"Stop playing about." "Hands in front." "Director" "Keep the rhythm." "Uppercut." "BLUE CORNER" "In honour of the deceased, - members and coaches of Boxing club Sparkle." "SPARKLE GYM AND CAFE" "Have you seen Jamppa's card?" "Who is he fighting against?" " A major match in Amsterdam." "Against the same lefty he beat already?" " The fight is in May." "Will he get to be on the telly?" "How are things, Kusti?" " I'm doing all right." "He'll make it to the big league." "Going already?" "We're watching old yarns." "Rauno's fighting too." "You buried him today, but I gave up my husband years ago." "How about you, how are you?" " My boys are both skilled boxers." "It has been ages." "You look damn sour." " Must be my masculine charm." "Pick up the junk tomorrow." "The place is full of old trophies." "Who writes all those cards?" "This is embarrassing, sneaking behind your father's back" "Does he even know you came back?" "Had some trouble over there." "A hundred?" "For this car?" " That's right, for this car." "Fine, don't take it." "Why is it that nobody knows anything?" "Your contract was cancelled over a month ago." "Now I owe half a million for your trip and rent, - the minibar, trainer and masseur." " That damn blind Albanian." "Who?" " You should be wary of that masseur." "Fuck!" "You have to start thinking about your future." "The car stays here and you do exactly as I say." "Stumbling on his own feet and blaming it on destiny." "Move it, move it, move it." "Feet, feet, feet." "React, react, follow through." "Jab, jab, jab." "Come on, his defence is open." "No hugging." "Jab, jab." "Was that your best shot?" "Why did I even bother to come?" "Was I supposed to knock him out?" " Whiner, you have no energy." "No use pretending to be a winner." " It was a victory, wasn't it." "A victory!" "You can't even overcome yourself." "Remember your brother." "Jamppa!" "He is gifted, moves his feet, good sense of rhythm." "Keep your mind together and remember timing, timing." "You're one damn drowsy cow." "And the feet, feet, feet and once again feet." "And hands off sweets." "Familiar rhythm, a bit slower." "How come you are here?" "Having a little break." "Don't tell the old tyrant." "How about you?" " Alive and boxing." "They've been letting you off lightly." "I have missed you, bro." "You and the old times" "Still wanking?" "You will lose the sensitivity." "I came to see you fight." "Come on now." "Come on." "Finally my height pays off." "Don't take those." "All my earnings." "I will watch your game and you will watch mine." "Together in 'Dam." "Here you go, here." "Take it, come on." "Take it." ""A few trophies" you said." "Half the Soviet Union is in here." "And the attic is still full." "The whole history of the club." "Are you buying the café for the boys?" "You're broke." "I was the one who kept it running." "Where will I put all this?" "I'm a widow now." "I'm sorry for your loss." " Are you really?" "These should be cleansed and polished." "Solidarity tournament of 19 7 2." "What kind of a sponsor is this Solidare?" "Never heard of it." "It says so in half of the pots." "Two and three and four, and two and two, and up with a swirl." "And step and back, and step and back, and up with a swirl." "I'm not a recycling centre." "I don't need your hand-outs." "You never needed any, a handsome oaf like you." "Don't you really remember?" "Doesn't ring a bell?" " No." "Really?" " I don't dwell on anything." "...You don't dwell, you don't remember, but you came." "And a good long stretch." "White tablecloths." "Small and intimate with a nice beach view." "How about the name of the place?" "Al Dente?" "I think it sounds good." "Al Dente." "It's Italian, you know" "And no cheap plastic chairs." "We will run the restaurant together." "It is our chance to get away." "I know this carpenter, Lievonen." "He is ready to help us any time." " You want to fuck or what?" "One has to have goals in life." "He is here Excuse me, but I know Jamppa is back." "Jamppa?" "Far away, big water." "We watched TV with mom and dad." "It helps the longing for back home." "Are you coming to the hospital as well?" " Right, right, left." "My