"ATTENTION" "The film you are about to see - in its plot, characters and setting - bears no resemblance to reality." "It is only a play in which everything is distorted and exaggerated." "Life isn't like this." "Central Film Production in Prague Presents" "RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON" "Do you think it's freedom you've been striving for?" "I don't know." " You attempted suicide..." " That's my business." " You really think so?" " I don't know." "All I know is that I'm all right." "It's all nonsense anyway." " What's nonsense?" " Everything." "But you have a wife, a child, a job..." "Yes, I know I do." "I have everything and I poison myself like an idiot." "Why did you do it?" "I don't know." "I'm all right now." "If you'd killed someone else, you would have been punished." "And if you wanted to kill yourself..." "Oh, so this is something like a prison." "I'll have to take the punishment of being alive." " You'll have to be treated." " Is that the law?" "How do you know I'm ill?" "I know it was all nonsense." "You think knowing that can keep you from doing it again?" "Not really." "Otherwise, I wouldn't be here." "Do you believe in anything at all?" "I believe a person has to act according to his convictions without concern for the consequences." "Are you capable of that?" "No." " Hi." " Hi." "Please come in." "Did it ever occur to you that your husband might attempt suicide?" "No." "Never." "Sometimes he just sits and says nothing." "Do you love him?" "Yes, I do." "Very much." "Are you sure about that?" "We wanted another child, but somehow we haven't succeeded." "Did he have any problems at work?" "I don't know." "Nurse." " Do you think I'll be here long?" " No, just a few days." "Really?" "I'll put your clothes away." "Come with me." "I'll accompany you." "Got a cigarette?" "Give me a cigarette." "I hope you sleep well your first night here." "This is terrible." " Good night." " Good night." "It's disgusting." "What have you got there?" "What's the matter?" "A slowworm." "You're scared of it?" "It won't do anything." "How did it get in here?" "Obviously someone wants to torment me." "I'm only here for a few days." "I'm Jan." "I'm Zdenek." "Christ!" "Ouch!" "Leave me alone." " Come and help us." " I'm coming." "She's kicking." "Stupid cows!" "Cows!" "What were you thinking about before you did it?" "Did I really do it?" "I'm healthy, strong... and I condemn suicide." "I believe you do." "We live here." "Here?" "Really?" "You can come and see me when you feel down." "Thank you." "Excuse me." "Sorry, this is my wife." "Excuse me for a second." "Want to give it a try?" "Why not?" " Can I tell you something?" " What?" " You don't look very ill to me." " Neither do you." " You know what?" " What?" "Let's see who gets there first." "Go!" "Doctor, we can't look after him properly at home, the way you can here." "Who are you referring to?" "Our son-in-law, Jan. He's an engineer." "Excuse me, Doctor, for meddling in your affairs, but suicide is no solution." "I wonder if it perhaps is of hereditary origin." "Or maybe he has some problems at work?" "We don't know about that." "He never said anything." "Doctor, some of his coworkers are here to see him." "Thank you." "Show them in." "Excuse me." "Please come in." " Good morning." " Good morning." "Good morning." "Would you like to have a seat?" "Thank you, but I'll remain standing." "We were very surprised." "He's one of our best people." "He's a very capable, very ambitious man." "Of course, under these circumstances we would have to, in some way, should we say, transfer or..." "Why?" "Doctor, he never complained to us about anything." "Not at all." "He's a very pleasant man." "But, of course, if he had any misunderstandings at home, I don't know about that." "I came to do the cleaning, Doctor, and I found him lying there." "I could show you how I found him there." " Please." "Well, he " "He was " "And I thought he was asleep." "So I went to wake him up." "And he, like, he rolled down like a log." "It gave me such a fright." "I've got a weak heart, Doctor." "I should be in the hospital too." "He had a lot of opportunities with us, Doctor." "Did you know him at all?" " Yes, of course" " Yes, we did." "Sometimes he would fly into a rage over nothing." "And at other times, he would be silent." "We'd talk to him, for example, and he'd remain silent." "Yes." "So what's he like?" "Very nice, Doctor." "He really is very nice." "He certainly is." " He's a strange man." " Yes, he is." "I don't understand it." " Are you here alone?" " Yes." "It's nice here." "I like this garden very much." "It's nice here." "You