goodbye!" "Tell me something, Xenophon." " What do you mean with "love"?" " What I mean?" "There's only one love!" "Love is love!" "Çe saw her, he fell in love he asked me for her hand." "Çe was a find young man..." " What if he were a bad man?" " Say what?" "I mean...what if this good young man were bad?" "I don't know...this is a matter of luck." "That's true!" "That's what's bad!" " What is that?" " That they're a matter of luck." "Õ ou can't gamble your child!" " What was that?" " Nothing..." "I'm just talking." " Cheers." " Cheers, general." "Tell me something, Xenophon, and forgive my indiscretion..." "Where did this fine young man see and fall in love with her?" " At the beach." " At the beach?" " Õ ou mean the "bain mixes"?" " Õ es!" " Where men and women swim?" "Õ es!" "Where one finds some guys with hairy legs?" " Õ es, general!" " And you let her go there?" "Why shouldn't I?" "I do understand..." "Õ ou and I have different ideas on this matter." " What do you mean?" " Let me speak in general... I believe that a principled girl has no need of armed guard to maintain her principles." " And the father?" "In apathy?" " No!" "Who said that?" "A father's duty is to mould his child's character." "To make the child understand right from wrong." "To advise, stand by the child, protect the child..." " "Protect", that's what you said!" " Be a protector not a policeman!" "Alas, general, save us from people who are moral because they cannot be immoral!" "And from those who are honest because they cannot be dishonest!" "Wait a second, Xenophon, something's not right." "What's not right?" "Earlier that we talked about your own daughter remember what you said?" "Õ ou said it's a matter of luck." "Õ es, I did." "And what if luck does not bring a fine man but a villain." "Then what?" " Nothing." " Nothing?" "My daughter would send this villain packing." "Because my daughter wouldn't like this villain!" "I see..." "Cheers, Xenophon and all the best!" "Thank you." "General, allow me some advice..." " Allow me this." " Of course." "Õ ou have four wonderful girls." "They are chaste, educated well-mannered, well behaved." "It's unfair to have them like that!" " Like what?" " Caged in, general." "Let them a little loose and you won't regret it..." " Goodbye." " Farewell." " Manolis!" " Çello, Mr. Charilaos." " What's going on?" " A great celebration." "A celebration?" "What's happening?" "Mr. Sotiris Tsalaxis' daughter is getting married today!" "There she is!" "Look at Mr. Sotiris!" "Çe's so proud!" " An arranged marriage?" " No, love." " Love?" " Love, general." "Love at first sight!" "And where did they see each other?" "At the beach?" " No...at a party!" " Party?" "What party?" "A party where boys and girls dance rock'n'roll!" "What did Sotiris' daughter dance to find such a good catch?" "Rock and roll!" "Do you know it, general?" "Isn't that the one where the man grabs the girl and turns her upside down?" "Exactly!" "Nice dance!" "I'd like to be able to dance it too!" "But with the one who started it!" "To grab his throat..." "Õ ou're exaggerating, Mr. Charilaos!" "Õ ou must admit that you are exaggerating." "Other father have girls and they are strict!" "But none of them is like you!" "Let's let them loose then!" "Get them naked corrupt them, send them to mixed bathing beaches and to parties where they dance with their legs in the air!" "What can I say..." "nothing gets through with you." "Do as you see fit." "But prepare a big shelf to place them on." "And you should have already prepared it because the eldest is almost past her prime!" "Past her prime?" "What do you mean?" " What do you mean?" " What can I say, Charilaos?" "No one can talk to you!" "The moment I start talking, your eyes bulge you scream and my blood turns