"There still is no clear information about the king's condition." "Sources inside the palace conﬁrm the gravity of the situation." "But nobody dares to give a prognosis." "Push, push." "From all over Katoren people have ﬂocked together... in front of the royal palace in I/lﬁss... to express their sympathy with our beloved monarch." "Push." "The mood is subdued." "Yes, that's it." "Expressions of support are also arriving from neighbouring Eltoren." "Throughout the country people have stopped working... as they anxiously wait for news about our king's condition." "Ah, the chamberlain has just come out, probably with a ﬂare... which he will light to indicate that the king has died." "My brother is on TV." "My brother is on TV." "Come on, you twerp." "Gervaas is on TV." "from Decibel to Scaffoldwood" "Klaas, congratulations." "You have a beautiful son." "A son'?" "Wow." "the kingdom of Katoren will always remain dear to me from farm hand to landowner everyone rejoices to have gained a king that can be trusted so devoted and willing to sacrifice a king for his people a people so proud and brave" "Throughout the country..." "You're an uncle." "Look here." "The king is dead." "Yes, I saw you on TV, brother." "Are you alright?" "I'll help you." "Tell me what to do." "The flag on the Aloysius Tower must be lowered." "The invitations, the funeral..." "Calm down." "I'll do the flag, then we'll see" " Alright." "Now say something nice about my son." "He's beautiful, Klaas." "He looks like his father." "And he's crazy about fireworks." "Look" "Now go congratulate his mother." "I've never done this before." "Bye, little boy." "Vlﬁll you look after Uncle Gervaas?" "What's his name'?" "Stach." "His name is Stach." "Keep your eyes on him." "He was born the night our beloved king died." "So far it's not yet clear who will succeed the king." "It's still too early to speculate." "We must ﬁrst wait for the cabinet council... to conﬁrm the king's death ofﬁcially." "Ladies and gentlemen, the king is dead." "Gervaas" " What'?" "Maria isn't doing well." "As long as there is no successor to the throne... we, as the king's chief representatives... will provisionally assume full control... of the entire country." "King of Katoren" "still no successor to the throne" "firework banned no time for celebrations" "Once upon a time there was a king who lived in a very large palace." "He was often very lonely." "One evening he was having coffee by the fireplace." "He walked to the kitchen." "national anthem banned" "The staff had already left." "minister wants war" "army pounces on demonstrators" "Gervaas." "editor-in-chief Katoren Press missing" "What will become of you'?" "I want to be king." "I was wondering how one becomes king of Katoren." "Then you have to go to Policy." "I have two children, where do I go'?" "Please, let me talk to him." "No, don't take me away I'll be calm, I promise." "Do something, help me." "Let go of me, I have to talk to him." "Number 18." "Number 18." "Number 19." "Please wait behind the line." "Number 19." "Good afternoon." "Go ahead." "I'd like to become king." "One moment." "Come back on Monday with an ID, a written application... and a recent passport photo, in quintuplicate." "Number 20." "Number 1." "Number 1." "You're 17'?" "Yes." "In that case you need permission from your parents." "Both dead." "In that case, from your guardian." "Number 2." "Oh, shit." "Stach, what are you doing here'?" "I'm working." "'Working.' Don't say a word." "I need your signature." "Well'?" "Is this serious?" "No, Stach, I'm not going to sign this." "Never mind then." "Stach." "May I come in'?" "Do you realize how dangerous it is'?" "You don't know the ministers." "You don't know their plans" " I don't get it." "Always whining about the past, how everything was better." "About there being festivals, a flag, fireworks, about there being a king." "Now somebody wants to be king and then..." "You're just a weakling." "What's that'?" "You're not the first, Stach." "They all wanted to be king." "And they're all gone" " Gone'?" "Dead." "Some were given an impossible assignment." "Others just disappeared." "The last one dates from 12 years ago." "How can that be'?" "Why don't I know this?" "People are quick to forget, especially when they're afraid." "Here." "You're old enough to decide for yourself." "As soon as you've submitted it, approach the Press." "Gentlemen, the next item on the agenda." "Here you are." "Gentlemen." "The V\/isser Daily:" "17-year-old wants to be king" "In the V\/isser Daily?" "Do we know anyone there'?" "For the first time in 12 years