don't really want to talk to me much, do you?" "Yes, of course I do." "You think I'm a bored housewife who cures her husband's patients." "Don't you?" "You can tell me, I don't mind." "I can bear the truth." "You're not happy?" "I'm alive." "I've got everything I need." "Like me." "I wanted too much and I ended up as a wife." "I'm worse off than the patients." "Ants helped me, ants." "I cure everything with horse-radish pancakes." " Pancakes are good." " They're really great!" " And thyme and women." " Yeah, women and chamomile." "Come here." "What is it?" "Got a cigarette?" " Well?" " I don't smoke." " Are you a man?" " I can't say for sure." "So what are you then?" "A madman as well?" " Maybe." "But I'm not mad." "Really." " Don't you believe me?" " I believe you." "Come here." "I'll tell you something." "The gardener is getting married." "You can attend, if you want." " Where?" "Here?" " Yes." "Hey." "I saw you here with a woman." "Dump her, she's too old." "Aren't you going to ask why I'm here?" "I don't care." "Then get lost if you don't give a damn." "Get lost." "Get lost if you don't give a damn!" "Get lost!" "I don't give a damn either!" "Hey there, buddy." "Come be with us." "Come on, come on." "You'll see a wedding." "Come on, this way." "Don't be afraid, come on." "You've never seen anything like it, my friend." "They've been shacking up for 18 years, and only now are they tying the knot." " Excuse me." " Of course." "Look now." "Those two tall guys, see them?" "They're their kids." "And don't they love each other, don't they just!" "They're head over heels for each other." "Let me tell you something, my friend." "A stallion." "A stallion, friend." "Been a stallion all his life." "Let's drink to that, yeah?" "I want to go home." " Won't you sit down for a while?" " No, thank you." "I've been thinking about it all." "I just need to get a good sleep and I'll be fine." "I'll go with you." " Are you looking forward to seeing Jan?" " Yes." "Having a good time again, eh?" "Not at all." "Mommy!" "You're bad." " Mommy!" " Klarka!" " Look, I'll drive." " Get lost." "Come to Mommy." "Don't cry." "What happened?" "Come here." "Look, have this." " Come on, Klarka." " Don't cry, my little one." "Don't be angry anymore." "I'm not." " There you are." " Wait, stop." "Look, a little horse!" "See him!" " What happened there?" " Bit of trouble there, eh?" " Sorry, madam." " Don't be angry at us." "Bring your little girl to see my camel." "We'll show you a camel." " Look what a nice camel." " Don't let it go near her." "He's big." "He won't do anything, don't worry." "See, he's nice." " Yes, he is." " Do you like him?" " No." " Why not?" " I only want a little one." "A little one?" "We'll get you a little one then." "And we'll show you a nice pony." "Would you like a nice little pony like that?" " Jana, we have to go." " He won't do anything to you." "Jana." " Good-bye." " Good-bye." "Mommy!" "A little pipe into the little eye... and a little shining tooth..." "It needs white." "Yes, definitely a white one." "Daddy..." "Klarka, have you brought me some flowers?" "Yes." " Do they smell nice?" " Yes." " Do you love me?" " Yes." "Give me a kiss, then." "And another one." "Do you want to go out?" "Do you want to go out with me?" "Yes, we can go out." "Doctor, come and have a look." " What is it?" " It's sachan." " How do you mean?" " Like sachan." "Of course, nothing here is a coincidence." "Everything here is logical, the number of teeth." "I've got a few more variations here." "It had a really low back, right to the waist and the front was rounded and shaped a little to a point and there I had a real diamond pin..." "Mommy." "Go find Mommy, Klarka." "Come on, come to me." "Give me your hand." " Look at all these flowers." " Come on, don't be shy." "What?" "This is Zdenek, a friend of mine." " Good morning." " Good morning." "Good morning." " So, what's your name?" " Klarka." "Come, let's go see the flowers, okay?" " Let's see the flowers." " To the sand box." "Okay, to the sand." "Know what just occurred to me?" " That I'm stupid." " No." "That I like you." "Strange, isn't it?" "For God's sake, how am I supposed to prove it?" "Am I supposed to slit my wrists, or kneel before you or something?" "You want me to get down on my knees?" "So kill me." "Kill me." "I'll do that one day anyway." "Wouldn't you rather go home with me?" "Yes." "I get really scared at home." "But I can't help you." "Or do you think I can?" "Jana, don't you have enough money?" "No, it's just that when I'm at home, I get scared." "I know it's terrible when a person is always alone." "What are you afraid of?" "I don't