Zeljko Hubač

CLOSER TO THE SKY

 

1. EXT. THE YARD OF THE HOSPITAL. – THE NIGHT

A yard of the hospital in neuropsychiatry clinic in Donja Toponica, near Nis. The yard of the hospital is surrounded  by two-storied houses with dilapidated facades. It’s the night, the full moon and the plenty of stars. It’s cold and it’s winter. The snow covered the yard and the roofs of surrounding houses. The cold wind is blowing. Trajche, a 30-year old Gypsy, dressed in the hospital pajamas over which he put on a brown woolen waistcoat, is standing in the yard. He has a hat on his head. Trajche is a short and stout man, with big eyes. He is hopping at the same place. Avdika, a 25-year old Gypsy woman dressed in a fabric skirt, is coming from the other part of the yard, walking quickly. She is wearing a top part of pajamas, and a motley woven waistcoat over it. She has a colorful shaw on her head. Avdika is of middle height, extremely skinny and a little hunchbacked. She is hiding a bottle of  rakija under her waistcoat.

TRAJCHE:
FUCKING NUTS, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, I STIFFENED     WITH  HOPPING.
AVDIKA:
I HAD TO WAIT FOR ZUTA.
TRAJCHE:
GIVE IT HERE.

Avdika is giving the bottle to Trajche. He drinks a sip and shivers from cold.

TRAJCHE:
I AM SO COLD THAT I EVEN CANNOT FEEL RAKIJA ANY MORE.
AVDIKA:
HAVE YOU BROUGHT THE MONEY FOR THE CIGARS?
TRAJCHE:
I HAVE.

Trajche is taking the money out of his pocket, shivers once more from the cold, and the money falls out of his hands. Avdika stooped down to get the money. And he stooped down with her.

AVDIKA:
ARE YOU COLD?     
TRAJCHE:
NO, I AM SHIVERING ‘CAUSE I WANT TO.
AVDIKA:
DO YOU WANT ME TO GIVE YOU A WAISTCOAT?
TRAJCHE:
YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE ME YOUR WAISTCOAT, AND YOU ARE ALL FLESH AND BONE.
AVDIKA:
I’VE STARTED TO EAT.
TRAJCHE:
HOW DO YOU DO IT WHEN I’M WITH YOU IN THE DINING ROOM AND I WATCH YOU LOOSING YOU WEIGHT.    

AVDIKA:
I’VE EATEN IN MY ROOM.

TRAJCHE:
YOU WILL GET A SPANKING FIRST! GO NOW, BUT DON’T FORGET CIGARS TOMORROW MORNING.

Trajche starts to leave, but Avdika takes him by his hand.

AVDIKA:
TRAJCHE...
TRAJCHE:
WHAT NOW, AVDIKA, I WILL DIE FROM COLD, FOR GOD’S SAKE!
AVDIKA:
LOOK AT THE SKY.
TRAJCHE:
WHAT SKY?
AVDIKA:
IT’S THE FOOL MOON.
TRAJCHE:
IF YOU ARE SENSIBLE NOW, MAY GOD KILL ME.
AVDIKA:
COME ON, HUG ME.
TRAJCHE:
GO TO YOUR ROOM. IT’S COLD!
AVDIKA:
HUG ME.

Trajche hesitates for a moment. Then he comes closer to Avdika and hugs her. She tenderly leans on him.

TRAJCHE:
YOU ARE CRAZY, BUT I AM TOO. IF SOMEBODY HAVE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HUG AND BABBLE WITH WOMEN ON SNOW INSTEAD OF BEING HOME WITH SONS NEAR HEARTH...
AVDIKA:
TRAJCHE...

Avdika caresses him by his face. He feels embarrassed. It pleases him, but he feels as
if everybody were looking at him.

TRAJCHE:
COME ON, DON’T EXAGGERATE. WE ARE OUTSIDE, SOMEONE WILL SEE US.

Trajche moves her hand from his face. He is still holding her strong. They are looking at each other.

AVDIKA:
I WAS THINKING...
TRAJCHE:
WHAT DO YOU WANT NOW, TELL ME?
AVDIKA:
LET’S GET AWAY FROM HERE.
TRAJCHE:
YOU, YOU WILL KILL ME. YOU WANT TO GET AWAY. IF POLICE CATCH YOU THEY WILL RETURN YOU HERE, BUT WHAT ABOUT ME? YOU GET AWAY, DON’T BE CRAZY, COME TO US TO ROOM AND BOARD.
AVDIKA:
WELL, I WAS THINKING, YOU AND ME, TOGETHER, YOU KNOW...
TRAJCHE:
IF YOU WERE REALLY THINKING, YOU WOULD NOT TELL ME THAT. AND LET’S GO TO THE ROOM, FINALLY, I AM ALL- ASLEEP, WE NEED TO GET UP EARLY TOMORROW FOR BREAKFAST...COME ON.

Whizzing of the wind overpowers Trajche’s voice.


2.EXT. ENT. THE ROOM IN THE HOSPITAL, PANORAMA – THE NIGHT

Bojan, 17-year old boy, tall, thin, with unruly blue hair, is wearing pajamas. He is looking out of the window on a field covered with snow. Behind the field there are city lights on whose warmth the snow is falling. The wind is whizzing. He is putting his Walkman receivers on his ears. It’s the total silence. He is still longingly looking out of the window.
(Growing dark)

ON THE BLACK BACKGROUND, THE TITLE OF A TV DRAMA ‘89, WRITTEN WITH WHITE LETTERS.
(Growing light)

3. ENT. THE ROOM IN THE HOSPITAL – THE NIGHT

The room in the hospital is not so comfortable. The walls are half painted in blue colored oil paint, and half- painted in white. The walls and the sealing are already yellow from smoke. There are five beds in the room, three on one side of it, and two on the other. Those two are placed one on the other. Agent Prokic is sleeping in the upper bed, and Bojan is sleeping on the lower bed. There are two windows in the room, one is with bars on it, and the other, without bars, is slightly hidden behind very old, black and white TV, made in Electronic Industry in Nis. In one corner of the room is worn out table with oilcloth over it and with only three chairs around it. The metal night drawer, paint in white, is near each bed. A hot plate is on a drawer that is placed near the front door. There is a slogan on the wall above the TV: “Lonely man becomes troubled man, troubled man stays lonely man!” Gute, too soon 50-year old man with deep wrinkles from alcohol, with collected poems by Djura Jaksic and eyeglasses which he put on the night drawer, is also sleeping in the room. In the mere corner of the room, near Gute’s bed, is a wooden hanger on which his fine patterned dressing gown is hanged. The other two beds are empty, one with bed sheets on it, and the other without it. The room is partially enlightened with yard light coming from the pole across the window, behind the TV. Trajche appears on the window. He is trying to come in, but the window is closed. He is banging at it.

TRAJCHE (from the outside):
BATA GUTE, HEY, BATA GUTE, ARE YOU DEAF?

Gute stands up from the bed, approaches the window and opens it.

GUTE:
I’M NOT DEAF, I’M SLEEPING.
TRAJCHE:
DID AGENT CLOSE THE WINDOW? MAY HE DROP DEAD! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD HIM TO OPEN IT WHEN I’M GOING FOR A PURCHASE?
GUTE:
CLOSE THAT WINDOW AND GO TO SLEEP. I WANT TO SLEEP.
TRAJCHE:
OH, BATA GUTE, IT’S SO COLD OUTSIDE.

Trajche closes the window, approaches the Gute’s bed and sit on it.

GUTE:
WHAT NOW?
TRAJCHE (taking the bottle out):
LOOK AT IT, IT’S REAL BOMB.

Gute’s eyes starts to glow. He takes the bottle, opens it and smells the rakija.

GUTE:
WHOSE IT IS?
TRAJCHE:
MY GRANDMOTHER MADE IT.
GUTE:
GYPSY’S GID.
TRAJCHE:
IT’S NOT GID, MY GRANDMOTHER IS FROM GORNJA MALA. THE RAKIJA IS AS CLEAN AS A TEAR, LOOK HOW IT FOAMS.
GUTE:
HOW MUCH DO YOU ASK FOR IT?
TRAJCHE:
FIVE BOXES OF MARLLBORO.
GUTE:
HOW MUCH?
TRAJCHE:
BATA GUTE, IT’S A PURE RAKIJA. YOU DRINK IT AND IT HEALS YOUR SOUL, I SWEAR TO MY GRANDMOTHER'S EYES.
GUTE:
HERE YOU ARE THREE BOXES.
TRAJCHE:
OH, COME ON, SUCH RAKIJA FOR THREE BOXES.
GUTE:
IT’S ENOUGH, HERE, HAVE A DRINK.

Trajche drinks a sip.

TRAJCHE:
OOOOH, GOOD. I GAVE YOU THE RAKIJA FOR FREE. GIVE ME A CIGAR.
GUTE:
EH, YOU GYPSY, I GAVE YOU CIGARS AND YOU ARE STILL SPONGING OFF ME.
TRAJCHE:
IT’S A SHAME TO OPEN IT YET, IT’S HARD PACKAGE.

Gute gives a cigarette to Trajche. He takes one for himself, too. They light the cigarettes. Agent Prokic, age 35, rude, toothless and pale, rises from the bed.  

PROKIC:
DO YOU KNOW THAT IT IS NOT ALLOWED TO SMOKE AND DRINK IN THE ROOM?
TRAJCHE:
MR CHIEF, DON’T EAT SHIT.

PROKIC:
I WILL TELL EVERYTHING TO THE HEAD SECTION TOMORROW MORNING!
TRAJCHE:
YOU WILL TELL HIM BUT I’M NOT SURE IN WHAT MORNING YOU WILL SEE HIM.

Prokic stands up and takes the book of duty under the bed.

PROKIC:
I’LL WRITE YOU NAME HERE.
TRAJCHE:
WHAT DO YOU WANT? IF YOU ARE CHIEF,  YOU ARE NOT GOD.
PROKIC:
I AM GOD FOR YOU.
TRAJCHE (TO GUTE):
HEY, THIS MORON IS CRAZY.
PROKIC:
WHO IS CRAZY? WHO?
TRAJCHE:
THAT MAN WHO PISSES IN HIS BED.

Prokic covers his bed with a blanket.

PROKIC:
RETURN ME MY CIGARS YOU OWE ME!

Trajche throws cigars he got from Gute on the table. Prokic takes them.

TRAJCHE:
HERE YOU ARE YOUR CIGARS! SMOKE THEM UNTIL YOU DIE; I WISH YOU NEVER TO GET OUT FROM THE INSANE ASYLUM!
PROKIC:
WHEN MASHA READ THIS IN THE MORNING, SHE WILL BREAK YOUR BONES.
TRAJCHE:
YOU AND MASHA CAN DISGUISE WITH THAT BOOK.

Bojan is fidgeting in his bed.

BOJAN (half asleep):
I DON’T WANT TO BE OPERATED! I DON’T!
GUTE:
QUIET, YOU WILL WAKE UP BOJAN.
TRAJCHE:
DON’T WORRY ABOUT HIM, BATA GUTE. HE HAS RECEIVERS ON, EVEN CANNONS CAN FIRE NEAR HIM. HERE, LOOK.

Trajche approaches Bojan. He has Walkman receivers on his head. Trajche is whistling, slapping his hands.

TRAJCHE:
HE CAN’T HERE ANYTHING. HE IS SOUND ASLEEP, AS IF HE WERE DEAD, GOD FORBID.
GUTE:
LEAVE THE CHILD ALONE, YOU SATAN!

Steps are heard down the corridor.

PROKIC:
MASHA’S COMING! TO BED, QUICKLY! THROW AWAY THE CIGARS AND MOVE THAT GID!
TRAJCHE:
IT’S NOT GID, MY GRANDM...
PROKIC:
ENOUGH!

They lie in beds. A male nurse, Masha, and nurse, Dara, his wife, are coming into the room. He has moustache, and he is short and rude. He is black hared and about 50 years old. Dara is 35, blond, slender, and gaudy provocative. She is carrying the clean bed sheets.

MASHA:
THERE IS ONE EMPTY BED HERE.
DARA:
SHALL WE PUT HIM HERE?


MASHA:
HERE, HERE, WITH THESE ASLEEP ONES.  TRAJCHE, ARE YOU SLEEPING?
TRAJCHE:
I AM.
MASHA:
AND WHERE IS THE BOMB?
TRAJCHE:
HOW COULD I KNOW WHEN I’M SLEEPING?
MASHA:
I CAN WAKE YOU UP!
TRAJCHE:
IF YOU WANT TO WAKE ME UP, THEN IT IS IN BATA GUTE’S CLOSET.