someone has applied... for the office of king." "It concerns the 17-year-old Stach from V\ﬁss.'" "Stash'?" "Stash'?" "Do we know him'?" "That name..." "Enough chit-chat." "That boy must disappear." "Get lost." "My apologies." "Yes." "Alright, where were we'?" "Where were we'?" "Gervaas?" " Your Excellence'?" "That's your name." "Yes, Your Excellence." "Stach is your nephew, isn't he'?" " Yes, Your Excellence." "Alright, you can go." "Of course, Your Excellence." "You'll hear from me." "Yes, Your Excellence." "Good morning." "In I/lﬁss a 17-year-old boy has applied for the ofﬁce of king." "'The ministers have been in power long enough." "It's time for a change." "Thus the young man from I/lﬁss." "It seems that not only the young are dissatisﬁed with the situation." "Maybe we have to go about this another way." "Older people are also increasingly unhappy with the cabinet's policies." "Mr Stash'?" "You're expected at the palace at noon." "So you want to become king?" "Isn't that why I'm here'?" "My father's'?" " Yes." "What was it like in there'?" " Fun." "What did you talk about'?" " The kingship." "How did the ministers react'?" "Do you consider yourself a serious candidate?" "I am a serious candidate." "I've received five assignments." "This is the first one." "What are those assignments?" " Why do you want to become king?" "Because I was born the night the old king died." "87% of the Katorean people think I won't succeed at my first assignment." "So 13% think I will." "18 million people think I'm going to make it." "18 million." "King E99" "Excuse me, may I..." "Also going to Suindledale?" "Yes." "To write about you, as a journalist for the Katoren Press and a web page." "Did you write this?" "'King E99-'" "Funny." "Did you come up with that'?" "What's your name'?" " Kim." "Well, Kim, go ahead and ask." "What would you like to know'?" "How will you take on your first assignment?" "Well..." "Can't you ask something about me'?" "Why do you think you can solve what others failed at'?" "Others?" "You think you're the first to try to cure the knob noses of Estor-Sione?" "Estor what?" "Estor-Sione?" "The local name of Suindledale?" "You know the language is different there, right'?" "'Ester-Sione is a friendly town in the south of Katoren." "The area used to be plagued by an affliction known as 'knob nose." "But the successful development of a medicine...'" "Medicine?" "But if there's a medicine, what am I supposed to do there?" "So, do you have a headline for your blogs yet'?" "I don't write blogs." "'Crown Prince of Katoren"?" "'Prince Royal of Katoren"?" "Sorry." "Give me some money." "Please, give me some money." "A coin." "Here you go." "Thank you, thank you." "A friendly town'?" "Where are you going to stay?" "That's not what I meant." "Don't get any ideas." "Well, bye now." "I'll see you around." "Can I have your phone number'?" "Then I'll call you when I've done it." "Seriously?" "Strictly business, okay?" "Where did you get my number'?" " Research." "That's called research." "I beg you." "Go on, go away." "No, don't take me away." "Don't take me away, I beg you." "High five." "High five." "You want to film'?" "Yes, very nice." "Two coins." " Two coins'?" "Okay." "One, two." "Thank you." "Thank you." "Children, time to go to school." "Come on." "Okay, thank you." "Hello." "Buongiorno, signore." "Buongiorno." "I'm looking for..." "I'm looking for the town hall." "The city house." "City hall." "There is no city hall here." "No city hall" " No'?" "You look like us, but you talk like a Tara." "Let's see if you drink like one of us." "Cheers." "He drinks like a Tara." "I think it's me you need." "I'm the sindaco." "The mayor." "How do you do." "Lanzo." "How-do-you-do-Lanzo." "Stach." "Stach?" "I don't understand." "I was sent here by the ministry." "Look, here it is." "'Relieve all of Swindledale's residents of their knob noses" "'Relieve all of Swindledale's residents...' All of them?" "Tutti?" "You'll never be able to, of course Or are you very rich?" "Watch out, a mosquito." "Or do you also want a potato nose?" "Come." "Look, don't hold it against me." "How are you'?" "Everything alright'?" "Doing okay?" "I don't understand why on earth they send..." "Me." "Someone..." "No, sorry." "Come, come here." "That's not what I meant." "Ina, look who's here." "Stach." "Stach, this is Ina, my wife." "How do you do." "Come." "Sorry." "Listen..." "Rosemary." "Basil." "Yes." "Pretty girl." "Yes, that's my daughter." "Thank you." "What is this?" "Urtica dioica." "Urtica..." "Dioica." "Stinging nettle." "Never tasted it'?" "It's delicious with pasta with