grandmother also has cancer." "But where is he?" "You, go straight back home." "Acting like a jerk." "To some people talent can be just a curse." "Throw in the towel, walk away." " Who says I'm quitting?" "What is it?" " Start doing push-ups." "Plane tickets have been booked." "Everyone is coming to your match." "Start pumping now." "I have to go for a pee." "Knocking up the first girl that comes along." "Sneaking around in the middle of the season." "Stop thinking with your dick." " Runs in the family." "Start sweating." " You know nothing." "Do you still keep that trophy from one of your fake matches?" "Mother was at home in labour and I tried my best to help her." "How come there were so many county matches that summer?" "Great timing." " Your mother knew everything." "You think Kusti doesn't know?" " Don't you dare." "Are you sure?" "Don't you dare come home." "Did you fuck them both during the same day?" "You packed your bags, had breakfast with mother, - and then sneaked next door." " He is such a nice person." "One or two?" "What now?" " Don't even try." "I found this." "Did you sniff my socks as well?" " One or two wieners?" "Just a hamburger." " You know what this means." "Chef for the restaurant." "She's been to Roy al Kitchen." "Tuija, Lisbeth." "Lisbeth, Tuija." "A good chef is hard to find." "This is how life is." "Big family." "Don't you try." "That Swedish cow must go." " OK." "I can't pretend to be your sister." " I missed you." "How can you live like this?" "Never finishing anything." " Right." "Why do I put up with it?" " Yes." "I have not touched her." "Truly." "Met her in a pub once." "We watched an Ajax game. 0 - 0." "Dull game, dull pub." "She sat there, tried to hook up with me." "Ever been knocked out?" "Every time I see you." "Are we going to Jamppa's fight?" "I can pay my way." "I have some savings, from the lottery and Teppo." "Whatever, just win your match." "Tell your brother to come by the gym." "Now, come on." "From the bell." "Right, right, left." "Move your feet, search right." "Front, back, right, right, jab." "Move your feet." " Right, right, left." "Search right, move." "Right, right, left." "Cross now." "Search right." "Move your feet, search right." "Move your feet, search right." "Move your feet." "SHADOW-BOXING" "We also have high-class domestic art." "Just a hint for home decorators." "How are things, Kusti?" " Alright." "She was not home." "Did you look in the yard?" "Go and have another look." "50 photos with Unicef-frames - and thank you -letters for the Children's Association." "True caring and sharing." "Sweet buns from the hubby." "Come on, don't be shy." "Have one for the road as well." "Don't tell him that you saw me smoking." "I shouldn't really." "Destroying the rainforests and all." "You make his deals." "Taking a holiday in mid-season." "I didn't know he was here." " He won't break through now." "A boxer in love." "The sensitivity is gone." "That café is not for me." "A few good seasons, that is all I ask." "My boys will be taken care of and you can stop fucking me." "Stop nagging about the skipping-rope." "Can Jamppa come out?" " Try finding him first." "Buy a ticket." "You could win a trip to Cuba." "What's up?" " A lot of sitting in the sauna." "Jamppa should come by the gym" "Tell him I want that bovine out of here." "How are you?" " Yes." "Just pissing and crying." "She wants me to listen to the baby." "A cup of tea." "I have studied Finnish, but it is very difficult" "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper." "Are crowds tough in Europe?" "Who said that I'm quitting?" " Take it easy." "Lets turn left, - and down, - there it is, big "Voyager"." "He is always late." " So what?" "Go home." "Hurry up." "Why?" "More action, less politics." " Yeah, yeah." "Check that double lock." "What the fuck are they doing?" "They're stealing a stolen car." "You left the keys in, right?" "What's up, grandpa?" "Man, what a genius." "You got it running?" "What are you staring at?" "Get up, god damn it!" "Your son told me I could claim small prizes directly." "In the middle of the night." "Your son took a hundred off