"By the fiver, near a hedgerow, lived one very odd duck." "Instead of swimming like ducks, she preferred trips and walks." "Once she went to a barber, asking for a pound of cheese." "Popped into a pharmacy," "'A quarter of milk please'." "From there she went to a washer" "To buy some stamps, she told her." "Other ducks fretted over her," "'This duck is a holy mackerel'" "Good afternoon." "May I speak to the Wróblewskis?" "Why?" " May I speak to the Wróblewskis?" " My parents are not home." "What?" " When can I meet them?" " I don't know." "Wanna leave a message?" "Wanna leave a message?" "I'm in a rush." "Get the fuck out of here." "I don't want to see you with her anymore." "Hi, bitch." "Don't ask about our past there was nothing before us" "Don't ask about the future, even tomorrow is too far ahead" "Don't ask about the world, people, the gist, or even the deficit" "Don't ask about anything that has nothing to do with us" "Don't ask about love We already know the ropes" "Our generation lost it at a party together with the cell phone" "Don't ask about emptiness, about the fear deep inside" "You see, such questions are for our shrink to ask" "It's you, right?" "You asked about my folks." "Why didn't you get on the lift?" " Because it's harder this way." " Sucker!" "Now it'll only be harder." "Ever been to the Seychelles?" " Why did you take it?" " Relax..." "He gave it to me so I took it." "What's with the aggression?" "Chill out, I don't like it." "Hey missy, better look out for this loser." "Better look out yourself, you fuck." "Do you even have a name?" "Marcin." "Ola." "I'm moving it to a house party, Marcin." "You coming?" "What the fuck's up with the noise?" "!" "My kid's sleeping." "The party's over!" "Chill man, it's the weekend, my friend's birthday." "Like I fucking care." "Turn off the radio and don't fucking make me come back here." "We'll turn it down." "What you looking at, fagot?" "!" "Looking for a cock up your ass?" "I'm talking to you." " Calm down, gentlemen." " Calm down my ass, you fuck." "Got a problem there, fucking nerd?" "Fucking go home!" "You go to your kid and call the police if it's too loud for you." "You've got ten fucking minutes." "Ten fucking minutes!" "Let's get the fuck out of this gay party, gentlemen." "Ten minutes!" "Chill." " Let's party." "" " Open up, you fuck!" "Fuck, ouch." "Give it to me." "If you had a choice, would you prefer to burn or freeze to death?" "There's only one condition." "You're fully conscious, feeling everything until you croak." "Burn." "I've been asking people about this since I was little." "So far everyone's said freeze because it's less pain." "But I think pain makes it more interesting." "More intense." "Fucking with your senses, not numbing them." "You know what I like about you?" "You don't speak much." "You don't ask about anything, you just do it." "I guess." "Well, I don't know you but..." "You have these eyes that..." "Fuck it, I don't know." "Wanna shotgun?" "7, Alley of Roses." "The soonest possible." "Thanks!" "Bye!" "Stupid cunt." "Why do those control center fucks always say 'see you'?" "On the phone?" "26 zlotys please." "One moment." "What the fuck?" "Did I fall asleep?" "26 zlotys for the ride, missy, it seems your beau spent all on flowers today." "Ah, the ching." "But I'm also broke." "I don't care what you do, you gotta pay up." "We don't have to do anything." "We'll see." "I'm calling the cops." "You hear me?" "!" "I'm calling the cops!" "Go ahead then." "Fuck you, punks!" "Come on, you wanted to meet my folks." "Just kidding." "They're not home." "Come." "Don't be fucking ridiculous." "Come on." "Good morning, buddy." "Good morning, come on in." "We know everything, Ola told us." "She had to go to the studio." "She didn't want to wake you up, you slept so tight." "Don't be shy, come on in." "Good morning." "Sit." "Fancy a coffee?" "Please." "Milk?" "No, just black please." "Aleksander, do you want anything?" "Yeah, one more coffee before I go." "Wait, I'll bring you a knife to cut with, this one's no good." "Merci beaucoup, madame." "What a bummer!" "They cut the Architecture Museum's funding!" "It won't open after the summer break." "Fucking crisis, the buzzword." "But I don't know why I keep mulling over that." "Exactly." "You're interested in architecture, sir?" "I'm no sir, call me