spinach and cheese." "And it's good for foruncolo." "Foruncolo?" "Yes, foruncolo." "Pimples." "Can you tell me more about those mosquitoes?" "Yes." "They're the cause of all our problems." "We've tried everything, filling up the marsh, poison." "Nothing works." "And that medicine?" " Yes, that..." "Forgive my wife." "Our daughter is ill and... and it's very hard for her." "No, come, we have a guest." "Come here." "Pull yourself together." "I'm cold." "Yes, it's cold." "Come here." "Wait, I have something." "Here." "Now look at that." "There." "Buongiorno." "Ciao, Maria." "How are you doing?" "Your nose is getting better, isn't it'?" "Come, give me a nice smile." "She's Sarah's daughter." "Se non hai pi!" ") niente da perdere, non ti resta che vincere." "If you have nothing left to lose all you can do is win." "What is that up there?" "That's where the Taras live." "This is where we have to be." "Buongiorno." "Buongiorno." "Hey, Kim." "Buongiorno, signori." "A Party tonight?" "Party?" "Wait here." "Okay." "Come with us." " What's the matter'?" "What did I do'?" "Hold on." "Let go of me." "Excuse me..." "Stay calm." "Perché?" "Let go of me." "Lanzo, Lanzo." "No, wait." "Go away." "Let go of me." "He's with me." "He's here with me." "I can ask my uncle for money for the medicine." "For Isabella." "But boy, you've seen what it costs." "I don't even make that much in a year." "And then you only get a small jar." "Have you ever been inside?" " Of course not, it's only for Taras." "Why would you want to go there'?" "Hey, aren't you staying?" "The c|oakroom's downstairs." "To the formula." "To Rinomal." "To Rinomal." "To Rinomal." "Comrades, friends, welcome." "It's been another good week." "You've worked hard." "As our former colleague Sin Pharma used to say:" "'It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it" "However, there are people who say Those Taras have too much money" "Urtica dioica." "Stinging nettle." "Urtica dioica." "It's good for foruncolo." "Where did that come from'?" " There." "Upstairs, guys." "Get him." "Freeze." "This way." "He's upstairs." "Lanzo, open up." "Please, I need your help." "Run." "I have to talk to your wife." "Come." "Well, well, well." "Look who we have here." "Our brave hero." "Here." "You've been deceived." "Listen to this young man." "You've all been deceived." "Look, we made it ourselves." "The medicine." "V\ﬁth plants that grow everywhere here." "In other words, for free" " It's free." "We tested it on the nose of this girl." "You all know her:" "Miss Katoren." "You've deceived us." "Go away and don't come back." "Get out." "Yes." "Stach for mayor." "Stach for king, king of Katoren." "King of Katoren." "King of Katoren." "King Stach the First?" "King of Katoren." "King of Katoren." "Just call it 'beginner's luck'." "I'm sure that's it." "He won't do it a second time." "beginner's luck" "Are we there yet'?" " Almost." "Did you have a nice nap'?" "Did you type a nice blog?" "How will you handle this assignment?" " I'll see when I get there." "Don't you have any better questions?" " Such as'?" "Say, Stach, how does it feel to be a hero?" "'" "One mission accomplished." "Beginner's luck." "Is there anything you wouldn't do'?" " What's that'?" "If there's anything you wouldn't do." "ls this an interview?" "Never mind." "Jump off the Aloysius Tower" " What'?" "You asked if there was anything I wouldn't do." "Jump off the Aloysius Tower." "I guess because your father tumbled off it." "Sorry." "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that." "Stach." "What'?" "Stach..." "Just let me handle my assignment." "Go write your little article." "Bye." "Ho, young lady." "Stach." "Are you doing okay?" "Welcome, welcome, welcome." "I was afraid I was going to miss you." "I'm the mayor." "It's a real honour." "Just jump on." "Come on, jump on." "Stach comes to Ecumene to stop the churches." "What is it I have to do'?" "What do they mean by stopping the church?" "Churches." "Plural." "We have four of them." "Okay." "Look, right on time." "You just can't stop them." "Tying them up won't work either." "Can you control all four churches from here'?" "If only I could." "The churches move on their own." "No, I can only keep an eye on them here." "I make the timetable." "They'd like to head to the centre all at once, but there's no space." "I'm like a harbour master, only with churches instead of ships." "Sounds like an important task." "Now who's in charge here?" "Turn right." "Turn right." "Turn around." "If there was a place to park, we'd all get a nice spot just outside the town." "Why not here'?" "Right