know." "Can you stand it for a while?" "Jiri came with me." "Do you ever think about me?" "All of me or half of me?" "Half of you... but I love the whole you." "Even if it's not true, it's nice." "Don't be silly." "Come here!" "Come on." "I have to tell you something very important." "Come on." "The clown went for a walk He led his dog on a string" "I love you." "Will you do something for me for love?" "Be serious." " I will." " Do a headstand." "There you are." "Where are the pictures?" "Good, good." "Where are the pictures?" "Mommy, where are the pictures?" " You're a good woman." " You're my support." "Come here." "Let's kiss." "That wouldn't have occurred to me." "Where is Zdenek?" "Mommy." "Mommy." "Klarka." " Klarka." " Zdenek, you ran away from me." " Klarka, we're going now." " Mommy!" "Klarka." "You ran away from me, Zdenek." "I always get to the seventh lesson and I can't get any further." "You never thought of suicide before then, did you?" "Yes, I did." "Everyone thinks of it, don't they?" "They're glad to have the freedom to decide their own fate, but rarely does anyone use it." "What do you think stops them?" "Are you afraid of being alone?" "Yes, because... if a person is alone, he isn't happy." "And you think you can find it someplace outside of yourself?" "That's what I believed." "Were you happy with your wife?" "Yes, I suppose so." " Want to make something of your life?" " Yes, yes, yes." "I'd like to know if I'd manage not to betray someone under torture." "Do you know what betrayal is?" "Could you forgive someone if he betrayed you?" "And you couldn't?" "I don't know." "I really don't." "There's nothing more to life than forgiveness." "Am I supposed to spend my whole life just forgiving people?" "I don't like that." " Life is " " I don't give a shit!" " I'm very glad you came." " It's a pleasure." "Well, how do you like it here?" "Am I disturbing you?" "There's no one here." "What if I killed you?" "That would be the best solution." "But do it quickly, so it doesn't hurt." "Hey, perform something for me." "Perform something, but with feeling." "I like it with a lot of feeling." "Really live it." "You'll do it, won't you?" "You're an actress, aren't you?" "But what?" "I don't know." "What, then?" "Hope!" "Love!" "Be afraid!" "Jan?" "Jan!" "Hello?" "Yes, for The Lantern, Saturday night." "How many tickets?" "Four." "Yes, I'll take note of that." "Good, I'll reserve a box for you." "For the Revue on Ice, we've still got tickets for Saturday." "No, I'm afraid we don't have tickets for Friday." "If you like, we have tickets for Sunday." "Ticket office." "I'm afraid we don't." "Friday, Saturday and Sunday are sold out." "On Friday." "Yes, we have tickets for Countess Marysa and for Die Fledermaus." "Yes, yes." "Hi." " What are you doing here?" " Look, sorry to disturb you, but I have this plan." "Excuse me." "Hello?" "No, at 1:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. And at 8:00 p.m." "On Sunday, too." "Of course, every day." " Come here." " Well?" "I spoke to Mirek." "He said he'd let us use the cottage on Sunday." "Look!" "Wait!" "Damn it!" "Wait." "Hello?" "No, no." "I'm afraid it's all sold out." "Yes." "You'll have to try tomorrow." "But, Jana, you don't have to tell me." "You always wanted to be married." "Now you have a husband but he is in the hospital." "I still think he's exaggerating." "When a man gets a young woman, he should hang onto her." "You know what?" "You should stop." "Mom, for goodness' sake." "You know we like him." "I don't want to hear any more!" "Jana, I think we have been quite patient with him." "And you know we are patient people." "You think he's being ill on purpose or something?" "Look, Jana, I'm sorry." "But what happened is his own fault." "They say he has a lot of talent." "But what's the use of that if he doesn't use it?" "He might as well have lice." "You really like him, don't you?" "Maybe more than you realize." "He never talked much with us and your dad would always have liked to talk with him." "But you could never tell if something was wrong." "Was something wrong?" "Was nothing wrong?" "And then he goes and does this stupid thing." "You're so concerned." "This is what we get for being so concerned." "Wouldn't it have been better for me to go to bars, play cards and drink?" "What do I get out of it all?" "Some family we are!" "But it's your own fault as well." "You spoiled her all her life." "That's what she remembers." "She always got her way." "Yeah, so now it's all my fault." "So, Klarka, what should we do now?" "Well?" "How about a little sleep?" "Give me a little kiss." "There." "Let's lie down." "Here's