All language subtitles for The.Optimists.S01E01_English

Moscow, USSR. July 24, 1959

Dear comrades!

The Pepsi Cola pavilion is now open.

Just look at these shark fins.

- More like wings! - Do you feel how momentous this is?

It's like the future is here.

Future is here right now.

Just think, two weeks ago Dior models roamed Red Square.

And now this. An American exhibit, in the center of
Moscow.

- So what? - So, Arkady,

our countries are figuring
out how to coexist.

Once they do, next
stop Communism.

- Maybe even on wings like
these. - Yeah, right!

Did you read its tech specs?

You won't even make it to Leningrad in one of these.

Thanks for your expert opinion, Comrade Cabin Boy.

Was that called for?

Sorry, you just don't get the
nuances of this moment.

And you do?

Sure do. Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ever heard of it?

Pepsi-Cola, comrades?

Sure.

I hope this soda is
as delicious as your smile.

To your smile, Dolores.

How do you like the USSR?

Oh, you noticed my name tag.

Your Spanish is very good.

Thank you.

The language of the Merchant Marines.

Ever heard of it?

Thank you.

What a sideshow.

Me, I don't trust the Americans.

We spent 40 years building this country.

We're not about to sell it for a can of soda.

A photo?

How about it, guys? Let's
bare our teeth at the
imperialist.

Burnt sugar.

- I haven't had a sip of one of these in years. It's only
a product of the USA. - Enjoy!

Comrade, put it back.

Thanks.

Enjoy.

Comrades!

The Chairman of the Council of
Ministers Nikita Sergeevitch Khrushchev

and the Vice President of the
United States of America Richard Nixon!

You look so serious like you
want to pick up a fight!

Are you always this serious?

This is very bad,
comrade Fedotov.

You don't have to tell me.

Comrade Fedotov! Old friend!

Congratulations. What a triumph for Soviet diplomacy.

Comrade Vareinikov, Central
Party Committee.

And this is Ruta Blaumane,

- my best expert on the U.S. - Ah yes,

you're the American! Your
fame precedes you.

I'm a Latvian. More importantly, a Communist.

Oh yes, how could I?

Comrade Grigory Birukov.

- My right hand. - I didn't have enough time to thank you.

Don't mention it.

Thank you.

Well, don't let me keep you.

Again, my congratulations.

What a circus.

You're good. But we're not sitting around scratching our
butts, either!

This can't go on.

It's a new era. We need a new diplomacy.

I want a department madeup of young specialists

with global backgrounds. Idealists. Optimists.

Let them teach our diplomats how the West thinks.

Where am I going to find another you,
let alone an entire department.

How many other Americans

fled to USSR and married Soviet pilots?

You don't need another me.

But I'll help find you some fresh blood.

Great.

Now everyone's a photographer.

Gentlemen... a word?

OPTIMISTS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

MOSCOW, APRIL 30,1960

- This is not a sport. It's a
snooze. - Leonid, where is your enthusiasm?

Plus, golf is not a sport. It's what
you do while conducting affairs of the state.

Chin up a bit, please.

Excellent. You can stop by for your ID tomorrow.

What's the holdup?

Come on Leonid, one more
stroke, and we're off to lunch.

We weren't expecting you until
after the holidays.

I want to get the
lay of the land.

Imagine you're a clock face. Arms at eight o'clock.

Hey comrade, just make sure
you don't touch the...

Who is this?

She has Soviet Women's
Committee today.

Yes, Sir.

Ms. Blaumane will be in after two o'clock.

Yes, Sir, I will make sure
to pass this on to her.

Very well, Sir.

- Good afternoon. - Do you have
an appointment with someone?

Yes. Ruta Blaumane.

- She will be in after...
- After two o'clock, I got it.

One moment.

Analytical Group, Ruta Blaumane's office.

Thank you.

Oh, Comrade Birukov.
Why didn't you just say so.

Would you like to
see the office?

Right this way.

If you need anything from
the archives, I'm here for you.

- Work here long?
- Been at the Ministry since 1935, Sir.

Old school, eh?

