Original subtitles

[THEME MUSIC BEGINS]

[LYRICS BEGIN] Well, she's up against the register

With an apron and a spatula

Yesterday's deliveries

Tickets for the bachelors

She's a moving violation

From her conk down to her shoes

Well, it's just an invitation to the blues

And you feel just like Cagney

She looks like Rita Hayworth

At the counter of the Schwab's drugstore

You wonder if she might be single

She's a loner, likes to mingle

Got to be patient, try and pick up a clue

She said how you gonna like 'em

Over medium or scrambled?

You say any way's the only way

Be careful not to gamble

Oh, Stefan, I'm sorry

[GUARDS SPEAK IN SLOVAK]

You will call, hmm?

It's not really like going away

For you

[AMBULANCE CREW TALK HURRIEDLY IN GERMAN]

[REMEMBERING PHONE CALL] MILENA: Oh Alex, I've done something stupid. Alex!

MILENA: Oh God, I'm tired. ALEX: Tired or drunk?

MILENA: I wanted to say goodbye ALEX: You said it exceptionally well here tonight

MILENA: That's right Pissed.

ALEX: Milena, what? MILENA: How else could I get myself ready?

MILENA: God, goodbye, you.

MILENA: Oh, Alex, please don't go. I wanted us to have a real goodbye

MILENA: Alex?

DOCTOR: Are you the husband? ALEX: No

DOCTOR: A relation? ALEX: No

Any idea what she took?

DOCTOR: Was it full before? ALEX: I wouldn't know, doctor.

DOCTOR: It'll kill you in the end.

[PARTY BANTER IN GERMAN]

We're gonna meet.

Might as well be now

You could be right Then again, why spoil the mystery?

Mystery?

If we don't meet, there's always the possibility it could have been perfect.

GUEST: Hey, Alex.

GUEST: Alex ALEX: To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what I meant

It's OK

Excuse me

DOCTOR: Nicht rauchen, bitte

You were longer than I thought

I'm afraid it's going to take a little longer than that I'm leaving now

Road's wet

It wasn't raining when I got here

No?

Too bad

If you let me by, I'll drive carefully

If that's the way you like it

Are you going to let me by?

Wrote my number on it

Call me

Please?

ALEX: Bye

Bye.

POLICEMAN: Husband?

No.

POLICEMAN: Relation? ALEX: No

Er, boyfriend?

SISTER: Bitte gebrauchen Sie das Physiologiezimmer

POLICEMAN: Danke schon, Schwester

Look.

what connection do you have with her?

ALEX: You could say I'm a friend. POLICEMAN: So

were you there when she swallowed the pills?

ALEX: No POLICEMAN: Please, this way

Now, good.

Please, sit down

And how did you happen to be there afterwards?

POLICEMAN: Did somebody call you? ALEX: She did

POLICEMAN: What, the girl? ALEX: Yes, she phoned

After she took the pills, or before?

How would I know?

She called and said, "I'll be dead in a minute I wanted to say goodbye."

POLICEMAN: That's all? ALEX: That's all.

And what did you say?

POLICEMAN: Did you try to--- ALEX: Nothing. I hung up

Cigarette?

Thanks I only smoke these

MILENA ON PHONE: Oh Alex It's true this time

MILENA: I've done something stupid Really stupid ALEX: Milena, what are you?

POLICEMAN: What time did she phone you?

I don't remember

Try to think

Had you gone to bed?

POLICEMAN: Were you asleep? ALEX: No, I was working

Was it very late?

I told you, I don't remember.

Twelve, one?

I didn't look at the clock. Use whatever time you want

It is now two o'clock.

You called for the ambulance at. half past one.

How did her voice sound on the phone?

Normal?

Upset?

Did she have any difficulty speaking?

I don't

ALEX: But MILENA: It's just that

I wanted to see you

This is the only chance I got and I didn't want to wait

You tell the truth about a lie beautifully

Take me to your favourite place in Vienna.

[MILENA BREATHES DEEPLY]

NETUSIL: Who is this Linden? POLICEMAN: The fellow who brought her here

Bit of a pain, bad-tempered.

What?

DOCTOR: You combine traces of various drugs

none of them harmful in themselves, but with her overdose.

you have a very advanced toxic condition.

MILENA: How does it work? ALEX: I'll show you

MILENA: Where are they? Here they are. ALEX: The cards are in the back

You need a neutral field. This is not really good That's why I wanted to go home

Do it here. We have to do it now

Pick your favourite colour, the one you're most sympathetic to

ALEX: And then the second MILENA: OK All right.

Slow down

No, no I already know which ones I want

Don't associate it with anything. Slow down

ALEX: Turn 'em over now MILENA: OK

There

MILENA: What does it mean? ALEX: Hang on

MILENA: I want to know Right now, Alex ALEX: Just a second

MILENA: Tell me What does it say? ALEX: Hang on Hang on

What?

What? Tell me

Is it bad?

I don't think you should spend too much time alone

Oh, Alex

"What is it men in women do require?

The lineaments of gratified desire

What is it women do in men require?

The lineaments of gratified desire "

MILENA: That's good. I like that ALEX: I like that

[SOFT MUSIC PLAYS IN BACKGROUND]

Alex?

Come here I wanna try something

MILENA: Like them They're happy

That's because they don't know each other well enough yet

Oh, come on

You don't really believe that, do you?