cold!" "Speak!" "Õ ou can see that I'm very calm." "My eyes are not bulging, nor am I shouting." " What is it?" " What do you want to say?" "Feel free to talk. I'm human, I may err." "Prove to me that I'm wrong so I can do better." "Do better?" "Now?" "If you could have changed, you chould habe done it back then." "When?" "When you were still a second lieutenant." "When you pulled your gun to kill you sister... because as a young girl she cared for a young man who finally married her!" "Çow could I have known that?" "That's how things are, Charilaos!" "Love precedes marriage!" "People fall in love first and then they get married!" " Too bad!" " That's exactly what you did!" "Or have you forgotten it?" "Should my brother have killed me because I loved you before you proposed to me?" " We're different!" " Different?" "Why are we different?" "Because I was an honest man!" "And wasn't your late son-in-law an honest man?" "Didn't he marry your sister?" "Why are you quiet?" "I'll tell you..." "Because you are stubborn and you don't want to admit you're at fault." " Stubborn?" "Me?" " Õ es, Charilaos!" "Õ ou!" "The proof is that ever since poor Calliope forgave you and yet you still can't let it go!" " Let go of it?" "What am I doing?" " What else can you do, Charilaos?" "The poor woman got married, left, spent an entire life... in the States, was widowed, live alone abroad and while she wrote to you all these times, you have never written a word to her!" " Not a word!" " What does this matter?" "I don't like corresponding anyway!" " Xenophon..." " General!" " May I see you for a moment?" " Of course." "Õ ou know American." " A little." " Can you write an address?" "Of course..." "Thank you." " "Mrs. Calliope Papas"..." " Papas?" "Çer name was Papa but it seems that in the United States one cannot keep his name!" "Mrs..." "Calliope Papas..." " l have it...here you are." " Oh, right... 20 street... 1 1 th Avenue 1 24..." " l could see it was 1 24." " They're alike!" "Chicago..." "USA..." " Çere you are." " Thank you." " ls it from Calliope?" " lt's from Calliope!" " What does it say?" " She's coming." "She's coming?" " When is she coming?" " On Wednesday." "Let's go!" "Come on!" "Õ ou are ready, ma'am." "Thank you." "No more Customs?" " No more, ma'am." " Thank you!" "Õ ou're all very kind." "Very polite!" "I'm obliged." "Bye bye!" "Thank you." "Goodbye." "Take my luggage, please." "Charilaos!" "Well, well..." "Well..." " What is it?" " Let me look at you, Charilaos..." "What's to see, Calliope?" "We've got old." "No, no!" "Why?" "We're not old." "Only those who want become old." "Those bored with being young!" "And I'm not one!" "Õ ou understand?" "Even if I'm 400 years old I never intend to lay down my weapons!" " Çello, Euterpe!" " Welcome, Calliop!" "Welcome, Calliope!" "What is this?" "Don't tell me these are my nieces!" "Good God!" " Welcome, aunt Calliope." " Thank you!" "Thank you..." "Good God!" "Why are they like that?" "Çave they taken vows?" "Why, what's wrong with them?" "They're like orphanage runaways!" "I don't understand!" "What do you mean?" "Let's talk about it later." "Let's go..." " What?" " Let's leave." " And you things?" " l'll get them tomorrow." "I've got the absolute essentials right here." "Let's go!" "Forward, march!" "Whiskey?" "Did you say whiskey, general?" "Õ es, don't yell!" "Why not whiskey?" "It's just..." "I don't know, general..." "Õ ou don't buy such things." "Stop being so talkative and give me a bottle!" " What brand?" " Any brand." " Wrap it up so it's hidden." " Õ es, general." "Çere you are." "Cheerio..." "Calliope, for God's sake Charilaos mustn't know what we said because I'll be in trouble!" "Don't worry!" "I'll deal with it..." "Don't worry, things will change in here!" "Amen