The HR file on every employee in
the department, please.

Of course.

Would be nice to have a mirror in here.

Well, my dear Rita, this isn't a
boudoir. It's a KGB safehouse.

- Any news about Paris?
- Why, are you out of French face powder?

I'm fine with the Soviet kind.

- So, any news?
- What interests you specifically?

Specifically, whether mypress-briefing proposal

for the ParisConference is accepted.

I worked for a year on it.

They're thinking about it.

Nikolai.

Nikolai! I'm late for work.

You have a visitor there, by the way.

What visitor?

- Nine out of ten says she's fired.
- Where are you getting this from?

Have you seen the guy's face?

- It's just a guy's face. -
Come on, it's bvious.

I'm thinking of a three-letterword.
Starts with a K. Ends with a B.

The middle letter's a G.

Stop with your riddles.

Damn it. Did I have to ask
him not to touch the golf ball?

What if it's a surprise search?

Impossible. The year is 1960.
This isn't Stalin's purges.

Guys, quit panicking.

What would they find here, anyway?

Are you an idiot? There's banned
Western press on every shelf.

There. Front page. A cartoon
of Comrade Khrushchev.

- Andrei? - I'd rather drink cologne.

Hide it before Nadezhda kills you.

I've got the files from HR, where do you want them?

Comrade Birukov's office.

Wait, are these ours?

Here we go. Buckle up.

Comrade Birukov. So it's you.

- Comrade Blaumane. - I'd like you to start by explaining

who gave you the right to touch my personal effects.

This is the Ministry. Nothing
here is personal.

Oh yeah? Is this yours?

Comrade Blaumane, listen to me.

My appointment to this job is
the highest possible compliment

to the work you have done.

So I should be flattered by my
demotion from department head...

Acting department head.

OK, that's enough.

"Golf is first and foremost a social activity."

Arkady!

I can't sit and wait any longer.

We need an emissary.

Who's going to Nadezhda?

- Why me? - You're her pet.

If you could get this corner
office and a car by the age of 26,

you can clearly get anything.

- What now? - What do you think?

Everyone's teeth are chattering.

You're all too sensitive for
the Ministry, then.

Dear Nadezhda, we beg of
you. Who is this guy?

KGB?

"This guy," Muratov, is your new boss.

Nadezhda, please call a department meeting.

Andrei Muratov, born and raised in France.

Specializes in young African democracies.

So that's why he studies the
games of their colonialist oppressors?

Our indispensable Latin America
expert, Leonid Korneev.

Grew up in Leningrad, with the
children of the Spanish Civil War.

Orphan?

Arkady Golub.

Speaks Cantonese and
Mandarin, now studying Japanese.

The brains of the department.

So it was your idea to use
Comrade Stalin for a target?

Not a target. A, um, hazard.

Comrade Birukov, perhaps I should explain.

Last week, a Soviet diplomat

got invited to a golf game with
a senator from Florida.

Sadly, he can't tell a golf club from a hockey stick,

so he's going to decline.

Which is too bad, because we
might have learned a lot from this game.

Including John Kennedy's
prospects in certain Florida counties.

So we're composing a memo

for him and his colleagues.

And you think he'll learn to play golf from your memo?

You can't teach someone table manners all at once.

But you can teach them
not to drink from the finger bowl.

I see. So that's the important
stuff you're doing here.

Shall I tell you where all your memos end up?

Get ready to do some
real work for a change.

Back to work.

I expect all currenttasks on my desk by six.

Oh, and Muratov? Clean
out your office.

Buck up, Muratov. You're with the people now.

You like the people so
much, clear your desk and join them.

I already share my desk with Petrenko!

Not you, Ionov.

Sorry, Arkady. I have seniority.

- Happy? - Break it up, you two.

We have more pressing issues.

Join me for a smoke?

Not you, Ionov. You sit and work.

Well, it was nice
while it lasted.

We're all toast now.

He's a weird one, for sure.

I feel bad for Blaumane.

Whining won't help.

I propose we get all the info we can on him.

- What for? - For a bet.

