"A film made with the support of the National Cinema Center" "In collaboration with the Romanian Television Society" "Not all the people are the same." "Any resemblance is coincidental." " Marcel has outrun us again !" " How does he do it every time ?" "Let's get inside !" "Once again, you're late." "I'm friends with Claudiu and Titel since first grade." "And with Marcel." "He's the boss." "Poker has only strengthened our fine friendship." "Marcel is always the first." "He wins whenever he wants." "We're lucky he never cheated, or we would've never been friends." "will not last for long." "Marcel won't win forever" " Marcel, can I tell you a joke ?" " No !" "Get busy now !" "Cut !" "Maybe I'll win enough to buy some soup." " Is this all you eat at home ?" " And what if I do ?" ""I'm an ordinary girl..."" ""There's nothing strange with me..."" ""My eyes aren't so extraordinary..."" ""I have a common smile..."" "Knights of the Round Table !" "Are you ready ?" "Yes !" "How many ?" "Three." " Two." " Three." "One." "Three..." "Two..." "Three..." "One." " One leu." " I'm out." "I'll raise you two." " I'll raise you five." " Call." "I'm on." " That thing isn't worth a penny !" " Come on !" "We'll take it." "Thanks, Marcel." "You're such a gent'." "Four aces." "POKER" "Have a seat." "Comrade, one orange juice and one Savarin cake." "What's wrong, Marcel ?" "Don't you like Savarin cakes ?" " Do I have a choice ?" " No." " Do I have a choice ?" " No." "I did that when I recruited you." "I think I made a good choice." "Marcel, from now on, you will be the Bachelor" " I'd have rather been The Ace." " This name is taken already." "Sign here..." "Leave them !" "What year are you in at the Architecture Faculty ?" " I'm a sophomore." " Here, too." "How will we get in touch ?" "This is my number." "You say you're the Bachelor and you ask for me." " Comrade, the check !" " No need..." " Goodbye !" " Don't you forget !" "You'll take this secret to your grave If you betray us, we'll find you." " Would you like to hear a joke ?" " We know it !" "It's a good one." ""I'm an ordinary girl..."" " "There's nothing..."" " Then, fold and that's that !" "Come on..." "Two Lei." "I call your two and I'll raise you ten." "I fold." " Three sevens." "I'll see you." " I beat you." "Straight to the Queen." "He who takes the money, first, will have to give them back." "I don't think so." "I leave you now." "Mother's waiting for me with soup." "Are you crazy ?" "Soup at ten o'clock in the morning ?" "To each house its habit." "Today, we're having soup at 10." "If you go, leave the money !" "Let him go !" "Go, Titel !" "The soup will get cold." "Thanks, Marcel." "I won't forget you." " What are we doing now ?" " We play." " Us three ?" " With a "dead hand"." "Cards !" " I want two." " Three." "Two..." "Three..." "And one for me." "35." " I pass." " I'll raise you 85." "Plus 200." "Check." "Let me see your hand, Horia." "Flush." "You can take it home and flush it down the toilet." "Four Bachelors." "My father will kill me." "These were for the electrical and gas bills." "Take it !" "I'm lending it to you." "You'll repay me when you can." "I have never seen new 100 bills." "Where did you get them ?" " I sold my memoirs." " What memoirs ?" "The ones from the future." "Are you sure ?" "Didn't I tell you ?" "They brought people with shotgun wounds to the hospital." " Everybody is talking about it." " Turn that damn thing on !" "It's the upper button." "... and I ask the workers..." "I ask all workers in our factories and plants to stop working." " Look !" " Isn't that Marcel ?" "Yes, it's him." "If you don't come here, to the Television building," "If you don't come here, to the Television building, to join us, be aware that what all our efforts you see now would be in vain." "I don't want it to end like this." "I'm going there right now." " I'm going there, too." " Put on a sweater !" "Don't let me see you in the hospital, shot in the head !" ""I'm an ordinary girl..."" ""There's nothing strange with me..."" ""My eyes aren't so extraordinary..."" ""I have a common smile..."" "Hail !" "You're full of stamina, my dear !" "Your power is limitless." "I know no limits." "If I'm too much for you, let me know, Senator." "Never, honey !" "You're free to wear me out." "What did your wife say when you left her ?" " 28 years of spotless marriage..." " She asked me to divorce her." " What ?" " She couldn't take it anymore." " In bed ?" " No way !" "She's from Transylvania." "She couldn't spend all the money as I received as bribe." " There'd always be money left..." " What about me ?" " I'm the one who has to keep up." " In bed ?" " I mean taking bribe, dear !" " Poor girl !" "She'd barely learned to introduce herself:" "Mrs Senator Claudiu Vitelaru." " I'd like to see her now." " Don't you worry about her !" "You left her that beautiful house." "This is why we have a protocol house." "All I dream of, at night, is boars and oxen." " I also dreamt of you last night." " Were there any fangs, too ?" " You had horns." " Already ?" "Then, you won't get a thing from me." "Senator..." "Is there anything for me ?" "What do you have there ?" "Come on, Senator..." "Please !" "Show me !" "Where ?" "Here ?" "I don't know..." "Come and see !" "Tell me I'm right !" "My God !" "Am I, officially, your fiancée ?" "My God !" "What a beauty !" "Does it fit me well ?" "No !" "Not this song !" "Professor.. ." "Professor, this way !" "The hall is full of media." "Do you think he'll survive ?" "I can't say." "I haven't seen the patient." "They brought him now." " Is there anything left ?" " Yes, for the autopsy..." "I'm joking." "Can you tell if he's going to die until the evening news ?" "We got him on the street." "He was burning beautifully." "Please..." "My assistant will tell you." "Now you'll excuse me." "Thanks." "Professor, one more question !" "Make way !" "Do you still feel pain ?" "As you know, we are the only network that has exclusive footage of the immense effort of professor Horia Vrabete, to save the life of the unfortunate man who set himself on fire, in front of the City Hall, in order to get a place to live." " How do you feel before surgery ?" " Are we live ?" "No." "Then I feel like shit, sweetie." "What's with you all here ?" "Get out !" "Wise guy..." "I told you I don't like these tricks." "You know I don't like it." "Let's get to business !" "We have work to do !" "Surgery hall" " No access" "Down !" "Move !" "Move !" "You scum !" "Why do you borrow money, when you know you can't pay it back ?" "Give me another day..." "Just one more day." "It's all I ask." "One more day ?" "I'm so sorry I can't help you." "Comrade !" "What are you doing ?" " What did he say ?" " "It's nothing." "I'm all holes."" "It's from a movie that was on." "You movie fan..." "Take this from Mister Semaca." "Boss..." "You're so good !" "The best." "Father, bless them !" "Let the fish lie with the fish." " Did he pay his debt ?" " Yes." "We made him do it." "You did good." "Those people have no honour." "Until everything clears up, I'll make myself scarce." "I need a holiday." "But not at Jilava prison." " You know it inside out." " Better inside, you mean..." "I was thinking about Costa Rica." "What do you say ?" "But not for long." " I'm leaving you in my place." " I understand." "Keep an eye on the clans of Bolintineanu and Sadoveanu !" "I don't want