Original subtitles

EPISODE 2

THE BEGINNING

"Why do you sway, forest tree,

With neither wind nor rain to see Your branches drooping to the ground?

Why shouldn't I sway round and round When all my time is passing by?"

This one is pretty.

They're all like that.

That's what you think. The last one could've scared a horse.

We said we're keeping the ugly ones for Turkey.

Keep it down! She recites beautifully.

Was it bad?

No! It's really good!

Our committee member here seems to like your poem very much.

Right, Mr. Borea?

Yeah! It's good. Next!

Good evening!

My name is Larisa, I'm from Dancu village, Hîncești district.

How old are you, Larisa?

I'm 24 years old.

Twenty-four, right?

And you'd like to become an actress or a model?

Yes. A model!

Alright! Go ahead, recite your poem!

I'd like to recite a poem by Alexandru Donici.

"The cricket, all summer long Sang away his happy song.

When the cold winds came to blow, He found out there was no dough.

Nothing left for him to eat."

Mr. Plaha, we have a problem!

What problem?

The show starts at seven and we should rehearse...

Didn't you say we could use the hall for casting today?

But you were supposed to finish by four. It's almost six now.

Can't you postpone the performance?

How could I? Tickets are sold, the actors are waiting to go on stage!

Go check what's going on!

Let's go outside!

I understand.

Bravo! Next!

What's the problem?

As I said earlier, it's late and we must prepare for the show.

So what do you want us to do? Leave?

These girls came from all around the country.

Should we send them home or what?

I understand, but we...

We had an agreement, didn't we?

I think you should stop the debauchery and leave right now!

Who are you?

- Does it matter? - Yes, it matters.

No, it doesn't.

Either you stop and leave or I'm calling the police!

Really?

Really.

You work here?

Yes.

You've got a show tonight, that‘s why you're sticking your nose in.

- Right! - He's Mr. Prodan, the lead actor.

Nechifor!

We'll make sure you'll get the night off,

so you don't have to worry about what's happening inside, okay?

I don't want to see you around here until we're done. Got it?

Give this guy the day off!

Tell everyone he hurt himself during rehearsal.

Put up a notice that the show's postponed!

Good evening.

You arrived!

Go straight down the hall and turn left!

Rodica, look, the baby's parents are here!

She's asking if she can hold him.

She's beautiful!

- A little boy... - A little boy, yes!

Here's the birth certificate!

Mother - Petra Andersen, Father - Tom Andersen,

Male child - Christian.

Born on October 9th 1992, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova.

That's all.

Here's all the money.

There's some for the mom as well.

Not enough envelopes.

Here's the money!

I'll leave them here.

When you're ready to leave, let me know!

I'll stay another hour or two, no more.

I've changed my mind!

I want my baby back!

I gave birth to him. He's mine!

That's impossible! You signed the papers.

You got paid for this.

I don't care! Take your money back!

Why are you all so naive, agreeing to this?

Then, you regret it for the rest of your life.

Think about it: he'll have a better future there!

Give him back to me!

Give him back to me!

You sold him!

I understand you.

There's nothing we can do now.

Give him back to me!

Give him back to me!

Hi, Nechifor!

Hi!

One hundred and eighty!

Only?

This is it.

What matters is that everyone's satisfied.

When I drink cognac, I realize just how stupid we Americans really are.

Why?

How can you drink that whiskey swill when there's ten-year-old cognac around?

You're wrong! What you're drinking now is 25!

That's better!

What do we do with the girls?

Borea and Nechifor will help you take them to Bucharest.

From there to Istambul, it's your job!

You'll give the money to Borea, at the destination.

How many do we have?

This time, 18. The rest, next time.

That's not much...

We have 104! You think it's not much?

Eighteen for you, 20 for me, because I need them here.

But there's a little problem.

What problem?

You're not the only one in the industry.

Who?

I don't know. But we'll find out.

I'd like your help.

- With what? - With a guarantee.

Me? A guarantee?

I want to open a hotel in Chișinau.

