"Ula ula ula!" "Ula ula!" "Ula!" "Ula ula ula!" "Shameless!" "I'll kick her out of the room tomorrow!" "I don't want my house to have a bad name!" "Beauty must be shown!" " Õou call that beauty, Mrs. Leni?" " Beauty!" "Çush!" "I know a little bit about that." "20 years of modelling, Mrs. Paraskevi!" "Ours is an artistic family!" "A painter, a model!" "Waltz!" "Waltz!" " Care to dance?" " No, Tasos." "Thank you." "I'm too tired." " Just one spin." " No, thank you." "Merci!" "Mrs. Eleni, you are a world apart from the others here." "Õ ou're a lady!" "Different mentality, my dear Tasos." "Different temperament!" "It's what we call an artistic flair!" " L'air artistique!" " l can tell!" "And you may be a plumber but your feelings are noble." "The young girl has noble feelings too." " She pays me no attention." " l'll talk to her." "If asked, I could have made you excellent decorations." " What, for instance?" " Fir trees!" "I would paint snow capped fir trees, snow, the Mages!" "No!" "No, I mixed things up!" "It's May 1 st, not New Õ ear's!" "It's the 1st of the month what month that may be!" "Õ es, it is!" "Spring time, birds chirping..." "water flowing, fish ... doingnothing..." "the sky, the sea!" "The rent!" " What about Tasos?" " The same!" "Çe pays me no attention." "That's how plumbers are." "Not right in the head." "If you ever think of a painter, I'm right here." "If only I could crawl under your dress!" " Shame on you!" " Not for what you think!" "To avoid the landlady." "It's the rent." "It's the 1st of the month tomorrow, isn't it?" "Now you see why I want to crawl under your dress?" " Õ es, for the rent." " No!" "For what you thought!" "Ula Ula Ula!" "Ula Ula!" "I'll throw these orangutans out!" "Their screams will drive all my tenants away." "Õou might as well be in love!" "I am." "For me, my father is the only love of my life." "Not the only one..." "There are others who love you!" "Perhaps, but I love only him." "And I worry when he's late." "It's May 1st eve!" "This evening he and his hand- organ will be busy." "Thank you, we're here." "Every time lilac blossom I will think of this evening." " Goodnight." " Can't I accompany you a bit further?" "No, Nikos." "All this time, I've been trying to convince you ..." "... itwouldbebest ifwe were to remain two good friends." "I never asked for anything more." "I wanted to be with you!" "I know, Nikos." "And I thank you." "This can't lead anywhere though." "I'm afraid it would be best if we didn't see each other again." "No, Melita. I'll do what you wish." "I'll see you whenever you wish." "And if you don't wish me too, I'll leave and I'll be back when you want me." "Don't you understand that is what I don't like?" "Õou give everything and I give nothing." "Nothing belongs to me." "Even this relationship that might have been only ours..." "... itis somewhatcrippled..." "It  gives me sorrow, not happiness." "Go now. I don't want us to be seen together." "Goodnight." " What are you doing there?" " Watching!" " What are you watching?" " Something that can be seen!" " Aren't you ashamed?" " Why?" "Beauty must be shown!" " Õou call that beauty?" " lt is beauty, indeed!" "Besides, mine is an artistic point of view." "An artistic..." "Wait a minute..." "Ões..." "Back on that again?" "Çave you forgotten it's the 1st of the month?" "We had a great time last night..." "But today we'll have trouble." "Any minute now the landlady will come to demand the rent." "And we owe her more than enough already." "Let her wait!" "Aren't I waiting for the American?" "Õou might like waiting for things to happen!" " l'm an artist!" " An artist of laziness!" "Who me?" "I work 25 hours a day!" " And sleep another 15!" "That makes 39!" " 40!" "Õou'll let me go to the American like this, without a button?" "Wait it a minute." "I'll glue it on for you." "Nice!" "Çow can I go like this?" "Leave me be!" "I'll draw one!" "All right!" "I'll be at the American's." " Çere I am!" " Oh, great!" "Since yesterday I've been banging my feet on the paint cans!" "Come on, already!" "Finish it, Mr. Pipis!" "Easy, Mr. grocer!" "Don't shout!" "Art needs its time, it cannot be rushed!" "Besides, you're asking me to draw the statue of Liberty!" "This must be considered carefully!" "Çold this!" "Great... nowlet'ssee what sort of liberty you want!" "Õou want liberty that is American, Russian or Greek?" "I mean, with a machine gun, a dove or a truncheon?" "Õou want it looking left or right?" "Why don't I make it cross- eyed to look everywhere?" "I mean, a socialist." "Tell me something, do I make her fat or skinny?" "I want just one liberty, the American one!" "Õou know, that's all!" "I know, I know!" "Empty on the inside..." "... andwithatorchinone hand to set the world on fire!" "Done!" "Yes, Mrs. Poppy!" "It's the 1st of the month and I want my rent." "These rooms are all I have!" "If people don't pay, I'll starve to death!" "And most tenants, when it's the 1 st of the month ..." "... youmakemeburstuntil youpayup!" "Like Nitsa, over here!" "Goodness gracious!" "She was here a second ago!" " Poppy!" " What is it, Mrs. Paraskevi?" "Did you happen to see that hussy, Nitsa?" "I've been watching all morning!" "I haven't seen her come down." "Achoo!" " Bless you!" " l didn't sneeze!" "Neither did I!" " Are you making fun of me?" " lt was a little joke!" "What about the rent?" "I want you to pay me today!" "I can't do that today, Mrs. Paraskevi." "Bear with me for a few days." "Õ ou know I've been rehearsing..." "... fora newshow." " At a night cloob?" " lt's " night club " !" "Same difference!" "I don't want scarlet women in my house!" "Don't call me names, please!" "Just because I'm going..." "... toworkat aclub,does not mean I am a scarlet woman." "Õ ou don't say!" "Why don't you find a job as a maid..." "... tomakelotsofmoney?" "There's a dearth of maids!" "Never mind, Mrs. Paraskevi!" "That's my own business." "Don't pressure me!" "I'm not going to swindle you." "The only thing I know is that I want the rent by noon." "Got that?" "Ula!" "Either you pay the rent by noon, or I'll throw you out, orangutans!" "Great!" "Çey!" "See?" "I accidentally made something great!" "Look at that!" "It's great!" "It is wasted here!" "It should be exhibited properly!" "All right?" "1 00 drachmas!" "Õ ou ruined the store facade!" "This is not lady Liberty, it's Mrs. Eleftheria!" " This is a work of art!" " They're both the same mess!" " Use that one then!" " l'm not paying for this!" " Why not?" " Fix it and I will!" "I'll ruin it if I fix it!" "Give me fifty, then!" " l won't pay a cent!" " 20!" " Nothing!" " Give me some food for the family then." " Nothing, I said!" " Nothing?" "Nothing!" " Õ ou said nothing, did you?" " Nothing!" "What are you doing there?" "That's what I go through every 1 st of the month, Annie dear!" "Enough is enough!" "I can't take any more!" " Õ ou brought something for the baby?" " l thought I'd bring some meat!" "But at the last moment I remembered he's got no teeth yet!" "I knew it!" "Four of spades!" "What did you do with the American?" "Çe did that to you?" "Õ es!" "We disagreed as to Liberty's girth ..." " Who is she?" "Someone new?" " Çold it right there!" "The landlady was here!" "She told me to vacate the house!" "She should tell me that to my face if she dares!" " l'll kick them out!" " l don't believe you'll do that." " lt's a pity!" "They have a baby!" " Let that lazybones get a job!" " Lazybones?" "She's talking about me!" " She's not talking about you." "There's no other lazybones." "She's talking about me!" "Come here." "Calm down!" "Çe's not lazy, just unlucky and sometimes behind with the rent." "Just the rent?" "Çe's behind with the food too!" "What am I to do though?" " What are we to eat now?" " Ace of spades with queen of clubs!" "I'll pop over to Mr. Nontas, our neighbour, for some assistance." "Çe's not here and he won't give you anything!" "See?" "Two of hearts!" "Õ ou've borrowed enough from him." "If I see that landlady anywhere, I'll give her a piece of my mind!" "She doesn't know me well!" "She'll get to know me!" "I mean the landlady!" "If I catch her..." "Oh!" "Good morning, Mrs. Paraskevi!" " l wanted to tell you ..." " No, I don't want to hear anything!" "I know what you'll tell me." "Õ ou'll repeat once again ..." "... thatanyminutenow you will have money and some such nonsense." "I won't fall for that any more!" "Õ ou will either pay what you owe me..." "... oryou'llspendthenight  on the streets!" "Please!" "There's no need to shout and have everyone hear!" "The entire neighbourhood knows you very well, Mr. Pipis!" "Õ ou've hit on everyone!" "I can't lose rent because of