Masha opens Gute’s drawer and takes out the bottle of rakija. In the meantime, Dara is making the empty bed.

TRAJCHE:
MASHA, DON’T DRINK EVERYTHING.
MASHA:
IT’S A CONFIDENCE TAX.
PROKIC:
TAKE IT TO THEM, TAKE IT!
MASHA:
YOU, BE QUIET!

Masha drinks from the bottle, wipes his mouth with his hand. He looks at them.

MASHA:
I’VE COME, GENTLEMEN, TO TELL YOU VERY UNPLEASANT NEWS:
YOUR COLLEGE IS COMING.
TRAJCHE:
DOES HE SNORE?
MASHA:
DOES HE SNORE? WAIT FOR ME TO PREPARE HIM AT THE RECEIVING WARD, AND THEN YOU TRY OUT HIS MUSIC.
DARA:
LET’S GO, MASHA. AND YOU, CONTINUE TO SLEEP BUT WITHOUT NOISE.

Masha and Dara go out. Trajche waits them to move away and then jumps out of bed. He shouts after Masha.

TRAJCHE:
MASHA, MASHA! I WISH THAT YOU FOUND OUT THAT DOCTORS ARE FUCKING YOUR WIFE!
PROKIC:
WHY DON’T YOU TELL IT IN HIS FACE?

TRAJCHE:
WELL, THEN I’LL BE COLLECTING MY KIDNEYS ON THE FLOOR. IT IS THE FIFTH DAY THAT DARA IS WORKING ON THE MEN DEPARTMENT.
PROKIC:
IT SEEMS THAT MASHA IS CONTROLLING HER.
TRAJCHE:
WELL, THAT WILL BE HARD. YOU WILL SEE TONIGHT IN A NIGHT SHIFT.
PROKIC:
IN NIGHTS, SHE IS ON DUTY IN WOMEN DEPARTMENT, FAR AWAY FROM THE HEAD SECTION.
TRAJCHE:
NOTHING IS FAR AWAY FROM HER WHEN HER ‘THING’ IS ITCHING.

An ambulance car is heard from outside. Trajche and Prokic run toward the window.

4.EXT. ENT. THE YARD, THE ROOM IN THE HOSPITAL- THE NIGHT

Trajche and Prokic look out of the window. The ambulance car is in the yard. A stout man, about 50 years old ,with black hair and neatly cut beard and moustaches, is being taking  out of the car. The medical staff is waiting for the nurses with wheelchair. The driver is blowing a horn.

PROKIC:
THIS MUST BE THE NEW ONE.
TRAJCHE:
ONE HUNDRED PERCENTS.  HE IS SO BIG, HE MUST HAVE 100 KILOS.
PROKIC:
LOOK AT HIS POINTED BEARD.
TRAJCHE:
BATA GUTE, LOOK AT HIS EYES! BEWITCHING EYES!
GUTE:
LET ME SLEEP, FOR GOD’S SAKE!
PROKIC:
HOW CAN YOU SEE HIS EYES WHEN THEY ARE CLOSED?
TRAJCHE:
HE IS PEEPING! LOOK! GOD FORBID, THIS ONE SNORES FOR THREE MEN. IT CANNOT BE THAT WAY.

Trajche approaches the empty bed and moves it toward the other end of the room, near Prokic’s bed.

PROKIC:
WHAT CANNOT BE THAT WAY? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
TRAJCHE:
I’M MOVING IT NEAR YOU AND THEN THE TWO OF YOU CAN SNORE UNTIL YOU TURN DEAF.
PROKIC:
LEAVE THAT BED WHERE IT BELONGS!
TRAJCHE:
YOU ARE CHIEF; YOU MUST TAKE CARE OF HIM.

Trajche and Prokic are fighting over the bed and either is pushing it on his side. Gute, nervous, stands up, takes the book and eyeglasses from the drawer, goes to the table and sits on the chair.

GUTE:
YOU ARE REALLY IMPOSSIBLE! YOU WOKE ME UP COMPLETELY! WHAT HAVE I DONE?
WRONG TO GOD WHEN HE SENTENCED ME TO YOU TWO? I CANNOT UNDERSTAND. IF I COULD RUN AWAY FROM YOU, I WOULD BE BORN AGAIN!
TRAJCHE (hitting Prokic slightly on the top):
DO YOU SEE WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, YOU AGENT BUMS? YOU DISTURBED BATA GUTE COMPLETELY.

Trajche leaves the bed and goes to the table. Prokic returns the bed where it belongs.

TRAJCHE:
BATA GUTE...
GUTE:
WHAT?
TRAJCHE:
DON’T BE ANGRY WITH ME. I JUST DON’T WANT HIM TO SNORE NEAR US.
GUTE:
GOOD, LEAVE ME ALONE NOW.
TRAJCHE:
DO YOU WANT TO READ? HM, WILL YOU GIVE ME SOME MORE...

Not waiting for Trajche to finish the sentence, Gute takes out a box of Marlboro and puts it on the table. Trajche takes a cigarette. He lights it. A short pause.

TRAJCHE:
DO YOU KNOW WHAT AVDIKA TOLD ME?
GUTE:
YOU’VE BEEN WITH HER AGAIN?
TRAJCHE:
A LITTLE.
GUTE:
YOU HAVE A WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN, TRAJCHE.
TRAJCHE:
I DON’T HAVE CHILDREN. THEY ARE ALL GIRLS.
GUTE (cynical):
YOU MADE THEM.
TRAJCHE:
DON’T PLAY POLITICS! YOU ARE SO BESMIRCHING THAT YOU FORGOT THAT CHILDREN ARE MADE WITH ‘A THING’, AND NOT WITH A TONGUE! I WAS MAKING SONS, BUT SHE PUT A CHARM AND CRYBABIES WERE BORN...
GUTE:
A CHILD IS A CHILD.
TRAJCHE:
WELL, IF YOU SAY THAT A GIRL IS A CHILD, THEN LET US CHANGE. I WILL GIVE YOU ALL THREE GIRLS FOR YOUR BOY. DO YOU KNOW WHAT DID AVDIKA TELL ME?
GUTE:
WHAT?
TRAJCHE:
SHE TOLD ME THAT I AM VERY GOOD...
GUTE:
HOW DID SHE MEAN GOOD?
TRAJCHE:
WELL, YOU KNOW. LET ME FIND YOU TO SCREW THAT..
GUTE:
I’M NOT INTERESTED IN THAT.
PROKIC:
YOU CAN BE GOOD ONLY TO CRAZY WOMEN!

Trajche stands up angrily. He takes a chair and lifts it with one hand.

TRAJCHE:
LISTEN, WHAT WE FOOLED AROUND, WE FOOLED AROUND. LEAVE AVDIKA ALONE OR I’LL KILL YOU!

He puts down the chair with a big bang.
(GROWING DARK)
The ambulance car is heard outside, leaving.
(GROWING LIGHT)



5.ENT. THE ROOM IN THE HOSPITAL- THE DAWN

The night is turning into a dawn. The wind is still strong and it is carrying the snowflakes onto the windowpanes. Bojan, Prokic and Trajche are sleeping in their beds. That stout man with black hair, beard and moustache who was brought with the ambulance car is seen from the semi darkness near the window.

PROFESOR:
DID I SCARE YOU?
GUTE:
ARE YOU NEW HERE?
PROFESSOR:
YOU ARE DRAGUTIN.
GUTE:
HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME?

PROFESSOR: (showing on a temperature list)
IT IS WRITTEN ON YOUR LIST.

Gute looks at his bed and then at the Professor. He is still upset.

GUTE:
IT’S A WONDERFUL POWER OF OBSERVATION.
PROFESSOR:
REGARDING THE PLACE WHERE I AM NOW? (He laughs, with low-pitched voice, loudly and artificially). IT’S THE NEUROPSYCHIATRY CLINIC!
GUTE:
IT LOOKS AS IF YOU ARE SATISFIED THAT YOU ARE HERE. HOW DO YOU KNOW ALL THIS?
PROFESSOR:
I WAS PRETENDING TO SLEEP. YOU TOLD...
GUTE:
YES, YES...A WONDERFUL POWER OF OBSERVATION, MR. ...
PROFESSOR:
YOU ASK ME MY NAME?
GUTE:
YES.
PROFESSOR:
I AM DOCTOR DIMITRIJE CORTAROVIC.
GUTE:
DOCTOR?
PROFESSOR:
NO, I AM A PROFESSOR AT UNIVERSITY.
GUTE:
A PROFESSOR? WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING?
PROFESSOR:
THE ANATOMY OF HUMAN SOUL.
GUTE:
A PSYCHIATRISTS.
PROFESSOR:
A PSYCHOLOGISTS.
GUTE:
I AM SURPRISED THAT I DON’T KNOW YOU.
PROFESSOR:
ARE YOU PROFESSOR, TOO?
GUTE:
NOT EXACTLY, I AM A TEACHER.
PROFESSOR:
EACH WAY HAS ITS OWN LOGIC. (A loud laughter)
GUTE:
I WILL NOT INSIST IF YOU FEEL UNPLEASANTLY.
PROFESSOR: (taking the book)
WHAT ARE YOU READING?

Gute relaxes, takes a chair and sits beside the professor.

GUTE: (loosely, with laughter)
POEMS BY DJURA JAKSIC.
PROFESSOR: (closing the book)
I DON’T READ POETRY.
GUTE:
IT’S MY FAVORITE BOOK. EACH TIME I CANNOT SLEEP I...
PROFESSOR:
YOU READ IT AND YOU GET SLEEP.
GUTE:
SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

Gute takes his book to his bed. He puts it in the drawer. Professor laughs. Masha enters turning the light on and off. His tone is raised.

MASHA:
IT’S HALF PAST SIX. TIME TO GET UP!
GUTE:
HERE COMES MASHA. I MUST SET MY WATCH.

Prokic suddenly roses from the bed and makes it quickly. He wakes up Bojan and Trajche. Trajche waves back to him.

MASHA:
WHAT IS IT GUTE THAT YOU ARE NOT SLEEPING?
GUTE:
I DON’T HAVE A FUEL TO SLEEP. YOU TOOK MY BOMB. IS ANYTHING LEFT?
MASHA: (giving a half-full bottle of rakija to Gute)
THERE IS, THERE IS FOR EVERYONE.
GUTE:
YOU HAVE A NICE SWALLOW.

Gute drinks a sip. Masha takes an infusion stall and empty bottles near the fifth, professor’s bed.

GUTE:
WILL THE DOCTOR COME TODAY?
MASHA:
YOU’LL SEE.
GUTE:
BOJAN IS NOT FEELING WELL. HE’S THROWING UP.
MASHA:
WE WILL CHECK HIM.
GUTE:
UNTIL YOU CHECK HIM, HE WILL WASTE AWAY.
MASHA:
HEY, DON’T YOU FOOL ME AROUND AND TEACH ME WHAT TO DO! I WAS ON DUTY THE WHOLE NIGHT AND I DON’T HAVE NERVES FOR YOU THIS MORNING.
TRAJCHE: (from his bed)
YOU WERE HOLDING A CANDLE.

Masha snaps up and turns. He is looking for the one who said that. Prokic, scared, shrugs his shoulders. Trajche pretends to sleep.

MASHA:
WHO SAID THAT? WHO DID?

A prolonged pause. Masha starts to the door hastily. Prokic follows him carrying the book, all the way to the door.

PROKIC:
MASHA, THE BOOK OF DUTY!
MASHA:
LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU FOOL!

Masha goes out slamming the door. Prokic leaves dumbfounded for a few moments. Then he turns around and starts to wake up the others.

PROKIC:
THEN I AM GUILTY FOR THE DISCIPLINE. WAKE UP, YOU HAVE SLEPT ENOUGH. TRAJCHE, GET UP!
TRAJCHE:
WHAT DO YOU WANT, YOU VAMPIRE? WHY MUST I GET UP AT HALF PAST SIX WHEN BREAKFAST IS AT SEVEN?
PROKIC:
COME ON, COME ON! LET’S DO THE MORNING CALISTHENICS!
TRAJCHE:
YOU HAVE BOJAN TO JUMP WITH.
GUTE: (to Prokic)
LEAVE BOJAN ALONE.

Prokic stands in the middle of the room and starts doing squatting. Professor approaches Gute. He takes a flat bottle out of his pocket.

PROFESSOR:
YOU ARE DRINKING BRANDY?
GUTE:
NO, RAKIJA. (He sees the bottle and realizes that it is a question). YOU HAVE BRANDY?
PROFESSOR:
LET’S DRINK.

Professor and Gute go to the table. They sit and start to drink. Prokic is still doing squatting loudly counting them next to Trajche’s bed. Trajche is upset because he cannot sleep.