on the town square?" "These people aren't easy." "If they come too close, they're not so nice anymore." "Do they never come together'?" " Only if they have to." "Sorry, Stach, I had to make a call." "Mayoral duties." "Hallo, Daddy." "Hello, Ja'|'r." "Is it a fun game'?" "When will you be home'?" "Honey?" "You're already here." "Why didn't you say so'?" "Honey, this is Stach." "He just arrived" " Hello." "Please don't mind the mess." "If I'd known you were coming, we'd have tidied up a bit, right'?" "In your chair, sweetheart." "Georgie, will you get the cutlery'?" "Jaroby." "Jaroby, the plates." "Put away the paper, dear." "Stach vs churches" "Jamal, sit down." "V\/III you turn off the TV'?" "Put down the paper, dear." "Put down the paper!" "I'm hungry." "Quiet, sweetheart." "Fold your hands." "Lord, we thank You for this food." "We especially thank You for the arrival of..." "Sorry." "Sorry." "Sorry, really." "We trust in You, Lord, to give Stach all the wisdom he needs to help us..." "Alright..." "God, help Stach to stop the moving churches." "Amen." "Amen." "And now let us eat." "I want hotpot." "Can I go first?" "Cool." "What is it'?" " Something I wrote for all the choirs." "It's a dream of mine that one day we'll all sing it together." "It has everything." "Here, on top, the children's choir, the high notes." "Down below the male choir, the low notes." "And in the middle the elderly." "And here our friend Abdel." "Can I visit one of those moving churches?" "Turn left." "Take the next exit left." "Turn left." "Take the third exit left." "Dear congregation, welcome." "In front of you you'll find my new composition... written for all the choirs of Ecumene." "But what I would really like... is if we were to sing it all together on the town square forjust one time." "Keep to the right." "Sobriety." "What'?" " Sobriety." "Turn right." "All those melody lines." "I like those melodies." "But it could all be a bit lighter." "We have to celebrate our faith." "Our faith?" "We're here with more..." "Let's not talk about your singing." "No one understands a word of it." "As for the rest, I don't like it at all." "Look, those notes down here." "I don't approve." "No, I'm not going to sing this." "Listen, I can change this to major." "Yes, major." "Neither of the two." "Neither of the two'?" "Minor." "No, major." "Neither of the two." "A nice gathering, isn't it'?" "Do as you like." "My men won't sing this nonsense." "What'?" " My men won't sing this nonsense." "It sounds terrible." "Just listen." "Nice assignment." "If anything can stop them, it's the churches themselves." "That's right." "Nobody will go along with this." "All those choirs singing at once" " Isn't that what you want'?" "You heard how they felt about it" " They all liked something." "Look." "Up here, the high notes." "The children's choir." "Down here, the low notes." "In the middle, the elderly." "And then our friend Abdel." "Easy, rig ht'?" "Notes." "Jamal, this has to go to the wooden church." "Sir'?" " Take the left exit." "Go straight ahead." "Please." "Okay, thank you." "Take your positions." "I'll just do the navigation myself." "Turn right at the next exit." "Then turn left." "Turn right at the next exit." "After 200 metres, go straight ahead." "Turn right." "Don't they have to turn left?" " Left and then straight ahead." "Is that going okay?" " Yes." "Is Ja'l'r here'?" "Turn right." "Turn left." "Right." "Left." "Go straight at the next crossing." "Somethings going wrong here." "Keep singing, kids." "I think you should turn left." "We're near the square, so I think right." "Ja'l'r, where were you'?" "Help, it's entering the square." "I have to do something." "To the left, and now I go..." "To the right." "A miracle has taken place." "We've come to a stop." "Hallelujah." "17-year-old Stach from I/lﬁss..." "I think I've had enough of this." "It isn't going as planned." "And now'?" "He miraculously managed..." "A new assignment, of course." "Gentlemen, I may have a suggestion for the third assignment." "That kid clearly has capabilities." "Maybe it's time to make more use of those capabilities for our own benefit." "Stach's third assignment:" "kill the dragon of Smock" "Stop, stop, STOP" "Who are you'?" " I'm Stach." "I'm Stach." "I'm here for the dragon." "I want to become king." "I'll show you." "Sorry, but you must admit, it's a ridiculous story." "I'm Janus, pleased to meet you." "Hurry up and get in." "On that side." "Fasten your seatbelts." "Here we go." "Does anyone still live here'?" "What are you doing here'?" " I live here." "No, I mean here in Smock." "They