them on our territory." "Be careful !" "Have no mercy !" "Show them what you can !" "I remain faithful to the Agârbiceanu clan." "Goodbye !" "Come on, step on it !" "Mr Jean !" "Please, come !" "Mr Jean comes first." " Is he a diplomat ?" " He's Cuban..." "How are you, MrJean ?" "Where have you travelled ?" "If I tell you, I'll make you cry." "May I have an autograph for my wife ?" " For your mistress, maybe..." " You did this last time." "You're right." "You're with the same girl ?" " Yes." "I'm faithful to her" " Really ?" "I am faithful, too !" "Hasta la vista !" "Thank you." "Here !" "Please !" "Gracias." "Gracias." " Here you are !" " Gracias." "Look !" "There's Penelope." "Penelope !" " What are you doing, you assholes ?" " Boss..." "Sorry !" "Are you out of your minds ?" "Take my luggage !" "Any changes while I was away ?" "They replaced any ministers or cops ?" "Only the officials." "The same guys make the game." " Titel is running the show." " Did you tell him I'm back ?" " He doesn't return our calls." " We'll set things right." "First, I must make myself a new face." "To the clinic !" " What clinic ?" " Horia's clinic." "Do you think it's wise, boss ?" "Don't you worry !" "Horia will keep his mouth shut." "He has huge debts with me." "If he doesn't pay, who knows what may happen ?" "How's our patient ?" "Calm down !" "He's very anxious and wants to unwrap his bandages." "No way !" "It's too early." "What does he say ?" "Only he knows." "Be nice and get a tranquiliser ready." "Hold him !" "Upsy daisy !" "Hold him steady !" "It's all right !" "I gave him a bear's dose." "Guys..." "If he wakes up, call me on my cell." "But only if absolutely necessary." "I have a..." "Kisses !" "What the hell ?" "How is it possible ?" "Hello, Mrs Nina." "Sorry..." " You scared me to death." " Hello, Mrs Nina !" "Don't play with me, professor !" "We have an emergency." "It's serious." "Shit..." "I'll be late again." "Come with me, girls !" "He's sound asleep." "He's sound asleep." " Put something on !" " You're pissing me off." "Is this all right ?" "The doctor saw even more of me." "Even more of you ?" " That's why he is a doctor." " Who ?" "Horia ?" "Horia." "Your best friend, of course." "He's the one who bought me from the Agârbiceanu clan." " Horia bought you ?" " Didn't you know ?" "No." "It was two years ago, when the mobsters shot Arcaqa." "Like a dog they killed him, for a lousy 50,OOO dollars." "Well..." "That's life." "Arcaqa !" "My God !" "You were my life." "My protector." "My pimp..." "On the bottom of which lake are you rotting away with other fish ?" "You promised me you'd look for him with army divers." "We'll take care of his funeral." "We, his girls." "Tatiana, Idiuqa, the French girl..." "Geta Sex Appeal, Mitza..." " Mitza, the bycicle girl ?" " No !" "She wasn't Arcaqa's girl." "Maybe she worked for the Sadoveanu clan." "Bycicle girls are highway girls." "Imagine..." "We, his girls, all classical ballerinas..." "We are now the whores of classical Romanian clans." "Bolintineanu, Sadoveanu, Agârbiceanu." "And all this, for our debts !" ", All, ballerinas. "The Swans' Lake" "The Nut Cracker"..." "Really ?" "Did you all know how to use..." "a "nut" cracker ?" "Not all of us." "Some girls from Balti would know only some popular dances." "We got to dance in bars and discos." "You know how this works." "One day you're someone's fiancée, the next day you're gone." "But no one can take away your skills." " Now you're talking !" " I meant the ballet !" "Yes." "Of course, Mr Tiki, dear." "Absolutely !" "As soon as I'm done in the country, I'm coming to the Committee." "Let's hope the traffic will be OK." "What influence ?" "You're something else, Mr Tiki !" "It's all you think about." "By the way..." "Are the lists ready ?" "All right." "All the best !" "See you soon !" "Let's show them !" ""Of course, Tiki." "Busy in the country."" "You're playing poker with the guys." " How do I look ?" " As good as new !" "Tell me..." "Your friend, Horia..." "Was he like this in high school ?" " What do you mean ?" " I mean, impotent." "Are you out of your mind ?" "Senator, I know an impotent when I see one." " Are you kidding ?" " Not with this kind of stuff." "So, you're saying that Horia..." "Nothing ?" " Absolutely nothing." "He's dead !" " I almost can't believe it." "Do you know what he was called in high school ?" " Horica ?" " No, not Horica." "He was called "the father of Horia's child."" " "The father of Horia's child !"" " Isn't it a bit long ?" "His father was a prosecutor." "Before the 12th grade, he sent his son to work one month on a construction site." " What do you think happened there ?" " Something was built." "Nothing was built there." "He met a worker there, one called Grasshopper." " Why Grasshopper ?" " She was always hopping around." " The way you do when you sing." " I don't hop around." "I perform." "Grasshopper made Horia a man and she got pregnant, too." "It was illegal to make an abortion, so she had to give birth to a child." " A boy or a girl ?" " It doesn't matter, dear !" "But Grasshopper was given shelter by an old hag." "In court, the old woman kept yelling :" ""Your Honour, Horia's the father !"" "And he wasn't ?" "Horia was too afraid of his father to admit this." "Horia was too afraid of his father to admit this." "But we knew the truth." "Until a sentence was given, we kept calling Horia..." ""The father of Horia's child !"" " Now you get the subtlety..." " No." "Good for you !" "What did the judge decide ?" "They said that Horia was not the father of that child." "How the hell ?" "They tried the case for six years." "Meanwhile, the old woman vanished." "The prosecutor was sorry for Grasshopper and he helped her give the little girl to a foster home." "Horia's been looking for her ever since." " Really ?" " Yes." "We've never been felt like this before !" "He's the one." "He's the father of Horia's child." "He's the one !" "Don't mind her !" "She has an obsession." "Shut up !" "Girls, we have the honour to receive the visit of our benefactor" "Mr Titel Pangica !" "He brought you oranges !" "Well done !" "Come on, throw some more !" "Well done !" "You got it !" "Sir..." "I need an old woman who might do some good." " It might be the role of her life." " What does she have to do ?" "She'll help someone get out of trouble." " Girls !" " Yes ?" "Who knows to get someone out of trouble ?" "I do !" "You !" "Whom would you save ?" "I would save myself from peeing..." "So would I !" "Let's try in a different way." "What's the character's name ?" "Aunt Alexandrina." "Ladies, who wants to play the role of Aunt Alexandrina in a soap opera ?" "I do !" " I told you." "They're dying to do it." " They shouldn't die until then." "Ladies, just a moment !" "Who doesn't have any relatives ?" "I do !" "This is why I didn't become a director." "There are too many offers." " You pick someone !" " Thanks." "Let's go." "He's the one !" "He's the father of Horia's child !" " Auntie..." " He's the one !" "I'm not Horia." "I'm Titel." " What did you say, Horica ?" " Sir..." "Who the fuck is Alexandrina ?" "I'm Alexandrina !" "I have proof !" "Shut up !" " You will be Alexandrina." " He chose me !" "The same old stories..." " Titel's team lost again !" " Titel Pangica..." "What a jerk !" "He's a strange guy, but he's one of the main sponsors for our party." "Yes..." "The