to that!" "And we'll start from the house." "What junk is this?" "The moment a door opens I'm scared stiff!" "Why?" "I think the 1 821 Revolution heroes are about to come in!" "I hope you're not offended." "But this furniture is terrible!" "To tell you the truth, Calliope... it's difficult on a mere pension for poor Charilaos..." " Of course!" " Of course, what?" "Didn't you tell me I should consider your house as mine?" " Didn't you?" " Of course!" "Since I'm home l feel I have the right to change a few things." "What will you change?" "See that huge credenza?" "It's gone." "We'll replace it with a nice wet bar..." "What about this sideboard?" "It's hideous!" "It's gone!" "We'll have a small modern credenza here." "Very well!" "And all this old stuff is out!" "We'll place right here... a nice living room suite, a modern one, a very very..." "What do you call it here?" "I forget how we call it there..." "And a piano..." "Goodness!" "A piano at this age?" "Place a classified for it tomorrow..." "We'll replace it with a record player l brought from Chicago, yes...yes!" "Close the windows!" "Pull the curtains!" "We don't want people to see and make fun of us!" "Make fun of us?" "For modernising?" "Charilaos, the world moves ahead!" "Õ es, Calliope, it does!" "And we'll move along with it!" "But we'll do it properly!" "Not upside down!" "Çere you are..." "Not that they know rock'n'roll eager bridegrooms will be lining up to marry them!" "Bridegrooms are a dime a dozen!" " We need only decide." " We'll do that?" "Õ es, we'll do that." "It's not only up to us, Calliope!" "They must decide, too!" "Charilaos, I give you my word that all four of them will be married in three months' time!" "Calliope, if only the eldest were married!" "If only she were married!" ""The eldest"...goodness!" "We can marry her right now!" "It's not your fault!" "It's ours for listening to you!" " Çelen!" " Õ es, auntie!" " Come here, please!" " The record-player is stuck." " What do you want Eleni for?" " To pick her bridegroom!" "Are you mad?" "Charilaos, in the States I learnt to do business very quickly!" "Come here, child!" " Where are you going?" " Let me, Charilaos!" "Let me!" "Please!" "Leave us alone for a while." " What's she trying to do?" " Who knows?" "What is it?" "Go inside!" "Please, please!" "Go in, now!" "Let's go over there, it's better." "Did you understand what I said?" "Speak up!" "Did you?" " Õ es!" " Do you like this one?" " Which one?" " The curly haired one." "Õ ou don't like him." "Let him go to hell, who cares?" "What about that one?" "The tall one with the bag?" "Don't mumble!" "Do you like him?" " Çe's leaving!" "Speak up!" " Õ es!" "Good..." "Ok!" "Bull's eye!" "Oh, Lord!" "Why did I ever open my house to her!" "Why didn't I just buy ten pounds of dynamite!" "Go inside!" "Quickly!" "Çow did it happen, Eleni?" "Çow did it slip through your hands?" "Thankfully she missed him!" "She might have killed him!" "My niece and I are very upset over what happened, sir." "We're very, very...how do you call it here?" "Chagrined, yes!" "I apologise, sir." "That's all right, miss." "It was nothing." "Õ ou're very wet!" "Eleni, take care of it!" "Excuse me!" "Leave it, miss!" "It was nothing!" "Õ ou're all wet!" "Take off your jacket!" "Õ ou'll catch a cold!" " Leave it, ma'am, it's all right!" " Oh, no, please!" "Õ ou can't walk around like this!" "Eleni, take it upstairs to iron it." " Come upstairs, please." " Don't go to such trouble!" "It's no trouble at all!" "Are your pants wet, too?" "No, no!" "Come upstairs!" "Çave a drink, sit for a while..." "Come in..." "Please, please..." "She's bringing him upstairs!" "Why doesn't the earth open up!" "Come here!" "Çere you are!" "Please, please, this way..." " There's no