your little pacifier." "Let's get the covers on." "There we are." "What should we read tonight?" "What do you want tonight?" " Hansel and Gretel." "Okay, Hansel and Gretel." "Okay, listen." "Once there was a little boy named Hansel and he had a little sister named Gretel." "One day, they went into the woods for a walk." "They gathered raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, mushrooms." "And as they went through the woods, they got lost." "And because they couldn't find their way out," "Hansel climbed up a tree and looked into the distance to see where the woods came to an end." "He couldn't see the end, only a little light shining in the distance." "He said to himself, "If there's a light, there'll be people there."" "He climbed down his tree, took Gretel's hand and they walked and walked towards the little light." "And when they got closer, they saw it was a whole cottage made of gingerbread." "And because they were hungry, they climbed onto the roof and started eating the gingerbread." "And now we'll say good night and sweet dreams." "We'll continue the story tomorrow." " Are you feeling all right?" " Yes, I'm okay." "Hi." "What's Jan doing?" "I don't know." "Sleeping, I guess." "Don't you feel sorry for him?" "Yes, I do." "You love him, don't you?" "Yes, I do." "Jiri, come here, please." "Don't go away." "Jana." "Why are you sleeping with me?" "Because I really need you." "Do you know that?" "Do you?" "I love you." "Why do people always have to say that?" "I never confess anything." "But I need to understand what you're all about." "Come here, please." "I'm really scared." "Don't be afraid." "What are you thinking about?" "I don't know." "Are you thinking at all?" "No, not at all." "What is it?" "Children, I've brought you something for dinner." "Are you hungry?" "No thank you, no." "You don't have to be shy." " You're at home here." " Yes, Daddy." "It's okay." "Have a nice time." "Good-night." " Good-night." " Good-night." "Jana, have you been to the shoe repair already?" "Yes, Mom, I have." "For goodness' sake, a mother can ask, can't she?" " Good-night." " Good-night, Mom." "Jiri." "Jana." "I understand what you're all about." " What am I like?" " You're mine." " You know what?" " Yes?" "Go home!" "Leave me alone, you cows!" "What are you doing?" " Wait!" "Let me go!" " You need to rest." "Go on, young man, blow it." "Blow it, don't be scared." "Go on, give it a good blow." "What are you doing here?" "Looking for someone?" "Come down, come on." "I'd like to work here." " Really?" " Yes, really." "Come with me to my office, then." "Hey, I have a soccer match on Sunday!" " You still have the other leg." " It hurts." "You won't be much use there." "I wonder how you'll play." "Good morning." "So, shall we go home?" " Well, well." " Good-bye, then." " Good-bye." " I'm sorry." "Good-bye." "Wait, I'll try and find it." "Doctor, forgive me for disturbing you." "My daughter doesn't know about this." " What are you talking about?" "Doctor, couldn't you let our son-in-law come home with us?" "He'd be better off at home than here." "We'll really take good care of him." "It would be good for him." "He's our son-in-law and home is home." "My husband can play cards with him." "He'll go painting with him." "We'll really look after him." "And he told Jana he feels fine now." "Well, let's go see." " Hello." " Hello." "We've come to see you." "We've brought you something nice." "Cheesecake, which you like so much." "And today I made you some really nice cakes." "Do you want some?" "And I really put a lot of effort into making them." "Shall I unwrap them for you?" "They're sprinkled with vanilla sugar." "They're really nice, have some." "Should I leave them here for you?" "We'll be back soon." "We'll come again to see how you are." "Poor dear, what on earth has gotten into him?" "What are the doctors doing to him?" "He'll ruin the girl's life." "Exactly." "And we can't do a thing about it." "Ah, Jiri." "Good evening." "It's good you're here." "Jana was missing you." "Hi." "When did you get in?" " A while ago." "Where were you?" "Shopping." " Really?" " Yes, shopping." " Look, don't make a fool of me." " None of your business." "I'm stupid for being with you." "You mean for sleeping with me." "Just say it." "You do everything with me, but you don't love me." "Do you want me to spell everything out for you?" "Go away." "No, Jana." "Wait, wait." "I'm being serious with you." "Don't drive me away." "Am I so repulsive to you?" "Go home, I want to be alone, at least for a while." "You know what you are?" "You're... a typical female." "A stupid female." "Jana, I have to