newspapers say he also sponsors the opposing parties." "He's a poker player." "He's bluffing." "I read he's into several businesses." "You read too much." "He doesn't want to take any risks." "He hasn't finished high school." "This is why he wants to make the news." "Senator..." "My love..." "I haven't finished high school, either." "Since you know how to do certain things, it's no big deal." "I want to make big news, too." "I want to be a star." "You promised me I would present the weather news on TV." "I'll talk to someone, dear." "If not for the weather, for sports." "Sports, my ass !" "I want to present the weather !" "It's a star maker !" "Sports, my ass !" "I want to present the weather !" "It's a star maker !" "Mr Titel !" "What an honour !" "What's with these sour faces ?" "They gave money for the girls' show and I let them stay here, in front." "We have fresh "produce" from Moscow." "You'll see them in an instant." "By the way..." "Is it true that virgins cost more, now ?" "What can I do ?" "Mr Horia wants more for his cosmetic surgeries." "Are there any problems with our deliveries in Spain ?" "Don't ask !" "The girls want to make a union." "They are crazy !" " I'll show them union." "Priest !" " At your orders !" "Who's Mr "Priest" ?" "Priest, let me introduce you to a great designer" "I know an even greater one." "Where am I, Lord ?" "What do you think about his clothes ?" "I can't say, at first glance." "But it's beautiful: "ton sur ton"." "Black on black." "You can't fail." "If you want something posh, trendier, fancier..." "If you want something pink, you can come whenever you want." " I prefer earth colours." " The Priest is, in fact, Mr Manole." " He was expelled from priesthood." " How come ?" "He had problems with his file as a Secret Service collaborator." "He must lay low." "Everyone crosses to the other side once in their life, but no one admits it." "If you want to come for a fitting, we can take you any day." " Where's my Parliament suit ?" " Downstairs." "Shall I bring it ?" "Not now." "Later If you have trouble with your "union" girls, you call..." " Mr Priest." " He'll take care of her" " Thanks in advance, Mr..." "Manole." " Did you raise some dough ?" "It was a very bad month." "Saturday, come to the fashion show !" "All the senators will be there." "I mean, those who aren't in prison." "God forbid !" " It's from Mount Athos." " Beautiful !" "I don't know if I have the time." "What's with this shit ?" "I told you, it was a very bad month." "I had only mohair." "So expensive !" "Listen, darling, if you want to have as many holes as you do now, this is your last mistake." " Please forgive me." " Do you get me ?" "Of course." "What is my sin, Lord ?" "Why are you tempting me ?" "Moldavia, Transylvania and Wallachia !" " "My wish and my will" !" " What ?" "[t's a historical saying, don't bother." "I want to do the weather show." "What about Marcel ?" "Marcel who ?" "That Marcel !" "He was the leader of our group." "A handsome boy with deep blue eyes..." "Had he not chosen to go to America, in a wreckless moment, he would have made prime-minister or even president." " What is his business there ?" " There ?" "He's a poor millionaire, like so many others." " I don't think he was ever on CNN." " What's his background ?" "His background ?" "He's an architect." "An architect ?" "Really ?" "I'll be damned !" "And I..." "I never saw an architect." "Today, you're going to meet one." "Although, it's pretty clear..." "If he's like Horica or Titi Pangica.." "I'm a friend of Horia's since first grade." "It goes for the other two." "Poker has only strengthened this beautiful friendship." " What is this ?" " Horia is here." "Will you get that ?" "Monica !" "Daddy's girl !" "You look so fine !" "I may be the finest plastic surgeon in all South-East Europe," ", but, all in all" "God is the best." "When He wants to create perfection..." "Lucky for us that He doesn't make it often and leave it to us, surgeons !" " Golden hands !" " Right you are..." "Come on, dear !" " Love and peace, my dear friends !" " Hail, emperor !" "I took the ambulance and ran away from the hospital." "You know I've never been late for a poker game." "Or for a love session..." " Where are the others ?" " They should be here any minute." "Marcel's plane might have a small delay." "I hope he won't be like last time, when he didn't come at all." "For your sake, I abandoned my surgery." "I started it and left it to Junior" " What is this ?" " Maybe it's Marcel." "I'll get it." "My friend !" "Listen..." "I hope Monica won't get on our nerves, while we play poker" "I can't stand any woman watching behind my back." " Don't you like women any more ?" " Come on !" "Where is the pleasure, when all their beauty is fake ?" " Hello !" " I'm listening." " What do you want ?" " The doctor forgot his envelope." "Are you the mailman ?" "The mailman always rings twice." "The movie was on in Kishinev." "I saw it four times in a day, with Arcaqa." "It went on and on, with no break." "When I got out, I was... satisfied." "Really ?" "Obviously, you're not the mailman." "You rang only once." " I'm Mr Voicu's driver." " I see." "Is this it ?" " You'll give it to him, won't you ?" " You want a RSVP ?" "Bye bye !" "What a girl !" "Listen..." "If Claudiu Vitelaru comes to me, for 10,OOO dollars I make him Claudia Sc'hiffer." "Did you have such a case ?" "None." "Had I had such a case, would I play poker with you in Bucharest ?" "I would have opened, with Marcel, an office on Fifth Avenue." "Come here, my dear..." "This is small change..." "Charity..." "Listen !" "Could we give the driver something to eat ?" " Some caviar ?" " Or red roe..." "He'll eat anything." "But give him some bread !" "Bread is essential, for a Romanian." "Don't you eavesdrop !" "This driver of mine is 5 foot 3, but has a huge dick !" "He's the only one who doesn't want me to cut it or make it longer" "What are we drinking here ?" "Let's see..." "I like it." "What do you want ?" "Caviar or red roe ?" "All my life, I've eaten green roe." "I'm color blind, lady." "I mess up colours." "Are these ambulances fully equipped ?" " You wouldn't know." " How about you ?" " What about me ?" " Hold on to this tray..." "Are you... well equipped ?" "I'd like to see one on the inside." "I've never been in an ambulance." "Think about it !" "I was the first to use silicon implants in Romania." "That material was sent by Marcel, wasn't it ?" "That's right." "They reached the custom and they didn't have a price for them" "It's true." "It was Christmas." "I said they were... jelly." "The customs officers, as usual, asked for a carton of those, to put it under the Christmas tree, for the kids." "So ?" "I gave one to each of them." "Marcel had sent them for free." "The little buggers must still be chewing on them." "It was hard to convince the first sad woman to do something for her breasts." "I made her two tits..." "like this !" "And now, they're bringing all their friends and business is booming." "Booming !" "I must tell you, had it not been for Marcel, I wouldn't be here." "Marcel helped us all." "Without those 20,OOO dollars from him, in April '91" "I would have been an anonymous accountant, God knows where." "Wait a minute !" "I knew there were 80,OOO." "Not at all !" "You mean the other 60,OOO ?" " Right !" " He gave me those much later" "In September." "I was