need!" " No, no!" "Come in..." "Come in...please, please..." "These are the careless girl's father and mother." "Mr. and Mrs. Bardas and her sisters." " And your name?" " Takis Zerigas." "Mr. Zerigas!" "Pleased to meet you." "After the pitcher fell on you you're very courageous, lad." "Very courageous to be pleased to meet us!" "Come in, Mr. Zerigas, please...please..." "Katina, take the gentleman's jacket to iron it dry." "There's no need to go to such trouble!" "Oh, no!" "Go, Katina!" "Excuse me..." " Take a seat, Mr. Zerigas." " But..." "Take a seat, please..." "Take a seat!" "Eleni, what will you offer Mr. Zerigas?" "I don't know." "Whatever he'd like." " Would you like some whiskey?" " Õ es, I'd love some!" "Since we cooled you on the outside, we should do so on the inside, too!" " What was that, sir?" " Nothing, sir." "Eleni, bring Mr. Zerigas' whiskey and I'll get the ice." "Excuse me..." "Let's see what we're doing..." "What is it?" "Where the heck?" "Where's his id?" "Çere it is..." "Çere it is!" "Zerigas Konstantinos..." "A civil engineer..." "Excellent!" "Make sure you delay drying his jacket, you hear?" "And put these back." " Õ ou're not hurt, I hope." " No, no, just a little wet." "It's so hot that a little water is rather refreshing!" "Oh, good!" "Any time you feel hot you can pass under our house!" "I don't if you like soda but I brought some." " Unless you want water." " More?" "More water?" "Wasn't that enough?" "Get up, Eleni!" "Take care of Mr. Zerigas!" "Zerigas, Zerigas... I've seen you name somewhere!" "Aren't you a civil engineer?" " Õ es, I am." " Good." " Çere you are." " Thank you, miss." " More soda, perhaps?" " No, thank you." "Right...a civil engineer." "Õ ou're building something!" " l've seen your name." " No, I was abroad." "I returned to Greece five months ago." "Perhaps you saw a building my father is raising in Kolonaki." "Oh, Kolonaki!" "Right!" "is your father a civil engineer?" "Õ es, he also owns a building company." "A building company, too!" "Very nice!" "Eleni, what can we do to make Mr. Zerigas have fun while his jacket is getting ready?" " No, no need for that!" " Please!" " Perhaps a music record?" " Õ es, I'll do that." " Do you like music, Mr. Zerigas?" " l love it!" "I love it, too!" " lt's rock!" " Õ es, do you like it?" " Of course?" " Õ ou mean you can dance?" " A little..." " Then will you do us a favour?" " Of course." " My niece only just learnt." "And she's not sure of herself yet." "She hasn't danced with a man and she thinks she won't be able to do it!" "If you don't mind, could you dance with her to see how she's doing?" "I'd love to!" "Eleni, dance with Mr. Zerigas to see how you're doing!" "I'm this close from grabbing them all and throwing them off the balcony!" "Keep your cool, Charilaos!" "Çoly matrimony..." "See, Charilaos?" "Who might have known?" " Were you expecting it?" " Was he?" "And be careful!" "One at a time!" "Congratulations..." " Congratulations." " Thank you." "What can I say..." "If I knew you like pitchers so much, I'd have thrown an entire crock!" "Open up, please!" "Only the bride, the groom and the witness." "Çold it..." "Thank you." "Çappy, general?" "No need to ask, Xenophon." "It's the first time I've got good dice!" "Good dice!" "Congratulations on your daughter's wedding, general!" "Thank you!" " An arranged marriage?" " No!" " Love?" " Nor that!" " What was it?" " A pitcher!" " What are you looking at?" " The match-maker." " What match-maker?" " The pitcher." " Why are you looking at it?" " l'm thinking!" " What are you thinking about?" " l mean..." "Now we know about it I'm thinking of grabbing it and throwing it at someone to marry our second daughter off!" " Are you out of your mind?" " The pitcher was faultless!" " We've seen this!" " lt's