Whoever gets the most dirt
on him by tomorrow night, wins.

And the loser buys beer for everybody.

Deal.

Who are you, Comrade Birukov?

- Good evening. - Good evening, Sir.

You're late tonight.

Anya waited for you past her bedtime.

- Should I heat up the dinner? - No, thanks.

Good evening, dear audience.

Here's a daily programme
for tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the entire country celebrates May Day...

- I didn't cry all day! - Good girl.

- Anya! - It's OK.

Did you like my drawing of you?

Yes, very much.

Anya, listen.

You know I can't be here every night to tuck you in.

But tonight's not every night, is it?

SVERDLOVSK REGION MAY 1, 1960

Do you read me?

Do you copy?

Yes!

Pursue the target!

Comrade Colonel, the Air Defense is calling.

We have two targets. I repeat, two targets.

They're going to lose him.

My order is to intercept!

Comrade Colonel, is the second one ours?

How about I do my job and you do yours?

First target destroyed.

Second target destroyed.

Sergeant, to the radar.

The rest, follow me.

Safronov, do you copy me?

Safronov?

Strategic Analysis Group?

- Yes, Andrei Muratov. -
Go over there.

- What on earth is this? -
It's a Dove of Peace.

This dove looks like a duck mated with a beaver.

I'll have you know I copied it
from Picasso, a progressive Spanish painter.

And now you're sayingit wrong, too. Picasso.

- Leo, you've outdone yourself. - What?

- What's wrong with my dove?
- What were you trying to say here?

"Peace and friendship."

It's from your book.

This line should be longer. You
know what it says now?

"Hate."

Don't ruin my coat.

Hope it doesn't rain.

Well, now it will.
You jinxed it.

Here! Is this okay?

More or less.

Arkady, take a photo of me.

Don't touch the settings.

Just focus. Can you do that?

- I'm so sorry. - No, I'm sorry.

Do you know where the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is?

- Here it is. - Thank you.

And the Arbat Street?

Thank you.

- Okay, I'll be going. - Take care.

Arkady! How about that photo?

Focus!

So they're teachingeveryone golf, you say?

Ah yes, another of Comrade Fedotov's liberal fantasies.

But what is this madhouse doing in a Soviet ministry?

And what am I doing in it?

Where else would you like to be?

After the stunt you pulled
in Leningrad, you don't have a choice.

You're lucky to have any job right now.

So let them play their little games.

And you sit there too, quietly, for a while.

Until the men upstairsforget what you've done.

I'm not good at sitting quietly.

Well, time to learn, then.

Sir, there's a call for you.

Everyone please join your column. Let s go!

Give this man a poster. I'll take this one.
We don't need any amateur art here.

It's a Dove of Peace!

"Glory to Labor." Great.

- Want me to introduceyou? - Do you know her?

No. So what?

Hey! Lady in the flower dress!

Here, this is for you. Happy May Day!

Don't forget to put him in
water when you get home.

- I'm waiting for my friends. - And I'm Arkady.

Klava.

Nice to meet you.

- Happy holiday.
- And to you. May Day is a big one.

International solidarityof workers and all that.

What are you doing after the parade?

I didn't have any plans.

Want to meet at 3 at Pioneer Ponds?

Sure. But I don't know where that is.

OK, pick a place you know.

- I know Gorky. -
I read him, too.

- No, I mean the park.
Gorky Park. - I know, I was making a joke.

So, 3 o'clock at the Gorky Park entrance.

Okay.

Matilda, run home.

Comrade Vareinikov has to go to the Kremlin.

- What happened? - They don't tell me these things.

Blaumane.

Yes, I'll be there.

- Oh, my friends are
here. - See you.

See you soon.

Attention!

Forward march! Smile, everyone!

Comrades, everyone is being
asked back into the building.

Right now. It's an emergency.

Yes, he's rushing here as we speak.
He should make the briefing.

- What do you think? Isit war? - Good question.

What else would they convene
the entire ministry for? And on a holiday.

OK, now I'm scared. And
this new boss, too. Coincidence?