already Senator." "What about him ?" "With what money did he started in America ?" "With our money !" "But we didn't have any money, before '89 !" "What about the money he won at poker, for so many years ?" " Those were not money." " We worked for it !" "Not like the money we make now." "They were worth something." "For so many years, he didn't want to make it up for it." "He's afraid." "You know what ?" "What if he's going to win again ?" "How could he win again ?" "In my country, with my police force, with my Secret Services, you say he's going to win again ?" "You've become a complete ass, Senator." "What does all of this matter ?" "It does !" "I don't like to lose." "I want to see him in front of me and to hear him say:" ""You win." "Take it all."" "I want to forget all the humiliation I've taken from him." "What are you talking about ?" "What humiliation ?" "Do you know that he lent me the money with no interest ?" "Do you know he never asked for it ?" "How much longer can I take it ?" "A man can be too humiliated !" "If he's going to ask for his money, you think you'd get rid of this ?" "I won't pay him back." "Fuck him !" "Listen..." "Do you think he would ask for his money back ?" "I don't know." "My God..." "What if he asked me to return all that silicon ?" "Don't worry !" "He won't ask us to return anything." "Why do you think we play poker ?" "I'll tell you, Senator..." "We want to see if we are still lucky." "Each one of us could make more money:" "I would consult a patient, Titel would stage a robbery..." "You could make a call." "It's the easiest for you, of us all, to do it." ""Hello ?"" "What are you talking about ?" "Are you making fun of me ?" "During the Revolution, you stayed home and watched TV, while I risked my life." "Doesn't this count ?" "It counts, yes." "It's been like this all along." "This is why you've come a long way." "This is why you don't pay any taxes." "Look at the time !" "Why is this idiot ofTitel late again ?" "He comes from Pipera, not New York." "Why do you call him an idiot ?" "Because he is one, that's why." "Didn't you hear ?" " He bought himself a soccer team." " He's not the only one." " I understand him." " Is it worth it ?" "Of course it is." "He appears on TV every day, the ad's for free, you do politics..." "Anyway, Titel needed that." "I find it harder and harder to hide his criminal files." "Soon, I'll have to leave him." "See ?" "I'm much better off like this." "No one can take my scalpel away." "Even if I get Parkinson's disease, I can still give advice." "Titel..." " Titel !" " Sorry !" "That's all." "Let's go !" "Don't stop !" "Why did you leave the doors open ?" "Anyone may find us here." " What's with all these guns ?" " Are you afraid of something ?" "Yes. ['m afraid Marcel will take our money again." "Did you teach him a lesson ?" "I told you I want to finish him off." "Why would you want to kill him ?" "Did he humiliate you with a couple of grand ?" "No." "He only gave me 20,OOO square." "Americans say: "Don't ask how I made my first 5,OOO dollars."" "Romanians say; "Don't ask me how I made my last 5 million."" ""I have papers for the first 5." Hard times, isn't it ?" " Really ?" " Tell us what you did with the money" " Do you really want to know ?" " Everything !" "I'll tell you, then." "I bought myself a Volkswagen with the first 3,OOO." " It was a lousy van." " What about the rest ?" "I invested the rest." "I bought 300 statues of Lenin." "Busts." "I bought them from a warehouse, when Dej was president." "I bought them from a warehouse, when Dej was president." "I put red lights in their eyes, I made them small legs and sold them as garden gnomes." "I reinvested all my profit in Marx and Engels busts." "This wasn't good." " How come ?" " I wanted to sell them in Germany." "And ?" "The Eastern Germans recognized them." " What do you mean ?" " It was easy." "After 45 years of Communist rule, they were dreaming about them." "A fellow in Dresden told me:" ""Don't tell me these two bearded guys had a role in Snow-White."" "So I had to sell them in Holland." "Let's deal some cards, see if we're lucky !" "Come on !" "While Titel is dealing, I'll tell you a joke, to kill you !" " A drunk fellow..." " We know it !" "I can prove how I made my first 5,OOO dollars." "I also payed taxes." "What a fool !" "Horica, where would we be, if we all payed taxes ?" " Cards." " One." "Two." "I hope Marcel is coming this time." "Yes, he is." "I talked to him before he left for the airport." " 20 million." " Check." " What do you have ?" " Nothing." "Not even one pair." " Dead man's hand." " Three eights." "I got you." "Let's see Marcel's hand." "Straight to the Queen." "Served !" "He's winning even when he's not here." "Listen..." "Why do you keep your hat on ?" "If you want, I'll take it off." "I never leave without cash on me." "You may be a great patriot, but you never know when you have to leave the country." "Let's take out some cash, too." "It will be more fun." " Right you are !" " Listen, Titel..." "You're wearing your tennis shoes, so you can run fast." "Right ?" "I'm exercising." "If they take away my fortune, I'll sell shoes again." "Anyway, I wore these last time I beat Marcel." "Really ?" "You beat him, my ass !" "I remember" "You won the first round and rushed home where mommy was waiting for you with dinner." "We were playing hookie." "Give something for the table, Horica." "Sorry !" " I still won 12 Lei." "It's something." " Come on !" "This is no gain." "It's still something." " I triple the ante." " Make it nine times more." "I call." " Hello, lady !" " It's so beautiful up here !" "My helmet !" "Give it right now !" " My, you are beautiful !" " You naughty boy !" "Come on !" "Senator, I see you're still wearing a suit and a tie." "If my country needs me all of a sudden," "I must be ready, mustn't I ?" "The country needed you once, but you couldn't find your sweater" "It was with all the other washing stuff." "You said this was your big failure." "Then, the country called another one." " He's gone now." "He was so feisty !" " He couldn't have." "He had no guts." " All right..." "Guys, I want 200." " No." "Too much..." "Horica, I heard the old lady has returned from the dead." "Which old lady ?" "The witness from your trial." "I heard she's fine now." "If you want, tell me, and she'll be dead again." "Can you do it ?" ""I can't understand why you don't say my name..."" ""But I can tell by your eyes that you are too shy to do it..."" "Clau..." "A former lady is looking for you." "Sorry to interrupt..." "Senator, I have a surprise for you." " The laundry operation is here." " What laundry operation ?" "I have an eco-business." "You said you want to "wash" one million." " Right." " Come with me." "Here she is: one old aunt, abandoned in a nursing home in Balta Alba." "My nephew !" "I don't have any aunt." "You ungrateful boy !" "Don't you recognize me ?" "Bastard !" "It's I, your aunt Alexandrina !" "I was nice when I brought you candy !" "Come here, my dear !" "I want to hold you in my arms !" " Shut up, lady !" " I'll be damned if I get any of this" "Better for her to die, than you." " Die ?" "Me ?" " Shut up, lady !" ""Lady" ?" "Lady or aunt ?" "You're driving me crazy." "Don't upset me !" "If aunt Alexandrina dies and leaves me one million, is it bad ?" " How can she have one million ?" " It's my pension, dear !" "Her pension..." " You're kidding." "Will it work ?" " Why should we be the fools ?" "Were you a member of the Revolution ?" "On the contrary." "A hair-dresser !" "On the contrary." "A hair-dresser !" "When did you hear anyone asking the dead where he has money from ?" "You get one million, I talk to Volodea and he'll set her right." "I mean, we'll get you looking cool." "Of course !" " And then, it's God's business." " Shall I read the will once more ?" "There's no need." "I know what I'm leaving behind." "And to whom." "Thanks a lot, lady." "I mean, aunt." " I'm very grateful." " You'll have to wait a long time." "I've decided to live a hundred years." " More or less..." " More." " ..." "Or less." " What are you talking about ?" "Shut up, lady !" "Take her away !" "Let's go !" "Auntie, sit here, on the electrical chair." "The girls from the resting house will be thrilled when they see this jewel !" " How's our great writer ?" " Who ?" " The great writer..." " He's a bit anxious." "He's not well." "Not well ?" "Then, all is well." "Manole, what is it ?" "I raise you..." "What shall we do with the old lady ?" "She's restless." "Volodea will take care of her." "I don't want any more money." "Take care of my team !" "I want them to win the championship." "God help us !" "So..." "All your life, you're waiting for a King in your royal flush, and you get a priest for your funeral." "Priests have their role, too." "Marcel gave me Manole." "I took him because he's a hard drinker." "He's the last to go under the table." "With a signed contract..." "After he gave them the blessing..." "If you have our party's blessing, why do you need another ?" "One day you rule, the next day, you're gone." "Only God is forever." "Congratulations, dear !" "Now you have faith !" "Horica, show me one poker player who doesn't have faith, and I'll eat him." "Dear boys, listen to me:" "life is a poker game." "That's all." " What a deep thought !" " One card." "Some said life is a game of "Sevens"." "Two." "Those who believed it are now six feet under at Ghencea." " 300 euro." " Take it from your retired folks !" "And my patients." "Listen to me." "The closer you get to your death, the more you want to live." "I had patients who would have gladly give their hand..." "You cut !" "... only to see their end come." "Hands with gangrene and ostheoporosis," "I can give them by the dozen." "Gangrene, ostheoporosis..." "Titel, dear, you're making progress." " Where do you read all this stuff ?" " In the almanachs..." "I know more than you about the diseases that cannot be cured in prison." "Do you have one of these diseases ?" "I have them all." " I'm afraid of closed spaces." " This is the worst of all." "Well, well..." "You're both so clever !" "When we were kids and you were out playing soccer," "I was studying bones !" "When we were going to see the girls, you were a big wanker !" "You're wrong." "I never missed a visit to the girls." " You and Santa..." " What ?" "He never missed a visit there, too." " What do you mean ?" " Nothing !" "What's with you ?" "You, both, had less women than me !" "Yes, it's true." "Don't get excited !" "We had less women than you." "You were the most active of us four." " What ?" "!" " The father of Horia's child !" "It wasn't my child." " Yes." " Doctor, please come right away !" "I told you to call me only for an emergency." "It's a disaster Please, come !" "We're losing him." "All right." "I'm coming." "I'm sorry, guys, but I must leave for an emergency." "Duty goes first." " But I'll be back." " The father of Horia's child !" "Let's go !" "Are you from Calabria ?" "I'm from Breaza." "Then, why do they call you "the Calabrese" ?" "I'm an orphan." "Everybody knows me all too well." "Boy, are you out ofyour mind ?" "Up to now, you ignored the red lights, and now you stop at the green light ?" " I'm color blind." " How did you get your licence ?" " I never told anyone." " Where did you get your licence ?" "In Piteqti." "Get going, then !" "It's green." "What if some other color blind guy comes from the other side ?" "Come on !" "I'm in a hurry." "The world's upside down !" "Why leave a poker game for an emergency ?" "It's as if you organised a bid, with no commission." "We have to earn our living." "I could do business with the state and I could sacrifice myself, for your sake and the sake of others like you." "Do you think it's easy for me to try and remember which party I'm in ?" "This wasn't a problem." "You always were in charge." "I like to serve my country and I can' do it unless my party rules." " The opposing parties suck." " True." "You were a banker back then." " Yes." " Until it went broke." "I had to dress properly, back then, tie and all." "There was no air conditioning back then, at the bank." " But there was money." " Indeed." "I did it all for my friends" "If you give me 100,OOO euro today, I'll give you a million in one year." "Are you serious ?" "Stay where you are !" "Your debts will be forgotten or recalculated..." "You'll get along." "Mr Agârbiceanu, I'll read you your statement." ""Bandages will be taken off upon my request."" " "I undertake all risks involved."" " I don't understand." ""I undertake all risks involved !" Sign here, please !" "Here..." "Here you go..." "Thank you." "Let's see now." "I made you a brand new face." "Not even your mother will recognize you." " Our boss' mother died long ago." " May she rest in peace." "Tell me your opinion." "How do I look ?" "Boss, you look like a peach tree in blossom." "Mr Agârbiceanu," "I think we may have hurried with the bandage removal." "I would have let it more, so that your skin may stretch a bit." "It should stretch, yes..." "Dear, I need a mirror !" "I want a mirror !" "Mr Agarbiceanu, we don't have any mirrors in this hospital." "Our last patient had a heart attack when he saw himself." "If you don't have any mirror, give me a metal object !" "A razor blade or a spoon !" "I feel like I'm in prison." "One moment !" "Don't get upset !" "All will be well." "Tell me what you think !" " I feel like I know this fellow." " It's just an illusion." " Your face is absolutely new." " I can't believe it !" "I'm the spitting image of him." "Well done !" "Doctor, thank you so much for everything." " Here !" "I know you lose at poker." " You didn't have to." "Thank you." "Well done !" "Thank you." "It is all settled, then." "You keep Mona !" "If she doesn't steal from you, she must make 500 euro a day." "If she steals you, she's a criminal !" "Please..." "I'll go now." "Thank you." " It's too much." " This is for your luck." "Thank you very much." "Please, take care of him." "Goodbye !" "All the best !" "I have to leave." " It's all right, boss." " What do you think ?" "These Communists knew how to live." "Bloody bastards..." "We'll learn how to live well, too." "We have all the time." "These days, the new candidates will be elected." "We have anticipated elections, then." "So, you heard it, too." "You know how much money the elections cost me, last time." " I still have to put money back." " Have I ever asked you for anything" "No." "Tell me..." "Will you help me ?" "Have I ever let you down, Claudiu ?" "What did you say when I asked you for my first credit ?" "100%." "Right ?" "This was your commission back then." "You played it rough." "I'd still do it, but there are no more state-owned banks." "You brought