me, but told me he had no change." "Three packs of clothespins, two clocks, crystal glasses." "Better wash those." "You open it so we don't repeat our old mistake." "You still don't remember?" " I don't dwell." "A mess is a mess." "You call love a mess?" "How do you think I felt?" "What right did you have to take back everything - that you whispered to my ear the night before?" "I put in new batteries." "What's wrong with happiness?" "You ran when the bell rang." "I was killed by the silence." "You dodge, you escape." "All this time, you can't recall." "Old bathtub." "Stop." "Bottles and bottles of champagne." "Stop." "Music was loud, and the bathtub, it was clonking too loud, - so, I put an ashtray under one foot." "To wedge it." "Stop." "One big wait, all this time." "This one is a bit fast." "In Moscow they are ahead of the capitalists." "You passed your shame on." "Eastern mind, western covers and a face like sour grapes." "And you still can't look me straight in the eye." "The smile is frozen too." "Always thinking about boxing." "Did she drink my last beer?" "You have a doctor's appointment with her tomorrow." "Eight o'clock." "She called the hospital and bought a Finnish calendar." "We tried to figure out the name." "I suggested Prick." "She tried to find it in the calendar." "Really liked the name." "Such a romantic." "What happened?" "Did you meet your father?" "SKIPPING-ROPE" "Amsterdam is divided by many channels, - which in the old town are of semicircular shape." "Amsterdam is the cultural centre of Holland." "Riksmuseum, Van Gogh museum." "Was Jamppa in the gym?" "When is he leaving?" "What is it?" "I changed my shirt." "Osmo, could you come here." "Better to not confuse things." " Nothing happened." "What?" "Since when have we done things this way?" "We have orders to fill and a lack of manpower." "You know the deal." "Be patient, can't do much now." "This is not right." "That guy is irresponsible." "Do you even want to know what happened, or what?" "I know some lawyers." " Thanks, Osmo." "Thanks." "We are even now." " Who bought you your first skipping-rope?" "And who settled all your break-ins with the police?" "How much was the rope?" "I wouldn't like to collect your debts from your father." "Old tyrant wasted time on you like I wasted money." "Someone has to pay and soon." "Do I have to tell the old tyrant?" "That would be a grave mistake." "I got no use for this ancient crap." "Check my place as well." " Jamppa mentioned wheels." "He took my racing track and shaver." "I had no choice, Chevy's wheels were a bit rusty." "Where are you going?" "Going to stay out late?" " How late should I stay?" "Do we have any Burning Forests ready for sale?" "Lets use a silver teak frame, the wider model." "Ready by afternoon." "Nine years?" " What?" "The signature." "Does it really look like nine?" "African nine-year-old." "You know, hunger and diseases." "Like on TV" "Four or five tops." "Racist!" "I'm meeting Mr. Maalismaa." "Awful traffic." "You seem to be doing well, but after all that's a manager's job." "Florence is a beautiful city." "Florence and Venice, both are a very special cities." "Often young artists want to forget the roots of modernism." "That's why they need field trips to Florence, Venice and Paris." "Fourth year student, Laven." "Burning Forest, common conscience." "Why don't you enter the room, - and have a glance from the customer's perspective." "Do you like it, Mr. manager?" "Yes." " We seem to have similar taste, even with ties." "What about the price?" "Already donated to war orphans and cancer funds." " Good causes." "How about this: - you draw 30 grand from the company account." "I will invite you to dinner and give you 10 grand to keep." "Charity from both sides." "You get an elegant painting and we donate some to charity." "All right." ""Only Lenin has credit, the rest pay in cash."" "Having a shortage of cash?" " Who, me?" "In a way." "I have to stop at Amsterdam." " Oh, do you?" "I could do with some help." "A few nights." "Don't tell your dad." "Aren't you dieting?" "What about your dad?" " He's no match for me." "What do you think?" "A skirt should