Original subtitles

To my sister who would make me sit on top of the wardrobe

- Elka! - What?

Want some watermelon?

You were supposed to stay in the store.

GROCERY

An Andrzej Jakimowski film

TRICKS

- May I go see the pigeons? - You may. Want some watermelon?

- Why won't they fly? - You're too young.

Come hold the bowl.

Come back! Sticks don't fly!

I'm no stick, but Batman!

Come back, or you'll fall and kill yourself!

Our dad is sitting there.

With a newspaper.

- That's him? - No.

You sure?

I am.

Why aren't we boarding it?

Come.

Stay put and keep your fingers crossed for me.

Till I'm back.

Your name's on the list. You've made it.

- Am I hired then? - That depends on the commission.

You'll have an interview.

I gotta go!

Ask her if she'd like coffee.

I'll wet my pants!

I can't come out now.

Elka can't come out.

- But I can. - Tell her I'll drop in tonight.

Nothing doing. She has a course.

- What course? - I wonder if I can tell you.

You can't see that movie. They won't let you in.

We can return the tickets.

What did you want to do to her after the movie?

It would've been up to her.

Maybe a walk.

She'd sure have liked a bike ride.

- Why so slow? - What?

- Why so slow? - Wanna race?

Wanna race?

Let her rip!

It was awesome!

Dear Signora Bianca,

what a scandal with those on the 2nd floor.

You don't say! No idea.

Yesterday that young girl did the laundry.

USED CAR LOT

USED CAR LOT

Will you take it out? I may scratch it.

- Where? Into the yard? - Yeah.

What do I do with it?

Have the engine run for 15 min. once a week.

It'll burn more than it's worth. Wouldn't want it in thejunk yard?

Rather than sell I buy junk.

- Whose clunker is this, then? - Happens to be mine.

- Mustang 69. - I can see that.

But I'm not selling either.

- You aren't? - Nope.

See the man with a briefcase?

Not that. The one by the train.

- Yeah... - That's our dad. Elka's and mine.

You told her?

How do you know? You've never seen him.

That's him.

- How can you tell? - By everything.

NO ENTRY

The Turk wants your Mustang.

- How much? - He'll trade you his Olds.

That's no Olds but a Dodge.

I won't trade my Mustang for such a jalopy.

Yours no Mustang.

Just the engine and the body.

And the wheels.

This certificate is no longer valid. It's only for 3 months.

Xerox it so that the digit 1 is not visible. Do you know Italian?

- My Italian's poor, but I'm studying it. - A pity you're not prepared today,

as we have an Italian on the committee.

Why out in the rain?

I had to stay put and keep my fingers crossed.

- You got thejob? - Not yet.

- No bath! - Sleep on the floor then.

No way! I want to go to bed!

Then you must wash. I won't let you soil the sheets.

You're not my mom!

I am both mom and dad.

Why did Daddy leave us?

Awoman trapped him.

As luck would have it, Mom was down on hers.

Can we reclaim him?

As luck would have it...

Drop it, come on!

- No rooting in the trashcan. - One more time.

Why don't you toss it? We'll see if you're lucky.

If you're lucky, it'll land there by itself. No need to lift a finger.

But your bag won't make it into the can. It's too big.

We'll see.

Fortune smiled on you.

Tempted by the hamburger, he just got the wrong can.

The hamburger and bun.

I got nothing to bribe him with. Just my luck.

Seen that?

- Can't kick this nasty habit. - Neither can I.

Remember me?

I guess so. I fell and killed myself.

The Turk asks if you've decided?

- I told him no deal. - He thinks you'll come round.

No way to force me.

Get off!

Leave it and go home.

- Tomorrow night too? - Of course.

- Elka, wait. We'll pick you up. - No, thanks.

- Why walk alone at night? - No need, really. Bye.

Stefek!

Careful with her. She knows tricks.

- Yeah? - Shejust won't admit it.

- What can she do to me? - Trap you and you'll have to obey her.

- Seen Stefek? - He's here.

I'll be careful. Tell her I can pick you up.

She wouldn't yesterday.

I'd better not ask her tonight.

Community Center. Ever been here?

- No, never. And you? - Neither.

Any questions?

I got one.

