"THE HAPPIEST DAY IN THE LIFE OF OLLI MAKI" "Use the choke." "It's the knob between the seats" "Give it a little gas Can you reach?" "Let's try something different Maybe this will work." "Everything's all right Let me take you out." "Thank you" "Don't get upset now." "Where are your parents?" "You must be Olli" " Yes." "Right" "Hello." "Oh hello" "Going somewhere?" " To the wedding." "What wedding?" "What wedding?" "Are you going dressed like that?" " I don't know." "Are they big?" "Yeah, a little in the front" "Let me put newspaper in them" "that he put you in the featherweig ht class because he didn't want you in the same class - he used to box in." " Elis is a good guy" "Are you riding with us?" " No, in 0lli's car." " Yes" "Use the choke" "It won't start" " Try again." "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, - but do not have love" "I heard they put you in the bantam weight class" "Featherweight?" "Are they lighter than bantam weight?" "No, they're heavier. 57 kilos" "How much do you weigh now?" " What?" "Isn't there a class between them?" " Bantam would be." "No, lightweight is between them" "How much do the bantams weigh?" " 53.5." "They're very light." "Feathers are heavier than bantams?" "Makes no sense." "Why aren't you competing in the lightweight class?" " Well." "Be quiet, kids" "Good luck" ""...faith, hope and love." "But the greatest of these is love" "Youth is the happiest t/me, a truly blessed t/1/ng" "Hllea' with joy and longing in a seemingly endless spring" "What are you doing?" "Trying to catch the fly" "Drink the milk up so we can catch the fly with the glass." "Good job." "Can I please have it?" "Thank you" "What are we going to do with it?" " Let's kill it." "Let's release it" " Let's eat it." "Shall we release it?" " Yes." "Let's eat it" " It's gone" "Here you are" "Yes." "Dear guests and the bride and groom" "I remember when you, Tuula, were born." "It was a beautiful spring morning" "Love seems to be a serious thing" "The sun was shining, and it was a bit cloudy" "It wasn't raining" "Put your bags in here." "Hi" "Did the trip go well?" " Yes." "Good." "Please step in the car" "There's a boxing boom now" "That's good." "They'll come to the match" "I've been sparring in the outdoor dance pavilion" "Outside?" " Yeah, because the match will be outside." "Damn good, as we'll be practicing at the outdoor swimming pool." "Who are these people in the photos?" " That's Rocky Marciano." "Sure you know him?" "One of the greatest." "You have to know." "Sure you know." "It's Frankie" "Frankie boy." "Frank Sinatra" "We're friends." "I took the photo" " Right." "That's something." "Who made this?" "Olli, you know what it is?" "That's you when you won the European Championship?" " Yes" "I won the gold in 1951" "I fought Pierre Montané and won" "I knocked him out in the last round." "That was the best day of my life" "Oh, it's Laila and the kids" "Hi." "The guests have arrived already" "Hi." "This is Raija" "Take the sweater off" "Hi, I'm Raija" " Hi." "Could you make the beds for them?" "Will you be staying here or somewhere else?" " I'll stay here" "All right." "Please make the beds for them in the kids' room." "Why there?" "I wasn't expecting him to bring anyone" "I'll show you the way." "Not that there's much to show" "Yes." "Now you have to be evacuated" "That's okay" "Which one of you will sleep here?" " Me." "Wow." " Okay, let's let our guests settle in here" "C'mon, kids." "Go on" "Come see us later" "Is it sturdy enough for your weight?" " C'mon!" "Who's the fatso here?" "Welcome, everyone" " Thank you." "Please be seated" "If you run out of seats, you can stand by the door or back wall." "I'm sure there's room for everyone" "Why don't we get started little by little." "Thank you for coming" "Can you make room for me?" "Could you move a little?" "On August 17th, we'll make Finnish sports history." "That's when Olli Maki The Baker of Kokkola,"" "will meet Davey Moore, the current world champion" "The night is organized by Askin Talli." "We promise you it'll be a spectacle like none other you've ever seen in Finland" "No one has even dared to dream about something like this" "You don't have to go all the way to America to see a great show." "We're bringing America here" "This is your first time competing in the featherweight class." "How do you think it'll affect your performance?" "Well..." "I'll be a little lighter" "But so will my opponent" "I don't know." "I guess it won't be that different" "I'm Reijo Pahkamaki from Keskipohjanmaa newspaper" "Is Olli