"A French exam." "I hope she's off sick." "Ready." "Tobacco..." "You don't have any?" " Nothing at all." "Here, you can have it." " Thanks." "You gave it to Irene." " It's her birthday." "So what." "I'm giving it to you." "But she's having a party tonight." "Mark and Richard are coming..." "And her parents are away..." "Nice for you." "You're invited too." "I'll take care of that." "I don't know." "You go if you like." "Your brother won't let you?" "I don't have to ask anyone's permission." "He's looking again." "Shall I ask him to come?" "Thijs!" "Thijs!" " Shut up, idiot." "Give me a third one." "HOME MADE STEW" "I've had enough." "What's wrong with her?" " Headache, earache, bellyache." "I shouldn't have given my tobacco away." "You can borrow it back tonight." "You are going, aren't you?" "I'll see." " I'm not gonna cycle all that way." "I'll only go if I feel like it." "Don't be ridiculous!" "Sorry" " I'm going" "No, no." "You were having a good time." "I have to go home." "My brother is waiting." "You must be Samantha?" "Sammy." " Right..." "Liz is jealous of you." "Sammy can do anything, I can't." "I'm going." " If you get some Chinese food." "You want to stay to dinner?" " No, I have to go home." "Jacob is waiting." "Some other time, maybe." "Evert, my boy." "Hey, where were you?" "That is Jacob." " Evert." "Your brother has been dead for three years." "What are you doing?" "You know he can't take that." "May I have a look?" " What now?" "You know the rules." "Give me the bottle." "Give him a break!" " Your father gets his drink every night." "Bitch." "Hey, Dad." "Give us a smile." "You have a joke?" "Let me think." " Or maybe two." "...The one about the man who went to America and met a woman with a bad leg..." "You know that one." "Laugh." "Okay, that's enough." "Dessert is a surprise." "Tiramisu again?" "The boys are coming tonight." "I'm going to a party." "I can't sleep with your noise anyway." "No." "It's at Irene's place." "It's her birthday." "How will you get there?" "With Liz." "Her father will take us." "He's very nice." "Don't you want me to go?" " Why not?" "Go and shake your ass while I do all the work." "I don't mind getting a job!" "I'll stop school after the holidays." "Pass your exam's first." "You can't do nothing without a diploma." "You can't do 'anything' without a diploma" " That's what I mean" "You get your diploma, I'll take care of the rest." "I can look after myself." "Of course you can." "Aren't you going?" "I don't feel very well." "Do you have rats?" " Yes, that's my pet rat." "You call this going home early?" "I have a headache." "I said I wasn't well." " Things are looking up!" "If you're not well, go to bed, Sammy." " I can't sleep anyway." "Sammy, go to bed now." " No." "Sammy, go to bed." "Do you drink beer?" "Thanks." "When you finish your beer then..." " Yes, we know where the fridge is." "I'm not staying too late." "I have to go to the Job Centre tomorrow." " Great." "Job Centre early in the morning." "Okay, get lost now." "All of you." "It's my house." "Are you deaf?" "Or are you stupid too?" "At my place, you don't watch the clock." " Shut your face." "That guy needs a good screw." "I've been saying it for years." "He must be bursting." "Look at him!" " What did you say?" "That you need a good screw." "Hey, cool it." "Cool it." "Cool it!" "I said we're going home." "Come on." "Jacob?" "What's the matter?" "Nothing really." "Goodnight." "Where's my white T-shirt?" "Why is nothing ever clean here?" " You can't come downstairs like that." "I have gym." "Am I supposed to gym naked?" " I'll wash it by hand." "And then you'll bring it round?" "No thanks." "I won't use the washing machine for three things." "Then I'll do it myself." "My father is organizing a car-boot sale." "Do you have some things?" " No." "Wanna come?" " All that old rubbish?" "Too dirty for me." " Then we have dinner together." "When?" " It's all on the poster." "Well, I'll see." "That's funny." " What?" "You and Thijs!" "You must be desperate." "He's not that bad." "When you get to know him." "At least he's not so