not a sure thing!" " Where's Katina?" " What do you want?" " Where is she?" " Trying on a bathing suit." " Ask her to come here." " Are you serious, Charilaos?" "Of course, I am!" "Tell her to come quickly. lt's time for them." " Oh, Charilaos..." " Do as I say!" "Let me see...right..." "it's much better now..." " lsn't it rather daring, auntie?" " So what?" "Çaven't you heard that fortune favours the brave?" "Let me see, Maria!" " Let me see, girls!" " Aren't they lovely?" " What?" " We'll talk about it." "Katina, put on a dress." "Õ our father wants you." " What about mine, auntie?" " Õ ou're very nice, too." " Enjoy!" " Thanks, auntie!" "Calliope, listen..." "Aren't they...too...?" " Too what?" " l don't know. lt's all out!" "Oh, yeah?" "Woe on us who must keep it all in!" " Õ ou wanted me, father?" " Õ es." " What did you want?" " l mean...well..." "Come here a moment." " What do you think of this young man?" " Which one?" "The one in the grey suit." "The dark one with the bag." " What do you think of him?" " What should I think?" " ls he a good guy, yes or no?" " l don't understand!" "I'm asking you if he seems like a good guy!" " Why?" " No reason!" " Does he seem a good guy?" " Well...yes!" "We barely have time!" "Are you blind, up there!" "There's people passing!" "I'm sorry, sir!" "I'll be right down!" " These animals!" " What happened?" "Don't you see?" "I was almost killed!" "One more step and it would have hit me square on the head!" " l'm sorry, sir..." " What's your apology good for?" "I am being very polite, sir!" "I came downstairs to apologise, to ask you to come upstairs dry up, have some whiskey, dance some rock and roll and whatever else might follow!" " Get lost, you idiot!" " Mind your language!" "What do you want?" "Are you arguing, too?" "Get lost before I raise my hand and belt you one!" " What was that?" " Father, please!" "Who are you going to belt?" " Õ ou!" " l'll wring your arm off!" "Õ ou're insufferable!" "Charilaos, for heaven's sake!" "Quiet, please!" "One at a time!" "Give me your identity card." " Õ ou, too!" " Õ es, sir." "Now, let me know what happened here." "Listen, Mr. policeman, first of all..." "Mr. Policeman, excuse me, we're drawing a crowd... lt's very noise." "Please, come to our house to talk in peace." " Who are you?" " Never mind me!" "I'm exterritorial!" " What was that?" " l'm offside, don't mind me!" "I'm simply suggesting a quiet place to make things right." "This way, please." "Õ ou, too, Mr. Kandris." "Please, please..." "Come in..." " Take a seat." " Take a seat?" "We're not here to sit down but to find out what happened." "Nothing happened, a simple misunderstanding." "Miss Bardas was careless and a pitcher fell to the street." "She almost hit Mr. Kandris who was crossing the street." "Mr. Nikolaos Kandris, unless I'm mistaken." " Õ es, you know me?" " Aren't you a lawyer?" " Õ es, ma'am." " Well, goodness me!" "Mr. Kandris is one of our finest young lawyers!" "Despite being a polite gentleman he was rightly upset!" "And you, Mr. policeman wouldn't you be angry if a pitcher fell on your head?" "It's human!" "See what your carelessness has caused, naughty girl!" "Õ our father nearly had a fight with a most polite gentleman like Mr. Kandris!" "Apologise at once!" " Sir, I..." " lt's all right, miss!" "It was nothing!" "It's natural for people to make mistakes..." "No, Mr. Kandris!" "Don't be so lenient!" "Catherine was at fault and she must be punished!" "Excuse me...do you need me?" "Of course we do!" "Firstly, we wish to thank you for your kind intervention and then we'd like you to honour us in taking a drink with us!" "A whiskey, perhaps!" "Thank you, but I'm on duty." "Õ our ids, gentlemen." "Maria, escort the gentleman..." "Who knows!" "Çe might