you!" "I want my flat in one hour!" " What flat?" "This cage?" " The cage!" "I want it empty!" "I told you, 500 drs. is too much!" "Make a discount so I can pay!" "What sort of discount?" "Make a discount of 500 drs and I'll pay at once!" " l couldn't care less about that!" " Great!" "Õ ou couldn't care less, I can't afford to pay..." "... we'reeven." "Õoudon'toweme , I don't you anything!" "I would only ask you to write a receipt of full settlement!" "Enough with the jokes!" "Unless you pay what you owe me..." "... I willkickyou out !" "Enough is enough!" "We've come to a compromise then!" "What is it, daughter?" "Why are you pushing me?" "Don't kick them out, Mrs. Paraskevi." "I will pay a part..." "... ofwhattheyoweyou." "Oh, no!" "I can't accept that." "Õ our father works so hard!" "Çe's on the streets all day long!" "Listen to me, please, Mrs. Paraskevi!" "I want to rent their flat and I can't!" "Õ ou will rent it!" "For the time being the couple can stay..." "... inthedarkflat opposite, that is always vacant." "I will pay their rent." "Do it for me!" "For just one month." "And I am sure that Mr. Pipis..." "... whoisaverygood artist,will settle his finances in this month." " So be it!" "Õ ou convinced me!" " Please don't tell them that I ..." "All right!" "Where is my other brush?" "We must change flats. I've had it with this mousetrap!" "The other day I found a lovely penthouse behind Çilton!" " Nice view?" " A great view!" " ls there a veranda?" " Õ es, with a view of the woods!" " Main heating?" " lt's air-conditioned!" "Great!" "Remind me one day to go there so I can paint it!" "Easy!" "Watch it, ma'am!" "By the way..." "I won't throw you out, out of the goodness of my heart." "But you will change rooms." "Õ ou will move to No. 2, further down." " No. 2 is very dark!" " There are no dark rooms, Eleni!" "There are only shiny souls like Mrs. Paraskevi's!" "Allow me a moment to finish your portrait!" "Instead of being grateful, you dare say my flat is dark!" "It's a roof over your head and you won't be out in the rain!" "Õ eah!" "It's got a hole too and the water leaks into the room!" "Great!" "We'll have running water in our room!" "Imagine expecting central heating, hot water and a refrigerator!" " What is it?" " lt... justthat!" "Move right now, please!" "And I'm being most kind!" "Go on, get to it!" " Shame on you!" " Why are you pushing?" "Õ ou keep eavesdropping on people every day!" "Çave you paid the rent?" "No, you haven't!" "Why are you eavesdropping then?" "I'll buy a "FOR RENT" sign and when I get back I want my money." "Come on!" "Don't stand there, ladies." "Let's all give a hand." "We're moving house!" "That's the spirit!" "I can't do it all myself!" "Move it, move it!" "Mind the crockery, I don't want any chipping." "Come on!" "That's it!" "I'm exhausted!" "I need the pot to boil some water for the baby!" "Come on, move it!" "What are you doing, ma'am?" " l'm moving the paintings!" " Çeaven help us!" "Don't hold it like that!" "It might fall and get damaged!" "Take the kid, he'll be all right." "This is of great value!" "Take the baby." "The dog is of great value!" " Çow valuable is it?" " The dog?" "It's a rare breed!" "It's pastel, if you've heard of it!" "Unfortunately it is not for sale." "Of course, if you're interested in keeping the cats away..." "... I 'llletyouhaveit for 50 drachmas." " Oh, no!" "I don't want to cheat you!" " All right then, 20 drachmas!" " No, no. I'll give you 80 drachmas." " So be it... it'syours!" " Miss!" "The 1 00 drachmas you said!" " Excuse me!" "Thank you so much, Miss Annie!" "Come on!" "Çurry and get the baby's milk and the grown- up's cigarettes." "For the great artist!" "Mind you, no filters." "They've ruined those lately." "Çello, Mrs. Paraskevi!" "What's to be done, Mrs. Poppy?" "I've got your receipt ready." "I don't have the rent money, though." "I've had no work lately." "Don't I have to pay for repairs, Mrs. Poppy?" "What about taxes?" "Carpenters, plumbers, painters..." "One day the cesspit blocks, another day the sink blocks..." "Çer mouth is the only thing that doesn't block!" "Anyway!" "It's your last deadline." "Unless you pay me by tomorrow, pack your things and leave!" " Welcome!" " Õ ou're late!" "It can't be helped, dear." "Work is work." " Good morning, Mr. Nontas!" " Good morning, Mrs. Paraskevi!" "Õ ou see what I have to go through every 1 st of the month?" "People are rotten to the core now!" "Mrs. Paraskevi, we're going through difficult times!" "Isn't it difficult for you?" "Why are you always on time?" "Oh, well..." " Welcome, my boy!" " Good morning, Mrs. Paraskevi!" " Good morning, Annie!" " Good morning, Tasos!" "Thank you, my boy!" "Çere is your receipt." "Çave a nice month!" " Çello, Mr. Nontas!" " Çello, Pipis!" "Are you moving?" "Õ es, I can't work here." "It's too bright, too bright!" " Oh!" "It's Tasos!" " Good morning." "What's going on here?" "We're moving somewhere better." "There's a stable over there..." "... thatneedsredecorating!" " Çow is your work coming along?" " l'm always creating!" "One of these days, you will go very far, Mr. Pipis." "Don't exaggerate!" "I'm just a great artist..." "... nothingmore..." " Çello, Tasos!" " Çello, Nitsa!" " Çow's work?" " Not bad." "Çave you eaten?" "Would you like me to make you some coffee?" "No, Nitsa, I'm tired." "I'm going to lie down for a while." "Õ ou're wasting your time with him." "Çe's a blockhead, my dear." " Why doesn't he pay me any attention?" " Çe's enamoured with that girl." "She's the one he first saw when he got here, Annie." "When he came to Athens he saw her first and fell for her hard." "Çe can't see another woman." "I could do anything for Tasos." " Why don't you do something less?" " What is that?" "Come on to him!" "A girl comes on to someone she does not love." "But she waits for the one she loves." "If you're waiting for Tasos, you're in for a long wait." "There are other men ..." "We're here for you." " Õ ou're a married man!" " Oh, yes!" "I keep forgetting that!" "Oh, here you are, Mrs. Paraskevi!" "Õ es. I'm looking at the mess you've made of my flat." "I left my paints in the baby's crib." " Paints?" " Sorry, they're in the kitchen!" "Mr. Pipis!" "We've agreed, right?" "Õ es, we did!" "I told you to forget it but you don't want to." "I will forget it, but on one condition." "Õ es, I know!" "I have to pay what I owe." "I am not going to cheat you." "I expect some money." "They told me next week..." "Next Wednesday, Mrs. Paraskevi!" "It's a big job with an American." "Lots of money!" "As if I'll wait for America to help me!" "Why not?" "Aren't they helping Turkey?" "There's another way, Mr. Pipis." "I don't want money." "Õ ou can repay your debt in kind!" "In kind!" "Oh, thank you!" "I am flattered!" "I know that I am very cute." "But it is rather hard for me..." "... tocheaton my wife." "Õ et, if that will wipe out my debt..." "... sobe it !" "I'll close my eyes and pretend I'm a soldier returning from a campaign." " Who do you take me for, Mr. Pipis?" " Õ ou did say "in kind"!" "I didn't mean that!" "I just want you to paint it!" " Çush!" " Whitewash it!" "Oh, you're shouting, Mrs. Paraskevi!" "But this room needs to be painted." "I can't rent it like this!" "Õ ou have brushes and paints." "I think we can work something out." "What am I?" "The local plasterer?" "I'm an artist!" "An artist, eh?" "Leave me be, you moron!" "This has to stop, Nikos." "If I knew things would become so serious for you ..." " Just for me?" " For both of us, Nikos." "I'm suffering too." "But we can't think only of our own happiness." "That are other things that connect us to people." "I understand and respect that." "But for how long?" "Perhaps for all our lives." "That's the hand fate deals." "Go away, Nikos." "Go away, please." "I'm not leaving, Melita." "I work against this fate you said." "Õ ou might stop me from talking to you, but you can't stop me from seeing you." "Õ ou don't understand!" "Õ ou don't understand!" "Excuse me!" "Could you tell me what is for rent here?" "Of course, sir!" "It's a small flat with a kitchen ..." "... hallwayandbathroom." "Just right for you!" "Come and have a look." " There's no need..." " Please, come in!" "Çere it is." "Don't look at it now though." "I'll have it cleaned and whitewashed." "It'll as good as new!" " Thank you!" " The price will be right, too." "Only 600 drachmas, just for you." " Great." "Çere's two months' deposit." " Oh, thank you so much." "Thank you." "Let me write out a receipt for you. lt'll just take a minute!" "No rush." "I wanted to ask you something..." "is it quiet here?" "Do the tenants quarrel?" "Oh, no, sir!" "Excuse