But something that truly deserves five stars.

I talked to a very good friend of mine,

Alexei, the son of the former Minister of the Interior

and the majority shareholder at a bank. I asked him to help me with a loan.

And I'd like your STS to vouch for me with his bank.

- How much do you need? - Honestly? Two million one hundred.

But I'll ask for five million.

Two million in cash are yours, the rest is mine.

Okay!

Let me think about it.

Take your time!

Why is it taking so long? I could've been sleeping at home.

You'll sleep next time.

- Did they all arrive? - Yes.

Turn on the light!

What's up, girls?

May I join you?

Do you have the guts to come with us?

Sure!

Maybe next time.

That's how you all are.

I'm doing you a favor, sending you to work,

and you're like, next time.

- Do you all have your passports? - Yes.

My colleague will take them and give them back when you get here.

Got it?

If the police or customs stop us, say you're going to work in Italy!

I'll be right behind you.

You're the one who said the poem about the forest?

What forest?

That one without wind, without...

- "Why are you swaying, forest?" - Right.

I liked it.

Bravo!

Rita.

Alright.

Have a good trip!

I've had better!

You want any?

We're being good.

I'm not.

Will will vouch for me.

The guarantee comes from a foreign company, right?

Right. An American one.

That's good.

Good thing it's not offshore.

But the amount you guarantee for

must not exceed 20% of the company's shares.

It doesn't exceed. Five million doesn't exceed 20%.

What about ten million?

We're asking for five.

Things have changed a bit.

Now we can help you with more money.

You ask for ten million, then we'll take half and give to Papa.

He needs it for a new party.

Is he starting a party?

- Yes. Guess how it'll be called! - I don't know.

Say something, any idea that comes to your mind.

I don't know!

The Party of Former Interior Ministers?

The Communist Party of Moldova.

What do you mean, Communist party? We've just...

- What will the Europeans say? - Polls say that 40% would vote for them.

Okay, let's start over!

You'll ask for ten million.

We'll take five million and give it to Papa, okay?

Wake up, girls! We're arriving at the border.

What's wrong with you?

What's wrong with you? Are you okay?

Do you need some water?

I'm afraid.

I don't want to go anywhere. I want to go home!

What do you mean, home?

What's the point of going home?

What will we do where they're taking us?

Modelling. Isn't this what you wanted?

What if they take us to... you know...

I don't know, but I'm afraid.

Let me get out!

Stop the van!

What's your problem? Sit down!

Stop! I'm not going anywhere!

Go sit! We're almost at the border!

- Stop the van, I said! - Go back to your seat!

- Stop! I'm not going anywhere! - Go back to your seat!

Stop the van and open the door!

Stop the van and open the door, I said! Stop the van!

Get her out!

What happened?

Can't you see the fuss she's making?

What's the matter?

I want to go home!

I'm not going anywhere! I don't want to be a prostitute!

Who told you that you're going to prostitution?

I know!

How do you know?

I know!

Alright. Let's go home!

I'm sick of your damn tours!

- What do I do? Keep going? Stop? - Yeah.

Where do you live?

In Fălești.

That far away?

But you don't have to take me there.

I can get off in Chișinau, or even here, in Hăncești,

and take the bus from there.

All right then.

Can you give me my passport, please? So I don't forget it.

Can you give me my passport, please?

Stop there, after the bridge!

Come get your bag!

Leave me alone!

Let me go!

No!

No!

What a pity! She recited the poem beautifully.

Which university you said you go to?

Foreign languages?

Yes.

And you?

Come on, say it! Why so quiet?

She's studying foreign languages too, she's just a bit more shy.

So you've got no shame running around with men in saunas,

but you're ashamed to talk about university!

It's not about being shy. It's just...

Just what?

You ashamed? Say it! Are you ashamed?

So this is your famous lair?

Yes.

Are you here for the first time?

First time.

Yeah!

It's where I relax and sometimes friends drop by.

After all, we're just people who also need a bit of rest.

That's right.

Clear out!