under 57 kilos at the moment?" " Of course not" "We have over two weeks until the match." "Losing weight is a normal thing for boxers" "Unlike for some" "This will be the most important match in Olli's professional career" "We'll do our best to bring the title home to Finland." "The other competitors will be" "That's it." "Move your feet Keep your hands up." "Keep your hands up Move your feet." "Hands up." "Good!" "Break!" "Elis!" " Olli, stop." "I can't do this anymore" "Really good job" "Let's continue" "Okay" "Good job, Olli!" "Good." "That's it" "Good." "Hit" "Good." "All right" "Don't hit an old man." "Excellent job." "Excellent" "Holy shit, Olli." "It's looking great" "This is going to be something You get it?" "Good job." "Keep up the good work" "Good job, Olli" "Hey, guys!" "Guys, listen." "Oh my God" "I'd like to introduce you to two gentlemen." "These guys are going to make a documentary about our event" "They'll film you intensely." "Everybody will be in the film" "Me too?" "Everybody" "to becoming the world champion and a national hero." "No stress" "We'll try to stay out of your way and just film you training." "Luukkonen" "Hi." "Hello" "We're in a bit of a hurry, so why don't we continue later" "Good." "See you" "Good." "Thank you" "Does this have a name?" " What?" "Does your buddy have a name?" "Elis, can you help me with the tie?" "Can someone tie his tie?" "Put the tie on him" "We're ready." "Please step in front of the camera." "Let's go, guys" "All right then" "Okay." "Then just a hint of a smile" "Look in the camera" "Okay, try to concentrate now" " All right." "Smile a little and" "Everybody focus now" "And another one" "Good." "Thank you" "You don't need me anymore?" " No." "Okay." "Good" "Which one?" "Take the red one" "I should get on this?" "Here?" " Yes." "Will it hold?" " Oh yes." "Looking good" "Olli, don't be shy." "Put your arms around her" "Olli, I'll wait for you outside" "Good." "Look into the camera" "Perfect." "Good job, guys" "Olli and I have an important dinner with a sponsor." "You can walk back to my place" " Yeah." "Will you be all right?" "We won't be long." "I'll probably get lost in the first park." " Right" "Don't take the suit off" "I'll see you later, guys!" "This one?" " Yeah." "That's a lot of silverware" " A bit too much." "We can eat here as often as we like" "Of course you can't eat that much but we can bring sponsors here" "We only have to take a couple of photos with them." " Right." "Here he comes." "Stay calm and cool" "Oh." "Hello" "Hello." "Olli Maki" " Hello." "You like the food?" " Very much." "I mean, we haven't eaten anything yet, but the food we've seen looks good" "I'll get the menu for you" " Thank you." "Thank you" "Let's get out of here" " Take it easy now." "She'll help you." "I'll get back to work." " Okay" "We can take the photos after you've eaten." " Sure" "All right then" "Here you are, gentlemen The menu." "Okay." "Thank you" "How's your weight?" "60 some odd kilos" "What does "60 some odd" mean?" " A little over 60." "Is everything okay?" " Yes." "You realize this is damn important for you?" " Of course." "Focus on what's important" "We'll make sure that when all this is over, you can say that August 17th, 1962 was the happiest day of your life" " Yeah." "The bread is really good" "Goodnight." " Goodnight" "Can I take this bouquet?" " Sure." "Hold this, please" " Sure." "Thanks" "Come here." "Quick" "Flowers?" "I thought I'd scare him" "Throw them away Throw them away" "I'll say they're from all of us" " No." "I'll say you chose them" "Give him the flowers" "Something's wrong with my camera Can you give one more kiss?" "Something's wrong" "One more kiss, please" "How have Olli's preparations gone?" "Sorry, what was the question?" "How have your preparations gone?" "They've gone very well Nothing special." "Maki has only fought ten matches as a professional." "Moore has fought 64 matches more than half of which he's won by knockout." "Are you scared?" "No." "Why should I be?" "I'm happy to be able to fight such a good boxer." "At least I won't be losing to a bad one." "I'll fight, and we'll see what happens" ""I'll fight, and..." "Why don't you write" "Olli Maki isn't scared of anyone or anything" "He won the European title in 1959" "Of his ten professional matches he's won eight." "He's in incredible shape" "This will be a great national sports event" "We promise the audience we won't let them down." "Olli, you have to get your act together." " What?" "You have to tell people you'll go through a wall if you have