Original subtitles

Why have we stopped?

THE DOLL

Boss?

The count is here.

He owns those barges that burned down yesterday.

He wants to make a statement.

Couldn't someone else talk to him?

The commissioner requested that you take on the case of the fire.

Why me?

I suppose

everyone else is busy.

So am I.

What are you busy with, sir?

Boss?

Ask him in.

There was a fire.

At the wharf.

What does that mean?

There were flames.

Very big flames.

I know what a fire is.

What does that mean for us?

It means

that

I don't think I will build the factory I was going to build.

Maybe it's for the best.

Maybe this is good.

After all,

you will receive money from the...

insurance.

And... we will have money instead of a factory.

Correct?

-We will have money. -Yeah.

Yes. Good.

Good.

Maybe it's for the best.

It is.

I have orders not to let you in until the last year's debt has been paid.

-Come in, please. -Thank you.

To think, it is owing to a person

who knows no better than to pair beef shank with fish

that I should gain entry here.

You know how and what to eat, sir.

But paying for it,

now, that is a dilemma, is it not?

A debt of 161 roubles is nothing to us.

How many generations back are you planning to feed with this?

As many as needed.

You want this all wrapped up for yer kiddies? For yer ma?

What do you want?

What could I want, Mr Wokulski?

I gave it already.

I spent it already.

If you dream of a count's daughter, you must be ready for some expenditures.

Do you think you can buy us?

You can.

Just tell me what brings you here.

Have you heard about that disaster?

It was hard not to.

That fire was a gift from heaven, was it not?

-Meaning? -Meaning it was unexpected.

But it was also good, at least for you.

For 161 roubles, rounded up to 200,

I could tell Łęcki who he should ask for help

to save him from the pile of shit he has just found himself in.

I asked you, Father, not to play the admiral.

Stop for a moment.

We have no money. Do you understand?

We were unable

to insure the venture in time, and we have no money.

What does that mean?

We have lost our entire fortune.

My dowry?

Everything.

There is nothing left.

So what am I supposed to do?

I have already begun to pack. I ordered the tickets. What am I to do?

You're thinking of travelling now? Really?

What am I supposed to do?

It is the role

and the duty of a father to provide money.

I was not brought up

to handle money.

Bela.

You should get ready for the fundraiser.

Bela...

Who puts cake on silverware?

I didn't know. When they brought it, I put it on what the butler was polishing.

You are not a real maid, are you?

Come here.

Tell me everything, like at confession.

Like at confession?

I sell my body to men.

Just like that.

I give them what I'm meant to give my husband in marriage.

I have heard that maids do that.

I'll pretend I didn't hear it.

Now go to the butler.

And tell him to pack a few trunks.

-Put that away. -Miss...

-Bela! -Are you certain?

I am.

Bela, this is your dowry!

Sometimes in life, one must sell sooner what was meant for a husband.

Counted.

Here you are.

Everything's in order.

Have we got everything? Let's go.

Good morning.

I wouldn't call it "good".

They're broke but keep as much staff as the Vatican.

Florentyna sends me out to beg all the time.

To the butcher's, the bakery, the colonial goods store.

The old man's a drunk, while Miss wants to travel.

But there's no money, no money at all, since the old man's business burned down,

the one he had with the baron.

So Miss pawned the silverware at the Jew's.

Florentyna strongly objected, but Miss insisted,

because she really wants to go,

because she bought the tickets and can't stand it all any longer.

After they went there, they had to go to the church for the fundraiser.

Miss didn't want to.

But Florentyna strongly insisted. I think they finally agreed to go...

Do you know which church?

Stach, Łęcki's here to see you.

-Here? Now? -Here. Now.

Mr Łęcki.

What a surprise.

Good day, sir.

I was just in the area and, well, I thought I would drop in.

Nice place you've got here.

Really nice.

Are you looking for anything in particular?

Can I be... completely honest with you?

Of course.

And you are

the maid at Łęckis'?

Yes.

Since when?

Excuse me?

Have you been a maid there for long?

No...

Not for long.

My friends...

That's a big word.

No matter. Let's call them that.

They are... rather distrustful

of strangers,

but they are not bad people.

It is worth giving them a second chance.

I don't hold grudges.

Very good.

And before that, miss,

where were you?

Here

and there.

Ah.

Almost like me.

But I've been only here.