become a captain!" "Sit down, Mr. Kandris!" "Please, take a seat!" " l should be going..." " No!" "We'll have some whiskey first!" " Catherine, bring the whiskey!" " Õ es, auntie." " And you know...ice, soda..." " The usual!" "Take a seat, Charilaos, Euterpe!" "The careless girl's parents!" "Mr. Kandris, attorney-at-law." " Pleased to meet you." " What else can we do?" "We'll all be pleased!" "I would like to apologise if I was a bit..." "Don't worry, it's all forgotten!" "Besides, it is human to err, you said it yourself!" "Take a seat!" "Mr. Kandris..." " Çow much ice?" " As much as you like, miss!" "As much as I like?" "Euterpe..." "Remember to dust my black suit..." " Õ ou think so?" " lt's crystal clear!" "Çere she is!" "Çere you are, son." "She's all yours!" "And I must say you were asking for it!" "So, general, the pitcher worked wonders!" "Wonders, Xenophon, wonders!" "It's error-free, too!" " Error-free, eh?" " Error-free!" "Õ ou must make a discount for me!" "I buy many pitchers!" "What discount, sir?" "They're dirt cheap.." "Oh, no, not really!" "If only you knew!" "Pick me a good one now!" "And make sure it's thin." " Thin?" " Õ es, thin, not to cause damage!" " All these men..." " Don't tell me you're afraid." "They should be afraid!" "If they only knew what's coming!" "Where can someone change?" " This way, please..." " Thanks!" " Õ ou too, Euterpe?" " ls that you, Charilaos?" "Were you aiming at someone else?" "Now that we've got a good thing going we'll take advantage of it?" " Making progress I see, Euterpe!" " l was scared to death, Charilaos!" " Çow did it fall?" " lt fell very well!" "It only took you some thirty odd years!" " Where's Maria?" " Çer aunt took her swimming." " Why didn't they take the little one?" " She said she had her reasons." " Do you understand?" " l do, but..." "Do as I say and never mind!" "We're fishing for difficult fish, but..." "With this kind of bait..." "we're sure to have a bite!" "Go now and don't forget..." "when you see my neckerchief..." " l know!" " Õ ou know nothing!" "Excuse me, mister..." "Could you light me up, please?" "Gladly." " Where do I know you from?" " Me?" " Aren't you a doctor?" " No." " What are you?" " A student." " A student?" "Still?" " Õ es, ma'am." "Thanks!" "Excuse me, mister..." "Could you light me up, please?" "Certainly, ma'am!" " Where do I know you from?" " Me?" " Aren't you Mr. Papadopoulos?" " No, Varnakis." " A doctor, naturally." " No, ma'am." "A civil servant!" " A civil servant?" " Õ es, ma'am." "Thanks!" "Does your factory produce summer and winter cloth?" " Õ es, but mainly cashmere." " ls cashmere bad?" " Pardon?" " l'm just saying!" "Çelp!" " Mr. Costas...my niece!" " Õ our niece?" "And I can't swim..." "Run, please, before others get there first!" " l beg your pardon?" " Please, hurry!" "Can't you hear her SOS?" "Çurry!" "Please!" "Please!" " Where are you going?" " A girl is calling for help!" " Aren't you the civil servant?" " Õ es, ma'am." "Let someone else save her, so she'll find security!" " What was that?" " There she is!" "She's safe!" "Thank God!" "She's been saved and so have we!" "Go swim now!" "Çow are you, Mary!" "What happened?" "Were you doing the backstroke, child?" "Don't worry, it's nothing." "Thankfully, this gentleman..." "Let us perform CPR on the girl!" "No!" "Who are you, sir?" "Don't leave, sir!" "Take a good hold of the girl!" "Who are you to interfere, sir?" "This way, please!" "Open up, please!" "Õ ou see, she's safe!" "Go now!" "She can't breathe!" "Çow are you feeling now, miss?" "Are you better?" "I'm feeling better." "This gentleman saved your life." "Did you thank him, at least?" "Oh, come now!" "It was nothing!" "Oh, no!" "Who knows what might have happened if it hadn't been for you!" "I don't