"What are you messing with?" "Sort it!" "What else have you got those little fingers for?" "Mum?" " Stop that mumming and dadding." "Mum and dad are in the air somewhere." "No one knows when they'll return." "That depends on the wind." "He must have grown." "If only he wants us back." "What if he prefers to stay with his grandmother?" "Fifteen... sixteen..." "Seventeen... eighteen..." "Do you think they'll come soon?" "Grandma?" "Give it a rest." "Do you have any idea of the size of the world?" "No." "A trip around the world takes time." "They'll come when they come." "But there is a chance, of them arriving today?" "is there any wind outside?" " No..." "Without wind, they can't move." " So if there is wind..." "With wind they move fast." "This way or another." "Get on with your work!" "There's more to be done." "8701 ." "A car drives from A to B in three hours and three minutes at 84 km an hour." "What's the distance from A to B?" "256 kilometres and 200 metres." "sit!" "Who said you could leave?" "Seventeen divided by eighteen?" "0.944." "That was yet another correct answer." "If we keep this up the Pancratius school will, for the first time win the Golden Cup of the Municipal Arithmetic Contest." "At last!" "Lepel!" "Today a special offer in Swimwear ladies costume or bikini with free folding umbrella." "What are you lingering about for?" "Are all the racks empty?" "Off you go!" "98.75." "98.75." "That was very sweet of you." "Thank you." "Lepel!" "is that all?" "How are we supposed to make a living out of this?" "Here, put these back and bring me new ones." "And hurry!" "Here hold on tight." "What have you got there?" "Where did you get that rubbish?" "Lepel!" "Lepel!" "I must insist that you get dressed immediately." "Ladies and gentlemen.:" "Broer's Mode is about to close." "Please take your purchases to the cash desk." "Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock we will be at your service again." "They're at it again." "Buttons?" "This has got to stop." "You'll be seen, Lepel." "Customers are not allowed in here." "How come you know my name is Lepel?" "Everyone knows that." "Unlikely to come across:" "Lepel." "For a name, that is." "Unlike teaspoon or tablespoon, I mean." "My grandma says it's a proper Dutch name." "I've got to get back to work." "We've got a bit of trouble." "I don't get it." "Who'd steal all those buttons?" "This is the fifth time this has happened." "We can no longer pretend that it happens accidentally." "This is vandalism and I'm going to take action." "If there's anything I can do..." "You can all help by keeping even a closer eye on things than you already did." "Anything else, Max?" "Hello?" "!" "Keep off!" "You'll break it." "Let me out." "You've got to help me." "I have to get home before she does." "Hands off!" " Hush." "Be quiet!" "That's Miss Broer." "She's the manager." "Stay here and keep your mouth shut!" "Let go of me!" "Quiet!" "She's gone." "Broer mustn't know I live here." "You live here?" "Where are your parents?" "I don't have parents." "I really have to go home now." "I'm busy." "Busy with what?" " Just things." "Never mind her." "She'll stop eventually." "As a matter of fact it's good you're here, because it's my birthday and you're invited." "What do you actually need all those buttons for?" "Buttons?" "How come you know about that?" "I live here. I know everything." "I see you in here so often with that weird mother of yours." "She's not my mother." "She's my grandmother." "And my mother is not weird at all." " Do I know your mother too?" "How does she look?" "Well, nice, and..." "Blonde, I guess, and maybe with a ponytail or something..." "You must know what your mother looks like?" "!" "No." "Not exactly." "She's on a trip around the world, with my father." "In a hot air balloon." "Since when have they been gone?" "Long." "So long that I can't really remember what they look like." "Apple pie or marzipan?" "No apple. I don't like apples." "Well, congratulations...?" " Pleun." "Here, for your birthday." "You can swap it if you like." " No. I'll keep it." "I have to get used to the idea." "I've never received a present before." "So, how old are you now?" " l don't know. I've lost count." "I can't remember where l left off." "Where are your shoes?" " Over there." "Don't ever leave anything behind in the shop, Lepel!" "At night you can do as you please." "But when the shop is open you have to be quiet." "That's why I sleep during the