childish." "Just don't tell anyone." " You thought he was a wanker." "You said that." "I never did." "Who for?" " For Theo." "You have new shoes?" "Nice." "Keep it in one piece." "Stop, you idiot!" "Get off." "What have you done?" " Nothing." "I shouldn't have let you." " Buy a good moped!" "You should have left it alone." "How will we get home now?" "Will you get in trouble?" "What do you mean, sir?" " Sir?" "I mean with the moped." "Will you get the blame?" "No, he's used to it." " Really?" "Sometimes he acts as if he's angry, but..." "Why would he be angry at you?" "Yes, why?" "He takes good care of you." "That's what I hear from Liz." "I heard he even ironed the handkerchiefs." "Yes, he's just a little... possessive." "He's waiting for me if I'm five minutes late from school." "You don't have your own space." "I do have my own room." " No, you need your own space." "What you mean, sir?" " Sir?" "I look after caravans for Germans." "They'll only be back in the holidays." "I could let you have a key." "No one ever goes there." "Just don't tell Liz, she's wanted one for a year." "What do I do there?" " Well, just do your home work." "Listen to music, read..." "And if you have a boyfriend..." "You don't have to tell me anything." "And what does it cost?" " What does it cost?" "Don't be silly." "I just want to help." "Never mind what with." "Here." "I want it back when the Germans come." "I want to go." "But it's a bit scary on my own." "Why not?" "Okay, We" "Do you have anything to do tonight?" " No, not really." "No home work?" " Yes..." "Shall we do it together?" " Yes, okay." "See you tonight." "That's no good. 250 CC." " 250?" "We'd leave them standing..." "Did I scare you?" "I didn't know you'd be here." "I thought you wouldn't be allowed out." "I do what I like." "Only ever do what you like!" "They were in a friend's wine cellar." "But his girlfriend's pregnant and they need a nursery." "Do you like wine?" "We always drink beer." "This is a Grand Cru Bourgeois '88." "You can taste that." "I have my own addresses in France." "Small chateaux where only the French go." "My trips to France are holy." "My wife... well, you've seen how she is." "She doesn't dare move." "She's stuck." "You understand." "You're so mature." "Liz is still a child." "How should I know?" "She doesn't tell me everything." " Who's there?" "Liz?" " Would you like a drink?" "Is that Dad?" "Maybe your mother knows." "Shall we ask her?" "Maybe with Thijs. 11 Rozenstraat." "I didn't say a word." "I'm going to close the print shop." "What about the business cards?" "I'm going to publish books." "Nineteenth-century writers." "Russians, French Baudelaire." "You know Baudelaire?" ""Les Fleurs du Mal. "" "Never mind..." "Rimbaud." "You know Rimbaud." ""Mortel, ange et demon autant dire Rimbaud. "" "Do they do this flavour in white?" "I'll leave you alone." " No, never mind." "You think that's what I want?" "I wouldn't mind." "It's the wine." "Do you think I'm drunk?" "You think they're ugly." "Just say it." " No..." "I'm used to it." "Tell me I'm ugly." "No, you're perfect." "You're like the mermaid in Copenhagen." "Where have you been?" "I've been searching for hours." " I'm here." "Right in front of you." " Where have you been?" "You're not my father." " I just want to know where you've been." "With your face like that." "It is my face." "It's still my face." " Where have you been?" "You won't like it." " No." "If I have to worry about everything." "If you're better off somewhere else, then go." "But stay there." "Then I don't have to worry." "Hey, we have to talk." "What's up?" " Come on." "Come on." "There go your chances." "Thijs will behave himself from now on." " There are so many chances." "I suppose there are." "Fine, I won't tell you." "Who is it?" "So who is it?" "Why should I tell you." "You blabbed about Thijs." "I thought it was a joke." "It was a joke." "So who is it?" "It just happens to be..." "I'll tell you one-day." "Has anything happened yet?" "We'd tell each other everything." " We would?" "Yes!" "It's just Jacob." "Who else could it be." "You're