TRAJCHE:
FUCKING NUT! A MAN CANNOT SLEEP EVEN IN THE ASYLUM.

PROKIC: (loudly)
ONE, TWO, I AM HEALTHY ONE!
TRAJCHE:
IF JUMPING DOESN’T RECOVER YOU, NOTHING WILL.
PROKIC:
SHUT UP AND MAKE THAT BED!
PROFESSOR: (to Gute)
CALISTHENICS?
GUTE:
PROKIC IS A STORY FOR HIMSELF. HE IMAGINED THAT HE IS A SECRET AGENT OF CIA AND THAT KGB IS AFTER HIM. HE WAS SOME POLITICAL ACTIVIST AND IN PRISON HE, YOU KNOW...
PROFESSOR:
I KNOW, I KNOW, SECRET SERVICE. A GOOD BRANDY?
GUTE:
EXTRAORDINARY, BUT THERE ISN’T TOO MUCH.
TRAJCHE:
BATA GUTE, GIVE ME A CIGAR.
GUTE:
TRAJCHE, STOP SPONGING OFF.
TRAJCHE:
AVDIKA WILL BRING ME FOR BREAKFAST. I WILL RETURN YOU.
PROFESSOR:
I HAVE CIGARETTES.
TRAJCHE: (whispering to Gute)
IS THIS THE NEW ONE?
GUTE:
WHY ARE YOU MAKING A FOOL OF YOURSELF WHEN YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT? PROFESSOR, ARE YOU SURE THAT YOU HAVE CIGARETTES? I WONDER THAT TRAJCHE DIDN’T RUMMAGE THROUGH YOUR POCKETS.
TRAJCHE:
POOR ME, BATA GUTE, DON’T LIE THE MAN. I DO NOT RANSACK THROUGH THE POCKETS. IF I LIE, MAY MY EYES FALL OUT SO I CAN HOLD THEM IN MY HANDS.
GUTE:
YOU GYPSIES ARE SWEARING... YOU ARE SWEARING LIKE GYPSIES. (To Professor) THIS IS TRAJCHE AHMEDOVSKI, CALLED TRAJCHE THE TRUTH.

Professor and Trajche are shaking hands.

TRAJCHE:
PROFESSOR! BATA GUTE, IS HE LIKE YOU?
GUTE:
HE IS PROFESSOR DOCTOR.
TRAJCHE:
WAIT, IS HE A PROFESSOR OR A DOCTOR?
GUTE:
BOTH.
TRAJCHE:
OOOO, DOCTOR PROFESSOR, THEN YOU ARE BOTH FOR THE MISERABLE AND FOR THE PUPILS.
PROFESSOR:
HERE YOU ARE A CIGARETTE.
TRAJCHE:
THANKS, THANKS... TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I SOMETIMES RUMMAGE THROUGH A POCKET, BUT I HAVEN’T TOUCHED YOURS.
PROFESSOR: (laughs)
WHY?
TRAJCHE:
I DON’T KNOW, YOU ARE SOMEHOW... (Trajche laughs too and sits at the table) I WOULDN’T RUMMAGE, BUT THAT’S MY DISEASE. WHEN I SEE A POCKET, MY BLOOD IMMEDIATELY RUSHES TOWARD MY HEAD AND MY HAND STARTS BY ITSELF.
PROFESSOR:
I UNDERSTAND THAT.
TRAJCHE:
YOU SEE, BATA GUTE, THAT THE MAN IS A DOCTOR AND NOT A PROFESSOR. HE IMMEDIATELY UNDERSTOOD MY DISEASE.
GUTE:
FROM WHAT YOU ARE ILL, YOU GYPSY? WHEN THE POLICE TIGHTENED YOU, YOU SUDDENLY BECAME CRAZY...
TRAJCHE:
I COULD CHOOSE EITHER THE ASYLUM OR THE PRISON. AND THERE YOU REALLY GO MAD, JUST LOOK AT AGENT.
PROKIC:
DO NOT PUT ME IN THE SAME BOX WITH YOU. I AM A DISSIDENT, AND NOT A CHICKEN HAWK.
TRAJCHE:
DO NOT PANT AT ME, DROP DEAD!
PROKIC:
SOUND MIND IS IN SOUND BODY! YOU ARE CLEANING TODAY!
TRAJCHE:
WHY ME, I WAS CLEANING YESTERDAY!
PROKIC:
IT WAS INSTEAD OF GUTE. WHO FORCED YOU TO PLAY POKER FOR CLEANING. YOU ARE AN EXPERT IN IT.
TRAJCHE:
I AM ALSO AN EXPERT IN BEATING WITH A BROOM! BOJAN IS CRAZY, YOU ARE THE BOSS, BATA GUTE PLAYS CARDS LIKE A DRAGON AND WHO ELSE WOULD CLEAN BUT TRAJCHE?

Trajche goes to the corner of the room where are a shovel for garbage and a broom. Bojan approaches him.

BOJAN:
UNCLE TRAJCHE, THEY WILL NOT OPERATE ME, WILL THEY?


TRAJCHE:
DON’T TEASE ME, POOR DEAR, CAN YOU SEE THAT I MUST DO THE CLEANING. GO AND ASK AGENT, HE IS THE BOSS AND HE WILL RECOVER YOU.
BOJAN:
AGENT...
AGENT:
GET AWAY FROM ME!

Bojan is scared with Prokic’s shouting. Gute stands up and approaches Bojan.

GUTE:
PROKIC, YOU ARE AN IDIOT! COME ON, BOJAN, GO AND BRUSH YOUR TEETH.

Gute and Bojan go to get a toothbrush and a glass for water. They pass by Professor. Bojan pauses looking at him.

BOJAN:
UNCLE GUTE, WHO IS THIS MAN? DOES HE OPERATE?
GUTE:
NO. GO AND BRUSH YOUR TEETH.
BOJAN:
I AM SCARED.

Professor offers him a hand. Bojan steps back. Gute shows him slowly  the way to the sink in the room and Bojan starts to brush his teeth.

PROFESSOR:
HE IS AFRAID.
GUTE:
LITTLE BOJAN IS ILL. HE WAS AGGRESSIVE, THEY THREATENED HIM WITH OPERATION AND YOU SEE... HE IS HERE BECAUSE OF HIS FATHER. HE KEPT BEATING HIM ALL THE TIME. AND ONCE, WHEN HE CAUGHT HIM IN BED WITH A GIRL, HE HAD BEATEN HIM SO SEVERELY THAT HE ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL. FROM THAT TIME HE HASN'T GONE OUT FROM HERE.

Trajche is cleaning. He approaches Prokic’s bed. Prokic is sitting on the floor by his bed, with crossed legs.

TRAJCHE:
JAMES BOND, MOVE SO I CAN CLEAN IT UP.
PROKIC:
YOU JUST FOOL YOURSELF AROUND. ONE MOVE OF MY FINGER AND MY SERVICE WILL LIQUIDATE YOU.
TRAJCHE:
AND I TELL YOU TO MOVE YOUR ASS SO I CAN CLEAN.


PROKIC:
THIS IS THE NECESSARY YOGA EXERCISE; IT KEEPS THE MIND IN FIT. THE MIND IS THE MOST POWERFUL MEANS OF SECRET AGENTS.
TRAJCHE:
GET UP, OR I WILL PUT YOU IN THE GARBAGE SHOVEL!

Prokic stands up. He approaches the table and sits next to Professor. Gute stands up and approaches his own bed. Prokic opens the book of duty. He writes.

PROKIC:
HEY, THE NEW ONE! DO YOU HAVE CIGARETTES?
PROFESSOR:
ARE YOU WRITING SOMETHING?
PROKIC:
A REPORT FOR MY SECRET SERVICE. I AM ON A MISSION. DON’T SAY A WORD TO ANYONE! DO YOU HAVE CIGARETTES?
PROFESSOR: (offering him cigarettes)
HERE YOU ARE, TAKE THEM.

Bojan’s condition gets worse. He starts to throw up on the floor. Trajche sees it and brings a washbowl.

TRAJCHE:
DO YOU HAVE TO THROW UP NOW WHEN IS MY TURN TO CLEAN IT UP?
GUTE:
CALM DOWN, BOJAN!
PROKIC:
I AM GOING TO CALL MASHA.
GUTE:
YOU ARE NOT. THEY WILL GIVE HIM AN INJECTION, BUT HE IS ALREADY DRUGGED ENOUGH.
TRAJCHE:
BATA GUTE, PUT A WASHBOWL UNDER HIM AT LEAST. AIM IT, FOR GOD’S SAKE!

Bojan throws up by the washbowl. Gute calms him down. He takes him slowly to his bed. Trajche takes the empty washbowl.

TRAJCHE:
NOT EVEN A DROP FELL INTO THE WASHBOWL. IF YOU CANNOT HIT SUCH A BIG HOLE, HOW CAN YOU HIT THE BIGGER ONE?

Masha enters. He sees that someone has been throwing up.

MASHA:
LET’S HAVE BREAKFAST! PROKIC, WHAT IS IT ON THE FLOOR?
PROKIC:
BOJAN HAS BEEN THROWING UP.
MASHA:
WHO IS CLEANING TODAY?
PROKIC:
TRAJCHE.
TRAJCHE:
I HOPE YOUR MOUTH WILL DRY UP ONE DAY.

MASHA:
TRAJCHE, YOU CLEAN IT UP! THE REST OF YOU, IF YOU WANT TO EAT GO TO THE DINING ROOM. LET’S GO BOJAN!

Masha approaches Bojan, takes him out of bed and carries him toward the dining room. They go out.

TRAJCHE:
YOU WILL IT UP EVERYTHING UNTIL I CLEAN IT.
GUTE:
PROFESSOR, AREN’T YOU HUNGRY?
PROFESSOR:
NO.
GUTE:
NEITHER AM I. I CANNOT EAT EARLY. SHALL WE DRINK THIS MINE?
PROFESSOR:
I RATHER DRINK BRANDY, BUT I ACCEPT YOUR OFFER.

Gute goes to bring his rakija from his drawer. Prokic approaches Trajche.

PROKIC:
CLEAN, CLEAN!

He goes out laughing hysterically. He meets Avdika at the door.

AVDIKA:
AGENT, WHERE IS MY TRAJCHE?
PROKIC:
YOUR LOVE STAYD TO CLEAN.
TRAJCHE:
AVDIKA, SCREW THAT FOLL. COME HERE.
AVDIKA:
TRAJCHE, FUCK THAT BROOM.
TRAJCHE:
DO YOU HAVE CIGARETTES?
AVDIKA:
THEY STOLE ME.
TRAJCHE:
FROM WHERE DID THEY STEAL YOU?
AVDIKA: (showing on a décolletage)
FROM HERE!

TRAJCHE:
AND YOU’VE CERTAINLY HIDDEN IT ON A FUCKIN’ SECURE PLACE. I VE DESERVED IT BECAUSE I GIVE MONEY TO O WOMAN. IF WOMAN IS GOOD, GOD SHOULD HAVE IT. BATA GUTE, SINCE YOUR WOMAN LEFT YOU, SHE HAS JUST DONE YOU A FAVOR!
AVDIKA:
DO YOU WANT ME TO HELP YOU CLEANING?
TRAJCHE:
I HAVE JUST FINISHED IT. LET’S GO TO EAT.

AVDIKA:
I AM NOT SO HUNGRY...
TRAJCHE:
AVDIKA, YOU HAVE TO EAT, TO RECOVER YOURSELF. BATA GUTE, MAY WE EAT YOUR PORTION, TOO?
GUTE:
YOU MAY.
TRAJCHE:
THANKS. YOU SEE AVDIKA, YOU’D BETTER STOOD IN A LINE THAN LOAF HERE. LET’S GO!

Trajche and Avdika go to the dining room. Gute and Professor remain alone at the table. They drink.