day." "Goodnight." " 'Night." "...at 33 centimetres an hour." "How long does it take the snail to get from A to B?" "Marijntje?" "Mirjam?" "Karel?" "Fine." "Lepel, come to the front of the classroom." "Lepel!" "Where is Lepel?" "He doesn't want to return to his grandma." "He's staying until his parents return." "They're in a hot air balloon." "Good morning." "Did you sleep well?" "Boy... brown hair, er... eyes, about this tall." "Attention, ladies and gentlemen." "Little boy lost..." "Lepel!" "...with brown hair, wearing jeans and a dark coat and..." "The child answers to the name Lepel." "Pleun!" "My parents...?" "!" "Those are not your parents." "Lepel!" "Come to grandma!" "Would you please handle our new collection with care?" "I'm sorry, but we haven't found him." "Shall I ring Lost and Found?" "Lost and Found?" " The police station." "No!" "I'm his grandma, so..." "Lepel doesn't like the police." "I'm sorry, but he's not here." "Come here, you!" "Come out of there!" "Or should I come and fetch you?" "Out of my way!" "How can you do this to me?" "Come along home now." "Here!" "You rascal!" "Out of my way!" "Come here!" "You cannot go in there." "Well done, Max." "Congratulations." "I wouldn't know what to do without you, Max." "I wish everyone was so committed and polite." "Well..." "I'll get back to work then." "I suppose you'll sleep better now, without your grandmother." "Goodnight." "I've come to see Lepel." "Lepel is ill." "Lepel is ill?" " Yes." "So much the better." "That gives him plenty of time to practise for the contest." "No!" "Lepel is asleep." "You'll wake him up, master Bijts." "Please!" "Master Bijts." "No bath..." "Lepel is taking a bath." "Hygiene." "It's very important for the patient." "Will you give him this?" "It's urgent." "Look what grandma has got for you." "A lovely book with lovely sums." "Now practise well, Lepel, and you'll be well again before you know it." "And then everyone will admire..." "Lepel isn't ill at all." "You're right, Lepel isn't ill." "Lepel is gone." "But that's impossible." "I urgently need him." "So do I." "What's a button shop without children's fingers?" "He has to come back." "I couldn't agree more." "I'll tell you where to find him." "What is it?" "When my parents come home..." "How will they know where to find me?" " Come along!" "But Pleun, what are we going to do?" "Let your parents know where you are." "It's not always nice, you know, to have parents..." "They can be horrible too." "What to think of a mother who refuses to tell you when your birthday is?" "My mother would never do that." "You don't know that." " l do." "Don't." "You don't know anything about your mother." "My mother is a sweet mother!" "...close." "Please take your purchases to the cash desk." "Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock we will be at your service again." "Hello!" "Let me in!" "Hello!" "Open up!" "Have a nice evening, Max." "Have a nice evening how well that colour becomes you and what would you think if we just the two of us..." "Sorry!" "Yes, that's my car!" "That car is mine!" "My car." "You're parked illegally." "That's going to cost you." "is it?" "Thank you." "Hello... hello sir..." "I.." "I have to get out of here!" "Thank you." " You're welcome." "Now they know where l am." "LEPEL is HERE" "Shoo!" "Ugh." "Go away!" "Leave me alone!" "Shoo!" "Ugh!" "Filthy animal!" "One... two..." "Do you want one too, Pleun?" "Who says I'm going to bed?" "I'll decide on that." "See you tomorrow, Pleun." "Good night, Lepel." "Good night." "I must ask you to leave." "There's no sleeping in here." "Max?" "Max, wake up!" "Pleun!" "Pleun!" "Let me sleep!" "is that your father?" "Just the one I was looking for!" "Max: congratulations." "You've achieved new top sales." "The third time in a row." "And that's a record!" "That is why I'm going to pin this badge onto you." "Come on Max, a kiss." "Well, that was, er..." "Thanks. I'll get back to work now." "After all:" "I'm a star salesman now." "Max... I'm expecting you in my office." "Listen to me!" "There-is-no-sleeping-in-here!" "Clear off!" "Did you bring trousers as well?" "Pleun?" "I don't want to see you for the rest of the day, Max." "I'm very disappointed in you." "Very, very disappointed." "I beg your pardon... I'm seeking information about two balloonists who have been underway for years." " For years?" "They have a son with brown hair." "The boy is very good at sums..." "Pelle!" "What exactly would you like