talk to you." " Will you talk to me?" " Yes, of course." "Okay, then, what are you longing for?" " I want to go home." " One day, you'll go." "It's like being in prison." "I'll still escape again." "And you'll come back." "Do you have a car?" "Yes, an old clunker my parents left me." "Do you like driving fast?" "What car would you like to have?" "Porsche 911." "150 horsepower, four cylinders." "A gray convertible." "Do you know how to say good-bye?" "I don't like stations." "Why did you do it?" "I don't know." "I really don't know!" " You hate me, don't you?" " No, why?" "I like you." "Hi." "I'm just getting off duty." "Bye-bye." "Who would've predicted I'd be back so soon?" " That's what I predict for everyone." " You say that to please them?" "No, for them to believe." " Does it help?" " Well, I don't really know." "What's that?" "A little heart or a precious stone?" "Take a guess." "A dragon's tooth." " Let me see." "Are you a believer?" " Do you mind it too?" " No, why?" " It bothers some people." " I wanted to be a nun." " Why, for God's sake?" "Because people are evil to one another and nobody helps each other." "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?" "Be not deceived:" "Neither fornicators, nor idolaters," "nor adulterers, nor the effeminate " " Nor the effeminate?" " Nor the effeminate." "Nor abusers of themselves with men..." "Nor..." " Amen." "I'd like to live in a nunnery." "I'd like to be a hostess or act in the theater." "Or what?" "No, that's bad." "You have to do it normally." "Balance yourself properly and point your toes." " Yes, yes." " And then... wait a minute." "Easy for you to say." "It's nothing, but do it lightly." "If I were as good as you, I'd be fine and I wouldn't let anyone get away with anything." "I won't fight with anyone." "The day they get you caught up in something, that's that." "You nearly did it." "Excuse me." "Are you all right?" "No, I just wanted to try it too." "Then I wanted to invite you to dinner." " Where?" " To our house." "To say good-bye?" " Will you come?" " I don't know." "I really need you." "Everybody needs a lot, but no one wants to give." "I want to." "But I need a lot of things." "I'm also lonely." "Why?" "I want to do something for you." "And what?" "Well, everything." "Christ." "I'm embarrassing." "Go away." "Why didn't you come up?" "Too many people." "I thought you came to see me." " Go back, your husband is up there." " Yes, I know." " You're drunk, aren't you?" " So?" " They'll come looking for you." " Let them." "I don't care." "I really don't care now." "I've had it with always being gentle, kind and loving." "I want to grab something for myself for a change." "You think I actually love you?" "You can't do anything but wear this injured, Jeremiah face" "and that really gets me." "Maybe I want to hurt you." "Could you stand it?" "Me?" "I could stand anything." "You're a gentle, self-sacrificing... unfaithful cow." "Yes, I know." "Good night." "If you won't let Jan come home as you promised, then I'll stay here." "No problem." "Oh, no, I've already thought it over, Doctor." "You can't force me into it." "I won't." "Can you hypnotize people?" "Sit down." "So then?" "Breathe slowly... evenly." "You feel tired." "You want to sleep." "Your eyelids are heavy." "Before I count to three, you will be completely asleep." "One... two, three." "I'm ruining it." "You look sad." "Don't be, I'm with you." "I know." "I'll sing you something, okay?" "Go to Daddy." "Sometimes you scare me." "You know what?" "Give me a nice little kiss." "Just a little one, go on." "I want to go to Mommy." "No, I'm going to Mommy." "No, you know where we're going?" " To see Grandpa." " To see Grandpa." " For some nice juice." " He'll give you some juice." "Come here, my little girl." "Bye!" "Cradle me, too." "Cradle me." "Properly." "Let's see how long you'll hold out." "You're useless." " You try it." " Okay." "Wait, I'll grab you like this." "Lift up a bit, lift up a bit." "Wait." "Now you have to salute me." "I'm the general." "So you see how it's done." "All nice." "See, yes!" "I'll fall." "Children, here's some buchta." "There, Klarka." "Let's go have something to eat." "We're glad you're home again." "I'm glad you like them, Jan." "Not now, later." "We missed you, you know." "You must eat something." "You're too thin." " How are you?" " Fine." "You know, a sick person has to eat a lot." "A real man can eat a whole hen in one sitting and even that's not enough." "Mom, that's too much." "I can't eat all that." "Come on, Jan. Just eat up." "It's really nice." "Just relax, you're home now." "Remember, a healthy rooster never