PROFESSOR:
THIS RAKIJA IS VERY GOOD.
GUTE:
IT’S TRAJCHE’S GID. ACTUALLY, IT’S NOT A GID, HIS GRANDMOTHER... WELL, NEVER MINED.
PROFESSOR:
YOU ARE DRINKING A LOT. (A pause) YOUR WIFE LEFT YOU, AT LEAST TRAJCHE SAYS...
GUTE:
TRAJCHE TALKS TOO MUCH.
PROFESSOR:
THOSE ARE THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT RUNAWAY FROM.
GUTE:
ARE YOU TALKING LIKE A PSYCHIATRIST?
PROFESSOR:
I AM PSYCHOLOGIST.
GUTE:
I KNOW YOU ARE PSYCHOLOGIST. IT’S STRANGE. YOU DON’T BEHAVE LIKE THE OTHER NEWCOMERS. YOU DON’T CALL FOR A DOCTOR; YOU DO NOT NEED A CONTACT WITH THE OUTER WORLD...
PROFESSOR:
MY WORLD IS INSIDE ME. I REALIZE IT AS THE NECESSITY OF A FALL.
GUTE:
SOMEONE LEFT YOU, TOO?
PROFESSOR:
DID YOU NOTICE THAT WE ARE TALKING IN FORM OF QUESTIONS? IT’S NICE WHEN A MAN IS ASKED; THEN HE RESPECTS THE AUTHORITIES LESS. LIKE YOUR WIFE, FOR EXAMPLE.
GUTE:
MY WIFE WAS LOVED.
PROFESSOR:
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE TOTAL FREEDOM?
GUTE:
WHERE?
PROFESSOR:
EVERYTHING HAS BOTH SIDES. YOU BELIEVE IN THE OUTSIDE SURFACE, BUT YOU ENJOY IN THE REVERSE SIDE. (He drinks up rakija and laughs)
GUTE:
ALL THAT YOU SAYING IS A...
PROFESSOR:
HAVE YOU GOT CHILDREN?
GUTE:
A SON. I HAVEN’T SEEN HIM FOR TWO YEARS SINCE I AM HERE.
PROFESSOR:
YOU SHOULD SEE HIM.
GUTE:
HOW?
PROFESSOR:
EACH WAY HAS IT’S OWN LOGIC.
GUTE:
YOU HAVE ALREADY SAID THAT. I DON’T UNDERSTAND.
PROFESSOR:
GO OUT FROM HERE, FIND YOUR WIFE AND TAKE THE CHILD FROM HER!
GUTE:
YOU FORGET SOME THINGS. THEY TREAT ME HERE AS A CRAZY ALCOHOLIC.
PROFESSOR:
EACH CONDITION HAS IT’S OWN ADVANTAGES.
GUTE:
THIS HASN’T!
PROFESSOR:
MENTALLY INCOMPETENT PEOPLE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO THE LAW!
GUTE:
BUT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE TO GOD!
PROFESSOR: (laughing)
LET’S LEAVE THE TRIFLES.
GUTE:
THOSE ARE DEVILISH THINGS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.
PROFESSOR:
HAVE YOU TRIED TO RUN AWAY?

GUTE:
I DON’T HAVE WHERE TO RUN.
PROFESSOR:
TRY, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE!

A noise is heard on the corridor. Bojan is shouting. He enters the room and jumps on the bed. Masha and Dara follow him.

BOJAN:
I DON’T WANT, I DON’T WANT!
GUTE:
BOJAN!
MASHA:
IF YOU DON’T WANT TO DRINK PILLS, YOU WILL GET AN INJECTION.
GUTE:
MASHA, DON’T...
DARA:
THAT’S ENOUGH! MASHA, HOLD HIM!

Masha holds Bojan. He uncovers his behind. Bojan wiggles. Dara approaches, she wants to give him the injection. Bojan breaks free for a moment and hits Dara with his leg. Dara drops the syringe.

DARA:
YOU, MOTHERFUCKER!
MASHA:
DID HE HIT YOU STRONGLY, DARA?
DARA:
LEAVE ME ALONE!

Dara pushes Masha. She goes out. Masha starts to hit Bojan. Gute stops him.

GUTE:
LEAVE HIM ALONE, MASHA. YOU CAN SEE HE CALMED DOWN.
MASHA:
FUCK THE ONE WHO MADE YOU LIKE THIS!

Masha goes out, too. Trajche is peeping through the door. He carries the pills. Gute covers Bojan.

TRAJCHE:
BATA GUTE, THESE GREEN ONES ARE FOR YOU, AND THESE BLUE ONES ARE FOR ME. GIVE TWO TO ME AND TWO TO YOU. BOJAN GOT HIS BUT IN THE ASS. I SHOULD TAKE SOME TO DESERT RAKIJA.
GUTE:
HERE YOU ARE, TAKE THEM.

Trajche drinks pills with rakija. Prokic enters.
PROKIC:
NEW ONE, YOU DON’T HAVE A THERAPY? (A pause) LET ME WRITE IT DOWN.
TRAJCHE:
BATA GUTE, SHALL I PUT TO BOJAN HIS WALKMAN RECEIVERS ON, AND THEN TO MAKE COFFEE?
PROKIC:
WHAT DID I SAY FOR THAT COFFEE?
TRAJCHE:
DON’T GET ON MY NERVES ANY MORE.
PROKIC:
WE WILL LIGHT THE ROOM. WE WILL BURN!
TRAJCHE:
DON’T YOU BE AFRAID. YOU WILL NOT BURN. I WILL TURN YOU LIKE ON A BARBECUE. HERE YOU ARE BOJAN. TRAJCHE WILL PUT YOU RECEIVERS ON.

Trajche puts receivers on Bojan’s ears. He plays the music.

TRAJCHE;
GOOD BOY. HE IS CALMED DOWN WHEN HE LISTENS TO THE MUSIC. BATA GUTE, HOW MANY CUPS SHOULD I PUT?
GUTE:
AS USUAL. ADD ONE FOR THE PROFESSOR.

Trajche puts the kettle on. Gute sits next to Professor. He takes rakija. Professor stops him for the moment.

PROFESSOR:
YOU RECONCILE WITH CRUELTY.
GUTE:
A MAN GETS USED TO IT.
PROFESSOR:
WHO HITS YOU IN A CHEEK, YOU TURN HIM THE OTHER ONE?
GUTE:
DO NOT MENTION GOD HERE, PLEASE. HE RARELY COMES HERE, AND WHEN HE DOES IT HE SUDDENLY BECOMES DEAF.
PROFESSOR: (laughing)
I CERTAINLY DO NOT ENJOY IN THAT.
PROKIC: (to Trajche)
TAKE CARE OF THE FIRE!
TRAJCHE:
LET ME PREPARE A COFFEE, YOU PISS ME OFF!

Masha enters the room. He is carrying a brown winter suit and a half-full bottle and he is very nervous.  

MASHA:
COFFEE AGAIN.

PROKIC:
I TOLD THEM, MASHA.
MASHA:
YOUR DISCIPLINE IS WEAK! WEAK! GUTE, YOUR BROTHER IS SENDING YOU THE SUIT. AND THE BOMB! (Showing on the half full bottle)
GUTE:
YOU HAVE A GREAT SWALLOW. HOW MUCH DO I OWE YOU?
MASHA:
A STANDARD TARIFF.

Gute gives the money to Masha, take the suit and the bottle. He puts the bottle on the bed. He watches him.

MASHA:
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO GET DRESSED?
GUTE:
TO DRINK MY COFFEE AND... FIFTEEN MINUTES.
MASHA:
I GO TO SEE WHO WILL ACCOMPANY YOU. AND TAKE CARE OF THAT COFFEE; DON’T LET IT MAKE YOU ILL!

Masha goes out. Trajche approaches Gute.

TRAJCHE:
BATA GUTE, WHAT DO YOU NEED THAT SUIT FOR? DON’T YOU WANT TO MARRY IN OLD AGE?
GUTE:
TO DIVORCE, TRAJCHE, TO DIVORCE.
TRAJCHE:
ARE YOU STILL DRAGGING OUT ON THE COURT WITH THAT SLUT OF YOURS?
GUTE:
TALK LESS AND GIVE ME THAT COFFEE IF IT IS READY.
TRAJCHE:
IT ALMOST BOILED OVER...

Trajche takes the pot and the cups with the coffee and approaches the table. He pours the coffee in the cups.

TRAJCHE:
HERE IT IS, BLACK AND HOT!
PROFESSOR:
WILL YOU SEE THE CHILD TOO ON THE COURT?
GUTE:
I HOPE I WILL NOT.
TRAJCHE:
DON’T SAY BULSHIT, BATA GUTE. THE BOY IS YOURS AND THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. IF I HAD A SON I COULD KILL WITH MY TEETH FOR HIM.
PROFESSOR:
TRAJCHE IS RIGHT.
PROKIC:
WHEN YOU DRINK YOUR COFFEE YOU MUST GLUE THE BAGS FOR THE PILLS!
GUTE:
I MUST GET DRESSED.
PROKIC:
TODAY’S NORM IS 500 PIECES. IT IS THE PART OF THE THERAPY.
TRAJCHE:
ENOUGH!

A pause. Gute is putting the suit on. He pauses for a second and turns to Professor.

GUTE:
WHEN I LISTEN TO YOU, I THINK THAT ALL THIS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS NOT A PART OF YOU. TO YOU IT SEEMS THAT ALL THESE DESTINIES ARE PART OF SOME GAME.
PROFESSOR:
ALL THIS IS A GAME. ONE SHOULD PLAY THE GAME!
TRAJCHE:
MY EARS ARE BUZZING AGAIN.
PROFESSOR:
WITH WHAT?
TRAJCHE:
YOURS ARE NOT BUZZING? DOCTOR, YOU ARE SOMEHOW DIFFERENT FROM US. IF YOUR EARS DO NOT BUZZ IN THIS HEIGHT, THEN YOU ARE COMPLETELY DEAF.
PROFESSOR: (to Gute)
WHAT HEIGHT IS HE TALKING ABOUT?
GUTE:
WE ARE ON THE HEIGHT OF 800 METERS ABOVE SEA LEVEL. THEY PUT US SO HIGH PERHAPS THEY WANT US TO BE CLOSER TO THE SKY. TRAJCHE, HOW DO I LOOK IN MY NEW SUIT?
TRAJCHE:
AS IF YOU CAME OUT OF THE WASHING MACHINE. WAIT A SECOND SO I CAN IRON IT WITH MY HAND. BATA GUTE, BATA GUTE... THAT’S HOW I LIKE TO SEE YOU. NOW YOU LOOK LIKE A MAN. AND WHEN YOU SEE THAT PEASANT WOMAN ON THE COURT, BREAK HER NECK IMMEDIATELY.
GUTE:
YOU’D BETTER TALK LESS, TRAJCHE.

Masha enters the room.

MASHA:
ARE YOU READY, GUTE? PILE FROM THE MORNING SHIFT WILL ACCOMPANY YOU. AND BE CAREFUL, GO STRAIGHT BACK AFTER THE TRIAL. DON’T STAY FOR A DRINK ANYWHERE, PILE HAS A TALENT FOR RAKIJA. SECTION HEAD IS ON DUTY TONIGHT!
PROKIC:
THE SECTION HEAD! CAN I...
MASHA:
YOU CANNOT DO ANYTHING! SIT THERE AND GLUE ALL THE BAGS! COME ON, GUTE!
GUTE:
SEE YOU PEOPLE.

Masha and Gute go out of the room. Trajche shouts after Gute.

TRAJCHE:
GOOD LUCK, BATA GUTE. AND WHEN YOU SEE HER ON THE COURT HIT HER WITH A FIST RIGHT AWAY.
PROKIC:
LOOK WHO’S TALKING TO HIM! A FORCE!
TRAJCHE:
WHAT A WOMAN CAN COOK, EVEN GOD CANNOT EAT. BATA GUTE WAS GENTLEMAN UNTIL HE INVOLVED WITH HER.
PROKIC:
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT WAS HE LIKE?
TRAJCHE:
HE WAS MY TEACHER FOR SIX YEARS.
PROKIC:
WHAT DO YOU MEAN WITH SIX YEARS? TEACHER TEACHES FOR FOUR YEARS.
TRAJCHE:
WELL, HE TAUGHT ME FOR SIX YEARS. AND I WOULD GO TO SCHOOL SIX MORE YEARS UNTIL THE WHOLE MAL LAUGHED AT ME. THAT’S WHAT WAS HE LIKE.
PROKIC:
GUTE IS AN OLD DRUNKARD AND NOBODY WOULD STAND HIM.
TRAJCHE:
HE WASN’T DRINKING UNTIL HE MET HER. SHE ATE HIS SOUL, A PEASANT BITCH. HE BROUGHT HER FROM A VILLAGE, GAVE HER HOME AND SHE DIDN’T EVEN THANK HIM. SHE SHOULD BE CRUCIFIED. IT WASN’T ENOUGH FOR HER TO LEFT HIM, BUT SHE TAKES THE CHILD TO THE COURT AND SHE WANTS TO TAKE HIM AWAY THE APARTMENT. DO YOU KNOW WHEN I WOULD GIVE HER THE APARTMENT? ON THE ST.NEVER DAY!
PROKIC:
HE SHOULD LISTEN TO YOU AND NEVER TO GET OUT FROM HERE.
TRAJCHE:
I TOOK CARE OF MINE, BUT SHE COULDN’T STAND ME.
PROFESSOR:
AND WHAT HAPPENED THEN?
TRAJCHE:
WHEN MY THIRD DAUGHTER WAS BORN, WITH BLOND HAIR... I HAD RIGHT TO STRANGLE HER RIGHT AWAY. THEN I GAVE HER A GOOD SPANKING, AND THEY DENOUNCED ME TO THE POLICE.

