"I was born in Athens, in the early 80's." "By that time you could only find two kinds of pens at a kiosk  a yellow BIC and a transparent BIC." "A car would last for ten years and there were no more than two channels on TV." "I was wondering what's the use of the rest of the buttons on the remote control." "At university, there were very few senior students." "Barcelona was a hot place to be  and 30 plus year-olds had a Transalp motorbike or something like that." "There were some guys who were very much into tradition  they played the tzouras and listened to folk musicians." "But even then one could say, "I have little money, but if I really want to..."" ""..." "I can go to that cafeteria by the beach where they serve milk shakes..."" ""...and have one."" "Everything was quiet and stable, as if it was going to stay like this forever." "We had only just started, only some of us, to hear the scuffing of the slipper." "This reminds me of something I once read." "Something referring to the era of real estate exchange and the colonels' Junta." "About the sound of the toilet flush  covering the noise of continuous tracks of the tanks." "Something like that anyway." "The fascists of the future will come from their condos built on burnt land  their fat asses sitting on big SUVs and they'll be wearing slippers." "A storm is coming." "Pardon?" "I said that a storm is coming." "There are clouds gathering." "Are you sure you didn't make a mistake?" "A mistake?" "Getting off here." "Yes." "How can I get to town?" "There used to be a bus." "And taxis too." "Where can I find a taxi?" "Yes, of course..." "You should go to town." "You can t just stand here and watch." "Didn't you say you were looking for a taxi?" "No, I was just joking." "That's fine." "Just in case you change your mind, go that way." "When you get to the next road you might find a taxi there." "I had no choice." "I was barely making rent." "That s crap." "You came here to save on rent?" "It s hard to believe, right?" "Do you still go hunting?" "Put that down and cut the crap!" "Things are getting wild over there, you know." "Same here." "Do you remember Dimitris?" "He s been back here for what five, maybe six years?" " Seven, actually." "Whatever." "I never understood why he came and I don t think he knew either." "Now you'll meet him if you go down to the beach." "He hardly ever budges from there anymore." "He used to come by and visit in the beginning." "He's living proof of what happens when someone decides to bury himself in this shithole." "Can I help you?" "Hello." "I'm here for the job opening." " Are you a teacher?" " Yes." "I've also got my CV with me." "Please, come on in." "You don't remember me, do you?" "I recognized you immediately!" " Eleni?" " Yes!" " I had no idea you were here!" " I just arrived a couple of days ago!" "You haven't changed at all!" "Antigone is an actress." "An actress?" "Have I seen you in something?" "No." "I gave it up." "Now I'm staying here." "I have a cousin who works in television." "He was directing a kids' show." "He's a director." "He has also made some short films, they are not bad." "Right." "He comes here sometimes, maybe I can introduce you." "Look, I'm not an actress anymore." "But even if I were, I would not work for a second rate kids show." "I'm leaving." "See you around." "I used to play the drums." "Really?" "Last time I was here, I was still in school." "You got a dog?" "She's a stray." "Get in and start the engine." "So this is where you live?" "May I come in?" "Are you expecting me to say no?" "So, now you've turned to religion?" "It's just a job." "Why didn't you call me to meet somewhere outside?" "Did you want to check out on my house?" "Should I come by some other time?" "If you ever decide to get serious for a change, I mean." "When was the last time we spoke?" " Five years ago?" " Seven." "Seven." "Even worse." "Did you expect I'd be waiting for you with open arms?" "The last time I came to see you, I was going around Athens in a mess and you wouldn't even answer the phone." "And you never did." " I was only a girl." " You were only a bitch." "So you stayed here after all?" " Who is it?" " It's Antigone." "Your teacher." " Hello." "Are you Constantina?" " Yes." "We are going to do English together, right?" "Dad's not here." " Are we having our lesson?" " Dad's not here." " So?" " I shouldn't let people in the house." " When's your dad coming back?" " I don't know." " Good afternoon." " Hello." "Mr. Bourandas?" " Leonidas." " Antigone." "Yes, I know." "Have you been waiting long?" " Not too long." " It's my fault." "I forgot to tell her you were coming and with