to know?" " Well, to be honest, everything, please." "I've come to get Lepel." "Where have you got him hidden?" "Don't think you can keep him all to yourself." "Where is Lepel?" "I haven't got him." "I really haven't got him." "You were supposed to go and fetch him!" " Well yes, but..." "Now listen carefully, you bungler." "I can't cope without that boy." "That boy does everything for me." " But..." "Oh, stop wasting my time with excuses." "I'll fetch him myself." "But then I'll keep him too." "All to myself." "Lepel is not coming back." "I must have him." "Just for one hour." "For the contest." "After that he's yours." "I'd do anything..." "Anything?" "For Lepel I'd do anything." "I swear." "Mum and dad come back." "Sent by.: your son Lepel." "PS.:" "Hurry please." "Lepel." "Mum?" "Dad?" "Lepel." "Yes. I... I thought I'd drop by." "Because I've got..." "About your parents, Lepel." "Your parents..." "When they read this, they'll come back as fast as they possibly can." "Pleun, there's no point in this." "Why not?" "Here..." "Couple flung out of balloon and dead." "Of their son, three-year old Pelle not a trace has been found." "Pelle answers to this description:" "Brown hair and blue eyes." "In view of his age, the boy has remarkable arithmetic skills." "That's Lepel." "Pelle. I think Lepel is called Pelle." "Do you think this will be enough?" "Are you asleep?" " Yeah." "I'm going home!" "With a mother who tucks me in." "Suit yourself." "It's much nicer here." "But there's no mother here." "All the better!" "No one to tell you when to go to bed." "Or to punish you if you have to pee at night." "Punishment for a pee?" "There are mothers who lock their children up in sheds." "One night per pee." "Good morning." "Shall we go swimming today?" " No." "Then what?" "Let's do something." "You're not going to sit here waiting for your mum for the rest of your life!" "Not my entire life." "Just until she gets here." "What if they don't come?" " They will." "Maybe not." " Will." "Won't." " Will." "And this one." "No, I'm sure this will do for a nine-year old boy." "No, it won't." "Before you know it he's gone again." "And he'll become 10, 1 1 , 20." "I never want to go through this again." "He's asked for it." "Did you think you were ready?" "Here: white with white, blue with blue and black with black." "Will." " Won't." "Will." "Will." "Won't." "They're dead." "Your parents are dead, Lepel." "That's not true!" "They will come!" "Real soon!" "They're almost here." "It's just another one of your lies!" " l'm not lying!" "Your mother is dead..." "And so is your father." " Stop it!" "Crashed with a balloon." "You were there yourself." " You're lying." "Your name isn't Lepel." "It's Pelle." "It's slipped!" "Yes, but I can't see anything!" "Ballast overboard!" "We're too low!" "More ballast out!" "Grab the cases!" "I've got him." "Watch out: tree tops!" " Pelle, hold on!" "Mummy..." " Hold on!" "I'm not going to make it!" "Hi Lepel!" "Where's Pleun?" "I should have told you, about your parents." "That they're dead." "I should have told you, but I couldn't." "I know what it's like to long for someone." "I dream of Broer every night." "I dream of my mother every night." "I'm going." " Where?" "Home." "What home?" "You don't mean Koppenol?" "She is my grandmother." "Never mind that." "We're going to fetch Lepel!" "Lepel." "Lepel." "Lepel, listen." "Koppenol is nothing." "She's no relative of yours." "If she were family, she'd know your name." "You'd be called Pelle." "Your grandmother is not your grandmother at all." "She has no authority over you, none at all." "CLOSED" "Now I don't even have a grandmother anymore." "But she wasn't your real grandmother." " So what?" "Grandma!" "Grandma!" "Grandma?" "You've got no authority over me!" "None at all!" "Hi Pleun!" "Max said you'd gone back to your grandma." "I don't have a grandma." "Koppenol is nothing to me." "Pleun, I'm going to look for a mother." "A nice one." "But mothers aren't nice." " l know." "But I still want a mother." "Or she'll see you." "Hey!" "Wait for me!" "Ladies and gentlemen.:" "Broer's Mode is about to close." "Please take your purchases to the cash desk." "Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock we will be at your service again." "They're closing." " So what?" "I want to go home." "is that so?" "I thought you wanted Lepel?" "I do, I do." " Well then: pull yourself together." "I..." "I..." "Here." "Well thanks." "Right." "You look