PROFESSOR:
AND INSTEAD TO THE JAIL YOU WENT TO THE ASYLUM.
TRAJCHE:
TO THE ASYLUM, AND I HOPE THE CRAZY DAYS WILL COME TO HER, TOO!
PROFESSOR:
TELL ME, WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU COME OUT OF HERE?
TRAJCHE:
I WOULD FEED UP WITH HER BLOOD. THESE ARE DIRTY THINGS, MY DOCTOR. THEY COULDN’T WAIT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME. NOW SHE ENTERTAINS HIM IN MY HOUSE WITH HER OUTSTRETCHED LEGS... THEY LED MY FATHER TO DEATH, MADE MY MOTHER GRAY-HAIRED. YOU THINK, DOCTOR THAT TRAJCHE IS FOOLING AROUND, THAT HE IS LAUGHING AND TALKING NONSENSE, SO THAT HE HASN’T GOT WORRIES. WHEN I COME OUT FROM HERE, AN AX WILL WORK! NO ONE CAN SCREW YOU LIKE A MAN CAN.
PROFESSOR:
HAVE YOU TRIED TO ESCAPE?
TRAJCHE:
WHERE I CAN ESCAPE? THE POLICEMEN WOULD CATCH ME AT THE FIRST CURVE.
PROFESSOR:
YOU SHOULD ESCAPE FOR ONE NIGHT TO PASS JUDGEMENT ON HER.
TRAJCHE:
I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT BUT I DON’T HAVE ANYONE TO ESCAPE WITH.
PROFESSOR:
WITH AGENT, GUTE, BOJAN!
TRAJCHE:
YOU’VE FOUND ME A GREAT ARMY TO ESCAPE WITH: A CIA, A TEACHER AND A MADMAN. THEY DON’T HAVE THAT TROUBLE.
PROFESSOR:
YOU THINK SO?
TRAJCHE:
WHAT KIND OF TROUBLE CAN AGENT HAVE? WILL THE RUSSIAN DIG THE UNDERGROUND CHANNEL AND INSTALL THE NUCLEAR BOMB?
PROKIC:
YOU ONLY KNOW FOR THE TROUBLE, YOU GYPSY MOTHERFUCKER!
TRAJCHE;
DON’T YOU CURSE ON MY MOTHER!
PROKIC:
I WILL. YOUR WIFE OPENED HER LEGS A LITTLE AND YOU ALREADY THINK THAT IT IS THE END OF THE WORLD.
TRAJCHE:
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WHEN YOU DIDN’T EVEN SMELL A WOMAN?
PROKIC:
I DIDN’T. I DIDN’T COME TO RABBLES! THEY KNOCKED OUT HALF OF MY JAW AND SIX RIBS. I HAVE EATEN MORE CLUBS THAN BREAD IN MY LIFE!
PROFESSOR:
WHO THRASHED YOU?
PROKIC:
WHO? A DOCTOR FOR CLUBS. THAT’S HOW HE CALLED HIMSELF. HE IS RETIRED NOW AND PLAYS CARDS IN THE INNS AND I AM HERE. I WISH I COULD MEET HIM ALONE SOMEWHERE, AT LEAST FOR HALF AN HOUR. I WOULD CUT HIM OPEN WITH A KNIFE FROM TESTICLE TO THE LARYNX!
TRAJCHE:
THERE ISN’T WEAKNESS WITH AGENTS. THEY IMMEDIATELY PUT YOU IN A WOODEN COAT
PROKIC:
BEAT IT, YOU FOOL!
TRAJCHE:
BE CAREFUL WHAT ARE YOU SAYING!

Professor stands between them, grabs them by their necks and puts them on the chairs. He holds them by their heads and looks them in the face.

PROFESSOR:
YOU HAVE ALL AT ARM’S LENGTH! TONIGHT ARE ONLY MASHA AND THE SECTION HEAD ON THE DEPARTMENT.
TRAJCHE:
AND DARA WILL BE AROUND THE MEN DEPARTMENT. THE SECTION HEAD IS ON DUTY.
PROFESSOR:
YOU TAKE KEYS FROM THEM, TIE THEM FOR BED AND THERE YOU ARE OUTSIDE. FOR ONE NIGHT! THAT'S ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE TO FINISH HIS JOB.
TRAJCHE:
DOCTOR, ARE YOU SERIOUS WITH THAT TYING AND...
PROFESSOR:
JUST LIKE YOU HEAR IT!
TRAJCHE:
AGENT?

Prokic glues the bags nervously and does not speak.

TRAJCHE:
AGENT, DON’T PRETEND TO BE CRAZY, DO YOU HEAR ME?
PROKIC:
YES, I HEAR YOU!
TRAJCHE:
AND?

A pause. Professor slowly moves away to the depth of the room, in the shadow.
PROKIC:
LET’S GLUE THE BAGS.
TRAJCHE:
IS THAT EVERYTHING YOU KNOW TO DO, TO BEND YOUR HEAD?
PROKIC:
ALL I WANT TO DO NOW IS TO GLUE THE BAGS!
TRAJCHE:
THEN GLUE THEM AND FUCK THEM!

Professor laughs loudly. The snow is falling outside, stronger and stronger. The strong wind is blowing.
(Growing dark)

(Growing light)

EXT.ENT. INSIDE THE AMBULANCE CAR- THE STREET- THE DAY

Gute is sitting and looking through the window. Although it is winter, there are lots of people on the pavement. Snow falls less; the sharp winter sun seems to peep through the clouds. Mail nurse Pile, a good-natured old man (about 55 years), thin, with gray hair and moustaches is sitting in the cabin with Gute. He is drinking rakija from a small flat bottle. The cabin for passengers and patients with first aid equipment and the stretchers is set apart from the driver by a small sheet metal wall with a small glass window on it, which can be opened. The driver is swarthy man in gray colored civil suit. He is wearing a cap. Pile is in white hospital topcoat. The driver is middle-aged, about 45 years old. Pile is looking at Gute. He touches his shoulder and offers him rakija.

PILE:
DO YOU WANT SOME?
GUTE:
I WOULD NOT, BECAUSE OF THE TRIAL.

Gute continues to look out of the window. Pile drinks a sip and looks at Gute.

PILE:
DO YOU FEEL UNPLEASANT BECAUSE OF ME?
GUTE:
IT’S NOT THAT...
PILE:
I WASN’T THINKING ABOUT THE RAKIJA.
GUTE:
NEITHER WAS I. JUST, I CANNOT HELP IT.

PILE:
I THINK YOU CAN. YOU JUST HAVE TO TELL ME.
GUTE:
I’VE USED TO IT THAT MY WORDS GO IN VAIN.

Pile opens the window that sets apart the cabin from the driver.

PILE: (to the driver)
BORA, STOP THERE AT THE CROSSROAD.
BORA:
WHY? THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE STRAIGHT TO THE COURT.
PILE:
DON’T FOOL E AROUND AND STOP.
BORA:
FUCK YOU BORA WHEN EVERYBODY COMMAND YOU...
PILE:
BORA...
BORA:
SORRY, YOU KNOW ME. I WOULD DIE IF I DON’T SAY THAT. WHERE DID YOU SAY, HERE?

Pile nods his head. Bora stops his car. Gute looks at Pile.

PILE: (to Gute)
GO OUT. I WILL WAIT YOU IN “PERA’S” INN.
GUTE:
PILE, I...
PILE:
COME ON, UNTIL I CHANGE MY MIND.

Pile opens the door of the car. Gute comes out of the car. He starts down the street and for the moment turns after Pile.

GUTE:
THANK YOU PILE.
PILE:
HAVE YOU GOT THE MONEY FOR THE TAXI?
GUTE:
I HAVE IT.
PILE:
THEN HURRY UP, YOU’LL BE LATE FOR THE TRIAL.

Pile closes the door.

BORA:
YOU LET HIM GO.
PILE:
I LET HIM. DRIVE UP TO THE INN. YOU ARE FREE THEN.
BORA:
DO YOU THINK IT WILL HELP HIM?
PILE:
COME ON, DRIVE NOW!
BORA:
ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT. I JUST WAIT FOR YOU TO HIT ME WITH A WHIP. BORA, BORA, YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE BLACK BREAD.

(Growing dark)
(Growing light)

7. ENT. IN THE OFFICE- THE DAY

A standard court office. There is a big table, a few chairs around it; some paintings with pastoral motives by anonymous painters are hanged on the walls. A fichus and philodendron are at the bottom of the window. The doors with opaque glass at the top are opposite the window. Through the glass a silhouette of a man can be seen- a lawyer. Gute is sitting in one corner of the room. He is smoking. Gute’s wife, Andjelka, attractive woman, with slightly garish make up, age 30, with her hair died in blond and dressed in red suit with mini skirt is sitting at the table. Gute is holding a paper in his hand.

GUTE: (pointing to the door)
DOES THIS ONE HAVE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THE DOOR?
ANDJELKA:
LAWYERS ARE HERE TO TAKE CARE.
GUTE:
YOURS IS REALLY DEVOTED AND YOUNG.
ANDJELKA:
YOU WANTED ME TO TALK WITH YOU IN PRIVATE. I SUPPOSE...
GUTE:
WHERE IS MILOSH?
ANDJELKA:
MISHA IS HOME?
GUTE:
YOU HAVEN’T BROUGHT HIM TO SEE HIS FATHER.
ANDJELKA:
I HAVEN’T BROUGHT HIM TO SEE HIS FATHER’S HOSPITAL ESCORT.
GUTE:
I CAME ALONE WITH A TAXI.
ANDJELKA:
IT’S NOT IMPORTANT. HAVE YOU READ MY DEAL?
GUTE: (Pointing to the paper)
YOUR DEAL! YOUR LAWYER WROTE IT FOR YOU. THERE ARE YOUR WORDS, BUT THEY ARE ONLY FORMULATED BETTER.
ANDJELKA:
WE WILL TALK ABOUT MY LITERACY ON SOME OTHER OCCASION. YOU SHOULD SIGN IT UP.
GUTE:
AND WHAT IF I WON’T?
ANDJELKA:
IT IS BETTER FOR EVERYBODY IF YOU SIGN UP.
GUTE:
IT IS BETTER FOR WHOM?
ANDJELKA:
SIGN UP, DRAGUTIN. IT IS BETTER TO DO THIS THAN TO BE CUT UP IN THE COURT IN FRONT OF YOUR OWN CHILD. DO YOU WANT MISHA TO HEAR THAT HIS FATHER IS THE MENTAL HOSPITAL?

GUTE:
I AM NOT CRAZY! YOU KNOW VERY WELL THAT I AM NOT CRAZY! MILOSH IS MY SON, TOO.
ANDJELKA:
EACH COURT WILL CONFIRM THAT YOU ARE NOT CAPABLE FATHER.
GUTE:
AND WHAT YOU ARE? A CAPABLE MOTHER?

Andjelka stand up and starts toward the door.

ANDJELKA:
YOU DON’T HAVE TO IF YOU DON’T WANT TO.
GUTE:
WAIT! WAIT ANDJA. THE HELL WITH THE APARTMENT AND WITH THE CAR AND WITH THE MONEY... DON’T LEAVE A CHILD WITHOUT A FATHER.
ANDJELKA:
DON’T BE RIDICULOUS DRAGUTIN.
GUTE:
I WILL GIVE UP DRINKING. I HAVEN’T BEEN DRINKING FOR DAYS. I WILL LET YOU GO WHERE AND WHO EVER YOU WANT. I KNOW THAT YOU ARE YOUNG AND THAT YOU WANT TO ENJOY YOUR LIFE. ANYWAY, I WILL NOT LIVE TOO LONG...

Andjelka takes a box of Marllboro out of her bag. She approaches Gute and leaves the cigarettes on the table. Gute grabs her by the hand.

ANDJELKA:
HERE YOU ARE THE CIGARETTES. YOU SEE YOURSELF FOR RAKIJA.
GUTE:
I WILL BE THE DIFFERENT MAN; YOU’LL SEE THAT. I WILL NOT SAY YOU A WORD. DON’T LEAVE ME ALONE IN THAT PRISON ANDJELKA, SO HELP YOU GOD. I WILL NOT FORBID YOU ANYTHING, ANYTHING!
ANDJELKA:
AND WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IF YOU FORBID ME?

Andjelka takes back her hand and leaves the room quickly. Her lawyer hugs her.