everything that's going on." "I can think of worst places to live." "I mean, okay, there's no night life." "It's not about where you go out, or what you do for fun." "Then what is it about?" "If I want to see a play, I can just go to Athens and see one." " And you do this often, right?" " No." "Still." "That's not the issue." "It's the people you meet, the things you talk about." "I don't understand." " Remind me to lend you a book." " What for?" "For the fireplace?" "No need to brag for your ignorance." "Come here." "Come back here!" "It's your boss!" "It's Nikos' day off, don't call again!" "Screw you!" "What are you doing?" "Talking on the phone?" "Bring it here!" "Do you know why I like you?" "Do you know why?" "I like that you're young." "I like that your hair still thick your belly is flat you're slim and you are a little naive too!" "Can I stay here?" "What happened?" "I just don't want my mom to see me like this." "Turn off the light." "What kind of an asshole are you messing with?" "I just want to stay here." "Can I do that, for fuck's sake?" "You only get to talk like that to him, not me!" "Please." "Be out there in five." "Despina is furious." "Don't make me regret giving you this car." "When was the last time you drove?" "Don't worry." "Aren't I doing well?" "Sure." " Pakis." "They work out in the fields." " Yes." "You should be careful." "The roads are narrow." "Well, the visibility is much better since the forest burnt down." "Yes." "It was very dangerous with all those fucking trees." " Something's wrong?" " It sure is." "They broke into our houses!" " What?" " They broke into mine too." "They took my TV." "What about yours?" "The generator's missing." "Those sons of bitches!" "You come over for the weekend, to relax." "There's no security!" "If I find them, I'll get their asses, those cocksuckers!" "Listen, if you're gonna stay here long, please don't step on the mat." "We decided we should hire some security." "All of us together." "For 30 euro a month each." "Are you in?" "For 50 euro a month I can get two generators a year." "The generator's not the issue." "It's your house  it shouldn't be accessible to any punk!" "No." "So, what's the deal, we'll just put in the money to guard your house too?" "Did I ask you to guard my house?" "Yeah, but the security car will be passing in front of your house!" "So, you're the smart one, huh?" "We only care about the common good." "Go tell that to somebody else!" "Just don't come begging when they burn your house down!" "Get him out of here before I beat him!" "Did he just say he'd beat me?" "Who the fuck do you think you are!" "I've been coming here for twenty years!" "Who is that with him?" "We're only looking out for the common good." "How come we're the assholes now?" "Do you remember Eleni?" "Yes." "She came by my house yesterday and she was beaten up." "She's having an affair with some jerk." "He's married." "It's been going on for years, stay out of it." "I'm not enjoying seeing her like this." "I've been standing aside, watching them for the past two years and I haven't enjoyed one minute of it." "They make me want to puke." "That's him over there." " Hey, grandpa!" "How are things?" " Here comes the douche bag." "God bless!" "I wonder how come no one's gotten them by the balls yet." " Is the lesson over?" " Yes." " What do you make of the little one?" " She's doing well." "Have a seat." " I really need to go." " You won't be late." "Have a seat." "Go get a glass of water for Antigone." "What do you think of our town?" "I don't know." "It's okay." "You're being polite." "No." "You're young." "It's my job to make sure it's boring here." "Just so you know, if one day I open my mouth half the people here will go running for their lives." "I am the guardian and keeper of their boredom." "You're being stupid, girl." "This only raises the prices of the products." "I heard it on TV." " What did we say your job is?" " We didn't." "You teach at Bogris' Language School, no?" "It s a small town." "Hello, Eleni." " What s going on here?" " Ask your friend." " Did you give your ID?" " Yes." "Tell me what you want so we can get it over with." "It's not that simple." "We've caught your friend stealing before." "The first time there's a fine but the second time the matter is taken to the police." " How much?" " This will go on her record." "And considering what she does for a living, she will have a problem." "How much?" "Brown!" "Come here Brown!" " Who's there?" " My car has broken down could you help me, please?" "I was driving and suddenly the engine stopped." "Come in." "It's going to be dark soon." "We'll check on it tomorrow