gets fat." "When I was your age, just take a look." " Bon appetit, Klarka." " Bon appetit." "This is it, this is the result." "When I was young, the things I managed to accomplish." "You can tell, can't you?" "Mom, just a small amount." "I'll put this away." "I'll have it on my own." "Thank you." " That's enough, Mom." " You can eat that." "Just a little for me." "That's enough, enough!" "Bon appetit, children." "I can't do this, Daddy." "I can't pick this up." "It's too big." "If we're not absolutely stuffed, it's not a normal Sunday." "Icky." "Throw it to me." "Hooray!" "Good, come on." "We won't bother showering, will we?" " No." " There." "That's awful." "Wait, hop." "Hold on." "Look, water is coming out." "There's water there." "I'll get a shirt." "You stand there and I'll tell you that story about that rooster and the hen." " Yeah." " There." "Give me your hand." "There was once a little hen and a little rooster and they lived..." " I have to lie down." " You have to lie down?" "Wait." "Give me your other hand." "Not like that, that's not the sleeve." "That's not the sleeve?" "Okay, turn around then." "Diapers!" "Diapers!" "I'm not giving you any diapers today." "I have to put this around my neck." "Around your neck?" " Okay, in a green farmyard..." " Yes." " There lived a little hen and rooster." " Why?" "Why did they live there?" "Because they loved each other and they lived there together and the rooster always sat on the roof and the hen pecked at grain." "She always went "peck, peck, peck."" "And the rooster sat on the roof and went "cock a doodle do."" "And down below, the hen looked for food, for grain and do you know what happened all of a sudden?" "Suddenly a bad dog appeared." "But why a bad dog?" "Why did a bad dog come?" "I'll tell you why, you have to listen carefully." "Good night." " Are you in pain, Jana?" " No." "Leave me." "Don't touch me." "You've got it easy." "You escaped from everything." "Everyone feels sorry for you." "You're always the saintly one." "Everyone takes special care of you." "I don't want special care from anybody." "Only from you, but you don't give it." "How can you say that?" "I'm always making sacrifices for you." "I do everything for you." "I take care of everything, everything is up to me." "What have you ever done to help me here?" "I look after our baby, I do all the housework." "I sort out holidays, everything." "I do everything," "I tidy everything, the entire family is here." "I do everything, everything!" "You come home, you read Klarka a fairy tale and you think everything is all right." "When I need you most, you're not here." "You're right." "I don't blame you." "Everything will be okay." "I won't leave you anymore." "I love you so much." "But I thought you didn't care about me." "I've never been unfaithful to you." "Jiri needed me." "It wasn't anything." "It can't compare at all with our love." "I never thought that such trivial things would bother you." "When Jiri takes my hand, I still think of you." "I don't see anything bad in it when a person needs someone." "When did you last bring me flowers?" "I" " You see." "Come on, let's go home." "Why?" "You were looking forward to coming here." "You won't mind if I take him off you for a while." "May I?" "You look great, getting younger and younger." "Thank you." "To your health." "Well, it's waiting for you here." "I can't wait." " I'll go find him." " He's going to the boss." "Why are you apologizing?" "Anybody's nerves can fail." "We'd now rather get back to the elementary objections you have." "You want to work, don't you?" " Yes, of course." "You refuse, on principal, to make any compromise whatsoever." "Look, isn't this at the same time really the easiest approach to life?" "I'm totally convinced that refusing to accept any form of compromise stems from... fear, uncertainty and a lack of faith in the value of the things for which compromises should be made." "It depends, of course, for what cause the compromise is made." "And then there are different kinds of compromise." "There are certain impersonal things, certain great, pure ideals, which are worth striving for, which require from us our will, our work, as well as compromise." "I am simply convinced that a great impersonal thing somehow sanctifies a compromise." "Let's drop this subject." " Are you all right?" " No." "Wait, is he all right?" " Do you want to go home?" " No, thank you." " Have a drink." " Have a drink and it will be okay." "That helps, I know it." "See!" "And it's okay." "Come." "Come, let's go home." "It's okay." "It's all right." "I'll be right back." "I'm sorry." " Good-bye." " Good-bye." "It's