dumped me here." "Who did'?" "The ministers." "They thought I was too troublesome." "What did you do'?" " Nothing." "My job, that's all." "Outside is a trailer with a mattress." "You can sleep there." "Good night, kid." "You used to be able to see the flags of Eltoren from here." "And at that watchtower over there the enclosure of the marsh begins." "And behind it, everything... dragon." "That fence has to stop the dragon?" " Yep." "You want to see it, right'?" "So once again, don't touch any waste, don't make noise... and stay behind the fence, okay?" "Have fun." "Putting my life at risk..." "I'm now in the swamp of Smock." "Nature at its finest." "Very appealing." "Everything looks beautiful." "Okay, no violent dragons." "Nothing but waste and barrels." "No signs of a dragon." "New infrared satellite images conﬁrm that the dragon of Smook is still there." "Everything seems to suggest that the young Stach hasn't been able... to fulﬁll the third assignment." "For the last 24 hours... there has been no sign of life from our young contestant for the throne." "The worst is being feared." "Idiot." "That whole swamp was moving." "That wasn't a normal dragon" " What did you expect'?" "A big, green, fire-breathing dragon?" "V\/nth wings?" "And where have you been'?" " I arrived yesterday." "Everyone thinks the dragon got hold of you." "I was in V\ﬁss." "Lie down." "Is it broken'?" " Huh'?" "No, but there's always room for improvement." "It keeps me off the street." "Well, young lady, I've taken a look at that journalism of yours." "'King Egg.' What I don't understand is whose side you're really on." "What he did in the swamp was very stupid." "But I know he did very good things in Slvindledale and Ecumene." "Here." "You wrote this, right'?" "Here." "The noses." "Beginners luck" "Here, and this one." "Look." "'King of Hangovers.' You wrote that." "You call yourself a journalist'?" "This isn'tjournalism, young lady." "What do you know about that'?" "I happen to work for the Katoren Press." "The Katoren Press?" "Yes, what do I know about that'?" "Stash'?" "Here." "Are you doing okay?" "Stach, I have to tell you something." "Take a look." "Janus wrote all this." "Janus'?" "Really?" "'Ministry denies plans for war.' -'Eltoreans illegitimately deported" "Corruption within the ministry." "'When will we get a new king?" "It's all from over 15 years ago. 'By our editor-in-chief Janus Kaminsky." "Editor-in-chief." "No wonder they dumped him here." "All critical articles about corruption, war plans, deception." "'Another contestant for the throne missing" "There he is." "You were editor-in-chief of the Katoren Press." "Well." "Taken a stab at the archives?" "Yes, that's correct." "When Katoren was still a proud country." "When Smock was still a brilliant city." "You see that factory?" "Firework was made there." "All the firework came from here." "The old king was crazy about it." "As if thousands of flowers in a thousand different colours... all burst from their buds at once with a huge bang, colouring the sky." "And all Katoren loved it." "And then there'd be dancing and singing as if there was no tomorrow." "That was my dose of melancholy for today." "What are you here for'?" "You were editor-in-chief." "So what?" "I wondered what it was like back then." "Katoren Press, journalism and all that." "Journalism and all that." "And you want to be a journalist?" "Sit down." "Alright, start the interview." "Yes'?" "Stach, do you want her to write about your smile or about your mission?" "But my things..." "My voice recorder, I need a voice recorder." "Here, your voice recorder." "Write Yes, go ahead." "Why do you want to become king?" " Why don't you ask:" "How's your head'?" "How's your head'?" "Very well." "Just great." "Except for a slight concussion and the loss of a piece of eyebrow." "Nice of you to ask." "Stach's becoming your friend now." "That's how easy it is." "Next question." "How will you defeat the dragon?" " Why not ask about his eyebrow'?" "The reader doesn't have a clue." "Go on." "Stach." "Yes." "Can you tell us what happened'?" "I was exploring the swamp of Smock." "And then that beast grabbed me." "Right, right." "Come, now you." "I was very stupid." "Someone gave me advice, but I didn't listen." "It was my own fault." "That's very honest of you." "Go on." "Do you think it's an important quality for a king to be honest?" "Yes, absolutely." "I thought it was so wonderful." "The music, and when they yelled my name at the feast." "Everybody was so happy." "Yes." "So why do you want to become king?" " Yes." "Well, that." "King Stach." "King