be light and airy." "Purple is an old women's colour." "Is that so?" "Wasted pennies." ""Spare a penny?" Do you remember that?" "In the yard, you were just a baby." ""Spare a penny, bitch?"" " Bitch?" "Your brother mistaught you." "You were dear to him." "Always together." "You were always a serious type." "Maybe you still miss your mother?" " Fuck that." "Not even this much?" " Can't miss something I've never seen." "Sweep, Sulkava." "Sulkava, Lapland." "Please dad, tell me you are not serious." "It affects the whole body, back muscles also." "Thank you." "Are we starting something new?" "I can feel the atmosphere." "How do you know Pentti?" "To me he is Mr. Maalismaa." "He is always entertaining ladies, even though he is gay." "Why don't you talk with him, All I keep thinking is "he's gay."" "My uncle had an affair with his secretary." "He was so in love that he forgot his wife was in labour." "His wife was taking the newborn home, - when my uncle and the secretary suddenly stumbled in front of her." "My polite uncle lifted his hat and said merrily:" ""Good morning, Mrs. Maalismaa" and walked on." "Wouldn't you care if your wife slept around?" "It might sound like a bad joke, but the amazing thing is - she didn't even consider divorce." "I'm also in favour of lasting relationships." " That is a lie." "Teppo!" " Relationships are important to us homosexuals." "You have fucked Hilkka alright." "I am a hundred per cent gay." "Prove it!" "Prove it!" "Fuck me." "Are you ashamed?" "A gay ashamed of a bare ass?" "Teppo, Pentti has no problems with his sexuality" " I was right." "A gay Ferrari salesman?" "Are you mad?" "Wife sleepfucks trees, the other is sickeningly gay, - and I'm supposed to be the stupid husband, - who shovels all the dirt from your way." "Hilkka!" "Don't you go anywhere!" "You know how right and just I am." "The truth was too much for her." "Let's sit and talk." "Let's talk about gardening and fertilizers." "A gay selling Ferraris." "Someone has hit a cat." "It is alive and suffering." "We can't leave it here." "Have you been driving for long?" "Just take it and drive to a clinic." " Why can't you take it?" "It is so hard to drive when you are drunk." " Damn it." "Look, it runs away." "Poor thing." "Such a heavy atmosphere." "My shoes got wet too." " I have warm clothes in the trunk." "Cold night, moonlight and a black cat." "There?" "Right now?" "Is it Jamppa?" " Go back to bed, right away." "Was that all?" " I didn't bother to count everything." "So much." "All wasted, whole career." "Years of work." " I have helped you and your sons at times, - but I'm in debt to you as well." "All those trophies did not come for free." "You look after them for 20 years and this is the reward you get." "You'll get your money later this week." "And count it." "You'll get it all." "FOOTWORK" "He doesn't love me!" "Here is our third partner, my wife Tuija." "Eeva, Tuija." "Tuija, Eeva." "We skipped to coffee and cognac." "I feel so sorry for the carp." "Such a noble and sensitive fish." "In the old days, Soviet days, there was an abundance of black gold." "Such a sophisticated fish." "Bolshevism destroyed it all." "Let's go and fry some eggs." "Eeva would like to finance us." "She has restaurant experience." "The calm Caspian sea." "My goodness, you don't think that we are intimate in any way?" "No, no." "He fucks everything that moves." "I feel sorry for the poor carps." "You pack your bags." "Stop crying and get lost." "No need to translate that." "Find that brother of yours." "Give me my glasses, I have to mix a Bloody Mary." "You said you would call your lawyer." " Andersson?" "Well, that figures." "I would like to have the money this afternoon" " Fuck off." "Just like the rest." "Think that wrinkles make you stupid, - and limp meat is worth a fortune." "I don't know." "I haven't seen him." "I'm not managing his love life." "You know Teppo." " Yes." "I know the Teppo, who once crippled a referee into a wheelchair." "He missed." "Teppo missed." " Ask the rehabilitation centre." "Teppo is so demanding." "Always blaming himself." "Humanity is dead, I suggest you learn to box." "When did this club turn into a henhouse?" "Dwelling in the past." "You are always talking about boxing." "You have secrets as well." "Where are you going?" " Jogging." "Two, that one and that one." "One more." "Another." "Wrap them." "What's the destination?" " Cuba." "Are you sure?" " Yes." "Maybe somewhere else?" " No, it's Cuba." "Beautiful flowers." "Who died?" "Jogging, right?" " Cloaks cost five, ten with lottery." "The bell rang, go straight home." " Get lost." "How long?" " How long what?" ""How long?" Sweets, donuts, softies, all this mush." "He sleeps during classes and you ask me "What!"