them all to bankruptcy." "I love her when she sings !" "She's adorable !" "This is, officially, your mistress." "It's the first sign of old age." "You don't know what this kid can do." "This kid ?" "She's 27." "I know her from some place." "Maybe from that TV show, "Kids say weird things"." "She's a sweetheart." "And she sings like no one else !" "You're so young, pappy..." "Yes, this is him." "Hello, Mr Vicepresident." "Of course." "I'm on my way already." "Goodbye !" "One minute..." "I've been called to the party's office." "It's not good." "The Calabrese will give you a car." "How can I help you, Mr Pangica ?" "What ?" "Make it a quick one." "I'm in a hurry." "Champagne and soda !" " I don't like rude men." " You don't..." "But I like whores." "You damned slut !" "Now you're a blonde and you did a silicon job, and you think I didn't recognize you !" "You bloody whore..." "I've felt so many fake tits !" "Who paid for your tits, whore ?" "Do you think Aurica invested in his girls ?" "It's not true !" "I was never his girl !" "He made me have surgery and fake tits !" "Your fiancé is walking on my nerves." "I know that, here, you eat nothing but caviar, but, once in a while, you have to taste shit." ""Pour la bonne bouche"..." "I understand." "I see you know French." "I studied marketing in the Obor market." "So did I." "Under tractors, inside trucks or in meat freasers." "Where are you, Arcaqa ?" "Who's going to defend us ?" "Who's going to beat us ?" "I worked only with professionals." ""Nature itself attended my wedding."" ""The sun and the moon held my wedding crown."" "How nice !" "The "Miorita" balad..." "Had this been my subject at the entrance exam, in faculty," "I'd have a job at the Ministry of Culture." "Or "Fefeleaga", that novel." "Let's get to a more romantic subject." "Let's fuck !" "Let's !" "But I want to ask you..." "I want to be on TV." "Who the hell would want to see this on TV ?" "Don't be a fool !" "I want to do the weather show." " Shut up and let's get laid !" " Let's do it on the poker table." "Let's put some cake there !" "Like in that movie with the mailman !" "The mailman always rings once !" "Only thieves ring twice !" "They want to make sure they leave with all the money !" "Are you the new boss of the Agârbiceanu clan ?" "Don't bug me with all that literature stuff !" "Cake !" "I feel this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." "My God !" "Hello, guys !" "I'm sorry, Senator" "It's me !" " You teach her how to play poker.." " No." "I teach her "Sevens"." "It works." " How was the result of your surgery" " I have golden hands." "Your turn." " Where is Claudiu ?" " At the party's office." " Is he in trouble ?" " No." "On the eve of the elections, he fears for his job a bit." "What pleasure would he have in knowing he'll be elected for sure ?" "You're kidding." "He told me he would be reelected, for sure." "You don't play with a poor girl's future, tell her she's your fiancée, when you're not sure if you have your own place." "Don't worry !" "He'll be reelected." "He told me." " Are you sure ?" " Titel will help him." "Right ?" "Don't be so sure !" "At this level, you must be full of gifts, to succeed." "Sorry." "Yes ?" "Yes, Ion." "I'm listening." "What do you mean ?" "They changed the play ?" "Are you crazy ?" "I have recordings of every show..." "Each time I paid the "artists"." "The "director" also wants something..." "How much ?" "No." "How hard should the play be ?" "You're so greedy..." "OK." "See you at the bank." "No." "At the poor guy's bank." "I have to go, dear friends." "Some animals are waiting for me." "They miss me." "Be nice !" "If it's a boy, call him Titel." " What if it's a girl ?" " Send her on the streets !" " Calabrese !" " Yes !" " Set the big cannons !" " Where are we going ?" "We're going hunting." "You go with them !" " What's the hurry ?" " They'll end up to us or to you." "Monica..." "I am your father." " What's with this joke ?" " Trust me..." "I am your father." "Am I the daughter of the father of Horia's child ?" "That's right." "I treated your mother so badly, and I've been cursed." "Since then, I couldn't make love to any woman, for fear of incest." "In every woman, I'd see you, my dear." "What are you talking about ?" " Are you making fun of me ?" " No !" "If you only knew how I felt that night at the disco, when I saw you curling around that pole ! "She's mine !", I said..." "You can't imagine how much I loved your mother." "It was the love of a 16 year' old boy who had a whore for the first time." "Don't talk like this about my mother !" "I didn't know her but I respect her" "Please, forgive me !" "When I see you hop around, to me, it seems the most beautiful dance." "I'm not hopping around." "I perform." "When I hired you at the hospital and saw you didn't have any father and that you had A-2 blood type, I said: "You're my little girl !"" "A quarter of people on Earth have this blood type." "You're right." "But, see..." "You use diminutives, like your mother" ""Little perfume", "little pantyhose", "little dear"..." "Every woman uses them." "Things seem cheaper like this." "I also thought about it." "But, see..." "Your name is Monica." "What does this mean ?" "The old lady at the trial was also named Monica." "How could an old lady be called Monica ?" "Old ladies were once young, too." "Is this all proof that I am your daughter ?" "My hopping around, the diminutives, my blood type and the hag's name ?" " There is one more thing." " What ?" "You have this mole, like your mother." "Stop it !" "You and your soap opera !" "What about now ?" "Do I still look like my mother ?" "What about now ?" "Don't you know that we, Moldovan girls, have this charm ?" "Moles ?" "You bloody pervert !" "I cannot be your daughter." "First of all, my name isn't Monica." "This is my star name." "I'm Evdokia." "And my blood type isn't A-2." "You and your shitty equipment !" "I have the O type." " Really ?" " Yes." "This means you're not my daughter." "I'm not your daughter." "But, if you want us to have a good time, give me 100 euro !" "I never paid women for sex." "It was the other way round." " Go to hell, you whore !" " You go to hell !" "You fool !" "How could you be so wrong ?" " Where's the elephant ?" " He's dead." "How come ?" "And you didn't tell me !" "We didn't want to upset you." " He committed suicide." " How ?" "He went on hunger strike." "Unbelievable !" "When we're through, remind me to donate them another elephant." "Unbelievable..." "Have some bagels !" "For the soul of the dead..." "They're fresh." "Give me a handkerchief !" " Don't you have some with salt ?" " No." "He had high blood pressure." "I understand you made up your mind." "What do you think ?" "What are the prices on the market ?" "300,OOO euro for a Deputy's place and 600,OOO for a Senator's place." "How come ?" "Yesterday they cost 150,OOO and 250,OOO." "That was yesterday." "The lists are settled." "It's expensive to change them." "If this guy changes the Constitution and we'll have anticipated elections, we'll see our money back ?" "Do you think we're a supermarket, to give your money back ?" "Who can wage for the Big Boss's whims ?" "Do you want to be a Deputy or a Senator ?" "Do I look like a Deputy ?" "Bills of 20 ?" "Couldn't you find smaller ones ?" "Yes, bills of 100, with fluorescent paint on them." "You want those ?" "Come on !" "I