"Three days earlier" "I'll be honest, Pallemans." "I've got more pressing problems now." "Oh, but I understand, Mr Nallaerts." "If you don't mind..." "I think it's all very simple." "Info?" "I would love to go back to my old job." "That's no problem at all." "And I think Michel would love to have my job." "Michel who?" " Drets." "He's really the right man for this." " Sofie, please send for..." "Pallemans..." "Not Pallemans." "He's here." "Who?" " Drets Michel." "Drets, from Administration." "Thank you, Sofie." "He'll really do a fine job, Mr Nallaerts." "It's all right, Pallemans, it's all right." "Episode 8:" "New Brooms" "Good morning." "I've got to say hello." "Sorry." " Go and sit down." "Break a leg." " Go and sit down." "Okay." "Morning, Liesje." " Morning, Michel." "Morning, Frederik." "Is Lea not in yet?" " Linda." "Linda, yes." " She's gone to the toilet." "No problem." " Hi, Michel." "Sit down, I'll be right with you." " Oops, yes, of course." "Something wrong, Michel?" " You haven't read your mail yet." "My computer isn't on yet." " Well, switch it on." "It might be a good idea to switch your computer on as soon as you get here." "What's wrong?" " Ah, Lea, Linda." "Sit down." " I've had no mail." "What?" " I didn't get any." "Yes, from Mr Nallaerts." " No, look." "Ah." "He has probably forgotten about it." "There you are." " No, that's from a friend of mine." "Does he work here?" " No." "Okay." "I have to go..." "What was that all about?" "But you liked the horn not so long ago, so I thought now that you..." "I didn't say I liked it." "I said I didn't mind." "I'd like to start peacefully." "I've got a vision and plans but I'm not going to rush into it." "So I would like to ask you to please restrain yourself." "Typical Michel." "He's already got it all figured out." "No, it isn't like that." "I understand." "Start with a low profile and then... hop." "The horn is back." " No, the horn isn't back." "Yes it is." "I honked it." " For the very last time." "The horn is back." " No, it isn't." "Hi, Alain." " Sammy." "Does it say 'pub' on the door?" "You can't just barge in here..." "But you said you'd be right there..." "Wait for your turn." "Go and sit at your desk." "Frankie." " Outside." "I wanted to ask Guido..." " Later." "Frankie." " Michel?" "Take the horn of the wall." " Yes, Michel." "I'll make sure they won't disturb you." "Is this going to take long?" " Almost ready." "I told him you wouldn't like it." "He's got problems adapting again." "You'll have to keep him in check." " Guido, I know what to do." "Nallaerts should know what to do." "Nallaerts?" " Yes, Nallaerts." "Nallaerts was going to send a mail to everybody to tell them I would be taking over your job." "So I go over to desk 3." "Liesje is playing with her mobile and Frederik still hasn't logged in." "There we go." "A deal is a deal, whatever level you work at." "What's that?" " It's so I can supervise everybody." "All right, Michel." "Be flexible, change plans and anticipate." "Give Frankie a call and tell him to get everybody to the kitchen." "Shouldn't you wait a bit?" "We know what happens if you wait." " Yes, Michel, yes." "How did you know?" " Michel called me yesterday." "Will Guido be coming back?" " There or at your desk." "Come on." " Quiet." "Yes, Frankie." "Frankie Loosveld." "Have everybody go to the kitchen." " All right, Guido, no problem." "Might I ask all of you to go to the kitchen, please?" "Now?" " No, tomorrow." "Now please." "There we go." "I would like to ask you to give Michel your full support." "He'll get my fullest support." "Oops, that's for Michel." " No, Alain, leave it to me." "With Michel Drets's former number." "Nallaerts." "Who are you?" " Frankie Loosveld." "You've made a fine choice, Sir." "What?" " He told me." "Damn." "Give me Drets." "He's in a meeting." " Put me through." "I wouldn't do that if I were you." "He doesn't like to be disturbed." "I'll have him call you back." "What was your name?" "Loosveld, put me through to Drets." "Right, Sir." "I'm sorry." "Vandam Alain." "Who?" " It's him again." "Give him back to me." " I'll redirect you to Frankie." "No." "Drets." "Hello?" " What did you push?" "Where is he now?" " I don't know." "Hello?" "I've lost him." "Come on." " You put him through." "So now it's my fault?" " Hello?" "Call our insurance company." " That's what I did." "They hadn't seen anybody with darts