Aleksander." "Used to be, wasn't I, Pola?" "Might not look like this but he's an architect." "That's why he's so angry." "Congratulations." "Don't know if it's worth it." "Well it does bring money, won't lie to you, especially when you're not a complete idiot, but what about satisfaction?" "Don't know." "Now it's just professionalism and routine." "When I was a student, maybe even a short while after," "I had some ideals." "Or maybe just illusions?" "Anyway, I wanted to make it really... creative and artsy, independent." "Dunno." "Simply mine." "Huge exaltation in it." "Aspirations for art with a capital 'A'." "But it was bad, I remember." "But you know, such attitude never pays." "Well, life came in." "Step by step, I sold out." "Instead of being Poland's Gaudi," "I started designing bumpkin housing." "But I'm not complaining." "What is important is that my girls can fulfill their dreams, I may as well relax." "I'm just such a fucking altruist." "And what do you do...?" " Marcin." " ..." "Marcin?" "Study with Ola?" "Pass me the knife, please." "I'm still searching." "Yet another artist." " No money in it, then." " Probably not." "Why are you picking like that, you don't like it?" "Or is it that a hungry artist is a true artist?" "No!" "Must be about something else." "Must've been quite the thing yesterday." "Then the mandatory drunk morning kebab at Muzzie's joint, right?" "When Ola used to eat meat she never said no to a nice, fat mutton kebab." "Even now our vegetarian says a hot sauce mutton kebab doesn't count when you're drunk." " Stop it, it's disgusting." " What?" " Meat." " I like it." "Where did you go last night?" "'Permanent Vacation'." " Don't know the place." " Jarmusch's first movie." "Really?" "Thanks." "A nice place, lot of people?" "Nice." "Nice." "Wow, there comes a day when you don't know 90% of bars." "We're old." "And yesterday we were the masters of the night." "Ola sometimes tells me, but I can't remember even half of these names." "Never heard of this one." "I think it's just another spot to be closed after the holidays." "Sometimes we go places with Ola." "But recently it's been all work, or the mountains." "Exactly, I'd better get going." "How time flies, as they say." "You really have to go there?" "Don't even start." "You could as well wait until tomorrow." "I'm sorry but I'm not going to any premiere." "Say I'm in the mountains, it'll let me off the hook." "You won't lie that I'm out of town and couldn't come, and I won't have to watch this dud." " Come on..." " It is a dud alright, and then I'd lie through my teeth, 'It was so strange, interesting, just splendid...'" "This way, as Italians say, everyone'll be contento." "You always get your way." "Well I have to be there." "Shame." "But you must chop up enough wood for the week, for our fireplace." "I like such creative and useful tasks!" "Click:" "Like!" "And what do you do?" "Also searching." "Mostly in the theater." "I thought so." "Thought what?" "That you were an actress." "What do you mean?" "You look like an actress." "The boy wanted to say you were beautiful." "Excellent taste." "I should thank you then," "Marcin, right?" "Thank you." "He's blushing!" "I'm a stage designer." "Today's the premiere." "You can come if you want to, but I don't think Ola will." "Only films, films, sometimes some music, concerts." "Are young people no longer interested in theater?" "Why so surprised?" "It's a picture generation." "Be intense or be nothing." "Stimulus chasing stimulus, ever faster, it must, pardon my French, fuck with them, right?" "It's the Internet shaping their brains." "Messages need to catch the eye." "If not, then the next one." "Ever harder, ever more." "This is why their brains process information faster." "All senses work together." "Don't look at me like that." "It's not like the theater, where you gotta stare for two hours at one thing and contemplate." "With moths flying around in formalin stench." "Sadly, it's true." "But for me theater is magic." "Whether the young like this or not, process or not." "I love you." "Robert?" "Marcin." "Marcin, sorry." "Could you help me bring my stuff to the car?" "Sure." "Thank you very much." "Don't forget to text me before you lose reception," " sense of time, place and person-hood." " Yes, Ma'am." "Take care, you fool." "FATHER'S DAY" "Tubes to the