What does it matter?

Definitely happy At least I hope so.

Twice?

It's good.

Once when I was 18

Again last year

Shit.

MILENA: Both times I. thought I wanted a child, but.

at the last minute, I changed my mind

And how do you feel about it now?

It's done.

I did what I chose

And the fathers?

The first was happy

The second.

he was mad at me

Oh, God, I spilt that all over It hurts

ALEX: Maybe we could get something at the Café MILENA: Let's

It's burning my pussy, Alex

You're going to have to do something about this Quickly!

All right Let me just turn off the road

You hug like an ape, Konrad You belong in a zoo

KONRAD: Du bist's

KONRAD: It's always you who only makes me do this

You know how dainty I am, nicht wahr?

Move on, Konrad Move on

[CROWD CHEERS]

ALEX: Asshole MILENA: I suppose he has one.

Who are they?

MILENA: Oh, friends. Crazy people ALEX: In what way?

They do crazy things.

Anyway, you're sexy That's better!

Could you comment on sex with crazy people?

Eurgh! Cold

[CROWD CHEERS]

How come you're so cold?

STUDENT: Wurden Sie sagen, dass der Neugier der Antritt zum Wissen ist

Yes, but I'm referring to the whole manifestation of curiosity.

And through the gratification of curiosity, one acquires knowledge.

MILENA: Could you tell me if Dr Linden's here? WOMAN: Yes, in the library.

MILENA: Will you tell him Miss Flaherty's here? WOMAN: Of course, my dear

MILENA: I'll be in the other room

One would ask the question, "What is a kiss?"

And the answer is merely an inquiry on the second floor as to whether the first is free

WOMAN: Excuse me, Dr Linden It's a young lady to see you

Thank you

Excuse me

ALEX: No, no You can't. MILENA: Tell me, doctor.

is there any chance for us?

No.

No, come here, you.

[MILENA STRUGGLES TO BREATHE]

[GERMAN DOCTOR TALKS AGITATEDLY]

I've just been drinking

Fuck.

MILENA: Practising ALEX: Yeah.

Why?

What?

Yeah, "why", "what."

DOCTOR: She's been drinking a lot, hasn't she?

ALEX: The past few months Why? DOCTOR: Please, wait there

NETUSIL: God, prices today

A ticket to Fidelio Who could afford it?

Poor, silly girl

How old is this girl?

Just a question

24 5

Nice age

She had difficulty speaking?

She seemed normal

It sounded like a joke

But it wasn't, though

How do you know?

Someone rings you---

They ring you, they telephone me

Sorry, I'm a little tired

Yes.

Someone rings you, says she's going to kill herself

Now, that isn't normal

At least for normal people.

Would you agree?

I've spent a good part of my life trying to understand what normal means

I still don't.

Would you say she sounded

excited?

Say whatever you like

No, Dr Linden, what you would like.

Excited

What area do you work in, Dr Linden? Surgery?

No, I'm a research psychoanalyst.

NETUSIL: Research? ALEX: I teach.

Is your girlfriend a bit mad?

Mad is an expression I never use

I see.

It's quite simple.

If you say so

[STUDENTS SHOUT IN GERMAN]

Yes, but I must first know who I am before I know what I'm capable of

How we come into this world and how we go out

is different for every one of us

We are constantly in isolation, watching.

spying on everyone and everything around us

In birth, chance seems to be merely the visible part of an as-yet-unknown

and uncomprehended natural law

which links us up with the central area of today's inquiry.

secrecy and spying, or - call it what you will - watching

So I give you the first spy.

ALEX: And the first to be spied on

ALEX: Some famous spies

two of whom might be called political voyeurs

STUDENT: Could you not as well put your picture up there?

STUDENT: Or mine? ALEX: I could

Then you are saying we are all spies?

Well, I prefer to label myself an observer

Now the guilt-ridden voyeur is usually a political conservative

Anyway I had time to think about it and I feel I was wrong

I wanted to apologise for being too nosy

Yeah, I want to apologise, too.

I guess I did get a little. tipsy

Yeah, you did.

I don't want to embarrass you, Alex

I do things when I drink too much

I guess I think you're not happy with me any more and.

it makes me nervous.

Still seeing that actor?

Let's get some air

I'm not seeing him or anyone.

I just went out with him a couple of times, once or twice,

maybe even three times

You don't own me, I don't own you

You are seeing him

Is that why you called? To apologise?

I missed you

I missed you, too

It's just that I can't stand these dumb arguments any more, Alex

Move in with me.

You'll see, it'll be great

Can't

But we've been practically living together

Maybe later.

Why can't we get it back to how it was?

No?

I don't know.

For now, why don't we just keep it?

You know

I'm going to take a walk

I'll catch a bus

Talk to you later, OK?

Los jetzt Sei wieder friedlich

[CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS]

Hello

Hello

[AUDIENCE CLAPS]

[AUDIENCE BANTER]

I've got to go to work now, darling See you Love you

COMPERE: Ladies and gentlemen.

and now the lovely Ulla

[AUDIENCE CLAPS]

[SOFT ROCK MUSIC PLAYS] Which party shall I go to tonight?

Tell me whose party shall I smile at tonight?

I'm gonna look for it

I'm gonna lie for it

I'm gonna swing for it

I'm gonna---

Better than words, eh?

So you like Ulla, do you?

MILENA: Just get here? ALEX: Yeah.