sticking out of his head before." "Tanghe, put down that phone now." "Of course." "Thank you." "Busy." " You can explain it." "I didn't do anything." " I don't care." "What's up?" " Nothing." "He lost Nallaerts." "What?" " You put him through." "By accident." " So did I." "Pallemans." " What are you doing there?" "Hello, Mr Nallaerts." "I'm back at my old desk." "I told Drets I would send a mail first." "Yes, but I think Michel thought that..." "Where's Drets?" "In the office." " Come on..." "Okay, get me Drets." "I'll put you through." " Don't put me through." "Go get him." "There's a phone call for you." "Not now, Guido." "Please." " It would take." "It's Nallaerts." "Is it?" "Fine." "Good, put him through." "I can't." " Palleman..." "Why can't you?" " Yes." "He's here, Mr Nallaerts." "We have to reorganise." "This couch has to go there." "And why are we here?" " You'll know soon enough." "Get up." "Alain." "No, I told you after my mail." " Yes, but I had expected it sooner." "Drets, I would like to keep my own schedule." "I told you:" "I'm trying to settle this as quick as possible." "But please don't mess my plans." "Who else knows?" "Frankie Loosveld and Guido of course." "Is that all?" " Yes, the others are in the kitchen." "They're waiting for an announcement." "What?" " Yes, I prepared something." "Drets, give me Pallemans." "Frankie." "Frankie, wait." "Mr Nallaerts is coming to explain certain matters." "I suggest we wait for him." " Here or at our desks?" "Let's wait here." " It's nothing serious, is it?" "No, Frankie." "I'll say it, I want to be first." "Michel, congratulations." " Alain, no." "Frankie already told me." " Alain." "Congratulations on what?" "On what?" "Don't shush me." " And please don't ask any questions." "Linda, you..." " Then why this?" "Because..." " It's my birthday." "What?" " As well?" "I'll get back to Hasselbanks." "I'm at the administration." "Is this the whole department?" " Yes, Mr Nallaerts." "I didn't want to come here but Michel Drets pointed out that important announcements imply important actions." "Thank you again." "Right." "Guido Pallemans has decided not to run the department any longer." "He'll go back to his old job." "He says he'd rather develop his talents there." "I want to stress the fact that this was Guido's own idea." "Nobody forced him." "It takes courage to realize you're not the right man for a job." "Guido has had that courage." "Well done, Guido." "Right." "After consulting with Guido we've decided to pass on the torch to Michel Drets." "I'm sure Michel will do a hell of a job." "And I hope he won't let us down." "Congratulations." "And on your birthday too." "Is it your birthday?" "Congratulations." "Right." "I hope we can make a fresh start of it." "Key words are:" "Efficient, fast, polished and discreet." "You can talk..." "and you can laugh... but... but... the work... the work has to be done." "The best of luck to you." "Any questions?" "Does it concern the darts in your head?" "Take it up with Michel." "Anybody else?" "I had prepared a short statement to welcome Michel." "I would like to read it." " After I'm gone." "Anybody?" " Yes." "What about Mrs Fartole?" "I'll know more this afternoon." "I'll keep Michel posted." "All the best." "Michel, have you got a sec?" "And where are you going?" " Back to my desk." "At least wait until I've read my speech." "You might learn something." "Thank you." "No more bullshit now." " Sorry, I went too fast." "Get settled and get to know your people." "Excellent idea." " What about your birthday?" "Sorry?" " Are you paying for drinks?" "Do it, Drets, do it." "After work." "Something simple, no binge." "It helps." "All the best." "I hope we won't see each other very often." "It means everything is running smoothly." "But Guido, you were doing fine." " Yes, but I didn't like it." "I guarantee Michel will do a fantastic job." "Thank you, Guido." "Hello, everybody." "Mr Nallaerts has said everything there is to say." "I hope we'll be able to cooperate just fine." "I'll go and unpack my things and I suggest that we come back here after work so we can have a drink." "What do you say?" "That's a very good idea." " A drink." "Yes, Thingy..." "Hanz." " Yes, Hanz." "Is it compulsory?" " No, we don't want you there." "Come on." "Let's show some enthusiasm." "No, it isn't compulsory." "But it would be nice if we could all be there." "And