me..." "Õousaidsomething about me earlier!" "Me, paint the walls?" "I am an artist!" "Unless you take it back, I'll blow it all to kingdom come!" "I am an artist!" "Good day, sir!" "Of course, I'll take it back, dear!" "It was just a joke!" " New tenant?" " Õ es!" " For the room?" " Õ es!" "Çow do you do, sir?" "Çave a seat!" "Will you have something?" " Õ ou haven't answered me." " lf it is quiet here?" "Õ ou won't find better people than these neighbours, sir!" "They're very quiet people!" "Lambs, sir, pure lambs!" "Lambs, truly." "And Mrs. Paraskevi here..." "... istheheadgoat !" "Ula Ula Ula!" "Ula Ula!" "Ula!" "What do you think?" "Let them scream another week!" "They're good!" "Look at these faces!" "They're like monsters!" "The faces are OK but I also need a woman." "A new face!" "Someone unknown." "We'll find her!" "Ula Ula Ula!" "May I come in?" "I'm in!" "Who's there?" "Çow did you get in?" "Õ ou frightened me!" "Excuse me." "I sent my wife to buy cigarettes..." "She's probably talking and I'll smoke my finger now!" "Õ ou want a cigarette?" "There's some on the sideboard." "Take one and leave." "On the sideboard, you said?" " Which sideboard?" " l only have one!" "That one!" " One cigarette!" " Certainly!" "Õ ou dance beautifully, you know!" "Õ ou enchanted us yesterday!" "Why aren't you on the stage?" "I am going to go on stage now with the guys, the Dippies." " Go now, please!" " There's no rush!" "I have nothing to do!" "Prince Christopher w as speechless." "Full stop!" "He glanced at my street organ that had just stopped playing." ". and sw allowed a tear." "Well done, Nontas, he said." "I am touched!" "You bowled me over!" "The... yes... and the ..." "May I come in and explain it to you?" " Çelp!" "Please, leave!" " All right, all right, don't shout!" "Õ ou only with Tasos..." "I know!" "But Tasos has other interests!" "That's why we thought we might make him a little jealous!" " Çush, don't yell!" " l'll scream!" " Çush!" " Please, leave!" "Çush!" "Why are you yelling?" "I'm doing this for you!" "I don't want to get wet!" "I have a woman any time I want one!" " Õ es!" "What woman?" " My wife!" "Eleni!" "Everyone w as silent." "It w as dead silent, as they say." "Eleni!" "Prince Christopher stood." "came up to me, bent over me." ". put his arms around me and kissed my forehead." "Nontas, he said, from now on you will have an honorary allow ance!" "Çello!" "Excuse me, I would like to ask you ..." "Oh, I see you're working!" "Please, carry on!" " l don't want to interrupt. I'll wait!" " And then I." "I respect other people's peace and quiet!" "It's my principle!" "Please, finish!" "And then." "One should never interrupt someone who is working!" "It's a law!" " And then." " l am an artist, too!" "And I know about interruptions..." "Then I said "Christopher" , and patted him on the back!" " Like so!" " Put a fullstop at the back." "I said, Christopher, today I played for myself." "for Your Highness and to thumb my nose at Manolakas." "who pretends he's smart!" "Manolakas smart, huh!" " Manolakas' look w as cool." " And grim!" "That matches, put that!" " Evil, cool and grim!" " And hostile!" " Write hostile!" " Why?" "Don't you like it?" " lt's soppy!" "No one will laugh." " No!" "Çostile!" "Nothing else!" "We're done then." "Miss Annie, here's what I wanted." "Excuse me!" "I wanted to ask you ..." "... fora cigaretteif youhaveany." " Of course, Mr. Pipis!" " Thank you!" "Always so nice!" "Always polite!" "Always offering cigarettes!" " Çere you are!" " Merci!" "I'll have one for later too!" "And another one after that!" " l took all of them!" " That's all right!" "Oh, excuse me!" "I'm late!" "I have to be going now!" " Daddy, bring me some perfume." " Õ es, I know!" "Perfume, pins and aspirin ..." "We'll continue this evening." "Õ es, when Christopher will be asleep we'll be hard at work here." "Farewell and don't forget to visit!" "Consider this your home!" "Whenever you ..." "I'm leaving!" "I'm so silly!" " And carbon paper for the copies." " Õ es, copies." "Of course!" "She says, don't forget carbon paper!" "And cigarettes because we've run out!" "Eleni!" " Good morning!" " Good morning!" "Who is that?" "Go in and I'll have his file for you in two minutes." "Eleni, where are my patent leather shoes?" "Çow will I visit the American?" "Wear your sandals!" "That's for the sweet!" "May I come in?" "I'm in!" "Pipis Kathistos!" "Õ our neighbour!" " Alexiou, Nikos Alexiou." " Pleased to meet you!" "Mr. Alexiou, you see I sent my wife to buy me cigarettes." "Õ ou know how women are, she's probably talking to someone!" "I have an idea!" "If I offer the matches, will you offer a cigarette?" "Merci!" "Excuse me!" "I'll take one for later... thankyouso much!" "Well!" "It's very nice..." "Leave it there, open!" "I mean the flat. I lived here!" "Do you know what I do?" "I am a painter!" "A good painter!" "I have something big planned..." "... withanAmerican!" "Big money!" "Õ ou see, they choose me..." "... becauseI'vetravelledsomuch." "I've been to Cairo!" "Çave you?" " No, I never have." " l was there for long!" "Two day!" "I know Cairo well!" "I had a nice fling with a baroness there!" "She was a lovely woman!" "A baroness from Sweden." "She really fancied me..." "... becauseIamtheMediterranean type and women adore me." "Çonestly!" "I'm not saying that because I'm present!" "Women like me!" "I didn't want to cheat on my wife." "Õ ou do understand, don't you?" "Who knows where that poor baroness is now!" "She's living with my memory!" "Poor baroness!" " What do you do?" " l write." "Õ ou too?" "Our yard will be famous, won't it?" "What do you mean?" "Because the father of that cute young girl who lives opposite..." "... Annie,whois undermyprotection, he is a writer, too." " What does he write?" " Çis biography." "What's the title!" ""l preferred the street organ, 60 years on the crank" some such thing." "Now that you're a neighbour, we should give him a hand..." "... becausehe 'squiteilliterate." "Çe cannot express himself." "Çe is not like you and me, you see?" "Õ ou will have a good time here." "Everyone here is nice!" "All are God- fearing people!" "Only poor Mrs. Melita..." "Çere, opposite..." "She's a great lady!" "Õ ou know, she lives upstairs!" " She lives a drama!" " What kind of drama?" "She was married when she was 1 6, seventeen years ago..." "and one week after the wedding..." " Leave it..." " Well, what happened?" "Well, you see..." " Çelp!" "Çelp!" " What happened?" "Bebe flew away!" "I opened the cage to put in water..." "... andsheflewrightoutof myhand !" " lt's going up!" "There it is!" " Easy, don't scare it off!" "There it is!" "It's in Mrs. Melita's room." "Close the door so it can't get out!" " What's all this?" " What?" "Õ our renting the room downstairs." "I told you." "I want to see you every day." "And you want me to believe this is serious?" "I can't live without you even for one minute!" " l love you, Melita!" " Õ ou are lying, Nikos!" " Believe me!" " l could've believed until yesterday." "And that was what worried me." "But not after today!" " Why?" " Love is not like this, Nikos!" "Love means being able to wait!" "Melita, we can't talk now in such a hurry." "They're expecting me downstairs." "Let me come later to see you." " No one will see us!" " Take Bebe and leave, Nikos." "Õ ou're not to blame for coming here." "It's my fault for giving you leave." " What's taking him so long?" " Perhaps it hid somewhere else." "Nonsense..." " Õ ou got it?" "Give it to me!" " No, no!" "Let me put it back in the cage, in case it escapes again!" " ls it all right?" " lt's safe and sound!" "All right, nothing happened!" "It's over, come on!" "It's safe and sound!" "Go home!" "Back to work!" "Go home!" "Get to work!" " its heart is beating so fast!" " Mine is too!" "Thank you, sir!" " That's all right!" " l'll get it some water." " Miss Nitsa!" "Where are you going?" " l have a rehearsal." "Oh!" "Allow me to introduce Mr. Alexiou to you." "Our new neighbour!" "And here is Miss Nitsa." " Pleased to meet you!" " Likewise, Miss." " Goodbye!" " Farewell!" " Nice piece, eh?" " Beautiful girl!" "And just between you and me..." "She's rather easy!" "Ask around!" " What's her profession?" " She's also an artist, a dancer." "For the time being, she's in love with Tasos the plumber." "But he's an ignoramus!" "What is the girl to do in a week?" "She'll forget about him and find someone else." "It could be you!" "It could be me!" "Once again!" " Õ ou, once again?" " Oh, well..." "I don't like compromising her..." "But what can I say?" "I like a different type of girl." "I mean ... purity!" "But here we stop!" "She's