Yeah? I was just gonna call you.

We're all on our way to another place

ALEX: All? MILENA: Yeah, my friends

I thought we'd be alone

Oh, come on, be with us

I'd rather be with you.

Yeah?

MILENA: OK, come on ALEX: Really?

First read, then sign, please

So

It's all right It's a formality

Of course.

Read first, please

I know someone who could get two tickets to Fidelio

So that's what they mean by a university education

Hmm Maybe

All right if I go out and pick up some cigarettes?

Yes, you can do anything you like There's an all-night bar near the bridge.

NETUSIL: Ask for the ale. Superior to the beer ALEX: Thanks

Dr Linden.

Will you be coming back here or going home? After the cigarettes

I thought I was free to do whatever I like

Absolutely

It's just to know where, later on

to give you any news if necessary

I'll be back

Sure

DOCTOR: Tracheotomie Anheben.

DOCTOR: Hoher, hoher, hoher

DOCTOR: Einschnitt

DOCTOR: Watte Watte. Mehr Watte.

DOCTOR: Die Tube einfuhren.

DOCTOR: Fassen Sie daran an

I thought you said he was in the army, your father

That's a rather strange envelope, no?

It's normal for him.

He works for a wire service in San Francisco.

He left the army three years ago

Mother loved it there I miss her terribly

She was only 46 when she died.

Can I have a cigarette?

He married again last year

She's nice Teaches

I drifted back

Back here to where Daddy was stationed when I was little

Actually Paris first

That's where we were all together last.

I worked at this and that

I worked for one guy who had 20,000 bees and he didn't even like honey

He wasn't very funny, either

That's when my brother died in an auto accident

Daddy could hardly get himself together

I guess with he and Mother gone, we weren't much of a family any more.

Just people on our own.

Ever been married?

No.

I hate these sheets

[MUSIC PLAYS] I hope that I won't be that wrong any more

And maybe I've learned this time

I hope that I find what I'm reaching for

The way that it is in my mind

Some day I'll get over you

I'll live to see it all through

But I'll always miss

Dreaming my dreams with you

No, I won't let it change me, not if I can

I'd rather believe in love

And give it away as much as I can

To those that I'm fondest of

Some day I'll get over you

I'll live to see it all through

But I'll always miss

Dreaming my dreams with you---

GUARD: Ihren Pass, bitte.

MILENA: Hi.

MILENA: Danke schon GUARD: Bitte schon

MILENA: How are you doing?

What happened?

You don't like it, do you?

ALEX: Don't like what? MILENA: The way I look.

ALEX: You look fine MILENA: Oh, come on, I look better than that, don't I?

Right, you look real fine

MILENA: I bought it for you Aren't you happy? ALEX: I couldn't be happier You're a day late

Hey, I wired you, didn't I?

Yeah, it was waiting for me when I got back

Alex, I'm moving in with you Can't we just---

Do one thing - never force yourself to be different.

from who you are

Well, how am I then, huh?

You tell me, how am I?

You're just fine if you forget someone was waiting

Look, can't we just forget all that?

Forget because you've got on something pretty it changes who you are?

I was going to tell you something.

I'm sorry

Milena, I'm sorry

ALEX: Where are you going? MILENA: Nowhere.

DOCTOR: Die Pupillen? NURSE: Geschwommen

DOCTOR: Wie ist das EKG? NURSE: Nimmt keine Luft zu sich

[ANSWERPHONE] TAYLOR: Colonel Taylor here

I hear you're thinking of going to New York Confirm one way or another

We've got some important profile work coming up

By the way, the NATO people were delighted with what you did on those two files yester---

[NEXT MESSAGE] Hi, sweet, it's Amy here

I just got back from LA so give me a call when you've got time

[DISCONNECTED PHONE TONE]

ALEX: You got a whole department here TAYLOR: You gotta see what we got in Italy

You say this is a rush job?

Yeah I'd have used one of our regulars, but as you can see, we're working full blast.

Got some people coming in soon

Files, Inge Need some up-to-date psychological reports

You know, the usual.

ALEX: She's Viennese? I--- TAYLOR: Born in America, of Austrian parents.

Regular army through and through One of us

You'll find everything you need to know about these two guys in here, or maybe you won't.

Any idea what it's for?

Come on!

For all I know, it could be because their names begin with the same initials

You just work out.

whether either one of them is likely to sniff coke or play with little girls or boys

I don't know what any of it's for

Maybe they forward it to American Express for credit ratings

I'm just cleared for taking them out of the cabinet and putting them back

All yours, doctor

Doctor

Inge.

No, no, it wasn't anything so shadowy or complicated.

ALEX: Why would she marry him?

Listen, I've had men in my life

And only one would I have liked to marry.

But there are problems, you know?

But marry him?

Sure Why not?

Did he want to marry her?

Why not?

As for him and intelligence work

it's ridiculous.

I think he would be flattered someone he didn't know was analyzing him.

Though I'm sure he'd be as amazed as he would amused

Of course, everything I say has to be taken in the context of who I am

I'm only joking

Suddenly so sad, so silent?

So sad, so silent That's me

Here, have some

You know I hate this stuff.

Why didn't you tell me you were married?

Oh, I didn't---

You sort of lied, though A relative is what you said.

was over the border

If I told you I was married.

you'd think it meant your way, and it wasn't like that, so better I---

I don't think it was a lie It's words

It's not important

ALEX: Not important? MILENA: Nope

To whom?