- Were you eavesdropping? - Yes, but didn't want to disturb you.

Only students can ask questions, notjust casual passers-by.

I am a new student. The room got changed. That's why we're late.

Sit down and don't disturb, then.

- And you? - I'm with my friend.

Since there are no questions, we discuss another item...

The colleague in glasses had a question.

- May I? - Yes, I'm just leaving.

- May I come along? - Not today.

Don't wake up mom. She stayed up late.

- Hi! - You look gorgeous!

You like it? Thanks.

- Hi! - Hi!

Take out the garbage and get cabbage from the greengrocer's.

- May I come along? - No!

I know where they're riding. They'll have fun!

Will you drive by the greengrocer's?

Can I come along?

Pull over.

Stefek! What are you doing here?

- I'm bringing cabbage. - How did you get here?

- Zbyszek picked me up. - What Zbyszek?

You forgot it's Sunday? Greengrocers are closed.

Zbyszek drove me to the supermarket.

Nobody wants to buy apples.

Not from him. They're buying from the other man.

If someone bought from him, others would follow suit.

It doesn't seem to work.

Must be down on his luck.

- Why so much gingerbread? - So what? You want a side of beef?

- But so much? - Don't you like gingerbread?

What are you up to?

I tricked fortune to smile on that man.

Why on him rather than your sister and me?

Because. I want to try it on him first.

- Have they been sprayed? - I don't spray apples.

Want some gingerbread?

Try some. It's yummy.

- Yummy. - Sweet?

- Don't drink. You're driving. - So what?

- How much are the apples? - 2 zl a kilo.

Chocolate on your cheek. Lick it off.

Try again.

My tongue is not that long.

Why stick it all out? Let me show you.

- And here. - Tricky...

Nowthe wrapper.

Elka, look!

- You need that paper? - No. Here you are.

I tempted fortune.

- How? - I sacrificed 1 zl.

No, you just traded it for a pound of apples.

- That's no sacrifice. - What tempted it, then?

Maybe the 2 zl left in the basket.

- What basket? - The one I left by the apples.

- Can you change this? - How do you want it?

- Can you change this? - How do you want it?

Fours tens

and two fives.

- Here you are. - Thank you.

I'll be there in half an hour. Good.

- What is it today? - I can't tell you.

- Private or business? - Private.

- Off to Wroclaw with mom? - No, to Swiebodzice.

- And you to Wroclaw? - Yes. To work.

- Do you have to transfer? - I do.

- Where do you live? - In Ruda. See you. Bye.

Have you decided?

You mean the trading?

And you get gas... from the pipeline?

She runs on alcohol. The other tank holds 60 gallons.

Enough for me and the project for a whole month.

We got a liquor store on my project.

But I supply your neighbors.

They can't afford the stores.

Scuso!

- You should say 'scusi' (sorry). - Sorry. I'm a beginner.

That's all right. I forgive you, and you forgive me. All is OK.

I don't forgive you but want to apologize.

That was nothing. You're making progress fast.

Excuse me, I got all the papers. Can I have that talk now.

But Mr. Leone won't be here today. With the HR boss, then.

- Thursday would be better. - But I work all day long then.

All right. Thursday, then.

Want some candy?

Hold it.

Wait. Some more.

Yesterday the young girl from the 2nd floor...

... hung out her washing with man's pants!

But they weren't her husband's!

It's over. Outta here.

- You've brought in the dishes? - But a few ashtrays.

- Want a ride home? - No need. Good night.

Hi!

Could you get a car on Sunday?

What car would you like?

Just a car with four wheels and a hood.

You like them small and fast or big?

Where do you pick those guys?

At the station, moron?

One day a baldie on a bike, the next day some dude in a car.

And the folks to watch and wonder. You laughing, stupid bitch?

- You have a date? - With Jerzy.

- Only with him you sure? - Yes.

Isn't one enough? Nowtwo at a time?

- You'd better yell louder! - Slut!

Both suckers flock as if to a bitch in heat.

I won't embarrass myself in front of neighbors.

You're seeing pimps!

Read a book once in a while!

- I've got nothing to wear. - And that fine snake skin suit?

Where to, tramp? Isn't one enough?

- She pulls a train... - None of your business!

Slut!