was joking." "Let me talk to the party's office." "Hello ?" "Mr Tiki ?" "Everything's set up." "Tell Mr Tavi that Mr..." "Pangica." "He signed his adhesion." "Yes, he also deposited the programme." "It's written in paragraphs of 20 words each..." "I see." "Mr Tiki asks if you want to have a certain district." "Mr Tiki, anything goes." "I serve my country in every way I can." "Goodbye !" "You filthy animal..." "Girl, I told you that politics is a jungle !" " I thought politics is a whore." " Right !" "A whore who walks in the jungle." "Senator !" "What do you comment ?" "Can you make a statement ?" "Can you tell us anything about what happened ?" "Senator ?" "Yes." "Go ahead." "I see." "Goodbye !" "Wonderful !" "You touched my heart." "All this, as a respectful tribute to you, boss." "Look at poor Vladimir !" "The guys with scholarships are back from Holland." " Fucking respect !" " Unbelievable !" "Listen, Calabrese..." "Never forget where you're coming from." " Right you are, boss." " Unbelievable..." "Let him come." "Get the men ready !" "Do you remember me ?" "Of course !" "I've always been a big fan of yours." "Limba, Ismail, Gica Hau-hau..." "You had so many beautiful roles !" "They used to make awesome movies." "Not anymore." "Pity !" " Don't you recognize my voice ?" " Don Corleone..." ""My son, come here !" "I have some black market cigarettes."" "I always liked culture." "Mr Jean, you want me to sponsor you or take a trip to Mount Athos ?" "We might do "The Godfather 4"." "I'll tell Coppola to bring 4 million," "I'll bring another 4, the National Cinema Council, another 14." "You cheeky monkey !" "I don't need your money." "I came for my due money." "You forgot something :" "I am Agârbiceanu !" "Agârbiceanu !" "This is who I am !" "Get it ?" "Ion Agârbiceanu ?" "The writer himself ?" "What a great accent, boss !" "I'm your boss." "And all these goons you have there..." "I'm their boss, too." "Which one of you is an actor ?" "This guy says he is the boss." "Calabrese, tell me, does he seem like the boss ?" "You're much nicer, boss." "Nice, Mr Jean !" "I almost bought it." "This is why we love and appreciate you." "Well done !" "These are true professionals." "You writer !" "These are amateurs." "From now on, it's over" "You're not Agarbiceanu." "Go back to Costa Rica !" " Go !" " You go to hell !" " What's the matter with you ?" " We're staying." "We can't reject his offer." "Titel, I'll be back." "I'll destroy you, I swear !" "Go !" " Boss..." "You are a genius." " Maybe that's how you see me." "Such generosity !" "You think people appreciate this ?" "No one does this anymore, Calabrese." "I see you're sorry." "That's life, Calabrese." "Sooner or later, we all betray someone." "New bosses for a new age." "Only God is forever." "Is that what you think ?" "What the hell, Horica ?" "You could have told me." "I almost had a heart attack." "You never asked anything." "You told me only to change his face." "How is he ?" "He's the spitting image of Jean Constantin." "Well done !" " Golden hands..." " Where's that daughter of yours ?" " She's not my daughter." " You said that she had that mole..." "She can put it wherever she wants." "And I thought I sinned with her !" " Good for you !" " Thanks." " Listen, Titel..." " Please !" "Now I'm Senator Pangica." "So, you showed him well !" "You betrayed him !" "So, you showed him well !" "You betrayed him !" "My best friend !" "Lord !" "I am such a scum !" "To hell with him !" "He wasn't born a Senator" "It won't be good for him." "If he says something stupid on TV, all media will get crazy." "This is why media stinks." "Listen, doctor..." "Have you ever thought of being minister ?" "For a few days..." "Have I ever thought ?" "I've always dreamt of being minister, Titel." "Who the hell wouldn't ?" "I would fire certain hospital managers, then I would hire them back..." "I would be the one to decide which ambulances to buy for the hospital." "I would be courted by Volkswagen, Mercedes, Ferrari..." "Ferrari ?" "They don't have ambulances." "It doesn't matter I forgive them." "If they see we have the money, they'll make some, too." "But, first of all I'll quit drinking'." "Starting tomorrow." " Is the meeting over ?" " How could you ?" "How could you ?" "You'll burn in hell you bloody fool !" "'" "Here's some bad news, my man." "Hell and heaven just merged." "It's called Purgatory Ltd." "This idiot took my place in the Senate." "I offered you a place in the House of Deputies." "Why didn't you take it ?" "You take it !" "You're new !" "This isn't going to work." "The party will say no !" "Which party ?" "Do you know which side are you on ?" "Look who's giving me lessons !" "The worm seller from Obor market !" "I've done so much for you !" "You never had to pay any taxes !" "You didn't do it for free." "I always had to pay for it." "It would have been cheaper to pay taxes." "This serves me well !" "I covered for you and hid all your criminal files." " You didn't do it with the last one." " This is why I'm not a politician." "No one can take the scalpel away from me." "The higher our living standard, the bigger the boobs !" "Tell me !" "Why did you do it ?" "To gain immunity, you dumb ass !" "Is it so hard to understand ?" "If two prosecutors go after me," "I'll have six lawyers to defend me." "If they up the ante with two," "I'll raise and have eight more lawyers." "That's the game." "Life's a poker game." " But you don't get it, you idiot." " I'm going to destroy you." "You won't have any immunity, as long as I can do something !" " You, destroy me ?" "You worm !" " Little worm..." " How do you think you'll do that ?" " Soon, the elections are coming." " I'll throw your ass to the media !" " And I'll throw your ass to the dogs" "You forget you've been photographed naked and drunk as a skunk, running after the waitresses ?" "I paid 30 grand to get the photos !" " What about the cocoa ?" " What cocoa ?" "The loan from the state !" "He bribed someone, to get 100 tons of cocoa, he sold it and took the money, and never gave the cocoa back !" " I didn't bribe anyone." "I paid you." " What did you pay me ?" "I gave you the money !" "You made me write a request !" ""Given the serious social turmoil caused by the cocoa..."" "Watch your language !" "You can't put "cocoa" in the genitive case." "Whatever !" " You bribed officials for that cocoa" " Are you talking about me ?" "I gave you the money !" "You should have given them as bribe !" "Did you ?" "[f not..." "I'm sorry, but I have a tape of you bribing someone." "Are you out of your mind ?" "What tape ?" "I wasn't even there." "Listen..." "Why do you think there are so many film directors in Romania ?" "Any of them can edit such a film." "Did you do such a thing ?" "If you did, you are worse than me." "I'll kill you." "Wait !" "Come on, cut it out !" "I won't kill you. ['ll put a Moldovan do it, for 5,OOO euros." "But you're not worth it." "A Somali will do it for 10 meal tickets." "You know what's funny ?" "I also have an edited tape." "It's made by these young directors." "There, you take money for a bid." "What do you say now ?" "You could swap tapes, like two movie goers." "Do you want us to swap tapes ?" "I'll give you the photos as a bonus." "I'm not making any swap." "I have immunity, while you are hoping for it." "If you make such a scandal, the party will take you out of the