Not important to whom?

DOCTOR: Stay back

ALEX: To whom?!

ALEX: To whom!!!

ALEX: To whom?!!! TO WHOM?!!!

Not important to whom?

To whom?

MILENA: It's over

It took time to get out

And for how long out? A week? A month?.

a day?

For good

Do you still love him?

I married him Of course I loved him

I don't any more

He's who I needed then

He's almost 30 years older than you

You think you're not?

Are you cold? Hmm?

Yeah, I am cold

Why is everybody so nosy over nothing?

I know something much better

I'm not everybody

No, you're not.

Anybody home?

Yoo-hoo, Alex?

MILENA: Hi. ALEX: Hi darling

MILENA: How are you doing? ALEX: I'm great

ALEX: And you're great MILENA: Where are we going tonight?

ALEX: I'll tell you MILENA: Better be exciting I'm in an exciting mood

ALEX: You're in the mood, huh? All right, come on MILENA: Where?

ALEX: Tonight I thought I would take you to the library

MILENA: The library? You got lipstick all over you

Well, it's just that.

Stefan lived through the.

going here and there.

doing crazy things on a whim

Well, he'd do them for me

I tried to please him

stop doing whatever it was I felt at the moment

Oh, I don't know

It seems the more rules I make for myself, the unhappier I get.

MILENA: You like me, huh? ALEX: I like you

How much?

This much

Is that all?

All right, I like you this much

Find me charming, too?

I am immune to your charms.

Who said that?

Guess

Oh, a certain shrink I know.

ALEX: Wrong MILENA: Who?

You don't know?

How do you keep a moron in suspense?

ALEX: How? MILENA: I'll tell you later

I love you, honey, but I don't know why

I am going to fix us a terrific cheese omelette That is, if I can

Even a not-so-terrific one would be great.

MILENA: You got it.

Well, tell me, what did you think of the play tonight?

Well, coach?

The drama?

POLICEMAN: Dr Linden?

POLICEMAN: Dr Linden? NETUSIL: No, we don't need Dr Linden now

Rest

NETUSIL: Rest

Smoke Soon we'll have a chance to speak

ALEX: What?

With me.

Who was the doctor who took over when the woman was brought in?

POLICEMAN: Dr Schneider NETUSIL: See if I can have a word with her on the phone

Well, Doctor.

is there hope for us?

Yes.

ALEX: Yes

Yes.

Yes.

DOCTOR: Wie alt ist Sie eigentlich?

NURSE: Funfundzwanzig?

GUARD: Alle Besucher links rein

Kann ich Ihnen helfen?

Yes, I need some information on, er---

Yes? On what?

Divorce in your country

I have---

Je tady American

ktery poreos eo rozvod

[PHONE] Druhe patro Prvni dvere Na pravo

Stairway to the second floor

first door on the right

Danke schon

Soudruhu, je Tu American

OFFICIAL: Dobre

Please.

Essentially, what I'm asking is, how does one go about getting a divorce.

in your country?

In my country, as anywhere else.

the first step is to ask for one.

But how does such a question come to be asked by you?

Someone I know, a friend, an American, is married to a Czech

It would seem, then, that the problem, if there is one.

is not properly one of your concern.

I asked you not to go You could cause trouble for Stefan

Milena, either you're married or divorced. You can't be in-between

To be in-between is to be no place at all

I don't get it

I can't find anything any more.

I put something down, I go to look for it, it's gone.

You could spend more time at your place

My place is getting to look exactly like your place

This must be his car.

It's open.

About 14 minutes

Let's say a comfortable quarter of an hour

Yes, but if there was traffic.

Traffic?

At one o'clock in the morning? Nonsense

[RADIO STATIC]

NETUSIL: Well, well The radio was on

That's the late station.

So that's what you do at night? Listen to music instead of your communications band?

Never

NETUSIL: What time does it start? POLICEMAN: Never

The late station The late station

Around midnight

I think

Ah, only think

POLICEMAN: It was open NETUSIL: Right again.

Like?

Incredible.

I was thinking, if I'm not nice to you, if I'm mean.

then it would be easy for you to leave me, huh? Look

Look at the kitchen

Oh, look

Your favourite sheets.

ALEX: That's great. MILENA: Yeah

Oh, Alex, not now.

ALEX: What's wrong? MILENA: Nothing

ALEX: What is it? MILENA: Nothing It's just that I don't want to

What do you want to do, then?

What's so urgent?

Can't we just sit and talk.

be with each other?

Relax. You're so tense these days

Hey, we're OK

I'll talk, it's just that you don't want to face the things I want to talk about

ALEX: I daren't talk MILENA: Oh, honey

Come here Come and sit down.

OK, what do you want to talk about?

Haven't we anything else left?

I just wanted us to be nice together, that's all

You say you want to be nice. I'd like you to be

ALEX: But this--- MILENA: Is that the only way I can be nice to you?

You know that's not true

Do I?

Anyway, I have to go soon

Why do you have to go?

I have things. There's some stuff I was going to do

What if we'd made love?

But we didn't

Anyway, I really can't stay. I'm sorry if I spoiled things

Alex, don't go

Wait

Why are you lying to yourself all the time?

I'm not I have to go

Wait

Wait a minute, Alex, look

You gotta understand me - the way I am.