- Don't wait with dinner! - Slut!

Hi!

Cool.

Will you drive me to town?

When Elka comes down, we'll pick you up.

- A noodle in your hair? - Pardon? - You got a noodle in your hair.

Take it out, then.

It got tangled.

Hi!

- Can we drive Violka to town? - We sure will.

Where are you going?

Why didn't you drop that slut off at the market!

Why, you asked her yourself?

Had no idea she'd get the cheek to come here.

On the other side. Under the other knee.

- I got it! - Take it away.

Afat one.

Violka! It was super duper!

Be seeing you.

Whose pigeons are those? Do you know?

Know that old geezer in a baseball cap? He limps.

- I do. And you? - I knew him once.

You keep pigeons too?

I used to but had to move. So I gave them away.

Couldn't you take them along?

No room for pigeons in an apartment house. Maybe canaries or parrots.

- Which did you give away? - The better ones.

- And the worse? - I ate them.

Since they're yours, why not take them back?

Mine no more.

They wouldn't even know me.

It's better with no lipstick.

- Don't you like the color or what? - Can you wipe it away.

They're red anyway.

Why not the eyelashes?

Now you can go to work.

My briefcase!

Oh, man!

Elka's been looking for you since the morning.

- Excuse me, are you open? - At nine.

Could I smile at you... before nine?

- Just smile? - I could do with some coffee.

CLOSED

- What time is his next train? - In 10 min.

- Good. I'll watch him. - You don't have to.

- He can't leave anywhere now. - Who do I watch? - The soldiers.

All right. They won't go anywhere. Hurry up to get to Elka.

Elka, Daddy's back!

- He's in the bar. - There's no daddy whatsoever. Got that?

I hear the word 'daddy' again, I'll let you have it.

And you won't be able to sit down on your ass.

Go home and be quick. No loitering anywhere.

- You've taken the soldiers? - What soldiers? - Over there.

I've missed another train!

So you'll ride the next one. Something happened?

Exactly. The next train is in the evening.

Another coffee? Yes, sir, right away.

What's happened to the door?

What happened?

Nothing. Why?

Why have they switched places?

- Who? - The guards.

What's the matter?

It's past 9 am and the bar is still closed?

What did Elka say?

You can leave if you like.

Not that way. Let's turn him back.

Why should he turn back?

He's going straight to mom, who's in the store now.

He may have other plans.

- How do I look? - Good.

Put some lipstick on to look mature.

Hi, mom. Give me your earrings.

- Why? - I have this interview.

Let's look at you. Gorgeous.

Gimme. I'm in a hurry.

Put on the other one.

Natalka, come here.

See what a doll?

You got other kids?

Who let you go out? Come here quick!

You were supposed to sit home on your ass.

- You're going with me. - There he is. You recognize him?

I don't care.

Get in. Quick.

- Can I give you a ride? - I got no time. Bye.

You look pretty today.

- Did you recognize him? - I wasn't looking.

You were.

That's him.

Even if...

He went to see strangers, not us.

They stopped him for a while.

I know where he's going. Aren't you curious?

No.

- I have an appointment. - Wait upstairs till they call you.

But this is my interview.

Like everybody. They call you one at a time.

- I need to pee. - Go stand where I told you.

- What time is your interview? - At 11 am. - You missed your turn.

It's you, Miss. No, not you.

You'll change the brake blocks... Wanna take a ride?

You sure to find any buyers?

You'll beg me yourself.

- Remember how it was with the Olds? - Dodge.

Just a minute. You, please.

Short break.

Does any of you know that boy?

You sure don't? He often hangs around here.

Come back. Clean the mess!

First you'd have to figure out what the woman wants.

That you know, huh?

If she'd like, for instance, to settle down,

find a safe haven,

she'd rather fall for a decent guy who inspires trust.

Like your Oldsmobile.

Another one, who would like to taste new things, see.

Not necessarily a hot Saturday night chick,

but a wife, maybe,

someone else's or yours,

would fall for a fast one

...with character.

Atwo-door...

coupe,

like this Tornado.

What did we talk about last time?

About forgiveness.

Exactly. We forgave each other. And now? Any new words?

- I'm not studying. It's my vacation. - Good that you take a rest.

I'd like to work.