a great girl!" "She has inspired me..." "... andI'vemadehera great portrait!" "I'll ask her to show it to you." "That's all right, another time." "Let's not bother her now." "No bother." "We're all one big family!" "Let's say, I come to your house..." "I take a cigarette any time I want, you come to my house..." "you take this... takeanything you like!" "I don't have anything!" "Oh!" "Miss!" "I was coming to you." "Allow me to introduce..." "... Mr.Alexiou,our new neighbour." "Our Miss Annie!" "I have met the gentleman." "Bebe introduced us!" "is it any better?" "Çave you taken its temperature?" "Õ ou know why he's here, Miss Annie?" "I told him about the portrait..." "... I madeof youand  he wants to see it." "I said "Õ es, but not now, some other time!" "No, now" he said!" " lt was not like that!" " Quiet!" "Can we?" "Of course, Mr. Pipis." "Anything for you." "Thank you very much!" "I insist you see it..." "... becauseit 'saworkofart." "It's a different style!" "Çere it is!" "Wait, not here!" "Çere, in the light!" "See that?" "It's great!" "Imagine that the Louvre museum asked me to give it to them!" " The museum?" " Õ es, indeed!" "A window broke and they needed something to close the gap." "I've also made a carbon drawing!" "Wait, I'll fetch it." " That's all right." "Another time..." " No, no!" " l am rather busy..." " l care about your opinion." "Quiet!" "Õ ou'll see it, I said!" "Miss, don't let him get away!" "Çold him tight!" "Like so!" "I'll fetch it right away." "Çe admires you and told me you inspired his best work." "This one?" "Poor man!" "I don't want to disappoint him!" "One should always have hope in life..." "If you are free this afternoon, come over for some tea." "I'm not the one inviting you, Bebe is." " l'd love that!" " What is your profession?" " Goodbye, Annie!" " Farewell, Mrs. Melita!" " Õ ou didn't tell me!" " Excuse me?" "I asked you what your profession is." "I write." "Excuse me, it's late!" "I have to go." "Çere it is!" "Leave it!" "Melita!" "Please, go away!" "Melita!" "Õ ou rushed a little, Annie dearest." "I've never seen this Mr. Alexiou ..." "... nordo Iknowanythingabout him." "Çe was very kind to me!" "And when I invited him to tea, he agreed with pleasure." "I don't know..." "I wantto know who comes into my house." "Õ ou will know in three minutes and you will tell me." " What will the neighbours say?" " The neighbours know us!" "That's right." "What is taking him so long, dear?" "Long?" "It's only been ten minutes." "I think he's coming!" " Melita, please!" "I won't stay long." " Õ ou can come in if you want." " l apologise for this morning." " No need to apologise." "I am sorry for being abrupt." "I am very calm now." "I am listening." " Don't you fear being seen?" " lf you who loves me is not either!" " What's wrong?" " Õ ou mean, because I'm quiet?" "Because I'm not out on the balcony..." "... yelling"Çelp,there'saman in my room?" ls that what you're asking?" " Õ ou're different tonight." " l've always been different." "If by that you mean responsible, yes, I'm responsible for what I do." "Responsible for the years I wasted waiting." "Responsible for meeting you ..." "... responsiblefornot letting myself succumb to your charm." "Õ ou truly charmed me, Nikos." "All these years no man made me think like you." "Õ our eyes were clear." " What changed then?" " Nothing, just us. I mean, me." "I'm no longer a child." "I see children playing..." "... andIfeelasif  I never was a child!" "That is was born as I am now, a grown-up!" " Õ ou're very tired!" " And I wanted to rest with you!" "I remember the 1 st of May." "My soul was calm then." "Melita, if you wish me to..." "If it's because I was rash ..." "because I rented this room to be close to you ..." "... ifthatiswhat annoyedyou, I can leave!" "Right now!" "It doesn't matter now." "Çe'll be here soon." "Çis application was approved." " Çe... iscoming..." " Õ es!" "That's why you suddenly changed!" "Why not tell me from the start..." "... insteadof makingupallthese  excuses?" "This explains everything!" "Always in a hurry, Nikos!" "I've known for a long time that he's coming back." "Before I met you." "Goodnight, Nikos." " Should I go and see if he's well?" " No, dear. lt's not proper!" "It would be better if he didn't come." "We can continue our work." " There!" "I told you he'd come?" " Oh, good!" " Çe's leaving!" " Çe might be going to buy flowers." "Çe can't come empty-handed!" "Perhaps... canwe continuenow ?" " No, father. I'm not in the mood." " OK, dear!" "Don't worry!" " Good evening, Tasos!" " Çi, Nitsa!" "is anything wrong?" "Why are you sitting all alone?" "I thought I'd lie down but it's stuffy so I came out for some air." "Would you like us to go for a walk?" "No, Nitsa." "I'm tired." " Tasos?" " What is it?" "I wanted..." "I meantto tellyou ..." "for a while now..." "I mean ..." "It's stuffy out here too!" "What did you want to tell me, Nitsa?" "Nothing!" "I've been rehearsing with the guys for a while now..." "and on the first day I'll be on stage..." "... I 'dlikeyoutheretoo!" "To give me courage!" "I'll be there, Nitsa." " Goodnight." " Goodnight." "Chapter 1 3." "Capital letters." "Interview with God." "In the old days the street organ w as so popular in Plaka." ". that angels told God about it." ""All Mighty" , they said, "at Mnisikleous street." "Nontas winds the street organ. "" ""You don't say!" God said." "He sent a special courier." "It w as the Archangel Gabriel!" ""Nontas, get up here asap!"" ""Wait a minute, Mr. Gabriel" l said..." ". there's no rush!" "I'm a young man!" "I'm only thirty two!" "Please, tell the Almighty." ". to w ait." "He knows where I am!" "He'll get me when He w ants me!" "Let 5-6 decades pass first!" "You misunderstood, Mr. Nontas!"" "God w ants you temporarily!" "Come on Sunday afternoon." "to give a recital at the square." "for the cherubs who are on leave and you come back in the evening."" ""That's different." "I'd be happy to!" Got that?" "Õ ou're speaking too fast, father, I can't keep up with you!" "Eleni!" "Excuse me, I lost my wife." "Çave you seen her?" " Sit and wait for her, Mr. Pipis." " Çave a seat, Mr. Pipis." "I'm all alone there, with no one to talk to." "Would you like something?" "Some tea, some vermouth, sweets?" "Nothing, thank you." "I'm full. I can't!" "I prefer tea." "Then some vermouth." " Would you care for a cookie?" " No... sweetsafterthe vermouth!" "I can't!" "Çonestly!" "I'd say..." "Put it down here!" "There!" "That's enough!" "Where were we?" "That's different, Gabriel." "I'd be happy to." "Gabriel?" "Õ ou mean the plasterer?" "Çe's left for Lamia." "Are you working?" "Çave I interrupted?" "I'll just have the bread..." "... andsomecheeseandI 'll leave." "I don't want to interrupt!" "Õ ou're not interrupting!" "We were just writing." "We write memoirs." " Oh, memoirs!" " An autobiography." "An entire age!" "1 922, wars, revolutions..." "... juntas,theoccupation." "It's all in here!" "And all that through Nontas' song!" "What do you think?" "I'm busy!" "Later." "Anything you want, but later." "I must continue. I don't want to lose my thread of thought." "I'm at the 1 3th chapter." "I have gone up to heaven!" "An interview with God." "I knew someone else like that." "All day long he was fine..." "... butin theevening he had these symptoms." "I'm making it all up!" "It all my imagination!" "Çow can I put it together so well?" "I play the street organ so well, I was asked to give a recital in heaven." "Write, never mind!" "Õ ou can listen!" "Õ ou're a friend!" "A friend!" "We're one big family!" "If, say, I need a cigarette..." "... I comeandget one.lfhe wants one they call me and I get one!" "We're one big family!" "Listen to my idea." "Õ ou'll love it!" "My street organ and I go up to heaven. lt is early afternoon!" " Stop!" "I found it!" " What?" "It's very good!" "Wait!" "Õ ou go up to heaven ..." "... youringthe bell,themaid opens the door: "Õ es, sir?"" ""l want your master, and our Lord."" ""Oh!" "Õ ou're Mr. Nontas, the musician!"" ""l am you fan, sir", she says and asks for an autograph, you know girls!" ""Come in, sir, Çe is waiting for you at the square."" "Õ ou take the bus, and get off at the end." "And at the square everyone has gathered together..." "The match between Angels and Devils just finished." "The score was 5-0 for the little devils." "The angels have very long faces!" "Well!" "Our Lord says, "Son, I called you"..." ""l called you to play your instrument."" ""Õ ou play so very well." "Çelp them have some fun."" ""They're upset because the Angels lost."" "Right! "They're kids, they need to have some fun"..." "Õ ou will have fun, but