"There's a pilot." "The pilot has two copilots." "Each copilot has two crew members." "Each crew member has two passengers." "That makes 8 passengers, 4 crew members, two copilots and one pilot." "Okay, all the passengers give money to the pilot." "The pilot receives it all and takes off." "The plane is split in two, so each copilot automatically becomes a pilot." "And everything starts again." "It's super simple." "What if there are no passengers?" " Not a problem, I assure you." " Hello, everyone." "Can you tell me what's going on here?" "Goodbye." "Goodbye." "Thanks, daddy." "The pleasure was all mine." "Sorry." "What for?" "Next time, I'll warn you when I'm having people over." "That would be very thoughtful." "That way, I could arrange for a caterer." "I thought you had a key." "She promised to be on my plane." "Stop now." "It's late." "Change the channel, please." "Wait." "Xenophobia: hooligans attack immigrants" "Triumph:" "Philippinos celebrate the return of..." "I hope you didn't let anyone in here." "Why don't you clean up a bit?" "Tomorrow." "After the attack on foreigners by racist football fans, 60 foreigners fled." "When did the whole gang arrive?" "Evi came over around six with the canapés." "And then most of the others, later, at eight." "And she called beforehand?" "And?" "She said she had tried to reach you." "Hello, son good evening to you." "'Evening, dad." "It wouldn't be a bad idea to air this room out for a change." "What's new?" "Nothing." " What are they saying?" " I dunno." "Nothing." "Where did Evi get this money?" "Did you give it to her?" "Evi says her friend won this game." "And?" "And Evi wanted me to give her 10,000 but I only gave her 5,000." "And the rest?" "Her savings, I suppose." "Fortunately, no employee was left in the waste-sorting center." "For 3 days, the town has been under Serbian attack." "The fire was brought under control but some petrol leaked into the river." "I'm dead tired." "Good night." "It really wouldn't hurt to air this room out." "'Night." "If you bet nothing, you win nothing." "Speak for yourself." "With 500 schillings of pocket money, it's easy to bet." "It's simple, you just do the math:" "for a 10 schilling bet, you can win up to 80." "That will buy you three ice cream cones." " If that's enough for you, okay." " You're a real jerk." "What about you?" "How much can you put in?" "You're the first copilot." "The usual?" "And six nuggets." "It comes to 61 schillings." "Here." "Number 28 for three days." ""Hi Benny." "Have a good weekend." "Good luck with your homework." ""The fridge is full." "Kisses." "Mom."" "Fie to the ancient dragon" "Fie to the jaws of death" "Fie to the accompanying fear" "Rage, O world," "And leap" "I stand here and sing" "Secure and at peace" "I'm returning those." "I'll take 3 and 16 for three days." " Goodbye" " Goodbye." "So long." "That way." "Come in, sit down anywhere." "What's this?" "The view." "What view?" " Well, from my window." " Live?" "You want one?" "I can also change channels." " You're sure you don't want any?" " No, thanks." "Your parents bought you all this?" "Go on, sit down." "This is all very cool." "Really." "It's not bad." "How come you're so into video?" "You spend all day stuck in front of the store sucking down those things..." "I dunno... just because." "I can lend you a whole bunch." "Some are pretty cool." "I dunno what you like." "That thing in the window, it wasn't so hot." "I don't care..." "I kinda like cartoons." "Which ones?" "Roger Rabbit..." "stuff like that." "You don't have brothers or sisters?" "No." "You?" "Four." "That's not bad." "Older or younger?" "Both." "Meaning?" "You don't want to talk about it?" " No." " I understand." "I don't think so." "I think I'm gonna go." " Why?" " Just because." "Stay." "Why?" "Just because." "Careful, it's hot." " Wait a little longer." " Okay." "How long does it take you to come in?" "A good hour." "Every day?" "A matter of habit." "How?" "First by tramway, then by bus." "What's this?" "No idea." "A man in the metro." " And this?" " I dunno." "A dog in the metro." "And this?" "I dunno." "A policeman in the metro." "This must have gotten cold." "You want some milk?" "I still have some." "What time is it?" "14:30." "Do you have to go?" "Good." "Every weekend in that dead burg!" "You just wanna die!" "How come you didn't go today?" "I said I was doing homework with Ricci." " Who's Ricci?" " A guy in my class." " So?" "You're going to do homework?" " No." " There, that's my father." " Oh." "Mom's coming up behind." "That's her, there." "Oh yeah." "And who are they?" "They're the country folks who rent the farm to us." "Now, watch closely." "It's snowing!" "Did you film this?" "How was it?" "What?" "You know, with the pig?" "I mean..." "Have you ever seen... someone dead?" "For real, I mean." "No." "You?" "No." "That's why I'm asking you." "It was just a pig." "I saw a report on TV on stunts for action scenes and stuff