Stach." "You heard them, right'?" "The girl with the knob nose, the whole village." "It just felt so good to be able to help Weren't those Taras just awful'?" "And those people in Ecumene wasn't that bizarre'?" "They could all sing, but listen to each other..." "No way." "It's bringing people together, really." "I don't know if that answers your question." "This was an exclusive interview by our reporter Kim in Smock, Katoren." "There you go." "That was very good." "What's that?" " That's the old national anthem." "The ministers banned it years ago." "from Decibel to Scaffoldwood from Weapenfield to \/Wss the kingdom of Katoren will always remain dear to me a king for his people a people so proud and brave to Katoren I'll stay true" "Stach, I will help you get rid of the monster." "But it's quite a problem, as it's not just any assignment." "You see, kid, the dragon is the only obstacle... that keeps the ministers from invading Eltoren." "Invading Eltoren?" " Yes, kid." "War." "It's been their aim ever since the king died." "Okay, hold on." "So I kill the dragon and there will be war'?" "Yes." "The only way to prevent it is... a new king." "Ladies and gentlemen, the firework factory." "The Ministry of War thought the dragon could be destroyed from outside... by dropping loads of bombs on it, but that doesn't help at all, of course." "We can only destroy the beast from inside." "We'll put all the gunpowder we have in the things the dragon likes... and then we'll go and destroy it." "Have you finished the interview?" "I'm almost done." "If you want me to review it..." "Yes, I'd like that." "Yes." "What'?" " Nothing." "Journalists' shoptalk." "Well, kid." "So'?" "Everything in the car'?" "Yes." "We have to figure out what the best way is to feed the stuff to the dragon." "Here, look." "Two flares and a flare gun." "Just in case." "You have to shoot it straight in its mouth." "Yes, got it'?" "Good." "How will we get the stuff in the swamp?" " As I said, we'll see tomorrow." "Good night, kid." "Stach." "Janus is gone." "He left with the truck, Stach." "Stach, I have to tell you something." "I did something very stupid." "Don't worry." "Janus." "Janus." "Hush, don't make any noise" " What did you do'?" "This was the only way." "He's eaten all of it." "I'm stuck." "Just leave me here." "The dragon has to go and you'll become king." "Here, kid." "Don't." "Go, before he wakes up." "And that girl Kim..." "That Kim is okay." "Now move." "Go on, kid." "The first troops will be in position tomorrow." "Once it's been confirmed, our first infantry will cross the border." "Here, look." "The V\/isser Daily:" "Stach does it again" "And the Gazette:" "Stach defeats the dragon" "Here, one about your next assignment 'Stash ready for Pantaar.'" "Are you okay?" "How's your story coming along?" "It's done." "Want to read it'?" "Do you have a headline yet'?" "'Janus Kaminsky, Hero of Katoren" "What's the matter'?" "I'm not a journalist." "I mean, I'm a trainee." "You're a trainee." "Oh, that's terrible." "Are you okay?" "How dare you'?" "I always wanted to become a journalist." "So when my father told me he could arrange a job at the Katoren Press..." "You know what I mean'?" " Nice father." "No." "That nice father... is the Minister of Policy." "That text message to the Taras." "That was me." "First he asked me to keep the ministry up to date." "Then..." "I wanted to tell you everything." "Really, but I..." "So all that time you..." "I don't get it." "You..." "But you don't understand." "My..." "Stop." "Stop." "I don't want to hear you." "Stach, please." "Shut your mouth." "I don't want to see you ever again." "Stach, Stach." "Stach, open up, please." "Let me explain." "Open the door." "Please, Stach." "Hello, I'm looking for the mayor." "Come in." "Rucksack under the coat-rack, please." "Here." "A letter for the ministers." "I'm Stach, from V\ﬁss." "I know who you are." "I know why you're here." "Pantaar." " What did you say'?" "You're here for Pantaar, aren't you'?" " Yes, exactly." "That's what it said." "Free the people of Equilibria from Pantaar.'" "No idea what that means, but I'm sure you can tell me." "Take the letter and go." "I don't want to make use of your service." "It's all in there." "The ministers will have to give you another assignment." "Why?" "Am I not making myself clear'?" " Yes, but..." "The last boat has already left." "You can stay for the night." "Forget Pantaar." "At a specially convened press conference the cabinet declared... that it's very concerned about the situation at the Eltorean border." "'Nobody wants war, of course, ' the