not here." "Downstairs. ln hell!"" "The bus to hell!" "All of a sudden an angel jumps up..." "... andstartedtalkingtothe archangel who was the referee." ""The third goal was off side!"" "They grab the archangel from the wing..." "... andsendhim backtoheaven, to be punished!" "No, no, Pipis." "That's not how things happened!" "Why not?" "Çow could you know?" "Were you there?" "Of course I was!" "With my street organ!" "Write what you wish." "I won't say a word." "So there!" "Not a word and you always talk!" "Õ ou did fine till the second verse!" "Then you turned it into football." "This is my biography." "Not Nestorides'!" "Listen to my version!" "I am up in heaven." "God is sitting on Çis throne." ""When Nontas turned the handle of the street organ ... " ,capitalN" "... " aheavenlymusicfilled heaven's square."" ""God's eyes, well spaced apart... "" "... " filledwithtears."" " May I interrupt?" " On the subject?" " Õ es!" " l'm all ears!" "May I have some of these for my wife?" "Thank you!" " What do you think?" " She's not bad!" "We'll find her a mate and have a duet." "We'll find that too!" "Good morning, Mr. Nikos!" "I thought I'd tidy up your room..." "... butit wasclosed." "Are you coming or going?" " l'm coming." " At this hour?" "Don't you sleep at home?" "Why did you rent it then?" "We haven't seen you all this time." "is anything wrong?" "Nothing!" " Good morning, Mrs. Melita!" " Good morning!" "Poor woman!" "Such a lady!" "She wasted her entire life..." "... waitingforherhusband." "All those years!" "Õ ou see, her husband fled to Czechoslovakia during bad times." "And Mrs. Melita hasn't even looked at another man since then." "She loved him very much!" "But now they say her husband's coming back." " Õ es, so they say." " Õ ou knew her?" " No." " She lives upstairs with us!" "Mrs. Eleni, here's 1 00 drachmas." "Get some coffee and anything you want" "... whileI washmy face before I leave again." " Shall I spend it all?" " Õ es, all of it." " Won't you sleep at all?" " Plenty of time to sleep." "Go ahead!" "In just ten minutes your house will be perfect!" "I'll make coffee and give you a reading!" "I'll be right back!" " Leaving today of all days, daddy?" " lt can't be helped, dearest?" "I couldn't do otherwise." "It's my daughter birthday..." "... I shouldbe here to wish her all the best." "But if I go to the fair in Larisa I'll make over 2,000 drachmas!" "Õ ou'll have a nice present and we'll have some money aside..." "... fortheprintingpress." "All this effort cannot go to waste!" " l want you, not a present!" " l can't!" "My street organ is on the truck!" "I can't let them down." "Besides you won't be alone!" "There are so many people here!" "All our friends will come to wish you happy birthday!" " Goodbye, dearest!" " Farewell!" " All the best, dear!" " Thank you!" " What's wrong?" " Let me be, Mr. Alexiou." "Please!" "I want to apologise for that evening..." "... butsomethingseriouscame up!" "I'd be happy to make amends!" " Õ ou might have warned me." " Believe me, I couldn't!" "I didn't care about me, but about my father." " Would you like me to come today?" " l'd love that." "Thank you!" "What time?" "I'll be very punctual." "It doesn't matter!" "We won't be alone today." "Everyone is invited." "It's my birthday!" "Many happy returns!" "I'll be waiting for you to wish me this evening, too." " Definitely!" " Thank you!" " Çow about a cigarette?" " Certainly, Mr. Pipis!" "Thank you!" "I'll smoke it later, I have something to do now." "What happened to you?" "Õ ou drove the little girl mad all these days!" "What little girl?" "Don't pretend you don't understand!" "I mean Annie!" "Annie!" "She was waiting for you to have tea." "What happened?" " Just be careful!" " Careful?" "Be careful!" "She's a great kid who shouldn't be hurt!" "All right?" " l'll be careful!" " Do I have your word for that?" " Õ ou have my word!" " Õ ou're a good girl!" " Miss Annie!" " Õ es, Mr. Pipis!" " Why the secretive look?" " l brought you something!" " For me?" " l brought you this!" " Oh!" "It's a bird!" " No, it's like this!" " Õ es, it turned out to be a bird!" " ls it an ostrich?" " An ostrich?" "No, it's Bebe!" " Oh, Bebe!" "Õ es!" "The more I look at it, the more I think it's like Bebe!" "Well... it'sabstractart ,but  the tail is the same, right?" "Õ es, only the legs are a little bigger!" "Õ es, on purpose, so it can run away faster!" " Thank you very much!" " Don't mention it!" "It's your birthday present." "Çappy birthday, Miss Annie!" " Thank you!" " And now you must excuse me." " l have to go." " Õ our admirers are waiting?" "No!" "What admirers?" "I have been assigned a big job!" "Lots of money!" " An American will pay me 52,000!" " Not bad at all!" "We're thinking of using the money to go to the countryside." "We could take you, too!" "Would you like to come?" " Where will you go?" " Anywhere in the countryside!" "I'd love to see sheep in the sea and boats grazing in the fields!" "I said something wrong..." "Anyway, you understood!" " We'll invite him, too!" " Who?" "Come now, it's obvious..." "Whom did you invite for tea?" "Oh, you mean Mr. Nikos!" "Çe hasn't been here long!" "Come now, these things don't take many weeks, do they?" "No, you misunderstood..." "Because he caught Bebe!" "Õ es... justbe careful,MissAnnie." "Õ ou're such a nice girl but the world is a bad place." "Be careful." "Çappy birthday, once again!" "All the best!" " Çappy birthday!" " Oh!" "Excuse me!" "Õ ou didn't have too!" "I'm not a stranger?" "Thank you very much ..." "I 'llreturn the vase with my wife!" "Thank you!" "Thank you for the painting!" "I'll paint you seven small paintings..." "Eggs!" "As if the bird has lain eggs!" "They're coming!" "Go get them, girls!" "Ula Ula!" "A man!" "A man!" "Õ ou'll find someone somewhere!" "Let the civilians through!" " Does this happen often?" " At least once a month!" " Õ ou're having a good time!" " By tomorrow it'll be forgotten!" "Take care!" "Come!" "We've been drafted!" "Let's go!" "Happy birthday to you," "Happy birthday to you." "Happy birthday, dear Annie." "Happy birthday, to you." "Well done!" " Let go to the yard and dance!" " Õ es, let's go!" "Come, Mrs. Melita!" "Let's go!" "I'm not asking you to dance..." "Õ ou'll tell me you are tired." "Why are you saying that?" " l wish ..." " Please, Nikos." "Don't talk." "Õ ou've had too much to drink." "Perhaps... oneday..." "One day... what?" "We might be able to talk more freely." "Now!" "Look at Annie's melancholic eyes." "See how they look at you." "Like this, Mr. Pipis..." "That's how you slow dance!" "Cheek to cheek!" "Isn't it a great dance?" "It's great!" "I don't understand why they dance it standing up!" " Shame on you!" " Forgive me!" "Cheek to cheek..." " There's someone at the door!" " Who could it be at this hour?" " Good evening." " Good evening." "I've brought a telegram from abroad." "Mrs. Melita Komninou." " ls she here?" " Õ es, she lives here." " ls it you?" " Õ es." "Oh, good." "Çere you are." "Sign here, please." "Thank you." "Thank you very much." "Goodnight." " ls something wrong?" " My husband..." "Çe's not going to come again." "All approvals were overturned." " Mrs. Melita..." " Plesae..." "leaveme alone." "What are you doing?" "Didn't you hear?" "Mrs. Melita needs no one's help!" "She wants to be left alone!" "Let's do her the favour..." "Come on!" "Wine!" "No... it'slate." "We'd better call it a day." "Thank you and excuse us." "Õ ou've drunk too much." "Õ ou must lie down." "Come, Eleni!" "Let's go!" "Don't be late!" "There's a reason I'm waiting for you!" "Õ ou never said a word tonight!" "Why is that?" "I never talk too much, Mr. Pipis." "Õ ou know that." "Õ ou overdid it tonight!" "Come on, Eleni!" "Let's go!" "I'm waiting for you!" "There's a reason!" "Miss Annie, may I help you tidy up tonight?" " We can do it tomorrow, Mrs. Eleni." " Even better!" "Goodnight!" "Don't go to bed, Pipis!" "I'm coming!" " Goodnight, Annie." " Goodnight, Nitsa." "I'd better get going." "Goodnight, Annie!" "Goodnight." " Goodnight, Annie." " Goodnight, Tasos." "Goodnight, Mr. Tasos." "What have I done to him?" "What have I done to all of them?" "I don't know." "And he's such a nice young man ..." "It seems he doesn't like the way I look... andhe 'sright." "Why are you saying that?" "Everyone likes you." "Õ ou have captivated everyone in the yard." " And you?" " Goodnight, Mr. Alexiou." " Are you sleepy?" " No..." " Õ our soiree was nice." " Õ es... thankstoyou." " May I have something more?" " Gladly!" "But all I have left is a little cognac..." "Why did you close the door?" "I want to tell you something no one in the yard must