like that." "They take ketchup and plastic, but it looks real." "When my grandfather died, he was already in the coffin when we got there." "You know, they live in the country too." "The coffin was open but it was pretty high up." "My dad lifted me up so I could see my grandfather one last time." "But I closed my eyes." "I was still little." "I couldn't look inside the coffin." "My grandparents have been dead for a long time." "I don't remember anymore." "You want to see something?" "What?" "Look." "This." "Is it the thing that..." "How did you manage to get it?" "I swiped it." "This is the ammo." "Cool." "Anyway, the farmer had lost it." "The following weekend, he told my father we were lucky he had already killed the pig," "otherwise we'd have to do without bacon." "Squeeze it." " Scaredy-cat." " You're the scaredy-cat." "Just squeeze it." "Scaredy-cat." "What is it?" "What's the matter?" "Stay there." "I'll help you, come." "Stay there." "Come, I'll help you." "Be quiet." "Be quiet." "Hey, be quiet." "Stop, stop screaming, please!" "Be quiet, I beg you!" "Yes, hello?" "Hello, Ricci." "Great, when?" "Okay, I'll be there." "I always said you were a bastard." "Yeah." "He can just bring his little friend." "Yeah." "Eh, if he doesn't want to, he can just skip it." "Yeah, exactly!" "What are you wearing?" "Yeah." "Yeah, we'll see." "So, 7 o'clock, Karsplatz, near the fountain." "Okay." "As usual." "A pillow?" "You want one?" "You already have tickets for AC/DC?" "When are they playing?" "Tuesday." "Man, I'm tired!" "I can't even tell you!" "Right..." "Ricci!" "Yeah?" "Nothing..." "What is it?" "Nothing." "Did you already do the computer problem?" "You give it to me tomorrow, okay." "'Night." "'Night." "Thanks." "I gotta go." "My parents will be back early." "If I'm not home..." "Goodbye." "Too bad." "It was good to see you." "Goodbye." "Oh, I almost forgot." "Don't forget it, tomorrow." "We have computer class at nine o'clock." "Ciao." " Who is it?" " Is my sister there?" "Who is it?" "Can I talk to Evi?" " Benny?" " Yeah." "She's not here." "When will she be back?" "No idea." "You wanna come up?" "Thanks." "You're really sure?" "I don't want your parents to make a scene!" "No, no, it's okay." "Benny?" "You know what time it is?" "We've been here for six hours!" "Why are you only getting in now?" "And you could have left a message so we know where you..." "'Evening, mom." "I'm sorry." "Don't you think there are more intelligent ways to rebel?" "Who are you trying to impress there?" "Not me, I hope?" "Perhaps you think your mother likes it?" "Well?" "Or maybe it's new style with your friends?" "The gang of baby skinheads!" "Is that it?" "Listen, seriously:" "don't go imagining that no one loves you in your pubescent self-destruction." "But we have to honor our agreements." "And as long as you're half-way intelligent" " and you're not going to tell me that you're not -- you only need to respect the rules of the game if you want others to respect them as well." "Especially since this doesn't really cost you anything..." "You think teachers will take pity on you?" "this..." "concentration camp look?" "My dear fellow!" "Do you know how long it will take for you to regain a human face?" "What a treat to see you like this!" "Stay there, I'm talking to you." "I bore you when I talk to you, eh?" "Can I go now?" "... lost in four sets, 6-1, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2." "That's it in sports." "But I really did it!" "So?" "Where is it?" "I lent it to him." "So?" "Where is it?" "I don't know what he's talking about." "He came to borrow it yesterday." "It's true!" "I swear." "Right, if you think you can take me for an idiot, well..." "Hey, are you crazy?" "Okay." "Take your things and go see the principal." "I'm not letting young punks create havoc in my course." "Tomorrow, I want to see one of your parents." "Understood?" "Croatian soldiers pillaged some Serbian barracks, taking away weapons and ammunition." "The last Serbian soldiers had left unexpectedly." "Serbian retreat or reorganization of forces?" "Listen, stop this foolishness, okay?" " Squeeze it." " What does this mean?" " Scaredy-cat." " Or we'll take away the TV." " Change the channel!" " Leave it, Georg!" "You're the scaredy-cat." "Just squeeze it." "Scaredy-cat." "What's the matter?" "Stay there." "I'll help you, come..." "I'll help you..." "Hey, be quiet." "Be quiet." "Stop, stop screaming, please!" "Be quiet, I beg you!" "You didn't know her before?" "No." "She went to your high school?" "I don't think so, no." "Did anyone see you together?" "Anyone who knows you." "Or knows her." "I dunno." "I don't think so." "Talking to you is like pulling teeth." "Did anyone see you in the building?" "In the elevator, in the halls..." "I don't think so." "It was afternoon." "Anna, please..." "Have you told anyone?" "Look at me." " Have told you anyone about this?" " No." " Really?" " No." "It's very important." "Do