now I'd like to ask everybody to go back to their desks." "What about my speech?" " During the drink." "Congratulations." "Efficient fast" "polished discreet" "Look who's here." "So you were sitting next to me?" " Yes, with a wall in between." "Pity." "You should have said something." "We could have talked." " Next time." "We could agree on coughing." "And then the other one could cough too." "I wouldn't do that." " We'll see." "It's quite something, isn't it?" " You mean about Michel and Guido?" "Lt'll be quite a change." " Yes." "And a drink tonight." "Here you are." " Thanks." "Does it still hurt?" " Hurt is a hart with a 'u' in it." "Yes, you laugh but that's only the body." "But I have something deep inside and it's... much worse." "Alain, come back right now." "You've got a bad influence on him." "One has to be able to delegate at this level." "But that doesn't mean I should organize this drink." "Why did you lie about your birthday?" " This is getting us nowhere." "I gave you my support when you sat here." "I can't be bothered with details anymore." "What do you need?" " What for?" "For your drink?" " You can decide on that." "Thank you, Michel." "Thank you." " It looks like they're having a row." "That's an invasion of my privacy." " I don't think so." "Nine minutes." "And you too." "Go now." " Impossible." "Yes?" "I've got my proof here." "Guido, there you are." " Yes?" "He times me when I go to the toilet." " Nine minu..." "Nine minutes, Guido." " I was having a chat with Sammy." "A chat." " Yes, a chat." "Frankie, you can't time Alain when he goes to the toilet." "You can't tell me anymore, Guido." "No, that's true." "But I can recommend you not to." "That's what I do:" "I recommend." "But before I do that I have to ascertain the facts." "Nine minutes..." "Done." "And now I'd like to get on with my work." "Frankie, calm down a bit." " No problem, Michel." "What's that?" " Mr Nallaerts's key words." "Now I see." "That's nice, Frankie." "Well done." "Thank you, Michel." "Come on, Michel." "They knew what they were doing when they chose you." "Cynalco Medics." "Anita." "Not bad." "You should also tell them your surname." "Sorry?" " Company name first." "That was okay." "But you only use your first name." "Who is this?" " This is Michel." "I'm trying to get everyone answer the phone the same way." "Didn't I do it right?" " Yes you did." "But tell them your surname in the future." "Bye, Anita." "Hello?" " What?" "Fré." "Who is this?" " Michel Drets." "I didn't hear it was you." "Neither did I." " What?" "I heard 'hello'." "You phoned me, you knew it was me." "What if I were someone else?" " In another dimension or what?" "What?" " I've got this same thing." "That I'm sitting here but also walking around in Mexico." "Boy, we'll have big problems." "I've changed the set-up at Administration." "Drets is replacing Pallemans." "Who's that?" " Drets?" "A bit grey, with a beard." "Oh, him." " Yes, but that isn't important." "The thing is Lydia Fartole has decided to leave Cynalco Medics for some time." "She needs some time for herself." "She's being replaced by someone whom Hasselbanks suggested." "He's from Cynalco USA and his name is Bert or 'Burt' Laplasse." "Sorry?" " Bucky." "Bert Laplasse, but they all call me Bucky." "I'll be starting here tomorrow but I wanted to show my face today." "Mr Laplasse here for Mr Nallaerts." "Okay." "Wait there." "They'll be right here." "What's your name?" " Sofie." "One thing, Sofie." "Mr Laplasse doesn't exist." "It's Bucky and Bucky is very glad you welcomed him." "Yes." " Thank you." "Black." "One sugar, please." "Frankie Loosveld, is he here somewhere?" "Yes, there." "The poodle." "Oh no, him." "Hi." "I'm collecting money for Michel's birthday." "At last." "Come and stand here." "Guido, call me." "What?" " Call me." "Cynalco Medics, Frankie Loosveld." "Guido here." " Right, I've got Guido here." "But imagine I want to put him through to Michel." "Look what happens." "5-9-7." "Vandam Alain." " Ah, Alain." "Michel has just explained how to answer the phone." "Cynalco Medics, Vandam Alain." "Hi, Alain." " Hi, Guido." "Hi, Alain." " Guido." "Okay." "Put the horn down." "Point proven." "Put it down." "Well?" "How is that possible?" "How are you going to solve it?" "One, two." "Perfect." "Nice sound, not too dry." "Is this plexiglass?" "I don't know." " I think so." "Fien, was it?" " I