to, - not "I'll fight, and we'll see what happens" "Is everything okay?" " Yes." "Bye.Bye" "Can I be honest?" " Of course." "You have to be honest with me" "You know, I think" "I think I'm in love" " Bye." "I see" "This is a very bad moment to discuss things like that." "I had to tell you." "I realized it at the press conference." "Can you deal with this... thing?" " Sure." "We can't let anything come between you and the match" "It's obvious that the match is my main goal at the moment." "Goddammit, Olli." "What is this nonsense?" "This is the shittiest moment to fall in love." " Yeah, yeah." "Get your act together Thanks, bye." "Ijust said that I'm in love." " Everything's okay, right?" "What's so terrible about it?" "Ijust said..." "This is what I meant" "Olli, are you already under 57 kilos?" "Not yet." "He doesn't even need to be yet" "I'm on schedule." "But you will be under it?" "Of course" "That went well." "Yes, it did." "It was perfect" "Speed!" "Way to go, Olli!" "Faster!" "Hey!" "My ankle's still bothering me" "I'll buy us frankfurters" " Oh." "I don't know if I can eat any" "Sim Sala Bim" "Wow." "I love this" "I can tell." " This is so much fun Let's go to the corner." "This is the best spot" "Don't throw before he whistles" "Fatima isn't here today" "Now you can throw" "Now they're swimming" "A long run?" " Yeah." "You ran all the way?" "Yeah, that's what happened" "You rode your bike beside him?" "Okay" "I see." "I see" "Why did you lie to him?" " He's under enough pressure as it is." "I can focus better when he's not on my back the whole time" "I'll go take a shower" "I'll go take a shower" " Uh-huh." "A little harder" "Good job, guys!" " Olli!" "Move your feet." "Good" "Hi." "C'mon in." "We'll warm up a bit" "I think this would be a good spot for filming" "Olli, that's enough" "Come here." "Come" "Could you box for the camera?" " How?" "Pretend that the camera is your opponent." "Like this" "Right." "Lights" "Go ahead, box." "I'll check how it looks" "Box." "Box" "That's good." "Roll it" "Go ahead, box" "Look cruel" "Knock him out" "Come closer." "That's it" "Thanks." "That's enough" " Yep." "Thanks." "Damn good." "This is what we need Excellent." "Thank you." "Are we going to shoot the home scene today?" "Hi." "Hello" "Go ahead, go in." "Where do you want the plant?" "Bring it in" "Eevi and Snadi and Anneli Everybody in." "Come." "Eevi, don't push the buttons Go to Mom." "Go." "Look into the camera" "Hi." "Look into the camera" "We don't need you yet" "Let's start with Olli entering the house" "Shall I enter alone or with Raija?" " Alone." "Yeah, maybe it's better" " Yeah." "Why don't you go there" "Why couldn't Raija enter with me?" "You're preparing for a world championship match" "It doesn't look good if you have a chick on your arm all the time." "Shall we go out?" "Olli, please go outside" "You'll greet him inside" " Right." "You'll go outside, and I'll greet you inside" "Shut the door" "Hi." "Hello" "I see." "Good." "Thank you" "Was it okay?" "I think it was really nice" "Good" "Pour the coffee, please" "Pour coffee for Olli, please" "Please go back to your place" "Nice house" " Yeah." "This belongs to an acquaintance of Elis." "He doesn't use it." "I wonder what there is to do here." " Here?" "There's nothing to do here" "Look inside" "Au rig ht" "What do you think?" "Okay." "Thank you" "Hello." " Hello" "When does the next train to Kokkola leave?" "In an hour" "Is it the last one today?" " Yes, it is." "One ticket, please" "Good." "Keep your hands up Harder, Olli." "Harder." "Move your feet." "That's it." "Keep your hands up all the time" "Hi." "Hello." "Am I interrupting?" "A little." "What is it?" "I thought I'd go visit home" "Ijust bought a ticket, and the train is leaving" "Can you tell Olli?" " Sure." "Take care." "Have a good trip" "Thanks" "Olli, now it's starting to look What?" "Did you tell her to leave?" " Of course not." "She came here and said her train is leaving." "But this is..." "Oh, she said, "Take care" "But this is starting to look good" "I'll listen to your lungs" "Take a deep breath" "He has no business fighting in the adult weight class." "How much is it?" "It's a little over" "It's a little over... 60" " Over 60?" "What the hell?" "It's too damn much" "Are you a clown?" "Are you a clown?" " No, I'm not." "The weight is what it is 57 is too low" "We agreed on this weeks ago We can't change it now." "Your class would've been right for me." "What?" " 61 kilos would've been just right" "How the hell can it be over 60?" "How many weeks have