jealous, aren't you?" "Liz fancies you." "Another dream come true." "Why don't you have a girlfriend?" "You are 20." "I need a girlfriend for your sake?" "It doesn't have to be Liz." "As long as she is pretty." "What does she have to look like?" "Like her?" "Oh God." "You do go on." "What's wrong with Liz?" "Too young, I suppose." "You learn better on an old bike." "Hi, it's Sammy." "How are you?" "I'm sorry about Jacob." "Will you come this evening?" "To the caravan." "To do our home work, or something." "You know where it is, don't you?" "Were you asleep?" "Careful." "What did I do for that?" "I want to give you something, because you're so pretty." "That's nice." "I want to be honest with you." "People ruin their lives because they're not honest." "My wife Edith..." "Well!" "Painful?" "No, I felt nothing." "Good, we don't want pain." "I'm used to it." "Are you awake?" "Come on." "Will you keep an eye on Sammy?" "Me?" "I worked hard to keep her on the straight and narrow." "What do you want?" "Only dwarfs stay small." "Jacob." "Jacob." "Lie still." "Still." "Still." "Can you move everything?" "Your legs... can you move them?" "Sorry, sorry sorry." "Keep quiet, calm." "If they can't win, they lie down." "Shut up." "He could be dead." " He is all right." "A few scratches, a bit of paint." "That's all." "I told you." "It'll be all right." "It'll be all right." "It's Sammy." "Jacob has had an accident." "Maybe he'll never walk again." "It depends." "If it doesn't work out..." "No." "I have to go home." "I can't call you any more." "Sammy..." "Hello." "No one?" " No one." "It's always no one." "Are you going shopping today?" "How do you think I feel?" "Look!" "Well, what's all this?" " Taste it first." "Look." "Wine..." " We always drink beer." "Open your mouth." "Wine is romantic." "But I shouldn't have to say that.." "You don't have to say anything." "You don't have to like it." "You drink it for the mood." "The mood is good, isn't it?" "Yes, but the fish is awful." "Can I have a tattoo?" "This one, okay." "Just get me a beer first." "I won't do it." " Yes, you live off it too." "You have to visit Don too." "Theo will give you the stuff." "Christ..." "You can't do that." "It gets fried." "The fat is more than 100 degrees." "That's really antisocial." "Why?" "If you don't buy, what's the problem?" "Don't be stupid." "All that rancid meat is antisocial." "Are you so perfect?" " No, I didn't say that." "You don't even keep your appointments." "And don't look so hypocritical." "You know what I mean." "The caravan." " Yes." "We had a date, remember?" "What are you doing here?" "Get lost!" "Or, you know what?" "Report us to the police!" "That'll give you a kick." "Yes, just walk away." " Get lost." "That's easy." "Queer!" "The ones for Happy Snack on top." "We have had better batches." "I haven't had any complaints." "Have you?" "This is about the limit." "It's nothing." "This is what he likes?" "What are you doing?" " I'm looking." "Wait." "I have an idea." "Christ, why do you keep this." "It's my mother's." "She has to come and fetch it." "When?" " Not today." "Your father." " What's he doing here?" "Who knows?" "Come on." "Open the door." " Do it yourself." "Christ, he never came to fetch me before." "So embarrassing..." "I happened to be in the area." "And it's so late." "You want to know where they are." "Otherwise you just get worried..." "Certainly at this age." "She is my sister." "I'll see you tomorrow." "Samantha..." "Break a leg." "Okay, now steady." "Hold it steady." "Steady." "Sorry." "Do you want to do it?" "No, it's all right." "You want a break?" " No." "Is it coming along?" "Now all of you get lost." "What are you up to?" " It's nothing." "Blood?" "No it's the ink." "Are you going to make a heart?" "You can't see it yet." "It'll be at its best in a couple of weeks." "Come on." "We don't need anyone else." "Nice." "What's that?" "The cream." "Well..." " No." "Here and there." "There's a lot there." "Then I'll put some on you." "Lie down." "What the boys said recently..." "Is it true?" " What?" "That you have never done it." "I don't