Where is that harbinger
of doom, anyway?

Comrade Birukov isn't here yet.

I know. Any news from upstairs?

Not yet.

Let's begin. First of all, happy May Day.

Too bad we're not celebrating
it on Red Square right now.

Viktor, please proceed
with the report.

Comrades, we're in a state of emergency.

The Americans have finally
showed the world their real face.

For years now, their spyplanes
crossed our borders with impunity.

Finally, this morning,
near Sverdlovsk

I'll have to interrupt you here. Not all
of us have the clearance.

I know what you're talking
about. U-2 spy planes.

Officially NASA, but really CIA.

Comrade Birukov, everybody.
Strategic Analysis Group.

I'm afraid you don'thave the clearance yet.

I received classifiedbriefings at Central Committee.

But you're not at Central
Committee anymore.

And your new status doesn't merit this tone of voice.

You're welcome to come back when
you get your clearance.

Where is the First Department?

One floor up, to the left of the elevators.

Again. I'm the new director of the Strategic Analysis Group.

I need to see your boss. Now.

Sveta, let him in.

- May I come in? - You may, Comrade Birukov.

- Nikolai? - Grigory!

Imagine this, huh?

Come in. Sit down...

So, Grigory, how about a cigarette?

I've quit.

If this continues, I'll be late for tennis.

Tennis? World War III might be starting!

Arkady, should I remind you
with whom he plays tennis?

I don't care. The real tragedy
will be if I miss my date with Klava.

Imagine the guy's luck.

He finally asks a girl out, and
a war tears them apart.

Thanks for the pep talk, Leo.

Let's drink to your Maya.

She was an angel.

How are you handling the kid?

I'm managing. How about you?

I thought you'd be somewhere in
London by now. Deep cover.

And I'm here, Grigory. Among
the paperwork.

Look, I have a favor to ask.

Shuiko just booted me from a meeting.

- You need clearance? -
Can you help?

Of course.

Give me two weeks.

- Two weeks? - Hey, it's Foreign Affairs.

You need two weeks to authorize a sneeze.

- I can try to speed it up. One week. - I need it today.

It's impossible.

How about we lower you
from the 14th floor on a rope?

- Enough! - It's 3:30.

She's been waiting for half an hour. Or not.

What if I faint? Mom says
you can faint if you breathe fast.

Everyone's free for the day, except Nadezhda.

Does this mean I can go?

Are you Nadezhda?

What was that?

Let's just go before he changes his mind.

Comrade Birukov. What was the
emergency meeting about?

About an emergency.

May I inquire about its nature?

Its nature is being kept secret.

- Ah, so you don't know any
thing either. - Ruta, what do you want from me?

Sorry to intrude. Comrade
Blaumane, your husband is on the phone.

I'll call him back.

We're not done yet.

I'm not keeping you here.

- Alexei? - Hey!

Can you hear me?

- I can hear you fine. - I'm
being called to Moscow.

- I'll be there in a couple hours.
- On May Day? What happened?

I miss you like hell. See you after six.

Over and out. Love you.

Nadezhda, will you
book me a table

- at the Cranes Lounge for tonight? - Sure.

- What time? - Eight.

Cranes Lounge?

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, let
me speak to the manager.

Thank you!

Here, a cabbage pie.

So, time to go!

- Come on. - Ten more
minutes, please.

Klava, come on. Maybe Tambovgirls
wait for a man for hours.

Moscow girls have their
pride. Let's go.

Eat the damn pie! It's good for you.

Yes, I know all tables are booked.

So put out a new table.

Look, her husband is a war hero, a famous flying ace.

And he s only here for one day.

I guess I'll just have to call
your bosses at the Trade Ministry.

What blackmail?

Thank you.

Of course.

HUSBAND: COL. ALEXEI BYKOV

PLACE OF WORK: AIRDEFENSE, SVERDLOVSK UNIT

Galina Volina, please.

Hi! The dress is green, did I guess right?

See, I'm beginning to learn about TV.

How about a dinner?

No reason.

t the Cranes Lounge?

You're the reason.

See you at eight.