I mean

there's nobody else, they're all in your head

But I must be who I am

You know, to. be with people you don't like.

Get up when I want to get up

And eat when I want to eat.

Drink when I want to drink and fuck when I want to fuck

I'm sure you will You do everything only when you want to

See you tomorrow Same time, same place.

Fuck you

Wait a minute. Wait, Alex.

Wait, Alex!

Alex.

Alex.

You want me? Huh?

MILENA: Come on

Come on, do it now, Alex Do it now

Here it is, Alex Here it is.

Look at it, Alex. That's what you wanted, huh? There it is

Come here Come here

Come here and take it. That's what you want

Here it is Come on

Huh?

It's what you wanted. Do it now Fuck me

Fuck me right here now, goddamn it

I'll fuck you

Huh?

There you go.

Come on Stick it in there, then, huh?

That's it

Oh, God

ALEX: Oh, God MILENA: That's all it is, huh?

That's all it is, huh?

Love me

MILENA: Love me!

MILENA: LOVE ME!!!

Love ME! Damn it!

Right again

What a mess Just like my sister's.

ALEX: Nothing.

Nothing.

MILENA: Come back!

Bonjour, monsieur.

ALEX: Notre voiture est en panne Nous allons a Ouarzazate.

pouvez-vous nous aider, s'il vous plait?

Ouarzazate?

ALEX: Oui DRIVER: Ouarzazate, c'est la-bas

ALEX: Oui DRIVER: Nous, nous allons ici

Je vous en prie, monsieur

Qui est-il?

Il est Mon frere seulement.

Bon

ALEX: Merci DRIVER: Vous, vous montez derriere

Il y a une seule place ici pour votre soeur

DRIVER: Ah, Les jolis cheveux. Ca c'est beau, Ca

DRIVER: C'est tres tres beau.

What's happening?

DRIVER: Et ca suffit, non?

PASSENGER: Il y a longtemps Que vous etes Au Maroc?

MILENA: Trois semaines DRIVER: Ay-ay-ay, ay-ay

American Beautiful!

DRIVER: On Va aller a la Maison Je vais vous inviter Vous allez prendre Le the

DRIVER: Voila. MILENA: Merci.

DRIVER: D'accord? MILENA: Oui

DRIVER: Comme ca vous prenez Le couscous avec moi a la Maison.

Shake the guy

Monsieur, monsieur, enough, enough

DRIVER: Vous voyez Ce Que je veux dire? MILENA: Oui

DRIVER: nous allons boire un the comme dessert Et puis nous allons bien rigoler.

Si vous voulez

ALEX: I remember in New York.

across from us on the other side of the park was this beautiful old mansion.

it was very elegant, aristocratic

it made me feel good knowing something so beautiful was so close.

around it were lots of other lovely buildings.

mostly built, I think, round the turn of the century.

one by one they went down And one by one, up went mostly monstrosities.

but that one building remained.

it was there

someone said an eccentric millionaire owned it

At night, as a kid.

when I'd walk across the park, I'd use it to guide me

Then later.

when I'd graduated, started to teach.

it was still there

One day I had to go to Boston That was Friday

When I got back on Tuesday, it was gone

Gone

Like that

What?

Nothing.

I found this on the floor

Hi

MELINA: I missed you ALEX: I've been shopping.

New York?

I have an option to renew my contract with the university, which I won't

But I say we go back, get married, build something solid together

What about now?

ALEX: What do you mean, now? MELINA: Here, right now, this minute, this second

MELINA: Look where we are.

Did you miss that I just asked you to marry me?

No.

Well, what? I'm asking you to marry me

I've loved these days.

MELINA: I've loved them

I don't get it

Well, weren't you happy?

ALEX: You have to be happy MELINA: I am happy I was happy.

ALEX: It can be that way from now on MELINA: I am happy

When I'm with you, I'm with you.

I love being with you

What does that mean? With me, not with me

ALEX: You have a husband you don't want MELINA: I just want

my own life, my own time.

You can be a part of it, the biggest part of it. You are the biggest part of it

I love you

Come on

OK?

Look at where we are

POLICEMAN: Look at this

[PHONE RINGS]

DOCTOR: Beine

[PHONE RINGS]

Yes?

OPERATOR: Dr Alex Linden? ALEX: Yes

OPERATOR: Your call to Bratislava Do you still want it? ALEX: Yes, I want it

OPERATOR: Fine We'll put you through as requested

OPERATOR: Hold the line STEFAN: Yes

Yes.

ALEX: My name is --- STEFAN: Yes

Yes, Alex Linden You've heard of me?

STEFAN: To be sure

Look, this is as embarrassing for me

as it must be for you.

Listen, Mr Linden, please come to the point and tell me what I owe this communication to

ALEX: Milena She hasn't been seen for almost a week

I haven't seen her and I'm worried and I thought.

I thought maybe you knew where she was?

Are you there?

Did you hear me?

Yes, I heard you, Mr Linden, and no, I don't know

Please help me

Some place, someone she might

that you know.

Believe me, Dr Linden.

I would most certainly tell you if I knew

What I want more than anything is for Milena to get bored with you.

as soon as possible.

and it may come as a surprise to you, more for her sake than for mine

So why don't you just bugger off?

NETUSIL: This Stefan Vognic?

He's her husband, is he not?

I think so

Then there's a question in your mind?

He's her husband

Do you know him?