was supposed to..." "I worked with a Fiona in the States." "Fiona Clayton." "She's a good friend now." "Who are you?" "Ten words." "I am supposed to take you to the staff meeting." "Straight into the fight." "Okay, why not?" "All righty, Fien." "Could you make 20 copies of this?" "There's one for you too." "Fien." "Okay, Bucky." "Let's roll." "Do you eat while working?" "Do you eat at your desk?" " Two packets of Ringelings." "What are Ringelings?" "Onion crisps." "The best crisps ever." "Your keyboard is dripping with fat." "It's short-circuiting everything." "I didn't do that." " Then who did?" "Typical." "If you can't solve it, you start to blame others." "Well, not me." "Give me that mouse." " No." "It isn't yours." " Yours neither." "Frankie, let him clean it." " I'll do it myself." "You don't know how." " Go away, mister." "What's your problem?" "I would leave if I were you." " Yes, it would be better if you..." "You're all crazy." "Every one of you." "Alain, Frankie, don't do that." " Shut up, Guido." "He's only doing his job." "He's only calling me a dirty pig." "I don't need to take that." "Have you got any tissues?" "Tissues." " Not here." "'Not here.'" "This is a letter of recommendation from Robert Hasselbanks." "A great man whom I'm proud to call my friend." "He asked me to tell you he's very happy with Cynalco Belgium." "'My favourite baby', is what he said." "And that's no idle talk." "Some of you will ask yourselves why someone should come from the States to work for Cynalco Belgium's administration." "After I buried my father, in October," "I stayed with my mother for a week." "It was an opportunity to think things over." "I went to places where I played when I was a small boy." "I had a drink with my brother whom I hadn't seen for 4 years." "And another one." "And when I came home late at night I laid down on my parents' lawn and I felt that grass, I smelled that ground." "And I heard Serge accelerate at the crossing at the end of the street." "And then I knew what had been eating me." "I need to be here." "I'm Flemish." "I want to live and die in Flanders." "And I thank Cynalco for giving me the opportunity to come and work here." "Cynal-Go go." "Thank you." "Mr Laplasse..." "Laplasse isn't here." "Bucky's here, Rik." "Bucky." "You told us in the beginning that Administration is the motor of the company." "That's right, Rik." " Well, I think so too." "That's great." "The less noise it makes, the smoother it runs." "I wish you all the best from the whole management team." "I hope we'll be able to work together smoothly." "And... welcome." " Yes, thank you." "I brought a bag of jelly beans for each one of you." "Laplasse, after the meeting." " After the meeting, Rik." "Fine." "Next point." "Sammy." " What do you want?" "Be polite." "I'm collecting money for Michel's birthday." "He doesn't want a present." "Sorry, I've got no money on me." " I'll lend you some." "I told you, Michel doesn't want a present." "You're not the only one here." " Michel doesn't like presents." "You didn't go around for money last year." "Now that he's sitting there you want to buy a present." "It smells of brownnosing and I don't like that smell." "Alain, say something." "No, this is something between you guys." "What are you doing?" "Just now you were there and now there." "I'm doing something." " No, you're not." "You're not at your desk typing or answering your phone." "Do you want to know what I'm doing?" "Don't shout." "Guys..." "Thanks, Alain." "Come on." " What was that?" "No, Michel, you are mistaken." "This isn't a playground." "Have you done something about that drink?" "I'll be right on it." "Cynalco Medics." "Frankie Loosveld." "Not you again." "Is Drets in?" " Mr Nallaerts." "I'll put you through." "Damn." "Damn." "What?" "Come on, answer." " No." "No, Frankie, I won't take it." "Answer." " Vandam." "Cynalco Medics, Vandam Alain." "Who is this?" " Sammy." "It's Sammy." "I can tell you I'm really disappointed in you." "Tell the ungrateful sod he can put his gift where the sun doesn't shine." "What's wrong?" " Do we get our money back?" "Where are you going?" " Upstairs." "We'll have that drink soon." "You can start without me." "They've replaced Fartole." "And now in profile." " Left or right?" "Whatever." "Right." "In profile." "Here you are." "Thank you." "What's wrong?" " Nothing." "I saw Hasselbanks." "Robby." "A good