Yes, Sir?

Nadezhda, one more table at
the Cranes Lounge for eight o'clock.

Of course.

Three fighter jets flew the
intercept mission.

We'd ram him but U-2's speed made it impossible.

At the same time, the target was
hit by anti-aircraft missiles.

- At the same time? - Yes, Comrade General.

We tried to coordinate by radio.

The connection was bad

But you coordinated your efforts and hit the target.

Two targets were hit,
Comrade General.

One of my interceptors was
flying close to the American.

There was one target. The
American spy plane.

I'm ready to take full responsibility. I should have
ordered them

to withdraw from the area.

Thank you, Colonel.

- Is this it? - Yes.

We'll get in touch
if we need you.

Should I go back to my unit or am I dismissed?

Just rest home for a day or two.

We'll decide.

Sir, yes Sir!

Hey, careful there!

So sorry.

- A pie for you? - One with cabbage, please.

Sold out. I have only
heart pies left.

Ok, I'll take the heart pie.

Arkady! Arkady, is it you?

- Me - Why the long face?

- Aren't you working in Leningrad? - I am.

How are you? Big bossat the Ministry by now?

Not really. Just a consultant at SAG.

No trips abroad, then. Do
you like it there?

It was fine before the new boss.

Birukov, from Central Committee.

Birukov?! You don't say

I've missed you so much. Apart
for three months.

I've been telling you, come live with me.

And what will I do there?

I'm sure Sverdlovsk has some foreign affairs!

- Seriously, what are you going
to miss? - This restaurant, for example.

Champagne?

I have nothing to celebrate.

How about May Day?
And a reunion with your wife?

What happened?

How bad is it?

A carafe of Georgian white and a double vodka.

- Cheer up, Arkady. - You'll
find your Beatrice yet.

No, I won't.

That's heartbreaking, but
back to our bet.

What did you dig up on Birukov?

I see. Leonid?

- What did you dig
up? - Wrestling.

He was on his universityteam.
Went to my gym, stopped a year ago.

- That's it? - He's a fighter,

- what else do you need to know? - I see.

Look and learn, kids.

Grew up in the Volga German
Autonomous Republic.

After the war, a Commandant of
the Humboldt University.

Then joined Central Committee's International
Department.

But his career really took off in 1956, in Budapest.

He helped put down the rebellion. And how!

He invited the newgovernment out to negotiate and
arrested them all.

- The man's a bulldozer. -
More like a tank.

He's a widower.

Wife died in childbirth less than a year ago.

They lost the baby son, too.

That's when he stopped going to the gym. Poor guy.

Don't feel too bad for him. He is now
dating Channel One's own Galina Volina.

Where did you get that?!

I have my sources.

Fine, my wife works with Volina.

Good evening. Welcome to the Cranes Lounge.

Blue dress!

Yes, Grigory. Blue and green look gray on TV,

and red looks black.

If you invited me earlier, I'd have changed.

- You look amazing. - Thank you.

How is your new job?

Not sure yet.

Did they give you a chauffeured car

and a pretty secretary?

Only the pretty secretary so far.

She started out back when
Lenin was alive.

Watch out, I'll know if you flirt with her.

Nelli Muratova from the music department

is married to one of your subordinates.

Yes, there's a Muratov there.

Did you know he plays
tennis with Khrushchev's son?

Ready to order?

How is your partridge today?

Very tender.

You lost the bet, Arkady. Next round is on you.

Leningrad.

- What about it? - Have you heard
the one about a German

who got dunked into the Eternal Flame?

- Birukov did it. - What?!

You heard me.

Good evening, Mrs.
Blaumane. May I?

- What are you doing here?
- Celebrating May Day, same as you.

- Grigory Birukov. Your wife's
colleague. - My new boss.

Alexei Bykov.

- Please join us. - Thank you.

Always wanted to meet the legend of Soviet aviation.

To May Day!

Another glass, please.

I'll drink mine.

Cheers.

So, he was showing Leningrad to
West German Communists.

White nights, Hermitage,

the whole shebang.