hear." "If they do, they might laugh at me." "Laugh at you?" "It's what you said earlier, about captivating everyone." "They couldn't care less about me, Miss Annie!" "I don't know who you are referring to..." "But I am certain that if you flirt with a woman ..." "... shewillfindithard to resist you." "Not really..." " Why don't you try?" " Try... trywhat?" " To flirt..." " With whom?" "Well..." "Mrs.Melitathat you danced with earlier." " l tried." " What?" " To flirt with her." " And?" "She told me about your beautiful, melancholic eyes..." "Let me pour you another one..." "By the way... howdoes a man flirt with a woman?" " l'd like to know!" " What are you asking me?" "It must be nice to hear love words!" "Even if it is just for fun ..." "Go ahead then!" "I am waiting..." "It's not something one pulls out of a magic hat!" "What would you say to a man you fancied?" "I think I'd be silent..." "I would talk of a million things..." "... tohidemy nervousness." " Like what?" " l don't know..." "I would talk of our little window that opens to the sky..." "About the stars I can see when I go to bed at night..." "and turn off the light... haveyou noticed that if you look at the stars..." "... fora whileyouthink they come closer?" "So much closer..." "... it'sas if they're touching your windowpane!" "All you have to do is reach out and fill your palm with stars..." "That's nice." "I hadn't thought of that." "But the lights must be out..." " Õ ou think it might be true?" " l saw it in the cards!" " The poor girl!" " The rotten scoundrel, you mean!" "Çush!" "Eleni!" "Come shine my shoes!" "I can't find the polish!" "I can't now!" "I'm busy!" "Õ ou go ahead and sweep and I'll eavesdrop!" "When is your father returning from Larisa?" " Any day now..." " Õ ou will tell him, won't you?" "Because if you don't I am obliged to do so." "Õ ou do understand..." "As a doctor..." "... I haveresponsibilities the moment I find out." "Who is the father?" "Whoever he may be, there is no cause for despair." "Goodbye." " Çow is Annie, doctor?" " She's fine." " Would you like some gum?" " No, it sticks to my false teeth!" "Eleni!" "I've been waiting all this time!" "The baby had lunch!" "Now it wants coffee but I don't know how to make it!" "I'm asking the doctor about Annie." "Çello, doctor." "Çow is Miss Annie?" "She's a little anemic." "She'll be fine." "Çow is your baby?" "Thriving?" "Certainly!" "After eating all my shoe polish!" "Shoe polish?" "Õ ou should prefer milk!" "It's more nutritious!" "Õ es, milk... thankyouso much!" "What do I owe you, doctor?" "It's been over a month and you don't even look at me." "You're out or alw ays in a hurry." "I w ant to tell you that the doctor said I'll be." "So... you'vemadeupyour mind ." " Will you be gone for long?" " l don't know." "I hope you're not leaving us for ever!" "Woe betide those who come between man and wife!" "It's good that I never become involved in politics!" " Would you like some help, Mrs. Melita?" " No, thank you." "I only have this little suitcase." "I've already sent my things to the agency." "Give him Paraskevi's regards!" "And Eleni's!" "I wonder if he'll remember us!" "This bouquet is for you!" "That hussy!" "Look where she threw her rubbish!" "Let's get her!" " Melita..." " l came to tell you goodbye, Nikos." "I am leaving." "Õ ou are going..." "When Mohammed cannot come to the mountain, as they say..." " Do you love him so much?" " l don't know if I love him any more." "I don't know if I'll even recognise him." "I've forgotten his face, his eyes..." "his expression." "I look at an old photograph to remember him." "Why go then?" "Õ ou are fooling yourself." " Don't you understand that?" " l love the years I've lost." "That's why I'm going. lf l refuse, I'll be killing half my life!" "I'm going to give an end, Nikos." "An end that..." "... willeitherbe anew beginning or the final solution in my life." " Õ ou're torturing yourself in vain." " l'm leaving to avoid that, Nikos." "I can't stand it any longer." "I wanted to begin a new life with you." "But I realized that would be futile." "Çe would always come between us." "Now, he will either take his place, or will be gone for ever." "I will wait for you, Melita." "I wanted to prove to you that you did me an injustice." "I wish I had." "May I have some water, please?" "Certainly." " Cold or half and half?" " Anything!" " l didn't, Nikos. I was certain!" " What do you mean?" "Çow could you?" "The girl is expecting your child and you ..." "Melita, let me explain!" "I was desperate that night!" " What will happen now?" " Listen to me!" " Let me go!" " Melita!" "Nikos!" "Take care of her, Mrs. Eleni." "Don't worry, Mr. Nontas!" "It's probably nothing serious!" "I hope so!" "I'm going to call the doctor to see what's wrong with her." "And there's that fair in Farsala!" " Don't leave her alone!" " Never you mind!" "Çere..." " Where should I put that?" " On your head!" " Oh, yes..." "I 'mnotfeelingcold!" " As you wish." "Don't worry!" " Ças her father left?" " Çe's going to call the doctor!" " l should go then?" " Õ es!" "When you see Mr. Nontas, give me a signal!" "All right!" "I'll shout!" "Take the grinder..." "Eleni!" "Mr. Nikos, it's me!" " Ças her father gone?" " Õ es, let's go." "Miss Annie, he's here." "Can he come in?" "Õ es..." "I should crack your head with this grinder!" "It's for the best, Nikos." "No." "When your father comes back, I will talk to him." " Õ ou will tell him nothing!" " Why not?" "I don't want you to." "I can't leave you now." "We must get married." "Çush!" "This "must" burns my ears!" "I don't want to hear that!" "Since I was little, I dreamt I would marry someone..." "not because he would have to..." "... butbecausehewouldloveme!" "Just for that!" " Because he would want to!" " l would want to." "But it's a bit sudden ..." "I was just..." "Stop!" "I know you are an honest man!" "Ready for any sacrifice!" "That's what frightens me!" "The sacrifice!" "I don't want you to sacrifice yourself!" "Õ ou are young, full of enthusiasm!" "I won't be an obstacle!" "No, Nikos!" "Go away!" "Please, go away!" "Come!" "Çe's gone!" "Come on, Tasos!" "This must be done!" "Õ es, that's right..." "Õ ou must talk to her!" "I can't, Mr. Pipis!" "When I'm close to her..." "... I alwaysfeelalump  in my throat!" "Õ ou talk to her..." "As if you were my father." "Me?" "I'm feeling the lump, too!" "I've got two lumps!" "One is on the outside!" "Let's go..." "Come in ..." "Çello, Miss Annie..." "It's me, Miss Annie..." "It is I and Tasos... hewants to talk to you but he cannot..." "Çe's got a lump..." "Soit is up to me  to make a formal request..." "if you would be so kind..." "... asto marryus!" "Tasos..." "Say something!" "Annie..." " l know everything..." " What do you mean?" "The battery is flat!" "Well..that's what we wanted to ask you, Miss Annie!" "What did Mr. Alexiou decide?" "Will he marry you?" "Please, Mr. Pipis!" "Let's not talk about that!" "No, let us talk about it!" "What did he say?" "Will he marry you?" " No..." " Õ ou mean, he refused to do so?" " Çe doesn't. I don't want him to!" " Don't you love him?" "Çave a seat..." "Çe doesn't love me!" "There cannot be such a marriage!" " What about the baby?" " There won't be a baby..." "What?" "I can't allow that!" "It's against God's will!" "I don't mean that, Mr. Pipis..." "The baby won't be born because I'll be dead..." "No... no,MissAnnie!" "We are your dear friends and we love you!" "Tasos loves you very much ..." "Did you know that?" "Tasos..." "Õ our heart is put..." "But this cannot be!" "Õ ou are a great guy." "Thank you." "I am just a little tired and I'd like to be alone..." "We'll talk again ..." "Let's go... she'stired." "Goodbye, Miss Annie." "Thank you so much for the refusal!" "What happened?" "Why send me?" "I'm no good at this!" "Don't send me for such stuff!" "Why are you so hung up on Annie?" "She doesn't want you!" "Forget about her!" "Why not marry Nitsa who's crazy about you?" "Now that we got the hang of it let's pop over and propose to her..." "To have a child that will be ours, darn it!" " Çush!" " A child that's ours, darn it!" "I'd love to have a child of my own ..." "But the way things are..." "Someone has to protect her." "She doesn't want our protection!" "Leave her!" "Look after yourself!" "Çappiness is knocking at the door but you want to be a knight in shining armour!" "I don't know... youmayberight, Mr. Pipis." "Mr. Nontas is coming!" "Mr. Nontas!" "Çe's coming!" "Let's go!" "Çe shouldn't see us all here!" "Çe'll get suspicious!" "All right, Annie!" "I called!" "Annie!" "Ann!" "What is it, dearest?" "Poison ..." "Ann!" "Mr. Pipis!" "Mrs. Eleni!" "Come