okay." "Broken glass brings good luck." "I wouldn't trust him too much to heal completely." "He'll have to go back for a few weeks to really recover." "That's the main thing, to get better." "An illness like that must be cured." "It was a big mistake taking him home so early." "He has to be cured and, above all, healed completely." "But if he put his body to work for two hours a day, he'd be okay." "You think so?" "That's a good dog." "He won't give you any." "You'll get some sugar later." "What I wouldn't give to be ill, but in good health and get money for it..." "Lying around in the sun and doing nothing." " Health is our greatest gift." " That's true." " What is it?" " Nothing." "What's the matter?" "Nothing." "What is it?" "What's up with you?" "Christ, leave me alone!" "I don't want to see anyone!" "I can't take it anymore." "I've had enough of everything." "I'm sorry." "Faggot!" "You!" "Catch him!" "Christ!" "He'll do something to him!" "Quick!" "Save him!" "Let him loose." "Leave him alone!" "Go and help him." "I'll kill you." "I'll kill you." "I'll kill you!" "I'll kill you!" "You swine!" "You faggot!" "You're all faggots!" "You swine!" "Swine!" "Sit down." " I wanted to kill him." "Really kill him." " But you didn't." " But I would have done it." " No, you wouldn't have." "I wanted to kill him, I really did." "You gave up before you had decided to do it." "No, no." "I didn't give up." "Only at that moment when I wanted to do it, my strength just simply vanished all of a sudden." "I just suddenly had no strength left." "I wish I had the strength of an animal." "Will you let me go home?" "No." "Sit down." "Your professional kindness is the worst kind of cynicism." "You're right." "Could you do something for me?" "Hit me." "Well?" "I'd like to tell you just one thing." "Excuse me." "What's the matter?" "What happened?" "I'm going to get out of here." "Why do you keep going on about it?" "You're right that I keep going on about it." "You have to get well." "Everyone keeps offering me health." "Normal, happy health." "Everyone." " Who?" " The nurses, doctors, the quacks, officials, housewives, bastards, moralists, virtuous women, whores." "People like me should be shot or have their throats slit so it would be over." "I'd like that, I really would." "That's the right thing to do." " I'd really like that." " Shut up." " What's the matter?" " Nothing." "What's the matter?" " That dancer." " Zdenek?" "What about him?" "What about him, Nurse?" " Excuse me, did you see that?" " I just turned around." "What happened to him?" " That madman jumped in front of a car?" " I don't know, I didn't see it." " Probably had enough." " He's okay." "It's only a scratch." "Excuse me, who are you talking about?" "What's the matter with him?" "Who is to blame?" "Neither of us is a philosopher." "You say that as if you were apologizing." "I've been doing this long enough to know that from a certain moment everything becomes vanity of vanities." "Vanity maybe... but from what point?" "Why are you keeping me here?" "Why are we all such cowards that we can't admit what situation we're really in?" "What's a person to do?" " Just live." " That means just eating, sleeping." "No, living, but you must always be aware of it." "I can't stand imperfection." "Do you get jealous?" "You know, love has a completely different face than the one you imagine." "We have to love and that's it." " That's resignation." " No, that's not resignation." "It's a liberating, humble indifference, a sort of " "No, no." "It's an unending, constant form of suicide which is never consummated." "And it's also the road to freedom." "From Ioneliness." "No, you mustn't run away from loneliness." "A man is always alone and he has to be aware of it." "I'll escape anyway." "If you think so." "But freedom isn't where you're seeking it." "Where is it then?" "Inside yourself." " Has anything happened here?" " Nothing." "There's something wrong with me." "Yes, I know." "I don't know what to do." "Don't you?" "Are you angry?" "Would that help you?" "Look, they're after some guy." "They say he's been raping women." "I'd like to know what woman doesn't let herself get raped these days." "And when the son returned to the father, he said to him," ""Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. "" "But the father said," ""Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him." "Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet." "Bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it and let us eat, and be merry for this my son was dead and is alive again." "He was lost and is found. "" "And they began to be merry." "His