morning." "You know, they are waiting for me in town and they will worry if I am late." "Have a seat." " Do you travel alone?" " Yes and I had to walk in the middle of nowhere to get here." "It's dangerous out there." "Do you fancy a drink?" "No, I don't drink." " Help you loosen up a bit." " No." "No." "No." "No." " Don't go." " I have to work." " I'm asking you to stay." " It's work, not fun." "I'm asking you to stay, you should be flattered." "I have to go." "I can't let him down." "Don't be stupid, Nikos." "He would have no second thoughts about it." "He's a friend." "If you leave now, don't come back." "I went to Athens one time, remember?" "I went to Athens and saw her in a children's play, for children." "She played the pumpkin!" "One vodka." " Don t give her more, she's drunk." " It's for you!" "Come on!" "To the pumpkin!" "To the pumpkin!" "Kiriakos, I want you to meet a friend." "Nikos, you know Kiriakos." "One round for Nikos' friends here." "Let's go." "Girls, I'm going over there for a bit." "Look at that asshole." "Pretending he doesn't know me." "I would worry if he did the opposite." "I'm going to the restroom." "You need an invoice for this." "Without an invoice I can't do anything." "I want to do this for you..." "Right..." "If you don't want your name to be on it, why don't you ask Despoina?" "Wait a minute." "You are not talking to me now?" "I'm off Nondas." "See you." "Nikos, your friend had too much to drink, don't you think?" "What friend, you asshole!" "Should I tell her to put a leash on her?" "Stay here." "Can I get a drink?" "Thanks." "If your friend can't hold her drink you better handle her because she is bothering my friends." "My friend tells me she knows you." "Right." "Well, if you keep this up, soon you'll get know me pretty well too." "What do you think you're doing asshole!" " Nikos, take your friend and go." " What happened?" "She's out of her mind, this one." "What are you talking about, you asshole!" "Get the fuck out of here!" "Yeah right, I'm leaving!" "You take care of things here, I'm off." "And I'll take care of this bitch later." " Hold on, Nondas." " Fuck this shit." "What was that all about?" "You can ask your friend what it was about." "What are you looking at me for?" "This is the second time today it s stopped working." "Fuck it." "Friends man!" "If somebody talks shit about a friend to me, they'll pay for it!" "Friends are more important than chicks!" "I'm the one you'll come running to when you are in trouble." "Not her." "I told you one thing." "You fuck her." "You've let her fuck you!" "You asshole!" "I'm only saying this because I care about you." "Because you are my friend." "I thought you left for the day." " Miss?" " Not now, get out." " What s the matter with you?" " How did you get to this?" "Stop it, Antigone." "You can make an ass of yourself all you want but not in front of me!" "You got no contract for the house, no visa and I'm gonna rip you a new asshole you fucking cunt you hear?" "!" "You son of a bitch!" "You piece of fuck!" "You fucking Turk!" "You can make an ass of yourself all you want but not in front of me!" "Get me my sword!" "You assfuck cocksucking cunt!" "Fuck off you piece of shit!" "Go back where you came from!" "Hey, miss!" "Listen, it s about the dog." " You're taking care of it right?" " What about the dog?" "It's a stray." "It probably has diseases." "Don't keep it here." "And it fills the place with its filth too!" " What do you want?" " I wanted to see you." "How big of an asshole is that friend of yours?" " We had a fight." "He apologized." " He's such a sweetheart." " Where do you think you are going?" " I came to see you." "I want us to get away." "Even for a few days!" " How about it?" " Where?" " I don't care." "Anywhere." " I can't leave now." "I'm not going to tell you what to do." "I thought you liked it." "Hey." "What?" "I'll be there in fifteen minutes." " What happened?" " Nothing." " Should I come with you?" " You stay here." "Antigone I'm really sorry." "Next time call your guy." "What kind of a boyfriend is he if his little helpers can slap you around?" "I can't stay here anymore!" "I want to go!" "I can't stand this anymore!" "I'm saying this for your own good, my boy..." " What are you going to tell Nondas?" " When have I ever taken days off before?" "I get it." "You've got your point." "But don't you see we're going through hard times?" "Finally, Nondas!" "What is he on about?" "What's going on here, buddy?" "I'll be going away for a while." "No offence." "Just give me the wages you owe me." "At least one month." "Really, now?" "Are you going on a trip with Antigone?" "She's 15 