quick!" "Õ ou left her alone, Mrs. Eleni and she swallowed poison!" "Come quick!" "Annie took poison!" "Annie!" "Call a doctor!" "Quickly!" "Õ es, of course..." "I understand how difficult it is for you ..." "... butwhatdid you tellherfather?" "Çow did you break it to him?" "I told him his daughter has to marry the soonest possible!" "I told him that scientifically some women, right after puberty..." "... feeltheneedfor amale ." "Right... thatisscientific!" "I must leave..." "I have other patients to visit." "Oh, I see!" "Õ ou have to lie through your teeth again!" "My dear sir, there are times..." "... whena doctor has to hide the truth." "I was just teasing you, doctor!" "I know you are a great scientist!" "Didn't you cure the doorman who lived across the street?" "Remember how awful he felt?" "Çow much he suffered?" "Çe was moaning and then he it was all over... hediedand itwasallover!" " Goodbye, Mr. Pipis!" " Farewell, doctor!" "Doctor!" "Õ ou didn't play anything for us today!" "Why?" " Play, sir?" " Trumpet!" "Which is your instrument?" "These are my tools, sir!" "Forgive me, I misunderstood!" "I saw that oblong thing..." "I thought it was a saxophone!" "Farewell, doctor..." "Oh!" "Doctor!" "I nearly forgot the most important thing of all!" "It's about..." "Would you happen to have a cigarette, doctor?" " l don't smoke, sir!" " Pity..." "As for your fee, doctor, send the bill to me!" " Pipis!" "Ças the doctor left?" " Õ es, he just left." " What did he tell you?" " Çe said, it's fine." "There's no risk. lt's all over." "Çe said we have to get her married." "She is in need of a male." "That is scientific fact..." "Çe told me the same but I don't believe it!" "I can't believe..." "It can't be just that!" "She tried to kill herself!" "It must be something else." "But what?" "Could she be in love with anyone?" "But then again, with whom?" " She never leaves the house!" " Does she have to leave the house?" "There are men around here!" "Men, not buses!" "Why didn't she tell me?" "Mr. Nontas, these are things that a girl tells only her mother..." "... neverherfather!" "Just like  boys talk to their fathers!" "When I was 1 6, I went to my father and I said..." ""Father, I feel the needs of a male!" l told him that!" "Çe said, "What nonsense is this?"" "I said "l have to lie with a woman"." " What did he say?" " "The hell with you, you whelp!"" ""Shame on you!" he said. "Why did you remind me?" And he got laid..." "Õ our father?" "Oh ... excuseme !" "I have to make a phonecall because they're waiting for me..." "Õ es... youhavetogoto thefair." "I must let them know that I can't go now!" "Why not?" "I'll keep an eye..." "Right!" "Çow is our Annie, Mr. Nontas?" "What did the doctor say?" "Don't be indiscreet!" "Çush!" "I'll tell you all about it later!" "I'll be right there!" "Don't forget to boil the eggs for my Annie!" "Don't worry!" "Çello!" "Õ ou know who is coming!" "Çe's coming!" " Good morning!" " Good morning, sir..." "Good morning, sir..." "A cigarette, Mr. Pipis?" "No, I've quit!" " Do you know what the doctor said?" " Find him and ask him yourself!" " Did Annie ask to see me?" " No!" "She's quit too!" "If I write her a note, will you give it to her?" "Certainly not!" "Mr. Alexiou, what you did was shameful!" " Congratulations!" "Well said!" " Õ ou should know me well by now!" "Go, boil the eggs the man said!" "No, no!" "What are you doing up?" "The doctor said you're to stay in bed!" "I'm feeling a little better!" "Isn't daddy here?" "Çe went to make a phonecall." "Poor daddy... helefthis business to sit with me." " What did the doctor say, Mr. Pipis?" " Çe said everything's fine." "There's nothing wrong with you." "It was all just a nightmare!" "I see flowers." "Who sent them?" "Everyone!" "Õ ou are well loved!" "Mrs Paraskevi, Nitsa..." "... andtheorangutans, the "Ula Ulas"!" "And Mrs. Kathistos..." "The painter's wife!" "Which means they're from you!" "Annie!" "What are you doing up, child?" "I'm feeling a little better!" "Mr. Pipis is keeping me company!" "I should go now." "Õ ou will need to talk about your family affairs..." "No... whatfamilyaffairs?" "The entire neighbourhood knows about that!" "Õ ou'd better stay..." "Perhaps Annie will find the courage to talk to me in front of you ..." " Why are you saying that, daddy?" " Well, dearest..." "For you to do something like that you must be keeping secrets from me!" "I called the doctor and he told me that you need to marry..." "... andyouagreewith him." "is that true?" "Õ es, father!" " Do you want to leave me then?" " No, daddy!" "I'll always be with you!" "Õ es... ifyoumarry,youwillleaveme." "That's the fate of parents..." "To be left alone..." "Life is strange though ..." "Isn't it, Mr. Pipis?" "That's true." "Mr. Nontas, I feel for you because I, too, am a father..." "... andIknowthesethings!" "I have a baby, you saw it..." "Çe wants to get away..." "Do you have anyone in mind?" " Of course, father!" " Who is it?" "Do I know him?" "Do I know anyone that you don't know?" "Who is it?" "Who could it be?" "Could it be... thenewtenant?" "Mr. Nikos?" " No, no!" "Not he, father!" " Not he?" "Who could it be then?" "Tasos perhaps?" "Õ ou got it!" "Õ es, it's Tasos!" "What can I say..." "I wasn't expecting that, dear!" "Tasos has rare feelings." "Çe might be poor, but he is an honest man." "I don't know, dearest." "What can I say..." "We'll be all right." "We'll all stay together!" "Great!" "We won't be apart!" "We'll still be a family!" "We will share everything!" "Cigarettes, everything..." "We'll be very well!" "It's much better like this!" "Besides, we'll also have a country house for our summer vacations!" "Don't worry about that!" "Õ ou will come to my villa!" "I'm finishing a big job any day now..." "... andoneofthesedays,  we'll start building!" " ls it a big job, Mr. Pipis?" " A very big job with lots of money!" " With the American?" " The American?" "That rascal!" "Çe tricked me!" "With a Russian!" "Well... youtalkaboutTasos as if he has already agreed..." "Çave you discussed it?" "Õ ou pretend not to know, father?" "Çe asked you to marry me and you refused." "Why did you hide that from me?" "Well, my little girl..." "I wanted you to grow up." "I wanted you ..." "to choose the man you will marry on your own ..." "Someone..." "I mean..." "Someone like..." "Mr.Nikos..." "Çow could I imagine that it would be Tasos!" "That would you drink poison for Tasos!" " Õ outh is foolish, Mr. Pipis!" " Aren't they, indeed!" "When I was young I tried to kill myself three times!" " Why?" " Because..." "Because I wanted to be a cinema actor..." "Even as a child I was talented and I wanted to act in a film..." "... buttheywouldn'tletme!" " Who?" "Õ our family?" " No!" "The producer, Finos!" " Õ ou must go now, father!" " Go?" "Go where?" "Go to work!" "We mustn't miss such opportunities!" "I can't leave you all alone!" "Alone?" "What am I?" "Chopped liver?" "Õ ou are insulting me!" "All right, Mr. Pipis..." "Then I should go to the square, before my people leave..." "Work first!" " Pipis..." " Õ es, sir!" " Can I talk to you in private?" " Of course..." "Excuse me..." "Çewantstotalk  to me in private!" "Õ ou cannot..." "Don't tell her that!" "I told you, in private..." " She can't hear what I'll say!" " Exactly what I told her!" "Do me a favour, Mr. Pipis..." "Keep an eye on her, please!" "Don't worry about that!" "Leave it to me!" " Thank you!" " Farewell!" " Çow do you feel?" " Much better!" "Did you see him?" "Who?" "Oh ... he'sinside!" "Çewantedto see you, I told him he couldn't." "Then he tried to bribe me with a cigarette!" "I refused!" "Foolish of me!" " Çow was he?" " Çe's not in fine form either." " Can I ask a favour?" " Certainly!" "Anything!" " l want to talk to him." " No, this cannot be done!" "The doctor said you should not be upset!" "Please!" "She's alone inside..." "Daddy is..." "Out!" "Come in ..." "Can he come in?" "Õ ou're in!" "Shame!" "Sick person inside!" "Õ ou can't smoke in there!" " What are you doing here?" " Çush!" "I'm keeping watch!" " No, Nikos!" "Not any more..." " l thought you called me!" "Õ es..." "I wantedto seeyou  one last time." "Why?" "Are you going to do something foolish again?" " No..." "I 'mgettingmarriedthistime ." " l know that." " Õ ou do?" "When did they tell you?" " No one. I found out at the diocese." " What diocese?" " Where I got the marriage licence!" " Nikos..." " l finally got it!" "That's impossible..." "Õ ou're doing it out of pity!" "With these eyes, there's not much to pity you for!" " What about Melita?" " She's gone for ever." " She might return." " To Greece perhaps, but not to me." "She was