you swear to me?" "Yes." "Did you talk to anyone afterwards?" "Over the weekend?" "Ricci called." "Did he notice anything?" "We wanted to go out that night." "And then?" "We went to P1 ." "Then, I spent the night at his house." "And you didn't say anything?" "Who else might have noticed something?" "No idea." "I'm hungry." "You went to school today?" " Yes." " And?" "Was there talk of the girl's disappearance?" "She doesn't go to our school." "Yes, that's right." "You need to see Mr. Schober." "What?" "Who's that?" "You or mom." "Our computer teacher." "Why?" "Ricci said I had his notebook." "I socked him one." "What?" "I hit him." "Okay, but I don't see the connection." "Schober sent me to the principal and he asked for you to come see him." "And the principal, what did he say?" "Nothing." "I didn't go." "Will you be able to sleep?" "Of course." "You'd better not go to school tomorrow." "You should have something to eat and then go to bed." "Right..." " What do we do with..." " I don't know..." "Are you scared?" "No." "Can you leave the door open?" "And the den's too?" "Yes!" "Good night." "They won't do anything to him if it's an accident." "With a body full of holes?" "That's completely absurd." "You want to hand him over to the police?" "I don't know." "I'm trying to figure it out..." "Try also to stay calm." "I know this is difficult but, please!" "What are the arguments in favor:" "First..." "Benny is a minor." "I don't see any others..." "And the arguments against?" "The kid was alone, without supervision..." "He fired several shots." "How did he get hold of... the slaughter gun?" "Negligence of supervisory duty." "Even if we get out of it, and that's more than doubtful, the best he can hope for, is a mental institution." "With that, do you realize his life is ruined?" "No?" "Leaving aside aggravating circumstances..." "There's really nothing better to polish his corporate image..." "How can we avoid handing him over?" "First..." "Elimination of the..." "Look, get a hold of yourself." "It's absolutely useless to fall apart." "Yes, you're right." "Okay." "First..." "If Benny really hasn't told anyone, and I believe him," "and if there are no witnesses, in the building, or at school," "who would suspect the child?" "How do you think you'll go about this?" "I think nothing." "And how do you want to get the body out of the apartment?" "And put it where?" "Without leaving any trace." "When you bury something, it can resurface." "We can burn the personal things." "Where?" "We could take them to the farm." "So, cut her in pieces..." "Pieces so small we can get them out." "And the bones?" "I don't know." "Break them, saw them, burn them too..." " Do you know what you're saying?" " What we're saying." "Okay." "What we're saying." "You're speaking seriously?" "I don't know." "You have another idea?" "We should try to sleep." "Yes..." "We don't have a lot of time." "Do you think this is possible?" "You think you can take this?" "I don't know." "Try to imagine what this means." "Will you be able to suppress your disgust?" "The pieces will have to be tiny enough not to clog the pipes." "I have no idea how much time this could take." "And we don't have a lot of time." "It's already been two days." " And if someone comes?" " Like who?" "We won't let anyone in." "And Benny?" "I have no clue!" "Call him in sick." "Send him somewhere." "Doesn't matter." "He can't be here during this." "And what if they find the skeleton in the closet?" " How?" " Well, however." "I don't know." "I can't force you." "I'm no more confident than you." "What about this one?" "One moment..." "Yes." "But the flight departs only on the 16th." "That's in four days." "No." "We'll take Egypt." "Agreed?" "He didn't tell me about it." "Yes, he's rather shy." "How old was your mother?" "Almost 80." "I see." "And she lived there alone?" "Yes, a friend of hers had a flat in Hourghada." "And after my father's death, my mother went to join her." "She's the one who called me." "Two years of jail for fraud of several millions!" "The old magistrate declares herself not guilty" "Gorbachev won't give up without a fight" "Last attempt to stop the fall of the USSR" "A cold snap paralyses eastern Austria." "Do you want anything else?" "I'm returning these." "Any news?" "Not today." "Evi called." "You went to see her Sunday." "Yes." "You said you spoke to no one." " No, no one." " You spoke to her friends." "I was looking for her." "Did you happen to tell her?" " Who else did you speak to?" " No one." "You didn't tell me about Evi's friends." "What else did you hide?" "Nothing." "You mustn't lie, do you understand?" "You can't afford to anymore." "Do you understand what I mean?" "The water has a very high salt concentration." "Up to four percent." "The surface temperature can reach 34 degrees in the summer." "But the average normal water temperature is around 22 degrees." "Where does the name Red Sea come from?" "Some