I been telling you you have to lose weight?" "How many weeks?" "I've never failed to make the weight" "Good" "S" "I'll go get some fresh air" "Sit on the bench." "That's good" "Are you going to be okay?" " Yeah, I'll be okay." "You want water?" "No, I'll be fine" "You look pretty serious in the picture." "I thought this was Olli's match but it's Elis's." "Elis Ask's world championship match."" " Look at the poster." "Come take a photo with us" " All right." "I see, high society is calling" "Hello." "Step in the middle" "Show your fists" " Well..." "Sure." "Thank you" " Olli!" "Gentlemen, this is Olli Maki" "The match has been made possible by these gentlemen." "Hello." "Olli" "Hello" "Hello" "So this is what our new national hero looks like?" "Well, let's fight first but we want a world champion" " Absolutely." "It's important that we have a home match" "That way the Finnish people can support him." " That's right" "It might be easier to fight in the home ring but public support is really important." "How many tickets have you sold?" " We still have about 4,000 left." "Could I use the phone?" "I need to take care of something" "It's in the back" " Thanks." "Hello" " Hey" "Hi, this is Olli" "At the theater?" "Yeah" "No, that's okay." "I can try again later" "Tell her I said hi" "Okay." "Bye" "What the hell?" "She wasn't home" "Haven'tI mingled enough?" " What are you doing?" "Did I do something wrong?" "You need something?" "You have problems?" " No." "Those people are ready to give you money and support you." "And what do you do?" "You sneak away to call the goddamn backwater town" "What's wrong with you, Olli?" "Boys, how about a group photo?" " Of course." "World champion" "Oh, you want to be in it too" "Is it okay?" "Time!" "Olli, you're next" "Au rig ht" "Don't feel sorry for him!" "Don't feel sorry for him!" "Punch him!" "Come on!" "Punch him harder!" "Good." "Punch him!" "Don't feel sorry for him!" " Time!" "Good job!" "All right." "Now it's starting to look the way it should." "Goddammit," "listen!" "How did you spend all our money?" "We can 't live like this!" "Get us money 1 don't care hom" "Take your coats." "We'll put them on downstairs" "Daddy's going inside to say hi to a friend." "I'll be back soon." "Wait in the car" "What?" "You need to poop?" "Okay just a moment" "Wait in the car" "Are you soaked?" "Eevi needs to use the bathroom" " Come on in." "That's why we needed to come in" "Eevi needs to use the bathroom" " Okay." "May she use the bathroom?" " Sure It's on the left." "Go ahead." "Go ahead" "Go ahead, sit on the toilet" "I have my daughter with me." "She needed to use the bathroom" "The others are waiting in the car The weather is pretty horrible." "We" "How much do you need?" "just enough for daily expenses" "For tomorrow and the day after tomorrow 300,000?" "250,000?" "200,000 is okay." "Whatever you think is appropriate" "I'll write you a check for 300,000 so that you can concentrate on your work." "Here you go." "Thank you." "This really helps" "Your support is important" "I hear Maki is a communist" "Olli is an excellent boxer" "I don't follow politics, so I don't know what he is" "I promise you won't be disappointed" "We're making a world champion here, so" "Nice to hear" "See you on Saturday then." "Yes." "Sorry for the disturbance" "Let's get out quick" "Thank you." "Bye" "Where's Eevi?" "Is she still in the bathroom?" "Fucking hell" "Wait here" "Hello again." "We..." " We forgot his daughter in the bathroom." "Yes, we left the kid there Would it be possible..." "Come on in." "Thank you" "Thank you" "Yeah" "You have everything now?" " Now we do." "Thank you." "Hi, this is Olli" "Is Raija home?" "Right." "Do you know when she'll be home?" "Yeah." "Okay" "Well, bye then." "Yes." "Bye" "BECOMING A CHAMPION IN AN AjANMIES SUIT" "It arrives at 6:58 in Kokkola" " Okay." "I'll wait here." "Thank you." "Welcome" " Thanks." "Let's break it!" "Now you get to go home" "Bye." "See you!" " See you!" "What are you thinking?" " Nothing." "You're thinking about something" "It's impossible to stop thinking" "I ran away" " Why?" "I couldn't focus there." " Can you focus here?" "Come help me put these away" "They get mad ifI leave stuff lying around" "Goddammit Olli Whats wrong with you?" " Right" "The arena is full of people who want to see you train." "But you run to some goddamn backwoods!" " Err, well" "I'm training here" "Vou understand?" "Get back here immediately!" "Tomorrow." "Vou understand?" "Yes." "Good." "Right." "Bye" " Vou have to train..." "How are things in