." "What is it?" "Go look at the obituaries." " Have you asked the boy?" "Asked what?" " Nothing." "You never asked, stubborn mule." "Keep the boy out of this." "Years of hard work in the ring." "In the ring you punch, and you take punches." "That's no place for dreaming." " Shut the door when you leave." "Where, why, when." "Who, that, which." "Where, why, when." "Subject, verb, object." "Napoleon Bonaparte?" "Corsica 17 69, Emperor of France 180 4." "Moscow 1812." "A hard winter." "Waterloo 1815" "Daddy, what is it?" "I had to sell our home." "We will manage in a smaller one." "DODGING AND COUNTERSTRIKES" "Hey, you!" "Are you free?" "We are redecorating the garden." "We shall pick the rest up tomorrow." "Where should I put these?" "You won't tell anyone if I smoke?" "Terrible addiction." "I shouldn't really." "Should I run you a bath?" "Rosemary and thyme." "Makes you feel good and helps loose inhibitions." "But I'm still on duty." "Black cat, moonlight and a cold night." "Do you think we share a destiny?" "I always get straight to the point." "Full fight straight from the bell." "My debts won't tip the club over." "Someone else will buy the café." "Have you heard from the boy?" " I'll send him home if I see him." "I wonder." "Was it only about money?" "All those dreams - we had when we were young, shadow-boxing in the dim lantern light." "See yourself and you see the opponent, or what ever." "All those ideals, out in the cold." "Always sneezing and dirty." "Was it money that we dreamt of?" "Forget it." "Hilkka." "Yes?" "Excuse me, I'm from the Children's Association." "Working for homeless children." " Yes." "We all share the responsibility." "Yes." "This is inspector Niemi from the Fraud Department." "What is it?" "Nothing." " What is it?" "I don't want to go back home." "You can stay a few nights." "I love the colour scheme." "Silent." "Eccentric but in a good way." "Oh, damn." "Would you like something?" "Only that I have nothing here." "Is that a real bed?" "Of course, where else could you..." "I'm just a bird without a sky." "Just a burden." "A melodramatic always fiddling with fate." ""For the homeless children."" "Someone squealed, damn it." "Backstabbers both of them." "You'd better come." "That is my money for Amsterdam." "Everything is in order." "I'll watch yours and you mine." "You have two girlfriends." "You'll drive me to bankruptcy." "Why don't you come in." "Daddy has waited for you all week." "Every night." "Tomorrow." "Tomorrow all three of us will celebrate." "Move your feet, Kusti." "Search right, left in." "Uppercut, uppercut, all the way." "Time for Slumberland." "Nighty!" "The man got soft." "It is pay day." "What's up?" " Life goes on." "Now, where should we go?" "Maybe we'll have a walk first." "Was it you who hinted to the police?" "Strange behaviour." "Damn stupid." "Me and Death are good friends, " "I've walked hand in hand with Him, and you know what: " "Death can't match me." "THE RING" "Uppercut, uppercut." "To the body." "Look how he's pushing." "Come on now, finish him." "Kill him, finish it." "Why don't you get us coffee." "And pastries too." "Two black ones and pastries." "I came because I knew." "Bad timing, worse than ever." "The boy is doing well." "Teppo, I feel that a change is coming." "New doors have been opened." " Where have you been?" "Two blacks, right?" " You are not listening." "Were you eyeing her ass?" "Eavesdropper." "I have been alone for so long." " Go, go." "Did it turn you on?" "What is so funny, what?" "C-juniors, 45 kilos." "Winner by