(Growing dark)

(Growing light)

8.ENT. THE ROOM IN THE HOSPITAL- IN THE EVENING

Prokic, Trajche and Bojan are sitting at the table playing a card game. They are alone in the room.

TRAJCHE:
HOW MANY CARDS DO YOU WANT?
PROKIC:
GIVE ME THREE.
TRAJCHE:
THREE COWBOYS... (He gives three cards and they fall out of his hand)
PROKIC:
DON’T MIX THEM!
TRAJCHE:
I AM NOT MIXING BUT MY FINGERS ARE STIFFING. WHAT ABOUT YOU BOJAN?

Bojan shows with his fingers that he wants two cards.

TRAJCHE:
WELL, WELL, A THRILLING! MY SILLY CHILD... HERE YOU ARE TWO AND I TAKE FIRST THREE AND THEN ONE CARD.
PROKIC:
WHAT’S WRONG? YOU HAVE BOARD PLANKS?
TRAJCHE:
YOU HAVE A SCREW LOOSE. TALK, IT’S YOUR TURN.
PROKIC:
FIVE MARLLBORO’S. (He puts five cigarettes on the table)
TRAJCHE:
YOU WILL HAVE FIVE ANYWAY. BOJAN?

Bojan lays the cards on the table.

TRAJCHE:
LOOK AT THE KID. YOU ARE NOT SO SILLY. I PAY FIVE AND TWO MORE.
PROKIC:
YOU ARE BLUFFING!
TRAJCHE:
FIRST PAY AND THEN YOU’LL SEE.
PROKIC:
IT’S PAID. I HAVE A FULL OF PRIESTS!

Prokic tries to take the cigarettes but Trajche hits him on the hand.

TRAJCHE:
WAIT! YOU ARE WEAK MY BROTHER. I HAVE FOUR NINE’S! HOW I LIKE TO FLEECE THE IGNORANT.
PROKIC:
HOW DO YOU HAVE FOUR NINE’S? YOU HAVE TAKEN FOUR CARDS! YOU ARE CHEATING AGAIN!
TRAJCHE:
I AM NOT. I SWEAR TO MY MOTHER’S LIFE!


PROKIC:
DO NOT SWEAR ANY MORE. YOU HAVE BURIED THE WHOLE FAMILY.
TRAJCHE:
I LIE WHEN I SWEAR TO MY FATHER’S LIFE. BUT WHEN I SWEAR TO MY MOTHER’S LIFE I AM NOT LYING, I SWEAR TO MY FATHER’S LIFE.
PROKIC:
GUTE IS FOR YOU, YOU GAMBLING SCUM.
TRAJCHE:
DO NOT ALWAYS MAKE GUTE A DRUNKARD AND A FOOL.
PROKIC:
I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO MAKE. HE HAS MADE HIMSELF.
TRAJCHE:
AND WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHAT DO YOU LOOK LIKE?
PROKIC:
THEY MADE ME LOOK LIKE THIS!
TRAJCHE:
SINCE THEY DID IT TO YOU WHY DON’T YOU SHOW THEM YOUR TEETH INSTEAD OF STICKING THOSE BAGS?
PROKIC:
DID HE PUT THESE STRANGE IDEAS INTO YOUR HEAD?

Prokic is pointing to the Professor’s bed. They both turn toward it. They see that the bed is empty.

PROKIC:
HE’S GONE! WHERE IS HE? IF MASHA SEES THAT HE HAS GONE, I WILL BE GUILTY!
TRAJCHE:
MAYBE HE WENT TO THE BATHROOM WHILE WE WERE PLAYING CARDS?
PROKIC:
I DIDN’T HEAR HIM GOING OUT. HE IS SUSPICIOUS TO ME.
TRAJCHE:
TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I DIDN’T LIKE HIM FROM THE BEGINNING. HE HAS BEWITCHING EYES. BUT HE IS RIGHT WHEN HE SAYS THAT WE SUFFER LIKE DOGS HERE AND FOR NOTHING.
PROKIC:
EVERYONE HAS HIS OWN REASON. HERE YOU HAVE A WINDOW. RUN AWAY!
TRAJCHE:
I DON’T HAVE THE REASON FOR SUFFERING.
PROKIC:
AND WHAT ABOUT AVDIKA?
TRAJCHE:
AVDIKA! I WOULD FACE UP THE SAME THING IF I BELIEVED HER.
PROKIC:
DON’T LIE! YOU ARE CRAZY BECAUSE OF WOMEN.

TRAJCHE:
YES, I AM. BUT I WILL BREAK A HABIT OF A WOMAN AND YOU WILL NEVER GIVE UP PISSING IN THE BED.
PROKIC:
MY BLADDER CAUGHT SOME COLD. THEY DON’T HAVE HEATING HERE!
TRAJCHE:
IT IS FOR YOU AS WELL AS FOR THE OTHERS. LET’S PLAY ONE MORE GAME.
PROKIC:
GO FUCK YOURSELF! I DON’T WANT TO PLAY CARDS ANY MORE!
TRAJCHE:
YOU DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO PLAY WITH. I ROBBED YOU LIKE A SHOP.

They both stand up from the table and go to their beds. Trajche takes a tin from the drawer and opens it. Bojan approaches him.

BOJAN:
UNCLE TRAJCHE, WILL THEY DARE OPERATE ME WHEN MY MOTHER COMES?
TRAJCHE:
WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG TO GOD? I TAUGHT YOU TO PLAY CARDS AND I PURCHASED WALKMAN RECEIVERS FOR YOU. SO WHY DO YOU BOTHER ME ANY MORE? YOU HAVE THE BOSS THERE. GO AND BOTHER HIM A LITTLE.
BOJAN:
AGENT...
PROKIC:
LEAVE ME ALONE YOU FOOL. (HE LEAVES TOWARD TRAJCHE) DO YOU REALLY THINK WE CAN RUN AWAY TRAJCHE?
TRAJCHE: (seriously)
IF WE MAKE UP A GOOD PLAN, WHY NOT? DOCTOR IS A CLEVER MAN, HE LEARNED IN SCHOOLS AND THESE ARE GREAT SPELLS. WHEN HE AND GUTE JOIN THE FORCES...
PROKIC:
GUTE WILL THINK UP SOMETHING. HE IS NOT WILLING TO LIVE ANT NOT TO SAY WILLING TO THINK.
TRAJCHE:
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT HIM. I WILL PREPARE HIM.
PROKIC:
I HAVEN’T WALK ALONG THE STREET ALONE FOR SO LONG.
TRAJCHE:
IF YOU CONTINUE THAT WAY YOU WILL NOT GO SOON.
PROKIC: (Hysterically)
I WILL GO! I WILL!
TRAJCHE:
GO TO HELL, YOU MOTHERFUCKER!


BOJAN:
UNCLE TRAJCHE, IF I RAN AWAY WITH YOU THEY COULD NOT OPERATE ME, COULD THEY?
TRAJCHE:
I WILL OPERATE YOU NOW, YOU BORING CREATURE...

Trajche stands up holding in his hand a knife for opening the tins. He starts toward Bojan. Bojan is very scared; he runs toward the table and curls up by the wall. Prokic follows him and almost in trans hysterically shouts.

PROKIC:
I WILL GO! YOU’LL SEE! I WILL GO!
BOJAN:
I DON’T WANT TO BE OPERATED!
TRAJCHE:
I FOUND BREAD TO BE REPULSIVE BECAUSE OF YOU!

Trajche stops realizing that he has exaggerated. He throws the knife and starts toward bed. Masha enters the room.

MASHA:
WHAT ARE YOU DOING LAZY CREATURES?
TRAJCHE:
WE ARE GETTING LAZY. WE CANNOT ALL BE HARD WORKING LIKE YOU AND TO COME TO WORK EARLIER THAN NECESSARY.
MASHA:
BABBLE, BABBLE. AND THEN YOU ASK:”WHY ARE YOU HITTING ME MASHA?”
TRAJCHE:
YOU ALSO HIT FOR NOTHING. I FEEL MORE EASILY THIS WAY.
MASHA:
GUTE HASN’T ARRIVED YET?
TRAJCHE:
YOU SEE HE HASN’T.
MASHA:
HE GOT DRUNK. HE HAS FOUND THE RIGHT MOMENT TO BE DRUNK WHEN THE SECTION HEAD IS ON DUTY! YOU HAVE A VISITOR BOJAN. YOUR FATHER HAS COME.
BOJAN:
I DON’T WANT, I DON’T WANT!
MASHA:
COME ON, BOJAN!

Masha approaches Bojan and he resists. Masha slams him on the face and carries him out of the room.

MASHA:
PROKIC, YOU MUST VISIT THE DOCTOR ON DUTY TOMORROW. YOUR LAST RESULTS WERE BAD!

PROKIC:
I WILL MASHA. I WILL WRITE IT DOWN!

Masha takes Bojan with him. Trajche closes the door.

TRAJCHE:
LOOK WHAT IS MASHA LIKE. HE WILL DIE OF JEALOUSY.
PROKIC:
LOOK WHO’S TALKING.
TRAJCHE:
I DIDN’T RUN AFTER MY WIFE ON HER WORK. HIS SHIFT STARTS AT TEN AND HE COMES AT –EIGHT TO CHECK HER OUT. SHE DOESN’T GIVE A DAMN! SHE FUCKS WITH DOCTORS WHENEVER SHE CAN. SHE CAN DO IT IN A MINUTE!
PROKIC:
LEAVE ME ALONE, I MUST PRACTICE FOR MY X-RAY.

Prokic sits on the floor and makes a Yoga pose. Professor comes in.

TRAJCHE:
THAT BRAIN X-RAY IS REALLY FUCKING DANGEROUS. YOU MOVE YOUR EYE FOR A LITTLE AND EVERYTHING GOES TO HELL. BUT YOU ARE CROSS-EYED ANYWAY.
PROKIC:
WHO IS CROSS-EYED?
TRAJCHE:
YOU ARE! YOU ARE LOOKING AT ME BUT YOU SEE HIM. ASK THE DOCTOR IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME.
PROKIC: (to the Professor)
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? YOU MUST TELL ME FIRST WHEN YOU WANT TO GO OUT!
TRAJCHE:
LEAVE THE MAN ALONE.
PROKIC:
WHY SHOULD I LEAVE HIM ALONE? I DON’T WANT TO!
PROFESSOR:
LEAVE THAT NOW. WELL, HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING ABOUT ESCAPING?
TRAJCHE:
YES, WE HAVE BUT WE ARE WAITING FOR GUTE.
PROFESSOR:
THE LESS YOU WAIT THE BETTER FOR YOU.

Steps and singing are heard on the corridor. Gute is singing.

GUTE:
YOU BELIEVE, BELIEVE TO A WOMAN
BUT YOU NEVER MARRY HER
A WOMAN HAS A SHORTCOMING,
SHE DOESN’T LIKE THE INN.
SHE HAS GOT AN INTERESTING GIFT,
SHE CANNOT STOP TALKING.
TRAJCHE:
IS THAT BATA GUTE SINGING?
PROKIC:
HE IS DRUNK AGAIN. THAT’S NOTHING NEW.

Masha comes in carrying Gute. Gute is very drunk.

MASHA:
EASY, EASY... LEAN ON HERE. TRAJCHE, HELP ME TO PUT HIM IN THE BED.
TRAJCHE:
YOU GOT DRUNK HEAVILY BATA GUTE!

Trajche is helping Masha. They put Gute in the bed.

TRAJCHE:
WHERE DID YOU GET DRUNK LIKE THIS?
GUTE:
IN MY MOUTH, TRAJCHE, IN MY MOUTH.
MASHA:
DON’T TALK NONSENSE YOU FOOL. NEXT TIME I WILL ACCOMPANY YOU. WHERE HAVE PILE AND YOU BEEN?
GUTE:
FIRST AT THE PENSION’S AND THEN AT THE RAILWAY STATION... AND THEN I DON’T REMEMBER.
MASHA:
I WONDER YOU HAVEN’T GONE TO THE SECTION HEAD’S HOME.
TRAJCHE:
HOW DID HE MANAGE TO RETURN HERE SO DRUNK MASHA?
MASHA:
THE GENTLEMAN TOOK A TAXI. LUCKILY THEY CALLED ME FROM THE GATE...
TRAJCHE:
A TAXI! WELL, BATA GUTE, YOU ARE THE REAL GENTLEMAN.
MASHA: (going outside)
I DON’T WANT TO HEAR ANY SHOUTING TONIGHT. I AM ALREADY NERVOUS AND I JUST NEED PROBLEMS WITH YOU! (He goes out)
TRAJCHE: (laughing)
MASHA IS VERY NERVOUS WHEN SECTION HEAD IS ON DUTY.
PROFESSOR:
YOU CAME?
GUTE:
THEY BROUGHT ME IN PROFESSOR, THEY BROUGHT ME IN! TRAJCHE, GIVE US GLASSES TO WASH OUR THROATS FROM YOUR GID. I BOUGHT BRANDY.