Naturally, they get drunk.
Birukov more than the others.

- He had just lost his wife
- What happened?

Turned out, the head of the
delegation only joined the party in 1946.

And he had visited Leningrad before.

In 1942, with the Wehrmacht.

Bastard!

So Birukov drags him to the war monument...

And dunks him face firstinto the eternal flame.

You have another cause for
celebration, Comrade Bykov.

How long were these U-2 flying over us?

Cocky bastards. Thought we couldn't reach that high.

Did that one get down below 20,000 meters?

We almost lost that sucker.

He got what he deserved.

No, he didn't.

The bastard is still alive.

And my pilot Sergei

I gave the order to pursue.

Didn't call it off.

So the second missile

Direct hit.

You know, I taught Sergey how to fly.
And now he's dead because of me.

Alexei, enough

Excuse me.

Alexei...

How could you? Don't you see
he's in no condition for this.

I didn't notice. Sorry.

Liar! This was a really
low provocation!

In that case, what your
husband just did is treason.

He discussed classified information with me.

Sir, an urgent call from the Ministry.

Sir, there is a courier herewith an
envelope that requires a signature.

I'm on my way.

It requires Comrade Blaumane's signature.

I see

We have to get back
to the Ministry.

The Central Committee apologized for the incident.

Sent Birukov away. That's
why he's here in SAG.

I thought he was just atyrant.
Turns out he's a psychopath.

I dunno. I sort of like the guy now.

Well, in any case, we have a new winner.

And a new loser. Korneev,
you're buying.

And don t forget the snacks!

Sorry.

Will you introduce me to your friends?

- I need to get back to the office.
- Now? Are you coming back?

Of course. Order something
sweet for us, OK?

I prefer the old uniform, with
the big buttons.

That was before my time.

Comrade Blaumane is here.

Good evening.

I am the head of this department,
so this envelope is for me.

They sent us Khrushchev's
speech for tomorrow.

What's it about?

An intercepted American spy plane.

The pilot is alive
in our custody.

What do we do in these situations?

Prepare a white paper

for our embassies around the world.

We are not going to do that.

Why? Because you're trying
to sabotage the department?

No. Because Khrushchev will
not make this speech tomorrow.

I see. You are sabotaging
the whole country.

No. I know how to turn this into
great victory for Soviet diplomacy.

Great victory.

I have a plan. If it works

The whole world will be listening to your department.

Are you with me or not?

2000 rubles in different
denominations.

Chocolate bar, 100 grams

Five wrist watches.

Was his mission to barter or
to photograph our classified objects?

One silver dollar coin, hollow, with a needle.

Hands off, Avdeev!

This is poison! They don't
take any chances, huh.

A poison kit on top of adisabled ejection seat.

That's just cruel.

And we still managed to get him alive!

Take that, America!

A living pilot presents an enormous opportunity for us.

We can catch the US President red-handed.

All we need is to keep the info about the pilot secret.

Khrushchev's speech should be amended.

- Grigory - Imagine...

you're a Pentagon hawk.

Your U-2 has vanished on a spy mission.

But the USSR is silent. Thismeans they
don't have the plane or the pilot.

So you'll just make a statement

that the plane went down in, say, Turkey.

- OK, and then? - And then...

Comrade Khrushchev shows the
world the pilot, alive and well.

The White House will be humiliated.

We ll be able to press them much
harder at the Paris Conference.

This is way above your pay grade, Grigory.

I know, but

No buts. I saved you after
the Leningrad incident.

Got you into Foreign Affairs.

So would you kindly just do your job?

If you don't care
about yourself,

think about your daughter.

Sir, it's time.

Get two ice creams to go. I'll
give one to the Trade Minister.

- They'll melt. -
So drive faster.

May I?

Come in.

Sir, I'm here to offer you a unique
chance. It can improve the standing

of our country, the Ministry, and your career.

Must be...

my lucky day.

We started off on the wrong
foot yesterday. And I'm sorry.

That's fine. Sit down.

Imagine...

that you are a Pentagon hawk

Alexei, don't worry about that. To you!