years older than you, man." " Give me my wages, at least one month." " You can suck my balls." "What the fuck are you doing?" "Fuck you, asshole!" "I'll crack your head in two, you hear me?" "If it wasn't for my parole, I'd do it!" "Now get the fuck out of here!" " Do you ever turn on your cell phone?" " Yeah." "On my birthday." " What's this?" " A recipe your uncle gave me." "No, I meant that." "They only gave me the sticker." "I'm not paying for it." "Why did you stick it?" "Mind your own business, will you." "I just want to get along with my neighbours." "I don't bother them and they don't bother me." "When did they install those wind generators?" "Don't know, a couple of years ago maybe?" "After the forest burnt down." "You know, I've seen it happen, more than once." "I've seen it on people's faces, when they first go to work  and it's like the first day at school." "I remember a friend of mine, my ex  getting ready for work in front of the mirror  and he turns and asks me if he looks all right." "He was really handsome, you know  but on that day he was looking ridiculous." "And what's worse is that he knew it and he was looking at me and smiling  expecting me to tell him he looked all right." "I didn't tell him how ridiculous he looked because I'd hurt his feelings." "Instead I said, "yes, you look great."" "And he sat next to me on the bed and he kissed me and I kissed him back." "When he left, I broke into tears  and I kept crying for a long time  and I still regret telling him that, and not telling him he shouldn't go." "I remember the faces of people, trying to pretend that everything will be all right." "And at that time they know  and they knew before, too, that everything will just go to hell." "I've seen it happen, more than once, and I may see it again  but this time I won't just sit around and watch." "You know what?" "I'm sick and tired of all of you and your theories too." "Do you know why I didn't call you back that time?" "Why?" "You had told me you started working at the supermarket." "Then I came by looking for you." "When I saw you, between the shelves, I didn't look twice to make sure it was you." "I'd rather not know." "Actually, not even that." "I felt scared." "I just turned round and left." "It was when you called me back in Athens that I knew it was you." "I should probably go, right?" "Yiota is a very good kid." "She is very studious." "We have a small problem with her spelling but we'll work on it, right Yiota?" " Yes." " We just need to work some more, right?" " Good." "Say goodbye to your teacher." " Bye, miss." "Someone might come in." " Cut it out!" "Someone might come in!" " Don't!" "Don't ever push me again." "Will you walk out quietly?" "Takis!" "Hey, Nikos!" "Is this your aunt?" "I wanted to see you man." "I figured you'd be here, then I saw the car outside." "What do you want?" "It's fucked up the way we're not talking, man." "What's fucked up is selling friends out for a piece of ass!" "Don't take it like that." "You fucked up too, okay?" "Put that down, will you?" "Even if I did fuck up." " Do you want a job?" " Yes, I have nothing." " Antigone!" " What do you want?" " Get in, will you?" " I don't want to." "I want to talk to you." "Just get in for one second." "What is it you don't get?" "I said, I don't want to!" "Come on Antigone, get in, please." " Okay, three minutes." " Tell me what got into you?" " What the fuck do you want me to say?" " Does it have to do with Nondas?" "It has to do with you." "My dog needs a boss less than you do!" "It's because of you that I don't have a job now." " So what do you want me to say?" " Why shouldn't I work?" "The whole Nondas thing was just a misunderstanding." "Misunderstanding my ass!" "You should count your blessings you met me and finally got away from that jerk." "He may be a jerk, but he's been real straight with me." "Did he let you wipe his shoes?" "Don't say that again!" "Did he let you lick his shoes?" "If you ever touch me again, I'll smash your face!" "Who is it?" "She doesn't respect you, man, she doesn't!" "Say she sleeps with another guy, then what?" "That guy will tell all his buddies, I've fucked her!" "Like Dimitra, man!" "I fucked her." "She came three times." "Then she brought her husband to the bar and I bought them shots!" "I know these bitches, man." " Is it loaded?" " What do you think you idiot?" "Watch it!" "Man, I knew you're a moron." "I just didn't know how big a moron." "It was just a split of a second, Leonidas." "You've seen how these jerks walk in the dark, man?" "Tell me about it." "But instead of calling me right then and there and telling me about it, you cover up