Helsinki?" " They're good." "Don't you want to eat with us?" " I still have to lose weight." "That's terrible." "You're so skinny as it is" "At least have coffee." " Sure." "I'll have a cup" "I have to pedal fast here" "The road is a bit soft" "Hold on" "Here's a cun/e" "You have to come to Helsinki with me." " Again?" "I can't focus if you're not there" "What do you think I am?" "You can't come here just because you're scared to be somewhere else" " It's not that." "That's how you behave" " Ijust..." "What if I lose?" "What if people are disappointed in me and realize I'm not the guy they advertised?" "What if you're disappointed?" "How could I be disappointed when I haven't asked anything of you?" "If anyone's disappointed it's because of his own stupid fantasies" "You're not responsible for them" "Is that so?" " Yes, it is" "Will you marry me?" "Will you become the world champion?" "Of course I will" "Okay, I'll marry you" "Okay, let's get going" "Imagine a sold-out crowd shouting "Olli!" "Olli!" "Olli!"" "A terrible thought." " A terrible thought?" "You might think you're modest, but do you realize how your modesty sounds?" "I'm doing all this for you" "Dozens of people are here working for you" "Maybe that's not exactly what I want." "What is it that you want?" "I want to be left in peace" "Peace?" "When 30,000 people are watching you getting beat up?" " No, I..." "I want peace before the match" ""How are you feeling?" The film crew and this damn circus" "You have to understand that this damn circus pays for everything." "This isn't an amateur match where your mom's selling tickets and your dad's selling pretzels." "Welcome to professional sports" "The scale is totally different" "Of course I want to fight the match." "Ijust ...wish I didn't have to deal with all the people and the fuss" "We can't have the match at the Workers' Hall in your small town" "Raffle tickets. 20 marks each!" "Pretzels, 30 marks a piece!" "Davey Moore alone cost 12 million" "I understand, but I'd just like to focus alone in peace" "If you want peace, I'll arrange it for you" "We" "Are you going to be okay?" "Yeah, I'll be fine" "Huh?" "Davey Moore 56.5 kilos" "Then Olli Maki" " Olli." "Can you hold this?" "Take your shorts off Take them off." "Olli Maki 56.98 kilos" "Thank you" "Good job." "Great" "You did it." "Olli, you did it" "Oh, we're taking pictures Let's go." "Olli, come take pictures with us" "Yes, we'll take these" " Okay." "What do you want engraved on them?" " What do people usually have?" "The date and the names" "Why don't you write" "Raija and Olli, August 17th, 1962" "Is that okay?" " Yeah." "Okay." "You can pick these up on Monday." " Yes." "just a moment" " Thank you." "Remember that you've worked a hell of a lot for this." "You've practiced in the best possible way" "You'll go out there and enjoy" "Show them what you know" "Don't be afraid of anything not even losing." "You know you're safe" "If it starts going bad, we'll always be there for you" "Is there anything else I can do for you?" "No." "I'm ready" "Dear friends of boxing." "ladies and gentlemen, for the #rst time in Hnlanai a world championship match." "Ladies and gentlemen." "Placing second in the 7 .957" "European Amateur Championships winner of the 7 959 European lightweight title." "Ladies and gentlemen," "The Baker of /(okkola, Olli Maki" "Keep your hands up." "That's good" "Good" "Keep your feet moving" "You're doing great!" "All right, go" "Move your feet" "That's the way" "Good.Good" "Get up." "Get up" "Get up!" "Hands up" "Get up." "Up!" "Put your hands up" "Hands" "What happened?" "What happened?" " It's over." "I couldn't see anything" "Ladies and gentlemen" "The winner and still champion Davey Moore." "I couldn't see him coming" "I thinkI had my chin too high" "Olli, how are you feeling?" "I don't have much to say, it happened so quickly." "How would you describe the match?" "I think it was the easiest match of my professional career - in the sense that it was over so quickly" "This was over after two rounds" " Make some room, will you?" "Put the camera down" "Elis, could you stand in the middle and pose for the camera with Olli?" "We're going to take the final shot" "S" "Let's go take the shot" " Oh." "Sure." "Should we leave?" " What?" "Do you want to leave?" "Or should we just leave now?" "Olli." "Come here" "Raija and I are leaving" " No." "Come here." "Bye!" "You think we'll be like them?" "You mean old?" "Yes, and happy" "Of course we will" "Okay" "One, two" "Translated by Aretta Vahala Proofread by Rich Lyons"