We spoke. on the phone.

Does Mr Vognic---

He is aware of the relationship that exists between you and his wife, is he not?

What relationship is that?

You tell me?

I've told him. I've told you already

I'm a friend

Ah, yes

Forgive me. Of course

A friend.

And this is why she telephoned you and---

But as I understand, you didn't believe her.

because this wasn't the first time she telephoned you threatening to kill herself.

Is that a correct assessment of the truth?

It is, but I went all the same

Without, however, taking the business very seriously. Right?

MILENA [PHONE]: Say goodbye

Right

I see.

You went to make sure

But you were convinced you would find Mrs Vognic alive and well as usual?

Am I right?

MAN: You like Superman? WOMAN: Sooperman?

It's Superman Why you say Sooperman?

It's not a bad book Would you excuse me?

Are you going to Hummel's party?

Bye-bye.

Ich warte

ALEX [THINKING]: Lost your tan

You lost your tan

More than a month It fades

Doesn't matter You look good, tan or no tan

I heard you've been trying to find me

Why didn't you call me?

I did, five, ten times

I didn't know.

Did I?

MILENA [THINKING]: I guess it was---

I guess it's as difficult for you as it is for me. I.

maybe if you would have.

left a message or something?

Maybe---

Alex, some interesting papers arrived from America

MAN: Let's have a coffee and talk ALEX: Sure.

Who's the guy?

Does it matter?

Why did you come here?

MILENA [THINKING]: I don't know Alex, I---

I guess I want--- Maybe I wanted to stumble into you

Sounds reasonable, but how can I believe you?

What are you afraid of, Alex?

Let's not argue

You're calling me a liar

He's not the guy in the photo, is he?

What photo?

You and someone at a lake

You took them?

ALEX [THINKING]: Stefan I know, but that someone at the lake---

It wasn't him.

Or him.

Would it really matter if I told you?

Who?

The lake was in California

And the boy was my fucking brother

You don't believe me, do you?

You think I'm lying

Think? You'll never change, Milena

Never

If you weren't who you are, I wouldn't have to.

MILENA: Oh, God, I'm.

I'm glad you decided to get rid of me, Alex. You know that?

Because I did love you and

I couldn't---

Fuck off

You're drunk

Disappear.

Milena, I want to explain.

Tell it to your students

It's just that I can't stand to think of you with anyone else

Please.

I'm tired. I had too much

I need sleep. Please, just go

Milena, I love you

I waited all night out there in the car

It's fucking daylight!

You want me to tell you I slept with someone?

Is that what you want? We fucked?

Would you believe that? Is that what you want to believe?

What do you want to know?

The truth?

No, you'd only call it a lie

What do you want to do? Go up and make love?

Go up and fuck?

You want us to do that?

You want me to do that?

What is it you want?!

OK

I love you

I don't love you

What do you want me to say?

What do you want me to do because of that?

Kill myself?

Would you be sure then?

Huh? Would you? Would you?

ALEX: What do I want? What do you want?

ALEX: I want you to be mine

No, you don't You want to own me and dump me.

Well, I don't want to be yours or anyone's

Greedy bastard

Got everything

Had everything

Know everything

I don't want any fucking thing of mine

Let alone yours

I'm not ambitious

I'm not a fucking artist.

Or a poet

Or a philosopher

Or a goddamn revolutionary

I don't want to have to pretend I am for anybody.

I just want to be allowed.

to give, where I can

How I can

To whom I can.

For Christ's sake, don't ever use that word love again

And I promise I won't

Want me to give you a great big present, Alex?

Yes.

I did do it

I did it

You made me do it

You drive me crazy Why did I ever meet you? Anyway, who are you?

Did you know that Mrs Vognic took drugs?

No.

Tests made before the operation reveal traces of amphetamine in her blood.

Amphetamine She may have taken stimulants She suffered from severe depressions.

Drugs aren't so unusual, are they?

You wouldn't recommend them, would you, doctor?

I'm not her doctor

ALEX: I'm a friend That's it NETUSIL: Of course

Did you get her the prescription?

I'm a friend That's it

Of course. You did tell us that Yes.

Another?

You may smoke if you like?

This, Dr Linden.

is an extract from our archives.

The Germans have always been very good at archives

This is Austria

On 5th May.

a disturbance was reported by various neighbours.

living in the Schonbrunnerschloss Strasse

complaints were filed.

against Milena Vognic.

for drunken and disorderly conduct

After additional inquiries, it was learned that the party receiving the attack.

of verbal abuse was.

Dr Alex Linden

Currently on the faculty.

So what does that mean?

Of course.

But what caused that?

ALEX: That?

I told you, she's a very erratic person.

We decided not to see each other after that

For a while, at least

Why did you decide not to see each other?

How, Dr Linden.

would you account for a young girl getting into a state?

Drugs, depressions

[PHONE RINGS]

Yes?

MILENA [PHONE]: Alex?

Yeah

MILENA: Alex, I think I've done something stupid

MILENA: What are you up to? ALEX: Nothing.

MILENA: Is someone there?

No, nobody's here

MILENA: There isn't, is there?

No, and, Milena, I really want to talk to you I've been thinking about things.

MILENA: Oh, yeah?

Really. We ought to talk

[WOMAN COUGHS]

MILENA: No-one there, huh?