Almost my entire life.

In this store.

Have you ever considered doing something else

in life?

And?

What did you think of?

Do you play cards?

For money, of course.

We have this... small club.

An aristocratic club.

I can introduce you.

-I can't play well. -Ah! You know how it is.

Winners are... disliked, and losers, disrespected.

The important thing is to sit with them at the table.

Maybe you would like to buy it, miss?

I would only buy it out of pity, but I cannot afford it.

Nor was I taught how to play properly.

You could buy five of these for that silver set, miss.

That set, dear Mr Szlangbaum, is worth

a thousand of these pianos.

Kings ate from it.

Polish kings.

It has seen 300 years of our homeland's history.

Oh, and did it like what it saw?

Such horrible times.

Times are always horrible.

-What took you so long? -Such humiliation!

Did he pay you?

Give me one for the fundraiser. Hide the rest.

Someone might see that we deal with him. Not a word to Father. Understood?

Such horrible times.

Times are always horrible.

You should help your poor father, not spend money on travel.

-On education! -Even worse!

This trip is just a fad, my dear. Who are you trying to impress?

Father is a man. It is improper to save him.

He would feel ill at ease.

We've used this set every holiday. Christmas Eve, Easter.

So many memories. And are they now all gone forever?

What is happening to us, Bela? What is happening?

I shall live.

Let us pray.

Pray for me too.

Auntie.

Are you certain you have given the correct note?

I heard about the fire.

And about that terrible scandal.

Surely you do not blame me for that act of pure lunacy on Alfred's part.

He is a madman.

He is mad about me, but still... a madman.

You helped with the birth of little Nienacka.

A frightening affair.

Apparently, they cut up that poor woman like some... pig.

I see, Auntie, that you are out of touch with modern medicine.

If not for that surgery, Stasia would most likely have died.

Oh, we don't know that.

You can ask her yourself.

I wish I could.

Unfortunately, Stasia,

Stanisława Nienacka née Konarska, passed away this morning.

I believe you killed that woman.

Don't you dare.

It happens.

That's why I never gave birth.

Just in case.

And who is this coming our way?

Please, no.

Ladies.

Good day.

Please accept my sincere condolences

for the loss of Stanisława Nienacka née Konarska.

Mr Wokulski, we must rest after the fundraiser.

Bela?

Bela, what's wrong?

Stop following me!

I demand an explanation. What happened to Stasia?

I don't know. I made the incision by the book.

Must have been the wrong book!

I've performed such surgeries before. All the mothers survived.

They should revoke your diploma!

I don't have a diploma.

What do you mean?

Because she is a woman.

I graduated in Zurich, but they refuse to recognise my diploma in Warsaw.

I want nothing to do with this death.

Nothing!

Then go back to your... doll theatre.

You will be of no use here.

Florcia!

Give me the money. I am leaving. I will send you a postcard from Paris.

Have the butler bring my luggage. I won't stay here any longer.

And tell Father that I don't know how long I'll sta...

Florcia?

Florcia?

I do not have any money.

I'm not asking for your money. I know you don't have any.

Not a day passes without you mentioning it.

I am talking about my money from the silver set you pawned to the Jew.

Exactly.

I do not have that money.

You do!

I gave it to you for safekeeping in the carriage. Florcia.

Wake up, for God's sake. I have to get going soon.

I gave it away.

I gave it to your father.

-No! -Papa!

You mustn't hide money from your own father!

That's not how I was raised. And neither were you!

You have debts your father was afraid to tell you about.

Don't look at me like that!

You have debts, and you would squander all the money.

So you could impress people with your new fashion...

-Where is he? -New fashion from The Ivy!

Where is my father?

-He left! -Where did he go?

He went to Baron Krzeszowski's to play cards.

I didn't know he would go and play cards,

I swear.

They say you are

rather good at business.

Let us see how good you are at cards.

I do not really play.

So what do you do all day?

It was a joke.

Even we know that new times are upon us,

and people are making their fortunes through work and business.

Fold.

I already folded.

New times.

Yet the winners stay the same.

Not so fast, Baron.

Because it seems

the newcomers at the table shall profit after all.

Full house.

Pour some more for the baron.

The baron has to soothe his nerves because of Mr Wokulski.

I did not mean to offend the host.

Oh, let's leave niceties

to women at tea parties.