Gute takes out a bottle of brandy which he has hidden under his jacket and approaches the table. He starts to take glasses and pauses.
TRAJCHE:
DON’T PUT A SIN ON YOUR SOUL. IT IS NOT A GID. MY GRANDMOTHER...
GUTE:
I KNOW! YOUR GRANDMOTHER IS FROM GORNJA MALA AND REAL GYPSIES LIVE THERE. THOSE DOWN HERE ARE NOT REAL GYPSIES, YOU TOLD ME. COME ON GIVE US GLASSES.
TRAJCHE:
IT IS THE TRUTH.

Trajche takes three glasses out of his drawer.

GUTE:
TRAJCHE, GIVE ONE GLASS FOR AGENT.
TRAJCHE:
FOR AGENT?
PROKIC:
I SHOULDN’T DRINK BECAUSE OF THE TONIGHT’S MISSION. SIP ME ONLY A DROP.
TRAJCHE:
FOR THE DROP SIT HERE IN CORNER!

Trajche takes out the fourth glass and leaves it on the drawer. He puts the other glasses on the table. Prokic goes to bring his glass.

TRAJCHE:
WHAT HAPPENED ON THE COURT? DID YOU FUCK HER UP?
GUTE:
WE MUST DRINK TONIGHT!
TRAJCHE:
TELL ME!
PROFESSOR:
DID YOU LOSE THE CASE?
GUTE:
THESE ALL ARE NEEDLESS QUESTIONS WHEN WE HAVE FRENCH BRANDY MY PROFESSOR.
TRAJCHE:
WHAT ABOUT THE BOY?
GUTE:
CONCERNING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN YOU ARE IN LEAD NOW BY THREE TO ZERO.
TRAJCHE:
DID THE BOY BELONG TO HER?
GUTE:
BOY AND APARTMENT AND CAR...
TRAJCHE:
DID YOU GIVE EVERYTHING TO THE WHORE?
GUTE:
I DIDN’T GIVE ANYTHING. THEY TOOK ME AWAY!
TRAJCHE:
WITH WHAT RIGHT? FUCK THIS COUNTRY, FUCK THE LAW!
PROKIC:
BE QUIET YOU FOOL!
PROFESSOR:
IS THE TRIAL OVER?
GUTE:
I HAVE A RIGHT TO COMPLAIN IN 15 DAYS.
TRAJCHE:
YOU SHOULD COMPLAIN. IF YOU DON’T WRITE IT I WILL.
PROKIC:
AND WHEN YOU WRITE IT...
PROFESSOR:
WILL YOU COMPLAIN?
GUTE:
IT IS A USELESS WORK.
PROFESSOR:
WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW?
GUTE:
I WILL DRINK.
TRAJCHE:
YOU WILL CROSS YOUR HANDS AND EVERYTHING WILL GO TO HELL. IT WILL NOT BE THAT WAY. WE WILL TURN OVER A NEW LEAF. YOU AND DOCTOR WILL MAKE A PLAN AND EVERYONE WILL GET WHAT HE DESERVES.
GUTE:
WHAT PLAN?
TRAJCHE:
A PLAN FOR THE ESCAPE!
GUTE:
ARE YOU SERIOUS TRAJCHE?
TRAJCHE:
THE MOST SERIOUS. ASK DOCTOR.
GUTE:
PROFESSOR...
PROFESSOR:
I THINK THAT MAJORITY OF YOU AGREE. ONLY YOU LEFT.
PROKIC:
AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, I DIDN’T AGREE YET.
TRAJCHE:
SHUT UP. YOU WILL ESCAPE, TOO AND THAT’S IT.
GUTE:
I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO RUN AWAY FOR.
TRAJCHE:
HOW YOU DON’T? DO YOU HAVE A SON?
PROFESSOR:
IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO RETURN YOUR SON.
GUTE:
TAKE YOUR GLASSES AND LEAVE IT...
TRAJCHE:
WE DON’T WANT TO LEAVE ANYTHING. GO OUT FOR YOUR CHILD.
GUTE:
AND WHAT SHOULD I SAY TO HIM? WHERE SHOULD I TAKE HIM? HE HAS FORGOTTEN HOW I LOOK FOR THESE TWO YEARS. HE HAS FORGOTTEN THAT HE HAS A FATHER. HE KNOWS ABOUT ME ONLY WHAT SHE TOLD HIM. DRINK THAT BRANDY IF YOU WANT, IF NOT... I DON’T CARE, I DON’T CARE...

The long pause.

TRAJCHE:
HOW DO YOU NOT CARE...
GUTE:
LISTEN TO ME NOW.
TRAJCHE:
I WONDER DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING CLEVER TO TELL ME?
GUTE:
I WAS AT THE RECEPTION DEPARTMENT.
TRAJCHE:
AND WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH IT?
GUTE:
IT HAS! I LISTENED TO MASHA AND DARA TALKING. THEY TALKED ABOUT AVDIKA.
TRAJCHE:
ABOUT AVDIKA?
GUTE:
THEY ARE TAKING HER TO ANOTHER HOSPITAL TONIGHT.
TRAJCHE:
IS THIS BECAUSE OF LEUKEMIA? IS SHE THAT BAD?
GUTE:
I DON’T KNOW.
TRAJCHE:
SHE HAS JUST LAY IN BED. SHE IS JUST PRETENDING. IT’S NOTHING... BATA GUTE, I WILL GO OUT OF THE WINDOW TO SEE HOW IS SHE.
GUTE:
YOU SHOULD GO.
PROKIC:
NO, YOU CAN’T. IT WILL BE MY FAULT THEN!
GUTE:
LET HIM GO PROKIC!
TRAJCHE:
`    IF MASHA ASKS ABOUT ME, TELL HIM THAT I AM IN THE  BATHROOM.
GUTE:
ALL RIGHT TRAJCHE, ALL RIGHT...

Trajche is going out over the window. Gute approaches it. He leaves it half-opened. It is snowing heavily outside.


GUTE:
WHAT’S THAT?
PROKIC:
IT’S SOME NOISE FROM THE BATHROOM.
GUTE:
WHERE IS BOJAN?
PROKIC:
HIS FATHER CAME TO SEE HIM.
GUTE:
HIS FATHER! WHY DID YOU LET HIM? YOU KNOW THAT...
PROKIC:
MASHA TOOK HIM AWAY! I HAD TO LET HIM!

Gute starts toward the door of the room.

PROKIC:
WHERE ARE YOU GOING? WHERE ARE YOU ALL GOING? MASHA WILL COME! I WILL REPORT THAT! I WILL REPORT EVERYTHING!

Gute goes out. Prokic shouts hysterically. Professor drinks a glass of brandy bottoms up. It’s snowing outside.

(Growing dark)

(Growing light)

9.THE BATHROOM- THE NIGHT

The bathroom in the hospital is really ruined and dirty. There are about ten showers in it. Most of them are useless: either they are without the shower net or the faucets are leaking. But water still flows out of them in heavy stream. Water is cold. Bojan is at one corner of the bathroom. He is completely naked and he is going from one shower to another washing himself. A broken bottle of a shampoo is on the floor. Water is going toward the drain and foaming. Gute is on the door of the bathroom.

GUTE:
WHAT ARE YOU DOING BOJAN? YOU WILL CATCH COLD.

Gute closes the faucets. Bojan is scared; he crouches in the corner. Gute closes those showers under which he must walk to reach Bojan. When he reaches him he kneels down.

GUTE:
DO YOU HEAR ME BOJAN?
BOJAN:
DADDY TOLD UNCLE MASHA THAT HE COULD OPERATE ME IF I DON’T WANT TO TAKE A SHOWER. I MUST TAKE A SHOWER.
GUTE:
DRY YOURSELF UP AND GET DRESSED. IT’S COLD.

Gute raises Bojan. He takes a bed sheet from the hanger and starts drying Bojan.

BOJAN:
UNCLE GUTE, WHY DOES MY FATHER WANT TO OPERATE ME? I AM ALSO GOOD THIS WAY BUT HE JUST DOESN’T BELIEVE ME. IF YOU TELL HIM THAT HE WILL BELIEVE YOU...
GUTE:
I WILL TELL HIM. GET DRESSED.

Gute takes Bojan’s clothes from the hanger and helps him to get dressed.

BOJAN:
WHY MUST I HAVE A FATHER? I DON’T NEED HIM. I DON’T NEED ANYONE. ANYONE, ANYONE...

Bojan hugs Gute. Bojan is crying. Gute is caressing him on his hair.

(Growing dark)

(Growing light)

10. ENT. THE CORRIDOR OF THE WOMEN DEPARTMENT- THE NIGHT

The corridor is empty, long and painted long time ago. It’s dirty. There are doors on the both side of it. Trajche is coming in through the window in the corner. He starts toward one door. Dara is coming out of some room.

DARA:
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

TRAJCHE:
I CAME HERE TO TELL ME THE TRUTH.
DARA:
THE TRUTH? WHAT TRUTH?
TRAJCHE:
THE TRUTH ABOUT AVDIKA. BATA GUTE SAYS THAT YOU ARE TAKING HER TO ANOTHER HOSPITAL.
DARA:
GUTE TALKS TOO MUCH.
TRAJCHE:
I AM ASKING YOU: IS IT TRUE OR NOT?
DARA:
ARE YOU INVESTIGATING ME?
TRAJCHE:
YOU TOLD ME LAST TIME THAT SHE WAS FEELING GOOD.
DARA:
SHE WAS THEN, NOW SHE ISN’T.
TRAJCHE:
HOW BAD IS THAT?
DARA:
I AM NOT A DOCTOR.
TRAJCHE:
BUT YOU UNDERSTAND IN DOCTORS’ THING!
DARA:
YOU’D BETTER BE QUIET. I’LL CALL FOR MASHA.
TRAJCHE:
CALL FOR HIM, CALL! I’LL TELL HIM EVERYTHING!
DARA:
WHAT EVERYTHING? WHAT CAN YOU TELL HIM, YOU GYPSY LOUSES? THAT YOUR DICK IS GETTING UP WHILE YOU WATCH ME FUCKING, IS IT? YOU THINK THAT I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU PEEP THROUGH THE DOOR OF THE SECTION HEAD’S OFFICE AT NIGHT? YOU TONGUE REACHES YOUR KNEES AND YOUR TESTICLES REACH LEDGE! GET OUT FROM HERE, YOU GYPSY STINKER!
TRAJCHE:
IF THEY TAKE HER AWAY, WHEN WILL THEY BRING HER BACK?
DARA:
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW: NEVER!

(Growing dark)

(Growing light)
11. ENT. THE ROOM IN THE HOSPITAL- THE NIGHT

Women’s room in the hospital is just like men’s one. It is the semi darkness. Avdika is lying in bed by the window. Other beds are empty.


TRAJCHE:
AVDIKA...
AVDIKA:
TRAJCHE, IS THAT YOU?
TRAJCHE:
NO I AM NOT. MY DECEASED GRANDFATHER HAS BECOME A VAMPIRE AND IT’S HIM. WHAT’S HAPPENED? WHY ARE YOU LYING IN THAT BED?
AVDIKA:
I’M NOT FEELING WELL TRAJCHE. DOCTOR TOLD ME TO LIE HERE.
TRAJCHE:
THOSE DOCTORS... IF I HAD LISTENED TO DOCTORS YOU WOULD HAVE ALREADY EATEN THE BURIAL WHEAT FOR THE THIRD TIME BY NOW. IT’S GOOD IN THIS ROOM. YOU ARE ALONE.
AVDIKA:
THEY TAKE FROM THIS ROOM.
TRAJCHE:
OF COURSE THEY WILL TAKE YOU WHEN YOU ARE TALKING TOO MUCH. I HOPE THEY WILL CURE YOUR BABBLING THERE.
AVDIKA:
I WILL NEVER GET WELL TRAJCHE.