ALEX: Listen, it's a little late for drunken phone calls. MILENA: Oh, Christ, the usual lecture. Jesus, Alex!

MILENA: Why don't you just fuck me to death?.

I've done it, Alex.

this is strange and fucked up and confusing

no-one there?

you are a creep

ALEX: It's none of your business MILENA: You liar

why don't you just fuck off?

Milena, your scenes are boring, dull and stupid.

MILENA: Stupid?.

Not according to that orange file of yours.

not according to that, huh?.

You know, you really are a prick.

don't worry, I won't embarrass you any more You'll be able to close that file, Alex Linden

ALEX: Milena, I wanted to talk to you about all this.

I hate to be hung up on

GIRL: She wouldn't do anything stupid?

I don't know.

I don't know.

ALEX: Milena?

Milena?

Welcome to the wake!

Chains. so you can lock me up and I'll forever be yours.

Did you bring your orange file for protection?

Don't worry about it. Doesn't matter

You've won

I've won?

We are celebrating the death of the Milena you don't want

and the birth of the Milena you do

Do I look pretty?

Don't you like---

Here, for you

The only one, sir

The only one chains for which you have the only key.

For you.

for Milena's freedom!

Leave and you'll kill me Leave and I'm dead

Don't go Help me I need you now, Alex!.

I need you, please!

Me? You need me now?!

Milena, you have so many friends

Call 'em

Call 'em now

MILENA: I'll throw myself out the window. ALEX: Be my guest

Alex!

Alex, no, don't go!

Alex, please, don't!

Alex!!!

ALEX!

ALEX!!!

MILENA: Where are you? Come here!

ALEX!!!!!

Alex! Alex!!!

MILENA: Come on there, you! Do you hear me?

There you are

You'd like me to do it, wouldn't you?!

Admit it, admit it You'd like to see me dead Oh, shit!

ALEX: Milena!

FUCK!!!

Milena!

MILENA: Why ruin your neat little existence, Alex, why? ALEX: Stop that, you crazy bitch!

That's what you want, isn't it? To neaten up your little fucking life.

You fucker!

MILENA: I hate you!

MAN: Lass Mich doch zu ruhig schlafen ALEX: Stop that!

Blow it out your ass!

MILENA: Fuck you!

Fuck you! I hate your fucking guts!

2ND MAN: Ruhig da oben!

MILENA: I'm going to do it, Alex! I'm going to do it for you!

Don't go Watch me!

MILENA: That's what you wanted, isn't it?

Oh, God! Oh, God!

MILENA: Oh God! Oh God!

[MUSIC BEGINS - THE WHO: WHO ARE YOU?]

Who are you?

Who-who? Who-who?

Who are you?

Who-who? Who-who?

Who are you?

Who-who? Who-who?

Who are you?

Who-who? Who-who?

I woke up in a Soho doorway

A policeman knew my name

He said you can go sleep at home tonight

If you can get up and walk away

I staggered back to the underground

And the breeze blew back my hair

I remember throwing punches around

And preachin' from my chair

Well, who are you?

Who are you?

Who-who? Who-who?

The said Et cetera Et cetera telephoned me at about 1:30

NETUSIL: Now I want--- ALEX: I can't remember the time precisely

But I'm not asking you for the precise time

So could it have been half past twelve, perhaps?

NETUSIL: Ten, eleven, midnight ALEX: No

You see It wasn't eleven and it wasn't midnight

NETUSIL: Could it have been one? ALEX: Wrong again.

If you know I'm wrong, you must know the correct answer

It wasn't one

Later or earlier?

Which? Later? Earlier?

Later, naturally

Naturally?

Not two?

Obviously

[PHONE RINGS]

Yes?

[MILENA CLEARS HER THROAT]

MILENA [PHONE]: I wanted to say goodbye

You said it exceptionally well the other night, Milena.

MILENA: Alex, I.

MILENA: Alex?

I didn't mean to, I.

oh Alex, please don't go.

Alex?.

please.

I wanted

I wanted us to have a real goodbye

MILENA: I wanted.

I wanted us to have a real goodbye.

oh, God, I'm tired.

very tired.

ALEX: Tired or drunk?

MILENA: That's right Pissed.

how else could I get myself ready?.

God, goodbye, you

[MILENA COUGHS]

MILENA: Oh Alex.

I've done something stupid.

really stupid

What did you do after you got the call?

Did you have to dress?

No, I was working

I put on my jacket and tie

Your tie?

Then you went to your car?

[PIANO MUSIC PLAYS]

[RADIO PLAYS MUSIC]

Like this or faster? Or slower?

More or less like now.

NETUSIL: Was the radio playing? ALEX: What does that mean?

While you were on your way to see.

whether Mrs Vognic had---

Stop calling her Mrs Vognic

While on your way.

to see whether there had or had not been a suicide.

you switched the car radio on.

It was still on an hour ago when I went for the first time to look at her apartment

You wouldn't remember what was playing?

I don't know. Music

A news bulletin maybe

NETUSIL: Do you have a light?

Maybe it was the late station?

No, it wasn't the late station

the radio was tuned to the second station

I switched it off myself

Thanks

RADIO: Und mit dieser Note meldet sich das zweite Programm ab Gute Nacht

POLICEMAN: Herr Hauptmann RADIO: Hauptmann Netusil?

Go up I'll join you in a minute

NETUSIL: Stay here RADIO: Hauptmann Netusil?