friend of mine." "A great guy." " Yes, he is." "Have you met him?" " Not yet." "But I've heard of him." "A very wise man." "He taught me a lot." "Well, that's nice." "Who's Michel Drets?" "Me." "Michel Drets." "This year is my eighth year at the administration at Cynalco." "Fast forward." "I want to see the human being." "The human being." "Married?" "16 years." "To Boeckx Sonia." " Children?" "Not yet." "But my wife is pregnant." "We waited very long but decided to have one in the end." "Does it preoccupy you a lot?" " How do you mean?" "In your head." "Being a father at your age doesn't seem simple to me." "No, there's nothing to be afraid of." "Afraid?" "That it would distract me too much." " Did you hear me say I was afraid?" "No, but I thought..." " Me afraid?" "Don't put words into my mouth." "All right?" "It's raining." "You've got a two-seater." "There's three people at the bus stop." "An old lady, your best friend and the love of your life." "What do you do?" " I can take only one?" "I just told you." " I take... the old lady." "I thought so." "Okay, Michel." "That's it." "I know enough for now." "Yes, Fien?" " Frankie Loosveld for you." "Who?" " Frankie Loosveld." "One of our people." " Put him through." "No, Frankie." "Hello?" " Put it down." "Frankie Loosveld speaking." "Sorry to disturb you but is Michel with you?" "Yes." " Could I talk to him, please?" "Go ahead, Michel can hear you." " Hi, Frankie." "Hi, Michel." "Sorry to disturb you." "Can we begin drinking?" "People might leave." "Go ahead, Frankie." "All right." "Ask the man if he wants to come too." "We'll see about that." " See you later, Michel." "Frankie Loosveld." "We can start." "What's that drink for?" "It's for me, actually." "It's wrong to offer a drink when you get promoted." "But..." "it's for my birthday." "Did I catch you lying right now, Michel?" "Yes, everybody..." "Liesje, Liesje." "Michel will be right here, but he said to get started without him." "What?" "Isn't he coming?" " I told you he'd be right here." "Guido, will you serve the drinks?" "I declare this drink open." "Alain." "What's that?" " A good start." "No sad music." "You'll know it immediately." "Come on." "Electricity, OMD." "A classic, man." "Turn it down a bit." "Guido, please, it's a party." "We'll wait for Michel." "No more depressing junk." "Go away." "Come on, Frankie." " Go away." "Will this take long?" "I've got to catch my bus." "I don't know." "Is there some booze left?" "We only had one glass." "Michel didn't want a binge." " Michel." "And where is he?" "Here he is." "Michel, where are you?" " In the car." "Why?" " Could you please take me home?" "What?" " Yes, Guido." "What shall I say?" " The meeting is taking longer." "But..." " Guido, you've got to help me." "Michel, what's wrong?" " No, Guido, no." "A friend of mine mixed this on his computer." "In a home studio?" "In his cellar, soundproofed." "A mixing desk and there you go." "Frankie, turn that down." "I spoke to Michel right now." "He won't be able to attend the do." "Come on." "No, Frankie, he's at a meeting and it still isn't finished yet." "But he said we could drink a few more glasses to his health." "But there's no booze left." " Yes, Linda..." "As there's nothing left we might better call it a day." "We can wait until he's finished." "Sorry but I have to go." " So do I." "But..." " Sorry." "This is all your fault." "With your depressing music." " It's nobody's fault." "No, Frankie's right." "I went over the top with the music." "I didn't think of the daylight." "I'm sorry." " Alain?" "Alain, you don't have to..." "Is someone going to get booze?" " No, Linda, no." "I expected better from you, Guido." "I've still got my speech for Michel." "Frankie, Michel isn't at a meeting." "He's waiting in the car for me." "What?" " Yes." "It's been a bit too much." "But everything's fine." "He'll call you tonight." "Michel..." "Is it that new guy?" "I don't know, he didn't want to tell me." "Michel..." " It's bad, isn't it?" "Hello, Michel." " Hello..." "Bucky." "I'm not going to ask what you're doing here." "But don't make too big a deal about what happened inside." "Tomorrow we start with a clean slate." "And I want to write a nice story on it with you." "Deal?" "Yes, of course." " And no more lying, Michel." "Okay?" "It was mixed by a friend of mine on his computer." "Do you do this as a living?" "Can Sammy leave?"