elder son was in the field and as he drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing." "He was angry, and would not go in." "Therefore came his father out, and entreated him." "And he answering said to his father," ""Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at anytime thy commandment." "And yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends." "But as soon as this thy son was come who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf."" "And he said unto him," ""Son, thou art ever with me and all that I have is thine." "It was meet that we should make merry for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again and was lost, and is found."" "Okay, children." "You may go home." "It's good you came." "I haven't seen you for a long time." " How are you?" " Fine, I'm fine." "And you?" "I'm fine too." "Would you help me?" "I'd be glad to." "They've come for you again." "What a shame." "Say I'm not here, Father." "I don't want to go back." "I can't do that." "It would go against God's commandments." " Good-bye then." " Good-bye." "He was here, but now he's gone." "He has ants in his pants, the idiot." "He's just bluffing." "He's fine." "I'm even crazier than he is." "Where are we going to find him, the stupid man?" "Don't get upset." "Just stay calm." "Well, well." "You're here." "How are you?" "Fine, I'm fine." "I have to go." "But, sir, I have to tell you something." " Good-bye." " Wait!" "Klarka." "Klarka, hi!" " Daddy." "Going to show me your little car?" "Bye." "Off you go." "Give me that will you?" "Hi." "Good." "Hi." "You're home already." "Hi." "That's great." "I'm really glad to be home." "Really." "I really need you." "You have to stay at home." "They have to let me come home." "I've signed the release." "My little girl." "Should I behave any differently to Jan?" "Anything I should watch out for?" "Yourself." "Why myself?" "Shouldn't we go somewhere away from people?" "Well, you could." "So advise me what to do." "I really don't know how I'm supposed to help him." "Love him at least as much as you love yourself." "I do love him, more than myself." "Don't you believe me?" " Looking forward to going home?" " I am." "I've written something down here." "It's ridiculous, but I'd like to read it to you." "Go on then." ""Loneliness can hardly be overcome." "Yet it can be overcome with something incomprehensible:" "Love." "It gives two people a chance to be natural without penalty." "Natural only to that one person out of all."" "Is that how it is?" "I don't know." "Maybe." "Perhaps I believe it because I met you." "Wait, what's that?" "It's a circus." "I haven't been to one in God knows how long." " Should we take a look?" " No, Jana, not now." "Let's drive on." "Please, don't stop, let's go." " Wait!" " Jana!" "Let's stop here." "Come on." " Come on." " Jana." " Welcome." " Hello." " Come take a look, both of you." " Come on." " Come on." " I really don't want to." " Good afternoon, welcome." " Good afternoon." "Just for a bit." "Come on." "Come on." " I'll wait here for you, okay?" " Good afternoon." "Welcome." "Stop, you there!" "Stop!" "Stop!" "Wait for me!" "Officer, that's him." "I recognize him." " Stop!" " Hey, you!" "We'll catch him." " Hello." " Hello." "Come and help us, young man." "Yes, that's great." "Not one for work, is he?" "Get him, catch him!" "He's the murderer!" "After him!" "After him!" "You bastard!" "Hit him over the head with those rakes!" "Christ, that's not him!" " Who is he then?" " Look at him." "Clean up his clothes." "Look, girls." "There's something wrong with him." "Chasing him down like that." "He's a madman or something." "What's wrong with him?" "We must apologize." "There's been a big misunderstanding." "Calm down." "Everything will be explained." "Jan!" "Let me go to him!" "Leave him alone!" "What happened to you?" "Are you all right?" "Are you in pain?" "I'm with you." "I'm right here." "Can you hear me?" "I'm here." "Do you want anything?" "Come on, let's go home." "Can you see me?" "Look at me, darling." "Please, say something, for God's sake." "I love you so much you probably don't know it." "Sometimes I can't even tell you how much." "I always think of you, your hands, your eyes." "When you look at me, I feel great." "Everything's my fault." "It's all my fault." "Now I know." "Say something, say anything." "Hit me!" "Or kill me!" "Just say something, at least one word." "Just say something." "I'm bad." "Kick me out." "It's all my fault, I know." "Look at me, darling." "Where did I make a mistake?" "It's easier for you." "You think so?" "What should I do?" "Listen." "I don't like you anyway."