scientists say it comes from seaweeds which give a red color to the water." "You can see it very clearly from the coast." "But others say that it comes from the name of the Erythrean people which means red, "Hamair."" "Can't you sleep?" "It's too light outside." "Would you like me to close the curtains?" "I dunno." "How do you feel?" "Fine." "Fine." "Do you like it here?" "I dunno." "It's hot." "Yes." "What are you thinking about?" "Nothing." "About nothing." "We'll go swimming tomorrow, okay?" "Early." "While there's still no one on the beach." "Just the two of us." "There are only old people here." "Why do you say that?" "Just because." "Okay." "Sleep now." "It was a tiring day." "'Night." "'Night." "'Night, Benny." "'Night." "Mom!" "I'm flying!" "Greetings from dad." "How is he?" "Fine." "Get yourself together." "I'm hot." "Well, get out of the shot, at least." "You over there, please come back." "We're leaving." "Damn it, stop!" "Go away!" "The highest number begins... by using two numbers from the first plane." "Then..." "Then, each player rolls two dice." "There." "So I start." "Shall we go for a swim?" "We've been here for four days now." "Mom is taking a bath... and I got sunburned." "The newspapers still aren't talking about it..." "Or else mom doesn't want to tell me." "In the papers we find here, there's nothing." "Day after tomorrow, we fly back..." "I'm curious to see if dad will manage it." "Actually, a week... is a long time." "Mom, what is it?" "They made some changes to the computer system and nothing works anymore." "I dread what's awaiting me at work tomorrow." "But I'm talking about myself..." " You look terrific." " Yes." "The weather was great." "Benny got sunburned." "Nothing serious." "It's over." "She says her plane is almost full." "I didn't know she was so tenacious." "When's this party?" "Friday." "But it's up to you." " There's the concert at school." " Oh yeah!" "Hurry up, Benny." "It's already late." "Starting tomorrow, you have to get up early again." "'Night." "Sleep tight." "No TV today, okay?" "I'm glad you're back." "Me too." "Good." "I love you." "Go on." "Sleep well." "I think everything's in order now." "You no longer need to be afraid." "I wanted to ask you something..." "Yes?" "Why... did you do it?" "What?" "I dunno..." "I wanted to see what it's like..." "I suppose." "What's what like?" "Yes." "You're not going to the store?" "Later." "It's nicer to eat together." "Anyway, I can open later." "She had an apartment in Luxor, right on the banks of the Nile." "Are you keeping it?" "I dunno." "That'd be cool." "The weather was crazy." "You can't imagine how hot it is right now." " Did you see her again?" " The full amount." "What?" " Did you see her again?" " Who?" " Your grandmother." " No." "Here you are." "The funeral took place right away." "The caterer." "We're bringing the canapés." "... received." "But to achieve this rank, you need eight people to fill your plane." " How much to pay?" " 10,000." "How do you find eight people with 10,000 schillings?" "Please, fasten your seatbelts." " The last..." " The last passenger." "One... two... three..." "Who'd have believed my daughter was a businesswoman?" "You too, you could launch your plane." " That's all we need." " No, really." "Seriously." "There are games with enormous sums." "Evi thinks we should try it with our friends." "In Munich, they launched a plane with 100,000 marks at stake." "Fie to the ancient dragon" "Fie to the jaws of death" "Fie to the accompanying fear" "Rage, O world," "And leap" "I stand here, and sing" "Secure and at peace" "You're speaking seriously?" "I don't know." "You have another idea?" "We should try to sleep." "Yes..." "We don't have a lot of time." "Do you think this is possible?" "You think you can take this?" "I don't know." "Try to imagine what this means." "Will you be able to suppress your disgust?" "The pieces will have to be tiny enough not to clog the pipes." "I have no idea how much time this could take." "And we don't have a lot of time." "It's already been two days." " And if someone comes?" " Like who?" "We won't let anyone in." "And Benny?" "I have no clue!" "Call him in sick." "Send him somewhere." "Doesn't matter." "When did you start missing school?" "The next day." "But we flew out a day later." " When did you return?" " After a week." " And you couldn't see anything?" " No." "There was no trace?" "No." " Everything was back in order." " Yes." "You didn't ask where the deceased was?" "No." "You didn't speak of this to anyone?" "No." "And why are you spilling all this now?" "Just because." "Do you know who the girl was?" "No." "And where are you parents now?" "My father is at the office." "Mom in the store." "Can you give us their address?" "My father:" "Intercom." "Seventh district." "3a Neubaugasse." "My mother:" "Kunstrepro Belvedere." "Third district." "16 Rennweg." "May I go now?" "Excuse me." "Translated from the French by rentboy"