Go on, count them!

Usually, I don't like beer. It's a peasant's drink.

But I have to admit, what's better in a sauna

then a cold beer and a hot woman?

- Or two... - Or two...

- It's alright! - Then it's fine!

Not that fine.

What do you mean?

I found out who got into the babies line.

- Who? - Zelionka!

Zelionka?

What's he got to do with that? He's into football, restaurants...

Well, looks like he's into other things too.

Yeah...

The truth is that times are changing.

Dina, Larisa!

Make sure you take care of my friend, okay?

Good luck!

BREAKING NEWS

Officers from the Organized Crime Department

raided an illegal maternity clinic hidden in a hotel basement in Chișinău.

According to our sources,

more than 300 women sold their babies to foreign buyers

through leaders of the criminal underworld.

Sources who requested anonymity told Moldova 5

that the man behind this deadly baby-trafficking scheme

was Dr. Ghenadie Arapu,

a former obstetrician at the Mother and Child Hospital in Chisinau.

ILLEGAL MATERNITY IN CHIȘINĂU

Give me my baby! He's mine!

How did you end up here?

Why did you take him from me? Give me my baby back! He's mine!

Why did you take him from me?

Give me the baby! Give him back! He's mine!

Why did you take him from me?

Give him back to me!

Give him back to me! Why did you take him from me?

Give him back to me!

What do you know about this illegal maternity clinic?

We are currently collecting evidence, it's too early to comment.

These crimes happened in plain sight of dozens of hotel employees.

Especially under the management's eyes,

they couldn't have missed what was happening.

How many women gave birth here?

I repeat, it's too early to make any statements.

We'll be conducting an investigation, with witnesses and evidence.

That's all. Good night!

Do you think there might be larger interests behind this business?

Good evening!

I hope I'm not disturbing you at this hour!

Not at all!

How could a star like you ever disturb me?

I see you on every channel.

And besides, we've known each other for a long while, haven't we?

So, may I come in?

Can I get you something?

Wine, cognac?

A tea. I don't drink alcohol.

I'm sorry. I don't keep tea in the house. I'm allergic to tea.

Really? I understand.

I have stomach problems. I only drink tea.

How's your stomach?

Perfect.

So?

What's the goal of this almost nocturne visit?

You really don't get it?

Why would an investigator visit a suspect in a human trafficking case?

Asking how he's doing... How his stomach is...

I must admit, you have quite a sense of humor, Mr. Plaha!

Possibly. I don't want to argue with you.

So?

Once it's inked, it's linked.

On one condition.

Let me remind you, Mr. Plaha, I'm the one who sets the conditions here.

- Then, just a request. - All right.

Who?

Why don't you trust the sincerity of this poor woman?

Come to my office on Monday and you'll get what you asked for, okay?

Okay.

Goodbye, Mr. Plaha!

Sure you don't want me to come with you?

Relax, it's fine!

Good. You'll call me when you need me, okay?

Yeah.

It's been over five years since we last saw each other.

Where have you been?

Here and there.

Shortly after Petru's arrest, I got expelled too.

Well, "expelled" is too much to say. I left.

And after '90 I came back.

And became a celebrity.

A celebrity...?

I saw you in the report about that maternity hospital.

You were really professional.

It was just a simple on-site report.

Poor woman...

I just can't understand how someone could be so evil, to organize all that.

Who do you think is behind the so-called doctor?

Who could it be? Him!

It seems the whole thing is more complicated.

It's not so easy to setup a maternity clinic,

find clients abroad and women willing to go through with it.

It's definitely a network of doctors.

The pregnant women come to the Mother and Child Center, let's say.

From there, they're recruited...

taken somewhere that suits them,

to give birth without parents ever knowing.

Poverty makes people lose their temper. I'm sure it was the doctor.

And you, as journalists, have a duty to speak about it.

By the way, what do you know about Petru these days?

Nothing.

Just that he is in prison, that's all I know.

Unbelievable what he did.

In what context, though...