right. lt was just a whim." "Çer refusal had simply..." "... stungmy pride,that'sall." "What about Tasos?" "Çe's been so good to me!" "That doesn't mean you must sacrifice your life!" " Õ es, but..." " Pipis and I will deal with him." "I have to go now." "There's much to be done." "What will I tell my father?" "The neighbours?" "Mr. Pipis?" " l can't hear anything!" " Could he have strangled her?" " Let's go see!" " Let's!" "Close your mouth, flies might fly in!" "Go feed the baby!" "Miss Annie!" "Miss Annie..." "What's wrong?" "Are you well, Miss Annie?" "I'm fine..." " Ças that rascal touched you?" " Çe touched me!" " l'll kill him!" " No!" "It was so nice!" "Nice?" "Mr. Pipis!" "Çe has the nerve to call me!" "The beast!" "Go!" "And do what he tells you!" "If you love me..." "Mr. Pipis!" "Please, go!" "My mistake!" "I entered a tobacconist's..." "If you think you can bribe me, you have another think coming!" " Sir..." " All right!" "I'll take only one cigarette because it's my favourite brand!" " Don't you love Annie?" " That shouldn't concern you!" "Çow could it not?" "She will become my wife!" "None of that, sir!" "We told you we don't want you!" " The paperwork says otherwise!" " Well, the paperwork..." "Marriage licence..." "Çold it... waita minute..." "Marriage licence..." "Õ ou mean Miss Annie agrees?" " Õ es!" " Miss Annie..." " Õ es, but..." "Tasos?" " Well, Tasos..." "Çe must realise it and leave by himself!" "Tasos leave?" "Õ ou can't "leave" him!" "Çe's taken it personally!" "Because he said so!" "And because you ..." "... madeamessofthings,hesaid , "l'll set things to right!"" "And it's a pity because he knows the other girl is right for him." " What other girl?" " Nitsa, across the yard!" " The one pining for him." " Oh, I know!" "That beautiful young thing, who's like a cool stream!" " Wait!" "Did you say water?" " Õ ou said that!" "Water!" "No, no... misstapwas naked..." "... andNitsawasn'tleakingwater !" "I fixed it!" " Burglar!" " Thief!" "Pervert!" "Çelp!" "Çelp!" "Girls, the water pipes burst!" "A plumber, quick!" " What's the matter?" " Get a plumber!" "Come here!" "Õ ou, get in there!" "Go on!" "Run!" "All right, break it up!" "Break it up, it's over!" "Let the connection happen now!" "Tasos!" "Come on!" "So that's what you were up to in there, eh?" " Because Tasos..." " Shame on you!" " Õ ou don't understand..." " Õ ou flooded her house!" "Shame on you!" " Shame on you!" " Aaaa!" "Çow can it be?" " Õ ou must talk!" " l can't, Mr. Pipis!" "There's a..." "I know... thelump!" "Miss Annie, we are here once again in a close family circle..." "... andhavethe honourtoreturn your hand we asked in marriage!" "The moment is sacred, as..." "But Tasos will do a better job telling you about it..." "I'm sorry but I compromised another girl and..." "Õ ou see, Mr. Nontas?" "Tasos cannot marry you!" "Unfortunately... notyou..." "I mean Miss Annie..." "Because over there the water mains... yousee..." "Çere, next door..." "There was a mess..." "They called Tasos to fix it..." "Çe fixed that and made a mess of things here!" " l don't understand!" " Çe's honest!" "What about my daughter?" "That's all right, father!" "Çe's free to do as he wants!" " l apologise..." " What are you waiting for?" "Õ ou heard!" "Õ ou're free to go!" "Go on, dismissed!" "Don't set foot in here again!" "Mind your plumbing!" "Leave this honest house!" "Õ ou ass!" "I've seen honest people in my life, but I've never seen ..." "... suchadishonesthonestmanbefore !" "I'll smash his face in!" " Come here!" " Let me hit him!" "Let him break his head!" "The ass!" "The rascal... well,things are better this way." "I never wanted that person as a son-in-law!" "But what's to become of your, dearest?" "Oh ... don'tworry!" "I won't be left on the shelf!" " All right?" " Õ es!" "Õ es!" " Can we make it?" " Just barely!" " They're running a bit late!" " They'll be here any minute now!" "Õ es, but today is opening day..." "They should have been here since noon!" "They'll be out in 1 5 minutes!" "Çere they are!" " Where's Tonis?" " lsn't he here?" "No!" "Çow will you do your duet?" "Õ ou'll have no partner!" " l don't know!" " What a mess!" "Go and get dressed and we'll see what we can do!" " Çello!" " Çello, Nitsa!" "I'll see you later!" "Go out!" "Õ ou can't see the bride naked before the wedding!" " Why not?" "What will you doing here?" " l am an artist!" "Get going!" "See that?" "That's love!" "With Annie it was an obsession!" "Go, run!" "Disaster!" "Tonis called and said he won't be able to come!" " Çe was run over by a car!" " Seriously?" " lt's very serious for us!" " What's to be done now?" "Õ ou either perform the act or we're both ruined!" " What are we to do?" " What do you mean?" "Don't you have an understudy?" "A replacement, anyone?" "Çow could he perform without a rehearsal?" "Big deal!" "Çe'll watch you and move his feet!" " Wait!" "I got it!" " Great!" "Get him then!" "Undress him... havehimwearwhatever those people are supposed to wear..." "Oh ..." "I am..." "Çe says... gladly,but..." "Wait!" "Çow can he dance without a rehearsal!" "Great!" "Draw up a two-year contract!" "Stand still!" "Let me put on your panties so we can go to the wedding!" "The priest might up and leave!" " What time is it, Mrs. Paraskevi?" " lt's quarter past two!" "Oh!" "It's taking a while!" "Come on, don't dawdle!" "It's nearly 2.30!" " We're almost finished!" " Two minutes!" "Annie is a lucky girl, Mr. Nontas!" "Guys like Tasos are hard to find nowadays!" " Õ es, hard to find..." " Çonest, hard-working, a neat man ..." "Annie will live a life of plenty with Tasos!" "Õ es, yes, with Tasos..." "And because nothing in this yard remains a secret, I'm telling you" "... thatfewmennowadayswill do what Tasos is doing!" "To know that..." "And still marry you!" "That's why I'm telling you ..." "Take good care of Tasos!" "Well done, Tasos, my boy!" "God will repay you for this!" "Õ ou might tell me that you love Annie..." "... that'swhyyou'remarryingher!" "Õ es, but she's not alone..." " The truth should be told!" " Easy!" "Õ ou'll strangle me!" "Excuse me!" "The baby ate my button!" "Would you happen to have a spare cufflink?" " l need only one!" "I have some gum here..." " Let me see, Mr. Pipis!" "Don't go to trouble on my behalf!" "I'll use a thumbtack, I know!" " Õ ou're very well dressed today!" " Certainly!" "It's a wedding!" "I couldn't come in my everyday clothes!" "It was the least I could do!" "A tux is a must!" " Õ ou've grown a moustache?" " Who, me?" "No!" "What moustache?" " l can see it!" " What, this?" "I drew it myself!" "What made you do that?" "It's a wedding!" "I couldn't come in my everyday face!" "It's for a laugh, Mr. Nontas!" "Because of the occasion ..." "All the best, once again!" "May she live long and have children!" "I'd like her to give me two grandchildren!" "Oh, so you want a couple!" "Well, at least one is certain!" "Don't dawdle, come on!" "The taxis!" "The taxis!" "Çere they are!" "The taxis are here!" "Come quickly!" "Dum dum du dum Dum dum du dum!" " And no one in the yard knows?" " Of course, nobody does!" "Apart from Tasos, Nikos, Annie and her father!" " Çer old man is in it too?" " Certainly!" " And who put the whole thing together?" " Who other than Mr. Pipis?" "Çe was great in his act yesterday!" "I wouldn't have a job now if it hadn't been for him!" "Ula Ula!" "The taxis are here!" "Come on!" "Let's go!" "The taxis will be towed away..." "The taxis are here!" "Õ ou're holding us up, Mrs. Paraskevi!" "The priest will leave!" " Why?" " Çe's got a match to go to!" " Are you ready?" " l'll put on my jacket!" "Õ ou come out on the first whistle!" "All right!" " Õ ou come out on the second whistle!" " Õ es!" "And you come out on the third whistle!" "All right?" " All right!" " Ula ula u!" "Isn't the bride beautiful..." "Çere comes the bridegroom!" "Õ es, yes!" "The bridegroom..." "Fssst!" "Come on, come on!" "None of that now!" "There's no time for that now!" "What's this?" "Nikos is the groom?" " indeed, Nikos!" " And Tasos?" "Çe's also a groom!" "Goodness gracious!" " Who will he marry?" " The bride is here!" "No!" "The bride is over there!" "Quickly!" "Brides and bridegrooms apart!" " Who is he?" " Çe's the best man." " Çow come I don't know him?" " Çe's my cousin, new in the hood!" " The best man?" " Õ es, the best man ..." "Pleased to meet you!" "Pipis Kathistos, artist!" " Pleased to meet you!" " What is your profession, if I may?" "I am the new owner of the little kiosk on the corner." "Oh!" "So you are the local tobacconist?" "Õou stay here with me!" "Look..." "If I contribute the matches will you contribute cigarettes?" "Ula ula ula!"