jury vote, 3-0." "In the blue corner, Kusti Kaartinen." "Best footwork in ages." "Clever too." "Where is the boy?" "Kusti, Kusti-boy." "Kusti." "Where is he?" " I have a patient who needs stitching, and her water broke, - and the heavyweights are next." " Where are the pastries?" "Ingemar was a different breed." "They kept insulting him." "Untalented bastards." "He endured, and so will you." " Fuck!" "I know Swedish well enough." "Back home we'll bake a big cake." "Jamppa is a sensitive boy." "After the wedding, he shall have few weeks off, then to gym, - and a full fight from the bell." "It is called a comeback!" "There are so many." "Goodness." " A deal is a deal." "You promised to buy them all if I win." "How am I to pay for these?" " That is not my concern." "Got a passport?" "Take care of yourself." "See you." "Both are fine." "3 kilos, 5 2 8 grams." "Fine mulatto boy." "What mulatto?" "But she's Swedish." " So she is." "The heavy weights, the trophy, everything." "And here I am!" "She sobs on and on about some sports hall in Amsterdam." "Basketball, volleyball, and the rest." "You know." "My boy doesn't play bouncyball." "God damn kids!" "Where is my boy?" " Took the prize and went away." "Would you like a lottery ticket?" "Do well in the ring, do well in life." "Or how did it go?" ""No prize, no win this time." "Thank you for your support."" ""No prize, no win this time." "Thank you for your support."" "Now what?" "You don't need a bathtub to drink champagne." "That slut is prancing around in the dress that I bought." "Purity and honesty, teen boys' wet dreams." "World is so cruel that we are bound to be born again." "Right?" "Yes." "I guess." "I have a big problem as well." "I mean, I think I'm in love." "Welcome to the ring." "Once again the beast turned into a poodle." " Sweetie." "That garden was a mistake." "It was a mistake in general." "Teppo-darling." " We shall line it with stones." "Don't blame yourself." "You are so harsh on yourself." "Sensitive and harsh." "Get in!" "You didn't come." "Come where?" " To my fight." "I won it by the way." "A clean win." "First prize." "Uncle Teppo gave it to me." "What?" " Really." "Really, really." "Learn to speak." "Really." "Kusti, you're a good man." "I carried you around for a reason." "I'm returning to Amsterdam." " Aren't we going together?" "Pay your debt." " I will, I will." "All my money." "Get my passport, and I will pay you." "Hurry up." "I have a plane to catch." "She will give it only to you." "Ask her up." " She won't come." "To the window, now." " She is not coming." "Could you step out for a while?" "Because you are a gentleman." "Where is it?" " Is that all you have to say?" "Stolen a car, have you?" " What?" "I guess, now you want my money as well." "I told you so." "You never finish anything." "Take it." "God damn it!" "What have you done?" "Hush now." "Everything's falling apart." "I can't trust anyone anymore." "See you around." "Three clocks, right?" "What kind?" "8 combs, a toaster, 3 clocks and a set of crystal glasses." "Better clean the glasses first." "The car contained a camera, a painting and women's clothes - and a half-open lottery ticket." "The car was reported stolen." "He has been here three hours." "The boy won't talk." "He has been silent all along." "Do you still love her?" "Has he eaten anything?" "Did you hear me?" "Did mother die delivering me, - while you were away?" "Let's have a big juicy burger for a snack." "Ground beef, mayo." " Get to the point." "Some relish." " Do you love her?" "About love I don't know." "We were both mad." "The music was playing loud, - bottles and bottles of champagne." "She still considered herself as the neighbourhood beauty which she was." "Jamppa stood there in the hallway." "I could hear the doorbell in the bathroom, - and the kicking." "He kicked the door and waited." "Waited and kicked." "The pictures need movement." "Try to get close to people, - to get contrast and contradiction." "Just like in real life." "What's up?" " She wasn't home." "Go and have another look." "And don't you eat them all." "Put lots of ice into it!" "Translated by:" "Tuomo Karvonen"