front." "Thanks." "Can you give me a lift, sir?" "Call me sir once more and I won't." "It's Aleksander!" "Where you wanna go?" "Where are you headed, Aleksander?" "This way to the exit" " and then straight to the mountains." " Great." " Jump in." "You smoke?" "No." "In two weeks it'll be a year." "Smoke if you want to, just open the window." "You don't want to give up?" "Everyone's quitting now." "If I were to it'd be because of the heart, not fashion." "But I like smoking." "I used to like it too." "But when you reach my age!" "Sticks don't help your stick, you know what I mean." "Was it Hemingway that said 'It's easy to quit smoking," "I've done it hundreds of times'." "I also took some time but I finally made it, why not." "Could you pull over here somewhere, I need to take a leak." "I also got an urge after this coffee." "First I'll kill you, then mother." "Get up, dad." "The carousel is racing forward, speakers full of music," "I feel my body moving to the rhythm," "One, two, three, raise your heart, big smile," "Suspicion turns my stomach like apple pie for breakfast" "What will you give me Lord in this uncertain time?" "What words will soothe my soul, my future for the rest of my life?" "Some old rags for me to sit my ass down," "Be it worth it or not," "I pour hard liquor down my throat to ease the regret." "To hell with my naked stomach and mended clothing" "I feel the wind blowing, /my head's falling down" "One, two three, four, I'm not cold at all" "Spit from above, chew a gum, everything's OK here." "Hello?" "It's Marcin, Ola's friend." "I've left my backpack." "Where did you go?" "I thought you'd just help Aleksander and come back." "I met and old friend." "Sorry for the trouble." "It's OK." " Can I take the backpack?" " Yes, of course." "Ola called, she's on her way." "I'm preparing supper and running to the theater." "Wanna eat with us?" "Actually it would be great, I'm really hungry." "It's just that Olga and I don't eat meat..." "I'm an omnivore." "Olga?" "Oh, Olga is from Ola." "She doesn't use it, doesn't like when someone calls her that but Aleksander has done so since she was little." "Olga was Aleksander's mother, she died of a heart attack just before Ola's birth, so we named her after grandma." "You're a bit older than Ola, aren't you?" " You don't do too much drugs, right?" " Just joints, like everyone." "Right, because I'll believe you." "I used to be young once." "Listen, Ola needs to be careful." "She's had a weak heart since she was little." "So please be reasonable." "Hey, smile." "I'm not the police." "You look good together." "You always know what to say, young lady." "Hey young lady." "What are you eating?" "Sit down and tuck in." "I see you've made yourself at home, pal." "It's OK, we're going to a concert in a minute." "Great." "Hang on a sec." "You're with me for now, and I need to go, so you should eat." " Unless you're going with me." " Mom, don't even start." "OK, I'll just wash my hands." "Wine?" "Aleksander wrote he's almost there." "Kubica." "Oh dear, it's so late, I hope I'll make it in time." "Your beautiful stage design won't get away.." "Don't be in such a hurry, you'll get a heart attack." "Thank you for your support, daughter." "You can shake hands with your daddy." "Maybe you'll join us in the mountains?" "You're also invited, Marcin." "I'm leaving before noon." "Think about it." "I'm definitely going to Szumin." "Might be the last summer in this house." "If you can take it." "Just be careful, you know what I mean." "I'll take pictures." "I know, your parents are insensitive to the passing time." " I'll be thrilled to see them." " Don't mock me, please." "Why faces like that?" "But how do I look?" "Divine." "It was nice to meet you." "Don't forget your backpack." " Good luck at your premiere." " Thanks." " Bye." " Bye." "You too have fun and don't go too crazy." "Marcin." "Wake up." "What are you doing here?" "You two had a fight?" "No, I wanted to surprise her, but I think I fell asleep." "Right." "Ola's already in the studio." "I'm going to the mountains." "But first a quick breakfast." "Come on in." "No excuses." "Here you go, a towel." "It's Aleksander's T-shirt." "Says it's too tight and makes him look like a fag, but it should be alright for you." "No, thanks, this one's OK." "OK, go take a shower and I'll make