Do people under your command already know?

Alexei, we are soldiers.
We understand.

Turn it down, please.

They might mention the plane on the 6 o'clock news.

If they don't say anything, there must be a
reason.

It's all for the best.

And not our concern, anyway. Just wait.

Wait for what? Dismissal? Tribunal?

Medal?

I see. And you want me to bring it up?

I don't care who takes the credit.

The whole Ministry will benefit.

Young man, I've been with the Ministry for 20 years.

Do you think I'd be sitting in this
office if I listened to every employee

with delusions of grandeur?

I don't know.

Maybe you'd be on a higher floor by now.

Grigory, listen,

I know that you are under Vareinikov s protection.

But he put you in SAG for a reason.

SAG is a joke, an afterthought.

It's just a bunch of language
majors teaching our diplomats

how to curtsy at receptions.

Or did you think we'd entrust a
woman, a foreigner, with a real department?

It's my department now.
And I'm not a woman or a foreigner.

Great, go write a memo

or whatever you do there in SAG.

Have you mentioned the American pilot to anyone?

Of course not.

Review and sign, please.

But Your memo says the pilot is alive.

I thought you agreed last night to keep it a secret.

I agreed to go along
with your plan.

But I cannot let SAG down.

Sending out these memos is
part of our duties.

It has to go outbefore Khrushchev's 6pm speech.

Fine. Then can you please

hold it off until 6pm?

We usually send them out by lunchtime...

Ruta, I will take full responsibility

for the delay.

You have my word.

Fine. I'll be back foryour signature at 5:55.

No need, I'll sign now.

Just promise you won't
send it until 6.

You have my word.

Thank you.

Come in.

I have an urgent issue.

Of course, Comrade Blaumane,

let's discuss...

your urgent issues.

In this letter, I describe how
the head of our department,

- Grigory Birukov... -
Do continue

On several occasionsshowed insubordination.

and refused to send
out a memorandum

on Comrade Khrushchev's speech.

That's serious. Thank you for bringing up this urgent issue.

My department must not share the blame

for Birukov's actions.

- Naturally. - Lipstick.

- Tea? - No, thank you.

I've read your personal
file, Muratov.

Tragic story.

You graduated top of your class,
native French, decent English.

Joined the Party two years ago.

A wife, your own apartment.

But instead of shaping ourforeign
policy, you are wilting here in SAG.

Why? Because you cannot be trusted.

- I am proud of my job. - Lies.

You just proved you cannot be trusted.

A man told me today

- that SAG is a joke. - I
don't agree with that.

Neither do I!

But as long as you are here,

no one will take SAG seriously.

- Am I fired? - No. Worse. I'm telling you

that I don't need you.

Go find something else to do.

Now.

But... it's not too late to change things.

Earn my trust.

How?

Don't.

Sergei doesn't have a security detail.

He told me himself.

Sure he does. He is Khrushchev's son.
There is a security detail.

In this case, should we wait til he
gets home? I have his number.

No, there's no time.

Let's go.

Sergei!

- Andrei? What are you doinghere?
- You know, I would never

But this is my new boss, he
needs a word with you.

- I thought better of you, Muratov.
- I thought better of myself too.

Good evening, Mr. Khrushchev.

Have you ever heard the name Francis Gary Powers?

Very nice to meet you.

Ruta!

We have an agreement.

It's time. Think of the department.

Five more minutes. Please.

Fine. Five more minutes.

It's 6 P.M. in Moscow.

All-Union radio is on air.

The evening news.

Yesterday morning an
unidentified plane was shot down

while intruding the
Soviet Airspace.

Our heroic troops defended the Soviet airspace

from the intruder...

The May Day parade in Moscow
has been supported by thousands of citizens...

Blaumane? Did you send out the
Khrushchev speech memo?

We had technical glitches. It's not out yet.

That's it? Not a word
about the pilot?

"Heroic troops!" I think you
have a medal coming your way.

Oh, good!

The speech is canceled.
Literally a minute ago.

My friend Sergei is dead because
of me. And nobody knows.

A medal?