TRAJCHE:
IF YOU TALK SO MUCH NONSENSE I WILL NOT TAKE YOU TO MY HOME.
AVDIKA:
I HEARD WHEN DARA TOLD MASHA THAT THEY WOULD TAKE ME TO ANOTHER HOSPITAL TO DIE THERE IN ORDER NOT TO MAKE DIRTY HERE.
TRAJCHE:
YOU HEARD A LOT WITH YOUR LOP EARS. YOU WILL GO THERE TO TAKE MEDICINES AND YOU WILL FEEL WELL.
AVDIKA:
WOULD YOU REALLY TAKE ME TO YOUR HOME?
TRAJCHE:
I WOULD.
AVDIKA:
AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR REMZIJA?
TRAJCHE:
SHE WILL FLY OUT OF THE HOUSE UPSIDE DOWN. AND YOU WILL, TOO, IF YOU ACT LIKE HER.
AVDIKA:    
AM I PRETTY?
TRAJCHE:
YES, YOU ARE.
AVDIKA:    
YOU KNOW, THAT THING ABOUT MY INTENTIONS TO KILL MYSELF... MY HUSBAND HIT ME AND MY CHILD DIED. THEN I HEARD FOR MY DISEASE.
TRAJCHE:
THAT’S ENOUGH AVDIKA.
AVDIKA:
WHEN I SEE YOU HERE I AM SORRY BECAUSE I MUST DIE.
TRAJCHE:
ENOUGH AVDIKA! ENOUGH! ENOUGH!!
AVDIKA:
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, TOO. I WOULD LIKE TO BEAR A SON TO YOU.
TRAJCHE:
YOU WILL BEAR A SON TO ME. YOU WILL BEAR HIM EVEN YOU MUST DELIVER 20 TIMES.
AVDIKA:
WOULD YOU MAKE A WEDDING?
TRAJCHE:
I WOULD.
AVDIKA:
WITH ORCHESTRA?
TRAJCHE:
YOU ARE NOT A NORMAL WOMAN. WHERE DID YOU SEE GYPSY WEDDING WITHOUT AN ORCHESTRA?



AVDIKA:
I WILL WEAR A WHITE DRESS, COMB MY HAIR... WILL YOUR MOTHER PREPARE THE WHOLE CEREMONY JUST LIKE SHE DID FOR THE FIRST DAUGHTER IN LAW?
TRAJCHE:
SHE WILL HAVE TO.
AVDIKA:
TRAJCHE, DO YOU LOVE ME?
TRAJCHE:
WHAT ARE YOU ASKING ME?
AVDIKA:
TELL ME, PLEASE.
TRAJCHE:
YOU ARE ASKING FOR SPANKING.
AVDIKA:
YOU HAVE NEVER TOLD ME THAT.
TRAJCHE:
AND I WILL NOT TELL YOU. THIS IS NOT TO BE TOLD. THAT’S THE WAY IT IS: YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR SON, YOU RESPECT YOUR FATHER, AND YOU MARRY A WOMAN. AND THAT’S IT. THERE’S NO USE FROM TALKING.

The ambulance car is heard outside.

AVDIKA:
THEY ARE COMING TRAJCHE. YOU’D BETTER GET OUT FROM HERE SO THEY CANNOT SEE YOU.
TRAJCHE:
AVDIKA...
AVDIKA:
OPEN MY DRAWER AND TAKE A BOTTLE OF RAKIJA FROM IT. IT IS IN MY BAG.

Trajche opens the drawer, takes the bag and takes the bottle out of it.

AVDIKA:
I COULDN’T FIND YOU CIGARS BUT YOU WILL EXCHANGE WITH BATA GUTE AND YOU WILL HAVE THEM. TELL HIM THAT IT IS YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S RAKIJA AND HE KNOWS THAT YOUR GRANDMOTHER IS FROM GORNJA MAHALA. AND DON’T WORRY ABOUT ME. I WILL NOT HANG OUT WITH BOYS THERE SO YOU WILL NOT BREAK ME MY NECK.
TRAJCHE:
BE GOOD AND OBEY THE DOCTORS...

Trajche starts toward the door holding Avdika by her hand.

AVDIKA:
GO AWAY TRAJCHE! GO AWAY!

TRAJCHE:
AVDIKE...
AVDIKA:
GO AWAY!

(Growing dark)

(Growing light)

12. ENT. THE CORRIDOR OF THE MEN’S DEPARTMENT. – THE NIGHT

The corridor is similar to the one on the women’s department. Dara is walking down the corridor carrying some papers toward the Section head’s office. Masha is coming out of his office. He is drunk. Dara continues walking not paying attention to Masha. Masha grabs her by the hand and stops her.

MASHA:
WHY ARE YOU NOT IN YOUR DEPARTMENT?
DARA:
LET ME GO. CAN’T YOU SEE YOU ARE DRUNK? I HAVE A WORK TO DO!
MASHA:
I WILL NOT LET YOU GO. YOU ARE GOING TO HIM!
DARA:
DON’T SHOUT AT ME YOU IDIOT!
MASHA:
I WILL SHOUT IF I WANT TO!
DARA:
LET ME GO!

MASHA:
YOU ARE MY WIFE!

The Section head, age 45, tall and semi bald wearing a white topcoat comes out of his office.

SECTION HEAD:
WHAT’S ALL THAT NOISE?
DARA:
MR SECTION HEAD, I AM CARRYING YOU THE DISCHARGE PAPERS TO SIGN THEM.

SECTION HEAD:
LET HER GO MASHA.

Masha lets her hand.

SECTION HEAD:
WHY ARE YOU NOT ON YOUR DEPARTMENT?
MASHA:
I HAD SOMETHING TO STRAIGHTEN OUT WITH MY WIFE.
SECTION HEAD:
YOU DISCUSS YOUR FAMILY PROBLEMS AT HOME AND NOT HERE. GO BACK TO WORK MASHA AND YOU DARA COME INTO MY OFFICE.

Dara comes into the office and Section head follows her.

(Growing dark)

(Growing light)

13.ENT. THE ROOM IN THE HOSPITAL. – THE NIGHT

Gute is sitting next to Bojan’s bed. Bojan is listening to the music on his Walkman and he is staring at the sealing. Prokic is writing down something. Professor is sitting at the table. Masha comes into the room.

MASHA:
YOU ARE NOT SLEEPING, HA?
GUTE:
WE ARE TAKING A REST. DINNER WAS TOO HARD FOR OUR DIGESTION.
MASHA: (holding Prokic by his neck)
AND WHERE IS TRAJCHE?
PROKIC:
DON’T HIT ME. HE WENT TO SEE AVDIKA.
MASHA:
HOW DID HE GO TO SEE AVDIKA? DO YOU KNOW WHEN THEY TOOK HER AWAY?
PROKIC:
I DON’T KNOW.
MASHA:
HOW YOU DON’T KNOW YOU MOTHERFUCKER... (He hits Prokic)
PROKIC:
HE WENT THROUGH THE WINDOW. ASK THEM!
MASHA:
WHO? SECTION HEAD IS ON DUTY AND YOU ARE MAKING A MESS. I WILL BREAK YOUR BONES YOU BEASTS!
GUTE:
AS SOON AS YOU DRINK A LITTLE YOU WANT TO BREAK SOMEBODY’S BONES.
MASHA:
ONE BY ONE SO YOU CAN NEVER MOVE YOURSELF. IF A MAN LOOSE A LITTLE WITH YOU, YOU IMMEDIATELY BECOME MAD. WE WILL TURN ANOTHER LEAF TONIGHT. YOU WILL KNOW WHO IS THE BOSS HERE!
GUTE:
YOU SHOULD BE THE BOSS IN YOUR HOUSE FIRST!

MASHA:
WILL YOU TELL ME THAT YOU MISERABLE TEACHER...

Bojan is really upset. He gets up and approaches Masha.

BOJAN:
UNCLE MASHA, MY FATHER WILL NOT COME ANY MORE, WILL HE?
GUTE: (following Bojan)
DON’T TOUCH HIM! BOJAN!

Masha pushes Gute and Bojan strongly and they fall on the floor.

MASHA:
GET OUT! YOU ARE ALL LUNATICS! A BUNCH OF LUNATICS!

Trajche comes in through the window behind the TV. He is carrying the bottle in his hand. It’s half-empty. Masha sees Trajche. Trajche approaches Gute and Bojan. He helps them to get up.

MASHA: (to Trajche)
THE BIRD ARRIVES! TELL ME WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN BY NOW?
TRAJCHE:
WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?
MASHA:
YOU GUZZLE! GIVE ME THAT RAKIJA!
TRAJCHE:
SUCK MY DICK!
MASHA:
GIVE ME THAT GYPSY’S WHORE GID!

TRAJCHE:
MY AVDIKA IS GYPSY BUT SHE IS NOT A WHORE LIKE YOUR DARA!
MASHA:
WHO IS A WHORE?
TRAJCHE:
YOUR DARA! SHE IS FUCKING WITH THE WHOLE HOSPITAL!
MASHA:
I’LL BEAT YOU TO DEATH...

Masha starts toward Trajche. Trajche waves with the bottle and with all his strength hits Masha in the head. Masha falls unconscious.


TRAJCHE:
HERE IS THE GID!

Prokic is really disturbed. They are all surprised. Only Professor is calm and cold-blooded. He is sitting at the table.

PROKIC:
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
TRAJCHE:
THAT WAS NECESSARY.
PROKIC:
YOU’VE KILLED THE MAN! WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW?

A long pause. They are looking at each other. Professor stands up suddenly.

PROFESSOR:
TIE HIM UP! TIE HIM UP WITH BED SHEETS! TRAJCHE, GO AND CALL THE SECTION HEAD. PROKIC AND BOJAN, TIE HIM!

Professor gives them bed sheets and he forces them to tie Masha to the bed. Trajche goes out.

GUTE:
WHAT IS THIS FOR PROFESSOR?
PROFESSOR:
WE MUST RUN AWAY FROM HERE DRAGUTIN! (To Prokic): TIE HIM SO NO ONE CAN EVER UNTIE HIM.

Professor laughs loudly. Prokic is looking at him and he starts to laugh, too.

14. ENT. SECTION HEAD’S OFFICE THE NIGHT

It is nicely decorated office with working desk, closets and bed. A lamp lits on the desk. The room is in semi darkness. Section head lies on Dara. Trajche comes in. He is holding an apparatus for extinguishing fire in his hand. Section head looks at Trajche and he wants to get up from Dara. Trajche is faster. Section head didn’t manage to say a word. Trajche hits Section head and he collapses with blooded head over Dara. Dara screams.

TRAJCHE:
SHUT UP!
DARA:
GET AWAY FROM ME! GET AWAY!

Trajche moves Section head’s drooped body away from Dara. He grabs her by her head and closes her mouth. He raises her crudely; she resists. With his other hand, Trajche brakes the closet with medical equipment and medicines. He puts packages of gauze into Dara’s mouth and puts a fluster over it. Some clamor is heard in the corridor. Other patients go out of their rooms upset by the noise. Trajche takes Dara out of the office.


15. ENT. THE CORRIDOR. THE NIGHT

Patients are walking along the corridor. They come out of their rooms. They are upset. They are looking at Trajche taking naked Dara down the corridor. Some of them are touching Dara’s body. Trajche goes toward the room.

TRAJCHE:
MOVE AWAY! IT WILL BE ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE!

Trajche takes Dara to the room. The mob follows him.

16.THE ROOM IN THE HOSPITAL. THE NIGHT

Prokic and Bojan tied Masha. Noise is heard in the corridor.

TRAJCHE:
LEAVE DARA. WE MUST RUN AWAY!

Everyone in the crowd run out of the room. Gute wanders around completely mad. Trajche shouts to him. The crowd is pushing him toward the door.

TRAJCHE:
COME ON, BATA GUTE! COME ON!
GUTE:
WHERE IS MY BOOK... I CANNOT FIND MY BOOK...
TRAJCHE:
FUCK YOUR BOOK NOW!
GUTE:
I’M GOING TRAJCHE, I’M GOING! JUST TO FIND MY BOOK...
TRAJCHE:
HURRY UP!

The crowd pushed Trajche out of the room. Everybody is out. Only Dara lies on the floor, completely naked and beautiful in the semi-darkness. Masha is sitting next to her exhausted with shouting and with his hands tied to bed, which he pushed to the middle of the room. Gute is looking for the book. Professor comes out of the shadow. He has the book in his hand. Gute sees him. They are looking at each other. Professor gives him the book. Suddenly, under the strong blow of the wind both windows in the room opened. Snow falls into the room.

17. ENT. EXT. THE ROOM IN THE HOSPITAL, THE YARD OF THE HOSPITAL. – THE NIGHT

Gute turns toward the opened windows. Crazy people are running through the yard. There are crowd, noise and total mess. “Elemental vital wonder” is running on the snow. Everyone on his own side. There are many footsteps on the snow. Trajche turns toward the window and shouts:

TRAJCHE:
BATA GUTE!

Gute is looking at Professor. He is still holding out his hand with the book of poems by Djura Jaksic in it. Gute looks at him for the moment, then takes the book and goes out of the room in hurry. Professor starts to laugh. His laugh melts with the raging sound of the revolution that is waiting for them outside.

(Growing dark)


THE END