the car, like a shithead." "So now it's a hit and run!" "What can I say, man." "It's a fuck up." "That asshole was right in the middle, it happened." "What can I say." "Now what do we do?" "I'm on parole, you see." "I can't have it, man." "What can I say." "What can you say, you jackass!" "Can't we do something, man?" "I can't have this right now." "Hey, boy!" "Weren't you in the car with him?" "We were together." "Weren't you the one driving?" "You're messing with me, right?" "What's this guy on about, Nondas?" " I'm not this guy, you little fucker!" " Hold it, man!" "Nondas, is it okay if the little boy takes it upon himself?" "Are you messing with me?" "I should take Nondas shit on my back?" "It's a human being we're talking about!" "What about your boss, shithead, who puts bread on your table what's he then?" "A dog?" "What's this shithead talking about, man?" "You little cunt, remember that time with the Albanian girl in the sit-in?" "Nondas came and begged me for you!" "Your own father wouldn't do that!" "Come on, tell him Nondas, don't make me say it!" "Tell him Nondas, don't make me say it!" "Tell him Nondas!" "It's okay, Leonidas, I get it man, I'll handle it, leave him alone." "You get me, you little prick?" "Where would you be now, you little prick, you fucking cunt!" "If it wasn't for Nondas, they'd have torn your ass apart!" "Nikos, my boy, Leonidas is right." "They won't hurt you a bit." "I'll owe you one, buddy!" "Nondas, do you realize what you're asking me to do?" "He's only asking because he's a friend, you little prick otherwise he'd tie you up and bring you in!" "And I'd tell him, well done, man!" "See, Nondas, that's what you get for being good to him." "Hey, Nondas, wasn't Eleni in the car as well?" "It's alright, Leonidas, I will handle this." "You'd better go now and he'll come find you in about an hour, of his own accord." "You're a real friend, man, whatever you need, you come to me." "You got any complaints from me?" "Look, Nondas..." "You asked me for money for your bike, I gave it to you." "And that time, with the Albanian girl at school, who took care of it?" "And that's how you pay me back?" "I love you man, you're like a son to me." "And that's what I get in return?" "It's that bitch's fault." "Weren't we doing great before she arrived?" "We had our laughs..." "Come here man." "Come here." "I told you, you should be fucking her, man!" "Not the other way around!" "You should be fucking her, man!" "Not the other way around!" "I'm the one fucking her, man!" "I'm the one!" "Where do you think you are going so late?" "Could we talk about it after class?" "There's no class for you." "Not today, not ever." "Come back tomorrow for your wages." "If you don't bury her I will burn your house down." "You're crazy!" "Right from the start you told me it was stupid to come here." "Are you convinced?" "This is not a place for you." "To be honest, it's not a place for anyone." "So why are you here?" "I'm 60 years old." "It's not hard to settle down here." "You saw Dimitris." "It's easy for someone to turn into a jerk." "To just stand aside, watching." "Why do you want Nondas to come out clean?" "Antigone..." "Listen." "Did you think for a minute Nikos would take it upon himself if he was clean?" "You think he's any better than the rest of them?" "Excuse me, ma'am!" "Could you follow me please?" "I think you know why." "Come with me please." "Can I stay here?" "Do you want to solve this quietly or do you want me to call the Police?" "I must be mistaken." "I'm sorry?" "I said, I must be mistaken." "An hour and a half ago, I was certain there was a storm coming." "Hi." "Fuck you." "Have you been sitting here all this time?" "What else is there to do?" "Right." "Sometimes the best thing to do is to stand aside and watch." "No need to go asking for trouble." "What kind of trouble?" "I don t know." "No need to go asking for it is all I'm saying." "The train is coming." "Yes..." "No one will get off." "People only leave this place." "Only Albanians are coming to stay." "Albanians and Pakistanis." "It's ok." " Fuck!" "Fuck!" " Wait here." "Where are you going?" "I'm not going anywhere." "Where's your boss?" "Only dogs have bosses." "Fuck you, Dimitris!" "You brought your dog too, you asshole!" "What the fuck do you want?" "Take your hands off me asshole!" "Open the door man." "Fuck you..." "Open it!" "I grew up in the midst of the 80's." "The future had lasers and anything modern had angles." "I took piano lessons and went on camping trips." "A lot has changed and I know it." "The world is going ahead and it's something we want." "What are you talking about you assholes?"