upstairs, I take downstairs." "Lepel, come out." "Come out, wherever you are!" "Lepel." "There she goes." "Good luck." "Don't leave!" "YOU want a mother, not me." "Stop!" "Watch where you're going!" "I could have run you..." "Engine mass?" " 360." "Horsepower?" " 200." "He often does that." "Usually he's right." "Run up: 75 metres." "Speed: 45." "That makes the jumping angle 18 degrees." "Jumping angle?" "Yes!" "I can do it!" "I did it!" "I did it!" "The Tiger Trophy, now that's the real thing." "Eight thousand kilometres through Africa." "Jungle, steppe, desert." "No asphalt." "Lions and crocodiles around your tent." "Keep watch at night, keep the fire going." "Build rafts to cross rivers, climb trees to find the route." "I wanted to ask you..." "And of course it's a contest too a matter of accelerating, figuring out your chances." "I can do that." "It all comes down to judgement, strength and teamwork..." "Nothing compares to it." "What I wanted to ask..." "How many times have you participated?" "You can only participate as a team." "There are no women in this sport." "And the men prefer all male teams." "Every night, I dream of jungles and deserts but I've never actually been there." "You walked quite a distance." "This is where we get off." "We live back there." "What a coincidence." "I work just around the corner." "Well. I enjoyed your company, Pleun and..." "Lepel, is it?" "I've been hearing that name a lot lately..." "So, get home safely." "Wouldn't you like to have a child?" "A child, me?" "No. I know my way with cars, not with children." "I consider that an advantage." "A car can be left behind in the barn, but a child..." "What should I do with a child, on my own?" "You know where to find me!" "Yes!" "Lepel, come back!" "Lepel." "Hello?" "For you." "Lepel wants a mother, but no one will have him." "No one will have him?" "Who says so?" "I don't believe a word." "Such a sweet little boy!" "Now who would not want him?" " Broer." "You asked Broer?" "She wouldn't dream of it." "Lepel, because of my job, I... I think I have a good eye for women." "What would you say if I choose one for you, a mother?" "When I arrived this morning I found this." "I've looked, but I don't miss anything." "It's a complete mystery." "What where they looking for?" "Special offerl Wanted.:" "Sweet mother good at tucking in, for sweet son good at figuring." "Apply in last fitting room." "Good morning, welcome to Broers Fashion our staff is ready to help you make your choice." "This one would look marvellous on you." "As a matter of fact I'm looking for something for my daughter." "Which one do you want?" "is he any good at chores?" "Does this happen frequently?" "Hush, hush." "Thank you, but I'm not ready to decide yet." "Do you have any experience with children?" " l used to own a rabbit." "A rabbit, I see." "Does he polish shoes?" "Do the dishes?" "Sew on buttons?" "Thank you." "I'm so terribly lonely, I simply need a child." "Nobody loves me and... I see." "I'm sad and I'm..." " Thanks." "Lepel!" "How nice to see you again!" "Are you coming over to my place again some time, with Pleun?" "So this is where l work." "Thanks." "See you." "This won't take long." "This one is free." "There are more fitting rooms available, ladies." "We've come to see him." "is he included?" "If only..." "Broer doesn't want a child on her own." "But what if she weren't alone anymore?" "Are you thinking of Max?" "That won't work." "Max is too shy." "He has to impress her." "But how?" "Not with chocolate." "Go away, I'm in a hurry." "Why?" "That school of yours isn't going to win anyway." "Get on, out of the way!" "Lepel is willing to join the arithmetic contest on one condition." "Where is Lepel?" " First the condition." "Fine." "Anything!" "Just give me Lepel." "Give me your car." "No!" "Fine. ln that case he'll compete for another school." "How do I know if Lepel is behind this?" "463 times 19, how much is that?" "8797." "Lepel..." "Lepel." "The keys." "No." "He has to win first." "Come on Lepel, we're leaving." " No, no!" "Stay here!" "You can keep him here, but you can't make him win." "How much is three plus three?" " Thirty-three." "Six." "The keys." "No." "He has to win first." "Otherwise the deal is off." "A car crives from A to B in 40 minutes..." "The distance between A and B is 86 km." "What's the speed of the car?" "129 kilometres per hour." "Correct." "How much is 82 divided by 1 4?" "5.7." "53 is to 106 as 19 is to...?" "38." "How