The worst thing is to misunderstand her,

like you give her a sedan to rock her to sleep, see?

Since you think she's into a safe haven.

Whereas deep down, she'd like to be pushed back into her seat.

Get it? With the tires burning and all.

Or she may say sedan,

whereas she has coupe in mind, but is too shy to tell you.

- You know what this will bring about? - What?

Sooner or later...

...a friend or her boss will drive her around

in a coupe like this Tornado.

What's wrong with your fingers? Arrange them correctly.

This boy is coming with us.

When you come in a moment, apologize for coming late

and ask for another appointment.

- How's Elka? - I don't know yet.

Look that's him.

Pull over!

Nobody is gonna stop him now. It's not far.

The sunroof gets stuck.

See for yourself under the hood.

The radio's old. And the mirror is missing.

Judge by the engine,

not by the mirror or the radio.

I'm awfully sorry, miss.

Not the first name basis now?

Sorry, I didn't notice.

Admit it that you don't know me.

I do, but you know how it is

when you suddenly run into somebody.

Come round for tea, Dad will be happy.

Where do you live now?

We haven't moved.

See you then.

Bye.

My regards to Dad.

Yes?

I had to stay.

What a scrum I got here.

I'm in conference now.

You're late. We've finished the interview.

We'll start at 7 pm with this last applicant.

But she had her appointed hour!

Don't interrupt, please.

At 7 pm. Does it suit you?

Yes, I'll be right on time.

Let go of me! She's my sister!

Daddy has drowned!

I told you not to disturb me. Wait in the corridor.

- What's up? - Nothing.

This is my brother, weak in the head a bit.

The chairman wants to know why you pissed on his car.

I kept my fingers crossed and missed the man hole.

That's where he was.

- But is no more. Let's go! - He waded in and drowned.

- We can't help it. We must go back. - His things are over there.

His wallet is in his pants.

So what?

I can't see you tonight.

The interview is at 7 pm and then off to work.

Don't you want me to drive you?

OK. You can drive me to work.

In the Dodge or another car?

- What d'you mean? - I could get a two-door coupe.

- No, the Dodge is OK. - You sure?

I could drive you with the tires burning.

No, thank you.

You'd rather she rocked you...

...rather than push you back into the seat, right?

Want some? This is no ordinary candy.

- But what? - Achoice mixture.

There's one with a fabulous filling.

If there's only one, how can I luck up?

I feel it in my bones.

Good. I pick first.

You can tell it by the word embossed on the wrapper.

You draw. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

But the fabulous filling is mine.

I got it!

- You put it in to cheer me up. - I'll have it if you don't want it.

It's almost 7 pm.

- Come. I'll take you to mom. - I don't want to. - Let's go.

Hey, good-lookin', what're you cookin'?

Get lost, creep!

Playing for money or points?

- Points. - Should be for money.

For money!

- Can't I come along? - Just keep your fingers crossed.

- Wait! - But he's leaving!

How can you stop him? Catching him by his trouser leg?

He's chickened out. Just our luck with the guy.

Why, we've been incredibly lucky today!

Until now.

- Can't we turn our luck? - No chance.

Can we bribe it, then?

What with?

- Mom's gold earrings? - No, we can't sacrifice them.

Wait.

It's our move now, or else he won't go there.

Don't spoil it. Sit still and watch.

But nothing is happening.

Always is.

Don't you feel the ground tremble?

Why, it's a train coming.

Where's mom?

At the post office. Come give me a kiss.

- Mom's at the post office. - How come?

Always takes the day's takings there after 7 pm.

I've missed my interview!

Don't let him leave until mom is back.

- How was it? - I didn't go.

How come?

Itjust worked out that way.

Have you seen a girl with a small boy?

No italiano, mister, sorry.

A girl with a boy.

A big sister with a kid brother?

Charming queen,

have a heart and gimme a beer!

Stefek, come back!

Missed your train again?

No, I didn't. I just didn't board it.

- It wasn't the right one? - No.

- Are you waiting for the next one? - No, I'm not.

I thought you were.

I'm sitting on the platform, but not waiting for a train.

How are you going to leave, then?

I'm leaving nowhere.

I've been waiting for you.

You're a bit early today.

CAST OF CHARACTERS