Minister of Policy emphasized" "'But we have to take the information of our intelligence service seriously." "Good morning." "You haven't made it gemllitlicher in Katoren by slaying that dragon." "consul of Eltoren expelled" "Don't worry, I don't think it will really come to war." "Is there anything else I can do for you'?" "The first boat leaves in two hours." "That Pantaar... what does he do exactly?" "I have to go." "Don't forget the letter to the ministers." "Page three, top right corner." "minister's daughter home again" "Today I saw this lady..." "Do you know Rafenburg Street?" "Straight ahead to the right." "She was confused." "I think that's the right term." "She's always like that." "My neighbour warned me: 'Take a normal dog, like everyone else." "But no, I had to get a pedigree dog." "She just stayed inside." "How can I love an ordinary dog'?" "Of course." "That's how she is." "My Fréulein." "It wasn't enough." "He wanted something of value." "Then I called her dog 'Fru||ie'." "Frullie?" "I'm sorry Frullie..." "Frullie?" "Fréulein." "Fréulein has been taken by Pantaar?" "How dare you mention that name!" "Go away." "What's the matter'?" "He'll suddenly be at your door and ask for a charity, a donation." "It can be anything." "A heirloom, a photo album." "Or a dog." "He'll weigh it, and sometimes take it and disappear." "But sometimes he'll shake his head and take something else." "Something else?" "23 years ago the doorbell rang." "My husband opened the door." "And there stood Pantaar with his hollow eyes." "My husband offered him his stamp collection." "But he shook his head and went upstairs... and took our eight-year-old daughter." "And when my husband tried to stop him..." "He's a monster, Stach." "A monster." "No, not the dog." "This was two weeks ago, a few blocks from here." "No, take my dog, not my wife." "No, not my wife." "Stay here." "Please, don't." "I'm going." "No, please don't go with him." "Stay here." "Stay here, woman." "No." "Enough." "ls that man..." "Dead, yes." "This is what he does, Stach." "Good morning." "What time is it'?" " Ten-thirty." "I figured I'd let you sleep." "Thank you." "This was delivered this morning." "From your girlfriend?" "Why aren't you afraid of Pantaar?" "I have nothing left to lose." "If you have nothing to lose, all you can do is win." "You have a lot to lose if you stay here any longer." "You can't defeat Pantaar." "I won't leave till I've freed this town from that monster." "'In the last few days a massive contingent of troops" "The Katorean army has been fully mobilized." "An enormous contingent... assignment too hard..." "Let's attack." "Pantaar." "What's the matter'?" "Is it the girl?" " I just don't know anymore." "I just don't know anymore." "Should I..." "I don't know where he'll turn up, and even if I did..." "Why don't you open those letters?" "I don't care what they say." "A donation, please." "I don't have anything left." "You've already taken everything dear to me." "No." "Oh God, no, not the boy." "I beg you, no." "I'm coming." "No." "It's alright." "No." "Please." "It's the only way." "No." "Shall I cycle for a while?" "Ich, fahrraden." "Yes'?" "Me get on and fahrraden Cycle, okay?" "Please don't that." "You want me to go into the fire'?" "Why'?" "Please, wait." "I want to know who you are." "No, please, wait." "I want to know why you do this." "What is this fire for'?" "Why all those sacrifices?" "Sacrifices." "The fire requires sacrifices." "Sacrifices?" "Why'?" " No sacrifices, Equilibria..." "Viﬁthout sacrifices, Equilibria will be destroyed." "When the fire is hungry, it needs a sacrifice." "Again and again." "Why don't you just tell the people?" "I'm sure they'll..." "Voluntary sacrifices, real sacrifices, things of value..." "No, my dear boy, people are selfish." "It's always me, me, me." "Is there no other way'?" " A voluntary leap." "You mean that I..." "A voluntary leap... and all will be over" " Forever'?" "Exactly as I thought." "Just like all the others." "A good king will do anything for his people." "War." "If I jump, I won't become king and there will be war." "And it will be my fault." "But I don't know what else to do." "What would you do'?" "I just hope the rest of Katoren will forgive me." "You're making a mistake." "Katoren needs a new king, and you are that king." "Oh fire, accept my sacrifice." "War" "Protected by our efﬁcient air force, our army has invaded Eltoren." "Kim, what are you doing here'?" " Dad, I have to talk to you." "This isn't right." "I've told you before, this is best for Katoren." "You know it." "One king for such a large