list," "If you make such a scandal, the party will take you out of the list, and he'll be a dead man !" " What's wrong with you ?" " I'm an epileptic." "Doctor, look !" "I'm an epileptic !" "I'm not responsible for my actions !" "Shoot me !" "Free me from the nightmare I've been living for so many years !" " Shoot me !" " No..." "Titel, don't !" "Please !" "Please..." "Titel, don't !" "Please..." "Come on..." "Settle down, guys..." "Do you think it's easy to be a Senator ?" "Do you think it's easy to keep up with the others ?" "If it's trendy to have a villa in Snagov or Monte Carlo, you do it." "If someone buys himself a Bentley, you get it, too." "If someone has an 18 year' old mistress, you get yourself one, too." "If you don't keep up with them, they'll throw you out." "It means you're not able to do it anymore." "And then..." "You're no longer needed." "How do you think you can do it ?" "Buy all this from your Parliamentary fee ?" "With the lousy commissions you gave me ?" "And then, to keep up with all this," "I started to sell the most profitable goods in Romania:" "promises." " And were you paid enough ?" " All in all ?" "I made about one million euro." "All in all." "Doctor, I can't sleep at night." "I dream that, one day, I'll die in a hunting accident." "You'd better shoot me yourself, so I die by the hand of a friend." "I have only one solution : if Marcel brings me one million, today..." "Then, come what may." "He promised he'd bring me the money today." "These were the money I had to launder." "Wait a minute !" "It's strange..." "He promised he'd give me one million, too, to cover my debt to the state." "These are my money." "Don't get excited !" "He might bring two million." "This would be another thing." "You'll cover your debt with aunt Alexandrina's heritage, then you start some small business." "You open two ice cream stands in the Circus Park and four ecotoilets in Ghencea, and this is it !" "Right !" "The boys from the orchestra will have a place to pee." "You see ?" "All that fuss, about nothing !" "Have you ever thought of moving to the opposing parties ?" " It would be a good change." " Perfect !" "Then, I'll sponsor you." "Are you serious ?" "I haven't thought about that." "After all, I've been on good terms with everybody." "Right ?" " Of course." " You got excited for no reason." " Friends ?" " Of course..." "Listen, folks !" "Do you know what time it is ?" "Do you still think Marcel will come ?" "I'm starting to have doubts." "What the hell would he do in such a hole ?" "Listen, you fools." "I'm going to do a demonstration." "I put 100 euro here, on the table." "We'll all stare at it and, in 30 seconds, it will disappear." "No one knows how or where." "30 seconds." "Come on." "28... 29... 30." "I thought you'd forgot." "Are you crazy ?" "Why are you dressed like this ?" "I'm leaving for Moscow !" "What kind ofgame is this ?" "It's no game." "I'm tired of Romania." "Here, everything's a joke:" "the presidency, politics, your police, yourjustice..." "Everything !" "Even sex..." " Even the mobsters are a joke !" " I really don't understand you." "You survived the transition, the reform, the inflation..." "And you're leaving now, when we're about to pass the brothel act, when we're NATO and EU members ?" "Do you see me as head of the whores' union ?" "Shall we ask for free condoms and the right to see ourselves in the ceiling mirrors ?" "Thanks, but no !" "Rather than being in the streets of Bucharest," "I'd rather walk the streets of Moscow !" ""On a road to Russia..."" ""I'll take a train to Moscow !"" "It will be harder up to Iaqi." "But then, after Iaqi, they install the Russian locomotive, it's warm, you drink tea..." "You never know when they come and rape you !" "Wait !" "How are you going to survive in Moscow, with only 100 euro ?" " A man is waiting for me there." " What man ?" "A senzational man." "He's called Marcel." "Yes, your friend Marcel !" "And my friend Marcel." "A true poker player, who always took your money." "He cheated, of course !" "Today he's not coming." "He told me to tell you he's busy and can't make it." " Since when do you know Marcel ?" " Since '93." "Then, I was dancing in the "No shame" disco." "Mr Pangica brought Marcel along." "He wanted to borrow some more money." "I noticed Marcel right away." "I left with him that night." "Between two love sessions, he told me why he came to Romania:" "he had three friends whom he beat at poker, just for fun." "But he cares about you." "Honest !" "He called me on my cell phone and said:" ""Leave those old farts !" "Come and live the good life !"" ""Diamonds, gas, oil and KGB !" "What a life !"" "Gather the men !" "It's good that you leave us for a man." "I was afraid you had political reasons." "Not at all." "This is why I'm leaving now, when you solved all the problems of the country." "I'm leaving you, with your "eternal and fascinating" Romania." "Are you out of your mind ?" "What have you done, Titel ?" "Fuck her !" "She knew too much." "What could she have known ?" "She was going to see Marcel." "He's still a Secret Service man." "They didn't know where to send him, so they sent him to New York." "Marcel was with them ?" "Who doesn't know ?" "Maybe those from the Committee." "This is the place." "You wouldn't kill me, even if you had a bazooka !" " I'm a veteran from Afghanistan !" " You heard that ?" "What are you trying to do, you fool ?" "The Special Troops are here now !" "No way." "I should have known." "It's even worse." "The Russians are here." "You're driving me crazy." "You shoot her !" "Come here, Senator !" "Come see them !" "This is my big chance." "I'm not going to lose it." " This is private property !" " We have passports and visas." "Snake !" " Visas ?" " Yes !" "Call the airport and ask them what the hell this is all about !" "I don't understand !" "Easy !" "Here you are !" "This is for Mr Manole." "How does he know your name ?" "You're a big shot now !" "You receive your mail by chopper !" "How did he know your name ?" "Evdokia Horikova Lakustova." "What's this that you're holding, Calabrese ?" "It's I. Evdokia Horikova Lakustova." "Lakustova ?" "Is it possible ?" ""Democratistan" ?" "What would I do there ?" "This is where Marcel waits for you." "It's from Marcel." "A revolution is about to begin." "He's going to be prime-minister and he needs a wife." "They're very keen on proletary morale." "You won't find any girl with more morals than me !" "Men have always done with me whatever they wanted." "Mrs prime-minister Lakustova Marcel..." "It doesn't sound bad at all." "Goodbye, Senator !" "My lover !" "Goodbye, Horia, daddy dear !" "Kisses !" "And you, my rabbit !" "Bye !" "Thank you." "I've never travelled by helicopter." "Now what ?" "Turn the TV on, boss." "It should start any minute." " What ?" " The Revolution." "Live." " Marcel..." "On which channel ?" " On every channel." " You're a pig." " Don'tjudge me, boss !" "Priest !" "You should have gotten on that helicopter, too." "This is what I call a revolution." "Well done, Marcel !" "Yes, but our revolution was the real deal." "Absolutely." "Dear brothers, today we have won the battle !" "Do you think they bought the licence ?" "The hell they did." "Marcel gave it for free." "I heard they have rich resources." "This means we're back in business." "Victory !" "Victory !" "Victory !" "Friends." "Friends !"