RADIO: Hauptmann Netusil?

RADIO: Hauptmann Netusil? NETUSIL: Yes, speaking What?

MILENA IN ALEX'S MIND: Alex.

you came

Well, we've decided it took me about 20 minutes to drive here

Where was she when you entered?

NETUSIL: Mrs Vognic rang you between 1:00 and 1:30.

which means she was in a condition to dial and talk

So?

She arrived at the hospital about one hour later in a state of advanced coma.

So?

So.

an abnormally rapid toxic process, wouldn't you say?

Not my branch Ask a specialist

I have When Mrs Vognic reached the hospital.

she had swallowed the pills at least three or four hours before

If she swallowed the poison between 10:30 and 11:30.

then at 1:30 she was in no condition to ring anybody

Or even move a finger

Do you follow me?

Maybe she phoned earlier I don't know. Maybe I didn't leave that quickly.

ALEX: I wasn't convinced.

I probably was---

It must have been half an hour before I got here

ALEX: I mean she'd threatened before.

And there's that business about your radio being tuned to the second station.

you know, don't you, that the second station ends at midnight?

Now, please, Dr Linden

be kind enough to tell me.

exactly what did occur when you received her call?

ALEX: You're not going to scare me, Milena

Not with a weak gesture like this.

Why don't you scare Konrad, that slob you kissed at that cafe?.

He'd laugh at you now and throw a bomb at somebody

or Giovanni?.

He's probably at the theatre tonight

If only you could have gotten yourself together.

we could have.

it could have been good.

But you couldn't get it together.

My sweet, you've been drunk before You've handled it then You will now

On your own.

without help

who would you call anyway?

That young guy in the photo?

Your brother?

Your brother

I'm here

We don't need anybody else.

Just you and me

MILENA [QUIETLY]: Help me.

Louder

MILENA [ALMOST INAUDlBLE]: Help

It's better this way

Believe me

There was no other way

If you arrived here let's say two or three hours.

before you said you did.

Which I didn't.

Of course. Only detection

NETUSIL: What is it if not.

a process of elimination?

Why I chose this profession

A puzzle

NETUSIL: Certainly the law doesn't interest me

But.

when I see.

when I see.

when I.

when I see---

Where was I?

You were making incorrect assumptions

Yes, yes

Anyway, if. if

then you'd have to explain why you allowed all that time to elapse.

before calling for an ambulance

But what about all those Marlboro butts?

You smoked quite a few last night waiting for the ambulance.

They could have been there for weeks.

One could never accuse Mrs Vognic of an obsession with cleanliness.

ask the portress

I have What I need is a confession

Would you like to confess, Dr Linden?

To what?

The truth of the matter, Dr Linden, is

is that no-one cares about Article 139B

Suicide.

It has little, if any, indictable application to this case

But Article 205: Ravishment

There we have quite another apple, do we not?

Do you know, I ordered a vaginal swab taken?

As detection demands.

[RECORD BEGINS TO PLAY]

Wake up, Milena.

Don't sleep

Wake up

[MILENA SCREAMS]

Tell me!

We're alone here No witnesses.

Tell you?

A sort of confirmation

Tell you what?

About ravishment

I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about.

Difficult, the law.

Difficult

In this area.

it's not as clear as it could be

Ravishment

It. has to do with.

when.

well, in a sense.

in a sense you take advantage of someone's love

NETUSIL: You disguise your feelings of.

of hatred.

I have the feeling we're talking about you and not me.

We are not. unalike.

I could understand.

people who live in this sort of disorder.

A sort of moral and physical sewer

They spread it around them like an infectious disease

Dangerous creatures

To themselves and others

They envy our strength.

our. capacity to fight

our will to master reality

What do they do? They try to drag us into their confusion

their chaos

Anything to get you.

Anything to get you back

Back the way it was

I love you

I love you

I love you

I love you, Milena

I love you, Milena

I love you

I love you

Hello We need an ambulance. It's urgent

What?

Schonbrunnerschloss Strasse

Zwei.

Schnell, bitte

[AMBULANCE SIREN]

Confess.

Please, Dr Linden

As a personal favour

Personal favour?

You see, a swab would prove nothing

I fear I'm not so good a detective

But what is detection if not confession?

Confess between us It might help

Help who?

You

I can help you

Dr Linden.

confess

Between us.

Tell me what you.

dare not

I had a phone call before.

In the car

Is she dead?

No. She will live

Then you don't need me any more

Everything you need you can get from her

Excellent Thankful news

For me, perhaps, it arrived a moment too early

I trust that both you gentlemen will.

make yourselves available to me for the next few days?

What did you get from her, Dr Linden?

Not enough, I think

You must understand, you see.

it's not enough to love a woman when she's so. difficult

You must love her tremendously

More even than one's own dignity

Don't you agree?

MAN: I've got to take two with me this afternoon.

MILENA: Ann, those are the strangest shots! ANN: They're not mine I found them in my apartment

MILENA: Did you really?

Milena

Milena!

Call me

[END THEME PLAYS]

The same old story

It's as old as the stars above

The same old story

Of a boy and a girl in love

The scene: Same old moonlight

The time: Same old June night

Romance the theme

Two hearts awake

Deep in a dream

The same old story

It's been told much too much before

The same old story

But it's worth telling just once more

It's all fun and laughter

They lived ever after

In ecstasy

The same old story

But it's new to me