Play mercilessly here,

because you will not get anything else from me.

Of course.

Of course, Baron.

Of course, Baron.

I'm only joking.

Perhaps Mr Wokulski would like some vodka to unwind?

I would.

As soon as I make my money back,

I would like to return

to discussing our joint venture.

He has a knack for making money.

Perhaps you have something else,

other than money,

to invest.

Meaning what?

That I do not know. But maybe you do.

He means Bela, I think.

You have good manners.

-I wouldn't dare... -He wouldn't dare.

I shall have to send you to join the ladies for hot chocolate.

They would be delighted.

What do you think? That we, the nobles...

We're all friends here.

Bela, then?

Well?

Bela caught your eye.

Has the insurance been paid out?

You did insure the business, I presume, gentlemen?

Well... We wanted to...

I didn't have time for the paperwork.

But in the case of arson, insurance would not have helped anyway.

Arson?

My question is, who would benefit from such turmoil?

This is a blow to the heart of the Polish aristocracy.

Who would benefit?

Well, there are a few.

Your father invited him to play cards?

What for?

I don't know.

She didn't tell me.

No one tells me anything.

Everyone is hiding something from me.

Don't look at me like that.

I saw him at the church today. And he was looking at me, staring, as if...

Staring in what way?

Like this.

But entirely different.

In a peculiar way.

Like in the dream I had yesterday.

-What was your dream about? -Him.

And that look of his.

I don't want to talk about him or hear about him.

You danced with him at the ball.

Everyone saw it.

That's why I danced with him.

Jesus Christ.

What?

I know what he wants.

Ksawery.

Go.

Baron, the safe is empty at the moment.

Bet your horse.

Margo.

A beautiful race mare. Beautiful.

Too expensive for him.

There's not enough on the table.

-I can write a promissory note. -That horse is priceless.

And you're trying to... fob me off with a piece of paper.

What?

Do you think you'll manage to buy your way into our ranks?

Just like you married into your wife's shop?

You will have to try, Mr Wokulski,

just a bit harder.

I can bet the shop.

Put the cards on the table!

And I

was merely feigning displeasure.

Because I have good cards.

I'm sorry.

But I think I will have to buy myself...

a stable...

Baron.

Well, in that case...

I'm heading home.

Fuck!

Baron.

You are at home, Baron...

Fuck off!

You bring me bad fucking luck!

Will we

Die in battle

Or rot in the Siberian taiga

From our toil and hardship

Poland will rise and live!

From our toil and hardship

Poland will rise and live!

Good evening.

Good evening.

I came.

I saw.

And what?

You had better tell me that you have returned with Florentyna's money.

You want to see what your father has returned with?

Do you want to see what your father has returned with?

Then take a look.

A horse?

A horse? Bela.

That is not a horse.

That is Pegasus!

Only without the wings.

But it doesn't need wings. The fucker is so fast!

You bought a horse, Father?

I won it.

And the money?

Darling, I'm sorry.

I've ruined your life.

I apologise.

You don't want a husband because I...

I brought you up that way.

With all this enlightenment, all this liberalism, stupidity.

I've hurt you.

I understand why you refused

the first, the fourth, the fifteenth.

I understand all that, Bela.

But

you cannot say "no" for your whole life.

One day, you will have to say "yes".

And

now is a good time.

There won't be a better one.

Now.

Where did you get that horse, Father?

I won it.

You won it?

Playing cards?

Well, I won it. I got it.

It's all the same.

Who did you get it from?

From Wokulski?

Who else would gift me a horse?

What did you promise him in return, Father?

Nothing.

Nothing?

Nothing?

Nothing.

I am glad...

that my late mother, God rest her soul...

was fortunate enough

not to live to see the day her own husband...

traded his daughter...

for a horse.

Fuck.

-People used to write poems about horses. -Wouldn't it be better to sell it?

Today, Margo will become like a poem, like an epic! A triumphant poem!

Margo!

My horse! It's racing for the first time today.

Baron Krzeszowski.

Tell me, please,

is it true that you sold your best horse to Count Łęcki?

We shall see if it was truly the best.

Because another of my horses is making its debut today.

Oh.

I beg your pardon. Which one?

There it is. Thunder.

A beautiful stallion. Black like soot.

Thunder. Do you think it can beat Margo?

We shall see in a moment, Count Zaruski.