let them watch." "Yes or no?" "What are you upset about?" " I'm your sister." "It's normal to want to know." " No, it's not normal!" "Get off!" "Tell me then." "Yes or no?" "The bloody phone..." "Jacob?" "You're the only one." "Why do you say that now?" "Because I never said it before." "Me neither." "Who'd want to do it with him?" "That's disgusting!" " Yes." "He took a second mortgage." "The bitch." "When the money runs out, she'll ditch him." "Why should your father give all that money to her?" "It might be for his company." "He might be expanding." "You think so?" " Yes, it's possible." "I'Air du Temps..." "my mother wears that." "I don't like it." "It's too sweet." "Well..." "The key." "You have no feeling?" "Sit down." "You didn't get in touch." " I rang you." "One time." "If Jacob hadn't had his accident." " You're not honest." "You disappoint me." "I don't know what you mean." "Sit down." "I want to help you." "What goes on at home with your brother... it has to stop." "You don't know anything about that." "I know what you feel for me." "We have to have a chance." "We'll go on holiday." "We have to leave here." "We'll go to France." "I have an address there." "I have enough money to stay away for a while." "I have to go and see my father." "It doesn't suit you." " Don't do that." "Come here." "What's this?" "That's my hair." "You drive me mad..." " Some other time, okay?" "The first time you undressed so fast..." "In for a penny, in for a pound." "I might get pregnant..." " Is your brother that careful?" "Yes, he is." "And you're not half as good as him." "Why do you think I didn't come more often?" "Wait a minute." "Darling..." "Where were you?" "Darling." "You smell so nice." "No kiss?" "Why didn't you bring Jacob and Samantha?" "Samantha is now called Sammy." "Does she have a boyfriend?" "Yes." "And Jacob has a girlfriend." "A black girl, one of 12 kids." "They stuff their faces all day." "Jacob is getting very fat." "But she doesn't mind." "Love handles..." "As long as she is nice to the children." "You won't be going there..." "They're holding me here." "They're holding me prisoner here." "I'm leaving." "Ada..." "Ada!" "I'm under the shower, damn it." " You've been there half an hour!" "No!" "You have hot water now." " Get lost." "Great." "Go away." "Shall I do it?" "My mother was hysterical." "She thought someone stole her perfume." " What perfume?" "What's up?" "How long have you had that?" "What?" "Irene, come here." "Sammy has a tattoo." " Great." "Let's see." "Yes, let's see." "Don't be so childish." " Just show us." "What's the difference?" "Let me go." "I'll show you." "I don't believe you any more." "Christ, that's ugly!" "You look stupid." " Is that the way to get noticed?" "You'll still have it when you're 80." "She let's herself be abused." "Say that again." " What do you expect with that family." "You can talk." "Your father can't keep his hands off me." "Tell him I'm going to the police if he doesn't leave me alone." "And you stole the perfume too." "Ask your father how I got it." " You cunt!" "Bon appetit..." "Don't let it get cold." "Hey, stop it." "Don't be silly." "If you knew what was in it." "So why do you sell it?" "I get no thanks from you recently." " What do you want me to do?" "I have to kneel down?" "What should I thank you for?" "Look at yourself." "Without you..." "I would have been gone long ago." "Where to?" " To the south." "To the south?" "Yes, or America." " Australia?" "Just go." "I can manage." "Go on then." "That bird means nothing to you." "Dessert?" " Fuck off." "Could you give me the number of... the Food Inspection Department?" "The Food Inspectors have called." " No!" "Someone tipped them off." "Who?" "What do we do now?" "You know that as well as I do." "No, I don't." "Maybe you can say who shopped me." "What's the difference?" " Was it Liz?" "Her father." "Those phone calls... that was him." "Your father is dead." "Do you want to see him?" "No." "Cool it!" "Cool it." "Didn't you want to go south?" "I'd go, if I were you." "Never mind." "He's gone." "Translated by Martin Cleaver"