breakfast." "MOTHER'S DAY" "May I smoke?" "We don't smoke in here, but go ahead." "You know what, give me one, I'll have a smoke too." "Danilo Kiš, a Balkan Bruno Schulz," "wrote the most beautiful thing about smoking." "Wanna know what it is?" "'A blissful illusion'." "Wow, I feel dizzy." "But that's nice." "Just a small, trifle thing;" "nothing really happened." "My very self," "my closest thing," "The unknown" "that everyone's had in them" "Since that time when friendship still meant something" "When love was just a joke of hearts" "That self of mine" "On an ordinary day, like a silly thing" "That self of mine just left me" "Good afternoon." "Have you filled up on fuel?" " Yes." " What number?" "Sorry?" "Which one is your car?" "The silver one." "Anything else?" "No thanks." "Maybe a hot dog." "I don't eat meat." "Anything sweet?" "No thanks." "Do you have our club card?" "No." "Would you like to..." "Wassup, you devil?" "Nuthin'." " Hello?" " Hi." "It's Marcin." "What Marcin?" "Ah, that dickhead." "Don't call me." "Whatcha want?" "Where did you get my number?" "From mom." "We have to meet." "What you fuckin' mean we have to meet?" "What kind of tone is that?" " I don't have to meet with you, loser!" " Ola, I really need to see you." "What for?" "I need to tell you something." "Can't talk on the phone." "7 o'clock in front of the building." "CHILDREN'S DAY" "You fucking getting on or not?" "Better not get up if you're scared of falling" "Stay home if you don't know where you're going" "Don't raise your voice if you're afraid to scream" "Don't dose your eyes so you don't break the ranks" "Don't rub salt in fresh wounds" "Follow your instinct, just like animals do" "Be moved if you expect emotions" "Clear your mind and save your soul" "Save your soul!" "Save your soul!" "Save your soul!" "Don't ask if you don't want the answer" "Pity yourself if you need pity" "Allow yourself to be loved if you need love" "Don't rub salt in fresh wounds" "Follow your instinct, just like animals do" "Be moved if you expect emotions" "Clear your mind and save your soul" "Save your soul!" "Save your soul!" "Save your soul!" "Fuck!" "Fuck off!" "Get the fuck out!" "Are you fucking nuts?" "Get the fuck out!" "Fuck off, I said!" "Or I'll kill you like a dog!" "Get the fuck out!" "Get the fuck out!" " I'll kill you!" " Fuck off!" "Get the fuck out!" " What a psycho!" " What a jerk." "Fuck you, you cunt." " Get the fuck out of here." " Stupid whore." "Get the fuck out of here." "Get the fuck out." "Fuck off!" "Stupid whore, cunt." "Get the fuck out!" "Whore!" "It might..." "Sound cheesy..." "But..." "I've missed someone like this my whole life." "Let's go home." "Mom, you know, there's Agnieszka and Ola..." "My favourite friends in the pack..." "And we swore an oath..." "Yes?" "What kind?" "That if one of us for instance leaves, she won't be able to come back, or if she talks behind our back..." "We can't do anything bad to each other..." "Just help each other, right?" "Well, then it's nice, like a friendship, right?" "I'm sticky and stinky." "Get undressed and we'll have a shower." "Let me have a smoke." "I'm waiting." "The dawn rose from river's mist, the day is shining through the glass" "And once again Warsaw smiles in roses" "While we are still together in the midst of dreams" "Underneath the city noise we have our world" "So give silence to dreams and shine to good days" "And give yourself to us, oh Warsaw in roses," "What is, what already happened in the times colored with hearts and roses" "In the times when good weather and storm met here to mix" "You have so many hearts and hands, many roses blossom again" "From the time of slaughter, there is only left" "White signs on the houses, only Nike falling in the sun" "You know the laughter and the scream of our mouths" "Our each day rose with you" "Time will pass, the clock on the castle tower" "Will time another hour," "All our time, we want to spend right here..." "Whether the sun was shining, or the smoke covered glow" "Every year, Warsaw welcomed us in roses" "Let red or white glow everywhere" "Let it enchant us in our city." "Shine to days, wind to birds" "A poem to these, a flower to those" "And to us, happy, Warsaw in roses" "And a chant in which Chopin and wind" "And our everyday life" "And our fate, not someone else's blended together" "THE END"