I don't know. I have to tell you, I've seen many horses in my life.

But one such as Margo is one in a thousand.

What am I saying? One in a million.

I should expect

that you received a fortune for her, did you not?

-After all, such a horse... -For fuck's sake!

I know that horse, Count Zaruski.

I do. You need not continue praising her on my account.

I apologise, Baron. I only wished to say that Margo...

I know. Margo. You've already said that. Margo!

Really, how many times can you repeat "Margo"?

Alfred.

-Nice to see you in good shape. -The world does not end in a single hour.

Changeability is the essence of its spirit.

Let me introduce you to Klara of the Kamiński family.

My fiancée.

And my heart

Has gone out like a lamp in a temple

Only for you, it shall burn again

Isn't it wonderful? He can do this all the time.

Lovely.

This morning... Alfred, can I tell them?

This morning,

we cried together.

I will have a husband who is closer to me than my best friend.

A sensitive soul.

A wedding?

Congratulations.

Yes. There is no reason to waste time.

And then Alfred is taking me to Paris.

Oh.

Wonderful.

Sit next to me, please.

It appears your friend is here for his payment, Father.

I did not invite him.

Really.

Hire a chaperone, Father, if you're matching me with Wokulski.

Stop it, will you? Stop.

Good day, Mr Łęcki.

Miss Izabela.

-What beautiful weather for a race. -Yes.

My horse is racing.

-Yes, I know. -Margo.

Yes, I know. I bet on it.

Good. Very good.

So did I.

Mr Wokulski.

Would you be so kind as to help me with these bets?

I think I bet on the right horse, but I should like to be sure.

Of course.

He's sniffing around you again.

Well, sit down, please.

I don't know if you're aware, but you've just made a mortal enemy.

Baron Krzeszowski cared more for that horse than his own wife...

for whom, as it happens, he cared not at all.

How do you know?

That you won the horse from the baron in a card game?

Or that you gave it to old Łęcki?

I admire your determination, but I do not envy you.

A Sisyphean task, Mr Wokulski.

What do you mean?

That no amount of money can fill the void in one's heart,

caused by the absence of a mother's devotion.

I must tell you what I know about him.

He bought your silver back from Szlangbaum.

Such a despicable man.

Do we need such people?

I don't know.

Margo!

-Margo! -Margo!

Margo!

Margo!

Congratulations. A beautiful race.

Yes, beautiful. Thank you.

You promised me something.

I promised you something?

You said I could seek your daughter's hand.

-She won't even look at me. -Seek!

I said you could seek her hand.

Not that I'd sell her like some mare. Who do you think I am?

-Mr Łęcki! -Can you ever behave correctly?

Mind your tone.

And cease this fussing

at such a joyous moment.

Boss.

We have a witness.

It's about the fire.

A 12-year-old boy. He says he saw the perpetrator.

For 20 kopecks, I'll tell you what he looked like.

For ten?

But I really did see him!

And you can describe him?

I can even draw him.

Because I'm good at drawing.

You'll be surprised.

Ten, then?

STAMP AND METALWARE SHOP

This wallet here. How much for it?

-Could you show me some other ones? -Yes, of course.

Follow me.

I need to talk to you, Mr Wokulski.

To what do I owe this visit?

To whom, rather.

My cousin Starski told me something that worries me greatly.

I see I have made an impression.

What did he say?

Your cousin.

THE IVY ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY FOR WOMEN

You read women's magazines?

Men write for it too.

Mr Starski told me that you bought my set from Szlangbaum.

He told you the truth.

Why do you need my set?

It's beautiful.

The price was good.

But most of all, it's business.

I buy and sell.

I multiply.

So this is that store of yours.

Indeed.

Your pride.

You fawn over the aristocracy like a dog.

I'd say they come to me.

You come to me.

Do you know what I read in a book about the social system?

That you cannot turn a dog into a lynx.

The latest scientific theories say

that species change on their own,

and those that do not change are doomed to extinction.

I, like few others, really do understand

that the world is changing.

But let's not go overboard.

There are certain rules.

We will never accept you.

We are not equals.

They will laugh at you.

And the harder you try to make them stop,

the more

they will laugh.

A tiny shop like this is just right for you.

Why would you need more?

And I will buy back the set.

DEAR

RÓŻA

Subtitle translation by: Mikołaj Kopczak