country is absurd." "You know it." "You've been writing about Katoren since you were this height." "I don't know anything." "Nothing you've ever told me is true." "What I do know is that the Taras were no do-gooders but crooks." "And I do know that you sent me out to spy on Stach." "To blacken his name, to sabotage his efforts." "Kim, I know you're upset." "Just go home." "We'll talk about it this evening, okay?" "Little Kimmie." "This morning the Katorean army, with overwhelming military force... launched an all-out preventive invasion of Eltoren." "This operation, which is called 'Operation Eldora do '... makes use of the so-called 'sledgehammer strategy'." "It is designed to force the enemy to his knees as quickly as possible." "And it entails the attack from both air and land on various strategic targets." "Look who we have here." "Our globetrotter." "Have a seat, kid." "Congratulations." "Four assignments successfully completed." "Wonderful." "Let's get this over with." "Your last assignment." "But this is..." "Tomorrow." "Suicide." "Funny." "But it was your own idea." "Kim." "Stay away from my daughter." "Stach." "Gervaas." "I've missed you, man." "Very touching." "But preferably in the hallway, Gervaas." "Of course, Your Excellence." "Come." " No one will swallow this." "I'm going to the Press." "Deploying the latest generation of smart bombs, the ministry reckons..." "What happened'?" "They want me to jump off the tower" " What'?" "I'm not crazy." "How can they..." "They can't..." "Of course you won't do that." "Out of the question." "Calm down." "Just go on home." "I'll be there shortly." "Go on." "And shave." "How could she do that?" "Why would she have done that?" "The Aloysius Tower." "The bastards." "The Katorean navy is supporting the ground forces with missile attacks." "The Aloysius Tower." "What made them think of it'?" "Mr Gervaas, it's about Stach." "I need your help." "For he's a jolly good fellow for he's a jolly good fellow" "Happy birthday." "You didn't forget your birthday did you'?" "Come on." "I'm going down to the square Are you coming'?" "You've done your best." "You did all you can." "You came further than anyone could have dreamed." "I want you to know I'm proud of you." "And your parents would have been too." "Proud?" "Of what'?" "I've plunged Katoren into war." "The ministry did that." "Isn't it wonderful that on a day like this... on your 18th birthday, on the day the old king died... and that of your father and mother, and with a war at hand..." "As if it was meant to be." "Yo, Stach." "Huh'?" "What are you doing here'?" "Am I too early?" " Right on time." "What's this all about'?" " We got your message." "We got your message." "You sent us a message." "Didn't you send it'?" "Come to \/Wss and bring pillows along!" "Kim." "After the other assignments this should be peanuts to you." "I wouldn't call it peanuts." "It's pretty high." "So it'll be quite daunting to jump all the way down." "Look for yourself." "Should the enemy..." "Turn on the television." "Go on." "I..." "What is this?" "Is this live'?" " Yes." "I'm going up." "Stach, Stach." "Dad, Dad." "Stop." "Let her go." "Dad, Dad." "Away with those bastards." "King Stach, King Stach, King Stach." "What are you doing here'?" " Stop this." "What are you doing here?" "Go home." "Stop this." "Get out of the way." "King Stach, King Stach." "Listen, Kim, go on home." "King Stach, King Stach." "Stach is up in the tower." "He doesn't know the army is here." "Dad, please." "Stach." "Go home." "Please, call them back." "Go home, Kim." "Dad." "You always told me you wanted what was best for Katoren." "Kim, this is necessary." "That the people needed you." "That the country needed you." "Go home, Kim." "This country has to be governed and this is the only way." "Go home." "He doesn't know the pillows are gone, Dad." "from Decibel to Scaffoldwood from Weapenfield to \/Wss the kingdom of Katoren will always remain dear to me from farm hand to landowner" "The whole country is here today." "everyone rejoices to have gained a king that can be trusted so devoted and willing to sacrifice" "Take action." "People have come from all over Katoren, and do you know why'?" "a people so proud and brave" "Listen to them." "To Katoren I'll stay true until I die" "Just listen to them." "Stach." "Are you going to take action or what?" "Hello, I said 'take action' That's an order." "That's an order." "That's an order." "Stach, Stach." "Stach, areal king will do anything for his people." "I'm sorry." "I hadn't yet..." "Stach, Stach." "Stach, you did it, man." "You did it, you did it."