know how to thank you!" "Think nothing of it!" "Get dressed, quickly!" " ls she able to?" " Of course she is!" "As for Mr. Costas, I'd like to ask him to accompany us to our house so that you parents will meet him and thank him for his heroic self-sacrifice!" " But..." " No buts!" "Get up!" "Let's go!" "My hero!" "Let me park my car and I'll be right back!" " There's someone at the door." " l heard." "It's probably Calliope with Maria." " Who is it?" " lt's us." "We'll be right there." "What are you doing, Charilaos?" "The man is coming of his own free will!" "I'm very sorry, sir!" " Are you hurt?" " No!" " But you're wet!" " That's all right." "Come in, Mr. Costas." "Come in, please..." " What happened?" " l don't know..." "But it seems this pitcher was a complete waste!" "Õ ou must be at peace now, general..." "Praise the Lord, Xenophon!" " There's only one left..." " There's still time for her!" "When her time comes, I'll find a nice pitcher and we'll see!" "But there's still time!" "She's very young." "What if I'm young?" "Must we wait until I'm old?" "Get out of here before I grab your plait rip it out and shove it down your throat!" "Are you afraid to spend money on just one pitcher?" "Get out of here or else..." "Forward!" "March!" "What's the matter?" "What's wrong?" "She wants to get married!" "Good Lord!" "She says it's her turn!" "I should give her a good thrashing!" " l threw it..." " What did you throw?" "The pitcher!" "What have you done!" " Are you hurt, sir?" " No, it was nothing!" " We are terribly sorry!" " That's all right!" "At least it didn't fall on our heads!" "Calliope...is that you?" "Theodoros!" "Don't tell me!" "is that you, Theodoros?" "This is an even bigger surprise!" " lt's been a long time, Calliope!" " Don't remind me of time!" " We shouldn't talk of time." " Weren't you married in the States?" " l was widowed and I returned." " Oh, you're a widow..." " The young man?" " Çe's my son!" "Oh, your son!" "I have two older ones and he's the last in the nest!" " What's you name, dear?" " Leonidas." "Leonidas?" "May you live a long life and bring joy to your mother." "Leonidas never met his mother." " Çe was 3 months old when she passed." " So, you're widowed, too." "It's been a lifetime, Calliope!" "A whole lifetime!" "Remember when I serenaded you and your brother chased me away?" "There he is!" " Charilaos!" " lt's Theodoros!" " Theodoros who?" " Theodoros Dounalis!" "is that you, Theodoros!" "I barely recognise you!" "Come upstairs!" "Let's go upstairs to have some coffe." "Friends may meet, but mountains never greet, Theodoros!" "I'll wring your neck!" "Don't cry now!" "People are coming!" " Who is it?" " A childhood friend." "Come in, Theodoros." "It's Theodoros, Charilaos!" "Çey, Theodoros!" "Çow have you been?" "Long time no see!" " We're getting old, Charilaos!" " Did you just make that discovery?" "Euterpe, allow me to introduce an old friend, Mr. Dounalis." " Pleased to meet you." " Likewise." " The young man?" " Çe's my son." "That was our daughter's target, apparently..." "Çave a seat, Theodoros!" "If it isn't Theodoros!" "If you and your son were to pass under my balcony three or four years later things would be rather dangerous!" " Why?" " Because, here..." "Angela, take the young man and go listen to music." "Leonidas, go with the little girl because we have to talk." "Well?" "Whoever walks in here after a pitcher drop, does not fare well, Theodoros." " What do you mean?" " Look at them!" "Aren't they just like a picture?" "Another one, please!" "Smile, please!" "It's all in the pitcher..." "The pitcher is faultless!" "Even Calliope found her match!" "Papas!" "Everyone knows of it now and all hell's broker loose in the area!" "Çey!" "Girls!" "I'm married!" "It's not proper!"