much is 163 times 73?" " 1 1 ,899." "63,218." "43,37 1 ." "How many kms have I covered?" "152 kilometres and 200 metres." " Another correct answer!" "A farmer owns 7 cows." "Each cow produces 281 litres of milk a day." "77.25." "How much milk do 26 cows produce in one month?" "228,030." "Two squared is... 99." " That's the correct answer." "The last one!" "After this sum we'll know which school will take home the Golden Cup." "Now listen carefully." "Silence in the hall, please." "How much is seven three-eights times nineteen twenty-fifths?" "5,605." "That's the correct answer!" "And that means that the Pancratius School has won!" "Congratulations with this well-deserved prize!" "Once you've found a mother, will you still come and stay over?" "Of course I will." "Lepel!" "Your parents have landed!" "There's a big balloon with your parents in it." "Lepel's parents are dead!" "Your parents are back." "I'll take you to them." "Don't trust him!" "He just wants his car back!" "He's lying, taking you in." "Your parents have died." "Max found out what happened to them, remember?" "But what if Max was wrong?" "Look over there!" "You stay here." "Stay!" "Stay!" "Mum?" "Dad?" "Gotcha!" "You're mine!" "You're mine!" "Here with that cup!" "Lepel, jump!" "My cup!" "I'm sorry, but your disobedience left me no choice." "Give me that cup." "Lepel, come on." " No, not overboard." "Are you all right?" "Come along then." "Will you drive?" "I've already flown today." "He's a sweet boy." "I don't know anyone who can smile the way he can." "Have you got any girls?" "I've got five sons. I'd like a daughter for a change." "Right." "Thank you and goodbye." "I've talked to 167 mothers." "Who's the sweetest?" "It's difficult. I really have to think about this." "Here." "Are you coming?" "Where are we going?" " For a ride." "Gives you time to think." "But I can't drive." " Anyone can drive. lt's easy." "Choke." " That's that one." "Right, start the engine." "Where is Pleun?" "Clutch." "Pleun is coming." "Where are we going?" " We're going for a ride." "Take a right." "It's not all that easy, you know, finding a sweet mother." "That's Broer." "She'll think we're following her." "So what?" "I'm not going after Broer." "Step on it." "Go on: put your foot down!" "I thought I'd pay you a visit." " That's nice." "Are you alone?" "Nnyes." "Third gear." "Step on it." "The one in the back, that's Pleun." "There aren't many who can keep up with me." "That's a good one." "Do you know him?" "People call him the speed pilot:" "that man can do anything." "We'll see about that." "Too late." "...eighty metres..." "Do as I say." "I don't dare." " Do as I say." "But I can't." "Go!" "Are there any more coming?" " No, this was it." "You're a good driver, Max." "So are you." "How many cylinders has yours got, if I may ask?" "The cylinders, well... lt all depends on the chauffeur's drive, and the foot on the gas, of course." "And the appropriate pressure of the tyres." "You can wait inside if you like." "This could last a while." "Max will you come to Africa with me?" "Yes, I will." "Hi, Lepel, Pleun." "I didn't know you know each other." "Shall we tell them?" " We already know." "All too well, it was our plan." "Max promised Lepel he'd find him a new mother, so..." "Yes, well, it's not at all easy, finding a suitable mother." "Max was going to choose one..." "Yes, I tried but..." "I haven't succeeded." "There are many different mothers." "Strict, neat, surly, wise mothers..." "But Lepel is entitled to a sweet mother." "We don't mind you not having any experience with children at all." "Me?" "You don't truly see me as a mother?" "Max?" " Oh no, no." "I am no mother, I'm sorry." "Raising a child?" "I wouldn't have the foggiest idea how to do that." "Lepel never had a mother." "He still thinks it's nice." "Don't you?" "Lepel." "Lepel." "Lepel..." "Lepel." "Lepel..." "Lepel." "Go away!" "I'll take care of myself!" "Have you got a mother for me?" "Well?" "No. I really tried, Lepel, but I couldn't find one." "I was going to get a mother." "You promised!" "You promised!" "But your mother, she has to be a really sweet one... I've spoken to 167 mothers, but she wasn't among them." "And now I've got nothing!" "I do know someone who's good at tucking in who enjoys swimming, and who loves you very much." "There's only one problem." "Lepel, your mother would you settle for a father?" "Thanks for everything." "Bye!" "Come along lads, we're on our way!"