Apparently, a normal man,

but, in fact, he's a murderer.

Do you really think he did it?

Do you have doubts?

He seemed different.

Irina, even though he denied in court, it was proven that he was the killer.

Fingerprints don't lie. The knife was him!

I have to go!

I completely forgot they're waiting for me at the edit.

- Do you want me to come with you? - No, it's right here!

- Let me ask for the bill! - No need, I'll pay!

- Sure? - Don't worry about it!

Okay. I'll make it up to you next time.

Deal.

Bye!

Come with us and don't utter a word!

Otherwise we'll gut you and you'll mess up your shirt with pizza.

Hello, Plaha!

I said "Hello"!

Hello!

Why are you staying like that? Wouldn't it be better to lie down?

It's more comfortable for me to talk like this.

You know...

Some prefer to talk in bars,

others in saunas or offices.

I like to keep it simple.

About that... Do you even know who you're talking to?

With whom?

With you, Mr. Zelionka!

I've heard you sell girls abroad.

Is that true?

I hate having to ask the same thing twice.

Yes, that's true.

So how does that happen?

Just like that, on your own?

Please, forgive me, Mr. Zelionka! I won't do it again!

Oh, you won't, huh... You'll do it again...

I won't, I promise!

If I say you'll do it again, you'll do it again!

Just not the way you've done it so far, okay?

I'm disgusted again, I hate asking twice.

We'll do as you say, Mr. Zelionka!

I knew we'd come to an understanding.

Guys, don't you need to take a piss?

Because I do.

Here's the deal, Plaha, you're a piece of shit!

From now on, you'll listen only to me!

You'll tell me everything you do and everything you plan to do.

And out of all that, half goes to me. Clear?

- I can't hear you! - Yes!

Now you get up, go home, wash up,

set aside a hundred grand and bring it to me.

Just as a sign that we're at peace, okay?

Yes, I understood!

At peace, Plaha, not friends!

- You better understand that. - I understood.

So? What do we do?

We fucking do it. End of story.

Come on!

Hello, Papa!

- You've arrived? - Yes.

Vlad Plaha! That's him!

Good afternoon!

Friends call me Plaha, I've gotten used to it.

Plaha...

Sit down!

How much did you bring?

Just like I agreed with Alexei. Five million.

- Are you a communist? - No!

- But I was a Komsomolist. - You were just a brat.

We're going to need the support of the business community.

That's right!

Mr. Cioroian, I'd like to ask you something.

I'd like to set up a sting operation...

And we need to involve people from inside the system whom you trust.

A sting operation?

- Yes. - What do you mean?

Yes, please!

Did I end up right? May I come in?

Of course, Mr. Tcaci!

Please, have a sit!

- Thanks. - Tea?

- Tea? You have some? - I've prepared for your visit.

Dina!

- Yes, Mr. Plaha! - Bring some tea, please!

What kind?

- Chamomile! - Right away!

I think I have a good solution for how to conduct the investigation.

Really?

What solution?

I believe the truly responsible in all this is Dr. Arapu.

Most likely, he laid the foundations of that damned maternity clinic.

To take advantage of those naive girls that wanted to sell their babies abroad.

- That's what I thought as well. - Very good.

Mr. Plaha, it's a pleasure to collaborate with people

who cooperate with the investigation.

Mr. Tcaci, I kindly ask you to show me what's in your bag.

Don't make me repeat it again. Put it on the table.

- What do you see here? - Dollars.

How many?

A lot, I can't count them.

Mr. Tcaci, according to the law, I have to arrest you for bribery.

Take him.

Serghei Tcaci, investigator in the illegal maternity case

was detained today for bribery and corruption.

The investigation is still underway, with anonymous sources claiming

that the man behind these dirty businesses is Dr. Ghenadie Arapu,

former obstetrician at the Mother and Child Hospital in Chișinău.

We'll be back with more information.

I am Irina Grigorescu, Moldova 5, Chișinău.

Irina?

I know it's you. Why aren't you talking?

Please, answer...

Fuck!